PODCAST

Encouraging fathers, one heart at a time

Stories about growing up by award-winning author and storyteller, Peter Lewis.

The best few minutes of your day!

The Dad Story Project Trailer (6:24)

Let me tell you the story of these stories...

My mission is to help dads everywhere fall in love with the best job they will ever have.

If you’re a dad (old or young), have a dad, are married to a dad, or just know a dad, then this is a place to find a few minutes of rest, encouragement, and cheer. This isn’t some “how-to” podcast, filled with bullet points and check boxes—these are just simple stories about growing up. And we all know how profound and powerful a good story can be.

I’ve been a son since 1960 and a dad since 1984, and along the way I discovered two wonderful things: life is often most fulfilling during the quiet, ordinary moments of every day, and deep down, children just want to be with dad and mom—the currency of childhood, the thing our children value most, isn’t the stuff we give them, it’s the time we invest in them.

Our days are busy, our world is a bit mixed up and stressful, and we’re pulled in so many directions. It’s so easy to get caught up in just getting through the day, and yet there they are, our children, quietly needing us more than ever.

Each episode is a sketch that celebrates some small wonder of everyday life, and emphasizes the idea that the most important thing we can give our children is ourselves.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you are encouraged.

—Peter

Episode 1: Just Being There (6:15)

It's easy to be trapped by the notion that to be a good father means we need to do grand things, but often all we need to do is show up.

Episode 2: Barn Boots (7:13)

A lawnmower, an overgrown meadow, a pair of rubber boots, an exhausted dad, and a clever trick all combine to make a little girl's dream come alive.

Episode 3: I See My Father Running (7:43)

The story of how a little boy's freak accident in the New England hills creates a vivid memory of his father...a memory of something he never saw.

Episode 4: My Grandmother's Hands (9:27)

How a few minutes in the quiet company of his grandmother changed the way a little boy would see and explore the world for the rest of his life.

The first four episodes, and ways to listen to the rest!

To help this outreach get the most traction, please visit each of the main podcast providers (Apple, Spotify, Google, and Stitcher), and then subscribe, listen, download, rate, and review. Thank you!

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What listeners are saying

Wow! Just wow!

If I could give this book 10 stars I would. Loved every second of this book, when he writes pictures emerge, clear, defined beautiful pictures of ordinary life except he makes them seem extraordinary. —Kathy W.

Humorous and sentimental

I handed the book over to my wife without much explanation other than “read this” and I got in trouble for not warning her that she needed to have some tissues at hand. —A. B.

Beautifully written and a joy to read

I wanted to rate this book 10 out of 10 stars but there are only 5! This was a great laugh out really loud read which I totally enjoyed but what I treasured even more were the themes of love, parenting and making as many moments as you can in this life meaningful. Now one of my favourite books. —Gale. W.

Heartwarming

Couldn’t put it down! Heartwarming and genuine, the stories testify to the love of family, particularly that of a parent/father for his children. While the stories are entertaining, they also offer gentle encouragement to today’s parents and fathers. —Sean D.

Love

If you want to read a book about true love, you must read this book. It will be so good for your heart. —Pat W.

Fills a great need...

Each day as a parent is a privilege and each day is an opportunity to impact, nurture, and grow our children. With humor and warmth, Lewis spurs fathers to look beyond themselves and lovingly influence the next generation. —Patsy

This is the good stuff

What a precious collection of short stories about parenting, being parented and everything in between. Funny, sad, convicting, descriptive, transparent are just a few words to describe this read. It reiterated to me that it’s all about showing up. —Lisa H.

Simple joys

This delightful and easy to read book had me laughing, crying, and reflecting back to tender moments in my own youth. It inspired me to take time out of each and every day to for the simple things with my loved ones. —Holly W.

So positive!

Fantastic! Keep on putting the energy out there. Your podcast is so positive and energetically empowering —Thom P.

Wonderful, heartwarming stories

Such great stories of the heart. Just what is needed to remind us what’s really important in this crazy yet amazing world.

—Karen L. (no, not the author’s wife, LOL)

Amazing storyteller, so genuine!

Peter has the perfect podcast voice and uses eloquent, descriptive language in these heartwarming stories. An absolute joy to listen to—as my good friend said, “It’s like having a dad in your earbuds.” And it’s so nice to know genuinely caring dads do exist!

—Lori J.

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About the author

I’ve been a dad since 1984, and my grown son and daughter are still my best friends.

I live quietly with my beloved wife of 38 years, Karen, on our old farm in western Maine, where we hike, run, flyfish, rock climb, kayak, forage for mushrooms, and somehow make it through winter. And we have a wonderful daughter-in-law and son-in-law, and two adorable granddaughters. We smile all the time. I hope these stories warm your heart and spur you on to wondrous aventures in parenting. It’s a joyous ride.

Thanks for listening, and I’d love to hear from you.

—Peter Lewis

Karen, my sweetheart since 1979.

Our son, Jeremiah, and his first daughter, Sophie.

Our daughter, Amanda (no idea where she got her sense of humor…)

Encouragement from my friend, John Finch

Founder: The Father Effect and EncouragingDads.com

The Father Effect Movie (watch free on YouTube)

From his foreword to The Dad Story Project, Volume 3: Can You Be With Me?

“I hope and pray Peter’s stories will be read by millions of fathers, both young and old, so fathers will understand the true calling on their lives. A father’s greatest work and ministry is the one in his home with his wife and kids. I believe, just like me a few years ago, most dads have no real feel for how they influence their kids and the generations that come after them. What Peter is doing is vital in helping every dad impact his relationships with his kids in a very positive and encouraging way. I know Peter’s podcast and books will impact many because of the way in which he tells the stories. He shares stories that are very easy to read and inspire everyone who reads them to be a better father. Peter writes in such an intimate and comforting way, helping us all understand the significant influence we have on our kids along the journey of fatherhood. I love reading his stories because they are great reminders of just how important our roles as fathers are in the lives of our kids.”

Links

I also occasionally guest-blog for the National Center for Fathering, and Grandkidsmatter.org.

© 2021 S. Peter Lewis | speterlewis@gmail.com
product photography: quirkworksstudio.com | freelance photo/design: speterlewis.com

Special thanks to Wayne Rivet, Editor-In-Chief, Bridgton News, for giving me this opportunity, and for his friendship and encouragement

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