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Thomas and Lydia
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Dear Old Dads

Hey kids, get ON our lawn! Dear Old Dads is a podcast examining and deconstructing all things Dad. From parenting to patriarchy; manning the grill to manning up; Dear Old Dads asks — what even is a dad anyway? What does it mean to be a good man in today's world? What should it mean? Listen along as we definitely find the correct, concise answers to all these questions and more! Featuring Eli Bosnick, Thomas Smith, and Tom Curry.

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Episodes

DOD232: New Kids on the Roblox

The New York Times' recently ran a piece where they just get it completely wrong (surprise) on tackling security issues with Roblox and other online offerings after some particularly troubling incidents connected to the game. Eli comes prepped with an analogy that makes way more sense as we chat about the inevitability of our kids being in online spaces. How three bears is this one going to be? Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddadsFor comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com For extended episodes, bonus content, and most importantly, for an AD FREE SHOW, make sure to pledge on Patreon!

Oct 8, 2025 · 48 min · With Thomas Smith, Eli Bosnick & Tom Curry

DOD231: How to Handle Not-Cash-Money Things That Happen to Your Kid

The dads gather to answer a listener question for an especially tough situation that the listener's friend is navigating. If a not-cash-money thing happens to our kid, how should we react? If a not-cash-money thing happens to your friend's kid, what can you do to be supportive during that moment? It's a real 2 bears and a psychopath! Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com

Oct 3, 2025 · 40 min · With Thomas Smith, Eli Bosnick & Tom Curry

DOD230: It's All About the Motion of the Ocean

The dudes are here to discuss toxic male sexual inadequacy, the cultural underpinnings of it, and how most often it is something men just inflict upon themselves. A note from Lydia: Listeners, you'll hear Tom refer to this as Episode 269 during the intro and, obviously, classic humor ensues. You are not losing your mind: it is, in fact, Episode 230, but Tom shouted out the recording session number, which was 269. As you were. 6-7. Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com

Sep 26, 2025 · 42 min · With Thomas Smith, Eli Bosnick & Tom Curry

DOD229: Cheering Your Kids On...Realistically

Thomas shares what he thinks might be a parenting win with one of his kiddos by walking a fine line between what his parents had done when he was a kid and what Eli would probably do. How realistic should we be when our kids share their expectations and dreams with us? Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddadsFor comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com For extended episodes, bonus content, and most importantly, for an AD FREE SHOW, make sure to pledge on Patreon!

Sep 25, 2025 · 48 min · With Thomas Smith, Eli Bosnick & Tom Curry

DOD228: Too Online 2

Part 2 of 2! The dads continue their conversation from Episode 227 regarding how to evaluate whether or not your kid is "too online" and what actions you should take to intervene. More specifically, what might be some signs that your child is falling into one of those cesspools? Also, place your bets now: what percentage of this episode will be Eli's Italian Brainrot? Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com

Sep 19, 2025 · 50 min · With Thomas Smith, Eli Bosnick & Tom Curry

DOD227: Is Your Kid "Too Online"?

Part 1 of 2! In light of yet another terrible *motions to everything*, we thought it was time to talk about how to evaluate if your kid seems "too online," if certain spaces are worse than others, and what the consequences of that might be. The dads line up in a bit of a three bears situation on what this means to them exactly, but there's just so much more to dig into on this topic that we'll be finishing up the conversation on Thursday's episode. Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddadsFor comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com For extended episodes, bonus content, and most importantly, for an AD FREE SHOW, make sure to pledge on Patreon!

Sep 17, 2025 · 54 min · With Thomas Smith, Eli Bosnick & Tom Curry

DOD226: Is Self-Improvement Isolating You?

The dads gather to discuss the unexpected toxic masculinity behind much of the self-improvement sold toward men these days. Why are these activities so... solo? Do they have to be? Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com

Sep 12, 2025 · 45 min · With Thomas Smith, Eli Bosnick & Tom Curry

DOD225: How Much Should Parents Let Their Kids Be Weird?

(apologies for the late post, the Smiths had a travel nightmare!) We've got a three bears situation over here today! Are parents responsible for addressing their kids' "weird" attitudes and behavior? And if so, how do we distinguish between what might be "weird" but flexible and what traits may be an innate facet of the person? Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com

Sep 5, 2025 · 48 min · With Thomas Smith, Eli Bosnick & Tom Curry

DOD224: Knowing When to Walk Away

A listener writes in looking for advice on approaching their relationship with a parent when the parent won't accept them for who they are. After exploring if the listener could have offered more in helping their parent understand, the dads reflect on a tough question - how do we know when it's time to let go of relationships that are hurting us? Then, in the patron-only story, Eli shares a heartwarming and grateful observation. Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com

Aug 29, 2025 · 39 min · With Thomas Smith, Eli Bosnick & Tom Curry

DOD223: Divorced Dad Diving into Dating

The dads receive a question from a listener who has gone through a divorce and is ready to jump back into the dating scene, but they don't know what to do, where to turn, or maybe even...how to flirt. Are you Team Coffee or Team Dinner Date? Then, ONLY patrons get to hear a funny Lydia story about dating and the apps (Lydia approves its inclusion). Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com

Aug 27, 2025 · 49 min · With Thomas Smith, Eli Bosnick & Tom Curry

DOD222: Back to School! Here's a Dozen Poorly Made Apps for Ya

Tom needs some more "old man yells at clouds" time to go off about the first few days of school for his kids. The dads get into it and talk school apps, communication, miscommunication, and various other logistics that seem to be purposely set up to be more complicated than they have to be. Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com

Aug 22, 2025 · 43 min · With Thomas Smith, Eli Bosnick & Tom Curry

DOD221: F*** Around and Find Out Parenting

Tom kicks the show off with a pretty major sleep update that no one saw coming! Then, the dads chat about a parenting style that has been dubbed "F*** Around and Find Out" (FAFO) parenting. What makes this style unique, or is this just a rebranding of another approach? What kind of crazy hot take is Eli going to come in with this time? Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com

Aug 15, 2025 · 40 min · With Thomas Smith, Eli Bosnick & Tom Curry

DOD220: Are You Mad at Me?

The dads reflect on insecurity in relationships through their formative years and the impact it has had on future romantic relationships, friendships, and others. How do you navigate relationships in a healthy way, and break those internal expectations, if you grew up always wondering if your parents were mad at you, or if they'll be there to support you when you've made a mistake? Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com

Aug 8, 2025 · 45 min · With Thomas Smith, Eli Bosnick & Tom Curry

DOD219: Should We Let Our Kids Hang Out With the Older Kids?

Tom's got a kid kunundrum to talk about. What if our kids want to hang out with their older sibling's friend group? Is that totally cool or just an opportunity for trouble?

Aug 1, 2025 · 45 min · With Thomas Smith, Eli Bosnick & Tom Curry

DOD218: A Mathematical Formula for Mom's Libido?

This episode has two of the wildest takes two of the Dads have ever heard from the third. About what, you ask? You may have seen a viral "libido equation" make its rounds on the internet, explaining how new moms might evaluate if they're up for engaging in sexual activities with their partner. The dudes break it all down, and I really don't want to say much else and potentially spoil any piece of this. Here we go! Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com

Jul 25, 2025 · 59 min · With Thomas Smith, Eli Bosnick & Tom Curry