Autism, The Fallacy Of Control And Putting In The Reps | Stew Bradley (father of 2, NFL, El Cap Holdings)

Startup Dad

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Autism, The Fallacy Of Control And Putting In The Reps | Stew Bradley (father of 2, NFL, El Cap Holdings)

Adam Fishman

Mar 07, 2024

Stew Bradley is a former linebacker in the National Football League and played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos. Following a successful NFL career he joined Goldman Sachs and then found his way into co-founding the early stage venture firm El Cap Holdings. He's also a husband and the father of two kids. In today's conversation we discussed:

His unique career path in navigating from professional football to finance and investing
His earliest memories and emotions around becoming a Dad
The Fallacy of Control as a parent
What it's like raising an autistic child and what he and his wife did to understand and learn
Negotiating parenting with both neurotypical and neurodivergent kids
His framework and approach around "putting in the reps" both professionally and personally
The differences in a successful career and being successful as a parent
How he recharges his batteries amidst the chaos of parenting

Listen or watch Startup Dad on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and Overcast.

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Where to find Stew Bradley

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stew/

- Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/stewbradley

- El Cap Holdings: https://elcap.xyz/

Where to find Adam Fishman

- Newsletter: startupdadpod.substack.com

- 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:

[1:51] Welcome Stew!

[2:20] His childhood

[3:39] Stew’s unique career path

[9:44] All about his wife & kids

[11:04] Decision making for Stew’s wife to be full-time mom

[12:47] Earliest memories of becoming a dad

[14:06] Emotions around becoming a dad

[15:24] The Fallacy of Control

[19:00] Advice for younger Stew

[21:09] Raising a child with Autism

[24:38] What did you do to understand Autism?

[27:27] Negotiating parenting neurotypical and neurodivergent

[32:44] Favorite book to read to the kids?

[34:03] Frameworks and “putting in the reps”

[40:03] Where he and his wife don’t always align

[43:58] Success in career vs. parenting

[45:56] What did you give up to be a dad?

[48:02] What is a mistake you made as a dad?

[50:56] How do you recharge your batteries?

[54:03] How to follow along with his journey

[54:50] Rapid fire

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Show references:

The Tao of Steve: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0234853/

Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman: https://www.amazon.com/Neurotribes-Legacy-Autism-Future-Neurodiversity/dp/0399185615

The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida: https://www.amazon.com/Reason-Jump-Inner-Thirteen-Year-Old-Autism/dp/081298515X/

El Cap Holdings: https://elcap.xyz/

Goldman Sachs: https://www.goldmansachs.com/

Philadelphia Eagles: https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/

Denver Broncos: https://www.denverbroncos.com/

Arizona Cardinals: https://www.azcardinals.com/

Steadfast: https://www.steadfastequity.com/

Goonies: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089218/

How To Train Your Dragon: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0892769/

Baby Shark: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcdwLMPsaU2ezNSJU1nFoBQ

Magic Eraser: https://www.mrclean.com/en-us/shop-products/magic-erasers/magic-eraser-original/

Training Potty Seat: https://www.amazon.com/000-NextStep2-Training-Slow-Close-Removable/dp/B07ZQT2R9N

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