{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Dad Manual","title":"Ep 15: From Classroom to Fatherhood: How Teaching Made Mike a Better Dad","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2351,"description":"What if the best thing you can do for your kids is get out of their way?Tony sits down with Mike Mendelson — a former high school teacher, devoted co-parent, and self-described \"great dad\" — for a wide-ranging conversation about raising capable, independent kids. Mike shares how teaching shaped his parenting philosophy, why the word \"yet\" is a game-changer, and what it really looks like to co-parent with purpose. From a near-miss mountain adventure to gut-punch moments with his son, Mike opens up about the wins, the mistakes, and the mindset shifts that have made him a better father.Key Takeaways:The \"growth mindset\" (Carol Dweck's work) is one of the most powerful frameworks a dad can bring home from the classroomThe word \"yet\" reframes limitation as a temporary state — and it changes everything for kidsCo-parenting well requires treating the other parent as a business partner with a shared mission: the kids' wellbeingHaving solo parenting time creates a kind of focused \"full-on dad mode\" that's hard to replicate otherwiseA less risk-tolerant partner provides real safety value — autonomy in parenting has a trade-off\"Parenting for independence\" — modeled by Mike's own father — is about asking \"how will you do this when I'm not here?\"Wait time is a tactical, teachable skill: ask a question, be silent, and let the kid find the answerBreaking generational patterns starts with noticing the unconscious ones — like pushing a child past what's age-appropriateConfidence in your own way of dadding matters — no one else dads exactly like youIf you enjoyed The Dad Manual, leave us a rating on your podcast app! If you loved it, share this episode with a Dad! Send your questions to dadmanualpodcast@gmail.com.Connect with Tony Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetonycooper/","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/RhesufeLfq-KH7W3Ni1tcYfxGDlnUQ1BXbcDk7-CgJk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8zMWVh/NTk0NDViNmUyYWZl/Zjk4NDk3NWVjMWEy/NWYxYi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}