Meet Dadfocaler Dan Haumschild (recorded 11.06.25 during Men's Mental Health Week). Dan, his wife and two young kids moved from Wisconsin, US, to Victoria's Mornington Peninsula mid-2024.

As an husband, dad, active community member, ultra-runner, educator and public historian, University at Buffalo Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Master of Arts, Comparative Literature, Dan provides fascinating insight into his relationship with his own dad, their decision to move across the world, and how they try to parent today.

Here are links to two men's groups mentioned:

https://www.sunrisewanderers.com.au/

https://www.yeahman.au/

If you or anyone you know needs help, here are the details for lifeline:https://www.lifeline.org.au/Call 13 11 14Text 0477 13 11 14

About Dadfocals

This is the show where we look at life through the lens of a dad! We're no experts and we're not here to offer advice; we're here to exchange stories on the triumphs and tribulations of dadding. Sam is dad to three boys Sonny, Vann and Otis. And Tom is dad to three girls Bela, Ettie and Maeve. Remember, if you have any questions, suggestions or want to discuss any triggers; you can reach us @dadfocals on the socials and [email protected] on the email – links in the show notes. Don't forget to like, share, subscribe, and all that rad dad stuff. Remember, we’re all just dads, doing our best. No pressures, no guilts, just a lotta love and talk. If you’re struggling with anything, reach out to someone – a problem shared is a problem halved.

Meet Dadfocaler Ben Smith (recorded 19.03.25). Ben took time out of schedule campaigning for the Federal seat of Flinders in the 2025 election to speak to us! This is in no way a political episode; just a chance to get to know Ben as a personal and a Dad.

Ben's day job is CEO of Mornington Community Support Centre. Find out how you can volunteer to support your community here: https://www.mcsc.au/

Ben featured heavily in the film created by Mornington Community Support Centre and Peninsula Films in an effort to save The Ranch, Bentons / Nepean Hwy and to help spread awareness of the homelessness crisis on the Mornington Peninsula. Here is the trailer: https://vimeo.com/965580658

Here is Ben's TEDx talk mentioned in the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zokk36qanFk

About Dadfocals

This is the show where we look at life through the lens of a dad! We're no experts and we're not here to offer advice; we're here to exchange stories on the triumphs and tribulations of dadding. Sam is dad to three boys Sonny, Vann and Otis. And Tom is dad to three girls Bela, Ettie and Maeve. Remember, if you have any questions, suggestions or want to discuss any triggers; you can reach us @dadfocals on the socials and [email protected] on the email – links in the show notes. Don't forget to like, share, subscribe, and all that rad dad stuff. Remember, we’re all just dads, doing our best. No pressures, no guilts, just a lotta love and talk. If you’re struggling with anything, reach out to someone – a problem shared is a problem halved.

Following Sam's Rites of Passage Institute leadership course with Cade (Ep #26), we were stoked to have founder Dr Arne Rubinstein on Dadfocals. Arne has committed his life and career to supporting young people on their journey to adulthood – and it's an incredible listen (and watch!) With Arne in Byron Bay, Sam in Noosa and Tom on the Mornington Peninsula, it was time to turn the cameras on Dadfocals!

Check out the amazing work Arne and his team are doing here:

https://ritesofpassageinstitute.org/

Other Important links:

Book Free Tickets for 'A Night With The Blokes of The Mornington Peninsula' (a series of workshops run & facilitated by Tomorrow Man, one of the country’s most well renowned educators on men’s health) here: www.yeahman.au

https://www.lifeline.org.au/

About Dadfocals This is the show where we look at life through the lens of a dad! We're no experts and we're not here to offer advice; we're here to exchange stories on the triumphs and tribulations of dadding. Sam is dad to three boys Sonny, Vann and Otis. And Tom is dad to three girls Bela, Ettie and Maeve. Don't forget to like, share, subscribe, and all that rad dad stuff. Remember, we’re all just dads, doing our best. No pressures, no guilts, just a lotta love and talk. If you’re struggling with anything, reach out to someone – a problem shared is a problem halved.

Growing up in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, Mount Martha community man Merv Stewart has quite a story to tell, from an extremely tough upbringing to raising his own two teenagers on the Mornington Peninsula today.

Merv forgave his dad many years ago, understanding that he did the best with the tools he had, and while Merv's story is one of escape from religion, his strong belief is that if religion works for someone to find their own way and their own community, that is awesome. He also believes that regardless of how we start life, it's what we do with our grounding that becomes our story. This incredible man is proud to have broken the chain and knows that his kids are an everyday example to the world that there is an alternative path that he walked.

Now Merv has started the Sunrise Wanderers, a men's community that wanders in local communities to foster a sense of connection, encouraging open conversations and shared experiences as we wander side by side as sun comes up.

