The Good Enough Dad with Maggie Dent
The Good Enough Dad is a parenting podcast hosted by Maggie Dent, a parenting author and educator who champions boys and men. Each episode features conversations with committed, funny, and loving dads about their wins and failures in fatherhood. Maggie offers practical tips and insights to help dads feel confident that they are doing a good enough job at the parenting gig. The show aims to relieve the pressure of being a perfect dad and celebrates the real, messy, and rewarding journey of raising children.
Episodes
2025's Australian Father of the Year — Dr Arne Rubinstein (re-release)
Former medical doctor and now CEO of The Rites of Passage Institute, Dr Arne Rubinstein has spent over 30 years facilitating transitions for boys and men. And yesterday, he was announced as Australian Father of the Year 2025 by The Fathering Project and Australian Fathers Day Council.Maggie chatted with Arne in Season 1 of The Good Enough Dad, so we thought it was timely to revisit their conversat
Trent Dalton - Rewriting a fractured childhood through beauty, love and hope
Trent Dalton is a two-time Walkley Award-winning journalist and internationally bestselling author whose work has touched hearts around the world. But behind the accolades lies a childhood marked by immense hardship—substance abuse, domestic violence, parental separation and poverty.But Trent turned pain into prose. His debut novel, Boy Swallows Universe—a semi-fictionalised take on his childhood—
Sean Abbott - Managing fatherhood when your career takes you overseas
Sean Abbott is part of Australia’s cricket team, which means he spends a LOT of his working life away from home.A standout fast bowler, Sean made his professional debut at just 18 and has gone on to become one of the top performers in Australian cricket. From dominating the domestic scene to helping Australia win the 2023 World Cup, he's faced up to some of the best batters in the game. And
Tim Curtis - What surviving a battle zone can teach you about fatherhood
It was three weeks before Tim Curtis met his first-born child, emerging from the jungle to discover his wife had gone into labour early. Tim is a former member of the Special Air Service Regiment or SAS, and was Australia’s first principal advisor to the government of Sierra Leone during their civil war when his son was born. Tim has also served in Afghanistan and Iraq. When he had three children
Shaun McManus - The importance of learning from your mistakes
When many people think of the Fremantle Dockers, one name often comes to mind—Shaun McManus. A cornerstone of the inaugural team in 1995, Shaun went on to play 228 games for the club, co-captain for a time, and became only the second player to reach 200 games in Dockers history.These days, he’s just as well known for his role behind the microphone as part of Perth’s beloved Nova breakfast show, Na
Glenn Hall & Ace Buchan - How surfing can build strong family bonds
Professional surfing legends Adrian “Ace” Buchan and Glenn “Micro” Hall join Maggie Dent to reflect on their journeys — not just through waves, but through fatherhood. Adrian, who spent 16 years on the World Surf League tour and twice defeated Kelly Slater, now serves as chair of Surfing Australia. Glenn, a former pro who has become one of the sport’s most respected coaches, shares his experience
Billy Garvey - When being an expert doesn’t give you all the answers
Dr Billy Garvey is an expert in children, working as a specialist in one of the world’s largest tertiary pediatric hospitals, and receiving a Churchill Fellowship. He’s the co-host of the Pop Culture Parenting podcast and author of 10 Things I Wish You Knew About Your Child's Mental Health. But Billy is the first to admit that being a paediatrician doesn’t mean you’ve got parenting down pat.Listen
Brendan Hodges - Managing fatherhood when you’re a FIFO worker
Raising kids can be hard enough, but how do you manage it when you spend half of your time in remote parts of Australia? Brendan Hodges is a Fly in Fly Out Worker, and has been since before his three kids were born. Brendan shares what it’s like to live this unique lifestyle, and how he’s managed to get the balance right for his family. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jamie Durie - Building a family home with solid foundations
Australians might know Jamie Durie best for his incredible backyard makeovers and landscaping artistry, but Jamie is also a fierce environmentalist, winning an OAM for his services to the environment and Australian design. He’s also a loving dad to Taylor 30, Beau almost 3 and Nash 2. Parenting has changed a lot between the births of his first and last child. Maggie shares some encouraging wisdom
Cameron Daddo - Keep it simple, put your family first
Cameron Daddo’s career has spanned everything from hosting Perfect Match, to acting and working with directors like David Lynch, to writing books, making music, advocating for mental health and presenting podcasts. He and wife Alison Brahe-Daddo have three adult kids. Cameron reflects on the lessons he’s learnt as his kids grew up, including one critical piece of advice from his own dad duri
Guy Sebastian - Finding common ground for connection
Guy Sebastian’s accolades have only grown since he exploded onto our screens after 2003, winning the first season of Australian Idol. Now he has a swathe of number-one singles and top albums and he sits on the other side of the stage from contestants as a judge on The Voice. Guy is also a dad to two boys. While becoming a parent wasn’t a top priority in the early years of his career, once his fami
Josh Cunningham- Surprised by fatherhood in his 40s
In his 40s, musician and member of beloved Aussie band The Waifs, Josh Cunningham thought perhaps the ship had sailed and he was not destined to be a father in this lifetime. However, a creative connection with fellow muso Felicity Urquhart soon became a soul connection, and Josh is now a “bonus dad” to Felicity’s two girls. In true country music style, there has been tragedy and hardship alo
Larry Emdur - Nice guys finish last, or do they?
