writer | storyteller | comedian | speaker | mental health champ | father
Depression and suicide are far too common, particularly amongst men in regional areas. My father lived in regional Victoria, and he became a statistic. I was living in regional Victoria when I nearly became a statistic myself. I’m keen to hear suggestions on where my storytelling show HUMPTY DUMPTY DADDY, which tells of my dad …
Keep reading…
In mid-July, I spent three days in Darwin to do my storytelling show HUMPTY DUMPTY DADDY as part of the Darwin Fringe Festival. I learned a lot from that festival and those audiences. About the show itself and about me, too. I know more about what the show HUMPTY DUMPTY DADDY is. It’s a weird …
Keep reading…
ABC Radio Darwin interviewed me about my show HUMPTY DUMPTY DADDY, which I delivered at the Darwin Fringe Festival. I really enjoyed the conversation with the lovely Rebecca McLaren. We spoke about the show, my father’s suicide, and how I talk to my own children about mental health. Here’s the ABC summary and a link …
Keep reading…
I’m super excited to share with you that my storytelling show about fatherhood and mental health, Humpty Dumpty Daddy, will be part of this year’s Sydney Fringe program. After great audience feedback in Melbourne and Adelaide, (and good pre-show buzz in Darwin for mid-July) I’m taking my story to more people in more places. Tickets aren’t …
Keep reading…
I’ve been putting a brave face on the past month or so. Part of pushing myself to try and ‘be happier’. In some ways, it’s worked quite well, and it’s become a bit of a conscious check on myself: “What can I focus on that might make me feel happier?”. But I think I might …
Keep reading…
The brilliant storyteller and genuinely wonderful person, Trav Nash, had me as a guest on his podcast Tales from the Mind Boat. Listen to Trav’s story about working for a removal company based inside a uni. And stay listening for my story about love, loss and understanding destiny. It was a treat to do this …
Keep reading…
Today would have been the tenth anniversary of my now-former marriage. Ten years. A whole decade. But we didn’t make it this far; we separated last year, two months after we marked our ninth anniversary. We ended our marriage because we no longer loved each other the way we once did, and were sadder together …
Keep reading…
Today marks 19 years since my father hanged himself. For more than half of those years, I hated him. Intensely. Fiercely. But now, having been right to the same metaphorical ledge he stood on (but stepped back and resolved never to get there again), I feel desperately sad for him. I miss him. And I …
Keep reading…
As the cool kids say, O.M.G! Adelaide Fringe was something equally wonderful and terrifying. Nothing like I ever thought truly possible, but nearly everything I dared hope, at the same time. I was to do 5 shows of HUMPTY DUMPTY DADDY, my one-person storytelling show about fatherhood, mental health, and storytelling. It’s ultimately the story …
Keep reading…
Before me, an open field. A grassy field. No clear tracks I should follow. I feel like I’ve been here once already, but the difference I feel now is that the absence of clear tracks excites me, rather than frightens me. I don’t mind the lack of a clear path; it means opportunity. To veer around …
Keep reading…