Podcast Extra: Postpartum Depression in New Dads—A Conversation with Dr. Sheehan Fisher

In this special Take Pride in Retirement Podcast Extra, I sit down with Dr. Sheehan Fisher, a psychologist with Northwestern Medicine, to shine a light on something that is far too rarely talked about: postpartum depression in new dads.

This episode is relevant to all families — LGBTQ+, straight, adoptive, blended — because mental health touches every part of our lives, including how we show up for our partners, our children, and ourselves.
Postpartum depression is usually associated with new moms, but research shows that 1 in 10 fathers will experience postpartum depression—often in the first 3 to 6 months after the baby arrives. That statistic really hit home for me, especially because a close friend of mine struggled deeply after the birth of his second child.

I didn’t realize how common this actually is until talking with Dr. Fisher.
In our conversation, we dive into:

• How postpartum depression presents differently in men
• Why societal norms and lack of a “blueprint” for fatherhood increase risk
• The concept of “masculine depression,” including irritability, aggression, or substance use
• The unique effect a father’s mental health has on a child's development — even after accounting for the mother’s well-being
• Why lack of paternal leave and limited support structures make the transition harder
• Where fathers can turn for resources and support

I hope this conversation brings awareness, comfort, and validation to anyone who needs it.

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About Take Pride in Retirement:
Take Pride in Retirement is a podcast dedicated to retirement planning solutions for the LGBTQ community. Host Matt McClure, a licensed fiduciary financial advisor, shares strategies to protect your hard-earned money while pursuing market-like growth.

Matt holds the RSSA® credential as a Registered Social Security Analyst®, helping clients optimize their Social Security filing strategies to potentially increase lifetime income. He’s also a Certified Annuity Specialist® (CAS®), a designation earned through a 135+ hour graduate-level program in fixed-rate and variable annuities from the Institute of Business & Finance.

Based in Georgia with his husband and two dogs, Matt spent over a decade in New York City, working with The Wall Street Journal Radio Network, NY1, and WCBS Newsradio 880. A career highlight includes reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.