In this deeply personal episode, Justin sits down with Matthew Cheal-a management professional who's spent his career fixing broken organisations, but discovered that life's biggest challenges can't be solved with an org chart. From navigating the emotional rollercoaster of eleven rounds of IVF to rebuilding after divorce, Matt shares how he's learned that true strength isn't about having all the answers-it's about asking for help.

Matt opens up about the journey from tech school to McDonald's management, the compassion he discovered while working in community services, and why being a father requires a completely different kind of resilience than any workplace ever taught him. With refreshing honesty (and a few confessions about his relationship with clothes pegs and McDonald's bag-folding), this conversation explores what it means to be a non-anxious presence in your home while carrying your own anxiety, and why the most powerful thing a man can say is simply: "I need help."

Whether you're navigating major life transitions, struggling with fertility challenges, or just trying to figure out how to be present for your family when you're running on 25% battery, this episode offers hard-won wisdom wrapped in genuine friendship and a shared love of Formula One.

In this deeply personal episode, Justin sits down with Matthew Cheal-a management professional who's spent his career fixing broken organisations, but discovered that life's biggest challenges can't be solved with an org chart. From navigating the emotional rollercoaster of eleven rounds of IVF to rebuilding after divorce, Matt shares how he's learned that true strength isn't about having all the answers-it's about asking for help.
Matt opens up about the journey from tech school to McDonald's management, the compassion he discovered while working in community services, and why being a father requires a completely different kind of resilience than any workplace ever taught him. With refreshing honesty (and a few confessions about his relationship with clothes pegs and McDonald's bag-folding), this conversation explores what it means to be a non-anxious presence in your home while carrying your own anxiety, and why the most powerful thing a man can say is simply: "I need help."
Whether you're navigating major life transitions, struggling with fertility challenges, or just trying to figure out how to be present for your family when you're running on 25% battery, this episode offers hard-won wisdom wrapped in genuine friendship and a shared love of Formula One.

Father Figures is a podcast designed for fathers, hosted by two experienced dads with diverse parenting backgrounds. Justin, a pastor and father of five, and Heath, a single parent and comic, discuss fatherhood through a Christian faith perspective. They aim to make fathering and faith real, relatable, and relational, offering listeners practical advice, wisdom, and encouragement.

Father Figures is a podcast designed for fathers, hosted by two experienced dads with diverse parenting backgrounds. Justin, a pastor and father of five, and Heath, a single parent and comic, discuss fatherhood through a Christian faith perspective. They aim to make fathering and faith real, relatable, and relational, offering listeners practical advice, wisdom, and encouragement.

Father Figures

When the Fixer Needs Fixing: Matthew Cheal on Parenting, Loss, and Learning Vulnerability

In this season finale of Father Figures, Justin and Heath reflect on what makes change worthwhile as parents navigating the constant evolution of family life. From discovering new levels of exhaustion to learning when to hold on and when to let go, they explore the delicate balance between providing for our families and finding moments of peace for ourselves.

The conversation meanders through childhood concert memories (Amy Grant and Elton John, anyone?), the challenge of self-care when you're always "on," and how understanding our kids' neurodiversity helped them understand themselves better. They discuss the pressure of following up "perfect days" with ordinary Tuesdays, the wisdom of sitting still, and why becoming a "non-anxious presence" might be the most important gift we can give our children.

With their signature mix of depth and lightheartedness, Justin and Heath wrap up the season by examining what it means to mature continuously as fathers—learning to stop trying to fix everything, embracing boredom as a form of peace, and discovering that wherever you go, there you are.

Perfect for parents in the thick of it who need permission to stop, breathe, and maybe watch just thirty minutes of TV without guilt.

In this season finale of Father Figures, Justin and Heath reflect on what makes change worthwhile as parents navigating the constant evolution of family life. From discovering new levels of exhaustion to learning when to hold on and when to let go, they explore the delicate balance between providing for our families and finding moments of peace for ourselves.
The conversation meanders through childhood concert memories (Amy Grant and Elton John, anyone?), the challenge of self-care when you're always "on," and how understanding our kids' neurodiversity helped them understand themselves better. They discuss the pressure of following up "perfect days" with ordinary Tuesdays, the wisdom of sitting still, and why becoming a "non-anxious presence" might be the most important gift we can give our children.
With their signature mix of depth and lightheartedness, Justin and Heath wrap up the season by examining what it means to mature continuously as fathers&mdash;learning to stop trying to fix everything, embracing boredom as a form of peace, and discovering that wherever you go, there you are.
Perfect for parents in the thick of it who need permission to stop, breathe, and maybe watch just thirty minutes of TV without guilt.

