Dad Still Standing

As we draw a close on 2022 and Season Two of the Dad Still Standing podcast, Matt & Liam reflect on what has been a crazy year for the pod.

It wouldn't be an end-of-season show without inviting some special guests along for the sleigh ride (apologies in advance the show is littered with puns). So, the dads are joined by four previous guests who have appeared on the show this year.

The dads hope you enjoy catching up with old friends as much as they did and hearing how their baby loss journeys have progressed in 2022.

As ever take care this Holiday Season and look after yourselves.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Liam & Matt

Also, not forgetting, if you’d like to reach out to the show please message us on Instagram or Facebook and for our socials search @dadstillstanding. You can also email the show [email protected].

'Dad Still Standing' is a Factory Originals production.

For most of us, we can probably think of a friend or family member who could have done more to support us or was that little bit better after our loss.

But due to a lack of knowledge or thoughtfulness or experience, they just weren't there when we needed them. Well, after a suggestion from one of our listeners...we've done something different with this episode. 

We've designed and recorded it for you to pass on to that family member who isn't there for you, or that mate who you think could be doing more. 

It isn't about shaming them or making them feel like shit, but about giving them an insight into what you're going through and the type of things they can do to help. 

The episode for family and friends begins at 6 minutes but obviously, they can listen to the whole thing...we'll leave that up to you.

So, have a listen, share the episode, and hopefully, get the response you need from those closest to you. 

If you’d like to reach out to the show please message us on Instagram or Facebook and for our socials search @dadstillstanding. You can also email the show [email protected].

'Dad Still Standing' is a Factory Originals production.

For some, the terrible fate of our babies death was inevitable. For many others, our tragedies avoidable. Medical science and our understanding of the human body has come on leaps and bounds; with research at the very core of how we improve patient care and provide the right advice throughout a pregnancy.

However, despite an advancement in research there is still so much unknown about why and how our babies die.

In this week’s episode Matt & Liam talk to Professor Alex Heazell, Senior Clinical Lecturer in Obstetrics and Director of Tommy’s Stillbirth Research Centre - the Rainbow Clinic - at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester, UK. 

The Rainbow Clinic provides specialist care for women who have suffered a previous stillbirth or neonatal death with the aim of ensuring that it doesn’t happen again in future pregnancies.

This episode explores what the latest developments in baby loss research are; whether all losses are preventable; what each of us can do to support the cause; and delves a little into Prof Heazell’s background asking the question how does someone get into the world of saving babies’ lives.

You can follow Prof Heazell on Twitter: @MCR_SB_Research

If you’d like to reach out to the show please message on Instagram or Facebook and for our socials search @dadstillstanding. You can also email the show [email protected].

'Dad Still Standing' is a Factory Originals production.

🕯Wave of Light 🕯

The last episode in the BLAW specials and it’s all about the #WaveOfLight. If you don’t know what the Wave Of Light is, then you will in about three minutes as the dads discuss the finale of BLAW which takes place on Saturday 15th October 2022 at 7pm.

In this episode Matt & Liam chat about what the culmination of Baby Loss Awareness Week involves, how they remember their babies, and how you can be part of the Wave Of Light.

They'd love you to get in touch so please message on Instagram or Facebook and for our socials search @dadstillstanding. You can also email the show [email protected].

'Dad Still Standing' is a Factory Originals production.

Getting out the 💩 zone

You know what it can be like at times… f#@king miserable. Well, in this episode the dads discuss how you can get yourself out that shit zone when you find yourself struggling.

It also contains hints and tips as Matt and Liam draw on their own experiences of picking themselves up and flipping the switch on their grief.

They'd love you to get in touch so please message on Instagram or Facebook and for our socials search @dadstillstanding. You can also email the show [email protected].

'Dad Still Standing' is a Factory Originals production.

👀 Seeking and giving support 👏

Day three of the Dad Still Standing BLAW specials, in this episode Matt & Liam discuss how to go about seeking support if you’re struggling with the complex emotions that come with this week.

The dads also discuss the best ways to check in on those you think might be struggling and how to go about asking for support if you yourself don’t feel great.

They'd love you to get in touch so please message on Instagram or Facebook and for our socials search @dadstillstanding. You can also email the show [email protected].

'Dad Still Standing' is a Factory Originals production.

👍🏼Dos and Don'ts 🙅🏻‍♂️

The second episode of the Baby Loss Awareness Week specials sees the dads discuss the dos and don’ts of navigating BLAW.

This week can be an especially emotional and overwhelming time for baby loss parents, and so Liam and Matt talk about acknowledging your emotions, having a drink, and whether or not Matt is boring.

They'd love you to get in touch so please message on Instagram or Facebook and for our socials search @dadstillstanding. You can also email the show [email protected].

'Dad Still Standing' is a Factory Originals production.

BLAW SPECIALS

It’s Baby Loss Awareness Week, as if you didn’t know already, and the dads have decided to do something a little different.

As great as baby loss awareness week is for raising awareness it can be exhausting and overwhelming for those dealing with the grief of baby loss. Matt and Liam decided that they’d help their listeners through it with five shorter episodes each day - think of it as bite size chunks of the dads.

In this episode, they discuss what BLAW week is, how it’s grown over the years, and what still needs doing to raise awareness of baby loss.

They'd love you to get in touch so please message on Instagram or Facebook and for our socials search @dadstillstanding. You can also email the show [email protected].

'Dad Still Standing' is a Factory Originals production.

Easily one of our most requested subjects to cover, TFMR or terminating for medical reasons is an area the dads have not experienced personally. However, joining them for this week’s episode is Emma Belle from TFMR Mamas, who since her own loss has been an inspirational advocate and provided support to 1000s of parents who have had their own TFMR.

The episode is sensitive at times as Emma opens up about her journey and covers the challenges, complications, isolation, and pain that comes with making the most difficult ‘choice’ a parent is forced to make.

Taking a more active listening role in this episode gave the dads a chance to get to grips with how deep, complex, and life-altering this element of baby loss is. A follow-up with more practical support and guidance on how to navigate this type of journey is something that will definitely happen.

We'd love you to get in touch so please message us on Instagram or Facebook and for our socials search @dadstillstanding. You can also email the show [email protected].

Another big push for our listeners to leave a review and share the podcast. It goes a long way to reaching those who don’t know support exists.

'Dad Still Standing' is a Factory Originals production.

There's probably not an episode where the dads haven't discussed how your mental health is altered after losing a child. So, with that in mind, Matt & Liam have decided to spend this whole one talking about the effects, both positive and negative on a dad's mental health.

Also, in a returning segment for the show, they asked dads to send them a message answering the question: "How has your mental health changed since losing a baby?"

Listen to Matt, Liam and the other dads discuss mental health and baby loss. As always follow on socials to stay up to date with the show and it would mean the world for you to leave a short review.

We'd love you to get in touch so please message us on Instagram or Facebook and for our socials search @dadstillstanding. You can also email the show [email protected].

'Dad Still Standing' is a Factory Originals production.