Better Call Daddy

Jon Waldman is a Winnipeg-based writer, TEDx speaker, and advocate for infertility awareness. His book 100 Things Jets Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die was shortlisted for the Winnipeg Book Award. His work has appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press, The Hockey News, and The Toronto Sun, and he’s been featured by CBC and HuffPost.

After a six-year infertility journey with his wife Elana, Jon became a leading voice in the conversation around male infertility. Their daughter, Kaia, was born in 2015. Today, he serves as a spokesperson for Fertility Matters Canada, using storytelling to break stigma and build community.

In this episode of Better Call Daddy, Reena Friedman Watts sits down with TEDx speaker Jon Waldman for a conversation most men aren’t having but should be.

After six years of infertility, Jon opens up about the emotional toll, the silence surrounding male infertility, and how it reshaped his identity, marriage, and sense of legacy.

This episode drops during National Infertility Awareness Week—a reminder that 1 in 6 couples face this reality, yet men are often left out of the conversation.

From collecting sports memorabilia to confronting one of life’s hardest challenges, Jon shares how storytelling became his way through—and why speaking up matters.

This isn’t just about infertility. It’s about fatherhood, identity, and what we leave behind.

What We Cover

Why male infertility is rarely talked about—and why that needs to change

The emotional impact on men, relationships, and self-worth

How Jon turned pain into purpose through his TEDx talk

The surprising connection between sports memorabilia and legacy

Using humor to navigate heavy conversations

Building support and breaking isolation

 

Episode Highlights:
- (00:00) Welcome to the Better Call Daddy Show
- (05:30) Introduction of Jon Waldman and his TED Talk
- (15:00) The statistics of infertility and its impact on men
- (25:00) Jon’s journey in the sports memorabilia world
- (35:45) The importance of storytelling in personal experiences
- (45:00) Wayne’s insights on legacy and compassion
- (55:00) Closing thoughts and reflections

Don't miss this thought-provoking episode that encourages listeners to embrace their stories and foster connections. Tune in and discover how vulnerability can lead to strength and understanding in the journey of fatherhood and beyond.

Connect with Jon Waldman

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonwaldman/

Connect with Reena Friedman Watts:
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube
(00:00) The Better Call Dream Daddy Show features interviews with influential and controversial fathers
(01:54) Jon Waldman did a TED talk on the subject of infertility
(07:26) Talk to me about how you started becoming a collector
(11:29) In high school, in grade 10, I took our journalism program
(13:02) Have you written any favorite pieces? Um, funny question
(15:12) There are many people who you dream of interviewing as a sports fan
(20:49) Comedian discusses his fertility journey in a new podcast
(23:23) The world of infertility, especially around males, is vast
(28:05) Is there anything that didn't make it into the book
(29:37) Are there any organizations or people like books that you read, anything that helped you
(32:17) Have you ever spoken up at all in the Jewish community
(38:17) How do you instill the enjoyment of collecting in the next generation
(42:37) Jon Waldman says collecting things can be part of your legacy

This episode is part of National Infertility Awareness Week, helping raise awareness around male infertility, IVF, and the emotional impact on families.

 

More info on National Infertility Awareness

https://www.asrm.org/advocacy-and-policy/take-action/national-infertility-awareness-week/

Join host Reena Friedman Watts and her dad, Wayne Friedman, for another captivating episode of the Better Call Daddy Show as they dive into the life and stories of Dean, known as 904 Dad Life. This episode is packed with humor, heart, and raw honesty as Dean opens up about his journey through sobriety, the challenges of fatherhood, and the complexities of family relationships.
From delivering his daughter on the bathroom floor to navigating a complicated relationship with his own father, Dean shares his experiences with candidness and wit. He discusses the impact of his upbringing on his parenting style and how he strives to break the cycle of dysfunction.

