The Secret Life of Dads Podcast

Dr Anna Machin, an evolutionary anthropologist and author studying love and modern fatherhood, explains how dads' brains change with caregiving. Short paternity leave, workplace norms and cultural expectations shape fathers’ roles. She compares international paternity models, highlights the need for father-inclusive perinatal care and mental-health screening, and offers practical ways men build bonds and community support.

Peloton star coach Ben Aldis has built a career on strength, discipline and momentum. But becoming a dad has asked something very different of him. In this conversation, Ben reflects on the man he became through his relationship with his own father, and the man he is becoming now he’s a dad himself. We talk identity, pressure, purpose - and how fatherhood reshapes what “strong” really means. It’s a story about legacy. About choosing the kind of man your children get to grow up with. And about learning that the hardest work often begins when the training ends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if adventure didn’t disappear when you became a parent… it just changed shape? In this episode, Lawrence and Mat sit down with world-renowned author and performance scientist Alex Hutchinson to explore how curiosity, motivation and endurance really work - not just in athletes, but in everyday life as parents. Alex’s work shows us that growth isn’t only about physical limits or epic expeditions. It’s about how the mind and body work together to keep us engaged with life, even in the small, ordinary moments. We talk about: Why curiosity is a survival skill for modern parents How endurance is as mental as it is physical Reframing “adventure” for the school run years Staying motivated when life feels repetitive Raising kids who are explorers - by becoming one ourselves This is a conversation about becoming better dads by staying awake to life. Not escaping it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eli Weinstein, a licensed therapist and author of *From I Do to We Do*, specializes in supporting couples through the parenting years. In this engaging conversation, Eli discusses the identity shift from partners to co-parents and why resentment can sneak in. He shares practical tips for maintaining connection, such as nightly check-ins and the importance of expressing appreciation. Eli emphasizes the need for couples to prioritize intimacy and navigate different parenting styles without losing their individual identities. A must-listen for parents seeking balance!

What if most of what you’ve been told about kids’ nutrition… doesn’t apply to sporty kids? This week we sit down with Performance Canteen - the team who fuel young athletes across academies, clubs and schools - to unpack the myths parents keep seeing online. Is sugar really the enemy? Do overeating rules change when your kid trains for sport? And what are the real risks of under-fueling active teens? If you’re raising a sporty child, this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lawrence and Mat sit down with ex England rugby captain Chris Robshaw and professional singer Camilla Kerslake for an honest conversation about performing at the highest level in both the sport and entertainment industries, Chris’s vulnerable adventure on Strictly Come Dancing and how the couple navigate parenting whilst juggling demanding careers. It’s a grounded, insightful and fun look at resilience, identity and keeping your family steady when life gets loud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the eve of England competing in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final, we sit down with former England star and TV pundit Ugo Monye to explore the unstoppable rise of women’s rugby — a sport now packing out stadiums and inspiring the next generation. We discuss how over £6 billion of National Lottery funding into grassroots sport has helped pave the way for this moment and Ugo shares his own rugby journey from the pitch to punditry. As dads, we also talk about the role fathers play in shaping opportunities for our children — especially our daughters — to thrive in sport and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jake's career has spanned over a decade in the public eye, from football to singing, reality TV to presenting, acting and musical theatre...he has never been afraid to try something new. Mat and Lawrence explore his willingness to be vulnerable in the name of growth and how this shapes his 'action led' approach to fatherhood - stemming from the impact his late father had on him growing up. This episode is as emotional as it is inspiring - we hope you take a lot from it, we certainly did. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan chats to Mat & Lawrence about male fertility and where he is currently at with his family goals, the life changing experience of the Marathon Des Sables on both body & mind...plus how finding other men who are prepared to open up & go deep is now a priority in his life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The most successful female British swimmer in Olympic history, Rebecca Adlington joins Lawrence and Mat for a powerful conversation that spans grit, gold and growing up. From early days training in Mansfield, through navigating family challenges, to double Olympic gold in Beijing 2008 and multiple World and Commonwealth medals, Rebecca shares the mindset behind her success. She also opens up about the quiet role her father played, the identity shift after elite sport, and her evolution into motherhood. Having felt the physical toll of the sport, Rebecca was ready to step away on her own terms — embracing the next chapter with purpose as a parent and businesswoman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices