The Fathering Project Podcast

After 16 seasons and 260 games with the Melbourne Football Club, former AFL player Tom McDonald is stepping into a new chapter — life after footy.
But football has only ever been one part of Tom’s story. He’s also a dad to four children, navigating the challenges of balancing elite sport with family life and learning what it means to be present through every stage.
In this episode, host Dr James Brown and Dads Group Manager Rodney Eade chat with Tom about identity, retirement and navigating his fatherhood journey. 
They explore the challenge of switching off from footy, the lessons children teach us about what really matters, and what Tom is most looking forward to as he has more time to simply be Dad.
Plus, Tom shares the lessons from elite sport that he brings into fatherhood – and what he hopes his kids will remember about the dad he was.
Because being a great dad isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up, staying connected and making the everyday moments count.
In this episode:
Navigating life and identity after professional sport
How fatherhood changes your definition of success
Balancing the demands of a career with being present at home
What elite sport teaches us about parenting
Making time for the moments that matter
The dad Tom hopes his children will remember
Listen now for an honest conversation about fatherhood, change and what matters most.

In this episode, we’re joined by Kirra Pendergast, Co-author of Digital Freedom and Founder of Safe on Social, to explore how parents can help children navigate technology with confidence.
We talk about a young person's first smartphone, online privacy, algorithms, AI, digital safety and setting healthy boundaries without constantly monitoring or policing kids’ devices.
Kirra shares practical advice for helping children develop the critical thinking and skills they need to make safer, smarter choices online as they become more independent.
To learn more about Kirra's work, visit: https://www.safeonsocial.com/
Purchase Digital Freedom: https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761902871/

What does it really mean to be present as a dad?
In this episode of The Fathering Project Podcast, we’re joined by Mitesh Khatri, author of Fight or Father, to explore how stress, overwhelm and emotional triggers can shape the way fathers show up at home. We discuss practical ways to recognise when you’re running low, respond instead of react, and repair after the parenting moments we all wish we’d handled differently.
This is a compassionate conversation about choosing connection over perfection— and why those everyday moments of emotional presence can have a lasting impact on a child’s life.
In this episode:
The hidden pressures facing modern fathers
Understanding the emotions beneath anger
Mitesh’s practical CALM framework
How to repair and reconnect with your child
Why emotional presence matters for lifelong wellbeing

How do we help our kids stay safe without making them fearful of the world?
In this episode, Dr James Brown speaks with former police officer, child safety expert and online safety specialist Kristi McVee about the practical things parents can do to help protect their children – both online and offline.
Drawing on 10 years as a specialist child interviewer and Detective Senior Constable, Kristi shares what parents need to know about body safety, consent, boundaries, grooming and the risks children can encounter online.
They also explore why child safety isn't about having one big conversation. It’s about building trust, keeping communication open and making sure our kids know they can always come to us when something doesn’t feel right.
In this episode:
Starting age-appropriate conversations about body safety and consent
Understanding grooming behaviours and warning signs
Navigating online safety and digital risks
Creating a relationship where children feel safe to speak up
Why parents don’t need to have all the perfect words
A practical and important conversation for parents and carers about helping children feel safe, confident and supported.

Fresh from being named 2026 Australian Father of the Year, Matt “Matty J” Johnson joins Dr James Brown for a raw, funny and honest chat about life as a dad of three.
Matt opens up about the highs and challenges of fatherhood, the memories he hopes his daughters will carry with them, what they’ve taught him, and the kind of role model he wants to be.
He also reflects on Two Doting Dads, the community he’s built with co-host Ash Wicks, and why creating space for dads to talk honestly about parenting — including the messy and difficult parts — matters.
A warm and relatable conversation about modern fatherhood, showing up and accepting that none of us gets it right all the time.