Dad Starts Now – Details, episodes & analysis

In this mini-episode, embryologist and Scientific Director at Monash IVF Group, Dr Ryan Rose, answers listener questions about getting a semen analysis — a process many men find awkward, embarrassing or confusing. He breaks down what actually happens, why the test matters and how guys can feel more comfortable and prepared.

Key takeaways:

• Feeling anxious about fertility testing and semen analysis is common
• Semen analysis checks sperm count, motility, and morphology
• It can feel more comfortable doing the test at home, but most labs prefer it to be done in person
• Open communication with partners is essential during this process

More resources:

Can you do a semen analysis at home?
What happens during a semen analysis for male fertility
Are at-home semen tests for male fertility accurate?

Got questions or feedback? 

Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.

In this episode, we chat with Hugo Toovey, a two-time cancer survivor and founder of 25 Stay Alive — a charity that helps young adults take charge of their health through prevention, early detection and action. He speaks about the emotional experience of trying to conceive for a year and comparing it to friends who fell pregnant quickly, what it was like when their "miracle baby" Teddy came along and what he'll pass on to his son about health.

Key takeaways:

• At 21, Hugo found a pea-sized lump in his testicle and ignored it for months until his dad pushed him to get checked — a delay he regrets, but one that shaped everything that followed
• Testicular cancer, chemotherapy and major surgery taught him the importance of early detection the hard way and years later, that experience directly saved his life when he recognised bowel cancer symptoms and acted fast
• Fertility wasn’t on his radar at 21, but his mum suggested freezing his sperm before treatment
• While Hugo and his partner, Amber, didn't need the frozen sperm, trying to conceive took close to a year and it was tough to see negative pregnancy tests over and over
• Their “miracle baby” Teddy arrived two years ago after a challenging pregnancy — parenting gave both him and Amber joy and grounding when they needed it most
• Becoming a dad deepened Hugo’s sense of gratitude and purpose, and reshaped how he thinks about masculinity — from getting checked early, to being emotionally open, to teaching his son that health and honesty aren’t weaknesses

More resources:

You can follow Hugo and 25 Stay Alive on Instagram, and find their website here.

Got questions or feedback? 

Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.

In this episode of Dad Starts Now, host Nick West speaks with two of Australia’s leading male fertility specialists — Professor Rob McLachlan and Associate Professor Darren Katz — to unpack the process of investigating infertility. From low sperm counts and varicoceles to genetic conditions like Klinefelter syndrome, they explain some of the medical reasons behind male infertility, what symptoms to watch out for and why getting checked early can make a big difference to your chances of becoming a dad.

You'll learn: 

• What a semen analysis can and can’t tell you about fertility 
• How underlying health conditions can affect male fertility and the symptoms to look out for 
• Practical steps men can take to improve their reproductive health

Timestamps

02:24 Understanding andrology and male reproductive health

06:36 Defining male infertility and its prevalence

12:29 Navigating the doctor’s visit for fertility concerns

18:03 The complexity of male infertility

22:00 Signs and symptoms of potential fertility issues

30:27 Understanding pre-conception health

33:45 The role of urologists in male fertility

34:13 Advancements in male infertility treatment

39:02 Exploring varicoceles and their impact

44:18 Consultation expectations for male fertility

51:25 Surgical options for male infertility

54:19 Understanding a no sperm diagnosis

58:10 Signs of potential fertility issues

01:00:28 Future advancements in male fertility

Subscribe for season two

Follow us to get season two of Dad Starts Now when it drops on February 3. We'll unpack what it really means to prepare for fatherhood, with real stories and expert advice on everything from fertility and IVF to supporting your partner and taking care of your mental health. ⁠

Got questions or feedback? 

Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.

In the first episode of Dad Starts Now, host Nick West chats with Associate Professor Tim Moss — a biomedical research scientist and Health Content Manager at Healthy Male — to unpack what preconception health means for men, why it matters and what to do about it. They explore how a man’s health before trying for a baby can impact his fertility, his partner's pregnancy outcomes and even the long-term health of his future children.

You’ll learn:

• What preconception health is and why it’s relevant to all men thinking about having kids
• The biggest myths and knowledge gaps around male fertility
• How sperm health is measured (and why it’s more than just sperm count)
• Simple steps men can take today to boost fertility and improve outcomes for future children

Timestamps

01:31 What preconception health means

02:47 Tim Moss on his personal experience with preconception health

04:39 Why men's health before conception is so important

07:22 Practical tips for improving preconception health

12:54 How a dad's health can affect his kid's health

14:24 Understanding male fertility

18:56 When to start caring about preconception health

24:47 Final thoughts and key takeaways

Subscribe for season two

Follow us to get season two of Dad Starts Now when it drops on February 3. We'll unpack what it really means to prepare for fatherhood, with real stories and expert advice on everything from fertility and IVF to supporting your partner and taking care of your mental health. ⁠

Got questions or feedback? 

Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.

In this episode of Dad Starts Now, host Nick West is joined by endocrinologist, andrologist and fertility specialist, Dr Sarah Catford, to unpack the everyday habits that can make or break your sperm health. From diet and alcohol to chemical exposure and exercise, they explore how lifestyle choices impact male fertility and what men can do to boost their chances of starting a family. If you’ve ever wondered whether that weekend bender or dodgy takeaway habit could affect your future kids, this episode has answers.

