You Can Be Ambitious And A Great Dad | Nikunj Kothari (Dad of 2, Khosla, Opendoor, LinkedIn)

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Nikunj Kothari is a former investor with Khosla Ventures and a product and growth leader from companies like Opendoor, Shyp, and LinkedIn. He’s now out on his own advising, investing and spending time as a husband and a father of two, including a brand new son! We discussed:

• The false dichotomy between ambition and parenting and the support structures needed to achieve it

• The work it takes to prioritize your partner after the arrival of a new baby

• How execution as a Dad is only part of the problem set

• Big mistakes he’s made as a Dad

• How the relationship with his own parents changed since becoming a father

• Top tips for international flights with young kids

Where to find Nikunj Kothari

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikunjk/

• X: https://x.com/nikunj

• Website: https://www.nikunjk.com/

Where to find Adam Fishman

• FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com

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

• Instagram: https://ww.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

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In this episode, we cover:

[2:00] Welcome

[2:17] What Nikunj is up to these days

[3:08] Four generations in the home/dad feedback

[3:58] Childhood

[5:25] Family now

[8:33] Decision to start a family

[10:35] Ambition and parent dichotomy

[13:22] Would you rewind the clock?

[17:33] Who needs help in the newborn stage

[21:36] Paying attention to invisible labor

[23:45] Mistakes as a dad/prioritize making time for partner

[26:39] Funny story of his daughter sleeping through the night

[30:07] Traveling with young children

[34:26] Relationship to own parents in fatherhood

[38:20] How parenting changed from kid to kid

[40:28] Go-to activity

[41:46] Aligning with partner

[45;05] Kid’s relationship with tech

[49:34] Favorite books to read to kids

[50:44] Follow along

[51:37] Lightning round

[58:03] Thank you

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Show references:

Khosla Ventures: https://www.khoslaventures.com/

Opendoor: https://www.opendoor.com/

SIDS: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20352800

Children’s Creativity Museum: https://creativity.org/

Ms. Rachel: https://www.youtube.com/@msrachel

Coco Melon: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbCmjCuTUZos6Inko4u57UQ

Spring is here (Bear and Mole Series) by Will Hillenbrand: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spring-is-here-will-hillenbrand/1103442878

Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit: https://www.magicsleepsuit.com/

Home Alone: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099785/

Home Alone: 2: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104431/

Dunston Checks In: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116151/

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

Kal Ho Naa Ho:

Blow up flight bed: https://www.flyawaydesigns.com/products/flyaway-kids-bed

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For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.

For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at

http://www.armaziproductions.com/