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. — 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/ — 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 — 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 — For sponsorship inquiries email: [email protected]. For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com  Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com