Startup Dad
Startup Dad
Battlefields, Boardrooms and Fatherhood - a Special Veterans Day Edition | Jake Wood (father of 2, Marine Veteran and CEO of Groundswell)
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Battlefields, Boardrooms and Fatherhood - a Special Veterans Day Edition | Jake Wood (father of 2, Marine Veteran and CEO of Groundswell)

Jake Wood is a decorated Marine Veteran, the founder of Team Rubicon, and currently the founder and CEO of Groundswell. Jake served in both Iraq and Afghanistan as a Marine sniper, was the subject of the book "Charlie Mike" and also wrote a memoir called "Once a Warrior" about his experience founding Team Rubicon, one of America's leading nonprofits, after returning home from war. He is a husband and a father of two.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Jake's experience in combat

  • His transition to civilian life

  • The intersection of his roles as a veteran, a father and a CEO/founder

  • How to be truly present

  • Finding a partner that understands and supports you (and vice versa)

  • Where to find the hours in the day

  • Rapid fire!

Listen, watch and subscribe: Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and Overcast.

Where to find Jake Wood:

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

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JakeWoodTR

Where to find Adam Fishman

- Newsletter: http://startupdadpod.substack.com

- Newsletter: http://fishmanafnewsletter.com

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

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

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

In this episode, we cover:

[2:11] Welcome Jake!

[2:38] Jake's Professional background

[6:57] Founding Groundswell and philanthropy

[8:07] Wisconsin football

[9:26] Jake's Personal background

[12:22] His parent’s reaction to military service

[13:37] The pull to help others

[16:17] His Family

[18:24] Jake's Wife

[19:35] Their decision to start a family

[21:17] Being and finding a supportive partner

[22:45] How to be present when you are present

[25:34] His earliest memory of becoming a dad

[27:33] Starting his foundation/youngest daughter

[30:08] Most surprising thing about becoming a dad

[31:49] Favorite kids book

[32:41] Parenting Frameworks

[33:54] When you and your partner don’t align

[34:51] How to find the hours; what his schedule is like

[37:53] Something you gave up to be a dad

[39:31] Mistakes made as a dad

[40:55] Thoughts on hustle culture

[43:12] What if your kids want to join the military?

[44:27] Follow Jake

[45:56] Rapid fire round

Show references:

Jake Wood Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jakewoodtr

Groundswell - https://my.foundation/

University of Wisconsin - https://www.wisconsin.edu/

Marine Corps - https://www.marines.com/

Jake Wood Website (can purchase his book, Once A Warrior) - https://www.jakewood.co/

Charlie Mike: A True Story of Heroes Who Brought Their Mission Home - https://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Mike-Heroes-Brought-Mission/dp/1451677316

Team Rubicon - https://teamrubiconusa.org/

Northwestern University - https://www.northwestern.edu/

Tickle Monster  by Josie Bissett - https://www.amazon.com/Tickle-Monster-Josie-Bissett/dp/1932319670

The Score Takes Care Of Itself by Bill Walsh - https://www.amazon.com/Score-Takes-Care-Itself-Philosophy/dp/1591843472

Team of Teams by General Stanley McChrystal  - https://www.amazon.com/Team-Teams-Rules-Engagement-Complex/dp/1591847486

Cocomelon - https://cocomelon.com/

Bluey - https://www.bluey.tv/

Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at

http://www.armaziproductions.com/

Episode art designed by Matt Sutherland at https://www.mspnw.com/

Discussion about this podcast

Startup Dad
Startup Dad
Adam Fishman (author of a top business newsletter on Substack with 10K+ subscribers) interviews executives, entrepreneurs, and company leaders in technology companies who are also fathers. They discuss the tough aspects of work, parenting, family, the mistakes made and lessons learned along the way.