🎙️ Welcome to the 6th Year Anniversary Special of the Dad Up Podcast!
🟫 The Evolution Of Dad Up | Ron Haywood & Bryan Ward | Ep. 315
👉 Welcome to a very special milestone episode of the Dad Up Podcast — our 6-Year Anniversary!
👉 To celebrate, I brought back Ron Haywood, the man who kicked it all off as my very first guest on the show.
👉 Ron isn’t just a returning guest — he’s a championship basketball coach, husband, and father who continues to lead both on and off the court.
👉 In this episode, we reflect on how far the show and fatherhood have come over the last six years.
👉 We also talk about our time coaching together and how successful the team was and how fun it was to coach together.
👉 Ron shares his wisdom on leadership, family, and building a championship mindset at home and in life.
👉 This one is filled with reflection, laughs, and powerful lessons every dad needs to hear.
👉 Join us as we celebrate 6 incredible years of helping fathers grow, lead, and break cycles.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Ron Haywood:
✅ Ron Haywood Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/doowyah2?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
✅ Ron Haywood Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ron.haywood2?mibextid=wwXIfr
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!
🟫 Building A Life Of Purpose With Campire Gentleman | Clay Garrett & Bryan Ward | Ep. 314
👉 In this powerful episode of the Dad Up Podcast, host Bryan Ward sits down with Clay Garrett, husband, father of two, and creator of Campfire Gentleman a movement built to help men lead meaningful, grounded lives centered around what truly matters: Family, Purpose, Growth, Health, and Simplicity.
👉 Clay shares his personal story of transformation, from a 20-year career in corporate graphic design, to a complete reset during COVID that redefined his views on success, fatherhood, and living intentionally.
👉 Through his platform and weekly newsletter (now reaching over 3,000 subscribers and 1,200 engaged readers), Clay provides honest reflections and practical tools for men who want to show up fully at home and in life.
👉 In this conversation, Bryan and Clay discuss:
👉 How men can redefine success beyond career titles.
👉 Small daily habits that strengthen family connection.
👉 Why being a dad who continues to grow is one of the greatest gifts to your kids.
👉 The five pillars of the Campfire Gentleman: Family, Purpose, Growth, Health, and Simplicity.
👉 How to slow down, show up, and lead intentionally in a distracted world.
👉 If you’re a dad who’s ready to lead with purpose, this episode will light a fire within you to live intentionally and build a life that truly matters.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Clay Garrett:
✅ Clay Garrett Website:
Campfire Gentleman
✅ Clay Garrett Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/campfiregentleman
✅ Clay Garrett Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/campfiregentleman?mibextid=wwXIfr
✅ Clay Garrett LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/clay-garrett
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!
🟫 Making It Up | Christopher Mannino & Bryan Ward | Ep. 313
👉 Christopher Mannino's writing journey began when he was stranded on the Cornish coast at the supposed birthplace of King Arthur. The experience inspired The Scythe Wielder's Secret.
👉 He studied mythology, theatre, and literature both in the US and at Oxford.
👉 A former theatre teacher, he is a digital nomad currently residing in Malta with his wife and two inspiring children.
👉 He continues to write both fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. In addition, as a freelancer he is most known for his work with Business Insider where he has amassed over 4.5 million readers.
👉 Christopher Mannino is an expert at helping parents and kids connect better. You can learn more through his most recent book called Making It Up.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Christopher Mannino:
✅ Christopher Mannino Website:
http://www.christophermannino.com/
✅ Christopher Mannino Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/christophermannino/
✅ Christopher Mannino Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CTMannino
✅ Preorder Link for Making It Up
https://www.amazon.com/Making-Up-Revolutionary-Bond-Through-ebook/dp/
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!
🟫 Work From Home Dads | Thom Gibson & Bryan Ward | Ep. 312
👉 Thom Gibson – Founder of WFH Dads & Creator of the 6-Hour Workday Playbook
👉 Thom Gibson is on a mission to help work-from-home dads reclaim their time, refocus their energy, and redefine what fatherhood and productivity can look like.
👉 As the founder of WFH Dads, Thom creates actionable tools and strategies specifically designed for fathers balancing the demands of career and family life without sacrificing either.
👉 In this episode, Thom shares powerful insights from his 6-Hour Workday Playbook, a proven framework that helps dads build more time, focus on what matters most, and create deeper connections at home.
