Meet Dadfocaler Ben Smith (recorded 19.03.25). Ben took time out of schedule campaigning for the Federal seat of Flinders in the 2025 election to speak to us! This is in no way a political episode; just a chance to get to know Ben as a personal and a Dad. Ben's day job is CEO of Mornington Community Support Centre. Find out how you can volunteer to support your community here: https://www.mcsc.au/ Ben featured heavily in the film created by Mornington Community Support Centre and Peninsula Films...
Apr 19, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 28
Following Sam's Rites of Passage Institute leadership course with Cade ( Ep #26 ), we were stoked to have founder Dr Arne Rubinstein on Dadfocals. Arne has committed his life and career to supporting young people on their journey to adulthood – and it's an incredible listen (and watch!) With Arne in Byron Bay, Sam in Noosa and Tom on the Mornington Peninsula, it was time to turn the cameras on Dadfocals! Check out the amazing work Arne and his team are doing here: https://ritesofpassageinstitute...
Nov 27, 2024•59 min•Season 3Ep. 27
In Episode 26 Dadfocaler Cade Whitnish is in the box with Tom and Sam to talk about his upbringing in Albury, balancing life and business with his wife Amy and their three boys, being a stay-at-home dad, how rights of passage can help, and everything in between, including some TOP DADFOCALER TIPS! Important links: Book Tickets for 'A Night With The Blokes of The Mornington Peninsula' (a series of workshops run & facilitated by Tomorrow Man, one of the country’s most well renowned educators o...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Season 3Ep. 4
*Please be aware that this episode contains content around mental health issues* If you or anyone you know needs help, here are the details for lifeline: https://www.lifeline.org.au/ Call 13 11 14 Text 0477 13 11 14 Mount Martha Dad and community stalwart Mick Simmons joins us to share his journey and why he founded Mental Health Safety Net https://www.mentalhealthsafetynet.com.au/ Other Important links: Book Free Tickets for 'A Night With The Blokes of The Mornington Peninsula' here. Yeah, Man ...
May 20, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Growing up in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, Mount Martha community man Merv Stewart has quite a story to tell, from an extremely tough upbringing to raising his own two teenagers on the Mornington Peninsula today. Merv forgave his dad many years ago, understanding that he did the best with the tools he had, and while Merv's story is one of escape from religion, his strong belief is that if religion works for someone to find their own way and their own community, that is awesome. He also ...
May 09, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 3Ep. 2
We’re back to blow off the cobwebs ahead of a blockbuster mini-series! This is the show where we look at life through the lens of a dad! We're no experts and we're not here to offer advice; we're here to exchange stories on the triumphs and tribulations of dadding. Sam is dad to three boys Sonny, Vann and Otis. And Tom is dad to three girls Bela, Ettie and Maeve. Remember, if you have any questions, suggestions or want to discuss any triggers; you can reach us @dadfocals on the socials and dadfo...
May 02, 2024•44 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Former US Navy diver (SEAL) Alex Presutti is now dad to two boys and living on the Mornington Peninsula with his Australian wife Chelsea. Alex shares the triumphs and tribulations of his family's journey and his transition from the US military to civilian life on the Australian beach. Check out Warpath Brewing and contact Alex if you'd like to book an awesome Navy SEAL training session on McCrae Beach: http://warpathbrewing.com/ Other Important links: Book Free Tickets for 'A Night With The Blok...
Oct 25, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Tackling the hard-hitting issues as always, Sam and Tom cover everything from sex, vasectomy, tattoos, chess and death, following the passing of Tom's grandmother "Great Nanny Jo". Underpinning the episode, is language and context – and how we're trying to equip our kids for life with emotional intelligence, and understanding particular environments and audiences. Important links: Book Tickets for 'A Night With The Blokes of The Mornington Peninsula' (a series of workshops run & facilitated ...
Aug 07, 2023•51 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Yeah, Man Founder and Dadfocaler Ben takes us on his journey to date; growing up in Victoria and now sharing four beautiful kids with his wife Tess. With a wonderful sense of community, connection and belonging, Ben talks about why he founded Yeah, Man and how it can help men and dads to invest in themselves and their loved ones. www.yeahman.au Other Important links: Book Free Tickets for 'A Night With The Blokes of The Mornington Peninsula' (a series of workshops run & facilitated by Tomorr...
