Using Work To Teach Kids Important Life Lessons | Ryan Bozarth (Dad of 2, co-founder/CEO Dakota, Coinbase, Square)

Startup Dad

Ryan Bozarth is the co-founder and CEO of Dakota, a business bank powered by crypto. Prior to that he was the CEO of Coinbase Custody, a Product Manager at AirBnB and a GM at Square. In addition to all that he’s also a husband and the father of two kids. We discussed:

* Using work as a way to teach your kids about important subjects

* Demonstrating hard work, discipline and staying true to yourself and your values

* Calendar blocking and other successful methods to be intentional about your time

* The future of finance for kids

* Making time for your partner

* Frameworks and guardrails for parenting

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Where to find Ryan Bozarth

* Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanbozarth/

* X: https://x.com/ryanbozarth_

Where to find Adam Fishman

* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

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In this episode, we cover:

[1:30] Welcome

[2:15] Ryan’s professional background & Dakota

[3:22] Does Dakota feel like regular online banking?

[5:34] Future of finance for our kids

[8:12] Ryan’s childhood/did it shape him as a parent?

[9:58] How did you meet your partner?

[10:43] What does your wife do for work?

[11:17] Their decision to start a family

[12:26] Discussion about starting the company

[15:16] Work as a way of teaching life subjects?

[16:42] Explaining to your kids what dad does for work

[17:46] Remaining intentional with your time as a founder and dad

[19:37] Calendar blocking/system of organization

[21:17] Most surprising thing you’ve discovered as a dad?

[22:38] Did being a dad make you a better founder & vice versa?

[24:38] Advice to younger Ryan

[26:25] Advice to ignore

[28:51] Carving out 1:1 time

[30:49] Favorite book to read to your kids?

[31:40] Family Halloween costumes

[32:17] Frameworks

[34:08] Recent adventure with kids?

[35:39] Where you and your partner don’t align?

[37:18] Kid’s relationship to technology

[39:06] What did you give up to become a dad?

[40:46] Mistake you made as a dad?

[42:46] How to follow along

[43:27] Lightning round

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Show references:

Dakota: https://dakota.xyz/

Coinbase: https://www.coinbase.com/

AirBnB: https://www.airbnb.com/

Square: https://squareup.com/us/en

Will Rocklin’s Episode: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnPwKjSosyM

Anchorage: https://www.anchorage.com/

5-Minute Sleepy Time Stories by Disney Books: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/5-minute-sleepy-time-stories-disney-books/1136766940

Shusher: https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Shusher-Babies-Miracle-Soother/dp/B00D2JN87I

Moo Deng: https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/14/travel/pigmy-hippo-thailand-latest-online-sensation-intl-hnk/index.html

Paw Patrol: https://www.pawpatrol.com/

Frozen: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2294629/

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100758

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