Two Doting Dads with Matty J & Ash - #220 Producer Vic On the Mic

Episode Date: April 26, 2026

You asked and we delivered - everything you ever wanted to know about the person you hear giggling in the background of each episode. Vic joined the pod late last year and since then she's become a close part of the team, pumping the guys up, offering advice (and worming chocolate) and being a shoulder to cry on if they need it.  She's had an extensive career in both TV and radio as well as being the proud mum to two little kids.  So she's well versed in keeping calm amongst chaos - thank god! You can follow her here. If you need a shoulder to cry on:  Two Doting Dads Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/639833491568735/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTwoDotingDads  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twodotingdads/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@twodotingdads  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to two doting dads and one doting mother slash producer. I am Maddie J. I'm Ash. And I'm Vic. And we're all here. And we are three best friends. We are. And this is a podcast all about parenting.

It is the good. It is the bad. And the relatable. And Vic, as you know this, we don't give advice. We don't know. Sometimes. We accidentally. Accidentally.

You, of course, Vic, as the guest on this episode, you are void of any legal ramifications. So you can give advice with no impact whatsoever. Well said, wow. Well, you are tied to two doting dads, so tread carefully. Yeah. Is that a threat? You're threatening you?

No, no, I'm just saying. I'm sitting down for one minute. Well, that's, I care about, I would hate for Vic to get sued and people are. So they're not going to sue her. No, not me. Which one is it? No, not me. Don't put ideas in people's heads.

I know, yeah. I mean, but obviously we don't want you to feel in any way, like you're walking in eggshells this episode. She didn't even flinch. She did a little bit. So, sorry. Vic's like, why the fuck did I say yes to this? This is a great idea until she sat down.

We're just trying to scare her the whole episode. She even said to me, she was like, is this a stitch up? I'm like, no, no. I don't think it is. If it is, then it's on me too, because I don't know. The poor listener is just going to hear us. Like, rah! For a whole episode.

I know Vic, it is great to have. have you here. Obviously, you've been on the mic delivering the hard facts, the breaking news to the good listeners of two doting dads for a couple of weeks now. And people, people are inquisitive. The dotas. The dotas are inquisitive. They want to know where did she come from? She just spawned in that seat over there. Yeah, we come in and we just found her on the floor. We're hired. Yeah. She was trying to get home and we're like, sit down and produce us. Yeah, yeah. And watch me in Ash. She's like, oh, God. But you are being with us for December, January?

Two months, yeah. November. Gee, time flies. Time flies. Time flies when you having fun. Yep, beep, bit, yep, yep. And Vic, we came into contact many years ago. Okay.

Ah, yeah. People who I know this story. But I actually, I joked with that. She was like, we probably should have looked at your CV. I know. Whoops. But very robust hiring. Lots of stages of interviews.

Yeah. Yeah, very, very thorough. But let's go back to a young Vic. Did you study? Did you go to school or anything? That's good. I'm sorry. That's good, kids.

I feel like, now that you've started, I don't know anything about you. Respectfully. Okay, let's start from the beginning. You were born? Yeah, yeah, I think, were you? Who birthed you? Julian Warren.

Okay. Yeah, I did go to uni. I went to Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, so I lived on campus. It was my first time out of home. What was that like? So much fun. It was like a permanent sleepover. Bathurst is one of the few campuses where you like stay on site, right?

It's lit. Yeah, people from Sydney used to come to Bathurst to go to the uni bar nights because they were so popular. Guilty. Ash fording his hand. I never did. Yeah. Missing out. I did.

I've had a crack at night in Bathurst. What would you pay a week for your accommodation there? I've got no idea, actually. But we lived in this place called towers, which was like, if you looked at it now, it looks like a prison. So, like, it's like these two big towers and it's just like brick and these tiny little windows that stick out. And it was like a bed, a wardrobe and a desk. Sounds lovely. And then how many people to a room?

One. You got your own room. Oh, like proper cells. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Did you have like yard time? Well, in the yard. We're in prison.

We don't know. You can tell us anything. Be honest. And I'm not going to fact check it. The yard in between was used for like pre-drinking before the bar nights or like push up. Pub runs. I was known to get too drunk at one of those that I didn't even make it to the uni bar

sometimes. Guilty. We were being there. Oh, yeah. It was fun times. When you went into the towers and you open up, this first time out of home, open the door, you look at where you're going to be living for the next, what, three, four years. What was your first impression like?

