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.
In plain words
Working dad
Anyone raising children while holding down a job – a biological father, stepdad, foster parent, legal guardian or close relative.
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.
The figures, and who publishes them
Every figure names its source, linked so you can check it.
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Roughly one in ten new fathers show symptoms of depression on a screening questionnaire in the year after their baby is born, according to an international review of 47 studies.
NHS advice on postnatal depression, which fathers and partners can have too (opens in a new tab)
What this session covers
The agenda, point by point
Everything your audience will move through – so you can judge the fit before you book.
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Fatherhood and burnout: why fatherhood is so tough, why we can feel so inadequate, and how we look out for each other.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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Recognise the signs of burnout early and develop practical strategies to protect their wellbeing
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Understand why 3 groups of fathers are at greater risk of poor mental health and how to better support them
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Feel more confident starting supportive conversations with someone they're concerned about, without fear of saying the wrong thing
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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.
Mental Health & Resilience Keynote Speaker
Andrew speaks from lived experience – warm, honest and human, with the experience to back it up.
Andrew Pain is a TEDx speaker with 25 years’ HR experience, and his credentials include CPD-accredited keynote programmes; Member, International Coaching Federation; and Campaigner of the Year 2023, Men and Boys Coalition.
- TEDx speaker .
- Host of the Men on Show podcast (60 episodes) .
- Author of the book Honestly, Man .
- Member, International Coaching Federation .
Formats & logistics
Shaped to fit your event.
Andrew tailors every talk to your audience, theme and time slot. Here's how the practical side usually works – tell him the room and he'll shape the rest.
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Talk length
Keynotes usually run 45 minutes to an hour, sometimes 90. Around two hours it becomes a workshop; longer than that is rare.
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Audience size
From an intimate group of 8–12 to a main-stage audience of 200–250. Interactive workshops usually sit around 40–70.
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AV & tech
Andrew works with whatever setup you have. And if the tech fails, the show still goes on – he'll present without slides.
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In-person or virtual
Delivered on-site or online, on the platform you already use – most often Teams or Zoom.
“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
Before you book
Frequently asked
What is Honestly, Dad about?
A humorous keynote, grounded in lived experience, that helps organisations understand what the dads they employ are going through, and gives fathers practical tools to connect with their kids when time is short.
Which three groups of dads are at risk?
New dads, dads of teenagers and separated dads. The talk covers how workplaces can look out for each of them.
Who is Honestly, Dad for?
Organisations, leadership teams, HR and wellbeing professionals, employee resource groups, and every working dad.
Is this talk medical or therapeutic advice?
No. The talk draws on lived experience and is educational – it is not medical or therapeutic advice. If you or someone you know needs support now, the helplines are on this page.
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.