Tom Docking on the support new dads are missing and why he started Dads Group

In this episode, we chat with Tom Docking, founder and CEO of Dads Group — an organisation reshaping how Australia supports new and expectant fathers. Tom shares his experience discovering first-hand the gaps there are for men during the perinatal period and why community connection is one of the most powerful protective factors for dads’ mental health.

Key takeaways

• Tom's partner Kate fell pregnant unexpectedly right at the start of a planned two-year lap of the world — he felt excited and overwhelmed at the same time
• His inclusion during his partner's pregnancy, his baby's birth and the postpartum period depended on medical staff going above and beyond, not the system
• Dad’s Group grew from informal catch-ups with other dads, creating practical, peer-led support
• Early on, he realised dads often don’t have a space to unpack the fear, shame, uncertainty and identity shift from “dude to dad”

More resources:

You can follow Dads Group on Instagram. You can join a Dads Group and find more info about their work here.

Got questions or feedback?

Email us at [e-mail]. 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.