Together, we explore:
• The Time Freedom Framework – How to audit and reclaim hours each week using automation, delegation, elimination, and renegotiation.
• Weekly Partner Conversations – Real scripts and examples for aligning with your spouse and preventing work from invading family time.
• The Weekly Map & Daily MITs – A practical planning system to prioritize your most important tasks and eliminate wasted effort.
👉 Thom’s mission is simple but life-changing: help dads design work lives that serve their families, not steal from them.
👉 And as a special bonus, Thom is sharing his 6-Hour Workday Playbook FREE for all listeners.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Thom Gibson:
✅ Work From Home Website:
Posts | Work-From-Home Dads
✅ Thom Gibson Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/wfh.dads?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
✅ Thom Gibson LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomgibson?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!
🟫 The Preparation: Building Competence, Confidence & Real-World Skills | Matt Smith & Bryan Ward | Ep. 311
👉 In this episode of The Dad Up Podcast, I’m joined by Matt Smith, an American entrepreneur, economic commentator, and co-author of The Preparation: How to Become Competent, Confident, and Dangerous.
👉 After relocating to Uruguay in 2021, Matt now operates a regenerative cattle ranch while co-hosting Doug Casey’s Take, a top podcast offering deep insights into global markets, monetary policy, and geopolitical trends.
👉 Together with legendary investor Doug Casey and his 20-year-old son Maxim, Matt co-authored The Preparation, a groundbreaking roadmap for young men that replaces the broken college system with 16 real-world “cycles” of growth, skill-building, and philosophy.
👉 From EMT training and firefighting to entrepreneurship, welding, and aviation, this book gives the next generation the blueprint to build competence, confidence, and independence, without student debt.
👉 You’ll hear how The Preparation is reshaping what it means to grow into manhood, why traditional education fails to equip young adults for life, and how fathers can guide their sons to become capable, self-reliant men ready to take on the world.
👉 What We Talk About:
👉 Featured Book: The Preparation: How to Become Competent, Confident, and Dangerous by Doug Casey, Matt Smith, and Maxim Smith, available now on Amazon.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Matt Smith:
✅ The Preparation Book:
https://a.co/d/36Bv27H
✅ The Preparation Website:
The Preparation is not just a book
✅ Matt Smith Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/livingstoic?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!
🟫 Bold Faith & Bold Healing | Featuring Elena Huggins and Bryan Ward | Ep. 310
👉 Elena Huggins is a passionate communicator, musician, entrepreneur, and devoted follower of Jesus whose mission is to inspire, challenge, and empower others to live transformed lives.
👉 For nearly two decades, she has spoken across diverse stages, reaching audiences with her straightforward approach, unapologetic challenges, and unwavering commitment to biblical truth.
👉 With eighteen years of experience, Elena has dedicated her life to helping people grow spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.
👉 Her own journey of overcoming trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression gives her a unique voice of authenticity and hope.
👉 She has walked alongside countless individuals through one-on-one coaching sessions, pastoral care, and crisis work—including serving trafficked victims and supporting survivors at a rape crisis center.
👉 Through these experiences, Elena continues to bring clarity, courage, and the message of freedom in Christ to those she serves.
👉 At the heart of her mission is a devotion to the Gospel and a desire to see God’s people strengthened, set free, and more deeply in love with Jesus.
👉 Her teaching not only equips audiences to face life’s challenges but also points them toward lasting healing and joy.
👉 Today, Elena resides in the mountains with her two beautiful daughters, where she continues to write, speak, and lead others toward truth and transformation.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Elena Huggins:
✅ Elena Huggins Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/itselenahuggins/
✅ Elena Huggins Website:
Elena Huggins | Author
✅ Elena Huggins Book:
https://a.co/d/drIUHWV
✅ Elena Huggins Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Elenatalks?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
✅ Elena Huggins YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@elenahuggins?si=w_mZOGZdIcj7-nAA
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!
🟫 One Step Changed Everything | Featuring Johnny Muresan and Bryan Ward | Ep. 309
👉 Johnny Muresan is a husband, dad, and everyday guy who once weighed nearly 500 pounds, until he laced up his shoes and took one shaky, breathless step toward change.
