Dadvengers #31 - Rory Crawford
10/12/23 • 64 min
Dadvengers Podcast Episode 31 - Rory Crawford
Rory Crawford is a CBeebies presenter, a marine conservationist, and also a nature enthusiast. But most of all he is a loving father of 2 children. Rory is doing it all!
In this episode we hear how Rory grew up in a family with both his parents, and some brilliant strong male role models around him, and he shares how they shaped him into the man, and father, he is today!
He also talks all about the ridiculous paternity leave system in the UK, why there shouldn't be a bottle vs. breast feeding debate, and the thing that scares Rory most bringing children up in the current climate.
This great episode touches on so many important topics – it’s one you really don’t want to miss.
Huge thanks to Rory for joining us and being a brilliant guest!
Time Codes
01:30 – "Everyone's got a podcast now Nigel - but I jumped in and I loved it." - Rory on why he is a fan of the Podcast!
06:50 - “It was a charmed childhood. And kind of old school. My dad worked and mum stayed at home raising us kids.” - Rory talks about his childhood in Glasgow.
07:54 - “My dad worked in health promotion. I grew up wearing t-shirts from his campaigns. Like don’t dance with drugs!” - Rory tells us about his dad's job, and his interesting wardrobe as a kid!
13:51 – “My dad is most proud of us being principled people. If we believe in something... we stand up and say something.” - Rory also tells us what his dad is most proud of in his children.
19:56 - "Getting that language has only become more common in the past 10-5 years. To understand trauma and feel ok to talk about it” - Rory on the positive changes happening in talking about mental health.
24:50 – “Going from one to two is more than twice as hard... you don’t expect it!” - Rory on the change from having one, to two children,
30:03 – “Some of it is mindset. If you’re prepared and calmer... invariably that helps”. - Rory on handling tricky conversations with his kids.
32:56 – “I knew how it felt to be hit and feel scared... It also had some affect in me deciding not to do that.” - Rory tells us why he's strongly against smacking his own kids.
35:08 – "You come in with an impression that breastfeeding is the most natural thing you can do. But it isn’t that straightforward.” - Rory tells us why they hybrid fed their first child and the stigma around it.
42:31 – “It is utterly preposterous and it is not enough time. It doesn’t recognise the benefits of having two parents around to support and work together.” - Rory on the UK’s Paternity Leave.
47:08 – “It can feel like Armageddon... for me that is the big thing that I worry about”. - What worries Rory most about the environmental crisis.
52:51 – “The main thing is to feel passion about it – for children it is inbuilt”. How Rory teaches his kids about the importance of looking after the planet.
57:22 – “The moments I find are golden in parenting are when you see them acting in a way with someone else.” - Rory shares the moments knows he is getting parenting right!
58:40 – Rory's dad superpower.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dadvengers Podcast Episode 31 - Rory Crawford
Rory Crawford is a CBeebies presenter, a marine conservationist, and also a nature enthusiast. But most of all he is a loving father of 2 children. Rory is doing it all!
In this episode we hear how Rory grew up in a family with both his parents, and some brilliant strong male role models around him, and he shares how they shaped him into the man, and father, he is today!
He also talks all about the ridiculous paternity leave system in the UK, why there shouldn't be a bottle vs. breast feeding debate, and the thing that scares Rory most bringing children up in the current climate.
This great episode touches on so many important topics – it’s one you really don’t want to miss.
Huge thanks to Rory for joining us and being a brilliant guest!
Time Codes
01:30 – "Everyone's got a podcast now Nigel - but I jumped in and I loved it." - Rory on why he is a fan of the Podcast!
06:50 - “It was a charmed childhood. And kind of old school. My dad worked and mum stayed at home raising us kids.” - Rory talks about his childhood in Glasgow.
07:54 - “My dad worked in health promotion. I grew up wearing t-shirts from his campaigns. Like don’t dance with drugs!” - Rory tells us about his dad's job, and his interesting wardrobe as a kid!
13:51 – “My dad is most proud of us being principled people. If we believe in something... we stand up and say something.” - Rory also tells us what his dad is most proud of in his children.
19:56 - "Getting that language has only become more common in the past 10-5 years. To understand trauma and feel ok to talk about it” - Rory on the positive changes happening in talking about mental health.
24:50 – “Going from one to two is more than twice as hard... you don’t expect it!” - Rory on the change from having one, to two children,
30:03 – “Some of it is mindset. If you’re prepared and calmer... invariably that helps”. - Rory on handling tricky conversations with his kids.
32:56 – “I knew how it felt to be hit and feel scared... It also had some affect in me deciding not to do that.” - Rory tells us why he's strongly against smacking his own kids.
35:08 – "You come in with an impression that breastfeeding is the most natural thing you can do. But it isn’t that straightforward.” - Rory tells us why they hybrid fed their first child and the stigma around it.
42:31 – “It is utterly preposterous and it is not enough time. It doesn’t recognise the benefits of having two parents around to support and work together.” - Rory on the UK’s Paternity Leave.
47:08 – “It can feel like Armageddon... for me that is the big thing that I worry about”. - What worries Rory most about the environmental crisis.
52:51 – “The main thing is to feel passion about it – for children it is inbuilt”. How Rory teaches his kids about the importance of looking after the planet.
