Two Doting Dads with Matty J & Ash

This week the guys are flying solo without Vic, which means only one thing - another loose episode. 

The guys ask parents the one thing they’d love more of and without getting too political they think the solution is coffee.

Meanwhile Ash has some breaking news from Latvia & Matt has a hack for fixing his faulty freezer

But they're here to solve come more Doter Dilemmas and this week they tackle the tough topic of unfair dismissal when it comes to paid parental leave.

Remember, you can sign the petition her...

This week Ash has brought a brand new slang term to the pod and naturally, it’s all about the word penis. Now we just need to see if anyone else is actually willing to use it.

Ash also shares a few of the things that have helped him stay off the booze before turning his attention to the far more pressing issues of Oscar’s new haircut and how a seven-year-old somehow has enough money to pay for the family’s streaming services.

Over in Bondi, Matt's forking out big bucks for toys Poppy keeps...

This week we sit down with the man behind Choc’s Chats, Jake Cullen, who you might recognise from social media for his funny videos, which are suspiciously similar to Ash’s.

So naturally, the guys have a lot to talk about.

Choc and Ash actually have a very similar meet-cute to Matt and Ash… although there’s one fairly significant difference: they’ve pashed. On a work trip.

So prepare for some jealousy. Mostly from Matt.

But beneath the pashing and petty rivalry, Choc opens up about becoming a dad to 18-mont...

This week Ash is back from what he can only describe as the most disastrous holiday he’s ever been on.

But there was one silver lining - he and April had their fastest date ever… you genuinely won’t believe how fast.

Naturally, this leads the guys into an unexpected obsession with fajitas.

Meanwhile, Matt is coming to terms with the fact his little girl is growing up and has already outgrown something he never expected.

Plus, the guys have discovered a teacher’s error - could this be the first ti...

The guys have had a busy week. One minute they’re in Canberra lobbying politicians for more paid parental leave for dads, the next they’re accepting Father of the Year awards. Standard.

Then it's straight into the important Doter Dilemmas because it’s Housekeeping Day.

They address playground etiquette and the age-old question: when is it actually acceptable to go up the slide? Plus, is it OK to say no to the kids when you’ve got absolutely nothing left in the tank?

From Parliament House to the playground… just another week in the lif...

This might just be one of our most emotional episodes yet.

We’ve heard Ash’s sobriety story - the pain, the struggles and the voices in his head but today we hear from the person who was there through all of it: April.

From their binge-drinking teenage years, through their 20's and into parenthood, to Ash making the life-changing decision to give alcohol up in his 30's, April has had a front-row seat.

She opens up about what she did, what she didn’t do and what she’s learned about supporting someone...

Our favourite parenting expert Gen Muir is back, and the guys waste absolutely no time using her as their own personal parenting hotline.

The Oracle has also somehow found the time to write a whole new book, this one about boundaries,  so naturally she kicks off by setting a few with the guys.

This ep is packed with genuinely brilliant advice: the one question every parent should ask themselves before setting a boundary, why modern parenting feels so bloody confusing and what to do when your kids push back.

Basically, Gen is back t...

The guys are back and they’ve fallen straight into silly mode this week.

It starts with a roly-poly show from Macy-Moo, before Ash gets into a crazy water fight with a magpie threatening his mental health walks.

Matt has a hack for tired parents trying to keep their future plans in sight while stuck on the parenting hamster wheel, while also realising Poppy has entered the hardest parenting season yet. His angel baby is on the move.

Plus, with Father’s Day approaching, the guys get some very revealing messages from their kids...

This week, the guys are recovering from Book Week - the annual tradition of parents spending far too much time and money making costumes their children will wear once before deciding they hate them.

Who has the time when there are more parenting dilemmas to deal with?!

This week the boys attempt to answer (but not give advice) on:

Is it OK to ask another parent not to swear?

How do you tell a friend you don’t want your kids playing with their constantly sick kids?

Should you bu...

This week Ash opens up about something he’s NEVER told anyone and it all stems from this week’s breaking news about testicular pain. It’s got to be heard to be believed!

Meanwhile, Matt is getting an early start on the spring clean, trying to offload furniture he’s shocked no one wants to buy… or even take for free.

He’s also in the trenches helping the girls with their homework, putting their public-speaking skills to the test.

Plus Ash has a hack to give your glow-in-the-dark ooshies a glow-up and somethin...

This week the guys sit down with the baby whisperer himself, Dr Golly, Baby Bunting's newest ambassador.

