School For Fathers Podcast

• The realities of making parental leave work
• Shattering "default presumptions"
• How organisations can encourage take-up

What does it take to be a Feminist Dad - and why does it matter? Author Jordan Shapiro joins me for an exploration of his upcoming book, How to Be a Feminist Dad. We question "what is manliness?", dive into intersectionality, and consider how the world view is changing, and what's needed for men and fathers.

About my guest, Jordan Shapiro:

Jordan Shapiro, PhD is a globally celebrated American thought leader. He's senior fellow for the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop, and Nonresident Fellow in the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution. His Forbes' column (2012-17) on global education, learning through digital play, kids and culture was read by over 5 million people around the world. He is an international speaker and consultant whose fresh perspective combines psychology, philosophy, and economics in unexpected ways. His book, The New Childhood: Raising Kids To Thrive in a Connected World (Little, Brown Spark 2018) changed the cultural conversation about parenting and screen time. His book, Father Figure: How to be a Feminist Dad (Little, Brown Spark 2021), Shapiro offers a norm-shattering perspective on fatherhood, family, and gender essentialism. This thoughtful exploration of dad-psychology—presented from an archetypal perspective—challenges our familiar assumptions about the origins of so-called traditional parenting roles. There are hundreds of books on parenting, but when it comes to books about parenting identity, rather than the nuts and bolts of raising children, nearly all are about what it's like to be a mother. Father Figure fills that gap. It teaches dads how to embrace the joys of fathering while guiding toward an image of manliness for the modern world.

Sick and tired of being the one to think about *E - V - E - R - Y - T - H - I - N - G* at home - from birthday gifts, cleaning {or organising the cleaner}, planning life, + remembering to put the bins out—basically the whole shebang?

You're not alone. Lockdown's been a magnifying glass on all those niggling chores that nobody else picks up. If you could, would you renegotiate sharing these domestics and who thinks about them? The mundane repetitive stuff that has to be done by someone. But does it need to be you? Course not.

Join my guests and I, as we explore exactly how to divvy up the domestics fairly.

I'm joined by guests:

• Joy Foster - Founder of Tech Pixies
• Rebekah Bostan - Corporate Professional and Diversity Advocate
• Evelini Quarrell - Podcast Host

I recorded a Christmas tale for you. Here's to a loving Yule time. With love to you Listeners.

Navigating Christmas with separation and divorce in the mix? Today's episode with Nina Farr is all about making this season as drama-free as possible. Let's face it, Christmas can be an intense time, adding a new family setup/grief/conflict (and whatever else) into the mix is tough. This ep is a thought provoking view from someone who equips couples with practical advice and tips to move forward positively over Christmas and beyond.

An interview with Patrick Olszowski on his Outrageous Impact Show. We talk about when leaders are looking the wrong way, Boardroom politics, Catholicism, bringing up ten kids and how sausage dogs spread joy.

What does the BOND between a mother and daughter mean when they're *both* adults? I'm joined by Harriet Malina-Derben, my right-hand-woman and eldest daughter, for a candid conversation exploring the importance of that bond. Harriet shares why she's keen to keep the matriarchal line strong and how she sees her role of adult daughter. We talk Shrill (no spoilers, promise), angsty teen years and hormones.

This prick up your ears episode has it all. The jostle of debate, tears dropping on the mic, and a whoop-yes to shared visions. My special guest is Joe Horton - husband, Father, and Business Owner who believes meaning is at the centre of everything men do. He hosts the Guild of Dads Podcast, which is a weekly interview show dedicated to equipping Dads with all the tools resources and ideas needed to begin to craft a Vision for their own lives. Joe interviews Entrepreneurs, Athletes, Ex-Servicemen, Best Selling Authors, Stuntman, Film Makers and BBC presenters, along with many other men.

We cover existential crisis and men's search for meaning, getting time out together//with each child///alone, + a fear of getting your own needs met. This is all about fathers firing on ALL cylinders and what it takes to have this happen!

"School for Fathers Podcast is like an ice cold beer" rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support and showcase more fathers — just like you — Click here‎, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven't done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you're not subscribed, there's a good chance you'll miss out. Subscribe now!

Soapbox Alert: global awareness of paternal mental health needs WAY more attention to encourage assessment, and when needed, treatment. Of course, policies and the health care system need to provide an environment that encourages father involvement and acknowledges the independent importance of fathers in the home. And in today's episode I connect with Mark Williams, Keynote Speaker, Author and International campaigner.

In 2004 he himself experienced depression and suffered in silence for years until he entered community mental health services. He founded International Fathers Mental Health Day and #Howareyoudad campaign to make sure all parents are having support for the whole family. Mark has spoken on television and radio stations around the world while working with Dr Jane Hanley also jointly publishing articles on Fathers Mental Health.

Mark was awarded Inspirational Father of the year and local hero at the Pride of Britain Awards in 2012 and was invited to meet The Royal Family on World Mental Health Day. He was also awarded the Point Of light Award by the Prime Minister in 2019 .In 2020 Mark published the report called "Fathers Reaching Out - Why Dads Matter" to explain the importance of paternal mental health which has far better outcomes for the whole family and the development of the child when we include fathers. In 2021 the film Daddy Blues based on Mark's journey became available on Amazon Prime. You're going to love this episode for so many reasons. Mark's the real deal.

"School for Fathers Podcast is like an ice cold beer" rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support and showcase more fathers — just like you — Click here‎, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven't done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you're not subscribed, there's a good chance you'll miss out. Subscribe now!

In today's episode, I chat with Michael de Groot, Chief Storyteller at Staying Alive UK, podcast host and stepfather of two. His professional quest is to enable small business owners to become better storytellers and share engaging stories about themselves and their businesses. Through own small business he produces impactful cartoons and animation campaigns, engaging audiences and giving them a unique insight into an organisation's story and value proposition. The story at the core of this episode called LEAPS is the one in which Michael became a stepfather and we are lucky to be taken through a tour of his stepdad story blueprint.

He bravely shows his story of growth and also challenges listeners to embrace the rollercoaster of fatherhood with mindfulness, radical honesty and a big dose of humour.

"School for Fathers Podcast is like an ice cold beer" rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support and showcase more fathers — just like you — Click here‎, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven't done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you're not subscribed, there's a good chance you'll miss out. Subscribe now!