Better Dads Club Podcast

Tom Dorman
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  • Parenting

For dads who want to be a better example for their kids than the one they had. Insights, wisdom, and practical tools to help dads stay healthy, grounded, and present as they move through fatherhood. Better Dads Club exists to support dads with knowledge, perspectives, support, and encouragement they may not have had growing up, helping them navigate fatherhood with greater confidence and intention. Hosted by Tom Dorman, each episode brings together entrepreneurial dads, experts, wise elders, and real men in the trenches to share reflections, lessons, and practical insights on navigating fatherhood, health, relationships, and personal growth. This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about taking steps. It’s about creating better outcomes through real, lived experience… one decision, one action, one moment at a time. If you’re trying to be better… this is your space.

  1. 6d ago

    Pt2 Raising Neurodiverse Kids | BDC Podcast E19 with Nathan Wallis

    HELP US IMPROVE THE BDC PODCAST AND COMMUNITY - click here and complete a short survey In Part 2 of our conversation with neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis, we dive deeper into neurodiversity, neuroplasticity, parenting teenagers and what it takes to change our own ingrained patterns as dads. Nathan discusses ADHD and autism as potential strengths, why changing behaviour requires more than simply deciding to change, and how our repeated responses gradually create new neural pathways. We also explore what dads can do when they feel they've damaged the relationship with their kids, particularly as they reach their teenage years. Nathan shares why listening, taking accountability and focusing on how our kids feel around us can be more powerful than trying to “fix” their behaviour. Nathan also introduces the “Mate Date”, a simple 10-minute weekly practice designed to create space for our kids to talk while we simply listen. In this episode: ADHD, autism and neurodiversityNeuroplasticity and changing our own patternsRepairing relationships with older kidsSupporting teenagers through challenging behaviourThe 10-minute “Mate Date”Why our kids don't need us to be perfectWhat Nathan has learned about fatherhood through becoming a grandfather And we finish with a powerful reminder from Nathan: our past doesn't have to determine our future. We're incredibly resilient, our brains can change, and there's always hope.

  2. Aug 28

    Part 1: How to Raise Confident, Resilient Kids | BDC Podcast E19 with Nathan Wallis

    In this episode Tom sits down with renowned neuroscience educator, speaker and author Nathan Wallis for Part 1 of a two-part conversation about parenting, brain development and what our kids really need from us. Nathan is a father, grandfather and foster parent with a professional background in child trauma counselling, teaching and human development. He spent many years lecturing in Human Development at the University of Canterbury and has built a reputation for taking complex neuroscience and translating it into practical, easy-to-understand insights for parents and families. This conversation begins with Nathan sharing his incredibly challenging childhood, his experiences in foster care and how those early experiences influenced the father he became. From there, Tom and Nathan explore the developing brain, ages and stages, behaviour as communication, raising confident kids, music and language, and how we can create an environment that encourages our kids to learn without taking the fun out of learning. Nathan also gives Tom some practical advice around challenges he's currently navigating with his own three-year-old. Takeaways Early childhood experiences shape brain developmentParenting in the first three years is crucialRitualizing learning experiences can enhance the child's perception of learning Language is the major driver of cognitionADHD and self-control is a superpowerPersonality is easy to change with new experiences Behavior change takes timeManaging anger and emotional responsesRepairing relationships with childrenCommunication and quality time with children Relationship quality is more important than time spent with childrenGrandparenting can be different from parenting and may involve a softer approachUnderstanding and embracing neurodiversity can lead to positive outcomesPersonalized approaches to health and fitness are essential for optimal results Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background02:45 Nathan Wallis's Childhood and Career Journey05:57 Parenting and Brain Development09:13 Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood12:00 Musical Development and Confidence Building15:04 The Role of Rituals in Learning18:06 The Impact of Early Childhood Experiences21:00 The Importance of Confidence Building24:05 Personal Experiences and Parenting26:49 The Influence of Childhood Experiences on Parenting29:18 The Impact of Language on Neurological Development48:15 The Role of ADHD and Self-Control as a Superpower57:02 Changing Personality Through New Experiences59:28 Behavior Change and Habits01:01:05 Managing Anger and Emotional Responses01:03:24 Repairing Relationships with Children01:30:25 Communication and Quality Time with Children01:32:13 The Importance of Relationship Quality01:33:01 Lessons from Grandparenting01:34:02 The Rewards of Parenting01:39:13 Understanding Neurodiversity01:52:04 Personalized Health and Fitness