👉 That step turned into a journey of transformation, and today Johnny has shed more than 160 pounds, completing races from 5 km all the way to an ultramarathon.
👉 Known online as @johnnygoesrunning, Johnny has built a community of hundreds of thousands by being the bridge connecting the athletic with those who feel left out of it.
👉 You won’t find many people his size running marathons, crushing dips and handstand push-ups, or chasing down an ultramarathon finish line, but that’s exactly why he does it.
👉 He’s forced his way into rooms where larger bodies are almost never represented, and his mission is to hold the door open wide enough for others to follow.
👉 On this episode of the Dad Up Podcast, Johnny shares his powerful story of resilience, transformation, and faith.
👉 From running across Tennessee on just 11 days’ notice to inspiring everyday people to believe they can do more than they imagined, Johnny embodies the truth that you don’t have to “look the part” to step into greatness.
👉 His conviction is simple but life-changing: with work, consistency, and a little belief anything is possible.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Johnny Muresan:
✅ Johnny Muresan Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/johnnygoesrunning?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
✅ Johnny Muresan Website:
https://beacons.ai/johnnymuresan
✅ Johnny Muresan YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@johnnygoesrunning?si=7JOiw2wBinnT5B4h
✅ Johnny Muresan TikTok:
https://tiktok.com/@johnnygoesrunning
✅ Johnny Muresan Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/johnny.muresan?mibextid=wwXIfr
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!
🟫 Photo Memories Are The Bridge Between Generations | Featuring Angela Andrieux and Bryan Ward | Ep. 308
👉 Angela Andrieux, MBA is a dynamic creative professional whose passion for capturing and preserving life’s most meaningful moments shines through every project she touches.
👉 As a photographer, photography coach, broadcaster, writer, and content creator, Angela blends artistry with expertise to help others see the world and themselves through a more inspired lens.
👉 With years of experience behind the camera and in front of an audience, Angela has built a reputation not only for her striking imagery but also for her ability to teach, empower, and connect.
👉 She is dedicated to helping both hobbyists and professionals unlock their creative potential, guiding them to tell richer, more authentic stories through their photography.
👉 In addition to her creative pursuits, Angela serves as a Product Evangelist for Mylio Photos, the groundbreaking, privacy-first photo management and storage app on a mission to Change the Way the World Remembers.
👉 In this role, she helps people worldwide preserve and organize their most cherished memories with cutting-edge tools that seamlessly integrate details like dates, tags, and geolocations.
👉 Her work ensures that photos become more than just images, they become legacies.
👉 Whether behind the camera, on stage, or online, Angela continues to inspire communities of creators and storytellers.
👉 Her mission is simple yet powerful: to make sure that every memory is not only captured but remembered, celebrated, and shared.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Angela Andrieux:
✅ Website: angelaandrieux.com
✅ Instagram: @angandrieux
✅ Facebook: Angela Andrieux Photography
✅ LinkedIn: Angela Andrieux
✅ X/Twitter: @angandrieux
✅ YouTube: Angela Andrieux
Learn More About Mylio Photos;
✅ Website: mylio.com
✅ Instagram: @myliophotos
✅ Facebook: Mylio Photos
✅ LinkedIn: Mylio
✅ X/Twitter: @mylioapp
✅ YouTube: Mylio Photos
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!
🟫 Parenting With Creativity & Faith | Featuring Howard “Quiggly” Chang and Bryan Ward | Ep. 307
👉 Howard “Quiggly” Chang is a legendary toy concept artist whose creativity helped bring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures to life in the late ‘80s and ‘90s.
👉 As a lead illustrator at Varner Studios, Howard created the concept art behind hundreds of the figures that became staples in every kid’s toy box.
👉 But Howard’s story doesn’t stop with turtles and nostalgia.
👉 Today, he’s on a mission to merge his passion for design with his faith through his latest project, Ancientz—Legends Reborn.
👉 This innovative action figure line reimagines biblical heroes like David, Deborah, and Gideon as futuristic robotic warriors—giving parents and kids a fun, powerful, and faith-centered way to connect.
👉 In this episode, Howard shares his journey from sketching Ninja Turtles to building toys that inspire deeper conversations about courage, legacy, and spiritual growth.