Dr Golly has spent the last 20 years as a paediatrician, but he said it was becoming a dad himself that gave him his biggest lessons in the job because he realised just how hard babies can and how much they can shake up the entire family dynamic.

So, for the past decade, he’s gone deep on baby sleep and helping families work out what to do when nobody’s sleeping.

This is a must-listen for any...

This week, April leaves town and Ash quickly discovers how much she's holding the family operation together after the kids come dangerously close to burning the house down.

The guys admit they both use a questionable tactic to get the kids on side - in fact it could even be a parenting hack to use whenever things get desperate.

Meanwhile, Matt's battling parent guilt after his day alone with Poppy somehow turned into a struggle just to leave the house.

Plus, the guys declare war on ice packs. When did they become the...

We know the guys say they don’t give advice… but that hasn’t stopped them from giving plenty of it in this episode.

It’s Doter Dilemma Monday and the questions are coming in hot - what to do when strangers try to touch your baby, how to navigate friendships when your the first to become a parent and whether babies have any business being in Business Class.

Three dilemmas. Several questionable opinions. Absolutely no qualifications. Enjoy!

You can grab a copy of Ash's new book The Secret Ingredient here. 

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If y...

This week we’re celebrating Ash’s birthday... with a gorilla-gram, because why not?

Matt has become a godfather and now he’s finally got the son he’s always wanted. Naturally, he plans to shower the kid in gifts and a car is apparently not off the table.

Ash has been solo parenting while April is away and he’s discovered a genius trick to get the kids out the door. Naturally, it’s already backfired and of course screens are to blame.

It’s Open Education Week, which means yet another school event f...

This week the guys get schooled by author, actor, comedian, teacher and now new dad Ben Knight and for once, it’s not their kids doing the teaching.

Ben reveals what teachers really mean when they write those cryptic little comments on our kids’ report cards, and shares the one thing we should actually look for if we want to know whether we’re doing a decent job as parents.

He also gives the guys a fascinating insight into what school is really like from the teacher’s perspective, although becoming a dad himself has given Be...

This week the dads are handing kids' sport a straight red card after both finding themselves trapped in sporting situations they'd rather have escaped.

Matt spent hours stuck in a chaotic queue for a dance concert while Ash accidentally became Oscar's fill-in soccer coach.

What started as helping out somehow turned into inspiring the team... and now he's terrified they'll ask him to do it again.

The guys also unpack why more 18-year-olds are getting vasectomies (which, frankly, isn't great news for parenting podcasts).

Plus, Ash books himself in for some...

This week the guys are going against everything they've ever promised, diving headfirst into your parenting dilemmas... with a sprinkle of advice for the Doters.

💥 Does moving away from your best mate mean the friendship is destined for the group chat graveyard?

🚸 What age should kids be allowed to walk to school on their own?

🍺 And how on earth do you tell your partner it's time to ease up on the booze... without it backfiring?

As always, Ash has some seriously good advice that every couple could take something from.

Plus, M...

This week, Ash is up in arms over a betrayal of the highest order after walking in on his wife in... let's just say, a compromising position.

Meanwhile, Matt faces the ultimate dilemma: spend the evening watching a war documentary with his mum or having sex with Laura. You won't believe who wins.

Ash opens up about why he's changing the way he reacts to sport in front of Oscar, while Matt has an emotional conversation with his girls about heaven that might just leave you reaching for the tissues.

Plus, the best...

School's back, which means the guys are already feeling defeated by the daily lunchbox battle so they've called in the expert – qualified nutritionist Jules from The Bable (The Baby Food Bible) – to show them not only how to pack a healthy lunchbox the kids will actually eat but how to feed children confidently from babies right through to the school years.

With Matt navigating solids with Poppy, Jules shares everything any new parent needs to know about breastfeeding, introducing solids, baby-led weaning, fussy eaters, family meals and some genuinely game-changing lunchbox hacks that even the boys couldn't belie...

Ash has survived the school holidays… barely. With the entire household struck down sick for eight days, he became the designated nurse: cooking, cleaning, and running the ship solo. 

Matt's back from said Bali with tales of parent-child massages, the cruellest security camera prank ever played on a seven-year-old, and Ash shares the sacred flannel wash system for dodging Bali belly,

Matt and Ash also take aim at this year's report cards. Apparently every kid in New South Wales is just "satisfactory". Ash unveils his masterstroke of parenting: the family Uno ladder, a whiteboard scoring sys...

Matt's back from Bali and he's got beef... with the nonnas of this country, who apparently think it's fine to kiss children they've never met in airport elevators. Ash also unveiled the greatest travel hack of all time: April's buffet tackle box, a Kmart special that's fed the family for an entire holiday.

