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Today’s episode, our inaugural show, is a special one for me because my guest is not only a longtime friend, but also the guy who introduced me to the term “DODO” decades ago.
A DODO is a Dad of Daughters Only, and Todd Kuckkahn has four daughters, which means he was fully immersed in girl dad world.
This conversation features a lot of real-life experiences, laughter and stories of a few slammed doors along the way.
Todd has spent years coaching youth sports, raising his girls through every stage from childhood to adulthood, and now he’s even a grandfather, which gives him a unique perspective on how parenting evolves over time.
In this conversation, we talk about several things that every dad of daughters will recognize.
First, Todd shares how raising girls happens in phases, and how the relationship shifts from those early years into the teenage years and then into adulthood.
Second, we talk about the importance of intentional one-on-one time, and why some of the best conversations happen in places like car rides, not planned events.
Third, Todd explains why you can’t buy your daughter’s love, and why connection, communication and presence matter far more than anything you can purchase.
And finally, we dig into the realities of raising daughters, including handling emotions, navigating social pressures and learning how to guide instead of control.
What I appreciate most about Todd’s perspective is how simple, but powerful, his lessons are.
He reminded us that the most important thing we can give our daughters is our time. Not our money, gifts or things, but just our presence. Those car rides, those games and those everyday moments are what they will remember.
He also emphasized the importance of being intentional. Whether it is scheduling one-on-one time, putting the phone down or simply asking better questions, those small efforts build stronger relationships over time.
Another key takeaway is learning to guide instead of control. Todd talked about asking questions, letting daughters work through challenges and being there to support instead of trying to fix everything for them.
And finally, one of my favorite pieces of advice from Todd is this: Hug your daughters often. You never know when those opportunities will become fewer, and those simple moments matter to you and your daughters more than we often realize.
If you would like to connect with Todd, you can find him on Facebook or LinkedIn or reach him directly by email at Todd@toddkuckkahn.com.
And if you are a dad of daughters listening to this, just remember you do not have to be perfect to be a fantastic girl dad. You just have to show up and be present.
Next time, I will be interviewing a father from South Africa who raised his daughter alone after an illness claimed his wife a short-time after the girl was born.
Thank you for listening to the inaugural episode of The DODO Dads Podcast. Remember, any man can father a child, but it takes a DODO to raise a daughter.