Jun 25, 2023•1 hr 33 min•Season 2Ep. 20
In Episode 19 Lauren Trueman is in the box with Tom and Sam to talk about life through the lens of a mum who tragically lost her husband and Ayla's dad Glyn in 2021. Their story is one of courage – and today, Lauren raises Ayla with the support of a great community. Important links: Never 2 Young Bowel Cancer Charity https://www.never2younggolfday.com.au/ Book Tickets for 'A Night With The Blokes of The Mornington Peninsula' (a series of workshops run & facilitated by Tomorrow Man, one of th...
May 23, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Season 2Ep. 19
In Episode 18 Mark Corduff is in the box with Tom and Sam to talk about life with his partner and their two boys, how his relationship with his own father impacts the way he dads, and everything in between, including some TOP DADFOCALER TIPS! Important links: Book Tickets for 'A Night With The Blokes of The Mornington Peninsula' (a series of workshops run & facilitated by Tomorrow Man, one of the country’s most well renowned educators on men’s health) here: https://www.yeahman.au/ https://ww...
May 01, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 18
In Episode 17 Tom and Sam chew the fat on travelling with kids, nature/nurture learning and how to make sure you focus on what matters! Important links: Book Tickets for 'A Night With The Blokes of The Mornington Peninsula' (a series of workshops run & facilitated by Tomorrow Man, one of the country’s most well renowned educators on men’s health) here: https://www.yeahman.au/ https://www.lifeline.org.au/ About Dadfocals This is the show where we look at life through the lens of a dad! We're ...
Apr 23, 2023•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 17
Kicking off Season 2 with a bang, we meet the Dad behind Sam. Joe Gawenda is in the box, talking about his life as the son of Polish holocaust survivors who moved to Australia after the War. Joe remembers his relationship with his own father, talks about Sam as a boy, and now Sam as a Dad – a must listen! Thank you for your support. If you love the pod, please share on Facebook, Instagram, Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or wherever you hang out. Cheers. Important links: Book Tickets for 'A Night Wit...
Apr 16, 2023•1 hr 36 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Whatever Christmas means to you, focus on the important things at the end of one year and the beginning of another. At the end of the day, it's all that matters. Sam and Tom focus on what's important to them in the moment, in 2022 and in 2023. Featuring a guest appearance from two of those 10 who matter most to Sam and Tom; Sonny and Vann, two of Sam and Mel's three sons. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone. Thank you for your support. If you love the pod, please share on Facebook, Ins...
Dec 23, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In Episode 14 Tom and Sam speak to Glenn Watson. Glenn has had a huge influence on Sam and his dadding style so it was a must to get him on Dadfocals! Glenn shares his experience on raising a family focused on relationship, including discipline and faith. Important links: Endometriosis Info and support Sands – Miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn death support Book Tickets for 'A Night With The Blokes of The Mornington Peninsula' (a series of workshops run & facilitated by Tomorrow Man , one ...
Dec 19, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In Episode 13 Tom and Sam talk about their mums and the incredible journeys they're on; negative and positive feedback to their kids, and leading by example. Important links: Book Tickets for 'A Night With The Blokes of The Mornington Peninsula' (a series of workshops run & facilitated by Tomorrow Man , one of the country’s most well renowned educators on men’s health) here: https://www.yeahman.au/ https://www.lifeline.org.au/ About Dadfocals This is the show where we look at life through th...
Dec 12, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In Episode 12 Tom and Sam speak to Tyson Day, a co-worker and fellow Dadfocaler at Co.Co Place. Tyson talks about his upbringing and the strong family values his parents instilled in him and his brother. He opens up about the challenges he and his wife faced with Endometriosis and then losing one of their daughters in embryo. In his professional life, Ty is a careers coach and he leaves us with his insights into how to support our kids in their own career paths. Tyson's business is Arrive & ...
Dec 05, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Tom and Sam discuss the decision-making process for having more kids. Tom talks about his experience visiting Dr Snip and shares a great story about Maeve catching him and Flick having some "mama/dada wrestles"! About Dadfocals: This is the show where we look at life through the lens of a dad! We're no experts and we're not here to offer advice; we're here to exchange stories on the triumphs and tribulations of dadding. Sam is dad to three boys Sonny, Vann and Otis. And Tom is dad to three girls...
