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.com/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.com/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.com/shop/
More Than Grand 
Grandfathers have a unique and meaningful role to play in grandchildren’s development, yet they often find themselves behind the scenes, on the sidelines, or less engaged than they’d like to be. This masterclass delivers a playbook for helping grandfathers level up their influence and impact. Listeners to The Cool Grandpa Podcast can receive 40% off this course by using Cool40 at checkout.
Founded in 2011 by Aaron Larsen as a way to honor his grandparents, GrandparentsAcademy.com is the world’s first and only online academy dedicated to helping grandparents grow meaningful relationships and rich legacies with their loved ones.