Matt and Ash also weigh in on the great plane seat debate, why the red-eye flight home is a rookie error, and whether telling your kids the screens are "broken" counts as good parenting (it does).

Plus, a Par-Rant about car park...

Matt's on the brink after a house full of nits and a swimming lesson that never happened. He's also discovered that entertaining a baby is a lot harder than it looks after realising he has no idea how to play with Poppy.

Despite being sick, Ash has loaded up on vitamins and is ready to vent, starting with the ever-growing list of foods Oscar has decided he's scared of.

Plus, the annoying things kids do that are actually signs you're nailing parenting, and the parenting faux pas Matt says you'll regret if you don't avoid...

Confession: we thought we knew how periods worked. We absolutely did not.

This week we're getting a proper education from Jackie from The Nourished Cycle.

She schools us on every stage of the menstrual cycle including why we really need to know when the luteal phase is, why PMS isn't as simple as we've been led to believe and how we can better prepare our daughters for when that first period arrives.

There were plenty of genuine mind-blown moments in this one and whether you're raising daughters, living with a woman or just...

Ash is sick, in denial that school holidays have started and has a newfound respect for every woman who's ever had an epidural after seeing the size of that needle.

Meanwhile, Matt's just landed from the Gold Coast and is already off to Bali (must be nice), but not before spiralling over the family plane seating plan.

The guys tackle the screen time debate, why parents might be getting pocket money all wrong, the canteen gossip that's draining your wallet, and why a dad settling a baby in public gets a standing ovation while mums...

Ash's sick, so naturally the episode goes completely off the rails.

This week we're discussing the deeply concerning music our kids know all the words to, whether there's an acceptable playlist for sex (and just how much mood lighting is too much), plus a Doter Hack from a listener who's found a genius way to get the kids out the door in the morning.

Then we tackle the debate that's got parents arguing online: should a dad have used the women's toilets to help his young daughters?

It's a bit of a mixed...

This week, Ash takes Oscar on a trip to make some core memories which might just earn him Dad of the Year.

Meanwhile, Matt is trying to avoid kicking off another sibling rivalry while celebrating Marlie's birthday, but one very unimpressed child isn't exactly sold on the entertainment.

Plus the boys settle the debate on Australia's favourite biscuit, say goodbye to one of our OG listeners and finally retire one of the worst nappy bags we've ever seen (sorry, Vic).

And Ash has a new book! You can preorder it here

...

We've had plenty of parenting experts on the podcast lately and while we've loved every bit of advice they've shared, today's guest brings something just as valuable.

Jackson Wray isn't a doctor or parenting guru. But he's an expert in showing up every day for his daughter, Frankie.

Frankie is four years old and lives with severe cerebral palsy, blindness and epilepsy. While many might expect Jackson's story to be one of heartbreak, it's actually one filled with love, gratitude and positivity.

Together with his wife Alex, Jackson shares glimpses into their family's...

The boys are getting sentimental this week - after three years of recording everywhere from kitchen tables to borrowed spaces, they're finally settling into their very own podcast studio and enjoying the fruits of their labour.

Ash shares the full, gruesome story behind his recent tooth extraction and how he narrowly escaped the clutches of the "tooth salesman".

While, Matty is deep in the trenches of solo parenting, battling exhaustion, endless responsibilities, and two daughters who have somehow negotiated permanent residency in his bed.

Plus, the songs that made us cry, the unexpected...

It's another Housekeeping episode and the boys are tackling one of parenting's toughest questions: should footy ever come before fatherhood?

Matty reveals he's been flying solo while Laura and Nanna are away, so Vic suggests a little "tandem parenting" to help get through the chaos.

Meanwhile, Ash's snack monster tendencies strike again, this time putting Oscar's birthday lolly bags in serious jeopardy.

Plus, the boys weigh in on the latest breaking news from the pram parking front.

If you need a shoulder to cry on: 

Two Doting Dads Facebook G...

Ash is having a rough week. Not only is he battling a toothache, but it also cost him a shot at some much-needed romance.

He's also got an all-time "poonami" story after literally following his nose to discover one of his kids was hiding a nasty surprise.

Meanwhile, Matt is flying solo on parenting duties and soaking up all the praise, while testing what he believes is a groundbreaking parenting hack - strategically offloading his kids onto families they meet at the park.

Plus, the boys go head-to-head on a parenting debate that...

This Men's Health Week (from June 15), we're turning the spotlight onto dads. Because when's the last time you asked a new father how he's really doing?

