Inside the Mind of a Pregnant Father with Dr. Ed Stephens - EP 235

In this powerful follow-up episode, Dr. Ed Stephens returns to The Cool Grandpa Podcast to continue his candid conversation about men's emotional responses to pregnancy, birth, and fatherhood. Greg and Ed dive deep into the often-overlooked realities of paternal depression, miscarriages, and the emotional toll that fathers quietly carry during these life-changing moments.

Dr. Stephens shares personal and professional insights from his decades as a psychiatrist, as well as his own experiences as a father and grandfather. From understanding "peripartum depression" in men to reclaiming the vital role of grandfathers as emotional mentors, this episode challenges traditional silence and urges a new wave of male support, reflection, and storytelling.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Paternal Postpartum is Real: Men often experience emotional upheaval during and after a partner's pregnancy, sometimes delayed by months or even years.
• Isolation is a Hidden Struggle: Many fathers face loneliness and internalized stress without support networks or spaces to process their feelings.
• Grandfathers Matter: Elders can profoundly impact their sons and sons-in-law by openly sharing their own experiences of fatherhood and struggles.
• Emotional Health ≠ Weakness: Recognizing emotional responses doesn't diminish masculinity—it deepens connection and fosters a lasting legacy.
• Therapeutic Gaps Exist: There's a critical need for more male therapists and a broader understanding of how men express emotional pain.

The Foundation for Male Studies: Dr. Stephens advocates for systemic recognition of men's mental health and provides valuable resources through MaleStudies.org

Links

• Foundation for Male Studies
• Here is the link for the first conversation that I had with Dr. Ed Stephens: https://cool-grandpa.us/2025/05/22/understanding-mens-mental-health-with-dr-ed-stephens-ep-231/
• You can watch this conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/_rHvq9dZLuQ.
• Check out my one-of-a-kind grandfather assessment and let me know where you are with your relationships: https://cool-grandpa.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/The-Cool-Grandpa-Engagement-Assessment.pdf
• Be sure to check out my merchandise page; there is some very cool stuff for grandpas: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/