How To Be A Deliberate Dad, Showing Up For Yourself And Your Family | With Steve Cardwell

How To Be A Deliberate Dad, Showing Up For Yourself And Your Family | With Steve Cardwell

“If I’m sitting here in ten years thinking this exact same thing, I’ve no one to blame but myself.” -  Steve Cardwell In this episode of Feel Good — For Men Who Want Change, host Tim Barber sits down with Steve Cardwell, founder of Deliberate Dad, to unpack the moment that forced him off autopilot and into a life of deliberate choice. From a “Scotch egg” moment to the systems that help fathers reclaim time and presence, Steve shares a practical framework with his Deliberate Operating System, that helps dads set clear standards, simplify routines, and stay intentional through the chaos of parenting. They discuss what it means to be “deliberately selfish,” why balance is a myth, and how small, repeatable actions can lead to lasting transformation. If you’re a dad juggling work, family, and your own standards, this episode gives you realistic next steps and permission to experiment without guilt. 👉 Subscribe, share, and tag a dad who needs to stop living on autopilot. Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro & episode overview 00:01:34 - Checking in: life with a 3-year-old and 10-month-old 00:05:11 - The “Scotch Egg” moment: why Steve changed course 00:07:27 - Taking responsibility: hiring a coach & starting experiments 00:11:15 - Default (autopilot) vs Deliberate living — definitions and danger 00:19:53 - “Deliberately selfish”: why self-care helps you show up 00:23:33 - The Deliberate Operating System: clarity, systems, mindset 00:23:54 - Seasons of life: why balance isn’t the answer 00:29:52 - Micro-actions & momentum — simple experiments that compound 00:30:33 - Real talk: everyone’s on autopilot — it’s normal, but fixable 00:37:26 - Work & careers: practical conversations with employers 00:39:49 - Defining standards: a practical example (phone-off at pick-up) 00:44:02 - Action → Evidence → Bigger goals: the six-week approach 00:54:52 - Imperfect solutions are better than no solution (closing message) 00:57:26 - Where to find Steve (Deliberate Dad: website / socials / podcast) 00:58:34 - Host closing & key takeaway How to find us: If you’d like to learn more about The Feel Good Folk, head to the website. We offer coaching, content and community that will help you navigate healthy masculinity in today’s world. 🌐 https://www.thefeelgoodfolk.com Got questions, reflections from the episode, or just want to start a conversation? We’d love to hear from you. 📩 Reach out by email: info@thefeelgoodfolk.com 📱 Follow us on social: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thefeelgoodfolk/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feel-good-folk/ 👤 To connect directly with Tim: https://linkedin.com/in/tim-barber-i-frsa-29632b15 To connect directly with Steve, you’ll find him here: 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deliberatedad_/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevedeliberatedad/   🌐 Website: https://deliberate.dad/

Male Suicide And Breaking The Cycle | With Will Castle

In this episode of “Feel Good for Men Who Want Change”, Tim sits down with Will Castle - Movember ambassador, and executive producer of the powerful short film Heirlooms to talk about loss, legacy, and learning to speak about a different kind of grief. Will shares his story of growing up in a world of extreme privilege, private jets, polo matches, and the pressure to perform, and how that world was turned upside down at 22 when his father died by suicide. What followed was a decade of silence, self-medicating, and trying to “get on with life” while carrying unspoken grief and shame. Together, Tim and Will explore the unique pain of suicide bereavement, why so many men still struggle to ask for help, and how opening up through storytelling, community, and creativity, can be the first step toward healing. They also discuss Will’s short film Heirlooms, viewed over 3.5 million times, which shines a light on the intergenerational trauma of suicide and the importance of supporting those left behind. This is a brave, honest, and deeply human conversation about vulnerability, fatherhood, and what it really means to break the cycle. 🔑  Key Topics: - Growing up between wealth, work ethic, and emotional distance - His father’s death by suicide, and the day Will found out - Why he gave the eulogy, then went back to work the next day - The decade of silence that followed, and what finally changed - Movember, advocacy, and how speaking out became his therapy - How Heirlooms came to life—and why it’s resonated so widely - The ripple effects of suicide: shame, anger, and inherited pain - What needs to change in male friendships, fatherhood, and culture - Healthy masculinity and building new stories for our sons #MaleSuicidePrevention #HealthyMasculinity #SuicideBereavement #HeirloomsFilm #MenAndMentalHealth #Podcast First and most importantly, here's the link to the short film we discuss: https://www.willcastle.com/heirlooms Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode to help us grow this movement, man by man, story by story. How to find us: If you’d like to learn more about The Feel Good Folk, head to the website. We offer coaching, content and community that will help you navigate healthy masculinity in today’s world. 🌐 https://www.thefeelgoodfolk.com Got questions, reflections from the episode, or just want to start a conversation? We’d love to hear from you. 📩 Reach out by email: info@thefeelgoodfolk.com 📱 Follow us on social: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thefeelgoodfolk/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feel-good-folk/ 👤 To connect directly with Tim: https://linkedin.com/in/tim-barber-i-frsa-29632b15 How to find more about Will's work: Will is a speaker, campaigner and storyteller on Male Suicide 🌐 Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-castle-3172b82a/ 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willc239/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-castle-3172b82a/ The link to the short film Heirlooms we spoke about: https://www.willcastle.com/heirlooms If you found this episode insightful, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might benefit from this conversation.