My sister went there. Yeah. So I'd seen it before. Gotcha. This is living. Yeah. And I knew how much fun she had. So I was like, yeah, this is going to be good.

And I loved how everyone was like in with each other. So like it's just like a permanent like slumber party with alcohol. What about if you like social battery runs dry? Shut the door. Yeah. You do. Yeah. You shut your door and don't answer it and just snuggle up.

And I used to have, I had a full set up. I had a full setup in my room. So I had a TV and back then we had like a DVD player. Oh, vintage. For those of you don't know what DVD play, it's a player that plays discs. CDs. With movies. DVDs.

DVDs. Yeah. Blu-ray. I think everyone who listens is like over the age of 30. You don't assume. But Bathurst is renowned for its communications course, which is why I went. Because I wanted to be a journalist. And so a lot of the teachers there are ex-journoes and they have a really good work

experience program so that you can start doing industry experience while you're there. So I got a job straight out of uni before I'd even finished that year. And a lot of people were like that. So they try and get you into the workforce before all the other unies graduate so that you're first in line to go to job. That's where the Hello Sport Boys went.

Yes. They went to that university. Tom and Eddie. Oh, do you know them? Yeah. No. Oh, I looked them up. They don't look familiar.

Did you look at my office? That was not an attack at Hello, Hello Sport podcast. Yeah, it is. After you guys mentioned them. Yes. Yes. Yes. And so four years? Three. Three years? Well, two and a half, really, because I finished early.

You're that good. You finished early. Yes. When I finished early, my wife's disappointed. And so where was your first job? It was at 2SM, which was the Super Radio Network. And so that was based in Piemont. Oh, wow.

Yeah. But it spread out to all the regional stations around Australia. So you actually were going to like 52 stations from the one station. Wow. Yeah. How did you get the job? I just applied. Like what just called after?

I'm just that good. Yeah. It's like, do you ring and me like, I finished this degree like a year and a half early, so. I think it was just right place, right time. Yeah. Me and my best friend from uni both applied and we both got a job there at the same time. And it was just the best fun ever. And everyone who worked there was the same age.

So we'd go out drinking and like having a good time. And like those rural stations where you get broadcasted out to, that's where like you cut your teeth, right? Is that what, is that, I didn't grow up in the, or do any study whatsoever in that space at all. Yeah, I went to TAVE, sorry. I went to TAFE. Okay. For your marketing. Oh, man, I went to TAFE.

I went to TAFE too, Matthew, and say it loud and proud. You didn't go to TAFE. For many multiple reasons and many different. It is not about me. This is about Finn. So where from then? And then... Hang on, what were you doing at the radio sleep?

You're just a journalist. I was reading the news. You read the news. Yeah, radio news. Yeah, radio news. And that's why people are like, she sounds familiar because of they all sound the same. The Super Network.

How dare you. All of the news are. It's true. Okay, tell us, who teaches you the voice? I did a course with a guy. I think his name was Max Rowley. Maxie. Do you know Max Riley?

Yeah. Oh. You shit Ed. I knew that was going. Sorry. With a guy. Sorry, me. What's what's wrong with you?

I don't know. You started there. I just, now I think it's funny. This is my job. Everyone is? Sorry, Vic. But with a guy named Max, and he ran this special course. And actually, Candice Warner, previously Candace Fals on, she was there at the same time.

So I was like, oh, this guy must be good. So he's really good at teaching you about intonation and all this sort of stuff. But it really just came from experience. And so when I was at 2SM, like, they used to give you notes and recordings and stuff to, like get better. But it's like anything like photography, like any school you want to learn, the more you do it, the better you get. And then I got to a stage where I was like, okay, I'm pretty good at this now. So then I applied to go to 2GB, which was the number one station in Sydney. And so that for me...

A little 2 to the old hole in there. I don't mind that, Vic. Yeah. And that for me was like the pinnacle. I was like, got to get to 2GB. Was there a job? Pardon? But you didn't get the job to do.

I did. You did? No, not straight up though. You got the other job. No, no, no. I was there for a couple years at 2SM. Then I went to 2GB. And was there a particular show in 2GB?