  3. Aug 21

    Building a City My Daughter Wants to Call Home | BDC Podcast E18 with Brady Dyer

    Brady Dyer is a Lower Hutt city councillor, business owner, photographer and governance professional, but the role he values most is being a dad. His career has spanned entrepreneurship, creative industries, technology, board leadership and public service, including more than 20 years running businesses and working with organisations across New Zealand. Alongside his professional work, Brady is deeply involved in his local community and is passionate about leadership, family, and helping make Lower Hutt a great place for the next generation to grow up. In this episode Brady shares how his relationship with his own father shaped the man and dad he is today, and reflects on more than 20 years of entrepreneurship and the challenge of balancing business, public service and being present for his family. We explore how becoming a father fundamentally shifted Brady's priorities, why it influenced his decision to step into local government, and his desire to help build a Lower Hutt where the next generation can afford to stay, raise families and build lives of their own. It's a conversation about fatherhood, entrepreneurship, leadership, resilience, community and what it means to build something worthwhile for the generation coming behind us. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:02 – Brady's relationship with his dad 02:26 – Raising kids around technology 04:04 – Always wanting to become a father 06:27 – Starting his first business at school 09:49 – From entrepreneurship to photography 10:58 – Balancing business and becoming a new dad 13:24 – The phone call that created an unforgettable family memory 17:32 – How fatherhood changed Brady's priorities 19:28 – Why Brady entered local government 20:21 – The reality of balancing council, business and family 21:00 – Leadership and making decisions for the long term 26:49 – The future of Lower Hutt 29:31 – Building a city our children want to live in 32:16 – Brady's dream for Lower Hutt's kids 33:52 – What Brady hopes his daughter remembers about her dad 36:08 – Finding purpose in people, work and the hustle

  4. Aug 14

    "It's not a vagina" and other other Tricky Chats | BDC Podcast E17 with Jo Robertson

    Join the community, support the podcast and subscribe to our newsletter at www.betterdadsclub.co.nz ................................................................... Jo Robertson is a qualified sex therapist with a Master of Science in Medicine and 20 years of professional experience in sexual health, relationships, education, and sexual trauma. Her work spans three interconnected areas; As a therapist, Jo specialises in relationships, sexuality, and the cultural influences that shape our expectations, beliefs, and experiences of intimacy.  Jo is also widely recognised for helping parents, caregivers, and professionals navigate the "tricky topics" with children and teenagers. Through her work in schools and community organisations, she provides practical, evidence-based guidance on conversations around sex, consent, pornography, online safety, grooming, abuse, and healthy relationships. Alongside her clinical and educational work, Jo is a co-founder of Makes Sense, an organisation challenging governments, technology companies, and institutions to better protect children and other vulnerable members of society from online harm. A TEDx speaker and internationally sought-after presenter, Jo regularly speaks on topics including intimacy, relationships, sexual culture, and child development. She is known for her warm, practical approach and is widely regarded as a trusted guide through the complexities of human connection, parenting, and sexual wellbeing. This conversation delves into the importance of having tricky conversations, particularly around sex education and pornography exposure. We explore the impact of childhood experiences on adult behaviors and the role of parents in fostering open communication with their children. Jo also highlights the prevalence of children's exposure to explicit content and the need for informed and proactive parental guidance. This is an important conversation that covers a range of topics related to parenting, media influence, and child safety, the impact of media on children, and the role of parents in guiding their children through exposure to sexual themes and explicit content. It also addresses the importance of keeping devices out of children's bedrooms and the significance of open communication between parents and children. Takeaways Tricky conversations are essential for addressing sensitive topics like sex education and pornography exposure.Childhood experiences significantly influence adult behaviors and attitudes towards relationships and sex.Parents play a crucial role in creating an open and supportive environment for discussing sensitive topics with their children. Ethical porn is a complex concept with varying perspectives.Parents play a crucial role in guiding children through exposure to sexual themes and explicit content. Chapters 00:00 The Curiosity of Tricky Conversations02:38 The Impact of Childhood Experiences06:19 Navigating Tricky Conversations with Children07:25 Exposure to Explicit Content15:23 Parental Role in Addressing Pornography Exposure25:39 Statistics and Impact of Pornography Exposure30:48 Healthy Engagement with Pornography32:42 Ethical Porn and Media Influence34:22 Parenting and Media Literacy36:01 Child Safety and Conversations41:11 Setting Boundaries and Guidance47:33 Parenting and Safe Conversations

