Dadvengers

In this episode we chat with the brilliant Matt Edmondson. A well known Radio 1 Dj, Matt is a father of one, with baby number two on the way! We delve into Matt's parenting journey, and how this was something he wasn't sure he wanted for a long time. Matt also talks about his upbringing, the difficulties in his relationship with his father, and hear the sad story of how his father's Bipolar condition lead to him taking his own life. As you can imagine this had a huge impact and lead to him seeking support for his own mental wellbeing. Matt is a great advocate for the importance of reaching out for support when needed and hearing about his experiences is something everyone needs to tune into! Thanks Matt, and welcome to the Dadvengers crew! Time Codes 2:54 - "It's been a bit weird having her go to school..." - Matt tells us about how he is feeling now his daughter started school. 4:10 - Matt's journey to parenthood; how he didn't have the "epiphany" moment that some parents describe. And how the joy of parenthood kicked in as his daughter became more interactive! 9:25 - "For me, it was more the sense of... 'Argh I'm a dad; that label... did that age me?!" - Matt on how he adjusted to being a dad, and a friends pregnancy story that keeps him up at night! 13:07 - "She is due in January... this time, we haven't done anything!" - Matt on the impending birth of his second child. 15:35 - Matt delves into his own childhood and upbringing... "Rules weren't really a thing!... It was very freeing." 18:55 - "My dad was an alcoholic... he had bipolar... he sadly took his own life when I was 20" - Matt's relationship with his dad growing up. 26:37 - Matt shares the fears he had before becoming a parent, the impact of the structure children bring, and the ways his relationship with his own dad shaped him as a parent. 30:39 - "There is a sadness, but there is also a sort of hatred... I was filled with an anger towards him" - Matt talks about the impact of losing his father to suicide. 33:00 - Matt opens up about his own mental health journey, and being diagnosed with Cyclothymia - a relative to bipolar disorder. - "Just the knowledge that there was a thing I had was so relieving" 37:02 - "I didn't want to open up that box of trauma, but it is so worth opening" - Matt on accessing therapy. 46:32 - How Matt is a great playmate for his daughter Ivy - and how they designed a family board game together over lockdown. 54:54 - How Matt is getting into music production, and has produced an album over lockdown! 1:01:48 Parenting Superpower!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dadvengers Podcast Episode 19 - Elliott Rae. This weeks' guest is the founder of Music Football Fatherhood. He's an advocate for getting dads talking, plus he's an author, and dad to a young daughter. Elliot talks about growing up in London with his parents who had emigrated from the Caribbean. We hear how his how his dad was a strict parent, but he was also fair and supportive! And he also opened up about the difficult birth of his daughter and first few months of her life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's Dadvengers Podcast Episode 18 - Anna Williamson and Alex Di Pasquale. This week we talk to podcaster, TV-presenter, therapist and Nigel's friend, Anna Williamson and her better half Alex Di Pasquale. Anna and Alex tell us all about their relationships, childhoods, and the different experiences of having both their children. With their first born, Anna had a traumatic birth and experienced ill-mental health during the pregnancy and after the birth. Then with baby number two, Alex found the adjustment really difficult and needed to ask for some support. They both talk candidly about this subject, and tell us about the impact it had on them mentally and on their relationship.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Trigger Warning - This weeks episode covers topics such as suicide attempts, child loss and child abuse. Listener discretion is advised. If you are affected by any of the topics in this podcast please visit www.Dadvengers.com/getting-help to find support services.  It’s Dadvengers podcast episode 17 - Gary Anderson. This weeks guest is a father, mental health advocate, counsellor and survivor. Gary has led an incredible life that has been impacted by abuse, mental health issues, and baby loss.  Against all odds, Gary has turned his life around. He is a survivor and uses his experiences and specialist training to provide counselling to men, and young people struggling with their own lives.  Gary’s story is one of survival, and he says it himself “Never give up until your time’s up”.  Gary is an inspiration, and and amazing man. We can’t thank him enough for joining us.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This weeks guest is dad to three children, one half of the award winning podcast 'Some Families' and an amazing advocate for equal parenting.  We chatted all things parenthood, from the overloaded adoption system and how that affects the children in it, to the impact of gendered language on all parents. We also delve into therapeutic parenting - what it means, and how it different it is in reality to the training! We talked about the mental health impact of the lockdowns on Stu and his family, and how they worked as a team to overcome those issues.  Another fantastic episode See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dadvengers Podcast Episode 15 - Amos Hurst & Sophia May. At 85 years young and a father to 7 children, we think Amos is our wisest Dadvenger yet! He has led an incredible life, and we were so lucky to have him share it with us on this episode. We chatted about Amos’ upbringing in Jamaica as one of 10 siblings and he told us about his parents. He also delved into being a father to 7 children, how he was as a parent and the values he brought his children up to believe in. All that said, the most heartfelt part of this episode is hearing Amos open up about his battle with cancer, the treatment he received and the huge mental impact this had on him. An inspirational man and an inspirational episode See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's Dadvengers Podcast Episode 14 - John Lashley (@Brooklynbrownieco). Our guest this episode is not only a mental health advocate and a full time dad to Leo, but he is also a brownie baking wizard! John has had a remarkable life and we chatted about his hugely varied career - from becoming a professional Mr T impersonator, to being a graphic designer, to now running the incredible Brooklyn Brownie Co. We also delved into his move to the UK and his experiences of racism in the US - including being held at gunpoint by police and why he doesn't visit there anymore.  If that wasn't enough we also hear about John's struggles with mental health after the tragic loss of Leo's mum. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's Dadvengers Podcast Episode 13 - Sergei Urban aka The Dad Lab! Sergei is a YouTube legend! He amassed over a billion views, after he turned his hobby of science experiments with his children into a fill time job! He is working hard to share educational toys and science experiments with kids all over the world. We love his videos and in this episode we find out a bit more about his humble beginnings in Latvia. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Disability rights activist, doctor and author Dr Amit talks openly about losing his sight, adapting to life with a disability and becoming a father.  He also talks about the discrimination he’s faced, life with his guide dog - and funny parenting moments!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Staple of the 00's music scene, actor, presenter and dad of three Matt Willis talks openly about being a stay at home dad, the time and relationships he had with his own parents, balancing work and parenting - and becoming a vaccine volunteer! He also talks openly about struggling with the lockdowns and the impact this had on his mental and emotional health. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Father, award winning blogger, influencer and Dad Chats regular Jamie Beaglehole talks to us about the adoption process, starting a fast growing and award winning parenting blog, and the importance of continuing the work for equal rights for members of the LGBTQ+ community.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

