podcast 019: from parent to peer: navigating the next season with adult children
In today’s episode, Deb sits down with her newest friend, Jay Stark, wealth advisor, business owner, husband, and proud dad of two daughters, for a deeply human conversation that isn’t really about money at all. It’s about presence.
“Quality is in quantity. You need to spend the time for the quality opportunities to happen.” – Jay Stark
It’s about the quiet choices that shape a child’s confidence over time. And it’s about the kind of fatherhood that doesn’t just provide—it forms.
Jay shares stories that are equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, from a toddler “fake hip injury” that taught him everything about attention, to long canoe trips where the signal drops and real connection finally returns. Together, Deb and Jay explore what it looks like to raise resilient young women, how families define “fair” in completely different ways, and why healthy mindsets may be one of the most powerful inheritances we can pass on.
Key Highlights:
The surprising moment Jay realized little girls can “communicate” their needs long before they have the words and what it taught him about attention and belonging
Why windshield time (and adventure time) creates conversations you’ll never get at the dinner table
The subtle father-daughter shift from parent to peer, and how to know when to offer advice (and when to hold it)
A laugh-out-loud story about the “no sorry rule,” pushups, and redefining what a “girl pushup” really is
Jay’s “three-by-30” actions for dads who want to elevate the human experience at home, starting this month
About Our Guest:
Jay Stark is a business owner and wealth advisor who works with successful families to build financial clarity aligned with what matters most. He’s also a husband to his high school sweetheart and a devoted dad of two daughters bringing equal parts curiosity, humility, and humor to the lifelong craft of parenting, partnership, and leadership.
About The HX Collective:
The HX Collective is a movement to elevate the human experience—at work, in relationships, and with ourselves. Through honest conversations and strategic insight, we explore how connection, context, and compassion can create a more flourishing world, starting right where we are.
