Welcome To Fatherhood

Welcome to episode 2 of season 5!

In this episode I share a helpful perspective a fellow dad shared that's helped me become less anxious about the uncertainty of the future my children will inhabit. I know this perspective will also be helpful for you!

Let's connect to let me know what you think: [email protected] 
OR
DM me @welcometofatherhoodpod on IG

Welcome to episode 1 of this new season (my fifth!)

In this episode, I invite you to ask yourself this question, "Are you satisfied with the version of life you're currently living today, right now?" This is the question that's occupied my mind in recent weeks, and it's led me down a disorienting rabbit hole in the best possible way. 

How have you approached feelings of nonfulfillment and dissatisfaction? What has caused you to feel this way in your experience as a man, father? And what sorts of decisions have you made to overcome it or be overcome by it?

Send me your story at [email protected] 
OR
DM me @welcometofatherhoodpod on IG

Experiencing a miscarriage as a man is a difficult journey. It's a path I've walked and it led to the creation of "The Miscarriage Dad" platform—aimed at educating, raising awareness, and supporting men and fathers who find themselves in this heart-wrenching terrain. It's an unfortunate reality that compelled me to reinvent my Instagram presence, focusing a little less on the Welcome to Fatherhood brand, to create a much-needed safe space for men grappling with loss.

Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat

Show Music
New Flow Who Dis by Ghost Beatz
From Soundstripe

Have you ever wondered how deep the rabbit hole of systemic failures and biases in the family court system can go? I invite you to join me in my riveting conversation with Gary Ivory, a resilient father who battled the beast for 16 agonizing years, and learn about his journey of survival, justice, and relentless fight for his child. Gary, a nonprofit executive and author, shares an emotional roller coaster of a narrative that reflects the harsh realities of the family court system and its implications on innocent lives.

Gary recounts the heartbreaking tale of fighting for his daughter's custody while being wrongfully accused of domestic violence. His former partner's skillful manipulation of the system, coupled with systemic failures and racial biases, led to extended court proceedings. His story doesn't just stop at the battlefront of the courtrooms. From hiring private investigators and confronting school superintendents to dealing with a dramatic kidnapping episode, Gary went to extraordinary lengths to see his daughter. His tale is one of caution and inspiration, shedding light on the importance of trusting instincts and navigating the complexities of the legal system.

Gary's experiences serve as a stark reminder of the need to constantly fight for truth and justice. Join us as we navigate this journey and uncover the realities of the family court system, the implications of systemic failures, and the importance of never giving up on one's children, regardless of the hardships faced. This episode is a testament to Gary's perseverance and a call to action for anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation.

When you think about the journey of becoming a parent, the excitement and joy of expecting a child often come to mind. But what happens when that journey is abruptly halted by the heartbreak of pregnancy loss? I recently had the privilege of speaking with Brandon Byrnes, a brave father who opened up about his own experience with miscarriage and the subsequent road to healing. Together, we explored the rollercoaster of emotions that come with such a loss and the importance of sharing our stories to find solace and support.

We also took the time to discuss the often-overlooked experiences of men who have gone through miscarriages, recognizing the unique challenges they face in expressing their grief.

Through sharing the raw emotions and experiences surrounding pregnancy loss, this episode aims to bring comfort and understanding to those who have faced a similar heartache. As Brandon's story demonstrates, the journey of healing is ongoing, and it's through connecting with others that we can find the support and hope needed to move forward. So join us as we shed light on this deeply emotional topic, and let's create a space together where those who have suffered pregnancy loss can feel seen, heard, and understood.

If you are a male partner looking for support following a loss of pregnancy, or you are with  a male partner who could benefit from support, the Dads & Miscarriage Facebook community is here to help.

As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us!

Show Music
European Sunrise & God Remembers by Anthony Catcoli
Among The Stars (Stripped) by Violet Mourning
Drift by Bobo Renthlei
From Soundstripe

This episode concludes my conversation with Scott Mair.

How can dads be more involved in the pregnancy journey and the early stages of their child's life? This is a question we explore. We discuss the importance of engaging both parents from the beginning of the pregnancy, creating a level playing field for open communication, and understanding each other's roles and responsibilities.

Scott also shares his thoughts on supporting both parents' mental health during the perinatal period, the progress made in the UK in providing support for dads,  and the vital role fathers play in their child's life from the very beginning.

If you are a male partner looking for support following a loss of pregnancy, or you are with  a male partner who could benefit from support, the Dads & Miscarriage Facebook community is here to help.

As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us!

Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat

Show Music
To The Moon and Back by Sam Barsh
From Soundstripe

This episode features a conversation with my guest, Scott Mair, a husband and father of 7 boys ranging from 20-4 years old. Privately, Scott enjoys spending time home educating his children with his wife Sarah and traveling with them while trying to remain outdoors as much as possible.