Because like, who was big back and Ben Fordham's on there now? Alan Jones. Whoa, shit. Ray Hadley. Ray Hadley. Yeah, and then 2GB, I was working there for a while and doing all sorts of shifts. And as I was getting older, I was like, I kind of want to see the world. And Emily, who had got that first job with me at 2SM, she also got a job at 2GB.

Emily, fucking find your own path. Yeah, I'm waiting her to come through the door and be like, so where do I sound? So I think actually it was probably me following her, to be honest, because she was massive insper for me. But then she was like, I'm going to go to London. I was like, all right, I'll go to London too. Oh, wow. So we both went to London.

and live there for a while. And how long do you live in London for? Two years. You see Matt there? He was there for four. I was there for four years. I know. He does like telling that story. I think, where were you there?

What year? I was 09 to 11. Okay. And where'd you live? All over, actually. But I end, most of my time was in Dalston. Before it was cool. Is that where like all the Australians go?

No, they're more like, clap him. Yeah. Downstate. I wouldn't know. You wouldn't know these names, Ash, as just someone who's not left the Northern beaches before. But the Dalston Hood was like very cool. Okay.

London Fields. London Fields. I'll have a drink there, London Fields in summertime. I'll just see myself out then. Yeah, do you want to, I'll take this from now, Ash. If you... Hey, so when, and then... Sorry, you go, Ash. Just quickly, on the newsread of what, is there a tip that you can give us to...

Just a quick tip that we could quickly try. Yeah, is it? Because sometimes people, when they do accents, they have, like, a word to get them into them, like the mindset. Is there a word that you, like, how do you trigger it? Because you just, you know, you sit there and you pull the trigger on breaking news, and there she is, straight away. You don't even say, get ready. You're just into it. already go on. Well, that's from reading so many news bulletins over the years.

Just kind of slipping in now a little bit. I know. She did right then, yeah. Yeah. Well, I don't actually like my normal voice, though. The newsreading voice sounds a bit about it. You sound great, by the way. Yeah. Thank you. Honestly, I feel like there is just a certain tone that a news reader has. You lower your timber. But I've got a tip for you. So it's all about breathing from your diaphragm. I hope's that. It's like in the lower. Okay, all right, here, yeah. So instead of breathing from your lungs, you need to breathe from your, like, tummy. So you go, and you want your tummy to come out.

This is kind of what you do in yoga. And then I used to take the longest breath I possibly could and then go into it. So then it helps you to breathe really long and smooth. Okay, give me some news. In today's news, Ash Wicks looks more handsome than ever wearing those spectacles. In today's news, no, that's not all right. You breathe from the lungs, I could hear it. breathe from your tummy.

Can't do it. So I'm guessing, not to shoot yourself from the foot here, but I'm guessing working in radio for a long time, mistakes happen. Was there ever a mistake that was made? When I was at 2SM, there was quite a big mistake that I made reading the news, and it ended up making the news. Oh, God. When news makes other news, fuck.

Yeah, it wasn't cool, but it's fine now, obviously. But a friend of mine who was leaving, it was her last day, she tampered with my bulletin while I was in the booth, so I couldn't see. There's going to be a rule, right? You never tamper with another journalist bulletin, unspoken rule. I think it's probably a written down rule as well. But last day, so what are they going to do that? You were going to do, fire me? Yeah.

And it was a crime story about an attack that had happened on a woman. And on the police press release, it said he grabbed her buttocks and. crotch in the attack. And this was changed to in the script, and he grabbed her ass and crouched like a bowling ball. Sorry. And I read that. And then straight away, I was like, I just read the wrong thing. And that is a really bad thing to say.

And it's a crime story. I'm just going to keep reading. And like, literally, it's like maybe one beat. And I'm like, police media is asking for a. Yeah. So professionalism just rolled on through. And did you think, like, obviously you're live on air, but were you like, what the fuck? What did I just read?

Yeah. At first I was like, oh, that was bad guys. Like, don't do that. But then it somehow spread from newsroom to newsroom. People like, listen to this, listen to this. And then it made it to like news.com or daily telegraph. And then they wrote something about it. And my dad used to work there.

So he called his contacts and was like, can you like sync this story? This is my daughter. And so. Connections. Yes. That's good to know. When you say sync this story. As in like, bury it.

Oh. What else can we bury? And so, yeah, I thought that was the end of my career at that point because that was my first job. But yeah, I've gone on to have a very long and illustrious career. And then when did you start? Because people in the Facebook group were like, she used to work on reality TV. Yeah, they want to know the goss. How did that transition happen from radio to TV?

