MILKLESS
Searching for that parenthood balance so when our kids are old they look back and say, "yeah, my dad (or mom) was awesome," however we get there. And while we love our kids unconditionally, that doesn't mean we're wimpy pushover dads who have lost every shred of dignity and respect in the home. Let's find that balance together. We are Max Valverde and Matt Naylor. We are MILKLESS.
Episodes
101 episodes
#101 | Can Something Scary End Up Being Good for Your Kid?
Max and Matt get raw and real about every parent's worst nightmare — when playtime goes sideways and lands you in urgent care. Matt recounts the heart-wrenching experience of holding down his two-year-old daughter while she got stitches, and th...
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Season 4
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Episode 101
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29:35
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#100 |Are We Getting Dummer as a Species?
Max and Matt dive headfirst into the mental mush that is modern life and ask the big question: are we all getting dumber… or does it just feel that way? They unpack the "reverse Flynn effect" (yes, it’s a thing), why IQ scores might be slipping...
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Season 4
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Episode 100
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42:30
#99 | How Parenting Changes You (Other Than Vaporizing Your Free Time)
Max and Matt open up about the weird limbo of life after college — when you’ve checked all the boxes but still feel totally unmoored. They talk about that creeping feeling of “Is this it?” even when things look fine on paper, the identity crisi...
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Season 4
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Episode 99
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42:22
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#98 | Max Tries Meditating for a Week... No Levitation, But Close Enough
Max and Matt get into the wild world of kids and competition—when it's fun, when it turns toxic, and when parents accidentally make it worse. They talk about the pressure kids feel to be “the best,” whether competition builds resilience or just...
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Season 4
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Episode 98
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32:01
#97 | You’re Perfect Just the Way You Are (But Fix Your Hair)
Max and Matt take on the surprisingly tricky topic of self-image and how much parents shape the way their kids feel about how they look. They unpack the fine line between building confidence and accidentally creating little narcissists, why tel...
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Season 4
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Episode 97
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41:04
#96 | Why are We Still Embarrassed About Our Feelings?
Max and Matt wrestle with the awkward tension of self-care, gratitude practices, and what it really means to put yourself first as a dad. They dive into the discomfort of talking about feelings, why terms like "self-care" and "gratitude practic...
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Season 4
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Episode 96
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27:39
#95 | Yeah, but Seriously... Which kid's your Favorite?
Do parents really have a favorite child? The research says… maybe. This week, Max and Matt discuss a fascinating new study exploring favoritism among siblings, why it happens, who it happens to, and how it affects kids long-term. They break dow...
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Season 4
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Episode 95
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20:36
#94 Sick Kids are Tough, and Other Medical Facts
Max and Matt dive into the wild world of sick kids: the endless fluids, missed days at daycare, and the looming question of how much sickness is too much. They talk about everything from preventing illness to navigating the tricky moments when ...
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Season 4
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Episode 94
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26:59
#93 The Work Trip
Max and Matt dive deep into the emotional complexities of work trips — how they feel before, during, and after leaving their families behind. The lead-up is filled with guilt and anxiety, and while the trip itself might offer a bit of relief, t...
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Season 4
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Episode 93
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22:44
#92 Entitlement, Gratitude, and Trying Not to Spoil 'Em
In this episode, Max and Matt tackle one of the trickiest challenges of parenting—striking the balance between giving your kids a great life and ensuring they develop gratitude. On the one hand, you want to give them everything you can; on the ...
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Season 4
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Episode 92
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22:36
#91 That Hyper-Critical D*ck That Lives Inside Our Head
In this episode, Max and Matt dive into the complexities of self-criticism and why we’re so hard on ourselves. From feeling like we’re not doing enough to the constant nagging voice that says we’re failing, they break down the science behind th...
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Season 4
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Episode 91
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39:17
#90 MINE!
In this episode, Max and Matt tackle the chaos of sibling rivalry with a side of humor and some eye-opening research. As Max navigates the constant tug-of-war between his three kids, from stolen toys to full-on brawls over forgotten objects, th...
