Most people wear a mask.

Michael doesn’t.

In this episode of Real Unfiltered Dad Journeys, we strip away the polished version of fatherhood and talk about what life actually looks like.

From quitting alcohol and being diagnosed with ADHD and autism as an adult, to working in disability support, raising two daughters, dealing with grief, and rebuilding yourself one decision at a time—nothing is off limits.

We talk about the conversations men usually have behind closed doors: purpose, marriage, mental health, identity, and what it takes to become someone your kids can genuinely look up to.

No fake motivation. No pretending we’ve got it all figured out. Just two dads talking honestly about the wins, the failures, and everything in between.

In this episode:

* Why Michael walked away from alcohol

* Being diagnosed with ADHD & autism as an adult

* The reality of working in disability support

* Fatherhood beyond the clichés

* Marriage, purpose and becoming a better man

* Grief, mortality and making peace with life

* Mental health and why more men need to talk

If you’re a dad—or simply trying to become a better man—this conversation is for you.

Real stories. Real conversations. Real Unfiltered Dad Journeys.

Six months into fatherhood, Ben is already asking the big questions:

What kind of man do I want my son to remember?

From screaming babies and relationship pressure to business stress, burnout, cold showers, routines, and rebuilding yourself — this episode is raw, honest, and deeply reflective.

We talk about:

* Why fatherhood exposes who you really are

* Using kids as fuel instead of excuses

* Entrepreneurship and family balance

* Health, habits, discipline, and identity

* Becoming the “rock” for your family

* Why dads need to work on themselves too

No fake “perfect dad” nonsense.

Just two dads talking honestly about life, pressure, growth, and trying to become better humans.

Steve reconnects with Gary after more than 20 years—and the conversation gets real fast. Gary doesn’t sugarcoat anything: he became a dad in his mid-20s while serving in the Navy, spent long stretches away at sea, and later disappeared from his kids’ lives for years after a messy divorce. His words, not anyone else’s—“I was a crap dad.” No excuses.

They dig into what that actually feels like: guilt that never fully leaves, missed years you can’t get back, and the strange mix of pride and pain when you see your kids turn out well without you there. There’s a powerful moment where Gary talks about being pulled into the front row at his son’s wedding—feeling seen, but also carrying the weight of everything that came before.

The episode also hits hard on work and burnout. Gary shares how stress broke him to the point he’d get dressed for work… then spend the day hiding in the cinema. That moment forced a complete reset—he walked away from employment, built his own business, and started living on his terms.

Now? He’s softer. Kinder. More intentional. He talks about small things—making a proper cup of tea, watching birds, saying hello to strangers—and why they matter more than chasing status or money. His rule is simple: just be the nicest person in the room.

This is a raw conversation about masculinity, regret, and growth. About owning your mistakes without hiding. About aging without pretending you’ve got it all figured out. And about one honest hope:

That even if you got it wrong…

people might still say—you tried.