Male Role Models In Early Education | With Claudio Sisera

In this episode of “Feel Good for Men Who Want Change”, Tim sits down with Claudio Sisera of Male Childcare and Teaching Jobs and a passionate advocate for getting more men into early years education. Claudio shares his remarkable journey, from arriving in London as a 19-year-old with no experience, to becoming a nursery manager, entrepreneur, and now leader of a growing movement to diversify the early years workforce. Together, they explore the powerful role male educators can play in shaping children’s views of gender, identity, and care. They also unpack the cultural stigmas that discourage men from entering the profession, and how policy and perception need to shift to create more inclusive, balanced environments for kids, staff, and families alike. This is an open and energising conversation about identity, belonging, and building a better model of masculinity, one classroom at a time. Key Topics: - Claudio’s personal journey into early years education - Why only 3% of the early years workforce in the UK is male - How early childhood is where gender stereotypes begin - The power of diverse role models, especially for boys - Stigma, trust, and challenges men face in nursery settings - What needs to change culturally, financially, and structurally, to attract more men - Healthy masculinity, vulnerability, and choosing purpose over prestige #HealthyMasculinity #MenInChildcare #EarlyYearsEducation #MaleRoleModels #Podcast Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode to help us grow this movement, man by man, story by story. How to find us: If you’d like to learn more about The Feel Good Folk, head to the website. We offer coaching, content and community that will help you navigate healthy masculinity in today’s world. 🌐 https://www.thefeelgoodfolk.com Got questions, reflections from the episode, or just want to start a conversation? We’d love to hear from you. 📩 Reach out by email: info@thefeelgoodfolk.com 📱 Follow us on social: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thefeelgoodfolk/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feel-good-folk/ 👤 To connect directly with Tim: https://linkedin.com/in/tim-barber-i-frsa-29632b15 How to find more on Claudio’s work: Claudio’s platform champions and supports men in early years education. 🌐 Website: https://malechildcareandteachingjobs.co.uk/ 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malechildcarejobs 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudio-sisera/ If you found this episode insightful, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might benefit from this conversation.

Breaking out of the Manosphere | A Journey to Emotional Maturity with Will Adolphy

In this episode of "Feel Good for Men Who Want Change", Tim sits down with Will Adolphy, a BACP registered psychotherapist and Managing Director of MPath, a company delivering Men’s mental health, emotional wellbeing & masculinity programmes designed to drive inclusion and allyship within organisations of all sizes. They delve into the complexities of the Manosphere, exploring how young men can be drawn into its allure and the societal pressures that shape masculinity. Will shares his personal journey from feeling disconnected to finding emotional maturity, offering insights into how we can foster healthier connections and redefine what it means to be a man in today's world. Join us for an open and honest conversation that challenges stereotypes and encourages reflection and growth. Key Topics: - Introduction to the Manosphere and its influence on young men - Will's personal story of transformation and growth - The importance of emotional maturity and connection - Strategies for fostering healthier masculinity in society. #HealthyMasculinity  #EmotionalMaturity  #Manosphere  #Podcast  #MentalHealth Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode to help us grow this movement, man by man, story by story. How to find us: If you’d like to learn more about The Feel Good Folk, head to the website. We offer coaching, content and community that will help you navigate healthy masculinity in today’s world. https://www.thefeelgoodfolk.com [https://www.thefeelgoodfolk.com/] If you’ve got questions, reflections from the episode, or just want to start a conversation, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out by email: info@thefeelgoodfolk.com You can also follow along and connect with us on social media, where we share updates, insights, and behind-the-scenes content: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thefeelgoodfolk/ [https://www.instagram.com/thefeelgoodfolk/]LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feel-good-folk/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feel-good-folk/] To connect directly with Tim, you’ll find him on LinkedIn here: https://linkedin.com/in/tim-barber-i-frsa-29632b15 [https://linkedin.com/in/tim-barber-i-frsa-29632b15] How to find more on Will's work: Below you can find Will's website, substack and instagram as mentioned in the show. Website: www.willadolphy.com Substack: https://wisdomforthenaxiousmind.substack.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psychwill  If you found this episode insightful, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might benefit from this conversation.

From Career Crisis to Men's Community | The Mensch Movement with Josh Fineman

In this episode of "Feel Good for Men Who Want Change," we sit down with Josh Fineman, founder of Mensch, a men's group rooted in local connection. Josh shares his transformative journey from a traditional career path to creating a supportive community for men seeking change. We delve into the challenges of redefining masculinity, the power of community, and the importance of finding one's true purpose. Join us as we explore how Josh's personal experiences and insights can inspire you to take action in your own life. Key Topics: - The journey from career crisis to community building  - The role of men's groups in fostering healthy masculinity  - Personal growth and finding authenticity  - The impact of local connections and community support #HealthyMasculinity  #CommunityBuilding  #PersonalGrowth  #JoshFineman  #MenschMovement Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode to help us grow this movement, man by man, story by story. How to find us: If you’d like to learn more about The Feel Good Folk, head to the website. We offer coaching, content and community that will help you navigate healthy masculinity in today’s world. https://www.thefeelgoodfolk.com [https://www.thefeelgoodfolk.com/] If you’ve got questions, reflections from the episode, or just want to start a conversation, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out by email: info@thefeelgoodfolk.com You can also follow along and connect with us on social media, where we share updates, insights, and behind-the-scenes content: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thefeelgoodfolk/ [https://www.instagram.com/thefeelgoodfolk/]LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feel-good-folk/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feel-good-folk/] To connect directly with Tim, you’ll find him on LinkedIn here: https://linkedin.com/in/tim-barber-i-frsa-29632b15 [https://linkedin.com/in/tim-barber-i-frsa-29632b15] How to find Josh: You can find all of the details on Josh's movement here: https://www.bemoremensch.com/  Follow him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-fineman-6b28846/ Follow him in Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/bemoremensch