Shows
Dads of the NICUS2E12: Tony Rush - 30 Years of NICU Dads Experience and KnowledgeIf you’re a NICU dad — or you are supporting one — this episode is absolutely for you. Today we’re joined by Tony Rush — a Senior Neonatal Nurse and Clinical Nurse Manager who’s been in the NICU since 1990. After starting out as a psychiatric nurse, Tony has spent decades helping families navigate some of the hardest moments of their lives.Across thousands of NICU admissions, he’s gained rare insight into the lived experience of dads — and he’s seen that role change dramatically. From being treated as visitors to becoming active, hands-on caregivers at the bedside....
2026-02-0642 min
Dads of the NICUS2E11: Mia Cahill - From NICU Baby & Gastroschisis Survivor to ResearcherSometimes, the most powerful research doesn’t start in a lab — it begins through lived experience.Today, we meet Mia Cahill, whose journey into the research space started in a deeply personal way. Born in Ireland with gastroschisis, she grew up understanding what it means to fight for a start in life. That experience shaped not only who she became, but how she now connects with other families walking a similar path.Through her work, Mia has dedicated her research to supporting parents of sick or premature babies — helping them find hope, comfort, and strength in the...
2026-02-0331 min
Dads of the NICUS2E10: Wayne Ratajczak - The importance of kangaroo care and connecting with other DadsIn today’s episode, we meet Wayne Ratajczak — a then first-time dad whose daughter Emily spent 12 weeks in the NICU. For Wayne, skin-to-skin care wasn’t just bonding time; it became a vital part of Emily’s development and his connection with her. The more he held her, the more he saw how important that closeness was and how stable she became. Inside the NICU, Wayne took on everything he could and did as much of Emily’s cares as he could. Fortunately for him, his workplace was incredibly supportive, giving him the chance to spend as much time i...
2026-01-2939 min
Dads of the NICUS2E9: Michael Winwood - Healthy Habits as a NICU DadToday, we talk about why routine matters.Why healthy habits matter, and how easy it is to slip into bad patterns when everything feels out of control.In this episode, I speak with Michael Winwood, a dad who had two weeks’ notice that something wasn’t right — just enough time to feel the fear, but not enough time to prepare for what was coming.While his baby was in the NICU, Michael was also juggling life with a two-year-old at home. Like many dads, he felt invisible at first — unsure of his role, unsure of the s...
2026-01-2523 min
Dads of the NICUS2E9: Michael Winwood - Healthy Habits as a NICU DadToday, We talk about why routine matters. Why healthy habits matter. And how easy it is to slip into bad patterns when everything feels out of control.In this episode, I speak with Michael Winwood, a dad who had two weeks’ notice that something wasn’t right — just enough time to feel the fear, but not enough time to prepare for what was coming.While his baby was in the NICU, Michael was also juggling life with a two-year-old at home. Like many dads, he felt invisible at first — unsure of his role, unsure of...
2026-01-2323 min
Dads of the NICUS2E8: Megan Norbury - Two-time NICU Mum and Miracle Babies FacilitatorWe start this episode with a Trigger warning, as there are discussions of loss and miscarriage. Today, we meet two-time NICU mum, Megan Norbury — a proud NICU parent who has turned her lived experience into a mission to support other families on their own NICU journeys.With a background in early childhood education, Megan knows first-hand the feelings of isolation that can come with life in the NICU. Those experiences sparked her passion to help others, leading her to join Miracle Babies Foundation as a facilitator and Team Leader of Nurture Time and Nurture Groups. Ten...
2026-01-2125 min
Dads of the NICUS2E7: Scott & Joanne Beedie - Loss, Courage and Helping Little HandsTRIGGER WARNINGToday’s conversation contains discussions of infant loss.In this very special episode, we’ll be joined by Joanne and Scott Beedie— two truly remarkable parents who open up and share the deeply personal story of losing one of their twins to Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome.This conversation is incredibly raw and emotional, as we explore what it means to balance hope and heartbreak, and how they navigated the NICU journey together while staying connected as a couple. We’ll also talk about the vital role of social worker support and the strength...
2026-01-1954 min
Dads of the NICUS2E6: Clare Dimer - Social Workers in the NICUIn our last episode, we explored the world of psychology — and today, we’re taking the next step into social work, uncovering the vital role social workers play in the NICU, and trying to remove the stigma that surrounds social work. Social workers are often the one constant presence for parents during their NICU journey — a steady voice through some of the toughest and most emotional days. In some hospitals, they’re automatically referred when a baby is born before 32 weeks, ensuring families have support right from the start, but they are certainly accessible for all parents along the...
2026-01-1537 min
Dads of the NICUS2E5: Fiona Mann - Clinical Psychology in the NICUClinical psychology plays a vital role in helping families navigate the ups and downs of the NICU journey. For many dads, those first moments can be overwhelming — seeing their baby hooked up to machines, monitors, and tubes often looks nothing like the picture they had in mind.Today, we’re joined by Clinical Psychologist Fiona Mann, who reminds dads just how important their presence and involvement really is along the NICU journey. Fiona takes us inside the NICU experience from a father’s mental health perspective — unpacking what those critical first 48 hours can feel like, when and...