The conversation touches on:
- The challenges of being a dad while managing personal struggles
- How music became a creative outlet for healing
- Insights into sobriety and the importance of support systems
- The complexities of family dynamics and the influence of past relationships
- Lessons learned from navigating difficult conversations with children
Listeners will resonate with Dean's story of resilience and the importance of creating a positive legacy for future generations.

As always, Wayne shares his wisdom, offering insights into the nature of family and the importance of setting boundaries.
Episode Highlights:
- (00:00) Welcome to the Better Call Daddy Show
- (05:15) Introduction to Dean and his journey
- (15:30) The story of delivering his daughter
- (25:00) Navigating sobriety and family life
- (35:45) The impact of Dean's father on his parenting
- (45:00) Wayne's thoughts on family dynamics
- (55:00) Closing remarks and reflections
Don't miss this engaging episode filled with laughter, tears, and valuable life lessons. Tune in and discover how Dean is redefining fatherhood and creating a brighter future for his family.
🔗 Connect with Reena Friedman Watts:
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube
(00:00) Each week I interview a guest, share the stories with my dad
(03:30) Had a friend pass away from a fentanyl overdose
(05:54) When you're getting sober, your mind is going crazy, so
(07:22) Wife had a natural childbirth that was easier than planned
(10:28) How'd you guys meet? How did you reconnect on MySpace
(11:42) Can I ask, like, what makes you drink? That is the ultimate question
(15:54) The question about how it affect my marriage, it didn't start affecting it until
(17:38) So what is sobriety look like for you? It looks good so far
(22:40) Dean uses medical marijuana for back pain after two back surgeries
(25:37) Did you watch the Jerry Springer show? Of course
(26:59) Dean's father has a history of being a predator

Amma Primicino is a confidence coach and transformation guide for high-achieving women navigating career transitions.

With over 20 years of experience in marketing and public relations, she now helps women rebuild unshakable self-trust, step into visibility, and turn their experience into meaningful, profitable work.

Known as “Your Favourite Confidence Coach, Amma blends deep identity work with strategic clarity to help her clients reinvent themselves and lead with confidence in their next chapter.

 

In this throwback episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts welcomes fellow daddy's girl, Amma Primicino, for a candid conversation about family, creativity, and the unique bonds we share with our parents.
The episode kicks off with Reena and her dad, Wayne Friedman, setting the stage for a season filled with stories that inspire and entertain. As they delve into their personal experiences, they reflect on the importance of cherishing time with loved ones and how those moments shape our identities.
Amma shares her journey as a fellow daddy's girl, exploring the significance of storytelling and the connections we forge through our family histories. The discussion touches on:
- How family influences shape our paths and identities
- The beauty of vulnerability and emotional connections
- The challenges of balancing creativity with motherhood
- Lessons learned from navigating relationships and generational wisdom
- The power of storytelling in understanding ourselves and others

Listeners will be treated to heartfelt anecdotes that highlight the special relationships between parents and children, the importance of resilience, and the wisdom that can be passed down through generations. Reena and Amma emphasize the value of time spent with loved ones, reminding us that every moment is precious.
Episode Highlights:
- (00:00) Introduction with Reena and Grandpa Vinnie
- (10:15) Amma's journey as a daddy's girl
- (20:30) The importance of storytelling in family dynamics
- (30:45) Balancing motherhood and creative pursuits
- (40:00) Reflections on vulnerability and emotional connections
- (50:00) Closing thoughts and wisdom from Wayne
Join us for this touching episode that celebrates family, creativity, and the lessons we learn from those we love. Don't miss out on the opportunity to reflect on your own relationships and the stories that shape your life.
🔗 Connect with Reena Friedman Watts:
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube
(00:00) Reena Friedman Watts interviews Wayne Friedman for the Better Call Daddy podcast
(02:41) Reena says her podcast began as a way to connect with everyday people
(05:18) Your father passed away two years ago; you have recordings of his voice
(06:36) You grew up with all four of your grandparents in Kentucky
(11:48) You were born and raised in Kentucky and went to college in West Virginia
(14:29) Are Jewish people not considered white? That is such a great question
(20:21) Who is Reena right now? And what does happiness mean to you
(23:33) My favorite part of church is the praise and worship
(24:07) Tell me what you've learned about motherhood from reality TV
(28:44) What has been the rescue mission that you've taken from your children
(32:56) I want to talk about your dad because that's the thing that appeals
(40:03) Tell your dad he has a raving fan in England
(40:22) Amma says time is our most valuable commodity
(43:43) You don't have to be the bad guy to stay the good guy
(48:42) To spend special time with your dad is what all dads should be doing

