Listen, They're Fine
Kids & Family
About
Listen, They're Fine is the brutally honest parenting podcast for anyone tired of perfect families on social media. Hosts Bubba and John are best friends and neighbors with wildly different approaches to raising kids. Bubba's the chaos parent - wine mom energy, creative solutions, and yes, his 4-year-old knows some colorful language. John's the engineer dad with color-coded schedules, researched gear recommendations, and theories about everything. Each week, they dive into the beautiful disaster of modern parenting - from navigating school politics to dealing with their own childhood trauma while trying not to mess up their kids. Expect heated debates about screen time, birthday party etiquette, and whether goldfish crackers count as a food group. This isn't gentle parenting advice from certified experts. This is two regular dads figuring it out in real time, fighting like siblings, and giving you permission to be imperfect. Episodes drop weekly and feature everything from laugh-until-you-cry parenting fails to surprisingly deep conversations about breaking generational cycles. Warning: Contains explicit language, discussions of mental health, and two grown men admitting they have no idea what they're doing.
Episodes
- Episode 28 - “Sometimes winning the fight feels worse…”
This episode of Listen, They're Fine features John's Dad reminiscing about his 1980s party days and Bubba offering advice on making all children feel included in birthday celebrations. Recommendations for books, music, and recipes are also…
- Episode 27 - My Son is a Proud Toy Gun Owner
The episode covers various topics including doo-wop music, school talent shows, and strategies for a viral lemonade stand.
- Episode 26 - “My wife could beat up your husband.”
The episode features discussions on family protection, fathers' participation in the PTA, and tips for organizing a neighborhood scavenger hunt.
- Episode 25 - Knife fight with a kitchen rat
This episode of Listen, They're Fine features Bubba and John discussing how to properly deal with animals in a family home, covering both pets and unwelcome pests.
- Episode 24 - Hot Teacher Pyramid Scheme
This episode of Listen, They're Fine features a story about a teacher and a pyramid scheme, along with Easter anecdotes. Recommendations for music and a new burger are also are also discussed.
- Episode 23 - “Children of the Old World”
This episode of "Listen, They're Fine" covers Easter traditions, mosquitos, biohacking, and dealing with a child who steals. It also features recommendations for music and documentaries.
- Episode 22 - “No cosmic questions at bedtime.”
This episode features discussions on trampoline park birthday parties, the line between deep kissing and sex, and beach-appropriate cologne. Recommendations include the movie ETERNITY (2025), the book "It's Not the Stork!," and ocean kayak…
- Episode 21 - "The dog eats at the top of the hour."
This episode covers building Pinewood Derby cars, debating phone addiction in different age groups, and discussing marital issues. Additionally, Bubba shares a joke.
- Episode 20 - “Vacation is over, come get these kids.”
The episode compares bat mitzvahs and quinceañeras, discusses challenges with age and bar entry, and offers advice for coping with a spouse's absence.
- Episode 19 - “You can’t talk that way to a Veteran.”
This episode of Listen, They're Fine discusses Bubba's elderly neighbor Gertrude and street parking. Recommendations include the book "West of Eden" by Jean Stein and a tip for three-day weekend trips.
- Episode 18 - “The Dog Ate a Grape, call 911”
This episode covers the dangers of grapes and other foods to dogs, and the risks of building furniture forts. It also offers advice on how to tactfully handle a neighbor with a messy yard.
- Episode 17 - Someone's in the kitchen with Bubba.
This episode features discussions on packing school lunches and a ghost ship tour. Also covered are grilling and parenting. Recommendations include True Detective (Season One) and the music of Bob Seger.
- Episode 16 - “I'm Done Parenting for this Evening...”
This episode of Listen, They're Fine covers discussions about talking to children about classmates with special needs, appropriate guest etiquette, and the nuances of caring for a family dog.
- Episode 15 - "Daddy, why is that lady eating dirt?"
This episode of Listen, They're Fine covers navigating Target, making tamales, and discussing children eating dirt. The hosts also recommend a movie and an audiobook.
- Episode 14 - We Built This City on Christian Rock & Roll
The hosts of Listen, They're Fine reflect on Christian rock & roll and their children's potential career paths as a local music venue closes. They also share recommendations for a YouTube history professor and a book series.
- Episode 13 - Team Sports Ruined Hot Tub Night
The episode explores the impact of team sports on family life, including pee-wee baseball and interactions with extended family members.
- Episode 12 - Save it for the car ride
This episode of Listen, They're Fine covers managing sibling arguments, the challenges of solo parenting while a spouse is away, and how to avoid becoming an undesirable neighborhood dad. Recommendations include the audiobook "As You Wish"…
- Episode 11 - This New Math is Too Woke
This episode covers family conversations stemming from internet search history, encounters with squirrels, and a discussion about an elementary school fundraising event. Recommendations include a boys' night and supporting a local Chinese…
- Episode 10 - Having a mental breakdown in Walgreens.
Bubba and John discuss a variety of topics including chores, dangerous woodland creatures, childhood discipline, and the legality of stealing hubcaps. They also offer recommendations for starting a meal train and Trader Joe's cornbread mix.
- Episode 9 - “Everyone under 30 looks like a teenager to me.”
Bubba and John discuss their youthful experiences, including Bubba starting smoking at 15 and John's motorbike incidents. They both agree on the impending impact of AI on jobs and recommend "CASINO" and "THE LAST INVENTION."
- Episode 8 - Do 80's bullies still exist?
This episode of Listen, They're Fine explores the existence of 80s bullies. Other topics include dental hygiene, martial arts, and pickle recipes.
- Episode 7 - “And then the sickness came…”
This episode covers John's nighttime walks and a family's battle with a stomach virus. The hosts also discuss children's autonomy on camping trips and the popularity of Michelob Ultra beer.
- Episode 6 - “Are we going to burn down a Wendy’s?”
Bubba and John discuss their troubled upbringings. They talk about religious cults and stories of husbands who committed violent acts against their families.
- Episode 5 - “My kids keep asking me how I voted.”
This episode of Listen, They're Fine covers diverse topics including family disputes, challenges at Knott's Berry Farm, climate change, and a discussion about the Vietnam War. Also included are recommendations for "Comedy, Comedy, Comedy,…
- Episode 4 -”My kids don’t KNOW time!”
Bubba and John discuss various parenting topics, including screen time, sugary cereals, and melatonin use in children. They also share recommendations for a book and an Instagram account.
- Episode 3 - “All my grandpa got for Christmas was an orange.”
Bubba and John talk about their family vacations and a decline in quality at Chuck E. Cheese. They also discuss topics such as movie theater altercations, colonoscopy preparation, and rebuilding society after an apocalypse.
- Episode 2 - “It’s a garage sale man, no funny business.”
John and Bubba discuss summer camp experiences and the Michigan Amish community. They share stories about buying and selling used children's items online and offer a cautionary tale about social media.
- Episode 1 - Sidney Poitier will marry my widowed Mother.
This episode features a discussion about Sidney Poitier and the film 'It's A Wonderful Life.' Also discussed are nighttime underwear and the concept of caning as punishment.