So when I got back from London, I had a wedding and it was actually Ben Fordham's wedding. And so there was lots of media people there. And I just started talking to people there networking, as you do. And there was a job going at Acker. a current affair and they needed a producer. So I was like, yeah, I'll start as a producer. And then I just loved producing so much. And I think I prefer to be on the other side of the camera.

Like this for me is not. Sorry to make you sitting here right now. There's all these lights. Tell us about that time on the bowling ball. I can see why it's daunting. But yeah, I started at ACCA. I did that for a couple of years. And then I went to the Today show, which was really fun.

But very stressful and high energy. And the hours obviously were. What was the wake-up time? I was starting at 1.30 in the morning. Oh, my God. You might as well just stay up. I wouldn't stand for it. Yeah, but you finished at 9.30.

So then you got the whole day. So I used to hang out with the Today Show crew. So that was really fun, but it's definitely a job, I think, for a young single person. Once you have a family, it's less so. And then from there, someone had said, why don't you try reality TV? Maths is about to blow up. Do you want to come on to maths with us? And I was like, sure.

Like, I'll try something new. side note i've also got ADHD so creating a new career every few years is like a byproduct of that yeah just in the cycle of life yeah i've got a million careers it's a hyperfocus yeah you always want to try something new and then you focus on it yeah so how long we got you four two years yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah so i did maps for a while that was a very full-on show and then from there I moved on to batch and that's how i actually met mattie back in the day with matt agnew yes oh yes we met him at the ticottox awards that God.

Yes. He was on his search for love and they brought back the success stories. Myself and Laura and Sam Wood. Oh, yes. And I was doing my Voxys with Vic at the time. And what's a Voxy? A Voxy is like... Quick interview to camera.

Oh, got you. Gotcha, got you. Yeah. And so I'm on the side of the camera asking the questions and he's looking at me. So that's who they're looking at when they're looking off. Do you remember the questions? You asked it? Oh, God.

He would have been like... Who's going to be the bad cop? Do you remember that? Yeah. I remember. She was like, tell me! Tell me right now! And I was like, she's very good. Yeah, she's like, tell me. Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me.

And I was like, I'll hire her one day. Full circle moment. Wow. So how long were you at the batch for? A long time. I was doing like batch, bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise. I was doing the whole franchise. Did you get to do the trip to the island? Yes. Where was it filmed?

In Fiji. Was Fiji. Can I, we can take itself off the record. No. if we have to. I heard a rumor that Batcham Paradise, they all just were like rabbits on that series. But none of it made it to wear

because Channel 10 was a family-friendly network. Yeah, they're not going to put fucking on you. I was going to say the cast or the stuff? Oh, wow. Victoria. Come on now. Wasn't me, wasn't me. That's what they would say.

I found out of us. I found out of me. Was the cast? Were they quite? I heard that they were like, I heard that they were like just like in all. Because they had an area where obviously like film where like the cabanas were. Rumor that I heard was that they were just like every nook and cranny.

But everyone didn't care because there's no like uncut of batch in paradise. Oh true. I suppose like. No, there's not like an area where you film and an area where you don't like. There's cameras in every single room. So like we would know if people are having sex. But they also had to tell us so that we could say that you consent. before they have sex as well.

So you would have to go into their cabana and do what? Not me, but... With a checklist. You get a consent? Yes. Really? You have to get them to say on camera, looking at the camera,

this is my name, and I consent to what we're about to do. That would kill the mood. It does, but it has to happen now. How do you come back from that? If I was there, we'd be like, oh, look, this is not me. Actually, it's in a while.

I'm like, we'll try again tomorrow. Yeah, yeah. Can you give consent early on? Like when you enter the island And you're like If someone propositions Be sex, the answer is yes Okay

I'm not going to say no Man woman Man woman, whatever Beijing, I'm here Why not? Woo! Yolo! That was Yolo era too. I think it was more for the women.

That makes more men That makes more men Still I'm here guys And the women are like Oh, get him on your arm Yeah Ash

Just imagine Ash single In Bachelor Wow. I'm a sweet boy. Yeah. He is actually. According to me. But I found out I was pregnant with Louis when I got over there. It must have been a good trip. So can I ask, Dan, your beautiful husband. Yeah. Partner.