TV presenter, host and podcast creator Nush Cope is the first Dadvenger mum on the podcast. Nush talks about becoming a new mum through the pandemic, her experience with prenatal depression and having a home birth. She talks about the inequality of the paternity / maternity leave system and how she is finding herself again after having a baby. \r\n\r\n See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.\r\n

BBC journalist, Royal Television Society Ambassador and graduate of Cambridge University Ashley John-Baptiste talks about becoming a dad in the first UK lockdown. He also talks about being brought up in the UK care system between foster care and a children’s home. He also touches upon the adversities he faced, the lasting impact they’ve have and how scared he was to become a new dad.  \r\n\r\n See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.\r\n

The power of being vulnerable\r\n\r\n See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.\r\n

Comedian, internet sensation and social media star Harry Gregory, AKA White Yardie talks to us about parenting a teenager and a toddler, how his children help each other – and who rules the roost! We also discuss growing up in Jamaica, how he fell into the wrong crowd and ended up in jail after moving to London at age 18, and what ultimately led to him turning his life around. \r\n\r\n See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.\r\n

Paralympian and world record holder, Richard Whitehead becomes the first gold medalist to be inducted into the Dadvengers community. A father of two, Richard talks openly about his daughter's autism, his achievements on the track and the road, but how winning isn't just about the medals. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Singer, Presenter and Farmer, JB Gill is this week's Dadvenger, explaining his decision to ditch the hustle and bustle of city life to set up roots in the Kent countryside, and how he had to discuss death with his then four-year-old son after a rather grim discovery on his farm just before a school run. JB's wife, Chloe also joins JB as they tell Nigel all about the complications of their first of two cesarean births. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Actor, Racing Driver and 2019 Strictly Come Dancing winner, Kelvin Fletcher joins Nigel to discuss being away from his kids, feeling safer on a race track then he is on the M62, and how doing his daughter's hair before school is risky business. Kelvin also shares his concerns about the seemingly 'pro-mother' judicial system when it comes to parents separating.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

BBC Radio 5 live DJ Nihal Arthanayake discusses the love-hate relationship between his son and daughter, what the family have been discussing at the dinner table, and how being a person of colour in the UK has affected/affects their kids. Plus no chat with a music lover would be complete without finding out the albums that all kids should and shouldn't listen to! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Longest-serving CBeebies Presenter, Andy Day, talks candidly about the arrival of his daughter Ruby, his mishaps along the way and his work with the Anti-Bullying Alliance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.