Even though the glory days have passed, he still loves drinking—even the awful parts.
The Rebirth of Cool—from Boy to Man to Dad
This dad stripped away the tyranny of coolness and finally found—with the wife and boys—his true self.
A Dad Writes His Young Sons: if You Were Gay
This father lets his sons know—when they’re still young—that he will always love and accept them, no matter what.
When ‘Call Your Mother’ Becomes a Painful, Transformative Experience
His call to his mother was the best and most difficult choice he could have made.
The Rights All Men are Entitled to—and the Unicorns Who are Left
This week, Joe Medler creates his own ‘Bern’ defending the greatest social constructs and the ideas behind them.
Excuse Me, But You Need to Get Off of Joe’s Front Lawn
Somebody is all in a knot over how awful the world is.
Kids Break, Heal, and Grow—So Handle with Care
We’re afraid our kids will break, and yet they break and heal all on their own, just like we have.
You Can’t Carry the Burden Forever, You Know
Manhood means being more powerful than feelings of frailty and weakness.
A Father’s Advice to His Son in Finding the One
Joe Medler’s wedding day meant he would spend his life choosing “the one” as she became “the one” for him.
The Slow Road to Racism—and the Minds Behind It
But it gave me a sense of how it happens. I saw kids who would never have dreamed of using or thinking such things about classmates grow into teenagers that had awful and shameful ways of viewing the world. How could they avoid it when it’s put into them by their elders? I had the benefit of not having such things put in my head.
5 Ways Being a New Dad is Just Like Being a Rock God
Being a new dad is just like being a rock god—or something like it. Joe Medler of Developing Dad takes us backstage and behind the diapers. — I used to think being a dad was trading your high tops for comfortable sneaker-shoes, exchanging drinking ’til 3 and sleeping til noon for reruns of The Big…
Scary Daddy, Good Daddy: How to Deal with Anger in the Moment
Where is the line between being a scared parent and a scary parent? Joe Medler considers the emotion behind those tense parenting moments. — I have endless tender feelings for my sons. They know without question that I love them to the ends of the earth. They also know I’m scary. Really scary. I remember a…
30 Years Ago, 30 Years to Go: from Dad to Sons
Joe Medler is as far from 11 as he is from 71 and wants his sons to know a few things about life.
Embracing the Hum of Parenthood
Unwell, tired, and dehydrated–Joe Medler wouldn’t have parenthood any other way. — We occasionally find ourselves dissatisfied. Not unhappy, just–blah. We feel like we are failing. Our whole lives are on display and in the way at all times. We have a small kitchen that has been blocked by gates since moving in over two…
Everyday Magic: How You Can Be an Optimist About Death
How can we avoid the inevitable in life? Joe Medler takes us through his journey of becoming grateful.