Oh, no, sorry, so I apologise. When did you guys meet? We met six, seven years ago. We just had our seven year anniversary, actually. Congratulations. Congratulations, yeah. Thank you. And we met in real life, which people find very fast. because it was right in the thick of dating apps era. He knows this story.

But I was dating a few guys at the time. I just had my heartbroken by someone else. And then I was like, I'm just going to date like a man and just take the feelings out of it and have some fun. And Dan was the man. And then while I was dating, I had a few people on my roster. Jesus speak. No, no, no, no. Rost up.

No, no. Okay. Well, don't slut shame her. I am not. I am not. Wow. Well, I was working long hours, so I had to, like, really utilize my time. I knew I definitely wanted to be a mum.

So I was like, I need to, yeah, I need to find a guy. But would you, like, how would you figure out, you're like, obviously, like, a Friday night, the days of the week, right? Like a Tuesday night, you're like, oh, whatever. But, like, Friday and a Saturday night, that was important. You don't have kids with the Friday and Saturday night guy. Well, I met him on a Saturday night. Well, yes, you do. I see how the way there.

That's what I meant. Well, shut the fuck up. Was it a Saturday or Saturday night date? So we met at the pub. We met at a pub. I'd been at a long lunch. He'd been at the rugby. We were both well intoxicated.

And then I never thought I'd see him again. At the bar? Or where did you meet? Yeah, at a bar. Like, did you bump into each other? How did the actual, because that's where I think people were like, younger people are like, well, how did the first word? Me's cute. Yes.

So my friend was with me and his friend tried to pick up my friend. And so then I was like, oh, who am I going to talk to? Oh, yeah, he's there. He looks great. Perfect. That's very romantic. What are you up to? What are you doing?

But then as I got to know him, I was like, this guy is very caring. And he's very easy to be around. He definitely wants to look after me. And the other guys who I had been dating, they fell off the roster real fast. And he was the last man standing. It was like Survivor. Yeah, but you just like the spread of like reality TV just comes up. Anyway, so he got my rose.

Would you have to like the little flammy things? Oh, the torch. The torch. The torch. Wenders off the roster like, sorry about that. Put out their flame. Well, actually, so I was at a Bachelor finale. I was unsure about where the relationship was going early on

because I'd been sort of tossed around a bit here and there. Okay. Victoria. My heart. My heart. Not physically. No. Okay.

Good to know. And I was like, look, I don't know if I've got time for this. I've got to go to finale and then I'm jumping onto the Bachelor as the Bachelor of Producer. It was a really big responsibility. And I just like, I didn't know how much time I had for him. And he's like, it's okay, like, whatever you can give me. Like, it was very sweet. And then at the finale, we were in South Africa.

I couldn't tell him where we were or what we were doing. And I got this message and it was said, I don't know where you are. I don't know what you're doing. But I know that whatever it is, you're kicking butt. Oh, that's so nice. And I was like, that was my, what the fuck are you doing, Vic, moment. Like, this guy's a good guy and he's going to take care of you and he wants to be with you. And, like, I've not had someone like that.

I keep going for the guys who were like playing hard to get. The game players. It's like he showed that he was thinking about you without you having to prompt him, which men are so bad at most the time. And also without him getting any, like he didn't need to send me that message. He didn't need. And he could have been like, oh, wait until she gets back and I'll talk to a while. Yeah.

Like the fact he was thinking about you and then acted. It's very different to then just obviously thinking about and not acting. Yeah. So then on the drive home from the airport, I messaged him and then I went straight to his place. instead of going home because I was like, I just want to see him. Oh, right. Okay. So the message worked.

So the message worked. Yeah. And I got tossed around a bit. Oh, we also had you on Talking Married. Do we want to mention that at all? What's that? Talking Married? Well, before Laura fucking had her own show about recapping Married at First Sight,

I was on a show. You're a pioneer, an original. People forget. Yeah. You were the OG. How was I? Very good. We got you back again.

That's right? Yeah, we got you back a couple of times because you were good. You knew TV and you were easy. You were easy. You were very experienced. You are. Professional, if you will. You know, you probably could have got a run on this year's show as a bit more of a permanent host.

On the two-dating dads or? On the current, what's it called? Beyond the dinner part. Beyond the dinner part. That's a clever man. What is this? I crawled so Laura could run. Well said.

