MILKLESS
Milkless Media
Searching for that parenthood balance so when our kids are old they look back and say, "yeah, my dad (or mom) was awesome," however we get there. And while we love our kids unconditionally, that doesn't mean we're wimpy pushover dads who have lost every shred of dignity and respect in the home. Let's find that balance together. We're Milkless.
- 36 minutes 2 seconds#118 | Max's Oldest Turns 10!
Max and Matt break down one of parenting’s hardest skills, keeping your cool when everything’s falling apart. They talk about why kids always seem to test your patience at the worst times, what those triggers are actually teaching you, and how to recover after you blow up. From dad guilt to morning chaos to practical tools that actually help, this one’s a mix of real talk, science, and the kind of humor that makes you feel seen. Whether you’ve yelled at your kid today or just felt close, this episode is for every parent trying to stay calm and connected. Let’s gooo!
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro & Catch-Up
2:45 – Losing Patience Moments6:10 – Why We Snap
10:25 – Repair After Anger
14:00 – Dad Guilt Explained
18:15 – Triggers & Awareness
22:30 – Staying Calm Tips
27:45 – When to Apologize
33:00 – Letting Go Grace
36:03 – Closing ThoughtsBuy Violet Archer on Amazon Here
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Milkless on TikTok7 October 2025, 2:00 pm - 39 minutes 36 seconds#117 | When Mom and Dad Do it Differently
Max and Matt dive into the messy middle ground of parenting as a team, when to be a united front, and when it’s okay (even good) to be different. Sparked by a spicy Instagram post, they unpack what happens when one parent loosens the rules while the other holds the line, and why those differences might actually teach kids resilience. From solo weekends with the kids, to pizza dinners and Dave & Buster’s meltdowns, to the hidden pressures moms and dads face when parenting alone, they bring stories, studies, and plenty of laughs. They also break down research on authoritative vs. authoritarian parenting, how consistency shapes kids’ brains, and why the most important thing might just be that your child goes to bed knowing they’re loved. Let’s gooo!
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro & Dave & Buster’s Chaos
3:10 The Instagram Post That Sparked It
7:45 Solo Parenting: Dad vs. Mom Styles
13:20 Do Kids Need a United Front?
19:05 Parenting Styles in Research
25:50 The “Easy Kid” Study & Harsh Parenting
30:40 Why Predictability Shapes Kids’ Brains
35:15 Communication & Avoiding Parenting Resentment
39:37 Closing ThoughtsBuy Violet Archer on Amazon Here
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Milkless on TikTok1 October 2025, 10:00 am - 42 minutes 14 seconds#116 | Youth Sports in America pt 2
Max and Matt dive deeper into the chaos of youth sports this time focusing on the scoreboards, standings, and the paradox of winning. They break down why so many leagues avoid keeping score, how that overcorrection misses the point, and what kids actually learn from wins and losses. From family dinners lost to the club system, to the pressure of turning every child into the next Messi or LeBron, they unpack the real purpose of youth sports: joy, community, and learning to compete without tying your worth to the outcome. With stories from City League, shoutouts to multi-sport athletes, and a few hilarious detours (including puppies and Red Bull cans), this episode challenges the broken system and imagines a better way forward for kids and families.
Buy Violet Archer on Amazon Here
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Milkless on TikTok23 September 2025, 10:00 am - 39 minutes 6 seconds#115 | Youth Sports in America pt 1
Max and Matt tackle the wild world of youth sports in America, where rec leagues are disappearing, travel teams dominate, and parents feel trapped in an expensive cycle of tournaments, uniforms, and endless weekends on the road. Max shares his experience founding City League, a local nonprofit bringing back competitive, affordable, community-driven sports for kids. They unpack how the “club track” pressures families into year-round specialization as young as eight, why that’s burning kids out, and what’s really lost when fun disappears from the game. From $600 uniforms to 10-hour car rides, to why multi-sport athletes are actually more likely to succeed, this episode is part rant, part blueprint for a better way forward.
Buy Violet Archer on Amazon Here
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Milkless on TikTok16 September 2025, 10:00 am - 39 minutes 30 seconds#114 | How to make fun of your kids (without hurting them)
Max and Matt get into the delicate art of making fun of your kids when it builds connection and when it crosses the line. They unpack why playful teasing, if done right, can actually strengthen relationships and even teach kids emotional intelligence. From family jokes to inside roasts, they share how humour becomes a love language and why tone, timing, and context matter more than the words themselves. They also dive into the do’s and don’ts of raising your kids, the dangers of punching down, and why sometimes the best joke is letting your kids give it right back. With plenty of stories, laughter, and a few cautionary tales, this episode is all about finding joy in the banter without causing lasting damage. Let’s gooo!
