Max and Matt tackle the wild world of youth sports in America, where rec leagues are disappearing, travel teams dominate, and parents feel trapped in an expensive cycle of tournaments, uniforms, and endless weekends on the road. Max shares his experience founding City League, a local nonprofit bringing back competitive, affordable, community-driven sports for kids. They unpack how the “club track” pressures families into year-round specialization as young as eight, why that’s burning kids out, and what’s really lost when fun disappears from the game. From $600 uniforms to 10-hour car rides, to why multi-sport athletes are actually more likely to succeed, this episode is part rant, part blueprint for a better way forward.Buy Violet Archer on Amazon HereMilkless on InstagramMilkless on TikTok LISTEN + WATCH VIOLET ARCHER Follow on Instagram
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39:18
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#114 | How to make fun of your kids (without hurting them)
Max and Matt get into the delicate art of making fun of your kids when it builds connection and when it crosses the line. They unpack why playful teasing, if done right, can actually strengthen relationships and even teach kids emotional intelligence. From family jokes to inside roasts, they share how humour becomes a love language and why tone, timing, and context matter more than the words themselves. They also dive into the do’s and don’ts of raising your kids, the dangers of punching down, and why sometimes the best joke is letting your kids give it right back. With plenty of stories, laughter, and a few cautionary tales, this episode is all about finding joy in the banter without causing lasting damage. Let’s gooo!Buy Violet Archer on Amazon HereMilkless on InstagramMilkless on TikTok LISTEN + WATCH VIOLET ARCHER Follow on Instagram
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39:30
#113 | Overparenting Is Doing More Damage Than You Think Pt. 2
Max and Matt unpack the chaos of raising independent kids in a hyper-scheduled world. As their children grow up, they explore what it looks like to let go of bike rides without parents, drop-in sports, and the lost art of knocking on a friend’s door. They dive into why “playdates” might be ruining everything, the myth of the dangerous world we live in, and how over-parenting may be quietly chipping away at our kids’ sense of self-worth. Through stories, rants, and a surprisingly touching gratitude moment (plus a THC suppository joke), this episode is all about trusting your kids, checking your anxiety, and remembering that sometimes, boring is beautiful.Just waiting for the main episode, then you are all good to upload. Hopefully, within the next hourBuy Violet Archer on Amazon HereMilkless on InstagramMilkless on TikTok LISTEN + WATCH VIOLET ARCHER Follow on Instagram
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24:22
# 112 | Overparenting Is Doing More Damage Than You Think Pt. 1
Max and Matt dive into the surprising science behind overprotective parenting and how it might literally shorten your child’s lifespan. They explore a British longitudinal study that found links between childhood autonomy and living a longer life, and reflect on what that means for modern parenting. From the fine line between support and smothering, to how bulldozer parents might be raising emotionally fragile kids, this episode is packed with insight and reflection. They break down the value of boredom, unsupervised free play, and why kids need to feel struggle to grow strong. It’s not about neglect, it’s about building resilience through real-life friction. Oh, and there’s plenty of tactical flannel, meditation talk, and rectal gummy jokes too. Welcome to another classic Milkless mix of science, dad life, and existential comedy.Buy Violet Archer on Amazon HereMilkless on InstagramMilkless on TikTok LISTEN + WATCH VIOLET ARCHER Follow on Instagram
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#111 | Making Violet Archer & Rethinking Kids' TV with Caitlin Murray of Big Time Adulting
We sat down with Caitlin Murray of @BigTimeAdulting to talk about why we made Violet Archer — a mystery story for kids that actually slows down, leans on story, and treats young brains with some respect.We talk about what’s broken in modern kids’ content, how Violet Archer came to life, and how modern content for kids seems to favor attention grabbing visuals and sounds over story and imagination. Caitlin also shares why she signed on to voice Violet herself - and yes, we do manage to roast a few shows along the way.If you’re a parent who’s tired of kids content that feels like a sugar rush with a theme song, this one’s for you.Buy Violet Archer on Amazon HereMilkless on InstagramMilkless on TikTok LISTEN + WATCH VIOLET ARCHER Follow on Instagram
Searching for that parenthood balance so when our kids are old they look back and say, "yeah, my dad (or mom) was awesome," however we get there. And while we love our kids unconditionally, that doesn't mean we're wimpy pushover dads who have lost every shred of dignity and respect in the home. Let's find that balance together. We are Max Valverde and Matt Naylor. We are MILKLESS.
Canada - english