Two Doting Dads with Matty J & Ash

Blakey Johnston looks like a Viking, walks around barefoot, and once surfed for 40 hours straight to raise awareness for mental health.

A former pro surfer, dad of two, and the guy who surfed for 40 hours straight to raise awareness for mental health, Blakey opens up about the loss of his dad to suicide and what came after.

We g...

Ash has made another grand purchase this week (must be nice!), and it's taken him many years to get to this point. 

He also took Oscar and Macy to a Manly Sea Eagles game, and let's just say it was a new experience for his little girl. 

The Johnson's nip up to Cairns to enjoy a last-minute holiday as a family of four before it becomes five! The kids, of course, relished every moment (not). 

We also answer your q...

Matty J and Ash are twinning this episode after making a big boy purchase in the hope of solidifying their masculinity (For the record, there's no such thing as buying your way to masculinity!) 

Setting the side the purchase for a moment, Matt has become more primal during the family holidays down in Ulladullah. Spearfishing, cooking and oh, believing he's a tradie when he is, in fact, nowhere near a professional. 

Oscar ...

Hugo Toovey is a bloke who’s been through more than most of us could ever imagine and somehow still keeps moving forward.

An army man, two-time cancer survivor, and the founder of 25StayAlive (a movement urging young people to get checked before it’s too late), Hugo opens up about what life really looks like behind ...

Matty J's littlest (soon-to-be middle child), Lola, has unlocked a new fear - monsters! Unfortunately, mum Laura turns Daddy into a liar after telling a contradictory story.

Ash experiences a flashback to his childhood after his kids shared their fear of falling into the toilet. 

And Matty J (finally) tells the story of that time he hired a babysitter for Marlie and Lola that lasted less than a week.

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We also get ...

***TW***

This week we've created space to chat with registered psychologist, Victoria Barendsen, who specialises in working with children and provides sexual abuse and sexual harm prevention therapy. 

Like you, we've been devastated by the Melbourne investigation of alleged incidents in childcare centres, and we want to do something about it. 

Victoria explains how you can try to protect your children from vulnerable situ...

Sam Frost doesn’t do warm-ups. She knew her partner Jordie was the one from the very beginning, and so, they quickly became parents. That set the tone for everything that followed.

If you’ve only ever known Sam as the Bachelorette or from Home and Away, you'll realise she's got the energy of someone who is grounded and incredibly open.

She talks through the chaos of early pregnancy, a scare right before baby Teddy was d...

Turns out October is baby-making season because it's everyone's birthday this June/July! Marlie-Mae celebrates her 6th birthday, and her father is sent into a tailspin trying to find a hitting stick for the piñata. 

It's also Matty J's birthday, and Ash has got him a present that will last a lifetime!

We also get into your Par-Rants for this week, where you air out your parenting grievances. This week's rant hit a nerve...

Ash committed the crime of all husband crimes and, as a consequence, is left living with a stink for the next week. 

Meanwhile, Ash and his wife April are planning a trip away from the kids, and it may coincide with the birth of baby Johnson no. 3!

Matty J and wife Laura also experience a personal scare that puts things into perspective as they prepare for life with a newborn. 

We also get into your Par-Rants for this wee...

Sophie Walker, host of Australian Birth Stories is here to talk all things birth, babies and what comes after.

Sophie shares the realities of postpartum recovery (aka “the cliff no one warns you about”), what partners can actually do to support mums in those blurry early weeks, and the time her baby went 10 day...

Poor Oscar, Ash's son, has to learn one of the hardest lessons a kid has to learn this week. 

Meanwhile, Ash gets recognised at possibly the worst moment imaginable, and Matt’s attempt at being a good Samaritan backfires. 

We also answer your questions: 

• What are the top 3 lame things you do now that you're a parent?
• How do I tell my partner that I appreciate them without using words?

BUY OUR SM...

Matty J has returned from Bali with his tail between his legs after spilling the beans about Life Uncut's Britt Hockley's wedding. Except he doesn't remember spilling the beans on the podcast...Let's run the tapes, shall we?! 

Ash has found Lego bodies scattered all over his house, and he doesn't know why. Is there a serial Lego killer on the loose? 

We also get into your Par-Rants for this week, where you air out your pa...

Have you ever thought about hiring a trained companion for your next birth? 

Alice Worthy is a Modern Doula, and she is paid to hold a woman's hand as she brings new life into the world. 

We chat about the differences between a doula and a midwife, how partners can support mum during the throes of birth and Alice's most memorable birth story that ended in a newly renovated bathroom. 

BUY OUR SMELLY T SHIRTS HERE...

Gotta catch 'em all! 

Mum Wicks has finally made her way onto the show!

Yes, Ashton's mother has (reluctantly) said yes to being questioned about the antics of her son growing up. Has things improved since he found himself in an overnight jail? We'll see. 

BUY OUR SMELLY T SHIRTS HERE 

https://www.twodotingdads.com/category/all-products

Buy our book, which is now available in-store!

https://www.penguin.com.au/bo...

Matty J and Ash brave the week with another set of challenges with the kids!

Who knew parenthood was such a rough sport? 

Laura AND Ellie are away, living their best lives, which means Matty J has to fend for himself. 

Ash has another toilet debcale and this time it ends with poo smeared on the walls. 

Plus, we let you Par-RANT, a segment where Matty J and Ash listen to your parent rants. 

We also answer your qu...

Trish Johns is a mum, a straight shooter, and a woman with quiet strength and a wicked sense of humour.

She grew up pumping petrol at the local servo in Newcastle, was the spirited one in her massive Italian family, and somehow ended up marrying Matty Johns despite turning him down the first time.

Trish opens up about raising Co...

Two Doting Dads dedicate this episode to those affected by suicide.

Please know that no matter how hard it is, Ash will tell you it always gets better.  

If you, or anyone you know, is going through a tough time, please call 

Lifeline 13 11 14

Ash has received a bit of Karma this week from the pet parents. 

Matty J tackles Marlie-Mae's Oral Exam the night before it's due and let's just say, we're worri...

Ash is falling apart after experiencing a dumb little injury, and Matty J is not sympathetic. 

The kids are waking up to the realities of becoming a functioning human in society and complaining about doing homework. 

Macy is up to her antics again, pretending to be eating all of her dinner when, in reality, someone else is eating it for her. 

Plus, we let you Par-RANT, a segment where Matty J and Ash listen to your p...

Dave Hughes is a comedian, radio host, and chaotic dad of three. His stories about fatherhood, fame, and the time he got way too high on weed gummies in Hawaii.

Hughesy opens up about growing up with an alcoholic father, getting punched by Brother O’Brien at school, and the moment he met his wife Holly.