It’s Good to Talk: Mental Load, Masculinity & The Power of Conversation with Aidan Kyrke-Smith

How often do dads get real about what’s going on in their heads?In this episode, I sit down with Aidan Kyrke-Smith, founder of Dadventure, to unpack the often-unspoken world of fatherhood, masculinity, and the invisible mental load that dads carry.From late-night worries to guilt around “who has it harder,” Aidan shares insights from years of working with dads who are desperate for deeper conversations, but don’t always feel they have permission to start them.We speak about:· Why the mental load of fatherhood is so rarely discussed.· The myths around masculinity that keep men quiet.· How to start meaningful conversations with your partner (without turning it into a competition).· Simple, low-stakes ways to talk about fatherhood with your mates.· Why workplaces need to rethink flexibility and culture for parents.· How sharing “what it feels like to be you right now” can transform relationships.Resources Discussed· Dadventure: https://www.dadventure.net/Connect with EmmaThis podcast was funded and created by Emma Mclean, the founder of Works for Everyone.Emma Mclean is a mum of three and founder of Works for Everyone, a professional development business that partners with NZ's leading corporates to help them retain and grow their working parent talent. She does this through innovative leadership programmes, executive coaching and keynote speaking. She founded her business in 2019 following a 20-year career in corporate strategy where she experienced first-hand how hard it was to have a career and a family.As an impatient optimist when it comes to system change, she launched her successful podcast “How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty” in 2023 where she talks to humans who are actively working to change the system that creates financial penalties that only mothers pay. And in 2024 she launched the first NZ Part Time Power List – to shine a light on those senior roles in NZ that are career building, not side stepping." To work with Emma or enquire about speaking – [email protected] www.worksforeveryone.co.nz https://www.instagram.com/worksforeveryone/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-mclean-9176217/