In this episode of Dad Starts Now, host Nick West speaks with fertility counsellor Narelle Dickinson and former AFL player Reece Conca to unpack what happens when pregnancy doesn’t come easily. Reece shares his personal story of being diagnosed with male infertility and the emotional rollercoaster he and his partner faced on their path to parenthood. Narelle offers expert advice on navigating the mental and relational impacts of infertility, and why opening up can make all the difference. 

You'll learn:

• You're not alone — many men and couples experience infertility
• What men go through during infertility and how to cope with shame, guilt and anxiety
• Why communication is crucial during infertility and how couples can strengthen theirs
• How opening up to your support network can help shift the conversation around male infertility

Timestamps

05:56 Reece on seeking help and support

09:08 The emotional toll of diagnosis

11:54 Communication in relationships during infertility

15:12 Navigating medical procedures and options like micro-tese surgery

18:01 The impact of changing specialists

20:53 Reflections on the journey and moving forward

37:16 Embracing fatherhood

38:53 Messages for men facing infertility

43:18 The role of fertility counselling

44:37 Men's emotional responses to infertility

46:01 Breaking the stigma of male infertility

48:25 Processing emotions and seeking support

52:05 Navigating relationships during infertility

55:27 Opening up about emotions

59:16 Changing the narrative around male infertility

01:01:11 Psychological advice for men struggling with infertility

Got questions or feedback? 

Email us at [email protected]. We love getting your voice notes.

The end bits:

This podcast was created by Healthy Male — an Australian not-for-profit that provides evidence-based information on men's health. You can find more from us on Instagram, TikTok and our website.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which this podcast was recorded — the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples listening today.

This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis, treatment and personalised medical guidance.