Welcome to the Daily Dad podcast, where we provide one lesson every single day to help you with your most important job, being a parent.

I'm Ryan Holiday, and I draw these lessons from ancient philosophy, modern psychology, practical wisdom, and insights

from parents just like you all over the world.

Thank you for listening, and we hope this helps.

This is the skill that matters above the others.

There's so much that we have to teach our kids how to tie their shoes, how to drive, how to do math, how to throw a football and hit a baseball, how to put up and down the toilet seat, how to clean up after themselves.

These are the practical skills of life.

But they are worthless without other intangible personality traits, the ones we've talked about

so much here, kindness, self-discipline, work ethic, and most of all courage.

It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, Emerson recounted,

Always do what you are afraid to do.

And it was this advice that Robert F. Kennedy, father of 11, liked enough to

underline in his own copy of Emerson's essays. Without the ability to face our fears to do what we are

afraid to do, we cannot grow or change. All growth, it has been said, is a leap in the dark.

That's scary. But good stuff is on the other side of that fear.

The prizes and the fruits of life can only be tasted through courage, through doing what

at first intimidates and overwhelms us. Make sure they know that, along with throwing spirals

and hitting fastballs, make sure they are doing the things they are afraid to do.

Hey, you're listening to the Daily Dad podcast.

One meditation a day inspired to help you do your most important job, which is be a great father.

These are meditations inspired by ancient wisdom, psychological research, and just great

strategies from normal dads just like you. Thanks for listening.

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