Shit My Dad Says by Justin Halpern — Summary + Surprising Lessons for Founders Who Need to Chill Out
TL;DR Summary
When Justin Halpern moved back in with his blunt, profanity-loving dad, he started tweeting the guy’s one-liner life wisdom. The result? Internet fame, a bestselling book, and a surprising source of business and life clarity.
It’s 200+ pages of savage, hilarious, no-filter advice from a man who doesn’t care about your feelings—but deeply cares about doing life right.
Big Ideas (Hold onto your ego)
Simplicity is underrated. Most problems aren’t complicated—you just don’t want the answer.
Truth hurts. Say it anyway. Sugarcoating wastes time. Clarity saves it.
Don’t confuse busy with useful. “You spent six hours picking a font? You’re not working—you’re avoiding.”
Be good, not impressive. The old man would rather you be a plumber who shows up than a startup bro with no results.
Laugh at yourself. Seriously. If you can’t, someone else will—and they’ll be funnier.
Timeless Principle → Modern Upgrade
| Timeless Principle | Modern Upgrade |
|---|---|
| “Tell it like it is” | Radical candor > fake positivity |
| “Don’t take yourself so seriously” | Founder ego is your startup’s glass ceiling |
| “If you screw up, own it” | Accountability = leadership currency |
| “Work hard, but don’t be dumb” | Hustle ≠ strategy |
| “Common sense > credentials” | Execution beats theory, every time |
Why It Matters for Young Entrepreneurs
Startup culture can get weirdly precious—like everyone’s afraid to admit when something’s dumb or just not working.
This book reminds you:
Clarity is kind.
Simplicity is powerful.
Humor is survival.
If you’re building something, you need at least one voice in your head that sounds like Halpern’s dad—calling out your BS, keeping you grounded, and reminding you not to take your pitch deck (or yourself) too seriously.
Sometimes the smartest move is also the obvious one.
3 Questions to Ask Yourself After Reading
Am I being honest—or just polite and ineffective?
What would my “no-BS” inner advisor say about this decision?
Am I avoiding something hard by hiding in “work”?
“You have to stop buying into this idea that your life is supposed to be easy. Being an adult is just walking around wondering what you’re forgetting.”
If You Liked This, Check Out:
[The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson] – More truth, less fluff
[Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins] – Brutal honesty meets beast mode
