Australian music icons Human Nature have spent more than three decades entertaining audiences around the world, selling millions of albums and performing alongside legends like Michael Jackson and Celine Dion. But behind the fame, the four bandmates have another important role in common: being dads.

In this special episode of The Parenting Police, Sean Szeps sits down with all four members of Human Nature for a hilarious, heartfelt and surprisingly revealing conversation about fame, family and fatherhood.

The group opens up about the personal experiences that have shaped their lives: Toby Allen opens up about navigating the pressures of being a gay man in a successful boy band and the emotional journey of surrogacy and becoming a father; Phil Burton details moving his family back to Australia from Las Vegas; Andrew Tierney reveals the importance faith has on his family and Michael Tierney talks about spending nearly four decades working alongside his brother.

All four share candid stories about marriage, traumatic childbirth, raising teenagers, sibling rivalries and the challenges of balancing family life with an extraordinary music career. The boys also reflect on their 37 years together, the lessons they've learned along the way and the stories behind their new book, Only Human: Harmony Through the Hits and Hard Times.

Join the conversation! Add #TheParentingPolice to your social post.

LINKS :

• Follow @humannaturelive on Instagram
• The book Only Human: Harmony Through the Hits and Hard Times is available now
• Latest Human Nature news and tour dates here

MORE FROM SEAN SZEPS:

• Watch The Parenting Police on YouTube
• Follow Sean (@seanszeps) on Instagram
• Like Sean on Facebook

CREDITS:

• Host: Sean Szeps
• Guests: Human Nature (Toby Allen, Phil Burton, Andrew & Michael Tierney)
• Video Producer/Editor: Aidan Parkes
• Audio Producer: Adrian Walton
• Theme song co-written and produced by Josh Pyke
• Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden
• Managing Producer: Ceci Herbert
• Follow @novapodcastsofficial on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are kids’ birthday parties getting completely out of control?

In this episode of The Parenting Police, Sean Szeps is joined by podcaster Amy Gerard to unpack the growing pressure on parents to throw bigger, better and more expensive birthday parties for their children.

From the humble backyard celebration with fairy bread to extravagant parties costing thousands of dollars, they explore how social media, parent guilt and the pressure to keep up have transformed a simple childhood milestone into a potentially stressful and expensive event. They're asking the questions: is the average $700 birthday party really necessary — and are we celebrating our kids, or trying to impress other parents?

Sean and Amy get into the birthday party competition, the expectations placed on modern parents, and what children actually want when it comes to their special day. They also share practical ways to take the pressure off, rethink birthday traditions and create meaningful celebrations without breaking the bank.

Join the conversation! Add #TheParentingPolice to your social post.

LINKS :

• Follow @amy.gerard on Instagram
• Check out Amy's podcast 'Beyond The Chaos'

MORE FROM SEAN SZEPS:

• Watch The Parenting Police on YouTube
• Follow Sean (@seanszeps) on Instagram
• Like Sean on Facebook

CREDITS:

• Host: Sean Szeps
• Guest: Amy Gerard
• Video Producer/Editor: Aidan Parkes
• Theme song co-written and produced by Josh Pyke
• Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden
• Managing Producer: Ceci Herbert
• Follow @novapodcastsofficial on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are we raising boys all wrong? Are toy guns, superheroes and rough-and-tumble play harmless fun, or could they be shaping the men our sons become?

In this episode of The Parenting Police, Sean Szeps is joined by parenting expert, bestselling author and mum of four boys Gen Muir to investigate the world of boys' toys, masculinity and what it really takes to raise kind, confident and emotionally intelligent boys.

From LEGO and superheroes to Nerf guns and pretend fighting, Gen challenges common parenting fears and explores how play can help children develop empathy, creativity, social skills and connection. They also unpack gender stereotypes, the growing anxiety around toxic masculinity, and why boys aren't born with less empathy than girls — but may need more support learning how to express their emotions.

Plus, Gen shares a simple family ritual that gets even the most reluctant kids talking about their feelings.

This is a funny, honest and reassuring conversation that challenges what we think we know about raising boys, and reminds parents that there's nothing wrong with letting kids be themselves.

LINKS :

• Follow @connectedparentingau on Instagram
• More from Gen Muir: connectedparenting.com.au
• Get the High Low Buffalo cards
• Get Gen's latest book 'Why Kids Need Boundaries: A parent’s guide to reducing the overwhelm and increasing connection by setting limits that work'
• Check out Gen's podcast 'Beyond The Chaos'

MORE FROM SEAN SZEPS:

• Watch The Parenting Police on YouTube
• Follow Sean (@seanszeps) on Instagram
• Like Sean on Facebook

CREDITS:

• Host: Sean Szeps
• Guest: Gen Muir
• Video Producer/Editor: Aidan Parkes
• Theme song co-written and produced by Josh Pyke
• Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden
• Managing Producer: Ceci Herbert
• Follow @novapodcastsofficial on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.