👉 His story is one of creativity, conviction, and the belief that toys can be both “cool” and meaningful.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Howard Chang:
✅ Howard Chang Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/quiggly.daze?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
✅ Howard Chang Website:
Home - ANCIENTZ
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!
🟫 How Mindset Shapes Legacy | Featuring Jeff Vulpis and Bryan Ward | Ep. 306
👉 Jeff Vulpis is a mindset coach, speaker, and living example of resilience. He knows firsthand what it means to fight and comeback from rock bottom.
👉 After spending nearly 2 years homeless, living out of a rest area, Jeff made a life altering decision,
he would not be defined by his circumstances.
👉 Through faith, unshakable discipline, and a constant commitment to growth,
he rebuilt his life piece by piece, proving that the mindset is everything!
👉 Today, Jeff works with high performers, executives, realtors, bodybuilders, and comeback driven leaders who refuse to settle for mediocrity.
👉 His coaching is raw, real, and direct, teaching people how to handle pressure, eliminate excuses, and develop the kind of mental toughness required to win in every area of their life.
👉 What sets Jeff apart isn’t just his story, it’s the power he draws from it. He doesn’t teach generic methods, he teaches what he lived, and experience, forged in the fire of hardship and refined through years of personal transformation.
👉 His clients walk away not only inspired but free of excuses, and equipped with tools to dominate any season with clarity, confidence, and an unbreakable mindset!
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Jeff Vulpis:
✅ Jeff Vulpis Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jeffvulpis
✅ Jeff Vulpis Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jeffery.vulpis
✅ Jeff Vulpis LinkedIn :
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffvulpis
✅ Jeff Vulpis YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@jeffvulpis?si=Hp2lu8ejYNK2Tnhu
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!
🟫 Preparing Your Kids For The Future Of College | Featuring Shellee Howard and Bryan Ward | Ep. 305
👉 My guest today is Shellee Howard, the founder and CEO of College Ready, a Certified Educational Consultant, two-time bestselling author, international speaker, and host of the Parents, Is Your Teen College Ready? podcast.
👉 Shellee helps high-achieving families navigate the often overwhelming college admissions process—without ending up buried in debt. What makes her approach so powerful is that it’s not just theory.
👉 As a single mother of four, she personally guided her children through the admissions journey—balancing academics, scholarships, and unique ambitions.
👉 From Ivy League halls to international study programs, her kids all graduated college completely debt-free.
👉 Now, Shellee takes that lived experience and proven system to families around the world.
👉 She works with busy professionals—doctors, lawyers, engineers, and business leaders—who want the very best for their teens but don’t have the time to figure it all out on their own.
👉 With her “Stand Out Strategy,” she aligns academic goals with financial planning, emotional readiness, and return on investment—so parents can confidently send their kids to the right school for the right reasons, without the crushing burden of loans.
👉 Her work has been featured on FOX, CBS, NBC, and in major national publications.
👉 Today, she’s here to share her insights on how families can create a clear path to college success, while building a legacy of financial freedom and opportunity for their children.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Shellee Howard:
✅ Shellee Howard Website:
College Counseling Services | Graduate Debt-Free with Expert Guidance
✅ Shellee Howard Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/collegereadyplan
✅ Shellee Howard Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CollegeReadyPlan?mibextid=wwXIfr
✅ Shellee Howard LinkedIn :
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleehoward
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!
🟫 Lighting The Way: Faith, Family & Filmmaking| Featuring Nathan and D’Lytha Myers and Bryan Ward | Ep. 304
👉 Nathan and D’Lytha Myers are a dynamic husband-and-wife creative team whose talents span acting, directing, producing, and teaching.
👉 Nathan D. Myers is an award-winning creator with credits as an actor, director, and production designer. He was the Lead Designer of the Capernaum Studios & Gardens project featured in The Chosen (seasons 1–3), recently designed the feature Matter of Time with Sean Astin, and has helmed projects for Great American Pureflix and other major productions.
👉 As Founder of Grafted Studios, Inc. and Co-Founder of the Fort Worth Actors Studio, Nathan has built a reputation for mentoring talent while continuing to act, direct, and write. His multiple award-winning musical feature Aria Appleton Shines (releasing this year) highlights his work as both a filmmaker and songwriter. Beyond the screen, he is also an author and homeschool dad of two.
👉 D’Lytha Myers is the Director of Fort Worth Actors Studio and co-creator/producer of Aria Appleton Shines.