I agree. Pioneer, maybe. Pioneer, maybe. Pioneer, thank you. But I like what you said. Thank you. But then after that, I became a mum. So then my whole career trajectory changed because I didn't want to do long hours anymore and I didn't want to be really stressed and bring work home.

So then I started photography. So then when Louis, your eldest, when he was born, you were no longer working in TV? You were just doing photography? I'd started photography after I had him. But it wasn't, the plan wasn't to work as a photographer. And I was still trying to find shift work. So I was working at Today Extra. I was trying to find like TV jobs that I could pick up casting work, which I did a bit of from home.

Then obviously COVID happened. So that sort of changed everything as well. So I started just looking for TV jobs that I could do from home or were a bit more flexible. But it became harder and harder. And we're six years on from that now. And TV's changing so much now that the jobs are drying up more and more. So I kind of felt this urge to start forging my own path. Yeah.

And when I was pregnant with Lily, I got off at a three. day-a-week job at The Cookup with Adam Leow at SBS. Oh, sick. So that was a fun little interim from reality TV. And that was probably my first little like, you don't have to do reality TV forever. There's other things out there as a producer. At any time, imagine that you'll be working

one of the best parenting podcast in the country? This is literally dream job, though, for me. This one you got now? Yeah. I thought so. Not to like, to your horns. Go on. Go, choose away.

Ash, put your horn away. But right before I did this, I got offered from my Acobos to work at 9.com.com. com as their parenting editor. Oh. When was this? After I had Lily. Okay. Yeah.

And because I could work from home to do it. And so I used to call Maddie up and be like, hey, can I get some quotes on this story? Like, because they've done something funny with parenting or whatnot. And those stories always did really well. So we had this rapport already. So when Maddie called me and was like, hey, like, what are you up to? Do we've got something we might want to do with you? I was like, oh, sure.

And I loved the parenting space so much when I was writing about it. I've got a lot to say about it. And I'm so passionate about being a mum. I feel like becoming a mum was really the making of me. Change me as a person. I'm really passionate about moms and parents and helping other people. So I love what you guys are doing because you're starting conversations that both men and women can listen to and learn from. And we need the community.

The community is disappearing. And this is a way of bringing it back a little bit, especially with the Dota's. digital village, if you will. It is a digital village. And it's growing fast. And it's beautiful. Like the messages we get, warms my heart. And also we should say as well, this is in no way me trying to be polite.

But, you know, we are so thankful that you've come on board. You're doing such an amazing job. And you've slotted in as one of the family like you've been here forever. It's been the dream. So thank you so much for putting in so much time and energy into this podcast. We're so, so thankful for it. It's nice to have someone on the team that's in the similar position to us too, having young kids and having the same battles every day. And then you're also so

proactive with being in and around the community, not just our community, but what other parents are doing outside of that to bring it in. Like what's affecting other parents to bring it in? Yeah. And it makes a big difference because, yeah, it's nice that, because you understand what we're talking about day in day. Can I ask as a mother, when you look at all aspects of your parenting, you've got Louie and Lily. Is there any side of your parenting that you're most proud of? I think for me, and this is like definitely part of my love language, like quality time. And I feel like it's so important for me to like really carve out time for my kids and probably to the detriment of my own sanity because I'm so big on like, I need to make time for you

because I want you to feel wanted and appreciated and loved. And I also get so much like love and joy and energy from my kids when that happens. So like, I've now got a Lily Mummy day this year because I've got Thursdays off with Lily now that Louise's at school. And those days are the days I look forward to every week. It's the one day of the week. I do not do one shred of work. And I noticed. I'm just kidding. But even Dan says like, babe, why don't you put her into daycare so that you can get all your work done and then you're not going to have to work at night as much and like be as stressed. And I'm like, but I'd never give up that day. Yeah, we both have. that day. We both, last year, we both had that day where Matt had his daddy daughter day,

which was Thursday as well, and I had Macy on Thursday, so we'd do swimming. And yeah, I wouldn't give that up. But yeah, it was so great having that day with Macy. It was during the time she napped as well. Well, yeah, Lily's napping again. She's so tired from like what we're doing. But my sister gave me really good advice, which I'll pass on as well. She's like, you can always make more money. You can't ever make more time. And you'd never get this time back. And you know, it goes so fast. I know it's like I said before, we started recording. That moment we're down the beach where we had that little window where the kids

weren't complaining about the sand being itchy, they weren't cold from being in the water just yet. We had that little five minute window where everyone was happy. And as we had that window, this person walked past, it was a bit older. And they just looked at us and smiled and looked at the kids and they go, I really miss that age. And you're like, I've really got to try and enjoy this as much as I can. And then five minutes later, the kids were screaming and Marley.