2026-01-1235 min
Dads of the NICUS2E4: Connor McGoverne - Gastroschisis and NICU LifeMeet Connor McGoverne and hear about his amazing son, Finley. Connor is a political reporter and TV journalist who’s used to asking all the tough questions, but when he learns his unborn son has been diagnosed with a very rare condition, the story becomes very complex.While Connor and his partner Jamie’s first baby arrived according to plan, Finley’s journey introduced the word “gastroschisis” into their lives, followed by weeks of agonising waiting between diagnosis and delivery and late-night Google searches that kept serving up worst-case scenarios. Gastroschisis impacts 3 in 10,000 births. A stark contr...
2026-01-0736 min
Dads of the NICUS2E3: Daniel Dyer-Smith - 1 Year as a NICU DadNo better way to celebrate your son's first birthday than to release a podcast episode!Today, we chat with Daniel Dyer-Smith, who walks us through the shock of being on a beach one minute, then 60min later having a son at 30 weeks. As a Lawyer, skilled in articulating precise messages and information, Daniel found it very difficult to find the right words to describe to friends and family what had transpired, and what help he and his partner needed in the first few weeks.D...
2025-12-2839 min
Dads of the NICUS2E2: Kabe Redfern - Two-time NICU Dad & AdvocateIn today's episode, we hear from two-time NICU Dad, Kabe Redfern. Kabe walks us through the difficulties in processing the first 24 hours of NICU life, as well as the thoughts of trying again for a second child following such a traumatic first experience. Kabe is passionate about helping other Dad's going through their NICU journey, and he opens up and shares his insights on how Dad's can support each other, as well as sharing some personal tips and tricks on how to care for yourself in some very difficult situations - as well as w...
2025-12-221h 06
Dads of the NICUS2E1: Dr Vincent Mancini - NICU Dads ProjectIn our first episode of Season 2, brought to you by the Kids Research Institute Australia and the Embrace Program, we are joined by Dr Vincent Mancini. Dr Mancini is a Perth-based Senior Research Fellow with a PhD in Clinical Psychology, leading research at the intersection of masculinity, fatherhood, and children’s health and wellbeing. He is driven by the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and that fathers and male caregivers play a pivotal role in shaping this potential.His work explores how fathers and father figures influence child development, how work and...
2025-12-1736 min
Dads of the NICUS2E0: New Season Incoming!Dads of the NICU is back!After a long wait, Matt is back sharing stories and reflections, with the support of the Kids Research Institute in Perth and our great partners in EMBRACE. As I launch the new series today, on World Prematurity Day, I am very excited to introduce Dr Vincent Mancini from The Kids and his colleague Jack Boronovskis, who produces The Kids Research Institute’s mental health podcast, Embracing the Mind. I’ll be linking up with Vincent and Jack at the Perth Children’s Hospital, where we will be talking to dads wi...
2025-11-1704 min
Dads of the NICUS1E14: The thought of trying again after having a NICU babyHaving gone through 98 days in the NICU with our daughter Lara, the thought of trying again for baby #2 was far from my thought processes. It was going to take some time for the mental wounds to heal from our experience, and I started to question if I could go through it all again.I was so focused on the negative outcomes that I did not give any hope or attention to positive outcomes for months. But after a while, I knew I wanted to try again, and that I wanted our family to grow. After s...
2022-03-1611 minDads of the NICUS1E13: Our Family UpdateI am back! After a two year break to focus on family and work, I am back on the mic to bring you my next NICU adventure!Our son Cooper was born at 26 weeks in February 2022, and we are right back where it all began in the same NICU, precisely 2 yeas and 4 days since Lara was discharged. In that time, we unfortunately lost our dear son Leo at birth at 18 weeks, but we re-grouped, and knew that our story had not been fully written.So - join me on my next NICU adventure!
2022-03-1411 min
1865: The Nottingham Forest PodcastNottingham Forest 1-1 Millwall: The 1865 Match Report1865: The Nottingham Forest Podcast is proud to partner with FanHub and The Terrace.
Following the first win of the season last weekend, Steve Cooper took charge of Nottingham Forest for the first time as Millwall visited The City Ground. The new head coach started with a point, earned thanks to a second-half fightback after Matt Smith (again!) found the back of the net for the visitors in the first half.
Max Lowe equalised for Forest on 52 minutes, picking up the ball from Scott McKenna before firing a cross into the box and also into the...
2021-09-2613 minDads of the NICUS1E12: Brodie James - Being an Ironman in and out of the NICUThe only thing harder than spending 115 days in the NICU for Brodie James will be his next Ironman race. Brodie was able to turn to his training regime to keep a clear mind and a positive outlook during his NICU journey, which enabled him to support his wife and new son as best as possible, and be the rock and Ironman in the NICU. We discuss the highs and lows of his time in the NICU, and what life is like now his new little mate is finally at home, and what he is looking fo...