Samantha Elizabeth’s journey into stress management began with an unexpected discovery a mass on her left adrenal gland. Though not cancerous, the mass caused her body to produce excess cortisol, leaving her in a constant state of stress.

Facing the daily challenge of managing her own stress, especially with the demands of work and parenthood, Samantha realized how difficult it can be to simply “not stress” when life gets overwhelming.

 

Determined to find effective solutions, she turned her experience into purpose by becoming a stress management coach and starting "The Stress Mess Podcast." Through her coaching and podcast, Samantha now helps others learn to manage stress and find balance in their own lives.

Samantha Elizabeth is known as The OG Stress Mess, not because she has life perfectly figured out, but because she absolutely doesn’t, and she’s willing to say it out loud.

She’s a chronic overthinker, professional feeler, and someone who has spent years navigating stress, relationships, big life pivots, and the occasional “what am I doing with my life” spiral with honesty and humor. Instead of pretending to have it all together, she leans into the mess, learns from it, and brings people along for the ride.

She’s the voice behind Stress Mess: A Stress Less Podcast, where real conversations replace perfection, and mindset shifts come with a side of sarcasm and truth. Whether she’s talking about burnout, breakups, or just trying to function like a normal human on a Tuesday, Samantha keeps it unfiltered, relatable, and refreshingly real.

If you’ve ever felt like a beautiful disaster figuring it out as you go, you’ll feel right at home with her.

 

Connect with Samantha

https://samanthaelizabeth.com/

How do you control your emotions and communicate effectively in a distracted, fast-paced world?

In this episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with podcaster and emotional storyteller Paula Sima for a powerful conversation on emotional intelligence, communication skills, relationships, and personal growth.

Recorded live in Houston, this episode marks their second in-person meeting after years of online connection, bringing an authentic and energetic dynamic you will not want to miss.

Paula shares her journey as a self-described “government kid,” opening up about identity, resilience, and the lasting influence of her father. Together, Reena and Paula explore:

How to understand and regulate your emotions

Why vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness

The truth about modern friendships and relationships

How to communicate clearly and hold attention

The role of storytelling in healing and connection

This episode blends mental health insights, real-life stories, and humor, including a memorable surprise moment you will not expect.

 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Emotional intelligence tips for everyday life

How to express your feelings without losing control

Communication strategies that actually work

How to build deeper, more meaningful relationships

Why storytelling is key to connection and growth

Episode Timestamps:

(00:00) Welcome to Better Call Daddy

(02:15) Paula Sima’s story and “government kid” upbringing

(15:00) Emotional vulnerability and self-awareness

(25:30) Friendships, support systems, and relationships

(35:00) Storytelling as a tool for healing

(45:00) Surprise prank call to Paula’s dad

About the Guest, Paula Sima:
Host of Talk Shi+ with P, Paula Sima creates meaningful conversations around emotional well-being, personal development, and authentic storytelling.

About Better Call Daddy:
Hosted by Reena Friedman Watts and her dad Wayne Friedman, Better Call Daddy features real conversations about entrepreneurship, family, mental health, relationships, and life lessons, blending humor, honesty, and unforgettable perspectives.

🔗 Connect with Reena Friedman Watts:
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram |

Connect with Paula Sima

Linkedin