👉 A seasoned actress, she has graced both stage and screen since 2002, performing at Casa Mañana, in regional theatre productions such as Man of La Mancha, Oklahoma!, and Cinderella, and in the feature film Rain alongside Academy Award winner Faye Dunaway. With a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre (University of Oklahoma), an M.A. in Drama (Texas Woman’s University), and international study at The Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, she brings a depth of craft and training to her work.
👉 Today, she balances her creative pursuits with homeschooling their daughter and son.
👉 Together, Nathan and D’Lytha embody the blend of artistry, faith, and family—building legacies both on-screen and at home.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Nathan & D’Lytha:
✅ Aria Appleton Website:
https://www.ariaappleton.com/
✅ Nathan & D’Lytha Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ariaappleton/?hl=en
✅ Nathan & D’Lytha Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ariaappletonfilm/
✅ Aria Appleton Movie Trailer:
https://www.ariaappleton.com/trailer/
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!
🟫 From At-Risk Youth To Empowered Families| Featuring Richard Ramos and Bryan Ward | Ep. 303
👉 Richard is an accomplished author, speaker, and parent coach with over three decades of experience in leadership development, family dynamics, and community building.
👉 His work has left a profound impact both nationally and internationally, particularly in empowering high-risk youth, parents, and families to create safe, supportive environments that foster personal growth and community transformation.
👉 Through his innovative leadership curriculum, Richard has trained more than 2,000 parent mentors and authored influential works, including Parents on a Mission and From the Margins to the Mainstream.
👉 A recognized authority in preventing community violence and promoting healthy family environments, Richard blends personal experience with professional expertise to guide families through the complexities of parenting, stepparenting, and building meaningful connections at home.
👉 His passion for equipping families to lead with confidence and resilience has touched communities worldwide.
👉 Richard’s mission is simple yet powerful: to help families not only survive life’s challenges but truly thrive, strengthening relationships, fostering leadership, and creating lasting change in their homes and communities.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Richard Ramos:
✅ Richard Ramos Website:
https://www.richardrramos.com/
✅ Richard Ramos Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/pomleadership/
✅ Richard Ramos YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@richardrramos?si=IzQoze-2GY9rbW2A
✅ Richard Ramos Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-parent-whisperer/id1818393904
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!
🟫 Empowering Kids Through Song | Featuring Michael Hemsworth and Bryan Ward | Ep. 302
👉 In this inspiring episode of the Dad Up Podcast, I sit down with lifelong music educator, author, and father, Michael Hemsworth.
👉 With over 20 years of experience as a music school director in California, Michael has helped thousands of families navigate the challenges and rewards of music education.
👉 As a father of three and the author of Mr. Michael’s Music Maker Manual, Michael brings a powerful dual perspective—both as a teacher and a parent.
👉 We dive into how parents can use music to cultivate intrinsic motivation, build resilience, and unlock creativity in their kids—not just in music lessons, but at home and in life.
👉 Michael shares practical tips, heartfelt stories, and deep insights into how music can become a lifelong tool for connection, growth, and personal development.
👉 Whether you’re a parent of a budding musician or simply looking for ways to better connect with your child’s creative side, this episode will equip you with encouragement and actionable advice you can start using today.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Michael Hemsworth:
✅ Michael’s Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mrmichaelmusicmaker
✅ Michael’s Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/mrmichaelmusicmaker?utm_source=linktree_profile
✅ Mr. Michael’s Music Maker Manual is available now and free to read on Kindle Unlimited: Read the book
Learn more at:
✅ Michael’s Website:
www.newsongsmusic.com/manual
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!
🟫 From Fatherhood To The Ninja Warrior Stage| Featuring Brian Beckstrand and Bryan Ward | Ep. 301
👉 This week on Dad Up, I’m joined by Brian Beckstrand. He is a husband, father of five, and the original ninja dad behind one of the most inspiring families to ever hit the American Ninja Warrior course.
👉 What started as a backyard obstacle setup to keep his kids active has become something far greater, a family mission.
👉 Since Brian’s debut on American Ninja Warrior in 2013, the Beckstrand family has turned ninja into their family language, their bond, and their shared legacy.
👉 With four of his children and his wife now competing on the national stage, Brian steps back to the sidelines this season to cheer on 16-year-old Baylee as she makes her ANW debut in Season 17.
