The Stories We Tell Our Kids (and Ourselves) The Hero’s Journey of Dad Life

What happens when a dad, an actor, and an author walks into a tea party? You get one of the most hilarious and heartfelt fatherhood stories you've ever heard.

In this episode of the Dad Hat Shenanigans podcast, host Brent Dowlen welcomes Max Shippee—actor, author, and father—for a deep and entertaining conversation about the power of the stories we tell ourselves and our children. From a laugh-out-loud tea party moment to the deeper truths of masculinity, storytelling, and parenting through connection, this episode is packed with wisdom, laughter, and authenticity.

💬 We explore:
• The hilarious tea party moment that became a dad legend
• How storytelling shapes fatherhood and identity
• Masculinity: what's toxic, what's divine, and what our sons need to see
• Teaching integrity, discipline, and humility through everyday moments
• Why presence—not perfection—is the most powerful gift a father can give

👊 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if this resonates with your dad journey. New episodes weekly. Welcome to the tribe.

🎧 Listen on Apple | Spotify | Google | Amazon
📚 Grab Max’s book Path of the Raven: www.readmoonshine.com or at Amazon - https://a.co/d/dERylG7

📲 Connect with Max on IG: @MakingMax | @ReadMoonshine
Socials - @readmoonshine
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/readmoonshine/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@readmoonshine
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@read-moonshine
Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/makingmax
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0794137/?ref_=hm_rvi_i_1

Timestamps:
• 00:00:00 – Welcome + intro to Max Shippee
• 00:03:10 – Max’s hilarious “tea party” story
• 00:08:34 – Cussing toddlers & the power of modeling
• 00:14:12 – From Maine woods to Young & the Restless
• 00:18:50 – Raising teens & choosing connection over control
• 00:25:30 – The power of “I need to dad right now” conversations
• 00:32:05 – Parenting metaphors that actually help
• 00:38:40 – Dad jokes showdown
• 00:43:00 – Max’s book, fiction writing & positive masculinity
• 00:50:15 – Toxic masculinity vs. absence of masculinity
• 00:55:42 – Brent’s core 3 traits of real masculinity
• 01:01:50 – “Tears are truth” and the importance of presence
• 01:04:10 – Final wisdom: You don’t have to be perfect. Just be present.

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E012 of the Dad Hat Shenanigans Podcast: The Unfiltered Truth of Being a Dad

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