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Season 4
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Episode 90
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44:06
#89 The Way of Play w/ Dr. Tina Payne Bryson
In this episode, Max and Matt sit down with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, renowned therapist and author of The Way of Play, to dive into the transformative power of play for kids (and parents!). With her new book launching today, Dr. Bryson s...
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Season 4
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Episode 89
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41:23
#88 Bonus Episode: Santa (Warning: Adults Only)
Ok, so Santa is obviously real. Everyone knows that. This episode is for the parents who are navigating the tricky world of holiday magic. Max and Matt are joined by Kristen Kelly and Jen Sarbach, the dynamic duo behind
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Season 3
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Episode 88
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36:39
#87 Season 3 Finale! What We've Learned So Far
As we close out Season 3 and the year, Max and Matt reflect on the journey they've been on with Milkless. They share lessons learned, funny moments, and the parenting tools that have helped them survive (and thrive) through all the chaos. From ...
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Season 3
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Episode 87
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42:31
#86 Bedtime Battles
Max breaks down his recent experience with his 4-year-old daughter’s sleep regression, and Matt’s got his back as they dive into the exhaustion, the tough choices, and the real moments that come with kids and their changing sleep patterns. From...
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Season 3
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Episode 86
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21:09
#85 Parental Anxiety w/ Author Tina Payne Bryson, PhD (Pt 2)
This is Part Two of a two part episode. If you haven't heard part one, go back and start with Episode #84! Thanks!One of the main reasons Matt and Max started this podcast was to become better parents themselves, and both of them think ...
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Season 3
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Episode 85
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34:15
#84 No Drama Discipline w/ Author Tina Payne Bryson, PhD (Pt. 1)
One of the main reasons Matt and Max started this podcast was to become better parents themselves, and both of them think this might be the most helpful episode they've ever been a part of. Tina Payne Bryson, PhD - the renowned co-author of Bes...
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Season 3
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Episode 84
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34:57
#83 Lost Boys
We're diving into the sticky topic of boys today. We tackle the often-overlooked struggles boys face in today’s world, inspired partly by Richard Reeves from the Brookings Institution (youtube link below). While we wholeheartedly celebrate the ...
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Season 3
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Episode 83
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52:46
#82 Sharing the Load with Dr. Morgan Cutlip (Pt. 2)
In the second episode with Dr. Morgan Cutlip, we dive deeper into the complexities of attachment styles and the mental load that accompanies parenting. Dr. Cutlip shares her insights on the invisible burdens we carry and how they impact our rel...
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Season 3
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Episode 82
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22:08
#81 Sharing the Load with Dr. Morgan Cutlip (Pt. 1)
Dive in with the brilliant Dr. Morgan Cutlip, a psychologist and mother of two. Together, we tackle the often invisible mental load that comes with raising kids - and Max finds out who has been refilling the liquid soap dispensers in his house....
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Season 3
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Episode 81
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24:36
#80 Misinformation, Critical Thinking, and the Meteoric Rise of Evan Orticio
We're talking about misinformation with a recent study to round us out as we dive in by soon-to-be doctor of Psychology, Evan Orticio. Matt and Max tackle the crucial topic of equipping our kids with the skills to navigate the chaotic seas of f...
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Season 3
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Episode 80
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27:13
#79 A New Child Has Entered the Chat with Sam Stolper (Pt. 2)
Part Deux of a two-parter! In this half of the episode, Matt opens up about the looming threat of losing his cool as the kids grow and their needs evolve, while Max reflects on the challenges of balancing individual attention with collective ch...
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Season 3
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Episode 79
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38:33
#78 A New Child Has Entered the Chat with Sam Stolper (Pt. 1)
This episode dives deep into the emotional rollercoaster of expanding one's family. Max and Matt are joined by returning guest, Samuel "Iceman" Stolper, who's days away from welcoming baby number two. Together, they unpack the highs, lows, and ...
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Season 3
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Episode 78
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31:06
#77 One-on-One Time, Kid Trips, & Max's Love of Coldplay
Matt and Max unpack the unexpected magic of a one-on-one hotel stay with only one of your kids. During a soccer tournament in Boise, Max finds himself bonding with his son over card games, Coldplay, and a healthy dose of nostalgia. But as they ...
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Season 3
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Episode 77
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24:17