The Portfolio Career That Made Him a Better Parent | Ben Erez (Dad of 1, PM Coach/Product Advisor)

Startup Dad

Ben Erez is a former founder and product leader turned solopreneur and instructor. He teaches a popular Maven course for aspiring product managers, hosts the podcast Supra Insider, and is a proud girl dad living in Brooklyn.

In this episode, Ben shares what it’s like raising a daughter while building a portfolio career on his own terms. We discussed:

• How solo parenting can feel easier: Why Ben finds weekday solo parenting less stressful than co-parenting, and how clarity in routine helps him stay grounded.
• Making the leap to fatherhood: The pros and cons exercise Ben used to think through becoming a parent and what ultimately pushed him to take the leap.
• What makes a portfolio career work: How Ben structures his time across fractional work, teaching, building an AI product, and podcasting without feeling overwhelmed.
• Structure as a path to freedom: Why routines have become essential for Ben and how they help him stay present, productive, and connected to his family.
• Handling disagreements as partners: Ben reflects on navigating different parenting styles with his wife and how they’ve built a process for staying aligned.
• Creating connection through community: How a local dad group gave Ben a deeper sense of belonging and why it’s made parenting feel a little less isolating.

Where to find Ben Erez

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/
• X: https://x.com/viableben

Where to find Adam Fishman

• FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/
• Instagram: https://ww.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Introducing Ben Erez
(01:12) Raising a toddler and golden retriever
(04:29) Experiencing the magic of girl dad life
(08:42) Building a sustainable portfolio career
(14:56) Rethinking job security as a solopreneur
(18:35) The pros and cons of having kids
(22:36) Discovering the ease of solo parenting
(27:31) Why weekends feel less flexible now
(30:02) Feeling at home while traveling with kids
(34:28) Bedtime routines that actually work
(38:20) Handling disagreements with your partner
(42:22) How a dad group changed everything
(47:47) Navigating screen time and tech exposure
(53:08) Lightning round: morning vs. evening routines

Show references:

YouTube Kids: https://www.youtubekids.com/

iPad: https://www.apple.com/

Perplexity.ai: https://www.perplexity.ai/

Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/

Sound Machine: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A2JBMRE?th=1

Table top changing pad: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KHD615K

Unspeakable: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwIWAbIeu0xI0ReKWOcw3eg

Blippi: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5PYHgAzJ1wLEidB58SK6Xw

Moana: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3521164/

Ghostbusters: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087332/

Porsche: https://www.porsche.com/usa/

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