The Dad Pod

Bryce Casey chats with Nathan Hart, whose daughter was born prematurely through an emergency C-Section. While both Bryce and Nathan had premature babies that were kept alive through the miracle of modern medicine and special baby units after the first few weeks doctors found cysts on Nathan’s daughter's brain. This was later diagnosed as cerebral palsy. The one thing Nathan and his wife Hannah did during the first years when she was non-verbal, to her taking her first steps aged 6 and a half, was stay relentlessly positive. They have nothing but gratitude for the doctors and services that helped them bring their baby home alive, and all the support they have had since with specialists and access to rehabilitation programmes.

In today’s episode Bryce Casey chats with Radio Hauraki’s breakfast host Matt Heath about co-parenting the two children he has with Lani from NZ band Elemeno-P.. Having split on good terms, the two of them now revel in what he calls ‘teenage week’, the week he is kid free. Matt shares what it was like for him and the children adjusting to living between two households, creating new routines and how he thinks it is for his kids growing up with parents in the limelight. As Matt reflects on how his life in the limelight might impact and shape his own children, he also speaks to the influence his father’s profession as neuro-scientist who experimented on animals - had on his upbringing.

Join Bryce as he interviews Obstetrician Dr Richard Pole. Richard and his wife had their own long and expensive road to parenthood, after he found out their troubles getting pregnant was from male infertility. After several rounds of IVF, they had a baby daughter Ella. As well as finding out more about what role an obstetrician has in pregnancies, Bryce wants to know what he learnt supporting his wife through unsuccessful rounds of IVF to being pregnant and giving birth to Ella and how this has impacted his professional practice.

In today’s episode of the Dad Pod, Bryce Casey has an in-depth and candid chat with two very new Fathers, and partners - Andy and Dean who have recently had a baby girl through surrogacy. Their girl Isobella is now 4 weeks old, and they are both in the glow of the fourth trimester. How do two men go about bringing a baby into the world? How do they decide which one will be the biological Father? How do you find an egg Donor? How do you start even looking for a surrogate? What will you tell your child about their birth story? Andy and Dean are joined in the studio by their newborn while Bryce asks all the burning questions a surrogacy birth brings up.

Bryce Casey talks with BBM founder Dave Letele. Dave had an upbringing unlike most. His Father went to prison when he was just 5yrs old, and he went to live with his Grandparents in Australia. Later in life Dave left his partner, left Australia, and left his children to return to NZ, where he met his now wife Koreen. His kids came to their wedding, and moved in. Koreen and Dave have since had a child of their own. Hear how his experiences shaped the father he is now and the challenges he has balancing his home life raising children with his passion for building community and giving back.

Bryce Casey speaks with mental health advocate and father Mike King. Mike has children spanning different age groups. In todays episode Mike talks about how originally his parenting style had been shaped by what he had observed in his own Father, how he was brought up, but how over the generations his attitude to parenting has changed. Although a mental health advocate that helps thousands of Kiwi kids, Mike talks candidly about the challenges of fostering mental health and self confidence, especially in our own children.

In this episode of DadPod, Bryce Casey interviews his wife Sharyn about their pathway to parenthood - from the fourth trimester to now. Bryce and Sharyn have openly shared about the struggle they had getting and staying pregnant, but this is the first time they have discussed together in-depth how they have processed their losses, and how they feel the experience has brought them closer and led them to having two beautiful boys. Sharyn is a veteran radio broadcaster from the Edge radio station, has hosted Dancing With the Stars & Masked Singer and has had her own very successful podcast The Trainee Sexologist. Trigger warning: This episode discussed miscarriage. For crisis support or counseling call or txt 1737.

Join Bryce Casey as he chats with legendary NZ comedian Dai Henwood. After going public with his stage four bowel cancer diagnosis in January 2023, Dai speaks candidly about how you break this news to your children, and how it has made him a better Dad. He also talks about his biggest role model - his Father - the sayings and traditions he grew up with and the ones he has chosen to continue with his own children.

Join Bryce Casey on Dad Pod as he chats to All Black legend Beauden Barrett and his wife well-being advocate Hannah about becoming parents. What they thought it would be like, and the realities of parenting solo while your husband plays rugby overseas during the first three months, the fourth trimester. Bryce drills them on their parenting styles and what activities, supports and role models they turn to when the reality of parenting alongside everyday life catches up with them. (00:00) - Parenthood (11:43) - Fitness and Support in Parenting (21:52) - Parenting Challenges and Strategies (26:07) - Parenting, Dreams, and Misconceptions (35:17) - Parenting and Work-Life Balance

The Dad Pod podcast is essential listening for all parents, whether with grown up children or those in the fourth trimester, just starting their parenting journey. Join the Rock’s host Bryce Casey as he interviews prominent Kiwi Dads about ‘life as a Dad. The reality VS the dream. Each conversation focuses on common challenges new parents may face that are not always talked about in an open way. Through these dialogues, we soon discover that no matter your own upbringing or circumstances, there is solidarity, common themes and challenges all parents face. The Dad Pod is brought to you by Contact Energy. Sign up to Contact’s fourth trimester initiative here https://contact.co.nz/support/trimester