Dad Mind Matters: Parenting, Marriage & Mental Health For Men

About Dad Mind Matters: Parenting, Marriage & Mental Health For Men

Hello, I'm James Macdonald and a decade ago, I was stressed and overwhelmed at my role as a husband and (exhausted) father of 3, not really knowing how to be the best man I could be. Many years, pitfalls and enough flat whites to sink a battleship later, I’m a lot happier and confident and on a mission to help other dads be the best family man they can be without losing their minds. Dad's Mental Health is for all dads who sometimes feel overwhelmed at their responsibility and feel like their mental health may be on a slow and silent decline. For the men who always feel like they’re in the doghouse but don’t know why. Here you’ll learn effective and actionable ways to deal with things such as toddler tantrums, passive aggressive partners and hopefully getting more happiness and laughter into your life. You are not alone in how you are feeling, and in Dad's Mental Health you will find a much-needed place where hopefully you’ll realise that you're doing much better than anyone, including you, is giving you credit for. With new advice and stories every week you can learn to safely navigate family life AND have a laugh, all in the time it takes you to walk to the shop on your completely made mission to get milk. If you’re ready to be the happier, more confident family man you know you can be, scroll up and click ‘FOLLOW’.

Publisher

James Macdonald

Category

education · kids & family · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Oct 2022

Latest episode

20 May 2025

Latest episodes

350 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 May 2025

   #323 | From US Military to BJJ Black Belt & Dad - Listen To This INCREDIBLE Journey - Dad's Mental Health

   Are you over 40 and training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? Thinking of starting BJJ later in life or wondering if you’re too old to roll? In this inspiring and honest conversation, we speak with a BJJ black belt who began his journey after already earning a black belt in Hapkido and got completely humbled by a 16-year-old on the mats. To check out Saad's superb YouTube Channel visit this link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvOmFELNVojX7N_ahDDVieQ (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvOmFELNVojX7N_ahDDVieQ) 🥋 Topics Covered: How long it really takes to get a BJJ black belt (especially when starting after 40) Is it easier to get promoted today vs the early 2000s? The emotional and ego challenges of starting over as a white belt What it's like being a beginner again in your 40s Why so many older men feel lost during their BJJ journey—and how to push through it Training BJJ as a military veteran and moving between schools with no black belts 💭 Whether you’re a brown belt wondering if you’re ready, or just a 45-year-old white belt getting smashed weekly, this video speaks directly to older BJJ students who refuse to quit. Dad's Mental Health Podcast 👉 Follow for weekly episodes packed with relatable stories, mental health tips, and a healthy dose of humour. 📩 Want to share your story or join James on a future episode? Email: mydadmissions@gmail.com (mailto:mydadmissions@gmail.com) To buy my book click this link First Time Dad (https://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Time-Dad-Confident-Pregnancy/dp/173932160X) ABOUT THE HOST Hello, I'm James & not long ago, I was a very anxious and somewhat overwhelmed husband & dad. After about a decade of setbacks & enough coffee to sink a ship, I’m a much happier dad. As previously mentioned, I want to try & help other dads be the best they can without losing their mental health. Mental health battles are something I am all too familiar with. In 2010, my GP suggested I do a 12-week CBT course with the NHS. During this course, I was diagnosed as having Pure OCD, which explained a lot. To Buy My Audiobook, First Time Dad, Click this link (https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/First-Time-Dad-Audiobook/B0CGY588HP?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp) USEFUL RESOURCES For your free digital copy of my book One Dad & His Dog Please click this link (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BfWlRM0vSUy2gIG-SIjx4hcjt29zI3zq?usp=drive_link) Again to be double awesome & leave a review on Amazon Please click this link (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1739321618) Affiliate links If you're a content creator looking to try some state of the art production & editing software you really need to check out Descript. Descript has made my life so so much easier. It's AI clever ness makes everything so much quicker which leaves me more time to make up some genuinely terrible Ukulele songs. Click here to check out Descript (https://get.descript.com/muutj8mmufzb) Looking for a new hosting platform with amazing analytics? Try Captivate: Get A FREE - 7 Day Trial Here (https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=mgjhotf) Wanna Help? If you want to help me develop this podcast please let a friend know about it. I hear you, no one has any spare time so...