Other Important links:

Book Free Tickets for 'A Night With The Blokes of The Mornington Peninsula' here. Yeah, Man is a community, a gathering, a connection. A place to listen, learn & share – all in search of our own version of better.

About Dadfocals This is the show where we look at life through the lens of a dad! We're no experts and we're not here to offer advice; we're here to exchange stories on the triumphs and tribulations of dadding. Sam is dad to three boys Sonny, Vann and Otis. And Tom is dad to three girls Bela, Ettie and Maeve. Remember, if you have any questions, suggestions or want to discuss any triggers; you can reach us @dadfocals on the socials and [email protected] on the email – links in the show notes. Don't forget to like, share, subscribe, and all that rad dad stuff. Remember, we’re all just dads, doing our best. No pressures, no guilts, just a lotta love and talk. If you’re struggling with anything, reach out to someone – a problem shared is a problem halved.

Former US Navy diver (SEAL) Alex Presutti is now dad to two boys and living on the Mornington Peninsula with his Australian wife Chelsea. Alex shares the triumphs and tribulations of his family's journey and his transition from the US military to civilian life on the Australian beach.

Check out Warpath Brewing and contact Alex if you'd like to book an awesome Navy SEAL training session on McCrae Beach: http://warpathbrewing.com/

Other Important links:

Book Free Tickets for 'A Night With The Blokes of The Mornington Peninsula' (a series of workshops run & facilitated by Tomorrow Man, one of the country’s most well renowned educators on men’s health) here: www.yeahman.au

https://www.lifeline.org.au/

About Dadfocals This is the show where we look at life through the lens of a dad! We're no experts and we're not here to offer advice; we're here to exchange stories on the triumphs and tribulations of dadding. Sam is dad to three boys Sonny, Vann and Otis. And Tom is dad to three girls Bela, Ettie and Maeve. Remember, if you have any questions, suggestions or want to discuss any triggers; you can reach us @dadfocals on the socials and [email protected] on the email – links in the show notes. Don't forget to like, share, subscribe, and all that rad dad stuff. Remember, we’re all just dads, doing our best. No pressures, no guilts, just a lotta love and talk. If you’re struggling with anything, reach out to someone – a problem shared is a problem halved.

Tackling the hard-hitting issues as always, Sam and Tom cover everything from sex, vasectomy, tattoos, chess and death, following the passing of Tom's grandmother "Great Nanny Jo". Underpinning the episode, is language and context – and how we're trying to equip our kids for life with emotional intelligence, and understanding particular environments and audiences.

Important links: Book Tickets for 'A Night With The Blokes of The Mornington Peninsula' (a series of workshops run & facilitated by Tomorrow Man, one of the country’s most well renowned educators on men’s health) here: https://www.yeahman.au/ https://www.lifeline.org.au/

About Dadfocals This is the show where we look at life through the lens of a dad! We're no experts and we're not here to offer advice; we're here to exchange stories on the triumphs and tribulations of dadding. Sam is dad to three boys Sonny, Vann and Otis. And Tom is dad to three girls Bela, Ettie and Maeve. Remember, if you have any questions, suggestions or want to discuss any triggers; you can reach us @dadfocals on the socials and [email protected] on the email – links in the show notes. Don't forget to like, share, subscribe, and all that rad dad stuff. Remember, we’re all just dads, doing our best. No pressures, no guilts, just a lotta love and talk. If you’re struggling with anything, reach out to someone – a problem shared is a problem halved.

Yeah, Man Founder and Dadfocaler Ben takes us on his journey to date; growing up in Victoria and now sharing four beautiful kids with his wife Tess. With a wonderful sense of community, connection and belonging, Ben talks about why he founded Yeah, Man and how it can help men and dads to invest in themselves and their loved ones.

www.yeahman.au

Other Important links:

Book Free Tickets for 'A Night With The Blokes of The Mornington Peninsula' (a series of workshops run & facilitated by Tomorrow Man, one of the country’s most well renowned educators on men’s health) here: https://www.lifeline.org.au/

About Dadfocals This is the show where we look at life through the lens of a dad! We're no experts and we're not here to offer advice; we're here to exchange stories on the triumphs and tribulations of dadding. Sam is dad to three boys Sonny, Vann and Otis. And Tom is dad to three girls Bela, Ettie and Maeve. Remember, if you have any questions, suggestions or want to discuss any triggers; you can reach us @dadfocals on the socials and [email protected] on the email – links in the show notes. Don't forget to like, share, subscribe, and all that rad dad stuff. Remember, we’re all just dads, doing our best. No pressures, no guilts, just a lotta love and talk. If you’re struggling with anything, reach out to someone – a problem shared is a problem halved.