Dad Starts Now
Dad Starts Now
Podcast Description
Welcome to Dad Starts Now – a podcast to help men prioritise their health before trying for a baby and make the changes necessary to be the best dad possible — a process that starts earlier than you might think. Sharing expert insights and real men's experiences, we'll cover everything from the factors that affect your sperm health to the steps you can take to improve your chances, how your daily habits can affect your future child’s health to what happens when pregnancy doesn’t come easily for you and your partner. Whether fatherhood is at the top of your to-do list or starting a family is a future plan, it’s never too soon to improve your preconception health and tuning into Dad Starts Now is the first step.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores various aspects of men's preconception health, including sperm health and male fertility, with episodes discussing lifestyle factors affecting fertility, practical tips for improving preconception health, and navigating challenges such as infertility, exemplified by discussions with fertility specialists and personal stories.
Dad Starts Now is a podcast created by Healthy Male to help men become — and be — the best dads possible.
In season one, we covered preconception health for men — what it is, why it’s so important and what it involves — with a range of Australia’s top male reproductive health experts.
Our second season — launching 3 February, 2026 — explores the diverse and often unspoken experiences of men on the path to fatherhood. From infertility and IVF, to pregnancy complications, parental leave, perinatal mental health and early parenting, the podcast brings together real stories and expert insights to offer practical guidance and perspective for men at every stage of the journey.
In this mini-episode, Sam Payne — the CEO and co-founder of the Pink Elephants Support Network — answers listener questions about early pregnancy loss — what men (and couples) need to understand about miscarriage, supporting their partner and themselves.
Key takeaways:
- Pink Elephants exists because early pregnancy loss is deeply isolating, and lack of support in the first trimester can compound grief and lead to poor mental health outcomes
- Miscarriage grief is often minimised by society, which leaves both women and men feeling silenced, flawed and unsure whether they are “allowed” to seek support
- Partners grieve too, and it’s important they’re given space for their own loss rather than being expected to only act as the supporter
- Grief after pregnancy loss is unpredictable and non-linear, so open communication, mutual validation and accessing support early are key to coping together
More resources:
How miscarriage can affect men
Got questions or feedback?
Email us at [email protected]. We love getting your voice notes.
The end bits:
This podcast was created by Healthy Male — an Australian not-for-profit that provides evidence-based information on men's health. You can find more from us on Instagram, TikTok and our website.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which this podcast was recorded — the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples listening today.
This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis, treatment and personalised medical guidance.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.