The path to fatherhood was not straight forward for Sean and his husband Josh, but it was something they both wanted, badly. After their twins were born through surrogacy the journey really began. With no traditional roles to fall into, the two dads had to find their own way through the fathering process. Sean chats to Maggie about how they found what worked for them, and why his biggest parenting fail involved some cough medicine on a long-haul flight. Sean Szeps is the author of Not Like Other Dads. https://www.booktopia.com.au/not-like-other-dads-sean-szeps/book/9780733342691.html You can find him online at https://www.instagram.com/seanszeps/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Until he was 10 years old David believed his grandmother was his mother, and his mother was his sister. The unsettling revelation that Cold Chisel’s front man – Jimmy Barnes – was his dad threw David into a world of chaos and confusion. David shares with Maggie how he and Jimmy became close, and how those confusing years helped make him the dad he is today. The podcast that David talks about in this interview is LiSTNR’s The Secrets We Keep https://play.listnr.com/podcast/secrets-we-keep See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1993 Stephen Page became a dad in the most spectacular of ways. He says it was like something he and his partner had choreographed. Fast forward to today and after 30 years as the artistic director at Bangarra Dance Company Stephen is working on a children’s production with the son that was born that night - Hunter Lochard-Page. Stephen talks about the incredible kinship of family made and family born, and how being raised by women shaped the dad he became. Waru – journey of the small turtle https://www.bangarra.com.au/productions/waru-journey-of-the-small-turtle/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

His posts may be hilarious but Jordan Watson – best known as How to Dad NZ – has some serious thoughts on parenting. After he shot to internet stardom with his first video (How to Hold a Baby) his three girls have grown and with time Jordan has learnt more about parenting - like why we all need to say “no” more. Maggie and Jordan bond over their shared country upbringing and what he finds most challenging about being a dad today. Jordan Watson has a podcast! It’s called The Parenting Hangover https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-parenting-hangover/id1687835857 You can also find him at https://www.instagram.com/howtodadnz/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Hannant had a kid nearly every year of his professional NRL career. He retired in 2016 with six children (now he has eight!!). Ben is a dad who believes in grit, hard work and the value of family. He also may have lost a child on the way to MacDonalds. Don’t worry, the child was found! Ben and Maggie chat about the magic of big families and why Ben’s “old school” attitude works for them. Ben is a former Australian rugby league footballer and boxer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Musician John Butler says the “genetic psyche” of his family shattered the moment his grandfather died in a bush fire in 1958. John talks to Maggie about how the trauma from that event filtered through generations of his family and shows up in his own parenting. He also shares what it was like touring with his kids for the first decade of family life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was a time when Gus Worland considered himself an “old school dad”. Strict, tough and with high expectations of what his kids would achieve. But some great advice from his brother made Gus relax and, he says, become a better dad. Gus talks to Maggie about the powerful influence of one father-figure in his life and what he wants his legacy to be – to his kids and to the world. Gus Worland is a host on Triple M Sydney’s Rush Hour and the founder of Gotcha 4 Life. Gotcha 4 Life - https://www.gotcha4life.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamish Blake has his own podcast on how to dad PLUS he won Father of The Year 2023, so he must have this fatherhood thing down pat right? Wrong! According to Hamish – he's stuffing up daily. Maggie and Hamish chat about why playing for groans is more fun than playing for laughs and the number one thing he thinks all dads need to remember in order to get this dadding gig right. Hamish’s podcast: https://www.listnr.com/podcasts/how-other-dads-dad See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aiming to be a GOOD dad is important. But you know what? Being a good ENOUGH Dad is how you ace it. The Good Enough Dad is hosted by Maggie Dent - parenting educator, author, and champion of boys and men. Chatting to committed, funny and loving dads about their wins and fails – Maggie offers awesome tips and insights into all the ways dads can feel good enough at this parenting gig. Like, follow or subscribe to keep up to date. New episode every week! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.