.png)
The Smart Dad Podcast
Fatherhood today isn’t what it used to be. Kids are different. The world is different. And most dads are left wondering—am I doing this right?
I don’t have all the answers, but after raising 15 kids, I have battle-tested wisdom and the scars to prove it. I’ve lived through the late nights, tough conversations, big wins, and painful failures. I know what works, what doesn’t, and how to adapt timeless truths to lead in a constantly changing culture.
On The Smart Dad Podcast, we skip the feel-good fluff and get real about fatherhood. Each episode gives you practical strategies, honest direction, and stories that hit home—so you can lead your family with confidence.
No theory. No clichés. Just real talk from a dad who’s been in the trenches.
Welcome to The Smart Dad Podcast. Let’s get to work!
Episodes
29 episodes
Ep 029 | Orchestrator Dad: A Motivation Tale of Showing Up
SummaryIn this conversation, Derek Moore explores the life of an orchestrator dad, Mike, who navigates the emotional journey of supporting his family during a difficult time. Through careful planning and coordination, Mike exemplifies ho...
.png)
Ep 028 | Optimizer Dad: A Motivation Tale of Showing Up
SummaryIn this moving episode, we follow “The Optimizer Dad” through an eight-hour goodbye to his Great Aunt Ruth. True to his nature, he approaches even grief with a system—packing, planning, and preparing each detail with precision. Bu...
.png)
Ep 027 | Learner Dad: A Motivation Tale of Showing Up
SummaryThis conversation explores the themes of tradition, family influence, and the lessons learned from life and death through the experiences of Mike and his daughter Lily as they visit their great aunt Ruth in hospice. It delves into...
.png)
Ep 026 | Influencer Dad: A Motivation Tale of Showing Up
SummaryIn this heartfelt conversation, Derek Moore narrates a poignant journey of a father, Mike, who embarks on a road trip with his daughter, Lily, to say goodbye to his ailing Aunt Ruth. The narrative explores themes of legacy,...
.png)
Ep 025 | Driver Dad: A Motivation Tale of Showing Up
SummaryIn this episode, Derek Moore explores the mindset of a Driver dad who embodies resilience and determination in the face of challenges. Through the story of Mike, who navigates the emotional journey of visiting a dying relative, we...
.png)
Ep 024 | Achiever Dad: A Motivation Tale of Showing Up
SummaryIn this episode, Derek Moore explores the journey of the Achiever Dad, who is driven by a desire for excellence and personal success. As a father is faced with a poignant family crisis, he navigates the complexities of saying good...
.png)
Ep 023 | More Than Dogs: The Smart Dad’s Guide to Training Others How to Treat You
SummaryIn this episode, Derek Moore discusses the importance of training others on how to treat us, reflecting on his personal journey through three phases of life represented by his Labrador retrievers. He emphasizes the need for...
.png)
Ep 022 | Mixed-Sex Homes: The Smart Dad's Guide to Raising Boys and Girls Under One Roof
SummaryIn this episode, Derek Moore shares his experiences and insights on raising boys and girls together under one roof. He emphasizes the importance of teaching respect, boundaries, and communication skills through personal anecdotes ...
.png)
Ep 021 | Fulcrum Day: The Smart Dad’s Guide to Leveraging The Middle
SummaryIn this episode, Derek Moore introduces the concept of Fulcrum Day, a personal tradition he created to reflect on the first half of the year and set intentions for the second half. He discusses the importance of fatherhood, the si...
.png)
Ep 020 | Warriors in a Garden: The Smart Dad’s Guide to Raising Sons
SummaryIn this conversation, Derek Moore discusses the unique challenges and strategies involved in raising boys in today's world. He emphasizes the importance of intentional parenting, discipline, emotional intelligence, mentorship, and...
.png)
Ep 019 | Girls Only: The Smart Dad’s Guide to Raising Daughters
SummaryIn this episode of the Smart Dad podcast, Derek Moore shares his experiences and insights on fatherhood, particularly focusing on raising daughters. He reflects on the joys and challenges of being a father to ten daughters, emphas...