  5. Jul 31

    The Abuse No One Talks About: A Father's Story - BDC Podcast E16 with Jason Accashian

    Join the community, support the podcast and subscribe to our newsletter at www.betterdadsclub.co.nz ................................................................... In this episode, I sit down with Jason Accashian, a father of three, domestic abuse survivor, and advocate for men's mental health. Jason shares his powerful story of growing up without a present father, surviving years of emotional and physical domestic abuse, fighting through a difficult custody battle, and rebuilding his life after reaching his darkest moments. Together, we explore the often-overlooked reality of men experiencing domestic abuse, the impact it has on fathers and children, why men's mental health deserves greater attention, and the role vulnerability, resilience, and community play in healing. This is an honest conversation about pain, hope, and what it truly means to become a better dad. In this episode we discuss: Growing up without a fatherThe impact of domestic abuse on men and childrenFighting for custody and maintaining a relationship with your kidsWhy vulnerability is a strength, not a weaknessHealing from trauma and rebuilding your lifeMen's mental health and the importance of asking for helpSetting healthy boundaries after abuseFinding hope, purpose, and happiness after surviving domestic violence Whether you're a dad, know someone experiencing abuse, or simply want to better understand the challenges many men face in silence, I hope this conversation offers insight, encouragement, and hope. Connect with Jason https://www.instagram.com/jdasmc?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

  6. Jul 24

    Parenting Through Separation - Kids Need Dads | BDC Podcast E15 with Allan Harvey

    🤝 Join the Better Dads Club CommunityIf you're enjoying the podcast and would like to stay connected, join the Better Dads Club community. Sign up to our newsletter to receive new podcast episodes, upcoming events, workshops, and coaching programmes designed to help you become the best dad you can be. 👉 www.betterdadsclub.co.nz Episode OverviewSeparation is one of the hardest experiences a father can face, but it doesn't have to mean losing your relationship with your children. In this episode, Tom sits down with Allan Harvey from Kids Need Dads, a New Zealand parenting support charity that has spent more than 30 years helping separated parents navigate mediation, co-parenting and the Family Court system. Allan has personally supported hundreds of fathers through separation and shares practical, compassionate advice for staying focused on what matters most: your children. Tom and Allan discuss common misconceptions about fathers' roles after separation, how mediation works, ways to rebuild trust, and why community is one of the greatest resources a dad can have. In this episodeAllan's own separation journey and how it led him to Kids Need DadsWhy the Family Court system can be so challenging for familiesWhat Kids Need Dads does and how it supports separated parentsMediation vs Family Court: understanding your optionsCommon mistakes separated dads make (and how to avoid them)Building trust with your co-parent over timeThe importance of community and finding support from other dadsWhat the Care of Children Act actually says about fathersPractical advice for dads wanting more time with their childrenParenting from a distance and maintaining strong relationshipsWhy showing up consistently matters more than being perfectLearn more about the PelvicPro Core TrainerWant to build a stronger core, improve your confidence, protect your spine, and keep up with your kids? Find out more here: https://betterdadsclub.co.nz/products/coretrainer

  7. Jul 10

    I Walked Away From an Emmy to Be There for My Kids | BDC Podcast E14 with Toby Lloyd

