Join us live from 1pm (Sydney time) on Tuesday, 8th December
…or watch the replay on your device whenever suits you.
For parents & educators of tween and teen boys
For centuries, our boys were intentionally guided through adolescence into manhood by mentors and elders. These Rites of Passage were universal and structured, designed to challenge young men, teach responsibility, and bring out their unique gifts.
Without these traditions and a built-in ‘village’ to help us raise our kids, we have in some ways lost our guidebook for raising responsible, accountable, compassionate adults.
For today’s tweens and teens, especially boys, a lack of belonging in real life too often sends them to online role models for guidance, and the outcomes can be problematic for them and others.
In this online masterclass, Maggie Dent is joined by international Rites of Passage expert and 2025 Australian Father of the Year Dr Arne Rubinstein to explore how we can guide our young men to manhood with meaning, mentorship and connection.
A former GP and emergency medicine doctor, Arne saw the consequences when boys lacked strong male role models – confusion, disconnection and a loss of potential that carries into adulthood. He left medicine to devote his life to running Rites of Passage camps, school programs and leadership trainings.
In this lunchtime session, Maggie and Arne will explore
◆︎ How we can guide boys from late primary school through high school to cope with transitions, setbacks and anger
◆︎ What can we do in our families and classrooms to meet boys’ hunger for connection and affection
◆︎ What mums need to know about communicating with their boys
◆︎ Why dads need to have awkward conversations with their boys, and how to do that
◆︎ Fathering differently from the imprint your own dad may have left
◆︎ How to connect more deeply with boys at different ages and stages
◆︎ How to support boys when they muck up
◆︎ How to be a mentor or lighthouse to boys who aren't your sons
◆︎ The role of nature in raising boys
◆︎ How to ensure a healthy transition from boy psychology to man psychology
◆︎ Teaching boys to embrace the gifts of failure.
Join us and become part of shifting what's possible in your relationships with the tween/teen boys in your life.
Join us live 1pm-2.30pm (Sydney time) on Tuesday, 8th December
… or watch the replay on your device whenever suits you.
If time permits, the live session will include a short Q&A near the end of the class. A video recording will be available for anyone who cannot join us live. An audio-only version will also be available for those who prefer to listen on-the-go.
Once you sign up you will receive lifetime access to the participant area where you'll find the special link to join the webinar via Zoom, plus the video and audio replays.
You'll also receive some comprehensive notes to support the webinar in PDF handouts from Maggie and Arne, including links to further relevant reading, viewing and listening. Plus Maggie has included some bonus audio resources and book discounts.
Conversations about healthy manhood
This session is the final in five conversations Maggie planned for the second half of 2026, each bringing together experts to help parents and educators better understand and guide the boys in their lives towards a healthy manhood.
Our previous classes featured educator and advocate Daniel Principe, The Man Cave CEO Ben Vasiliou, developmental paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey, and teacher and the face behind ‘Coaching with Tim’ Tim French. Find them all at commonsenseparenting.com.au.
Your Hosts
Maggie Dent
Maggie Dent is a much-loved and trusted voice for parents, families and educators across Australia and beyond. A former teacher and counsellor, she is especially passionate about early childhood, adolescence and building resilience, and is well-known as a fierce advocate for boys.
A bestselling parenting author, Maggie has written 11 books, including Mothering Our Boys, From Boys to Men, Girlhood and Help Me Help My Teen. Maggie hosts The Good Enough Dad podcast and led six seasons of the acclaimed ABC podcast, Parental As Anything. In 2025, she brought her wisdom to television in the ABC series The Role of a Lifetime.
Maggie’s latest book, co-authored with Kirra Pendergast, is DIGITAL FREEDOM: A guide to less screen time for safer, happier and healthier families (published August 2026).
A mother of four sons and a grateful grandmother, Maggie continues to support calmer, more connected childhoods.
Dr Arne Rubinstein
Dr Arne Rubinstein OAM is a globally recognised expert on Rites of Passage, bestselling author of the book, The Making of Men and an international speaker.
As the Founder of the Rites of Passage Institute, over 450,000 people worldwide have attended the programs he has helped to create.
For more than 30 years, Arne has worked with young people, families, schools, organisations and communities to create meaningful pathways through the transitions that shape our lives.
In 2024, Arne was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for service to youth and in 2025, he was named as the Australian Father of the Year. He is the father of two sons in their 30s, and a mentor to many.
He lives on a spectacular 140-acre bush property near Byron Bay which he has transformed into a camping and leadership training facility. Teenagers and their parents come from around Australia and overseas to participate in the workshops run there and the purpose-built training facility has been created to increase facilitator numbers so that this life-changing work can expand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are you only focusing on boys in this class?
I am very aware that girls are also struggling in today’s digital world, and that we still have a long way to go in terms of gender equality in many areas. These boys’ masterclasses are offered at a time when there is significant concern and confusion about adolescent boys, and I know many parents and educators are seeking guidance and support.
I believe that conversations about healthy manhood also benefit girls and wider society. If you are looking for my girls’ masterclasses, please check out my other classes Raising Mighty Girls (with Steve Biddulph) and Understanding Our Gorgeous, Confused Girls (with Michelle Mitchell). – Maggie
When can I access the webinar?
How does lifetime access sound? You can access the replay, bonus content and resource list for as long as you like–across any and all devices you own. Just come back to this website and login!
What if I am unhappy with the masterclass?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.
I already signed up but can't find the participant area!
If you have already signed up, login to the participant area here to access your content. You can also use the Login link in the website menu where you will find your webinar under the menu link 'My Content' - available once logged in.
Can you provide me with a certificate of completion?
Yes. You will unlock the course certificate once you have marked all lectures as complete. The certificate will appear on the screen once you have completed the final content. Click the Download button underneath the certificate to save the certificate to your device.
How can I get the 25% Members Discount?
If you are a part of Maggie's Membership Community, don't forget you can get 25% off this webinar using the discount code on the Members' Dashboard. And if you're not a member, you can signup anytime (and cancel whenever you like) at maggiedent.com/membership
You'll receive...
✅ Link to join us live plus lifetime access to the video and audio replays to watch in your own time
✅ Handouts linking to the presenters' key resources on this topic plus some freebies
✅ Bonus audio tracks and book discounts from Maggie
Prices displayed in Australian Dollars
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