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Daddy Issues

with Osher Günsberg, Amar Singh and Sean Szeps, moderated by Jamila Rizvi

10 March 2024

We already know a woman can do anything a man can do in the workplace, but real change will happen when a dad can do what a mum does in the home. Are we there yet? Nowhere near. But some dads are showing us that becoming a parent shouldn’t have to kill equality in a relationship. 

Co-curated by Bri Lee

I’m a different person… The kid's not the only person who grows when you become a parent.

Osher Günsberg

Get ready for some big dad energy

In days gone by, raising kids was a woman’s job and men were the breadwinners. Fast forward to 2024, and women are expected to work but men are only taking 12% of primary carer’s leave. 

So, is it because they don’t want to step into fatherhood, or because they’re not able to? And how is this new generation of dads dealing with the evolving role of care? What are the joys and challenges of parenting in a world of changing labour conditions and work-from-home environments? This conversation will span being a queer dad, managing mental health, negotiating time pressures, and being present. Pull up a chair and listen to some of the best dads leading the way for other men to do more, too.

Presented by Sydney Opera House

 

If parents aren’t talking out loud together on a regular basis about the rude realities of raising children, then how are we supposed to survive this roller-coaster ride?

Sean Szeps, Not Like Other Dads
Osher Günsberg (he/him)

30 years, four different names and 67 separate haircuts don’t begin to describe how Osher Günsberg became one of Australia’s most recognisable media personalities.


From his radio career in Brisbane, to music television in the 2000’s, seven seasons of Australian Idol and now as the host of The Bachelor and The Masked Singer - Osher has been a guest in Australian living rooms across generations. 

He’s one of Australia’s leading podcasters and is a passionate advocate for positive conversations around mental health and climate action.

Amar Singh (he/him)

Over the years, Amar Singh’s roles have been many and varied. He is a charity founder, social entrepreneur, diversity advocate and dedicated volunteer, and most recently, Amar’s efforts were recognised with a 2023 Australian of the Year Local Hero award – a title that he holds with pride.

Amar has become a respected community leader in Western Sydney and more broadly across New South Wales and the nation, where he, through his charity Turbans 4 Australia, goes above and beyond to support people and communities in need. 

Sean Szeps (he/him)

Sean Szeps is the funniest dad in Oz—or so his mom claims. A podcast host, writer, and content creator, Sean is renowned for unintentionally becoming an advocate through sharing his experiences as a gay husband raising boy-girl twins.

Originally from America, Sean made the move to Australia and found success hosting parenting podcasts like Spotify’s The Dad Kit and Mamamia’s The Baby Bubble, swiftly amassing a devoted following. This led to opportunities to delve into writing about the queer parenting journey for platforms including the ABC, Mamamia, Kidspot, AdWeek, and The Daily Telegraph.

As a fervent supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community, Sean launched Australia’s inaugural coming out podcast, Come Out Wherever You Are, in collaboration with SCA’s LiSTNR. His guests, including Billy Eichner, Courtney Act, Abbie Chatfield, and Patricia Karvelas, have made a significant impact through their discussions.

His debut book, Not Like Other Dads, is a fearless, candid, and humorous memoir that challenges traditional parenting norms. It was released in June 2023, sharing Sean's journey of reinventing the rules of parenting.

Jamila Rizvi (she/her) Moderator

Jamila Rizvi is a best-selling author for adults and children, as well as a columnist for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald where she writes about gender, diversity, politics and family. Jamila is the Deputy Managing Director at Future Women, where she champions gender equity in Australian workplaces through professional development, community and advocacy. Previously, Jamila advised the Rudd and Gillard Governments on gender, early childhood education, media and employment participation. She is a board member of the Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas, and an ambassador for PLAN International and the Royal Melbourne Hospital Neuroscience Foundation. 

Other information

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