This week we are joined by Mari Williams, a leadership coach who blends therapy, conflict mediation and coaching interventions into a compelling action orientated package that men have described as "challengingly empathetic" Contents 02:20 James reflects on the R going up... 03:15 Ian at Flexpo 04:30 What did Mari's clients find - denial, imposter syndrome and your version of success 07:40 Working with male energy 09:30 Reflecting on what changes you want to make 11:20 Intent v Action 13:10 Why ...
Sep 14, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In the first episode of Season 2 we are joined by Michael Ray - equality advocate and solo dad from Australia In a wide ranging chat we cover everything from the Ashes to a very Australian coronavirus outbreak via how a disagreement over which parents were allowed backstage at a 4 year old's ballet show propelled Michael into the national spotlight and the journey to becoming an equality advocate. Michael talks about gaining "clarity from crisis" and how it's the "moments between the moments" th...
Sep 07, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In Episode 14 Ian is joined by his brother, Chris Dinwiddy. Dad of 4, Chris, talks about becoming a father again during Lockdown, from the disengagement he felt from being unable to attend maternity appointments to the joy of being allowed to take the facemask off when Suri was born. He talks too about the struggles of physical separation from family - his mother in law stuck in South Africa, while he narrowly missed the chance to visit his oldest 2 children in Cape Town before lockdown restrict...
Aug 04, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In Episode 13 we are joined by Fidel Beauhill, The Modern Man Coach Father of 3 daughters and a master coach, Fidel doesn't hold back when describing how his perfect life came abruptly to a halt when lockdown started. He talks candidly about the emotional impact faced by an extrovert who struggled after a manic 2 weeks of putting everyone else's "mask on first" - no one to see and nowhere to go. Fidel gives us an insight into his own journey into the spiritual - tapping into feminine energy, get...
Jul 26, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In Episode 12 we are joined by Rob Taylor, Marketing Man, Yorkshire Man and founder of Sheffield based "Dads in Business" Rob talked about the pressures of being a dad of three and an entrepreneur and how meeting coach Angga Kara shone a light on his burnout and lead to the creation of Dads in Business. Dads in Business is a forum in which entrepreneurial dads gain permission to have the type of honest conversations about Business, Family, Money and Life that they struggle to have with other peo...
Jul 19, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In Episode 11 James and Ian are joined by Guinness Marathon World Record Holder and founder of Starting at Zero, Freddie Bennett. When lockdown started Freddie was plunged into the world of 'single' parenting, while his wife worked 60 hour weeks on the frontline in the NHS, he tackled Zoom calls and supervising 2 young sons. It wasn't all plain sailing as he struggled with uncertainty, lack of control and how to talk to his boys about what was going on. We talk about presence and balance and how...
Jul 12, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In Episode 10 James and I reflect back on the previous 10 weeks and think about what the return to "normal" means for Dads. We discuss the green shoots of normality - a trip to TK Maxx, cat vaccinations and bringing your cleaner back from paid leave, but also the anxiety of taking advantage of the opportunites. James talks about the return from furlough to his job as editor of WorkingDads.co.uk - the practical and emotional challenges of actually doing that role again. In many ways men are getti...
Jul 06, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 10
James and Ian are joined by Parent Educator Rachel Vecht, Founder of Educating Matters. We discuss the benefits of teenagers at home without FOMO replaced instead with a sense of connection to family but also screen time and body clocks (!) Rachel talks about the importance of self reliance, emotional intelligence and how anxiety is contagious. We also discuss important life skills for kids around multi pack beer buying (James) in the supermarket and the "chicken challenge" (Ian) Rachel shines a...
Jun 28, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 9
James and Ian are joined by Han-Son Lee, Founder of Daddilife We talked to single dad Han-Son about how his son's Lego depiction of him as "Wolfman" sitting at a desk was a trigger point to make changes in how he was working in during lockdown. In the light of James and Ian discovering they have walked the same route 24 hours apart, we reflected on the importance of outdoors and being grateful for that access. Plus Ian demonstrated the benefits of a power nap! We discussed new Daddilife lockdown...
Jun 21, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 8
James and Ian are joined by Douglas Ross, Scottish Conservative MP for Moray We talked toddlers, tatties and tories and what it was like to hit the headlines in the wake of the Dominic Cummings lockdown travel controversy. Douglas talks about how the pandemic meant he was there when his son started walking, while the increase in constituent work offset the lack of travel to Westminster. We talk about steps towards modernising parliamentary work - for instance nearly 150 MPs are Proxy voting on W...
Jun 14, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 7
James and Ian are joined by comedian, Philip Simon Philip talks about the profound difficulties trying to make a living as a comedian at the moment and how his focus and creativity has massively increased as he struggles to earn a living and provide for his family.. Ian talks about solo babysitting his 2 year old niece and we contrast her simple needs with the challenges that James' 12 year old daughter is facing. Philip shares his experience of his son's return to school and the excitement of t...
Jun 07, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In Episode 5 James and Ian are joined by expert Psychotherapist , Noel McDermott We talk about the some of the upside of lockdown - more opportunities for self care, better diet and exercise, but at the same time the risk of a 'tsunami' of mental health issues as people move out of survival mode. Noel explains the importance of the 3 core elements of mental health stability - home, work and relationships and how this pandemic undermines each of them. We discuss opportunities for improved equalit...
May 31, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In Episode 4, James and Ian are joined by former Labour MP, business owner and dad of 4, James Frith. We talk about the competing needs of 4 kids of different ages and the struggle to find 1 on 1 time with children and your partner - in fact we go as far as to wistfully remember "Date Night." Join us as we dig deeper into the debate on reopening schools: Covid safety v equality issues. James Frith brings his perspective as a Dad and as a former member of the Education Select Committee. We discus...
May 25, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In Episode 3, James and Ian are joined by Comedian Tiernan Douieb. We talk about how to explain Covid to a 2 year old, the struggles of the self employed, private renters and how comics are adapting to the new world. Plus tales of excessive present buying for the kids aka "The Christmas of Death", should pandemics be more interesting and why does Ian have a cat called Boris? Join us as we discuss the fortunate (suspicious?!) timing of the Disney+ launch, learn about the Immortal Jellyfish and di...
May 17, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In Episode 2, James and Ian are joined by #1 Dad Blogger and LinkedIn "Changemaker", John Adams. We discuss the Covid 19 opportunity to embed flexible working, the potential pressures on families when workplaces open but schools and childcare don't and legal and moral challenges facing employers of trying to return "to normal." Discover why it's important to keep "your hand in" even if your furloughed and the benefits of involving the whole family in chores, all that, plus we talk about the comm...
May 10, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In the debut episode of Lockdown Dads, James Millar and Ian Dinwiddy get competitive about press-ups, discuss tips for coping with lockdown and reflect on what we might remember "When I'm 64". Discover the importance of non-iron shirts and how real dads are re-evaluating their work and family priorities. About Lockdown Dads James and Ian are recording a weekly ‘show’ exploring the impact of lockdown, self isolation and social distancing on working dads. We’ll share tips, thoughts and stories wit...
May 03, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 1