You'll learn:

• The most common misconceptions men have about their fertility
• How lifestyle habits like diet, alcohol use, exercise and chemical exposure affect sperm health
• What makes a good preconception diet (and what to cut back on)
• Whether male fertility supplements are worth it
• When to start making lifestyle changes to improve your fertility

Timestamps

02:55 Common misconceptions about male infertility

05:04 Lifestyle factors that affect sperm quality

07:53 The role of diet and whether male fertility supplements work

12:48 How alcohol impacts sperm health

14:15 When to start making lifestyle changes

15:27 Environmental toxins, endocrine disruptors and male fertility

18:08 Preventing trauma, avoiding STIs and protecting your fertility

22:13 Key takeaways for future dads

Subscribe for season two

Follow us to get season two of Dad Starts Now when it drops on February 3. We'll unpack what it really means to prepare for fatherhood, with real stories and expert advice on everything from fertility and IVF to supporting your partner and taking care of your mental health. ⁠

Got questions or feedback? 

Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.

Dad Starts Now is a podcast to help men take charge of 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.From lifestyle choices that affect your sperm quality to navigating infertility, we’re having honest chats with leading experts and blokes who’ve been there. Whether fatherhood is just around the corner or still a future plan, it’s never too early to start improving your preconception health, and tuning in to Dad Starts Now is the first step.This podcast was created by Healthy Male — an Australian not-for-profit that provides evidence-based information on men's health.

Jason Seeman is an educator, dad of two, and he's the founder of Raising Fathers — an organisation that helps through the identity-shaking transition into fatherhood. In this mini-episode of Dad Starts Now, Jason answers listener questions about this often-overlooked journey from man to father, covering everything from parenting when you didn't have a solid role model to how to best show up during your partner's pregnancy.

Key takeaways:

• Becoming a dad involves a major internal shift in identity and emotions, not just practical preparation
• Continuing life exactly as it was before a baby arrives can put pressure on relationships and family wellbeing
• Parenting doesn’t always come instinctively, especially without strong role models, so learning and support are key
• Simply asking your partner what she needs — and listening without trying to fix — can make a real difference

More resources:

You can follow Jason and Raising Fathers on Instagram and check out his website here.

Got questions or feedback? 

Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.

In this episode, we chat with Dr Zac Seidler, the global director of research at Movember and part of the team at Orygen – a youth mental health organisation. He’s a clinical psychologist and researcher who has dedicated his career to understanding manhood and men’s mental health. And, he’s just welcomed his first son, Arty. We recorded this episode in the weeks before his baby’s birth, covering the biggest challenges men face in transitioning to fatherhood, why men need to be proactive about the parent they want to be and his reflections on becoming a dad after losing his own.

Key takeaways:

• From years of working with men as a psychologist, Zac notes that many approach fatherhood from a “I don’t want to repeat my dad’s mistakes” mindset — but struggle to articulate what they do want to be instead
• He talks about fatherhood as a rare pause point where men are open to reflection, change and meaning-making — and argues it’s a missed opportunity when health systems fail to engage dads early
• Zac shares that many men feel anxious about losing their freedom when they become dads, and that not working through that can be a risk factor for postnatal depression
• He speaks about losing his father and how becoming a dad himself has deepened that connection, bringing up grief and reflection about what kind of presence he wants to be for his own child
• Zac shares that his partner's pregnancy triggered a shift in priorities he didn’t fully expect — from being highly output-driven at work to feeling a strong urge to slow down, be practical and support his partner in very ordinary, hands-on ways
• Zac emphasises that being a “three-dimensional” dad — showing emotion, uncertainty and care — matters more than fitting any ideal of masculinity or having parenting perfectly worked out

More resources:

You can follow Zac on Instagram and see more of his work in action over at Movember.

Got questions or feedback? 

Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.

If starting a family is on your 2026 to-do list, there are a bunch of things you can do right now to improve your chances of conceiving, support your partner’s pregnancy and benefit the health of your kids. In this mini-episode of Dad Starts Now, host Dr Tim Moss breaks down the 10 practical, evidence-based steps all men should take before trying for a baby. From understanding how conception actually works to improving sperm health and knowing when to see your GP. 

Key takeaways:

• Becoming a dad starts months before trying for a baby, because sperm health today affects your chances of conceiving down the track
• Preparing for pregnancy works best as a team, with men actively supporting their partner and getting involved early 
• See your GP for a preconception health check first — they will talk with you about your medical history, any changes you should make to your health and any screening tests you need
• Lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol, weight, diet and heat exposure directly impact sperm quality — and these are fixable

More resources:

How men can improve chances of conception

Preconception health checklist for men

Healthy Father, Healthy Future

Got questions or feedback? 

Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.

In this episode of Dad Starts Now, we’re joined by Joel Sardi, a military veteran and dad of two who became a father after sustaining a spinal cord injury that left him with quadriplegia. Joel talks candidly about life before and after his injury, how his identity shifted and what it really means to show up as a dad when the physical side of parenting looks different. He shares how he and his partner navigated IVF, pregnancy and the early months of parenthood, including the challenge of feeling like a spectator at times and how emotional presence and support have become central to his role as a dad and partner.

Key takeaways:

• In 2014, a three-storey fall shattered his C5 and left him with quadriplegia, and he described the next year in hospital as “really dark” — but also the start of a long identity shift into “mark two” Joel
• When it came time to start a family, IVF was straightforward for them because his fertility wasn’t the issue — it was sexual function after the spinal injury
• Because he couldn’t “fix” things physically during his partner's pregnancy, he focused on empathy and listening
• He couldn’t do the usual hands-on baby care and said that made him feel like a “spectator” for the first six months, which was a real challenge
• He said what surprised him most was the relationship dynamic shift after the first baby — after years of it being just him and Elisa, everything changed overnight
• He's found more freedom and joy as the girls got more independent — like his youngest learning to do her seatbelt — and he loves being able to take them out solo
• He wants his girls to grow up with resilience and courage, and he links that back to his own mindset of “adapt and overcome” from the army and living with disability

More resources:

You can follow Joel on Instagram or check out his website here.

Got questions or feedback? 

Email us at podcasts@healthymale.org.au. 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.