Buy Violet Archer on Amazon Here
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Milkless on TikTok19 August 2025, 10:00 am - 24 minutes 22 seconds#113 | Overparenting Is Doing More Damage Than You Think Pt. 2
Max and Matt unpack the chaos of raising independent kids in a hyper-scheduled world. As their children grow up, they explore what it looks like to let go of bike rides without parents, drop-in sports, and the lost art of knocking on a friend’s door. They dive into why “playdates” might be ruining everything, the myth of the dangerous world we live in, and how over-parenting may be quietly chipping away at our kids’ sense of self-worth. Through stories, rants, and a surprisingly touching gratitude moment (plus a THC suppository joke), this episode is all about trusting your kids, checking your anxiety, and remembering that sometimes, boring is beautiful.
Just waiting for the main episode, then you are all good to upload. Hopefully, within the next hourBuy Violet Archer on Amazon Here
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Milkless on TikTok12 August 2025, 10:00 am - 25 minutes 15 seconds# 112 | Overparenting Is Doing More Damage Than You Think Pt. 1
Max and Matt dive into the surprising science behind overprotective parenting and how it might literally shorten your child’s lifespan. They explore a British longitudinal study that found links between childhood autonomy and living a longer life, and reflect on what that means for modern parenting. From the fine line between support and smothering, to how bulldozer parents might be raising emotionally fragile kids, this episode is packed with insight and reflection. They break down the value of boredom, unsupervised free play, and why kids need to feel struggle to grow strong. It’s not about neglect, it’s about building resilience through real-life friction. Oh, and there’s plenty of tactical flannel, meditation talk, and rectal gummy jokes too. Welcome to another classic Milkless mix of science, dad life, and existential comedy.
Buy Violet Archer on Amazon Here
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Milkless on TikTok5 August 2025, 10:00 am - 42 minutes 17 seconds#111 | Making Violet Archer & Rethinking Kids' TV with Caitlin Murray of Big Time Adulting
We sat down with Caitlin Murray of @BigTimeAdulting to talk about why we made Violet Archer — a mystery story for kids that actually slows down, leans on story, and treats young brains with some respect.
We talk about what’s broken in modern kids’ content, how Violet Archer came to life, and how modern content for kids seems to favor attention grabbing visuals and sounds over story and imagination. Caitlin also shares why she signed on to voice Violet herself - and yes, we do manage to roast a few shows along the way.
If you’re a parent who’s tired of kids content that feels like a sugar rush with a theme song, this one’s for you.Buy Violet Archer on Amazon Here
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Milkless on TikTok29 July 2025, 10:00 am - 45 minutes 43 seconds#110 | The pursuit of... contentment? With Amanda Brinkman
Max and Matt get together with Amanda Brinkman and get real about what happens when you lose your temper as a parent. They unpack the moments where things boil over the yelling, the guilt, the emotional hangover and how to rebuild connection after the storm. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being human. They talk about how to repair trust with your kids, why shame keeps us stuck, and how to make apologies that actually mean something. From their own stories of dad meltdowns to simple tools that help in the heat of the moment, this episode is full of honesty, humour, and hope for anyone who’s ever thought, “I can’t believe I just said that.” Let’s gooo!You like that Amanda Brinkman lady? So do we! And when she's not talking about perimenopause, she spends much of her time travelling the country talking to big ol' crowds about finding Purpose. She's even got a course on it, y'all. Check out the links below.Amanda Brinkman: https://amandakbrinkman.comThe Purpose Pursuit Course:
amandakbrinkman.com/purposepursuitInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandakbrinkman/Buy Violet Archer on Amazon Here
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Milkless on TikTok24 June 2025, 10:00 am - 32 minutes 38 seconds#109 | How Do You Handle When Your Partner Messes Up? (and Vice Versa)
Max and Matt tackle one of the trickiest parts of parenting: what to do when your partner doesn’t quite nail a moment with the kids—and vice versa. From bedtime blowups to moments when one parent needs a “tap out,” they unpack how to handle these situations without throwing each other under the bus. They talk through the awkwardness of siding with your partner vs. comforting your kid, and how to navigate those moments without losing the united front. The guys get honest about apology dynamics, how to course-correct as a team, and why it’s worth talking about the little things before they become big things. From real-time tension to therapy takeaways, this one dives deep into how couples can keep parenting (and marriage) strong—even when things get messy.
Buy Violet Archer on Amazon Here
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Milkless on TikTok17 June 2025, 10:00 am - 33 minutes 44 seconds#108 | Hot Takes: Sh*t We Always Say to Our Kids... And Why
Max and Matt dive into the hilarious and humbling world of parenting quirks, especially the ones we're not proud of. From sarcastic “what's” to psychological warfare masked as calm questioning, they unpack the subtle ways dads sometimes offload their stress onto kids. The guys explore the fine line between gentle correction and straight-up shaming, reflect on the power of reframing discipline, and offer surprisingly touching ways to show unconditional love, like telling your kid you'd choose them if you could. They also get real about sibling dynamics, how to model empathy, and even how small rituals (like walking together or joking about being thirsty) build deeper family connection. It’s part confession, part strategy, and full-on dad therapy.
Buy Violet Archer on Amazon Here
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Milkless on TikTok10 June 2025, 10:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App