2. 

   14 May 2025

   #322 | How To Rescue A Sexless Marriage & Improve Your Connection - Dad's Mental Health

   Are you showing up in your marriage the way you did when you were dating or have you both slowly shifted into the roommate zone? Many couples struggle with emotional distance, dwindling intimacy, or feeling unappreciated not because they’ve fallen out of love, but because they’ve stopped intentionally pursuing each other. This episode unpacks a powerful framework to reignite connection, deepen trust, and bring back the fun, without waiting for "the mood" to strike. In this episode, you will: 1) Discover why serving your partner without prerequisites can transform emotional and physical intimacy. 2) Learn how to redefine and measure success in your relationship using five simple, actionable routines. 3) Understand how mutual pursuit—planned with intention—can revive joy, connection, and lasting friendship in your marriage. Tap play now to learn the practical steps that can take your marriage from autopilot to intentional, connected, and thriving. Dad's Mental Health Podcast 👉 Follow for weekly episodes packed with relatable stories, mental health tips, and a healthy dose of humour. 📩 Want to share your story or join James on a future episode? Email: mydadmissions@gmail.com (mailto:mydadmissions@gmail.com) To buy my book click this link First Time Dad (https://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Time-Dad-Confident-Pregnancy/dp/173932160X) ABOUT THE HOST Hello, I'm James & not long ago, I was a very anxious and somewhat overwhelmed husband & dad. After about a decade of setbacks & enough coffee to sink a ship, I’m a much happier dad. As previously mentioned, I want to try & help other dads be the best they can without losing their mental health. Mental health battles are something I am all too familiar with. In 2010, my GP suggested I do a 12-week CBT course with the NHS. During this course, I was diagnosed as having Pure OCD, which explained a lot. To Buy My Audiobook, First Time Dad, Click this link (https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/First-Time-Dad-Audiobook/B0CGY588HP?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp) USEFUL RESOURCES For your free digital copy of my book One Dad & His Dog Please click this link (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BfWlRM0vSUy2gIG-SIjx4hcjt29zI3zq?usp=drive_link) Again to be double awesome & leave a review on Amazon Please click this link (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1739321618) Affiliate links If you're a content creator looking to try some state of the art production & editing software you really need to check out Descript. Descript has made my life so so much easier. It's AI clever ness makes everything so much quicker which leaves me more time to make up some genuinely terrible Ukulele songs. Click here to check out Descript (https://get.descript.com/muutj8mmufzb) Looking for a new hosting platform with amazing analytics? Try Captivate: Get A FREE - 7 Day Trial Here (https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=mgjhotf) Wanna Help? If you want to help me develop this podcast please let a friend know about it. I hear you, no one has any spare time so here's an email template you could use. Thanks in advance James Dear "dad mate" I've just started listening to a podcast on apple podcasts for dads, which I think you might like. It covers dad friendly

3. 

   7 May 2025

   #007 | A Difficult Pause: Thank You & What's Next for Dad’s Mental Health

   In this heartfelt episode, James shares some personal news with the Dad’s Mental Health community. After recently losing his job, James is facing tough financial times and, as a result, is unable to continue hosting the podcast—at least for now. He reflects on the journey so far, thanks the guests and listeners who’ve supported the show, and expresses deep gratitude for everyone who’s been part of it. Though the podcast will pause after May 2025, James remains committed to supporting dads and promoting mental health conversations. 🎥 Stay Connected: James will continue creating free content on YouTube, including discussions around mental health and his journey with jiu-jitsu. 🔗 Dad Mind Matters on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@dadmindmatters) 🙏 Thank you for being part of the journey. Take care, and wherever you are—James hopes you're doing okay.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.6 / 5

16 ratings

Spotify

4.5 / 5

10 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 64 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

93

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

85

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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