What does it actually take to feel grounded, confident, and present as a dad when anxiety is rising, expectations are shifting, and the world feels louder than ever?

AJ Rich is a licensed marriage and family therapist, practice owner, and doctoral candidate who works almost exclusively with men. After nearly 20 years in corporate leadership, AJ transitioned into clinical work and now helps dads navigate identity, emotional intelligence, anxiety, and growth without losing themselves or their families in the process.

In this conversation, AJ shares how men can move beyond coping and toward real psychological wellbeing, even while juggling work pressure, parenting, and constant change.

You will hear AJ break down how to:
• Understand anxiety as a signal, not a failure
• Build emotional intelligence without losing strength or credibility
• Develop the language to describe what you are actually feeling
• Recognize how perfectionism and people pleasing form
• Rebuild confidence starting at home
• Shift from survival mode into sustainable growth
• Redefine success beyond titles, income, or external validation
• Use small, practical actions to create meaningful change
• Identify what is holding you back when you feel stuck
• Grow without burning out or disconnecting from your family

This is a steady, honest conversation for dads who want to feel calmer, clearer, and more aligned at work and at home, without pretending everything is fine when it’s not.

## Dig Deeper
Feelings wheel: https://feelingswheel.com/
Brené Brown: https://brenebrown.com/
Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart on HBO Max: https://www.hbomax.com/shows/brene-brown-atlas-of-the-heart/dfad262e-b764-4b92-ae63-72886f8a0d81
Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown (book): https://amzn.to/48VuP1b
PERMA Theory of Well-Being: https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/learn-more/perma-theory-well-being-and-perma-workshops
Doc McStuffins: https://disneynow.com/show/4b10dfb6-0545-4d2f-9342-bdc9ad1766a9
Doc McStuffins theme song: https://youtu.be/PopMSJFa0og?si=ZBrFn01hjZKgtgbe&t=13
Sofia the First: https://disneynow.com/show/0300df0e-abd0-4cc6-9a68-1ffad0f3f5c6
Sofia the First theme song: https://youtu.be/5XDG75LPXqE?si=W8wyMXL_YIkHoHrJ
Subway Sandwich Artist: https://mysubwaycareer.com/careers-us-en
Food Avenue in Target: https://www.thetakeout.com/1851859/what-happened-target-food-courts/
This is How We Do It by Montell Jordan: https://youtu.be/kNAZa-ORLIU?si=bP-w9n5ZymmkS9Ve

## Follow AJ
AJ Family Therapy, Inc.: https://www.ajrichtherapy.com
Email AJ: mailto:aj@ajrichtherapy.com

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## Follow Michael
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/