Dad Starts Now

Healthy Male
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Dad Starts Now is a podcast created by Healthy Male to help men become — and be — the best dads possible. In season one, we covered preconception health for men — what it is, why it's so important and what it involves — with a range of Australia's top male reproductive health experts.  Our second season — launching 3 February, 2026 — explores the diverse and often unspoken experiences of men on the path to fatherhood. From infertility and IVF, to pregnancy complications, parental leave, perinatal mental health and early parenting, the podcast brings together real stories and expert insights to offer practical guidance and perspective for men at every stage of the journey. 

  1. Why parental leave for dads matters so much with Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood

    2D AGO · BONUS

    Why parental leave for dads matters so much with Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood

    In this mini-episode, we’ll get into the life-changing benefits of dads taking parental leave. Georgie Dent, CEO at The Parenthood — an organisation advocating for better parental leave, child care and flexible work — answers your questions about how paid parental leave works in Australia, the common misconceptions men have about it and why it's so critical for dads and their families. Key takeaways: When dads take time off to care for a new baby, it’s not just good for kids — it’s better for both parents’ mental health tooYou don’t need to be “naturally good” at caring for a baby — confidence comes from time spent doing it, not from instinctPaid parental leave in Australia is becoming more flexible, making it easier for dads to share the early months and learn together with their partnerEven if some people judge the choice, taking parental leave can be one of the most important things you do for your family — and it helps make it easier for the dads who come after youMore resources: You can follow The Parenthood on Instagram and check out their website for more resources here. What it’s like to take parental leave as a dad Why paid parental leave for dads is so important Got questions or feedback?  Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.

    14 min
  2. Tom Docking on the support new dads are missing and why he started Dads Group

    4D AGO

    Tom Docking on the support new dads are missing and why he started Dads Group

    In this episode, we chat with Tom Docking, founder and CEO of Dads Group — an organisation reshaping how Australia supports new and expectant fathers. Tom shares his experience discovering first-hand the gaps there are for men during the perinatal period and why community connection is one of the most powerful protective factors for dads’ mental health. Key takeaways Tom's partner Kate fell pregnant unexpectedly right at the start of a planned two-year lap of the world — he felt excited and overwhelmed at the same time His inclusion during his partner's pregnancy, his baby's birth and the postpartum period depended on medical staff going above and beyond, not the systemDad’s Group grew from informal catch-ups with other dads, creating practical, peer-led supportEarly on, he realised dads often don’t have a space to unpack the fear, shame, uncertainty and identity shift from “dude to dad”More resources: You can follow Dads Group on Instagram. You can join a Dads Group and find more info about their work here. Got questions or feedback?  Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.

    48 min
  3. How miscarriage and grief affects men with Sam Payne, CEO of Pink Elephants

    MAR 4

    How miscarriage and grief affects men with Sam Payne, CEO of Pink Elephants

    In this mini-episode, Sam Payne — the CEO and co-founder of the Pink Elephants Support Network — answers listener questions about early pregnancy loss — what men (and couples) need to understand about miscarriage, supporting their partner and themselves. Key takeaways: Pink Elephants exists because early pregnancy loss is deeply isolating, and lack of support in the first trimester can compound grief and lead to poor mental health outcomesMiscarriage grief is often minimised by society, which leaves both women and men feeling silenced, flawed and unsure whether they are “allowed” to seek supportPartners grieve too, and it’s important they’re given space for their own loss rather than being expected to only act as the supporterGrief after pregnancy loss is unpredictable and non-linear, so open communication, mutual validation and accessing support early are key to coping togetherMore resources: How miscarriage can affect men Help a loved one  Got questions or feedback?  Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.

    13 min
  4. Lachlan Stuart on the isolation of infertility and feeling ready for fatherhood

    MAR 2

    Lachlan Stuart on the isolation of infertility and feeling ready for fatherhood

    In this episode, we chat with Lachlan Stuart, an endurance athlete (who’s run 58 marathons in 58 days) and a high-performance coach (who helps men build mental resilience). Lachlan and his wife, Amy Sheppard, just welcomed their first child, Frederick, after years of navigating unexplained infertility. In the weeks before their baby's arrival, we spoke to Lachlan about finding out they were pregnant over the phone, feeling worried about not connecting with the baby pre-birth and what he's learned from the dads he's worked with. Key takeaways: Lachlan spent years getting his life "sorted" before trying for a baby and figuring out whether he felt "ready" to be a dadThree years of trying to conceive — with no clear cause of infertility — was mentally exhausting, especially watching his partner Amy’s heart break each monthIVF was confronting and isolating, and he struggled with not being able fix the problem, while Amy carried the physical loadHe hasn't felt an instant emotional connection to the baby during pregnancy — and learned that for many men, bonding comes after birth, not beforePreparing to become a dad has taught him that showing up, listening and making time matter more than having everything figured outMore resources: You can follow Lachlan on Instagram and tune into his podcast — The Man That Can — here. Got questions or feedback?  Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.

