419. Is America Still The Best Place To Be? Tony Berardo on Fatherhood, Infertility, and Walking in Rome

"America still, even though we still have prejudices and we still have ups and downs, is a great nation of freedom." - Wayne Friedman "I think it’s nice to be part of the chase, but we also want to be able to do things family-oriented." - Wayne Friedman In this family orientented episode of the Better Call Daddy podcast, host Reena Friedman Watts invites Tony Berardo, a passionate podcaster and dedicated father, to share his transformative journey through fatherhood and health challenges. Tony recounts his recent trip to Italy with his one-year-old daughter, revealing how the experience not only deepened their family bonds but also allowed his daughter to connect with her roots and learn to walk on the cobblestones of Rome. He discusses the joys of traveling with a toddler and the unexpected culinary adventures they embarked on, from pasta to gelato, all while highlighting the affordability and richness of Italian culture. The conversation takes a poignant turn as Tony reflects on his health struggles, including a significant lung surgery and the emotional toll of infertility treatments he and his wife faced. Through these challenges, he gained a new perspective on life, prompting him to reconsider what truly matters. Tony’s insights on the American healthcare system, the importance of healthy living, and the pressures of societal expectations provide a thought-provoking backdrop to their discussion. Reena's dad, Wayne, joins the conversation, offering his wisdom on the value of family, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness in America. Together, they explore the contrasts between American and European lifestyles, emphasizing the importance of finding balance and appreciating the simple joys in life. Join us for this heartfelt episode that inspires listeners to reflect on their own journeys, embrace their experiences, and cherish the moments that truly define what it means to be a family. (00:00) The Better Call Daddy Show features interviews with influential fathers and controversial people (01:57) Tony and his wife went to Italy with their infant daughter (06:21) Reena went to Italy in 2002 and had a very good time there (09:34) Are you raising your daughter differently than your father did? I think so (15:02) Do you remember any of your dad's funny responses (15:53) When you went to Italy, did you expect it to be different than America (20:24) You can buy two houses in Italy for less than what you would spend in Florida (24:36) You've been trying to get pregnant for a couple years now (29:16) When they told me I had a tumor, I thought it was harmless (32:22) You didn't take pain meds for that operation, right (35:51) When you go to other places, your perceptions change drastically (42:10) Some people think giving daughter processed food is unfair to her (47:13) We spend the most on healthcare than any other country on the planet earth (50:10) What if there was an option where you kind of do a reset (56:00) Going to Europe really changes you, Tony says (01:01:15) How can people listen to your podcast about these things (01:01:54) America is a great nation of freedom. So America still, even though we still have prejudices Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who could use a dose of inspiration and wisdom! Connect with Tony https://www.youtube.com/tonyberardo https://www.instagram.com/theberardo/   Connect with Reena https://www.instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts instagram.com/bettercalldaddypodcast https://www.youtube.com/@BetterCallDaddy bettercalldaddy.com linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts