Dad Space Podcast - for Dads by Dads
Dave Campbell
Recent Episodes
Episode 115 - Extending Grace, Treating Everyone Like a Learner on Life's Highway
The Hidden Struggles: Treating Everyone Like a Student Driver
Imagine you're driving down a busy street and you spot a car with "STUDENT DRIVER" plastered on its sides. What's your immediate reaction? Most of us instinctively become more patient, give the car more space, and perhaps even silently cheer on the novice behind the wheel. We understand that this person is learning, and we adjust our expectations and behavior accordingly.Now, what if we applied this same mindset to everyone we encounter in our daily lives?
The Invisible "Student Driver" Sign
The truth is, many people around us are navigating personal struggles and challenges that we know nothing about. These hidden battles could be anything from mental health issues, financial stress, relationship problems, or health concerns. Unlike the student driver's car, there's no visible sign alerting us to their situation.
Creating Space for Silent Struggles
- Just as we give student drivers extra room on the road, we can create space for those who might be silently hurting:Practice patience: When someone seems short-tempered or distracted, consider that they might be dealing with unseen difficulties.
- Offer kindness: A simple smile or a genuine "How are you?" can make a world of difference to someone who's struggling.
- Withhold judgment: Before jumping to conclusions about someone's behavior, remember that there might be more to their story than meets the eye.
- Listen actively: If someone opens up to you, give them your full attention without trying to fix their problems immediately.
The Power of Grace
Extending grace to others means showing kindness and understanding, even when it's not necessarily deserved. By treating everyone as if they're wearing an invisible "STUDENT DRIVER" sign, we create a more compassionate and supportive environment for all.Remember, just as a student driver eventually becomes a confident motorist, people facing challenges can overcome them with time, support, and understanding from those around them.
Action Item Summary:
Commit to treating everyone you encounter with the same patience and understanding you'd offer a student driver, recognizing that they may be silently navigating personal challenges.
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music provided by Blue Dot Sessions
Song: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270
Episode 114 - Brian Heilig - The Awe-Inspiring Saga of His Son's Micro-Preemie Birth and the Goal Set
Author Born From Son’s Traumatic Birth
Brian Heilig and his wife Diana had to deliver their first baby at 26 weeks due to severe preeclampsia while living in Cancún, Mexico. Grayson was only 12” long and weighed 1.6 pounds. Little did Brian know this dramatic event would also birth a joy for writing.
Book: Breathe, Eat, Poop & Grow: Our Micro-Preemie Journey
In the pages of our book, every word bears the weight of a journey that transcends mere storytelling. It's a testament to resilience, love, and the indomitable human spirit. Through the tumultuous corridors of uncertainty, our narrative unveils the harrowing yet awe-inspiring saga of our son's micro-preemie birth in Mexico. Each page breathes with the raw emotions of fear, hope, and relentless determination as we navigated the labyrinth of medical challenges to safeguard his fragile life. It's a poignant chronicle of the sacrifices made, the tears shed, and the miracles witnessed in the pursuit of one tiny heartbeat. Within these chapters lie the echoes of countless sleepless nights, the whispered prayers, and the unwavering faith that carried us through the darkest hours. This book is not just a memoir; it's a lifeline of hope, a beacon of light for anyone facing their own trials. To those who dare to delve into its pages, may you find solace, inspiration, and a renewed belief in the power of love to conquer all odds.
*Please Note: All net proceeds from the book sales are going toward putting incubators into Mexican hospitals, we will call them G-Units, after our beloved son, Grayson.
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music provided by Blue Dot Sessions
Song: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270
Episode 113 - Brock Williams - Shake The Dust Off Your Soul, From depression, anxiety and OCD, leading you to greatness and rediscovery
Brock Williams
AUTHOR | POET | MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE
Brock has set out to helping men heal, even take his message overseas. Motivating men to seek treatment and make their mental health a priority.
Whether it’s depression, anxiety, bipolar, OCD, or ADHD.
Let’s heal together!?
Men are often taught to suppress their emotions and not get help. But how can you heal if you don’t know how you feel?
Learn how Brock is helping men heal and overcome obstacles with the release of his poetic memoir “Shake The Dust Off Your Soul”.
A refreshing inspirational journey through the trials of life and mental health that leads to greatness, inner strength, and resilience.
Book: Shake The Dust Off Your Soul
Prepare yourself for a refreshing, inspiring, breath of fresh air, as this poetic memoir take’s you through the depths of life’s trials. From depression, anxiety and OCD, leading you to greatness and rediscovery. Journey out of the dark and into new beginnings.
https://www.milleniaxpose.com/
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music provided by Blue Dot Sessions
Song: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270
Episode 112 - Joel Bouchard - When A Dad and A Son Are Just Different People
About Joel Bouchard
I am a doctoral student in psychology, multi-instrumentalist record producer, author, painter, Army veteran, business leader, local government official, and fellow podcaster, who firmly believes that generalists have a place in society and can make contributions to human knowledge. While I may not be an expert in any one field, what I am is an expert learner who is well-versed in a wide array of areas. While I am philosophically minded and prefer big-picture conversations that knit together disparate concepts, I can speak to details on many topics, including music, education, psychology, the military, and much more.
Joel Bouchard is a doctoral student in psychology, a multi-instrumentalist record producer, author, painter, Army veteran, business leader, local government official, and host of the philosophy podcast "From Nowhere to Nothing.
https://jbouchard.podbean.com/
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music provided by Blue Dot Sessions
Song: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270
E111 - Darren J Brookes - There Is Nobody Here For You, Perinatal depression and men
Daniel is an author and he drops by to share about his book and about the topic of PeriNatal Depression that Dad's experience.
Daniel's book: The 23 Rules of life…that most people don’t want to hear will challenge your thinking and beliefs. However, they will empower you to maximise your potential and relentlessly pursue your goals regardless of what is happening in the world around you.
Daniel's site
https://www.dreamstogoals.co.uk/
Although new fathers are at lower risk of depression than are new mothers,2 the prevalence of depression in new fathers is higher than that in the general population.3 Depression occurs in 10% of men from their partner's first trimester to one year postpartum; three to six months after birth is a particularly sensitive period of increased symptoms.2 Fathers who live with their children do not have a history of increased depressive symptoms prior to having a child but are at increased risk of depressive symptoms from birth through the first five years of life
- Perinatal depression in men, also known as paternal perinatal depression (PPND), is a significant mental health issue that affects approximately 9-10% of fathers during the period from their partner's pregnancy through the first year after childbirth. While less prevalent than maternal perinatal depression, PPND is more common in new fathers compared to the general male population.Key aspects of PPND include:Timing: PPND can occur anytime between the first trimester of pregnancy and one year postpartum, with the 3-6 month period after birth being particularly sensitive.
- Symptoms: Men may experience traditional depressive symptoms such as sadness, mood swings, and loss of interest in activities. However, they may also exhibit male-specific symptoms like irritability, anger, increased alcohol or drug use, and avoidant behaviors.
- Risk factors: These include a history of depression, stress related to parenting, role changes, financial concerns, and interparental conflict. Maternal depression is also moderately correlated with paternal depression.
- Impact: PPND can negatively affect parenting practices, child development (both internalizing and externalizing behaviors), and family dynamics.
- Screening: While not routinely screened, opportunities for identifying PPND exist during prenatal visits, postnatal check-ups, and infant clinical encounters. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) can be used, with a cutoff of 10 points for fathers.
- Treatment: Interventions may include pharmacotherapy (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapies).
- Challenges: Men may be less likely to seek help due to stigma or traditional masculine norms. Additionally, conventional depression screening tools may underreport symptoms in men.
Recognizing and addressing PPND is crucial not only for the well-being of fathers but also for their relationships with partners and children. There is a growing need for male-specific treatment strategies and increased awareness among healthcare providers to better support fathers during the perinatal period
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2016/0515/p824.html
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music provided by Blue Dot Sessions
Song: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270