Despite being the ‘most axed man on TV’ Larry Emdur is still winning Logies and celebrating his fourth decade on our screens. He’s been on Family Double Dare, The Price is Right, The Wheel of Fortune, Weekend Sunrise and has even appeared on Dancing with the Stars. These days you’ll see him on Channel Seven quiz show The Chase Australia and The Morning Show. While juggling his many different prese
The Good Enough Dad with Maggie Dent - Season 2
Maggie Dent is back for Season 2 of her enormously popular podcast The Good Enough Dad. Using her famous common sense Maggie will be chatting to dads from all walks of life to show that our kids don’t need perfection, they just need dads who are “good enough.”Joining her this season are musician Guy Sebastian, podcaster and actor Cameron Daddo, a FIFO Worker, a war veteran, two professional s
Bruce Robinson – Fatherhood has changed, but there’s still a way to go
In this final episode for Season One of The Good Enough Dad, Maggie is joined by good friend and leading light in the fatherhood space, Dr Bruce Robinson. Around 10 years ago Bruce founded The Fathering Project, after hearing from dying men that their biggest regret was not being better dads. Bruce himself is a dad and granddad, and he chats to Maggie about the many valuable lessons he’s picked up
Chadden Hunter – New dads can grieve the loss of their old life
For many years, Chadden’s work life consisted of travelling the world doing wild and adventurous things. Think swimming with belugas, sleeping next to volcanic lakes and close encounters with polar bears. He absolutely loved his life as a wildlife director, but when his wife fell pregnant with their second child, he knew it was time to make a big decision. Chadden talks to Maggie about how he ende
Graham Long - Finding solace for grief in the most unlikely place
Graham Long served an eclectic flock as the pastor at the Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross for over 14 years before he retired in 2018. The Wayside Chapel was a place where homeless and struggling people found solace, and it’s also where Graham found a reason to keep going after his son James passed away unexpectedly at 30 years of age. Graham talks to Maggie about the wonder of love, and how an unwa
Jeremy Hutchings – How kids can learn true grit
Jeremy Hutchings grew up on a farm and has carried the lessons he learnt there into his own parenting experience. As a business coach and CEO of the Farm Owners Academy Jeremy is often talking to his community about resilience. It’s a trait he believes many kids develop through living and helping on a working farm – but there are also other skills he’s picked up along the way. He chats to Maggie a
Arne Rubinstein – Stepping up as a man means putting your kids first
Founder and CEO of Rites of Passage Arne Rubinstein has spent over 20 years helping boys become men – but one of the most important decisions in his own life involved really embracing what it meant to step up as a man. Arne speaks to Maggie about when his family broke apart and why putting his kids first was the only path he could take. LINKS: Arne Rubinstein on Instagram https://www.instagram.