It was like, I've been attacked by lice. And I'm like, there's no lice in the water. It's just, you just be itchy with the salt water. And those moments are so, like, we'll call it the perfect moment, are so few and far between that you're like, when you have it, sometimes you need that, to be reminded that you're in it. The timing was perfect. And it was meant to happen at that point. Yeah.

Because, like, for the rest of the day and the weekend, you probably had little arguments here and there as part as their development and all sorts of shit like that. Three minutes later, I had both kids screaming as if they were being abducted on the beach under each arm. You'll miss this. Can I ask, where do you reckon, like, that approach to parenting? Is that something that's developed over time? Have you always had that mindset? Or is it just since, you know, you've juggled working and the kids growing up?

Where has it come from? Yeah, good question. I definitely knew I always wanted to be a mum. And there was a point where I didn't think I was going to be because I didn't meet Dan until I was 34. And so we had Louis pretty quick. Because nine months later, I found out I was pregnant. and then nine months after that, I had a baby.

So we had a baby within a year and a half of meeting. And so before you met Dan, I guess you would open to the fact that, hey, it may not happen. And that's something that I have to consider. I wasn't actually. I was like, I really want to be a mum. And I'm going to make sure I'm a mum, whether I do it by myself or, yeah, I was going to have a baby by myself if I had to. Because all my friends were having babies and were with the people that were supposed to be with,

like, much earlier. Ironically, I ended up having children much early than some of my other friends. who were with like partners for longer. So in hindsight, I probably didn't need to worry so much. But you don't know what you don't know. Right. And so then when I did have children, I was really like, didn't want to take it for granted. And I wanted to like really embrace every moment.

I mean, they drive you nuts half the time. But my God, they feel your heart out with so much joy. And they're so beautiful, like little moments. Like even I was telling Ash on the drive over. Because we carpool. You guys. Yeah, yeah. If I was in the northern beaches, I'd be in the car with you.

No, no. He wouldn't. He wouldn't. Just don't entertain that idea. But, um... You're like, guys, come get me from Bondi. We had a big blow up this morning. And as we've learnt from Jen, the big thing is the repair. So then before we left for the day, I just got down on my knees and I said, I gave him

because I'm really sorry. Like, Mommy doesn't mean to shout. But sometimes when you don't listen, anyway, but you don't need to hear the whole story. But he gave me a hug and he goes, Mommy, that's okay. Like, we're not all perfect. Or we can't be perfect all the time or something like that. Something that I've said to him. And it's like quite a profound deep statement from what's Louis five?

Five and a half. Yeah, you forget that they mimic so much of what you do back to them. Do you think he understands like the gravitas of what he's saying in that moment? He's just like, ah, don't fucking worry about it. Yeah. No, I think he probably not the gravitas, but I know he knew that it was his job then to reassure me that it was okay and that we'd moved on from the fire.

Yeah. Yeah. I think that's what he was trying to demonstrate. Wow. He's a beautiful boy. I love him. And then little Lily. They just bring me so much joy.

And so I just don't want to waste a second. And I think that's why I want the time. Yeah, you forget how quickly they are. My mum stay with us for two nights. And we have the door with the heights, right? And we only started that at the start of the year. And there's like this much growth, like a couple of inches growth for each. And my mum was like, wow.

Like, you don't understand. Like, you see them every day. So you don't really notice. And she was like, just step back and. have a quick look at your son. Like the kid is like long, he's turning into a boy. Yeah. And he's outwitting you already and being defined and all this sort of stuff. But he's grown this much. That's so much like that you take that growth for granted. Imagine how he feels about it. And it's like far out. You forget that yeah, like just you see them every day. You don't notice that

the time is slipping by a bit. But then when you do have those moments like you had where you're like, oh, you're right. Like this is so good. Because it is really, when it's, It's good and it's so fun and we're all, I remember when we all went away over Christmas and all the kids were together and you and I were doing silly things and running up and down and everyone was having a good time for some of it. That doesn't sound like us? Yeah, running up the beach and doing some dumb stuff and the kids are there just laughing at us and it's like, yeah, it's gold dust.

