Man Mum

Today's episode is a conversation with Joseph Solomon. Joseph is a senior public servant who took two and a half years out from his career to care for his three children. He has a lot of wisdom about fatherhood and parenting, and I'm delighted to share it with you.

In today's episode I talk to professor of philosophy, Dr J.P. Messina. We talk about philosophy's usefulness for understanding and assessing norms and decisions, especially in times of crisis. The launching point for the conversation was a discussion of how Immanuel Kant's moral philosophy could help us to respond to government messaging around Covid-19 and isolation. Early in the pandemic, NZ Prime Minister, Jacinta Ardern told New Zealnders to "Act as if you have Covid-19". Other leaders, including Boris Johnson, took up this formula. It was undoubtedly an effective piece of political communciation. But how does it measure up as a categorial rule for conduct?

Today’s episode is a conversation with Nick Tarr, another (much more experienced) man mum. Nick gives a really thoughtful account of why he chose to do what he’s doing and how he goes about it.

In today's episode of The Good Stuff, I talk to the very talented and accomplished physiotherapist Maree Hohaia of HEALINGHANZ. We talk about what physiotherapy is; why it makes the world a better place; what it's like to have a profession that is a science, an art and a craft all at the same time; why it's better to see a physio than a doctor if you have a biomechanical injury; access to healthcare; the fascinating world of human movement; and much more.

Today's episode is another follow-on from a Tea With Alice episode. We ask the question: if you espouse a consequentialist ethic (we should do what we can to enhance net human wellbeing), how does being a full time parent measure up? We muse about the utility of being a full time parent vs using your talents to pursue other ends.

This is the second half of a conversation from the Tea with Alice podcast.We talk about freedom of expression on the internet and why I don’t want to talk about it; the need for our social and political concerns to encompass the recognition and preservation of stuff that works as well as the finding and solving of problems; the sci fi world where it’s normal to send your babies away at 3 months; and woke children’s books.

In today’s episode I speak with my friend, Dr Andreas Kisling Harris. I loved this conversation and hope you do too. He’s a scientist who started out as a theoretical physicist and worked his way into the field of bacterial genetic engineering. He’s working on a technology that would harness the 'chemical warfare' that goes on between bacteria, in order to extract new antibiotics and industrial chemicals. We talk about his fascinating path to what he’s doing; the advantages of a scientific education; cross-disciplinary study; the problems and strengths of scientific institutions; the things that allow him to do what he's doing; the amazing - mostly untapped - potential of bacteria to provide us with useful chemicals; and much more. 

In today’s episode I talk with Sam Hitchings, a high school classics teacher. In the course of our discussion about Classics, we discuss literacy and numeracy, self development, value frameworks and how to learn from cultures whose values are now out of date, favours and co operation, ethics, children’s open-mindedness, the value of variety in learning, and the funding of private schools. 

In this episode I make an exciting announcement, then turn to a couple of wrinkles in my relationship, as a man mum, with power and status.

In today’s episode I talk about what is best about being a man mum; and how the worst and best things are often closely connected.

In today’s episode I talk about how swearing stifles expressive capabilities. That’s why it’s a problem when public discussion becomes more coarse; and also why we’re right to try not to expose our children to bad language.

In today’s episode I answer two listener questions: how do you maintain work and social relationships with so much less time on your hands; and is this challenge harder for introverts or extroverts?

Today’s episode is a listicle-style cast about the physical ups and downs of a stay-at-home father’s life.

In this episode I think about how the media and tools we use for communication shape our thinking and expression; and how this affects authenticity.

In this episode I talk about how women who hope to have children expect to take time out for work. They tend to plan their careers with this in mind; and men (like me) have not yet learned this.

In this episode, I talk about why I decided to become a full time, stay at home father; and how I deal with the occasional (or not so occasional) feelings of emasculation that come with the job.

In this first episode of the man-mum podcast I deal with the important issues: what’s a man-mum? And why have I succumbed to the cliché of producing parenting content?