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Hello and welcome to my final episode of season two. I hope you have enjoyed listening as much as I’ve loved creating every moment of this show.

This week, I’m chatting with Matt Young, a storyteller, performer, long time foster carer, and proud adoptive rainbow dad. Matt and his family have lived a truly global life, with a journey into parenthood that has carried them across continents, through many different communities, and ultimately into the heart of regional Queensland.

Matt is also an accomplished actor and playwright. His work is shaped by his lived experience, from coming out, to meeting his husband Peter, to stepping into fatherhood. His most recent piece, The Sky Is Falling, premiered in Blackall in 2025 and explores the tender space where family, culture, and the language of parenthood meet. Matt shares the rainbow road that led him to become a dad and everything that has unfolded since.

Be sure to check out Matt's website to keep up to date with what he is up to these days and details of his latest play: www.mattyoungactor.com

Thank you to every single person who has supported this season and this little project of mine. To stay up to date, follow @overtherainbowpod on Facebook and Instagram. Bye for now.

Episode edited by: David Willett of Double T Media (www.doubletmedia.com.au)

Artwork created by: James Molina

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I am so thrilled this week to be chatting with Daniel Brushweeler, a Queensland national, proud trans man, comedian and step dad.

Daniel talks about the moment that changed everything for him: accidentally coming across a TV show discussing what it means to be trans. In that instant, a lifetime of confusion, anxiety and feeling out of place finally made sense. We talk about what that experience was like and how his step son reacted to it all.

As if that were not remarkable enough, Daniel then followed his passion for stand up comedy, using humour to explore life as a trans man, the reality of having lived on both sides of the gender fence and the joy of being your authentic self.

When I started this podcast, my goal was to explore the many different ways we become rainbow dads. Daniel is a perfect example of what can happen when you start living as your true self and how children often recognise and respond to that honesty with such simple clarity.

Episode edited by: David Willett of Double T Media (www.doubletmedia.com.au)

Artwork created by: James Molina

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This week I’m joined by Rav and Phil, who open up about their journey adopting their three children in the United Kingdom. They walk me through the process from start to finish, including how they were first placed with their two sons and later surprised with the arrival of their daughter, a joyful and unexpected addition to their family.

This conversation was a long time coming for reasons you will hear, and I am so glad we finally made it happen. Rav and Phil talk honestly about the highs and lows of parenthood and the realities of raising three children with very different needs and personalities.

I was already a big fan of Rav and Phil, but after sitting down with them my admiration grew even stronger. I loved this conversation and I know you will too.

Episode edited by: David Willett of Double T Media (www.doubletmedia.com.au)

Artwork created by: James Molina

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This week I’m chatting with Ashley, a rainbow dad and the Executive Officer and one of the founders of Rainbow Families, an Australian charity that supports, connects and empowers LGBTQ+ parents and their families.

When Ashley became a dad in 2012, he was surprised by the lack of support available for LGBTQ+ parents. Rather than accepting that gap, he joined with other queer parents and helped establish Rainbow Families in 2015. Since then, he and the organisation have supported thousands of parents across Australia to feel confident, connected and true to themselves.

Our conversation explores everything you would hope to hear from someone with Ashley’s experience. If you are on the pathway to becoming a dad, or already a dad wondering what support is available for you and your family, this episode is made for you.

https://www.rainbowfamilies.com.au/

Episode edited by: David Willett of Double T Media (www.doubletmedia.com.au)

Artwork created by: James Molina

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When I started this series, my aim was to share stories from Rainbow Dads that reflect the full spectrum of how our families are created.

This week, I chat with Choon, a Perth local who chose the foster care path and was placed with twin boys alongside his then-partner, Milton. In this heartfelt conversation, Choon opens up about his experience navigating the foster care system and why it was the right choice for his family.

I found myself getting emotional throughout this chat — it’s a powerful reminder of the love, patience, and courage it takes to foster. After hearing Choon’s story, I think you’ll agree… he’s one truly remarkable human being.

Episode edited by: David Willett of Double T Media (www.doubletmedia.com.au)

Artwork created by: James Molina

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Last season, I released an episode exploring some of the relationship challenges that can arise when creating a rainbow family. It turned out to be our most-listened-to episode, which made me wonder: are relationship challenges more common than we’re letting on?

To dive deeper into this topic, I invited my good friend and relationship expert, Anthony Lekkas, back to the show.

Anthony is a family violence consultant, trainer, relationship counsellor, and accredited mental health social worker. With over two decades of experience working across the LGBTI and mainstream not-for-profit health sectors, as well as in private practice - Anthony brings a wealth of insight to the conversation.

He’s also a passionate advocate for the Bi+ community, the founder of the Melbourne Bisexual Network, and was a co-creator of one of the worlds first radio programs dedicated to Bi+ people; Triple Bi-Pass.

Anthony is a proud rainbow dad to two gorgeous boys, and I’m lucky to call him a good friend. I loved our chat and I know you will too.

Episode edited by: David Willett of Double T Media (www.doubletmedia.com.au)

Artwork created by: James Molina

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I am so fortunate this week to be talking to my friend and business mogul, Damien Chambers.

Damien is a proud rainbow dad and co-founder of NewGen Families. After becoming a father through surrogacy and developing a passion for helping others build their families he packed up his bags in Melbourne Australia with his son Nate and they ventured over to the US where he now operates the hugely successful new gen families which are helping to create a new generation of families for intended parents all over the world!

If you are listening today and wondering where do I even start with having a baby, this chat is most definitely for you.

https://newgenfamilies.com/

Episode edited by: David Willett of Double T Media (www.doubletmedia.com.au)

Artwork created by: James Molina

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This week, I’m joined by Rodney Chiang-Cruise — an OG rainbow dad here in Australia. Rodney and his partner Jeff, together for 25 years, began their surrogacy journey in the U.S. back in 2007. That journey brought them their son Ethan — no longer a rainbow child, but now a fully fledged rainbow adult.

Rodney shares what it was like to start a rainbow family at a time when society’s idea of family was far less inclusive than it is today. By day, he’s a lawyer; by night, an activist who’s helped pave the way for thousands of rainbow dads in Australia to find connection and resources. In 2006, Rodney co-founded Gay Dads Australia and Gay Dads Surrogacy — social community hubs that have supported countless dads on their family journeys.

And if that wasn’t enough, Rodney has also helped create more rainbow babies through donor and co-parenting arrangements. With an impressive total of FIVE rainbow kids in total — one big blended family that, as Rodney explains, “just works.”

Rodney and his family are true trailblazers for rainbow dads in australia. I think the biggest takeaway (and there were many) was the importance of commumity and having them close for guidance and resource sharing… I found our conversation not only educational but deeply inspiring. Let’s dive in and take a listen shall we…

Episode edited by: David Willett of Double T Media (www.doubletmedia.com.au)

Artwork created by: James Molina