Beyond the Balls

Grief. Turning the loss of your child into a beautiful legacy with Jonny Casella from Mackenzie’s Mission

Welcome to EP18 of Beyond The Balls!
This is a chat with the amazing Jonny Casella on grief, loss, love and dealing with this worst tragedy any parent could face. Jonny’s first child Mackenzie was a perfect little baby – the picture of health but at 10 weeks old, she was diagnosed with a condition called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) – a severe inherited neuromuscular condition without a cure. 
Jonny and his wife Rachael were shattered by the news. The couple had no family history of genetic conditions and undertook all the recommended preparations to have a healthy child. They had never heard of SMA and were not aware that they were both genetic carriers for the condition. As ‘carriers’, the couple do not have the condition themselves, but have an increased chance of having a child with SMA.
In October 2017, Mackenzie Casella passed away at just seven months and 11 days old. Believing no couple should face this tragedy, the Casellas launched a campaign calling for reproductive genetic carrier screening to be routine and free for all prospective parents in Australia. This would become Mackenzie’s Mission.
What they have achieved through adversity is one of the most inspiring stories you will listen to. We thank Jonny for his time, vulnerability and willingness to share his story.
 
Resource links:
Mackenzie’s Mission
Rachael’s Episode on Beyond The Bump
Lumi Health
Jonny’s Instagram
 
Beyond the Balls is a fatherhood podcast brought to you by Jayde Couldwell and Chi Lo, a Beyond The Bump production. This podcast is targeted at dads, dads to be, their partners and anyone interested in the journey of fatherhood. 
We believe that every dad wants to be the best they can be so our purpose is to entertain, educate and empower our audience. We promise to have open and honest discussions in the hope to leave you feeling more supported after every listen. Join us in celebrating the ups and downs of fatherhood today!
Yeah the dads!
 
Follow us on Instagram: @beyondtheballs.podcast
Follow Jayde on Instagram: @londonxboston
Follow Chi on Instagram: @chi_lo
Follow @yummmchi for some cooking adventures!
 
This episode is proudly sponsored by Comfy Koalas!
Our good friends at Comfy Koalas are offering a $35 discount on your first box of nappies or wipes for a limited time only. Use code BEYOND35 at checkout.

Doctor! My partner is pregnant, what can I do to help? A Q&A with Dr. Hugh Porter, obstetrician

Welcome to EP17 of Beyond The Balls!
Dr. Hugh Porter is an obstetrician, husband, legend and father of two!
He’s experienced an amazingly varied career and quite a lot of life, so we thought there was no one more qualified to help us out with some Q&A from our audience.
We answer questions as sticky as ‘my wife wants a Caesarean but I think she can do it naturally’ all the way to ‘what’s the weirdest pregnancy craving you’ve heard of?’ with entertaining results.
We thank Dr. Porter for his time and I can guarantee you he’ll be back for round 2! This was an amazing interview and he blew us away with his knowledge, candour and approach to obstetrics. Thank you to all the Ballers who submitted questions via Instagram.
Resource links:
Dr. Hugh Porter’s Instagram
 
Beyond the Balls is a fatherhood podcast brought to you by Jayde Couldwell and Chi Lo, a Beyond The Bump production. This podcast is targeted at dads, dads to be, their partners and anyone interested in the journey of fatherhood. 
We believe that every dad wants to be the best they can be so our purpose is to entertain, educate and empower our audience. We promise to have open and honest discussions in the hope to leave you feeling more supported after every listen. Join us in celebrating the ups and downs of fatherhood today!
Yeah the dads!
 
Follow us on Instagram: @beyondtheballs.podcast
Follow Jayde on Instagram: @londonxboston
Follow Chi on Instagram: @chi_lo
Follow @yummmchi for some cooking adventures!
This episode is proudly sponsored by Bubka Breastfeeding Essentials for Aussie Mums.
Bubka is an Aussie family business helping new mums regain their independence by making pumping simple. Bubka have just released Breast Pump Eco Wipes which are the ultimate on-the-go cleaning solution for breastfeeding mums.
Designed in Australia and an Aussie first, these hygienic wipes effortlessly remove tough breast milk residue from your breast pump without the hassle of washing in soap and water while you're out and about.
The unscented, chemical-free formulation contains no alcohol or bleach, providing a gentle clean every time. Packaged in a convenient resealable pouch of 40 wipes, they're perfect for travel and quick clean-ups.
Beyond breast pump parts, these versatile wipes are designed to clean a variety of baby accessories, making them an essential addition to any parent's toolkit.
https://www.bubka.com.au/products/breast-pump-wipes?srsltid=AfmBOooIIIJSQcki42QCiUo6F6g0W0jmnyH3u6nYs8FgnrkmLoJf5b4
Use the promo code BALLS when you buy a 2-pack of Breast Pump Wipes, and you’ll get a FREE "Running Late" Mum + Dad Cap valued at $25.
 
 

Terminal Illness. Parenting with resilience & grace in the face of the worst possible news - with parents Jeff Jenkins & Sarah Rigg

Welcome to EP16 of Beyond The Balls!
Jeff is 38, a father of two beautiful children and has Motor Neurone Disease (MND). He was diagnosed 7 months ago and his body is robbing him of his life with his family. 
Chi’s father also passed away at 68 from MND (Also known as ALS / Lou Gehrig’s). It’s a terrible disease which shuts down your nerves, but leaves you in full faculty of everything happening around you - including what’s being taken away. That includes your movement, your speech, your dignity and ultimately your breathing. 
It sadly is a disease that is becoming much too common. It is also incredibly poorly understood. We don’t know what causes it and there is no cure, with average life expectancy from diagnosis being 2 years.
So when we got introduced to Jeff and his wife Sarah, we agreed we would try to change that, to increase awareness of the disease. 
Jeff & Sarah came on the podcast  to talk about what they’re going through and it is one of the most profound, inspiring and heartbreaking pieces of work we could ever hope to be a part of.
Jeff talks about resilience. About being grateful for a life well lived. About love. About his family. The grace in which he & Sarah have approached his diagnosis is truly, truly astounding. They are by all definitions, incredible human beings, dealt the most unfair hand in life. 
We hope you can be inspired by this difficult interview.
 
Resource links:
Jeff & Sarah’s GoFundMeLearn more about MND on FightMND
 
Beyond the Balls is a fatherhood podcast brought to you by Jayde Couldwell and Chi Lo, a Beyond The Bump production. This podcast is targeted at dads, dads to be, their partners and anyone interested in the journey of fatherhood. 
We believe that every dad wants to be the best they can be so our purpose is to entertain, educate and empower our audience. We promise to have open and honest discussions in the hope to leave you feeling more supported after every listen. Join us in celebrating the ups and downs of fatherhood today!
Yeah the dads!
 
Follow us on Instagram: @beyondtheballs.podcast
Follow Jayde on Instagram: @londonxboston
Follow Chi on Instagram: @chi_lo
Follow @yummmchi for some cooking adventures!
 
This episode is proudly sponsored by Tommee Tippee! Happy 60th Anniversary! 
Tommee Tippee’s award-winning bottles have been trusted by parents for over 60 years. From the self-sterilising bottle range for ultimate convenience, to the #1 Natural Start Bottle designed to make switching between breast and bottle effortless, to the Advanced Anti-Colic Bottle that’s proven to ease colic, gas, and reflux, their scientifically-backed bottles support every stage of your feeding journey. Loved by parents, and we know you’ll love them too.
 

Welcome back legends! How well do we really know each other? With Jayde Couldwell & Chi Lo

Welcome back legends! Here we are kicking off another year of Beyond The Balls. In this episode we give you an update on some big changes including Chi’s wife finishing maternity leave and him taking on solo primary care. We play a bit of a ‘get to know each other’ game as well as discuss what’s on the horizon for 2025. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be back!
 
Resource links:
Chi’s first episode on Beyond The Bump talking about being a SAHD
 
Beyond the Balls is a fatherhood podcast brought to you by Jayde Couldwell and Chi Lo, a Beyond The Bump production. This podcast is targeted at dads, dads to be, their partners and anyone interested in the journey of fatherhood. 
We believe that every dad wants to be the best they can be so our purpose is to entertain, educate and empower our audience. We promise to have open and honest discussions in the hope to leave you feeling more supported after every listen. Join us in celebrating the ups and downs of fatherhood today!
Yeah the dads!
 
Follow us on Instagram: @beyondtheballs.podcast
Follow Jayde on Instagram: @londonxboston
Follow Chi on Instagram: @chi_lo
Follow @yummmchi for some cooking adventures!
 
This episode is proudly sponsored by Stokke!
To celebrate, Stokke are offering Beyond The Balls and Beyond The Bump audiences a unique never before discount code on the full range - from Tripp Trapp to Flexibath to YOYO Pram - BTB15 with some Ts & Cs you can read on the website.  Go to stokkeshop.com.au to look at the range!

E14: Retrospect. A mental health journey with Nick Couldwell

This episode is a chat with Nick aka Harry Couldwell, father of three and Jayde’s partner. Nick was only 22 when they welcomed their first daughter into the world, safe to say he has done a lot of growing as a father, husband and individual and it’s taken many years to look back at the story of his life as a young dad. Nick sits down with Chi and talks about all things mental health related, from how to bring your mates barriers down, the ‘taboo’ topic of dad rage and how to support a partner through tough times. Nick is an absolute legend and we thank him for his time!
 
Resource links:
Shedding some light during the darkness of depression - with Jayde and her brain
 
Beyond the Balls is a fatherhood podcast brought to you by Jayde Couldwell and Chi Lo, a Beyond The Bump production. This podcast is targeted at dads, dads to be, their partners and anyone interested in the journey of fatherhood. 
We believe that every dad wants to be the best they can be so our purpose is to entertain, educate and empower our audience. We promise to have open and honest discussions in the hope to leave you feeling more supported after every listen. Join us in celebrating the ups and downs of fatherhood today!
Yeah the dads!
 
Follow us on Instagram: @beyondtheballs.podcast
Follow Jayde on Instagram: @londonxboston
Follow Chi on Instagram: @chi_lo
Follow @yummmchi for some cooking adventure

EP13: BLIND! Parenting through adversity with Ben Pettingill

This episode is a chat with Ben Pettingill, blind dad of two. When Ben was 16 he lost his eyesight overnight but he never let that hold him back and has achieved incredible things, including being a wonderful father. We have a chat on Ben’s amazing outlook on life and how he never takes anything for granted, nor focuses on what he cannot change. His tale will not only blow you away but inspire you in so many ways. If you thought parenting was hard, test doing it with your eyes closed! Ben is an absolute legend and we thank him for his time.
 
Resource links:
If you are keen to learn more about Ben, his speaking and what he gets up to, check out
www.benpettingill.com
Follow Ben on socials –
Insta: Ben Pettingill (@benpettingill) • Instagram photos and videos
Facebook - Ben Pettingill | Facebook
TikTok
 
Beyond the Balls is a fatherhood podcast brought to you by Jayde Couldwell and Chi Lo, a Beyond The Bump production. This podcast is targeted at dads, dads to be, their partners and anyone interested in the journey of fatherhood. 
We believe that every dad wants to be the best they can be so our purpose is to entertain, educate and empower our audience. We promise to have open and honest discussions in the hope to leave you feeling more supported after every listen. Join us in celebrating the ups and downs of fatherhood today!
Yeah the dads!
 
Follow us on Instagram: @beyondtheballs.podcast
Follow Jayde on Instagram: @londonxboston
Follow Chi on Instagram: @chi_lo
Follow @yummmchi for some cooking adventures!

EP12: COMMUNICATION! Maintaining your relationship when you have kids - with Nahum Kozac, Relationship Counsellor

This episode is a chat with Nahum Kozac, senior psychologist & relationship counsellor at Lighthouse Relationships. We have an incredible chat on techniques to maintain and improve your communication, something that we know 99% of parents struggle with! Nahum takes us through the Four Horsemen of communication and how to avoid these pitfalls and the importance of men naming and being open with their feelings. This is a cracker of an episode and we thank Nahum for his time!
 
Resource links:
Follow Lighthouse Relationships on IG: @lighthouse_relationships 
lighthouserelationships.com.auMegan Kozak’s Episode on Beyond the Bump: When is it time to do couples therapy? - with couple’s therapist Megan Kozak
 
Beyond the Balls is a fatherhood podcast brought to you by Jayde Couldwell and Chi Lo, a Beyond The Bump production. This podcast is targeted at dads, dads to be, their partners and anyone interested in the journey of fatherhood. 
We believe that every dad wants to be the best they can be so our purpose is to entertain, educate and empower our audience. We promise to have open and honest discussions in the hope to leave you feeling more supported after every listen. Join us in celebrating the ups and downs of fatherhood today!
Yeah the dads!
 
Follow us on Instagram: @beyondtheballs.podcast
Follow Jayde on Instagram: @londonxboston
Follow Chi on Instagram: @chi_lo
Follow @yummmchi for some cooking adventures!
 
This episode of Beyond the Balls is proudly sponsored by Bounce!

EP11: SEX! Setting expectations during conception, pregnancy, postpartum & beyond - with Chantelle Otten, Sexologist

This episode is a chat with Chantelle Otten, sexologist & relationship specialist. We have an open chat about all things sex: Sex during conception, during pregnancy, the postpartum period and beyond as your kids grow. Chantelle does an amazing job walking us through what dads can expect and we cover many different tips on working through each stage and ways to communicate for better sex! This is an amazing episode and we thank Chantelle for her time!
Resource links:
Follow Chantelle on IG: @chantelle_otten_sexologist
The Sexual Self Esteem Course
 
Beyond the Balls is a fatherhood podcast brought to you by Jayde Couldwell and Chi Lo, a Beyond The Bump production. This podcast is targeted at dads, dads to be, their partners and anyone interested in the journey of fatherhood. 
We believe that every dad wants to be the best they can be so our purpose is to entertain, educate and empower our audience. We promise to have open and honest discussions in the hope to leave you feeling more supported after every listen. Join us in celebrating the ups and downs of fatherhood today!
Yeah the dads!
 
Follow us on Instagram: @beyondtheballs.podcast
Follow Jayde on Instagram: @londonxboston
Follow Chi on Instagram: @chi_lo
Follow @yummmchi for some cooking adventures!
 
This episode of Beyond the Balls is proudly sponsored Bounce!

EP10: Primary carer! A dad’s journey - with Chris

Welcome to EP10 of Beyond The Balls!
This episode is a chat with Chris, who took on a primary carer role for fifteen months. We talk about the highs and the lows of his experience, both the amazing bond he formed with his son but also the struggles he faced along the way. Chris opened his heart to us and we reflect on some tips that will help any dad looking to take on more when it comes to parenting, or any mum looking to empower their partner. We thank Chris for his vulnerability and bravery in sharing his story, ya legend!
 
Beyond the Balls is a fatherhood podcast brought to you by Jayde Couldwell and Chi Lo, a Beyond The Bump production. This podcast is targeted at dads, dads to be, their partners and anyone interested in the journey of fatherhood. 
We believe that every dad wants to be the best they can be so our purpose is to entertain, educate and empower our audience. We promise to have open and honest discussions in the hope to leave you feeling more supported after every listen. Join us in celebrating the ups and downs of fatherhood today!
Yeah the dads!
 
Follow us on Instagram: @beyondtheballs.podcast
Follow Jayde on Instagram: @londonxboston
Follow Chi on Instagram: @chi_lo
Follow @yummmchi for some cooking adventures!
 
This episode of Beyond the Balls is proudly sponsored by 28 by Sam Wood!
Sign up by clicking this link. Ballers you gotta get onto this one and share it around, seriously this chance is too good to miss!

EP09: WORK! Why should dad take parental leave? - with Blake Woodward from Dads&

Welcome to EP09 of Beyond The Balls!
This episode is a chat with Blake Woodward from Dads&. Blake has established two social enterprises (Dads& and Suit Tie Stroller) to support fathers lean into caring, find work-life balance and become the dad they want to be and has an amazing perspective on why it’s important for Dad to take parental leave. We talk about the benefits by the actual statistics as well as some tips on navigating tricky conversations in the workplace. Thanks for your time Blake ya legend!
 
Resource links:
Follow Suit Tie Stroller on IG: @suittiestroller 
Follow Dads& on IG: @dadsand_
suittiestroller.com
dads-and.com
The Making of the Modern Family by Edward Shorter 
 
Beyond the Balls is a fatherhood podcast brought to you by Jayde Couldwell and Chi Lo, a Beyond The Bump production. This podcast is targeted at dads, dads to be, their partners and anyone interested in the journey of fatherhood. 
We believe that every dad wants to be the best they can be so our purpose is to entertain, educate and empower our audience. We promise to have open and honest discussions in the hope to leave you feeling more supported after every listen. Join us in celebrating the ups and downs of fatherhood today!
Yeah the dads!
 
Follow us on Instagram: @beyondtheballs.podcast
Follow Jayde on Instagram: @londonxboston
Follow Chi on Instagram: @chi_lo
Follow @yummmchi for some cooking adventures!
 
This episode of Beyond the Balls is proudly sponsored by 28 by Sam Wood!
Sign up by clicking this link. Ballers you gotta get onto this one and share it around, seriously this chance is too good to miss!