What began as a simple idea during lockdown has grown into a global support system for millions — all built on the kind of everyday advice many people never had access to growing up.

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Back in April 2020, as the world slowed down during the pandemic, Rob Kenney pressed upload on a YouTube video with modest expectations. The concept was straightforward: share practical life skills and guidance for those who might not have had someone to teach them.

“I was just trying to pass along some information to some people that maybe could use it,” Kenney explained to WNDU.

At the time, he thought he might reach “30 or 40 followers.”

Instead, the channel — titled “Dad, how do I?” — exploded.

Six years on, Kenney has built a community that stretches far beyond anything he imagined, amassing over 5.6 million subscribers on YouTube alone and more than six million followers across platforms including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.

But the numbers only tell part of the story.

At its core, the channel delivers what Kenney calls “dadvice” — a mix of practical tutorials and heartfelt guidance aimed at people navigating life without a father figure. His videos cover everything from tying a tie and shaving to changing a tyre, unclogging a drain, and even some food recipes — simple tasks, but ones that can feel overwhelming without someone to show you how.

The idea didn’t come from nowhere.

Kenney revealed to the TODAY Show that his own childhood was shaped by absence. He was just 14 years old when his father left, forcing him and his siblings into a difficult situation. Eventually, his older brother and sister-in-law took him in, providing stability at a crucial moment in his life.

That experience stayed with him.

Growing up without consistent guidance left a lasting impression — one that would later shape his mission to ensure others didn’t face the same struggles alone. As he got older, built a family of his own, and navigated personal setbacks, the idea of offering that missing support began to take form.

“I had lots of excuses, but while we’re in quarantine, I ran out of excuses.”

It was his daughter who ultimately pushed him to take the leap and start the channel — a decision that would transform not just his own life, but the lives of countless viewers around the world.

And while the tutorials are what draw people in, it’s the underlying message that keeps them coming back.

“We long for a wholesome meal, a home cooked meal, but we settle for fast food,” Kenney said, reflecting on the kind of emotional connection and guidance many people feel they’ve missed.

His content doesn’t just show people how to complete tasks — it offers reassurance, encouragement, and a sense of stability. For many viewers, it’s the closest thing they’ve experienced to having a father figure.

That emotional impact is something Kenney understands deeply.

“I was hoping my dad would actually come back and apologize. If you are waiting for that other person to apologize, it might not happen, and your life will go by,” he said, sharing one of the most important lessons he’s learned.

It’s this openness — the willingness to talk about pain, growth, and forgiveness — that has helped the channel resonate on a much deeper level than anyone could have predicted.

Kenney’s journey hasn’t been without its own struggles. As an adult, he faced challenges that forced him to confront the lasting effects of his upbringing. At one point, he found himself at rock bottom, dealing with job loss and mounting pressure at home.

Those experiences became part of his foundation — shaping not just the content he creates, but the values behind it.

“My goal in my life was to raise good adults. I never wanted to be wealthy,” he told Shattered, per The Independent. “I never wanted to be necessarily successful. My goal in life was to raise good adults, not good children, but good adults, because I had a fractured childhood.”

That same mindset now extends to the millions of people who turn to his channel for guidance.

Over the years, Kenney’s influence has continued to grow. In 2020, he appeared on the “Today” show with Hoda and Jenna. A year later, he released the “Dad, how do I?” book, expanding his message beyond video. More recently, his journey has taken him across the world, including a speaking engagement in Stockholm, Sweden.

Despite the recognition, his focus remains unchanged.

“If you pretend you’ve got it all together, when they grow up, they’re going to realize that you don’t,” Kenney said. “Hopefully I can move the needle a bit, but being a dad is a blessing.”

And after more than six years on YouTube, Kenney has released a new video revealing why his channel still matters so much and how grateful he is for those who have supported him along the way:

Because while the videos may start with something as simple as how to tie a tie, they often end up delivering something far more powerful: a sense of belonging, guidance, and the reassurance that no one has to figure everything out alone.

Even to this day, his videos are flooded with one particular comment from his followers: “Thanks, dad”.

Featured image credit: YouTube/@DadHowDoI (screenshot)