You forget that like, yeah, it happens so quick. There is no such thing as a perfect parent because it's so incredibly hard and as much as our kids do love us, they don't respect us all the time. But if you could wave a magic wand and make yourself better in any way, in any capacity as a parent, what do you think it would be? Definitely would like to get rid of my mum rage. I feel like I just need more time. I feel like if I had a special magic watch that could give me more hours in the day, I could achieve more because I want to feel my day was so much with them. But then I've also got all this work to do.

So I'm like, we're not doing that. Yeah. And also with like my photography. work as well. So I am working every night from the moment they go to bed until about 11 and then go to bed and then sometimes I'll wake up early and I'll just jump straight back onto my laptop at 6am and it's a slippery slope. So that's probably one thing I'm trying to get better at. And I think that every single parent right now is like, oh yeah, if I could just get like an extra cheeky, I want an hour. Just an extra hour. Yeah, you're like, how do I fit everything in? And at the

same time enjoy having my kids at this age before they go to sleep. Because after they go to sleep, you're like, well, they're asleep now. And I do this thing where I usually reflect on the day after they've gone to bed before it's too late for me to maybe not repair. Maybe the stouther or something we've had when it was like, yeah, I would have liked my time back and some more time to repair that. But regardless of that, I think we think you're doing an amazing job. We're so happy to have you here. And you've slipped into the team so effortlessly. And to be fair, you've, a few times you've kicked us into gear, which we're so bad at waffling about and fucking Karen on with gossip.

Matt likes to gossip. I don't know if you notice. He does. Come on. You know he's going to gossip when he goes, I don't like to gossip. I don't like that. That's a lie. At times, yeah, you have two kids at home and then you've got two kids at work.

Sorry about that. Yeah, like the other day sitting on my bed, like waving my legs up in the hour. I'm like, this is how many Matt gossip at work. And he's like, can you hurry up? Well, I was just going to say, like, this is, when I said dream job, like, I get to come to work once a week. And we get to laugh all day. And, like, we're laughing from the moment we come into this room, like, before we even start recording. Like, I always look forward to my Tuesdays because I know I get to see you guys. And I love the conversations we have.

I've got two men in my life now who I get to have really fun D&Ms and have a laugh with. So, yeah, it's fun for me too. And I think, like, I don't know if because of the bar is so much love for dads, but when you have come in and you've talked about moments, when you pay, parent where you're like, oh, you know, I just wish I'd treated this situation a little bit differently. In my head, I'm like, oh my gosh, like the way in which you're critical on yourself in moments that I'm like, that would not even be a blip on my radar because you're doing such a great job and you care so much. I'm like, that outweighs all these little moments where you're like, I just didn't have enough patience. I think you're like, as a mom, as a parent, you're outstanding.

Oh, thank you. I have to say, coming in here and then like unloading on you guys, What's happened with my kids, like that day or that night is like so therapeutic. We do treat it like therapy. Like I said over the Christmas break when we did, we had a break. It was like I missed my therapy sessions. And like if you're a parent listening right now, grab some parent friends and bitch about your kids, trust me. It's the fucking best.

And also if you are in the northern beaches of Sydney and maybe you'd like some photos taken, Vic, where can they speak to you? You can go to my Instagram, Victoria Owens Photography or my website. Victoria ownsphotography.com.com. But also don't get too many requests. Otherwise, we're in trouble. Yeah, yeah. If we're like, Vic, why can't you work on Monday? All right, booked out. Remember that time you shouted me out? Whoops! Vic, thank you so much for jumping on for this. It was meant to be a 15 minute bonus episode, but we all know that was never going to happen. I know. Was it 47 minutes?

What? We're good at Woffley. Told you we're good at Woffley. Get on with it boys. Okay. Does anyone care? Yes, of course they care. Thank you again for jumping on. And if you've enjoy this episode. Please leave a little review for Vic, specifically for Vic, say, we love you, Vic. Or else. Matthew, where else can they find? Two Doting Dads on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook group and YouTube. And tell your friends. Pass it on. Share the love.

He knows what she's doing. And we'll see you guys next week. See you. Bye. Bye. Two Doting Dads podcast acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia and the connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect. to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander peoples today. This episode was recorded on Gatigle Land.