Are we truly supporting fathers in their journey through parenthood? Join us in our eye-opening conversation as we explore the evolving roles of fathers and the challenges they face. As we discuss the importance of equal partnerships between parents and the unintentional negative messages some healthcare settings may send to fathers, you'll gain insights into the value of education and support for dads in their journey through fatherhood.

In this episode, Scott shares his own inspiring story of raising seven boys and the struggles he faced along the way. We delve into the significance of spiritual care and psychosocial services for fathers in healthcare settings, comparing the differences in support offered by larger and smaller institutions. Additionally, Scott opens up about his experience with two critically unwell sons and how he reached out to the universe for help, reminding us of the power of connection and the need for inclusivity and diversity in healthcare.

Lastly, we tackle the societal expectations and gender roles in parenting that can hinder fathers from being fully engaged in their children's lives. We emphasize the importance of effective communication between parenting partners, especially during stressful times, and discuss ways to navigate and overcome the challenges fathers face. Don't miss this thought-provoking and inspiring conversation with Scott Mer, as we reinforce the need for spiritual and psychosocial support for fathers to succeed in their parenting journey.

If you are a male partner looking for support following a loss of pregnancy, or you are with  a male partner who could benefit from support, the Dads & MiscarriageFacebook community is here to help.

As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us!

Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat

Show Music
It's Gonna Be Different by mandimore
End of It All by Sam Barsh
From Soundstripe

In this special episode, my wife and I reflect on what the past three years have been like with our firstborn son.

Thank you for celebrating this special day with and for our family!

Show Music
Happy Birthday by Birds of Norway

This episode features a conversation with my guest, Allan Shedlin.

Allan Shedlin has devoted his life's work to improving the odds for children and families. He has three daughters, and five grandchildren, as well as numerous "bonus" sons/daughters and grandchildren. Trained as an educator, Allan has alternated between classroom service, school leadership, parenting coaching, policy development, and advising at the local, state, and national levels. After eight years as an elementary school principal, Allan founded and headed the National Elementary School Center for 10 years. In the 1980s, he began writing about education and parenting for major news outlets and education trade publications, as well as appearing on radio and TV. In 2008, he was honored as a "Living Treasure" by Mothering Magazine and founded REEL Fathers in Santa Fe, NM, where he now serves as president emeritus. In 2017, he founded the DADvocacy Consulting Group. In 2018, he launched the DADDY Wishes Fund and Daddy Appleseed Fund. In 2019, he co-created and began co-facilitating the Armor Down/Daddy Up! and Mommy Up! programs. He has conducted daddying workshops in such diverse settings as Native American pueblos, veterans groups, nursery schools, penitentiaries, Head Start centers, corporate boardrooms, and various elementary schools, signifying the widespread interest in men in becoming the best possible dad. In 2022, Allan founded and co-directed the Daddying Film Festival & Forum to enable students, dads, and other indie filmmakers to use film as a vehicle to communicate the importance of fathers or father figures in each others' lives. Allan earned his elementary and high school diplomas from NYC’s Ethical Culture Schools, BA at Colgate University, MA at Columbia University’s Teachers College, and an ABD at Fordham University. But he considers his D-A-D and GRAND D-A-D the most important “degrees” of all.

In this conversation, we discuss the nature of the evolution of the daddying movement, and highlight the Daddying Film Festival & Forum as a grassroots movement that his helping to push the movement forward.

Contact Allan Shedlin at Dadvocacy Consulting Group.
Read my guest blog post titled, "A Dad's Struggle To Move Beyond Miscarriage"

If you are a male partner looking for support following a loss of pregnancy, or you are with  a male partner who could benefit from support, the Dads & Miscarriage Facebook community is here to help.

As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us!

Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat

Show Music
Breakfast for Dinner by Dr. Delight
Postman Postup by Sam Barsh
From Soundstripe

This is The Miscarriage Doula's takeover of the Welcome To Fatherhood podcast!

Arden Cartrette is the founder of The Miscarriage Doula, a service for anyone who is going through loss, struggling with pregnancy after loss, or is looking for more information on how to get through miscarriage in general. This service was birthed out of Arden's own history with infertility and unexplained pregnancy losses. Arden also hosts the Miscarriage Stories with Arden Cartrette podcast. She is a mother to two living children.

In this collaborative conversation, Arden interviews me, Kelly Jean-Philippe, about supporting my wife through four miscarriages, for a first hand account of the male partner’s experience following  loss of pregnancies.

If you are a male partner looking for support following a loss of pregnancy, or you are with  a male partner who could benefit from support, the Dads & MiscarriageFacebook community is here to help.

As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us.

Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat

Show Music
Espresso Bean by Lunareh
God Remembers by Anthony Catacoli
East Ave by JMPSCR
From Soundstripe