57:22 – “The moments I find are golden in parenting are when you see them acting in a way with someone else.” - Rory shares the moments knows he is getting parenting right!
58:40 – Rory's dad superpower.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Previous Episode
Dadvengers #30 - Russell Kane
Dadvengers Podcast Episode 30 - Russell Kane
This week's guest is one of the UK's top comedians, host of the brilliant podcast Man Baggage, plus he’s written an insightful and hilarious book about growing up with a dad like his.
Russell Kane grew up with the ultimate alpha male dad who believed in working hard until you die which meant he missed out on some of the joy in life. Russell was completely different to his dad, which lead to quite the childhood. He learned from a young age that anger was a normal reaction to anything going wrong. As he got older he struggled to control his anger and began putting himself in danger when he lashed out. He realised this was no way to live and that he needed to make a change. So he did, using an intense and intriguing technique called the Hoffman process.
Russell didn’t and doesn’t want to be like his dad but as he discusses this makes for difficult situations.
This story is one that every parent (let alone man) needs to hear. Cheers Russ thanks for joining us 💙
Time Codes
3:00 – “I don’t think it’s usual... I have one memory of being in my cot!” – Russell on his childhood and amazing memory!
6:00 – “If you live by my dad’s formula you will be miserable” – How his dad measured success, and Russel’s formula for a happy life.
9:47 – “He died a miserable man. I could have carried it on...” – Russell is choosing to break negative hereditary cycles.
13:24 – “I could have blinded myself”. – How Russell’s upbringing led to him being violent toward himself.
18:12 – “You’ve got to get to a point where you are willing to make change”. – Russell hid his violence from everyone, and found himself at breaking point.
23:07 – “It is intense, you’re in and out and then if it work’s you’re cured”. – Russell explains why the Hoffman method worked for him.
25:59 – “I wanted money in the bank and career in order”. – Russell chose to wait to be a dad.
28:30 – “I had the first cuddle, I was so privileged”. – Russell on being a hands on dad from day one.
32:34 – “Your child is giving you clues of when they’re naturally sleeping. Help them get that into the right time”. – How Russell got his daughter sleeping through the night from 12 weeks.
35:25 – “The worst thing for a baby... a mum and dad who’s not solid”. – Russell’s advice on getting ready to have a baby.
37:28 – “She is complicated, has too much energy and ideas. I understand the rhythm of her”. – Russell’s similarities with his daughter help him to be the best parent he can.
41:58 – “It is just not true. And we have got to stop saying it to kids” – Russell on how he chooses to parent, and mold his child into the best version of herself.
45:36 – We ask Russell your questions.
50:10 – Russell’s dad superpower.
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Next Episode
Dadvengers #32 - Ortis Deley
***Trigger Warning*** – In this episode we discuss topics that may be triggering for some listeners, namely miscarriage. If you are affected by any of the subjects in this episode you can find support here.
Ortis Deley is a radio DJ, actor and tv presenter, best known as the host of the Gadget Show But his most important job is as a dad to two young children!
In this episode, Ortis tells us about waiting until he was 43 to become a dad. He wanted to feel ready for parenthood – but becoming a dad wasn’t as easy as he and his wife had hoped. It wasn't until they'd experienced three miscarriages that they were able to find support from a specialist doctor. Families experiencing miscarriage often don't get to talk about it as much as they might need. It is a topic that can be hard to hear and talk about. But Ortis hopes to help other families who have been through, or are going through, the same thing.
We also talk about his children with a healthy understanding of how the world will view them because they’re black, and ensuring they have the tools to help them navigate this from a young age.
We’re so grateful to Ortis for joining us and sharing his experiences. This is a brilliant episode every parent needs to hear.
Time Codes
2:05 – "I became a dad at 43... The fear didn’t really creep in until we were at home!" - Ortis on becoming a parent.
7:46 – “My dad was the disciplinarian... I have never heard him say I love you, but I know that he does."
Ortis' relationship with his dad.
14:06 – “I am raising kids who will be categorised, classed and hemmed in." - Ortis on raising his children to be aware of the prejudices they may face in life.
18:15 – “My daughter is 6 and my son is 3. It is important my kids are aware they'll be treated differently because of how they look." - How Ortis also educates his children about race.
23:58 – “Trying not to be my dad when it comes to discipline is a lot harder than I thought it would be!" - What Ortis finds difficult about parenting.
26:24 – “Being a parent ain’t easy and my wife is always encouraging me to apologise to our children. To let them know that it’s OK to make a mistake." - Why apologising to our kids is so important.
36:06 – “Rachel and I had three miscarriages... nothing prepares you for that." - Ortis shares his experience with miscarriage.
40:33 – “A friend told us about a miscarriage specialist... that treatment resulted in Phoenix." - Ortis on the treatment that led to them having their children,
42:38 - "It is healthy to cry, and it is healthy to talk. There wasn’t anything bottled up." - How Ortis and his wife have coped with their experiences.
44:30 – "More people should be made aware of its potential... and that there are more ways to help." -why we should talk about miscarriage more.
46:39 - "I also hope that anyone going through it, or has been through it, knows somebody they can share the burden with." - The importance of talking and getting support.
48:37 - "Phoenix brought happiness from the ashes of three miscarriages... Quincey means, number 5, he was our fifth pregnancy!" - The significance of Ortis' children's names.
55:41 – Ortis’ dad superpower.
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