Reena loves a story, and she‘s fascinated by the people behind them. She loves to bring stories to life. Her appetite for storytelling has taken her from the Jerry Springer Show to the legal drama of the courtroom. From influential players to reality stars, nothing is censored here. Reena interviews people whose stories haven‘t been told, at least not through her unique lens, and then gets daddy‘s advice afterward like a good daughter does. Whether you have daddy issues or a father who‘s inspired your path, you will be able to tap into my daddy‘s wisdom, wit, and humor at the end of every episode. My daddy has been a guiding light my whole life and there‘s not much he doesn‘t know, as an entrepreneur for forty-plus years, a husband, a loyal son, and my number one supporter. He has learned lots of life lessons along the way and is here to share them with you. It‘s time to reminisce and reflect on the conversations you‘d like to have with your daddy and learn from mine. Come share in some good old-fashioned family bonding and help us up our wisdom rating. There is wisdom from four generations and I’m addressing what happens from childhood to adulthood!
Episodes
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
“You can’t be afraid to jump.” — Clay Novak
"Let’s get left of the boom. We should be doing the same thing for veteran suicide."
This Veterans Day, join Reena Friedman Watts and her dad, Wayne, as they sit down with Lt. Col. Clay Novak (Ret.), combat veteran, author of the new book Rebellis, and co-host of The Elsa Kurt Show. Clay shares his hard-earned lessons on leadership, resilience, fatherhood, and life after combat — and weighs in on today’s politics and world events.
Elsa Kurt, known as The Blonde Kamala, a political commentator, co-host of the podcast, and married to a police officer and veteran. Together, they bring candid, no-holds-barred insights on freedom, service, and navigating the modern world.
Clay shares his journey from military life to becoming a podcaster and author, revealing the lessons learned along the way.
He discusses the challenges and camaraderie of military service, the stark contrasts between his experiences and those of veterans from previous generations, and how these insights inform his writing and advocacy work today.
With humor and sincerity, Clay opens up about the realities of combat, the importance of community for veterans, and the critical issue of suicide prevention within the veteran population. He emphasizes the need for belonging and the role that camaraderie plays in helping veterans cope with life after service.
As they explore Clay's creative endeavors, including his writing process and the inspiration behind his characters, Reena and Wayne engage in a heartfelt conversation that highlights the importance of mentorship, resilience, and the power of storytelling. This episode is not only a testament to the sacrifices made by those in uniform but also a celebration of the legacy they leave behind.
Keywords
Veterans, Military Service, Podcasting, Author, Suicide Prevention, Fatherhood, Politics, Community, Resilience, Storytelling, Creative Writing, Camaraderie, Life Lessons, Personal Growth, Legacy, Advocacy
(00:00) Reena friedman watts brings you the better call dream daddy show
(02:13) I co host the podcast with Elsa Kurt, and it's politics of the day
(07:14) You grew up in the suburbs in a blue collar family
(10:39) How do you think your time in the service differed from Vietnam
(16:57) Talk to me about friendly fire during the Vietnam War
(18:51) Getting wounded in Afghanistan was incredibly difficult and probably tragic
(24:42) It's 22 veterans a day, on average commit suicide
(29:04) Talk a little bit about how you have gotten creative since leaving the military
(34:41) Keep Moving, Keep Shooting is Terry Davis, that's the main character
(37:10) I'm curious about the artwork and the thought behind the cover design
(40:01) Would you compare publishing your book to jumping out of a plane
(44:43) Clay Novak: Please get my books into libraries. Please do. I think that's benefits everybody
(48:05) 22 veterans commit suicide every year, according to Better Call Daddy
(53:42) The point is, is that he wants to talk about politics. And writing about it and predicting
Connect with Clay Novak
Clay Novak's Website
Connect with Reena Friedman Watts
Better Call Daddy Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
YouTube
Thank you for tuning in to Better Call Daddy—where wisdom and heart meet!
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