Sam Drummond – Why kids need agency
Sam’s mum worked several jobs to make ends meet when he was a child, they moved a lot, and money was tight. But Sam’s mum always made him feel like he had a say in their future. Sam tells Maggie why this was so important to him, and why he’s imparting it to his daughter today. LINKS: Sam Drummond on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samuelgdrummond/ and Sam’s book can be found at Affirm Press h
Richard Harris – Why risk is the secret to raising resilient kids
Dr Richard Harris is most famous for his role in helping to save the Thai soccer team trapped in flooded caves in 2018. Harry (as he likes to be known) says he learnt something profound from the young boys in that team. Something he has shared with his own children, now young adults. Harry chats to Maggie about how he’s used that experience with his kids, and what he believes is the secret to rais
Scott Stuart – How accepting discomfort led to my greatest joy as a dad
Children’s book author Scott Stuart wrote a book for his son called My Shadow is Pink all about his son’s love of dresses. He wrote the book to start conversations and allow greater acceptance of all the ways our children can express themselves. But walking the walk wasn’t always easy. Scott talks to Maggie about his own hang ups about gender identity and how he overcame them. LINKS: Scott Stuart
Michael Ray – Becoming a dad stopped me sleep-walking through life
Michael Ray was 50 when he became a first-time solo dad to his daughter Charlie, who was then a toddler. It turned out that the steep learning curve was the thing that woke him up to life. Now Charlie is 11 which means that Michael is navigating the tween years. He tells Maggie his approach to puberty and making sure that Charlie always knows he’s got her back. LINKS: Michael Ray on Instagram htt
Matt Formston – Shaping behaviour is key to raising successful kids
Matt Formston is not the kind of man you say no to. From a young age he was told he couldn’t do things – like rugby or surfing – because he lost 95 % of his vision when he was five. But ever since that age being told “no” has never stopped him. He’s been a professional surfer and cyclist, and today is an executive coach. Matt talks to Maggie about how he’s raising his kids to be experts in behavio
Brad Kearns – Why dads need to put down their phones
Brad Kearns (known online as @DadMum) is not a preachy kind of dad. But he does do fatherhood with heart and guts. Brad explains to Maggie how he moved from consciously incompetent to being a more competent dad, and the key values he shares with his family. LINKS: Brad Kearns on Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat
Joe Williams – After five kids I’ve finally learnt what it means to be a dad
Having been both a professional NRL player and boxer Joe Williams has had some tough gigs in life, but none have been as hard or as rewarding as being a dad. Joe talks to Maggie about the winding path that has brought him to the place he’s most proud of – being an aware and present dad. LINKS: Joe Williams on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/joewilliams_tew/ and website The Enemy Within https:
Adam Liaw – The importance of self-awareness in being a ‘good enough’ dad
Although most Australians would love to get a home-cooked meal from former Master Chef winner Adam Liaw, his three kids prefer his wife Asami’s cooking. From growing up quickly at the age of 14 to the unexpected turn his life took with Master Chef Australia Adam chats to Maggie about what has shaped him as a man and as a dad, and some of the biggest lessons he’s learnt about being a ‘good enough’
Mitch Tambo – Just let go and be present
When Mitch Tambo appeared on Australia’s Got Talent he blew the audience away with his rendition of You’re the Voice in Gamilaraay language. But while Mitch was kicking goals on stage, his confidence did not extend to becoming a parent. Mitch was in love with a woman with three daughters he wasn’t sure he would be good enough. Fast forward to today and Mitch shares all he has learnt from becoming
Osher Gunsberg – Mental illness is not a barrier to good parenting
Osher Gunsberg has worked in radio, podcasting and TV. He’s helped love along its way on The Bachelor and dialled up the fun on The Masked Singer. But with all his success Osher has had to contend with social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and psychosis. Osher talks to Maggie about falling in love, the joy of raising children and how he managed to do it all while navigating his mental hea
Barry Du Bois- Why every day is a blessing
Barry Du Bois is best known for his role as the carpenter who transforms pokey bathrooms into delightful boudoirs on Channel 10’s The Living Room. He’s loved for his easy-going ocker attitude, but his life has been full of adversity. Barry talks to Maggie about how he has come to view every day as a blessing, and some very surprising thoughts on how he’s raising his kids to be resilient. LINKS: B
The Good Enough Dad’s Guide to Re-entering the Rat Race
Heading back to work, while kids head back to school or day care can involve a fair bit of adjustment. Maggie gives some practical tips on how you can help the whole family ease back into the rat race of life. LINKS Read Maggie’s article on transitions https://bit.ly/47N8JvY or watch this video https://bit.ly/3MXXTLn on separation anxiety.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Ho
The Good Enough Dad’s Guide to Surviving the Holidays
When you’re a kid the Christmas holidays feel like they stretch on forever. When you’re the parent of that kid it can feel the same, but for different reasons. In this episode, Maggie outlines how you can thrive through the holidays with your kids, making memories to last a lifetime. LINKS Read Maggie’s article on finding calm amidst holiday chaos https://bit.ly/46Aho3S and on making memories tha