    Toby Lloyd is a happily married father with 5 kids, Music Producer, Studio Owner, Mixing Engineer, Artist and Film Score Mixer who has worked with artists such as Shapeshifter, Nightmares on Wax, Hollie Smith, Blindspott and Stan Walker, and has also worked on films like Avatar 2, The Hobbit Trilogy and Hunt For The Wilderpeople. He runs Tiny Triumph Recordings, a bespoke rooftop recording studio in the heart of Wellington, NZ. He has also started releasing music under the artist name Paper Mountains which blends folk, soul and pop music and is about to release his debut album in August, 2026. This conversation highlights the impact of childhood stories on shaping individuals, the challenges of fatherhood and parenting through separation, and the significance of career choices and life's journey. Toby shares his experience of the complexities of blended families, the impact of childhood trauma, and the challenges of parenting through separation. He also affirms the importance of communication, ensuring safe and open love, and the significance of vulnerability in fatherhood. Takeaways Childhood stories shape individualsFatherhood and parenting through separationCareer choices and life's journey Navigating blended families requires open communication and understanding.Ensuring safe and open love for children is crucial for their emotional well-being. Chapters 00:00 The Impact of Childhood Stories41:54 Navigating Blended Families52:50 Challenges of Blended Families01:07:04 Ensuring Safe and Open Love01:13:04 Fatherhood and Vulnerability

  8. Jun 26

    What Boys Need Most From Their Fathers | BDC E13 with Trey Tucker

    SUBSCRIBE TO THE BDC PODCAST Trey Tucker is a mental health expert and social media standout with over 1.4 million followers on social media. He is the author of Tough Enough (HarperCollins/Zondervan), a book written specifically for young men navigating the challenges of modern masculinity. He is the founder and owner of Rugged Counseling, known for providing therapy without the fluff. Trey is known for his direct, no nonsense approach and his core belief that real change happens when you get to the root of the issue. His counseling and videos resonate because they challenge passive, surface level advice and speak honestly about responsibility, identity, boundaries, and purpose. With more than a decade of experience, Trey has specialized training in anxiety, trauma, relationships, sports psychology, identity, and purpose. He is certified in EMDR and neurofeedback and has training in Christian counseling. Before becoming a therapist, Trey worked in corporate marketing and earned an MBA, giving him a rare blend of clinical insight and real world perspective. This conversation delves into the challenges of modern masculinity, emphasizing the importance of strong male mentors, the critical role of fathers, and the need for brain rest and recovery in the digital age. The conversation delves into the impact of childhood trauma, the need for therapeutic support, and the role of active fatherhood in shaping positive generational patterns. It also explores strategies for maintaining connection during adolescent independence and empowering young fathers through self-development and embracing silence. Takeaways The critical role of fathers in developing confidence and resilience in sonsThe impact of technology and screen time on the younger generation Recognizing the impact of childhood experiencesThe importance of active fatherhood in shaping positive generational patterns Chapters 00:00 Navigating Modern Masculinity11:25 Father's Role in Developing Confidence17:28 Reprogramming Negative Messages27:33 Navigating Childhood Trauma35:01 Active Fatherhood47:24 Adolescent Independence52:41 Empowering Young Fathers

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About

For dads who want to be a better example for their kids than the one they had. Insights, wisdom, and practical tools to help dads stay healthy, grounded, and present as they move through fatherhood. Better Dads Club exists to support dads with knowledge, perspectives, support, and encouragement they may not have had growing up, helping them navigate fatherhood with greater confidence and intention. Hosted by Tom Dorman, each episode brings together entrepreneurial dads, experts, wise elders, and real men in the trenches to share reflections, lessons, and practical insights on navigating fatherhood, health, relationships, and personal growth. This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about taking steps. It’s about creating better outcomes through real, lived experience… one decision, one action, one moment at a time. If you’re trying to be better… this is your space.

Information

  • Creator
    Tom Dorman
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tom Dorman
  • Show Website
    Better Dads Club Podcast

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