Personal Pivots for Parents and Preachers

In this special episode of Father Figures, Justin sits down with his sons Noah (19), Luca (17), Ari (12), and Quinn (9) for an honest conversation about growing up male. Using Steve Biddulph's "Raising Boys" framework as a starting point, they discuss the three key developmental stages boys go through and explore questions about male role models, emotional intelligence, and what it's really like being raised in their household.From wrestling on the floor to navigating feelings, from memorable teachers to trusted mentors, the boys share their perspectives on everything from boundary-setting to whether their dad has done a "pretty awesome job" (spoiler: they're diplomatic). It's candid, funny, and full of the kind of authentic family dynamics you don't usually hear on podcasts—including Luca's light sensitivity struggles, AJ's take on affectionate vs. mean jokes between brothers, and Quinn's very strategic answer about his favourite parent.

Whether you're raising boys yourself or just curious about what father-son relationships look like in real time, this episode offers rare insight into how connection, correction, and just showing up shapes the next generation of men.

In this special episode of Father Figures, Justin sits down with his sons Noah (19), Luca (17), Ari (12), and Quinn (9) for an honest conversation about growing up male. Using Steve Biddulph's "Raising Boys" framework as a starting point, they discuss the three key developmental stages boys go through and explore questions about male role models, emotional intelligence, and what it's really like being raised in their household.From wrestling on the floor to navigating feelings, from memorable teachers to trusted mentors, the boys share their perspectives on everything from boundary-setting to whether their dad has done a "pretty awesome job" (spoiler: they're diplomatic). It's candid, funny, and full of the kind of authentic family dynamics you don't usually hear on podcasts&mdash;including Luca's light sensitivity struggles, AJ's take on affectionate vs. mean jokes between brothers, and Quinn's very strategic answer about his favourite parent.
Whether you're raising boys yourself or just curious about what father-son relationships look like in real time, this episode offers rare insight into how connection, correction, and just showing up shapes the next generation of men.

Steve Biddulph's Blueprint for Raising Boys: A Real Test with Four Sons

In this deeply honest conversation, musician and NDIS support worker Andrew Kitchen (Antiskeptic) sits down with host Justin to discuss his recent journey through chronic anxiety, the deconstruction of ego, and discovering what remains when achievement can no longer define you.

Andrew opens up about canceling his band's tour in November 2024 due to a severe anxiety episode, the wisdom his wife Katie offered about thirty years of buildup requiring more than twelve months to heal, and learning to recognize when his body was misinterpreting basic needs as anxiety. From his childhood as a pastor's kid to his work helping others write songs through the NDIS, Andrew reflects on the pastoral heart that runs through both his music and his mental health journey.

This episode explores the reality of middle-aged fatherhood, the challenge of "limping in public" as musician Ben Harper encouraged him to do, and the semicolon movement for those who've faced suicidal ideation. Andrew shares the tattoos on his arms written in Star Wars Aurebesh script—"beauty from brokenness" and "strength in dependence"—and how these themes have become the anchors of his life.

For fathers navigating their own mental health struggles, those supporting loved ones through anxiety, or anyone reconsidering what defines them beyond their achievements, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom, practical encouragement, and the reminder that sometimes "this is all I have left" is exactly where transformation begins.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of mental health challenges, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.

In this deeply honest conversation, musician and NDIS support worker Andrew Kitchen (Antiskeptic) sits down with host Justin to discuss his recent journey through chronic anxiety, the deconstruction of ego, and discovering what remains when achievement can no longer define you.
Andrew opens up about canceling his band's tour in November 2024 due to a severe anxiety episode, the wisdom his wife Katie offered about thirty years of buildup requiring more than twelve months to heal, and learning to recognize when his body was misinterpreting basic needs as anxiety. From his childhood as a pastor's kid to his work helping others write songs through the NDIS, Andrew reflects on the pastoral heart that runs through both his music and his mental health journey.
This episode explores the reality of middle-aged fatherhood, the challenge of "limping in public" as musician Ben Harper encouraged him to do, and the semicolon movement for those who've faced suicidal ideation. Andrew shares the tattoos on his arms written in Star Wars Aurebesh script&mdash;"beauty from brokenness" and "strength in dependence"&mdash;and how these themes have become the anchors of his life.
For fathers navigating their own mental health struggles, those supporting loved ones through anxiety, or anyone reconsidering what defines them beyond their achievements, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom, practical encouragement, and the reminder that sometimes "this is all I have left" is exactly where transformation begins.
Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of mental health challenges, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.

When the Fixer Needs Fixing: Matthew Cheal on Parenting, Loss, and Learning Vulnerability

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