Oct 15, 2025

Gen Z Parents are Ditching Gentle Parenting

Episode 45: Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson and Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk – get brutally honest about parenting, burnout, and the fine line between patience and losing it. From gentle parenting and “aggressive dad moments” to marriage dynamics, comparison culture, and raising kids in a world of fear, this episode is raw, funny, and deeply relatable. They open up about moments they’re not proud of, what keeps them grounded, and how to stay sane while raising tiny humans in the chaos of tech and modern life. — Show Notes: (0:00) Welcome back! Gentle parenting vs. real-world parenting (0:55) The new survey: 54% of Gen Z parents say “no” to gentle parenting (2:10) Defining “gentle,” “aggressive,” and everything in between (5:00) Boiling points: when you have to step away before losing it (7:00) Sleepless nights, toddler chaos, and the mental toll on parents (10:00) The car scream test: surviving newborn cries while driving (12:15) Why people without kids will never really get it (13:00) Love Is Blind, attraction, and the psychology of relationships (17:00) Can emotional connection create physical attraction? (20:30) Building your “utopia” – what stays, what goes, and what drives you nuts (24:00) Irrational anger: Costco aisle people, liberals, and slow walkers (27:00) Stubborn people and the danger of being “always right” (28:00) Biggest career regrets – leaving too early, chasing salary, starting too late (29:30) Parenting regrets – being present vs. just being there (34:00) Why tech and distraction are stealing parenting moments (36:00) Is fear driving modern parenting? (37:00) Comparison culture and social media’s impact on raising kids (39:00) Helicopter parents and kids facing the real world (40:00) Advice for struggling parents: tell someone (43:00) Dad support groups, community, and finding people who get it (44:00) Why men need to talk more about mental health (45:00) Building community without burning out (46:00) Closing thoughts: empathy, honesty, and what’s next — Links: • Daniel Berk's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk • Troy Munson's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson • Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com • Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com • Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP • Listen on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964 • Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai