Strumming Life's Chords: Oscar McMahon on Fatherhood, Brewing, and Balancing Acts

Dad Bodcast

Oct 25 2021 • 41 mins

Have you ever wondered how the chords of life strum a new tune when fatherhood enters the stage? Oscar McMahon of Young Henry's Brewery joins me to unpack his transformation from punk rock drummer to a dad with a knack for crafting community through hops and heartbeats. We get personal as Oscar shares the harmonies and dissonances of navigating the nexus of passion, parenting, and entrepreneurship, and how each role enriches the other, brewing a life filled with unexpected melodies.

It's a conversation few dare to start: the silent symphony of male emotional struggles during pregnancy and beyond. As we pull back the curtain on this topic, Oscar and I address the mental health challenges that men often face in silence—from the trials of IVF to the deep sorrow of miscarriage. We cast a spotlight on the importance of open dialogue and support for new dads grappling with seismic shifts in their world, aiming to turn whispers of postnatal depression into a chorus calling for change.

Then we wade through the waters of work-life balance, a concept as elusive as it is essential for new fathers like Oscar and me. We share laughs and learnings about the juggle of joys and juggernauts that come with parenthood, keeping hobbies afloat, and sustaining the flame of individuality amidst diaper changes and deadlines. As we close, Oscar reflects on the agility of Young Henry's in responding to global curveballs, like pivoting to hand sanitizer production, and how tapping into the heart of the community can ferment a future that's not only profitable but also profoundly sustainable.