The Fathering Project Podcast

One of our most commonly asked about topics is how parents can keep their kids safe online. 

The digital world is constantly changing, and navigating it as a parent can often be challenging. 

We want the best for our children, and their online safety must be a top priority. 

In this episode we are joined by the e-Safety Commissioner to chat all things digital safety. We will discuss the digital footprint and why it’s important for children to understand the concept, what potential risks parents should be aware of, as well as tips to keeping our kids safe online. 

We are thrilled to welcome back our friend and renowned Australian best-selling author, activist and psychologist, Steve Biddulph.

If you're someone who experiences anxiety, or have had anxious feelings and not entirely sure how to address them, we encourage you to listen to this episode.

Steve talks us through what he refers to as our "Wild Creature Mind", and how we can leverage it and use it to our advantage when experiencing anxiety.

Steve also shares some strategies for adults and children, and how he has used them in his day to day life to help him overcome anxious feelings.

Wild Creature Mind is also the name of his new book which is due to be released on August 22nd. You can pre-order it from: https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761560781/

Early childhood, especially the first 1 – 5 years is key for child development outcomes. 

How a parent engages with their child during these key years will influence their long-term development. Not only this, a child's educator also plays an important role. 

In this episode we are joined by Prof Karen Thorpe and Dr Laetitia Coles to discuss what the research says about parental involvement in early childhood. 

In this episode we discuss anxiety, how it shows up in your life, some common symptoms and every day strategies to help manage it. 

In today's world, we all experience anxious moments, and our kids can too. It's important to recognise when the anxiety is on-going and impacting your day-to-day life and signs to look out for.

Dr Jodi Richardson is one of Australia’s thought leaders in managing anxiety and amplifying wellbeing.

She supports parents, teachers and other professionals in understanding anxiety, changing their relationship with it, dialling it right down, and showing how others in their lives can do the same.

Jodi is an international speaker, best-selling author of “Anxious Kids” and “Anxious Mums”, a wellbeing science consultant, creator and host of the award winning podcast, “Well, Hello Anxiety”, and a respected media commentator.

Mental health for new dads is critical. Just like mothers can struggle with their mental health during pregnancy and post-pregnancy, dads can struggle too.

Statistics find that 1 in 10 men will experience anxiety or depression during pregnancy and the first post-partum year. 

This new life stage is exciting, but it can be challenging as you navigate new territory. Self care is important.

About our guest

Dr. Da Costa is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University and Scientist at the Centre for Outcomes Research & Evaluation at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre.

Her research focuses on conducting prospective studies to better understand determinants of psychological difficulties and health behaviours for mothers and fathers during the transition to parenthood.

These studies have laid the foundation for the knowledge-transfer phase of her research program, which focuses on designing and evaluating evidence-based gender-tailored web-based psychoeducational interventions to promote the mental health and health behaviours of expectant mothers and fathers during this critical life stage.

In this podcast episode, we are delighted to have Prof. Andrew Whitehouse join us for a conversation on the challenges and joys of raising children with autism. Our focus extends to the available support for fathers in tailoring care to the unique needs of their children.

We also delve into effective ways in which fathers can contribute to the development of their child's social and communication skills through meaningful play and engagement.

Drawing on his wealth of knowledge, extensive research, and genuine passion for these extraordinary children, Prof. Whitehouse shares invaluable insights and offers practical advice for dads navigating the journey of raising children on the autism spectrum.

In this episode, we'll be in conversation with Laurie as we delve into his latest book, "Love, Dad: Confessions of an Anxious Father." Our discussion will revolve around the experience of fatherhood, the influence of our upbringing on our parenting styles, and strategies to overcome challenges in order to be the best support for our children.

A podcast not to miss where Laurie's dedication to fatherhood and deep affection for his kids shines through. He candidly discusses his challenges, encouraging dads to understand that perfection isn't the goal – we're all doing our best whilst never letting it hinder our love for our children.

In today’s episode Brad will delve into the world of technology and how we can find a balance in our work and personal life. 

We will discuss how technology can contribute to workplace stress, especially due to the rise of hybrid and remote work, and discover as individuals, as well as businesses, how we can work to keep a healthy balance. 

This is the second time we welcome Brad on the podcast. His expertise in this space is second to none. Whether you want to get a hold on your own technology use or you're a workplace leader looking to support your employees, this podcast is for you! 

Josh is a father of two teenage boys and recently made an appearance on Channel Nine's reality TV show, The Summit. In an insightful conversation, Káti delves into Josh's journey as a father, his experiences on The Summit, and how this extraordinary challenge significantly impacted his path towards self-discovery and a fresh perspective on life.

Josh opens up about his role as a dad, his mental health struggles during his separation, and how he emerged from this difficult phase with a renewed outlook on life. His participation in The Summit pushed him to his limits, igniting a newfound passion within him and reinforcing the belief that one is never too old to embrace a fresh challenge and venture beyond their comfort zone.

He emphasises the dangers of lingering in one's comfort zone for too long, observing that many people tend to slow down and settle into their comfort zones as they age, missing out on opportunities for personal growth and development.

In this episode we welcome back Dr Vanessa Lapointe who shares her parenting wisdom on understanding how to create an emotionally healthy and safe home for our children. 

We explore the unique role fathers play and how this impacts a child's ability to feel safe, express their emotions and depend on their dad. 

She also delves into emotional triggers as parents and how we can become curious with our own emotions to avoid projecting it onto our kids. 
As Vanessa says "When you are raising a child, it will bring you to your knees, the degree to which it will stir emotions from childhood and beyond..." 

We are excited to share this podcast with you!