👉 But this story isn’t just about strength and agility, it’s about parenting with intention, building connection through challenge, and inspiring families to chase greatness together.
👉 Brian also shares how they’ve expanded their passion by opening two Ninja Fitness gyms in Southern Utah, empowering hundreds of other families to discover the power of movement, mindset, and unity.
👉 Tune in as we dive into how ninja became more than a sport, it became the heartbeat of a legacy.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Brian Beckstrand:
✅ Brian’s Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/beckstrand_family_ninjas
✅ Beckstrand Website:
Welcome to The Grip Ninja – The Grip Ninja
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode!
This is episode 300!!
🟫 Emmy-Winning & Former Sesame Street Exec Gets Real On Being A Dad | Featuring Jordan Geary and Bryan Ward | Ep. 300
👉 In this episode of the Dad Up Podcast, I sit down with Jordan Geary, an Emmy Award-winning creative producer and former senior leader at Sesame Workshop, the iconic team behind Sesame Street.
👉 With 20+ years of experience in children’s and family content, Jordan shares powerful insights on fatherhood, creative leadership, and building legacy through storytelling.
👉 As the Senior Creative Producer at Sesame Workshop, Jordan has helped shape hit shows like:
• 🧩 Helpsters
• 🤖 Mecha Builders
• 📖 Ghostwriter
• 🧱 Bea’s Block
👉 He’s also produced more than 300+ digital shorts for Sesame Studios, bringing rich, inclusive content to kids everywhere.
👉 In our conversation, we dive deep into: ✅ What it takes to create meaningful children’s television
✅ The power of storytelling in kids’ media
✅ The balance between parenting and creative work
✅ Lessons on fatherhood, legacy, and leadership
✅ Behind-the-scenes of producing
award-winning kids content
👉 Jordan has earned numerous awards including an Emmy, six Telly Awards, and served as President of the Children’s Media Association.
👉 His expertise in both animation and live-action makes him a true force in family entertainment.
👉 Whether you’re a creative dad, a fan of Sesame Workshop, or passionate about quality content for children, this episode is packed with inspiration and insight.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Jordan Geary:
✅ Jordan Geary Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thejordangeary
✅ Jordan Geary Website:
Home - Jordan Geary
✅ Jordan Geary Links:
Jordan Geary
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode! I’m excited to share these reality star guests with you.
🟫 Dads Who Lead | Featuring Tom Pfanner and Bryan Ward | Ep. 299
👉 I am joined by Tom Pfanner, The Leadership Dad, a husband, father of three, combat athlete, and former Division 1 strength coach who’s on a mission to help fathers lead with strength and purpose.
👉 After becoming a father at 18 and facing the heartbreak of being pushed out of his son’s life, Tom has rebuilt not only a strong, blended family, but a legacy.
👉 Now, as the founder of Dads Who Lead, Tom equips men to become trusted, respected leaders in their homes.
👉 With 7 years of experience as a public educator, Tom saw the critical lack of real-world readiness among today’s youth.
👉 His calling? Helping dads understand teenage rebellion and break generational cycles before it’s too late.
👉 If you’re a father who’s navigating the teenage years or rebuilding after adversity, this conversation is for you.
👉 Tom brings real talk, lived experience, and practical wisdom to empower you to lead your family with clarity and courage.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Tom Pfanner:
✅ Tom Pfanner Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/dadswholead
✅ Tom Pfanner Website:
https://www.dadswholead.com
✅ Tom Pfanner YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@theleadershipdad?si=z8iydVJoo1m7VJxe
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode! I’m excited to share these reality star guests with you.
🟫 Parenting Teens With Purpose | Featuring Mike Barsamian and Bryan Ward | Ep. 298
👉 In this powerful episode of the Dad Up Podcast, I’m joined by Mike Barsamian, widely known on Instagram as @miketheparentcoach.
👉 Mike is a certified parent and teen coach who helps high-achieving, emotionally exhausted parents reconnect with their teens through powerful tools, presence, and purpose.
👉 He’s the founder of the Present Solution for Parents and creator of the PACE Setter Parent Method, a system that teaches parents how to shift from control and conflict to connection and clarity.
