You don't have to do fatherhood alone. Yet for many Dads, asking for help can feel harder than facing the challenge itself. That's where the Phone a Friend tool comes in. It’s a simple and powerful way to break through isolation, build genuine connections and create a support network you can rely on.

Joining me is Arion Light, author, coach and men's work facilitator who has supported tens of thousands of men through groups, circles and gatherings. Drawing on his own experience of losing his wife and raising their son, Arion shares the life-changing power of having other men show up when you need them, and how to be that support for other men.

In this episode, Arion shares:

• Why so many Dads struggle with isolation and asking for help.
• How shame and the pressure to appear strong prevent men from opening up.
• What reaching out for support looks like
• Why vulnerability can build stronger friendships and deeper connections.
• How a men's circle became Arion's lifeline after his wife's cancer diagnosis.
• The difference between having mates and having a genuine support network.
• How to find or create a men's circle of your own.
• Simple ways to check in on a mate and encourage honest conversations.
• Why listening and asking questions can be more helpful than offering solutions.
• How to recognise when someone needs additional support.
• The power of reaching out before things reach crisis point.

Warning: this episode contains discussions about suicide and mental health challenges, which some listeners may find distressing. If you or someone you know needs support, you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14.

KEY QUOTES

"It just takes one question and a bit of presence to open a door."

"Every time we phone a friend, we reach out. Every time we make a bridge, we start to build a world where that emotion is wanted."

"If I had to carry this grief, I wouldn't make it."

MORE ABOUT ARION

• Arion@arionlight.com
• Resources from Arion
• Find out more via Blase’s website.
• Or follow him on YouTube or Instagram.

PHONE A FRIEND RESOURCES

Lifeline: Phone 13 11 14.

Men's Work events: TGOM and Mankind Project https://www.mankindproject.org.au/

Download the free Home Game Checklist

Download a compilation of the papers and books used to research this topic.

GET INVOLVED WITH THE PODCAST ONLINE

• Follow on Instagram: @dad_toolbox
• Find out more at https://linktr.ee/dadtoolbox

Podcast produced by The Podcast Butler

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being a good Dad isn't just about showing up for your kids today. It's also about making sure your family is financially secure tomorrow. But between mortgages, bills and the everyday costs of raising a family, planning for the future can easily fall to the bottom of the list.

That's where Super Moves comes in. A practical tool that breaks down five simple steps Dads can take to make the most of their superannuation, build long-term wealth and protect their family's financial future.

Helping us put these moves into action is Corey Wastle, a father of three and founder and CEO of Verse Wealth. With more than a decade of experience in financial advice, Corey is also a nationally recognised industry leader, having been named Executive of the Year for Financial Advice and Wealth Management Professional of the Year in 2025.

Disclaimer: This conversation includes general financial information and general financial advice only. It doesn't take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs, and may not be appropriate for you. Before making any decisions about your superannuation, investments or insurance, consider your own circumstances and seek advice from a qualified financial adviser where appropriate.

In this episode, Corey shares:

• Why taking control of your finances today can give your family more choices in the future.
• Understanding what you've got in super and the differences between industry, retail and self-managed funds.
• How compounding can dramatically grow your wealth over time.
• Why it's never too late to start investing in your future.
• Making additional super contributions without putting your family under financial stress.
• How choosing the right super investment option can make a huge difference to your retirement savings.
• Why staying calm during market downturns is so important.
• Protecting your family's financial future through insurance and binding death benefit nominations.
• Three simple actions dads can take to improve their super in just 15 minutes.

KEY QUOTES

"When you're investing, The biggest asset you have isn't your intelligence. Far from it. It's time."

"We can only start where we are now. So starting today is better than starting tomorrow and it's much better than starting in a year."

"You can look at your balance. but you should be more concerned and more focused on what's the trajectory of my balance as opposed to what it is right now."

MORE ABOUT COREY

• Verse Wealth website: https://www.versewealth.com.au
• Corey's LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/coreywastle
• Verse Wealth financial coaching: https://www.versewealth.com.au/service/coaching

GET INVOLVED WITH THE PODCAST ONLINE

• Follow on Instagram: @dad_toolbox
• Find out more at https://linktr.ee/dadtoolbox

Podcast produced by The Podcast Butler

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if one simple word could help you stop solving every problem for your kids, while teaching them to become more independent?

The Power of Sure is a simple parenting tool that takes the pressure off Dads to have an immediate answer to every request. By replacing a yes or no with “sure”, parents can encourage their kids to take responsibility, solve problems and become more comfortable with uncertainty.

To share this, we are joined by Associate Professor Gabriel Dabscheck, a paediatric neurologist in Melbourne Australia. Gaby is a father to three, happily married to an amazing woman, and a very amateur basketball coach. He shares how he uses this approach with his own children, why it can help build resilience and independence, and the situations where kids need clear answers and boundaries instead.

In this episode, Gaby shares:

• Why “sure” can be more useful than yes or no.
• How uncertainty can help kids build independence.
• The power of putting the responsibility back on your kids
• When uncertainty can become overwhelming.
• The process of moving from fixing problems to coaching your kids.
• Why kids need to learn that the world doesn't revolve around them.
• When to use “sure” and when kids need clear answers and boundaries.
• How “sure” can take some pressure off parents.

KEY QUOTES

"Sure means in the correct circumstances, “yeah, it can happen."

"Your time is valuable as well. The world doesn't revolve around them. Theirs is not the only reality."

"It kind of motivates them to create a circumstance by which what they want to happen will happen."

MORE ABOUT GABY

• Connect with him on LinkedIn

POWER OF SURE RESOURCES

Download a compilation of the papers and books used to research this topic.

GET INVOLVED WITH THE PODCAST ONLINE

• Follow on Instagram: @dad_toolbox
• Find out more at https://linktr.ee/dadtoolbox

Podcast produced by The Podcast Butler

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.