If you could choose an athlete, alive or dead, for your child to emulate, who would it be and why? There were many responses to this question and many that confused Todd but there were a few that may be gone, but should never be forgotten. Are you a coach? Todd is and he plans on taking these answers and asking his kids to do a little research about them to learn from the great leaders that are not making headlines today. This is an episode that could keep on giving, because today’s children, girls and boys, in the age of Facebook and Twitter, do not have the role models to follow.

Which leads me to the other half of the show: discussing Tommy Jordan’s tirade against his own daughter that lead to him shooting her laptop with his 45 handgun. Was he right? Was he wrong? What did he miss in this opportunity that was handed to him? Was his daughter just trying to reach out for help? It’s all discussed on this episode of Dads Unplugged.

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Facebook and Twitter are more addictive than Sex? Social Media is now creating illnesses in teens? A 21 Year old Philomath Dad gets arrested for spanking his child between 50-60 times. Those were the topics Todd and Kent tackled on this edition of Dads Unplugged.

How can posting on Facebook enhance ticks or Tourette’s Syndrome ? Some Doctor’s in upstate New York are proclaiming their research shows kids are having more issues.

As for wanting Social Media connection more than sexual connection? That’s can’t be true, but again research says it is. Todd and Kent debate that.

Regarding the kid from Philomath, it wasn’t time to stand on the soapbox, it was time for something else. Find out exactly how Todd reacted in this episode.

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Have you read the Huffington Post article entitled, “Don’t Carpe Diem“? It’s been making the rounds on Facebook and parenting circles. Todd and Kent shared their perspectives and asked all of you a simple question.

Do you love parenting? I mean really loving parenting, like you can’t do without it. Do you love the good, the bad, the tantrum on Aisle 5? Kent and Todd debate whether or not parents love parenting. People say they do, but are they really just trying not to be judged? If you did say no, would you be considered a bad parent? People respond via Facebook, and the answer surprises Todd.

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THIS IS AN EXPLICIT EPISODE. THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF SWEARING THAT TAKES PLACE. SO IF YOU ARE ADVERSE TO FOUL LANGUAGE, YOU MIGHT WANT TO SKIP THIS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Have your kids ever sworn? What did you do about it? With the TV shows now swearing upwards of 260 times per week in primetime, our kids are hearing it even if you don’t allow them to say it.

Growing up, swearing at Todd’s house was not allowed. The older they got, the less effect the “no swearing” rule had.

So how do you handle it when your kids drop an F-Bomb? Todd and Kent share their recent experiences. In fact, Kent was very open and let us know that not only did an F-bomb drop at his house but so did a S-bomb, as in “I will wash your mouth out with soap.”

The phrase is alive and well in our country, Kent used it, followed through and then had the courage to use it again as a threat…to his two year old.

We all make mistakes and Kent knows he had made one. Todd make mistakes all the time parenting. We all do. However in this episode of Dads Unplugged we talked about swearing and the best way to handle it and get beyond it with your kids..

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Kent has shared this with you before on Dads Unplugged that he has a daughter with an old girlfriend. His daughter is 8 and recently moved back to town with the mother. Recently he found out that she has been struggling with reading and like a good Dad, he wanted to do something about it. LIke a bad Dad, he went about it the wrong way. Well, he didn’t think that until he had an enlightening conversation with the Diva of Divorces in Portland,  Jody Stahancyk. If you are looking for a clean Divorce or are having family issues,  she is the one to talk to. However, through her years of experience, she has learned a great deal on how to deal with sticky situations in marriage. She shared that with Kent. Kent shares that with you. If you are involved in a Non Custodial parenting scenario or you are divorced and struggling with the spouse, this is a MUST LISTEN, because in the end, it’s not about you. It’s about your child. And yes, you can screw it up. So don’t.

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When we make decisions we think we’re in control. But are we? Dan Ariely has written many books on decision making, but this one struck a chord with Kent and I. Because not only did it talk about the decisions we make on a day to day basis and how predictably irrational we are, but we saw it as a perfect carryover to parenting.

Who is more predictably irrational than children and we as parents can easily and quickly be sucked down into that vortex. Sometimes parenting resources come in different shapes and sizes and books. Check out this one as Kent and I break down some of the chapters that related directly to what we as Dads have to do every day: Parent.

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Maybe you know, maybe you don’t. My wife lost her sister over the holidays. She was mentally ill and was found dead in Pennsylvania. It has been a very difficult month for the entire family, but especially Laura and her parents and her brother.

For me, it has been a different journey.

How have I handled being a father and being the husband to a woman who has lost her sister. Some may say great. Some may say terrible. I have reasons for the way I have acted. I share those with you on this episode.

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Here we are at the end of 2011 and how many of your personal goals did you reach? Do you even remember what they are? Todd and Kent discussed setting and attaining personal and business goals. There is a reason that everyone in Kent’s company received iPad’s this holiday season. Maybe we should all start reading the book, “predictably irrational”?

There is no reason you can’t start now. These two dads shed some amazing light on how to best set your goals and how to attain them in this current chaotic business world. It’s really not that hard and you can have fun while doing it.

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Have you ever wondered how long your marriage will last? 50+ or will it be a Kardashian? Recently Notre Dame University funded a research study that was undertaken by the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia. 3,146 married respondents proclaimed that Sexual intimacy and Committment were #1 and #2 on the list. However, #3 was quite a surprise.

What do you #3 is? Todd breaks down the top three and gives his own opinions plus those of Wednesday Martin, the author of Stepmonster. Why is this good for men? Because it will teach you what women really believe and if you know that, your marriage last forever. Thankfully this show does not. It’s only 30 minutes. Enjoy.

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After a month off, Dads Unplugged is back and full of more vinegar. Kent was away so Todd took the mic and asked the question, “How far would you go to get your child noticed?”. A story involving Michael Buble, whether you like him or not, really brought it all home.

Also, Marion Brady wrote a fantastic column in the Washington Post that anyone associated with the public school system must read or you can just listen to Todd go on about how it really shows the truth and hidden problems with our school system. Plus don’t miss out on the top 5 Christmas gifts ever. It’s all jam packed into this brand new edition of Dads Unplugged.

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