Skip to content
Fatherhood

Honestly, Dad

Masculinity, connection and 3 groups of dads at risk

A humorous keynote, grounded in lived experience, that equips organisations to understand what the dads they employ are going through, and gives fathers practical tools to connect with their kids when time is short.

Why this talk

It might be that you're a biological father, stepdad, foster parent, legal guardian or close relative, but if you've experienced the rollercoaster of raising children in any form, you'll know it's one of life's most rewarding yet demanding roles.

Sound familiar?

Research shows that around four in ten dads report concerns about their mental health. Yet fatherhood also offers one of life's greatest opportunities for purpose, connection and personal growth, both for fathers and their children.

  • Surviving on broken sleep and wondering whether you'll ever feel like yourself again.
  • Trying to balance work, financial pressures and family life (you feel guilty if you're working too hard, but guilty if you're late on-site due to the school run).
  • Supporting teenagers through difficult years while managing the impact on your own mental health and performance at work.
What this session covers

The agenda, point by point

Everything your audience will move through – so you can judge the fit before you book.

  1. 1

    Fatherhood and burnout: why fatherhood is so tough, why we can feel so inadequate, and how we look out for each other.

  2. 2

    Connecting when you're time-poor: practical techniques – T.E.S.T., the language of elite sport, Form-score and the Progress Principle – to connect with your kids in the time you have, including how to have a difficult conversation about discipline in an inspirational way.

  3. 3

    Rethinking masculinity: how we see ourselves as men and as fathers, and the tweaks we can make to our own man code – from what it means to be a provider and protector, to extending courtesy to all.

  4. 4

    3 groups of dads at risk: new dads (the hormonal changes they face, postnatal depression in fathers, paternity leave in the UK, and the research behind the dad bod), dads of teenagers (and the brain development that makes those years so hard), and separated dads – and how workplaces can look out for each of them.

What your people leave with

Concrete outcomes, not vague good feelings

Be equipped to build stronger connections with their children, even when time is limited, using practical tools such as T.E.S.T., the language of elite sport, Form-score and the Progress Principle
Recognise the signs of burnout early and develop practical strategies to protect their wellbeing
Understand why 3 groups of fathers are at greater risk of poor mental health and how to better support them
Feel more confident starting supportive conversations with someone they're concerned about, without fear of saying the wrong thing
Explore how healthier models of masculinity can make parenting easier and positively impact the next generation
Who it's for

Organisations, leadership teams, HR and wellbeing professionals, employee resource groups, and every working dad – biological father, stepdad, foster parent, legal guardian or close relative – raising children while holding down a job.

Andrew delivering a session to a full room
How you can book it
Keynote
45–60 minutes
Interactive workshop
Half or full day
In-person or virtual
Delivery to suit your event
Tailored to your event
Duration flexible

If you need support now

This talk draws on lived experience and is educational – it is not medical or therapeutic advice. If you or someone you know needs support now:

Studio headshot of Andrew Pain
Andrew Pain speaking on the TEDx stage
Meet your speaker

Mental Health & Resilience Keynote Speaker

Andrew speaks from lived experience – warm, honest and human, with the experience to back it up.

  • TEDx speaker
  • Host of the Men on Show podcast (60 episodes)
  • Author of the book Honestly, Man
  • Member, International Coaching Federation
“I can't recommend Andrew highly enough. What stood out most was Andrew's ability to handle such sensitive and complex issues with both clarity and compassion. His delivery was engaging and grounded in lived experience, which made the content resonate powerfully with the team.”

Elizabeth Wanjiru

Director, Parent-Help

Bring this to your organisation

Ready to talk it through?

Tell us about your event and audience – we'll come back with availability and how Honestly, Dad could land for your people.

See all talks