Finding Fun in the Mundane Aspects of Parenting | Ethan Austin (Father of 3, Founder, Outside VC)

Ethan Austin is the founder of OutsideVC, where he invests in founders building a more equitable and just financial system. He was the Chief Strategy Officer of Gig Wag, Managing Director of Techstars Denver, and was co-founder and president of GiveForward which was acquired by GoFundMe. He’s a loving husband and the father of three kids. In today's conversation we discussed:

* The time he picked up his oldest kid from school in a taco costume

* His life with a newborn

* Teaching kids values

* Modeling behaviors with your kids

* Finding fun in the mundane

* How partners can take turns supporting one another

* Why every parent is just winging it most of the time

* Three important parenting frameworks he’s developed

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Where to find Ethan Austin

* Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintech-investor/

* Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/ethanaustin

Where to find Adam Fishman

* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

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In this episode, we cover:

[1:24] Welcome

[1:40] Professional background

[2:27] Childhood

[3:35] Parent’s career/losing father at a young age

[6:06] Family now

[7:52] What kind of values do you live by/teach your kids?

[10:28] How do you model adventure for your kids

[14:13] Tell me about your wife’s career - how do you compartmentalize?

[16:00] Decision to start a family

[18:16] Parental leave

[20:13] Experience of third child vs. others

[23:29] Finding the fun in mundane

[27:16] Surprising things about being a dad

[29:20] Advice to ignore?

[31:28] Advice for younger Ethan

[33:27] Frameworks

[35:51] Partners taking turns supporting each other

[37:52] Where partners don’t align

[39:21] kids relationship to technology

[42:10] Recharge batteries

[43:38] Getting kids to hike

[45:55] Follow along

[46:20] Rapid fire

[53:52] Thank you

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Show references:

Techstars: https://www.techstars.com/

GiveForward: https://www.giveforward.com/

Outside VC: https://outside-vc.com/

Boy Scouts: https://www.scouting.org/

NoseFrida: https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/F6682FCC-F1F9-44FE-9D89-173058B06AEF

The Happy Sleeper: The Science-Backed Guide to Helping Your Baby Get a Good Night's Sleep-Newborn to School Age by Heather Turgeon MFT: https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Sleeper-Science-Backed-Helping-Sleep-Newborn/dp/0399166025

Paw Patrol:https://www.pawpatrol.com/

Scarface:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086250/

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For sponsorship inquiries email: [email protected].

For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com 

Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/