Domestic Dad Cleaning Up The Mess | Sobriety, Parenting, Dad, Addiction, Recovery,

https://feed.podbean.com/domesticdad/feed.xml

Are you looking for inspiration to start your journey into sobriety and become a better Dad? Has that hard wired feeling of “suck it up and deal with it”, gotten to a point where you had to sedate the weight of it with something else? Me too! Im Nick Barnett, Founder of the domestic dad project, A brand that strives to create a community that breaks the stigma around dads reaching out for help to get their lives back on track and become better Fathers. Welcome to The Domestic Dad Podcast, your go-to destination for candid discussions on journeys into sobriety, parenting, and personal growth. Ive been a dad since I was 18 years old. Im also a trauma survivor, alcoholic, divorced, happily re-married, proud, hard working, humbled by life domestic Dad. I remember realizing I was in the pit of addiction when I couldn’t leave the house without planning a stop to grab a few shooters at the gas station before I got home. Or Making up reasons to go to the grocery store just to make a un-necessary food purchase to bury a bottle of booze or wine in my cart and Stashing “back up bottles” around the house.. Only to wake up in the middle of the night, parched with a glass filled with vodka disguised as water on my night stand to quench my thirst so I could get through the next few hours without getting sick… Just to get hit with another devastating hangover that left me with debilitating heart burn, bloating, vomiting and shaking so bad that I couldn’t write an email, send a text or complete sentence without stammering over words… all while coming up with reasons in my head that every person in the world was against me and I was the “victim” Looking back at the way addiction stained my days and nights, stole time from me, my wife, and my kids left me embarrassed and ashamed. Because of this, I struggled with the pit of mental health issues in some of the darkest ways imaginable. But I fought my way out. With the help of community resources, life changing coaches, mentors, pastors and raw will power. Since then, I’ve embarked on an unbreakable journey into sobriety and life that has changed in some the greatest ways imaginable. There is not one goal I have set for myself that I haven’t had the confidence to go after, most which I’ve achieved. Today I feel great when I wake up in the morning, I’m productive with my work, my 40 year old body feels great, I’m present with my family and friends, I sleep through the night, I don’t have the fear of dying from my disease, I no longer doubt my value to my family and I know I have a meaningful future! My mission here is to share the resources that worked for me, with you! In the form of candid interviews and conversations around journeys into sobriety. But that’s not all – we also tackle the sheer delight and trials of parenting, sharing practical tips, heartfelt anecdotes, and expert advice to help you navigate the wonderful adventure of raising children and being the glue that not only allows your family to survive but more importantly THRIVE! Because you’re worth it, you have value in this world, there is a bright future for you here, and there is a son or daughter that needs and wants a meaningful relationship with you. My hope is that you will subscribe to this podcast and that it inspires you to join our growing community! So grab a mop and let’s start cleaning up the mess! Website: www.domesticdadproject.com YouTube: www.youtube.com/@DomesticDadProject Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DOMESTICDADPROJECT Insta: https://www.instagram.com/the_domestic_dad_project

Episodes

4 days ago

Torn by Trauma, Anchored by Love: How Faith and Family Saved Veteran Chris Jung

4 days ago

From Combat to Calling: How Chris Jung Found Faith and Fatherhood

In this deeply moving episode of Domestic Dad: Cleaning Up The Mess, host Nick Barnett sits down with Chris Jung, a military veteran, husband, and father, for an emotional journey through war, trauma, healing, and redemption. Chris opens up about his deployment to Afghanistan, the loss of a friend in combat, and the invisible wounds of PTSD that followed him home.

From the adrenaline of firefights and close calls with death, to the heartbreak of watching a friend’s life taken in an instant, Chris shares the harrowing reality of military life with raw honesty. But the battles didn’t stop when he came home. Like so many veterans, Chris found himself trying to survive civilian life with trauma he didn’t know how to process—turning to alcohol to numb the pain, isolate, and escape.

What followed was a hard-fought climb toward healing. Chris talks about the darkness of suicidal thoughts, the moment he picked up the phone instead of the gun, and the powerful role his wife played in helping him face his demons. Their story of love, resilience, and faith is a testament to the strength of community and the power of accountability.

Nick and Chris dive deep into the challenges of marriage after trauma, the lessons learned through fatherhood, and what it means to break generational cycles. Chris also shares how he’s turning pain into purpose—leading his family with intention, serving on his local fire department, and giving back through his business, Stuff Etc. in Waterloo, which is donating 10% of Father’s Day sales to the Domestic Dad Project.

This episode is a must-listen for veterans, parents, and anyone navigating trauma, grief, or the long road to becoming the person they were meant to be. Chris’s story is a reminder that no matter how broken you feel, healing is possible—and you are never alone in the fight.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

01:10 Childhood Memories and Challenges

04:49 Struggles with ADHD and School

13:21 Reconnecting with Estranged Father

21:10 Joining the Military

24:53 Deployment to Afghanistan

30:35 Patrolling the Sangar Valley

31:27 The Tragic Loss of Donny

33:25 Dealing with the Aftermath

36:28 A Lighter Mission

36:59 Unexpected Firefight

40:16 Battle of Dab