Chip Leighton never set out to be famous. He wasn’t trying to become a TikTok sensation or a New York Times bestselling author. He just started sharing real text messages from his teenagers, and the internet couldn’t get enough.
“I had 17 followers after six months,” he laughs. But then came a single post about marriage… followed by a teenage text… and just like that: “Boom.”
Chip left behind his corporate life after 25 years in marketing and strategy. His resume now includes: author, speaker, creator of The Leighton Show, and guy whose teenage daughter lovingly calls him an ‘unemployed, middle-aged TikToker.’
“This is my gig,” he says.
With revenue from books, merch, brand deals, speaking gigs, and cameos, he’s created the perfect career bridge into retirement.
“I focus on quality, not quantity,” he says. “When people see my content, they know it’s going to be good.”
That approach has built a loyal, engaged following of 1.6 million+ and more than 300 million video views.
Fans send him new material every day... DMs full of ridiculous, sincere, and accidentally brilliant messages from their teens, tweens, and spouses.
Like these:
“Did Grandma have kids?”
“I tried this new cologne… brand is called Tester.”
“Don’t clap at graduation. Or scream. Actually, don’t come.”
“Was my job at Taco Bell government or non-government?”
“Can I use a Christmas stamp to mail something in July?”
“Can I leave a parking space before the meter runs out?”
“Do I put the bear spray on before hiking, or just if I see a bear?”
“Chicken broth… it’s not the sweat of the chicken, right?”
“How does eating cold turkey help you quit smoking?”
What started as a quiet hobby in Maine turned into sold-out live shows. After connecting with comedian Caroline Rhea, Chip hit the stage with a digital screen and dad-style delivery.
“I always thought this would work live,” he says.
His calendar has become packed doing live shows at college parent weekends, fundraisers, and comedy nights.
“I’m not trying to shame anyone. I’m celebrating teen humor.”
Speaking of teen humor, Chip decided to package his favorite texts in a best-seller: What Time Is Noon? The book is a curated collection of entertaining real-life texts, turned into a coffee table (or toilet tank) staple.
“Yes, people tell me they keep it in the bathroom. I take it as a compliment.”
It’s also available as an audiobook, narrated by Chip himself, and includes bonus lists you won’t want to miss like: “Things I Apologize to My Teenagers For” and “Things I Don’t Recommend if You Have Teenagers.”
The next chapter? A new book filled with real dad stories from snack fails to driveway disasters.
Here’s a taste of what’s inside: One dad accidentally ate an entire bowl of Thousand Island dressing, thinking it was soup. Another unknowingly snacked on shellacked animal crackers that were meant to be Christmas ornaments. And then there’s Chip himself who managed to rip his swim trunks mid-obstacle course at a pool party. (LOL)
With Chip, every scroll feels like a well-earned smirk. His posts are part confession, part comic relief, and all a reminder that we’re just winging it through the wild adventure of tween and teen parenting.
IG @the_leighton_show