Nov 28, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In Episode 10 Tom and Sam speak with Jay, a dad from the local primary school. Jay talks about losing his father at the age of 9, and how the grieving process has impacted his life. He also opens up about his own physical and mental challenges, and how he parents in a different way as a result. Important links: Book Tickets for 'A Night With The Blokes of The Mornington Peninsula' (a series of workshops run & facilitated by Tomorrow Man , one of the country’s most well renowned educators on ...
Nov 21, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Sam and Mel's youngest boy Otis didn't have the easiest start to life, but like his mum and dad, he's a fighter. In this episode, Sam recalls Otis' birth in 2020. Amidst COVID, an epidural was delayed and by the time it was ready, Mel was in deep labour. Distressed, Otis required resuscitation and life support in taking his first breath. Paediatric Infant Perinatal Emergency Retrieval (PIPER) intervened and Otis was taken to the Monash where a cooling trial saved him over the following five days...
Nov 13, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Friend of the show and father to two girls, with a third on the way, Dan Steele has also had a stand-out career in education. In a feature-length episode, Dan imparts knowledge from lived experience inside schools as a teacher, an assistant principal, a coach and now as a Dad. He also shares insights from two life-changing experiences – one as a 16 year-old boy with his Dad, and one as man with his wife. Information about perinatal depression and awareness: www.panda.org.au/awareness/pnda-awaren...
Nov 06, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In Episode 7 Tom and Sam debrief on an emotionally heavy week following the recording of Episode 6 (with Brownie) and then attending a men's group called Yeah Man. Sam retells a conversation with his boys, explaining about women's periods and tampons. They then unpack having awkward conversations with their kids. Tom and Sam discuss their most unwanted dad traits and how they are trying to overcome them. About Dadfocals This is the show where we look at life through the lens of a dad! We're no e...
Oct 31, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In Episode 6 Tom and Sam speak with Chris Browne, dad to two beautiful boys in their early teens. At very early ages Brownie's boys were diagnosed with autism. Brownie bravely unpacks his life with the boys on the pod – the triumphs and tribulations. He also offers advice to anyone experiencing similar challenges – and advice on life as a single parent (including Tinder tips!). If you want to reach out to Brownie, please do so through Tom and Sam at Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dadfocals...
Oct 23, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Episode 5 hits the high notes and low notes of Dadding: When you leave the house to reconnect as a family When your three-year-old nails 1,000 steps When to listen to medicene-craving five year-olds When you push your kid to experience the merits of courage over fear behaviour Don't forget to listen to Episode 1 of Dadfocals if you want to hear the background behind the podcast, and a bit more about Sam & Tom and their families. About Dadfocals This is the show where we look at life through ...
Oct 17, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Your episode 4 dose of #Dadfocals covers all the big topics as always; When your seven-year-old son invites 15 mates to his party at home When said seven-year-old son tries out swearing When your five-year-old daughter won't get changed on the beach When Bluey has the parents sobbing When you have a very exciting podcast guest next week...! Enjoy! About Dadfocals This is the show where we look at life through the lens of a dad! We're no experts and we're not here to offer advice; we're here to e...
Oct 10, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 4
This episode of #Dadfocals is all about the big screen debate and the trade-offs of TV – both man's greatest and worst invention! About Dadfocals This is the show where we look at life through the lens of a dad! We're no experts and we're not here to offer advice; we're here to exchange stories on the triumphs and tribulations of dadding. Sam is dad to three boys Sonny, Vann and Otis. And Tom is dad to three girls Bela, Ettie and Maeve. Remember, if you have any questions, suggestions or want to...
Oct 03, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Dadfocals #2 drop tackles the home truth of trying to do too much. Most of us have done it and some of us continue to do it – you're not alone! About Dadfocals This is the show where we look at life through the lens of a dad! We're no experts and we're not here to offer advice; we're here to exchange stories on the triumphs and tribulations of dadding. Sam is dad to three boys Sonny, Vann and Otis. And Tom is dad to three girls Bela, Ettie and Maeve. Remember, if you have any questions, suggesti...
Oct 03, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Welcome to #Dadfocals! The show where we look at life through the lens of a dad! We're no experts and we're not here to offer advice; we're here to exchange stories on the triumphs and tribulations of dadding. Sam is dad to three boys Sonny, Vann and Otis. And Tom is dad to three girls Bela, Ettie and Maeve. This episode is all about introducing the dads behind Dadfocals so that you can get to know us and why understand why we wanted to start this podcast. Remember, if you have any questions, su...
Oct 03, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 1