2020-04-1727 minDads of the NICUS1E11: Luke Bowtell - Processing Traumatic BirthsPicture this: You get a call from the Hospital in the early hours of the morning saying that your wife has just been rushed to the birthing suite for emergency surgery. You live over 30min away, and you know you wont make it in time to be there to support her. What would be going through your mind?Today I chat with Luke Bowtell, who opens up about the very traumatic birth of his daughter, and talks through the impacts this had on his family. Every NICU journey is different, and know two stories are al...
2020-04-0824 minDads of the NICUS1E10: Will Jackson - Insights into NICU LifeI chat with Will Jackson, a Dad that I met on day two of my NICU journey. Will opens up on his experiences in the NICU, and we discuss all aspects of his journey, and how it effected him. NICU life is not the same for every Dad. Different parts of a NICU journey will impact Dads in a myriad of ways, and it is up to the individual to work out how to process what is happening, and deal with it in their own way. Not all Dads will look after their physical health or...
2020-04-0328 minDads of the NICUS1E9: Scott Merrick - Becoming a Data AnalystHow many times have you walked in to your baby's room in the NICU and checked the monitors or the medical chart before actually checking on your baby?I did this so many times on my NICU journey that I became so fixated on the data even though I didn't really know exactly what I was looking for. I needed to just try and forget about the numbers, and focus purely on my daughters physical developments. I am joined again by Scott Merrick for a chat about NICU Dads becoming "Data analysts", and we discuss w...
2020-03-3015 minDads of the NICUS1E8: Scott Merrick - Living Away From HomeLiving away from home to spend time with your family in a NICU can be a really tough adjustment. The further away from your family and friends you are, the harder the whole journey can be for you.In this Episode, I am joined by Scott Merrick, a father that I met on my NICU journey. Scott will take us through what it was like to be so far from home, and how he adjusted to his new life living away from home. There are some fantastic organisations our there that help families in need, an...
2020-03-2611 minDads of the NICUS1E7: The NICU ShuffleThe NICU Shuffle is a dance that we will all perform on our journey. It will look different for everyone, and the steps will vary. We wont always be dancing to the same beat, and sometimes the music will speed up, and sometimes the music will slow down. Your NICU Shuffle will need to adapt to the music and pace of your NICU journey. The way you shuffle it is up to you. So don't be shy - grab your partners hand, and get on that dance floor!!!
2020-03-1510 minDads of the NICUS1E6: The Dads role - in and out of the NICUInitially, many Dads struggle to come to terms with what is happening in the NICU, and are not quite sure what they are required to do to help their partner, their baby, or themselves. This episode discusses some of the roles that I found to be really important during the early phases of our Journey, in and out of the NICU. There are so many awesome organisations that provided information packs for new parents in the NICU to help you along your way, including:- PANDA - Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia - https...
2020-03-0915 minDads of the NICUS1E5: 10 Things I Wish I Knew At The Start...I had visited a friend that had twins in the NICU many years ago, but didn't think much of it at the time as I thought that I would never find myself in this situation. As soon as my NICU journey started, I instantly wished I knew a lot more about it all. This episode will discuss 10 things that I wish I knew at the start of my NICU adventure. It is not an exhaustive list, as there are many more things that I wish I knew, but this is a pretty good sta...
2020-03-0213 minDads of the NICUS1E3: Home Alone...Early on, the most difficult part of my NICU journey was having to go home alone. This was either going home alone whilst my wife was still admitted to hospital pre and post birth, but also when we had to go home and leave our little premature baby in the NICU each and every day, for 98 days straight!I went through some pretty dark moments while at home by my self, and thought of things that I have never had to think of before, and never want to think about again. I didn't quite know h...
2020-02-2908 minDads of the NICUS1E4: The first few days in the NICUThe first few days in the NICU are absolutely critical for your baby, and also for you. The first few days will seem like they go on for ever, and you will struggle to process everything that is happening. You will feel like your whole world has stopped, and all your attention is now purely focused on your new little addition.There are so many things to get your head around now that you are a NICU Dad, and you will feel so confused, scared, helpless, sad and anxious.All of these feelings an...
2020-02-2910 minDads of the NICUS1E1: Dads of the NICU - TrailerA snapshot into the life and times of a Dad with a Premature baby or sick baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). We will discuss what Dad's go through mentally and emotionally with their little preemy/premmie delight!
2020-02-2902 minDads of the NICUS1E2: How I ended up in the NICU.I discuss the lead in to, and my first of 98 days inside the NICU with my new daughter.My wife and I were destined for IVF after failing to fall pregnant for well over a year. We started all of the IVF testing, and we were able to identify what was stopping us from falling pregnant. Just before we were about to commence the first round, we fell pregnant! But as it would play out, our special little girl wanted to make up for all of that lost time!Our daughter arrived at 25+5 wee...
2020-02-2913 min