.png)
Ep 018 | Faith Without Fuss: The Smart Dad’s Guide to Raising Christian Kids
SummaryIn this episode of the Smart Dad podcast, Derek Moore discusses the importance of nurturing a genuine faith in children without the pressure of milestones. He emphasizes the need for parents to model a daily walk with God rather t...
.png)
Ep 017 | The Moore, The Merrier: The Smart Dad’s Guide to a Big Family
SummaryIn this episode of the Smart Dad Podcast, Derek Moore shares his journey of raising a big family, discussing the challenges and rewards of parenting multiple children. He emphasizes the importance of intentional living over the pu...
.png)
Ep 016 | How to Start a Side Hustle: The Smart Dad’s Guide to Entrepreneurship
SummaryIn this episode of the Smart Dad Podcast, Derek Moore discusses the significance of side hustles for dads, emphasizing that they are not a sign of failure but rather a proactive step towards financial stability and personal...
.png)
Ep 015 | Educating Your Kids: The Smart Dad’s Guide to Picking a School
SummaryIn this episode, Derek Moore discusses the critical factors to consider when selecting a school for children. He introduces a framework based on 12 key elements, all starting with the letter 'P', which include pace, parents, parti...
.png)
Ep 014 | Highs, Lows, & Lessons Learned: The Smart Dad's Guide to Fun with An Eye on The Future
In this episode of the Smart Dad podcast, Derek Moore discusses the highs, lows, and lessons learned from his experiences with his children during various cruises. He explores the concept of eight dimensional living, emphasizing the importance ...
.png)
Ep 013 | The House I Couldn't Afford: The Smart Dad's Guide to Bending but Not Breaking
In this episode of the Smart Dad Podcast, Derek Moore shares a personal story about the challenges and lessons learned from buying a house during a tumultuous time in his life. He reflects on the financial struggles, the unexpected miracles, an...
.png)
Ep 012 | It’s Up to You: The Smart Dad’s Guide to Future
In this episode of the Smart Dad Podcast, Derek Moore discusses the importance of shaping your future through intentional actions and mindset. He shares personal stories and insights on how to build a future that aligns with your values and goa...
.png)
Ep 011 | Learning to Play: The Smart Dad’s Guide to Fun
In this episode of the Smart Dad Podcast, Derek Moore discusses the significance of fun in parenting, emphasizing that it is essential for building connections and creating lasting memories with children. He shares personal anecdotes and insigh...
.png)
Ep 010 | Living Unbound: The Smart Dad’s Guide to Freedom
In this episode of the Smart Dad Podcast, Derek Moore discusses the concept of freedom as a fundamental right that shapes the lives of fathers and their children. He explores various dimensions of freedom, including political, financial, time, ...
.png)
Ep 009 | Eat Like An Adult: The Smart Dad's Guide to Food
In this episode of the Smart Dad Podcast, Derek Moore discusses the importance of evolving one's relationship with food as an adult. He emphasizes the need to transition from childhood eating habits to healthier choices, focusing on real, unpro...
.png)
Ep 008 | Build Your Dad Bod: The Smart Dad's Guide to Fitness
SummaryIn this episode of the Smart Dad Podcast, Derek Moore discusses the multifaceted nature of fitness and its critical role in fatherhood. He emphasizes that fitness is not just about physical appearance but about overall well-being,...
.png)
Ep 007 | Truths, Lies, and Money: The Smart Dad's Guide to Finances
In this episode of the Smart Dad Podcast, Derek Moore discusses the importance of financial literacy, the lessons learned from significant financial losses, and the value of time over money. He emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to wea...
.png)
Ep 006 | Parents, Kids, and Friends: The Smart Dad's Guide to A Stronger Family
In this episode of the Smart Dad podcast, Derek Moore explores the multifaceted nature of family, discussing the importance of family of origin, nuclear family, and chosen family. He shares personal anecdotes about his own family experiences, e...
.png)
Ep 005 | Why Faith is First: The Smart Dad's Foundation to 8-Dimensional Living
In this episode of the Smart Dad Podcast, Derek Moore explores the foundational aspect of faith in life and parenting. He shares his personal journey of faith, pivotal moments that shaped his beliefs, and the lessons learned from failures. Dere...
.png)