Findings from Movember's More Than A Provider report reveal that 1 in 5 dads feel more isolated or lonely since having kids. The study also found that fathers are 2–3 times more likely to experience mental health challenges than the average man.

In this episode, the boys sit down with Dr Zac Seidler — a clinical psychologist, leading men's mental health researcher, and new dad himself — to unpack what men are really going throug...

This week the boys are divided over pet names - Ash says they’re pure ick, while Matt’s fully committed to the cringe.

Then things escalate when Ash roasts the way Matt talks to his kids… until Matt produces actual evidence of Ash using a very different voice with Macy. Hypocrite or justified baby chat? We’ll let the Doters decide.

Matt and Ash went head-to-head in a fierce battle for tickets to State of Origin Game 2 in Melbourne. You'll have to listen to find out who came out on top. If you want to join...

We’re back with another housekeeping ep and the boys are ripping through the to-do list this week — from parenting lies and par-rants to a couple of doter dilemmas thrown in for good measure.

The guys unpack the backlash around “new baby on board” commuter badges… and let’s just say they’ve got thoughts.

They also launch an investigation into the most spirit-breaking kids toys ever invented - particularly the ones lovingly gifted by certain mothers-in-law. 

Matty reflects on his early newborn days and the loneliness that can hit when there’s no dads group or...

This week, we're laying all our worst habits on the table.

From snoring to bath-time dinners and a comment that quickly veered into dangerous territory, the boys aren't exactly covering themselves in glory. 

Add in a stressful studio fit-out and a few petty squabbles and things are getting a little tense.

Meanwhile, Nanna's battling a mountain of washing thanks to the endless rain, while Ash puts his secret first-aid skills to the test after Macy takes a tumble.

Plus, one of the smartest breakfast parenting hacks we've heard in ages.

Today's guest is an absolute legend when it comes to understanding boys... and judging by this chat, parents too.

Tim French is a father of two boys, a teacher, and now a parent educator who's helped countless young men find their feet when they've lost their way.

He's seen struggling teenagers become school captains and says the key isn't tougher parenting or stricter rules — it's connection. A common interest, a shared goal, and adults who genuinely care.

In this episode, Tim shares practical advice on how to talk to boys in a way th...

Cover your kids ears for this ep because there's a whole lotta adults only chat on board.

Matt's girls walked in on something he'd rather they hadn't (don't worry, it's not as bad as it sounds).

Ash's all hot under the collar because April's doing party pumps.

Plus we debate the great parenting dilemma: is a child-free holiday self-care or selfish?

And one of the all-time smartest dinner hacks with kids.

Consider yourself a smart shopper? Take the ALDI IQ Test today at www.IQ.ALDI.com.au and...

This week the guys are tackling the big questions facing Australia... and it's all centred around a beloved birthday party ritual that seems to have fallen by the wayside.

Ash also thanks everyone for their outpour of support for his sobriety journey but there's one Doter letter that leads him down a rabbit hole.

Plus Matt digs a little deeper into why Ash still feels like he's going through the biggest break-up of his life.

It's another emotional ep so grab the tissues and settle in.

If this chat raises any...

This week the boys are carrying on like feuding brothers who’ve just been told they need to share a bedroom.

There’s tension over paint samples, furniture choices and the studio fit-out, forcing Vic to step-in and split them up.

Meanwhile, Vic gives the guys a much-needed education on geriatric pregnancies and period cycles… because, unsurprisingly, they are deeply clueless.

Ash is convinced he may be raising a child prodigy & there’s a song that could be giving Oscar an unfair competitive advantage.

And Matt’s feeling slightly sheepish after caving on...

You might remember Holly Nicholson from winning the heart of Pilot Jimmy on The Bachelor - but these days her biggest challenge is negotiating with a toddler and surviving motherhood on minimal sleep.

Since finding reality TV love, Holly’s gotten married, had baby Lenny and built a loyal following by sharing the very real side of mum life… and not just the cute Instagram bits.

From toddler meltdowns to the relentless chaos of raising a tiny human, Holly’s refreshingly honest about the parts of motherhood that are messy, mundane and occasionally make you questio...

This week there’s a LOT of pent-up frustration… and for once the kids aren’t entirely to blame.

Ash is convinced Bluey is ruining his life, Matt’s at war with the latest pet Marlie’s brought home and a faulty door lock has officially cock-blocked Matt and Laura.

The boys bond over the one baby product they’re sick of seeing dumped on the side of the road.

Plus more things we were ridiculously confident about before becoming parents… back when we still had free time, energy and sex lives.

Consider you...