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MILKLESS
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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.
103 Episodes
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Max and Matt are back with Bettina Schultz-Jobe to dive deeper into the messy, emotional world of education choices. They unpack the tension between protecting kids and preparing them for the real world, the guilt around nontraditional schooling, and why no one path—public, private, homeschool, or micro-school—is a magic bullet. They get into how important it is for kids to build resilience without being bulldozed, why "fit" matters way more than prestige, and how parents have way more power ...
Max and Matt sit down with guest Bettina Schultz-Jobe to explore one of the hottest parenting questions out there: What should school actually look like? They dive into homeschooling, hybrid models, micro-schools, and the wild world of education alternatives beyond the standard public school path. Bettina shares her journey from therapist to school founder, what she’s learned about how kids learn best, and why some traditional school settings might be killing our kids’ natural love for learni...
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 the emotional aftermath that rocked the whole family. They unpack the guilt, the helplessness, the fear, and the surprisingly powerful role of storytelling in helping kids (and parents) make sense of scary stuff. From traumatic dreams that seem to echo re...
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, and how tech, social media, and even GPS might be slowly draining our brains. But instead of panicking, they explore what we can actually do about it—especially as parents. From building friction into our kids' lives to rediscovering slow learning as ...
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 crisis that hits when your career path doesn’t match who you really are, and the invisible pressure to keep pushing forward even when you're not sure where you're going. From chasing purpose to confronting the emotional hangover of growing up, they break dow...
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 stress, and how to help kids navigate winning, losing, and everything in between. From the awkwardness of letting your kid win (or not) to the questionable ethics of “participation trophies,” they unpack the emotional rollercoaster of raising kids in a...
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 telling your kids they're beautiful might actually be a good thing, and how much of this is just about helping them avoid a future existential crisis in front of the mirror. They also wrestle with questions like: Is making your kid do their hair just basic...
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 practice" feel off-putting, and whether the resistance to these ideas is generational, cultural, or just straight-up nonsense. From the pressure to be a "good dad" while also keeping a piece of yourself intact to the absurdity of ranking your priorities in lif...
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 down what makes one child the "favorite", why firstborns often get special treatment, and how parents can unintentionally send signals that stick with kids for life. They also share their experiences as dads, from managing sibling rivalries to checking the...
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 it strikes, including handling fevers, the viral load theory, and whether it's okay to send your kid back to daycare with a little Tylenol. Max shares his unconventional (and controversial) approach to keeping his family from getting sick, and the guys ...
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, there’s no escaping the emotional rollercoaster of being away from the kids and the tension with partners. From the chaotic reentry period to the guilt of missing milestones, they talk through how to manage these feelings of guilt while balancing their r...
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 other, being deprived of something can be a powerful teacher of gratitude. But when you have the means to give your kids what they want, how do you navigate that tension without sounding like a broken record about how good they have it? Max and Matt div...
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 those inner thoughts and how they can both push us to succeed and drive us crazy. The dads explore the brain’s Default Mode Network, the fine line between anxiety and excitement, and the paradox of wanting high emotional highs while battling self-doubt. P...
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, the dads dive deep into the survival instincts driving sibling conflict. They share insights on how to deal with the constant squabbles, why fairness is an illusion, and how empathy can help bridge the emotional gap between kids (and parents). From unders...
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 shares how play can be a powerful tool for emotional growth, resilience, and connection. From teaching kids emotional skills through action figures to using play as a strategy for tackling tough moments, Tina breaks down the why and how of incorporating play into...
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 The Wall Street Skinny, to dive into the ever-complex world of Christmas traditions, myths, and how we handle them as our kids grow older. We're talking about rituals, the North Pole resident who keeps an eye on your little ones, and the age-old question: how do we keep the ma...
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 big emotional moments to sleepless nights, this episode dives into what it really means to be a dad—and how to not totally lose it. Whether it's gaining perspective on tough parenting days or just trying to make it to the holidays without totally breaki...
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 bedtime battles to unexpected sleep snuggles, this episode is packed with all the struggles (and laughs) that come when the sleep routine goes off-track. If you’ve been there, or you're about to, hit play and join the chaos—because this episode proves ...
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 this might be the most helpful episode they've ever been a part of. Tina Payne Bryson, PhD - the renowned co-author of Best Sellers like Whole Brained Child, No Drama Discipline, The Yes Brain, The Power of Showing up, and the upcoming The Way of Play - joins...
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 Best Sellers like Whole Brained Child, No Drama Discipline, The Yes Brain, The Power of Showing up, and the upcoming The Way of Play - joins the pod for a wide-ranging conversation on everything from discipline, to regulation, to the things we broadly misu...
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