Sam and Mel's youngest boy Otis didn't have the easiest start to life, but like his mum and dad, he's a fighter. In this episode, Sam recalls Otis' birth in 2020. Amidst COVID, an epidural was delayed and by the time it was ready, Mel was in deep labour. Distressed, Otis required resuscitation and life support in taking his first breath. 

Paediatric Infant Perinatal Emergency Retrieval (PIPER) intervened and Otis was taken to the Monash where a cooling trial saved him over the following five days. After an incredibly emotional journey, Otis' MRI was positive and Sam and Mel were finally able to take Otis home to his big brothers.

More about PIPER: https://www.rch.org.au/piper/

Information about perinatal depression and awareness: www.panda.org.au/awareness/pnda-awareness-week 

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.

In Episode 7 Tom and Sam debrief on an emotionally heavy week following the recording of Episode 6 (with Brownie) and then attending a men's group called Yeah Man.

Sam retells a conversation with his boys, explaining about women's periods and tampons.  They then unpack having awkward conversations with their kids.

Tom and Sam discuss their most unwanted dad traits and how they are trying to overcome them.

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.

In Episode 6 Tom and Sam speak with Chris Browne, dad to two beautiful boys in their early teens.

At very early ages Brownie's boys were diagnosed with autism.

Brownie bravely unpacks his life with the boys on the pod – the triumphs and tribulations.

He also offers advice to anyone experiencing similar challenges – and advice on life as a single parent (including Tinder tips!).

If you want to reach out to Brownie, please do so through Tom and Sam at Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dadfocals/ or on email: [email protected].

Book Tickets for 'A Night With The Blokes of The Mornington Peninsula' here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/a-night-with-the-blokes-of-the-mornington-peninsula-tickets-411031475207

Other important links:

https://www.ndis.gov.au/

https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/

https://kidsconnecttherapy.com.au/fahcsia-funding/

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/treatment.html

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.

Episode 5 hits the high notes and low notes of Dadding:

Don't forget to listen to Episode 1 of Dadfocals if you want to hear the background behind the podcast, and a bit more about Sam & Tom and their families.

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.

Your episode 4 dose of #Dadfocals covers all the big topics as always; 

Enjoy!

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.

This episode of #Dadfocals is all about the big screen debate and the trade-offs of TV – both man's greatest and worst invention!

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.

Dadfocals #2 drop tackles the home truth of trying to do too much. Most of us have done it and some of us continue to do it – you're not alone!

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.

Welcome to #Dadfocals! 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.

This episode is all about introducing the dads behind Dadfocals so that you can get to know us and why understand why we wanted to start this podcast.

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.