The Good Enough Dad’s Guide to New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s Eve is just around the corner, and Maggie has some suggestions on goals that might be helpful for nailing it as a dad in 2024. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Good Enough Dad’s Guide to Christmas Day
We’re well and truly in the silly season, but never fear, Maggie is here to help us through! In this episode Maggie gives us her top tips on how to manage the roller coaster that can be Christmas day with kids. LINKSRead Maggie’s articles on having a good enough Christmas https://bit.ly/3MS5RFZ or a thrifty christmas https://bit.ly/47rEr1J or and watch her video on turning the volume down on Chri
Tristan MacManus – Make your kids feel 10 feet tall
Although Tristan MacManus is a TV Host and former Dancing with The Stars Judge he still struggles with feeling he’s “not enough”. Because of this the Irish dancing star tries to fill his children with confidence every day. In this conversation with Maggie Tristan talks about the miscarriages he and wife Tahnya went through, and how he makes his kids feel 10 feet tall. See omnystudio.com/listener f
Matt Okine – Co-parenting is a whole new ball game
Before he became a dad, Matt Okine thought that he could make music while hanging with his kid. Now his daughter is four Matt has changed his ideas a little. While the actor, author, comedian and podcast host still creates all kinds of things, he knows that when he’s with Sofia, he’s just focussed on her. That is, except this one time … Matt talks to Maggie about some of his slip ups and the chall
Sean Szeps – A non-traditional approach to fatherhood
The path to fatherhood was not straight forward for Sean and his husband Josh, but it was something they both wanted, badly. After their twins were born through surrogacy the journey really began. With no traditional roles to fall into, the two dads had to find their own way through the fathering process. Sean chats to Maggie about how they found what worked for them, and why his biggest parenting
David Campbell – Your past does not determine the dad you will be
Until he was 10 years old David believed his grandmother was his mother, and his mother was his sister. The unsettling revelation that Cold Chisel’s front man – Jimmy Barnes – was his dad threw David into a world of chaos and confusion. David shares with Maggie how he and Jimmy became close, and how those confusing years helped make him the dad he is today. The podcast that David talks about in t
Stephen Page – Being raised by women made me a great dad
In 1993 Stephen Page became a dad in the most spectacular of ways. He says it was like something he and his partner had choreographed. Fast forward to today and after 30 years as the artistic director at Bangarra Dance Company Stephen is working on a children’s production with the son that was born that night - Hunter Lochard-Page. Stephen talks about the incredible kinship of family made and fami
Jordan Watson – How to Dad NZ on why we need to say “no” more
His posts may be hilarious but Jordan Watson – best known as How to Dad NZ – has some serious thoughts on parenting. After he shot to internet stardom with his first video (How to Hold a Baby) his three girls have grown and with time Jordan has learnt more about parenting - like why we all need to say “no” more. Maggie and Jordan bond over their shared country upbringing and what he finds most cha
Ben Hannant – Why head counts are important with big families
Ben Hannant had a kid nearly every year of his professional NRL career. He retired in 2016 with six children (now he has eight!!). Ben is a dad who believes in grit, hard work and the value of family. He also may have lost a child on the way to MacDonalds. Don’t worry, the child was found! Ben and Maggie chat about the magic of big families and why Ben’s “old school” attitude works for them. Ben
John Butler – Self regulation is my greatest parenting challenge
Musician John Butler says the “genetic psyche” of his family shattered the moment his grandfather died in a bush fire in 1958. John talks to Maggie about how the trauma from that event filtered through generations of his family and shows up in his own parenting. He also shares what it was like touring with his kids for the first decade of family life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform
Gus Worland – "Chill brother”: The words that made me a better dad
There was a time when Gus Worland considered himself an “old school dad”. Strict, tough and with high expectations of what his kids would achieve. But some great advice from his brother made Gus relax and, he says, become a better dad. Gus talks to Maggie about the powerful influence of one father-figure in his life and what he wants his legacy to be – to his kids and to the world. Gus Worland is
Hamish Blake – We're all basically winging it
Hamish Blake has his own podcast on how to dad PLUS he won Father of The Year 2023, so he must have this fatherhood thing down pat right? Wrong! According to Hamish – he's stuffing up daily. Maggie and Hamish chat about why playing for groans is more fun than playing for laughs and the number one thing he thinks all dads need to remember in order to get this dadding gig right. Hamish’s podcast: h
The Good Enough Dad with Maggie Dent- Launches October 11
Aiming to be a GOOD dad is important. But you know what? Being a good ENOUGH Dad is how you ace it. The Good Enough Dad is hosted by Maggie Dent - parenting educator, author, and champion of boys and men. Chatting to committed, funny and loving dads about their wins and fails – Maggie offers awesome tips and insights into all the ways dads can feel good enough at this parenting gig. Like, fol
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