👉 With a background in mentoring, coaching, and real-life parenting wins and losses, Mike brings both professional insight and relatable experience to the table.
👉 His coaching style blends practical strategies with deep empathy—helping parents understand what their teen’s behavior is really communicating and how to respond in ways that build trust and long-term connection.
👉 Mike shares daily wisdom and actionable advice through his fast-growing Instagram account, leads nationwide coaching sessions, and facilitates live workshops that are changing family dynamics one conversation at a time.
👉 In this episode, Mike opens up about the most common challenges parents face today, what it really takes to raise emotionally healthy teens, and how dads, in particular, can step into their leadership role at home with intention and heart.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Mike Barsamian:
✅ Mike Barsamian Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/miketheparentcoach
✅ Mike Barsamian Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MichaelBarsamian
✅ Mike Barsamian LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-barsamian
✅ Mike’s Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/present-solution-podcast/id1795139566
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode! I’m excited to share these reality star guests with you.
🟫 The Power of Presence, Pain, and Purpose in Fatherhood | Featuring Kaleb Stoppel and Bryan Ward | Ep. 297
👉 In this powerful episode of the Dad Up Podcast, I’m joined by Kaleb Stoppel.
👉 Dr. Kaleb Stoppel is a devoted husband, father of two, and former educator who has spent his life investing in others, whether in the classroom, on the athletic field, or through community service.
👉 After serving 15 years in education, including as a high school assistant principal and athletic director, Kaleb’s life was forever changed on March 4, 2022, when he was shot while protecting students and staff during a school shooting.
👉 His journey of healing, reflection, and rediscovery since that day has given him a renewed sense of purpose.
👉 For Kaleb, nothing matters more than being present for his family.
👉 That mindset led him to join the Fathers’ Club, an organization focused on helping dads engage more meaningfully with their children, schools, and communities.
👉 Through this work, Kaleb found a powerful platform to advocate for mental health awareness, especially among men who often struggle silently.
👉 He believes fatherhood is not about having it all figured out. It is about showing up, being real, and leading with love.
👉 Today, Kaleb continues to serve others as a financial advisor, helping individuals and families build secure, purpose-driven lives.
👉 Whether in his professional role or personal life, he is passionate about helping men reconnect with what matters most and reminding them that healing, growth, and hope are always possible.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Kaleb Stoppel:
✅ Kaleb Stoppel Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/kaleb.stoppel
✅ Kaleb Stoppel LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalebstoppel
✅ Kaleb Stoppel Website:
Kaleb Stoppel, Financial Advisor | Edward Jones
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode! I’m excited to share these reality star guests with you.
🟫 From SEAL Team To Dad Team | Featuring Alden Mills and Bryan Ward | Ep. 296
👉 In this powerful episode of the Dad Up Podcast, I’m joined by Alden Mills.
👉 He is a former U.S. Navy SEAL platoon commander, father of four, bestselling author, and #1-ranked virtual speaker by Entrepreneur magazine.
👉 Before embarking on a dangerous mission, Alden wrote a “just-in-case” letter to his children filled with life lessons and values he wanted to pass on.
👉 That heartfelt letter became the foundation for his inspiring book Be Unstoppable, which has sold over 25,000 copies in multiple languages.
👉 Now, in a newly expanded edition releasing July 22, 2025, Alden revitalizes his signature U-PERSIST method with fresh tools to help families build unstoppable habits for life and leadership.
👉 In our conversation, Alden shares the origin story behind Be Unstoppable, unpacks the 8 U-PERSIST actions for lasting success, and offers practical advice for dads who want to raise resilient, purpose-driven kids.
👉 We also explore how the book’s parable-based lessons, inspired by a young sea captain’s first journey, can guide fathers in teaching grit, courage, and self-discipline at home.
👉 Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or your household, this episode will give you the mindset and tools to break cycles, build legacies, and become truly unstoppable for yourself and your children.
👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.
Links are in my bio or in the show notes!
Dad Up!
Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.
📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:
✅ Dad Up Instagram:
https://instagram.com/daduppodcast
✅ Dad Up YouTube:
https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast
✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562
✅ Dad Up LinkTree:
https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe
📞 Contact with Alden Mills:
✅ Alden Mills Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/alden_mills?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
✅ Be Unstoppable Amazon:
https://a.co/d/9Ueq9hZ