    37 min
  5. What IVF actually involves for men with embryologist Lucy Lines

    FEB 25 · BONUS

    What IVF actually involves for men with embryologist Lucy Lines

    Lucy Lines is an IVF scientist, fertility educator and patient advocate with more than 20 years’ experience, and in this mini episode, she unpacks what assisted reproductive technology (ART) means for men who are trying to conceive. From IVF and ICSI to what men can expect during testing and treatment. We also talk about how male fertility can affect success rates, the emotional and physical impact of treatment, and what men can do to support their partners and their own wellbeing through the process. Key takeaways: IVF is not a guaranteed fix, and many people underestimate how complex, demanding and emotionally taxing the process can bePreparing for IVF through preconception health, education and realistic expectations can improve confidence and decision-makingMen can play a meaningful role by getting informed, attending appointments, sharing lifestyle changes and taking responsibility for their own fertilityMore resources You can follow Lucy and Two Line Fertility on Instagram and find more resources on her website here. A man's guide to going through IVF Understanding assisted reproductive technology (ART) for men Guidelines for the management of male infertility Got questions or feedback?  Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.

    10 min
  6. Matt Zukowski on navigating infertility, masculinity and first dates

    FEB 23

    Matt Zukowski on navigating infertility, masculinity and first dates

    In this episode, we chat with Matthew Zukowski — host of the Where’s Your Head At? podcast and I'm a Celebrity... contestant — about finding out he was infertile in his early 20s, long before fatherhood was front of mind. Matt opens up about the shock of being told he had no sperm count, finding out he had undescended testes as a child and the complicated emotions that surfaced around the diagnosis. He also reflects on masculinity, dating with an infertility diagnosis and using his platform to talk openly about men’s fertility. Key takeaways: Matt found out he’s infertile after a girlfriend made an offhand comment about his semen and it prompted him to get testedHe was born with undescended testes, had surgery as a baby, and was told he should check his fertility around age 25 He talks honestly about the masculinity hit: His first reaction is “what a man’s meant to do is have kids”Being public about infertility has become part of his coping: using his platform to normalise it, hearing from other men with similar histories, and feeling less alone through communityInfertility has become something people “already know” about him and comes up while datingBecoming a stepdad to his ex-wife's children helped him realise parenting isn’t only biological, and he's kept space for multiple futures — sperm retrieval, donor sperm, adoption, stepkids, nieces/nephewsHis learning is that infertility is not your fault, it’s not a “problem” that defines you — it’s a complication you can face, talk about, and make a plan aroundMore resources: You can follow Matt on Instagram and listen to Where’s Your Head At? Got questions or feedback?  Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.

    22 min
  7. A simple guide to semen analysis with Dr Ryan Rose

    FEB 18 · BONUS

    A simple guide to semen analysis with Dr Ryan Rose

    In this mini-episode, embryologist and Scientific Director at Monash IVF Group, Dr Ryan Rose, answers listener questions about getting a semen analysis — a process many men find awkward, embarrassing or confusing. He breaks down what actually happens, why the test matters and how guys can feel more comfortable and prepared. Key takeaways: Feeling anxious about fertility testing and semen analysis is commonSemen analysis checks sperm count, motility, and morphologyIt can feel more comfortable doing the test at home, but most labs prefer it to be done in personOpen communication with partners is essential during this processMore resources: Can you do a semen analysis at home? What happens during a semen analysis for male fertility Are at-home semen tests for male fertility accurate? Got questions or feedback?  Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.

    8 min
  8. Hugo Toovey on his 'miracle baby' after surviving two cancers

    FEB 16

    Hugo Toovey on his 'miracle baby' after surviving two cancers

    In this episode, we chat with Hugo Toovey, a two-time cancer survivor and founder of 25 Stay Alive — a charity that helps young adults take charge of their health through prevention, early detection and action. He speaks about the emotional experience of trying to conceive for a year and comparing it to friends who fell pregnant quickly, what it was like when their "miracle baby" Teddy came along and what he'll pass on to his son about health. Key takeaways: At 21, Hugo found a pea-sized lump in his testicle and ignored it for months until his dad pushed him to get checked — a delay he regrets, but one that shaped everything that followedTesticular cancer, chemotherapy and major surgery taught him the importance of early detection the hard way and years later, that experience directly saved his life when he recognised bowel cancer symptoms and acted fastFertility wasn’t on his radar at 21, but his mum suggested freezing his sperm before treatmentWhile Hugo and his partner, Amber, didn't need the frozen sperm, trying to conceive took close to a year and it was tough to see negative pregnancy tests over and overTheir “miracle baby” Teddy arrived two years ago after a challenging pregnancy — parenting gave both him and Amber joy and grounding when they needed it mostBecoming a dad deepened Hugo’s sense of gratitude and purpose, and reshaped how he thinks about masculinity — from getting checked early, to being emotionally open, to teaching his son that health and honesty aren’t weaknessesMore resources: You can follow Hugo and 25 Stay Alive on Instagram, and find their website here. Got questions or feedback?  Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.

    34 min
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About

Dad Starts Now is a podcast created by Healthy Male to help men become — and be — the best dads possible. In season one, we covered preconception health for men — what it is, why it's so important and what it involves — with a range of Australia's top male reproductive health experts.  Our second season — launching 3 February, 2026 — explores the diverse and often unspoken experiences of men on the path to fatherhood. From infertility and IVF, to pregnancy complications, parental leave, perinatal mental health and early parenting, the podcast brings together real stories and expert insights to offer practical guidance and perspective for men at every stage of the journey. 

Information

  • Creator
    Healthy Male
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dad Starts Now
  • Show Website
    Dad Starts Now

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