What does it actually mean to become a father in a world where expectations have changed, but support hasn’t always caught up?

In this episode of Daring to Dad, Ryan sits down with therapist, writer, and father Eli Weinstein for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about modern fatherhood, masculinity, and the emotional realities men often carry quietly. Together, they explore why dads so often feel invisible in parenting conversations, how anxiety and panic can show up in early fatherhood, and what helps men move from survival mode into intentional, connected parenting.

This conversation goes beyond advice and into lived experience. They talk about the importance of preparation before the baby arrives, how couples can set clearer expectations, why community matters so deeply for men, and how fatherhood can become a powerful invitation to redefine masculinity, worth, and belonging.

Whether you’re a new dad, preparing for fatherhood, co-parenting, or supporting men in this season of life, this episode offers language, insight, and permission to show up more fully.

00:00 – Introduction Why fatherhood still leaves so many men feeling unseen

03:30 – From Dudes to Dads Why fathers are often missing from emotional parenting conversations

07:45 – Expectations vs. Reality How unspoken assumptions create tension after the baby arrives

11:40 – Preparing Men for Fatherhood Why dads need space to reflect before becoming fathers

15:10 – Importing and Exporting Family Patterns Deciding what to carry forward and what to leave behind from your upbringing

18:30 – “This Isn’t Who You Used to Be” Navigating growth when your partner isn’t used to the new version of you

21:30 – Active vs. Passive Fatherhood How modern parenting is shifting from gender roles to skill-based partnership

25:45 – Daily Check-Ins That Actually Work Simple conversations that prevent resentment from building

29:00 – Men, Anxiety, and Early Fatherhood Panic attacks, overwhelm, and what men don’t always say out loud

33:00 – Why Community Matters for Dads Finding support outside your partner without disconnecting from your home

37:30 – Eldership and Mentorship Learning from those who have gone before you

41:30 – Raising Boys Into Worth What it means to guide boys toward value, purpose, and self-respect

46:00 – Finding Your Place as a Father Letting go of comparison and leaning into your strengths

49:00 – Closing Reflections Why no one has ever raised your child before, and why that matters

Connect with Eli Weinstein and check out his new book:

https://www.eliweinsteinlcsw.com/book

Give him a follow on Instagram

This one’s personal.

In this special episode of Daring to Dad, Ryan reconnects with longtime friend and author Cara Meredith to talk about a place that shaped—and complicated—both of their lives: church camp.

They dive deep into Cara’s new book Church Camp, exploring the tension between beauty and harm in white evangelical youth culture. Together, they unpack formative experiences like Cry Night, purity culture, “don’t make purple” rules, emotional manipulation, and the racial and gendered norms embedded in camp life.

They reflect on what it means to hold grace for younger versions of ourselves, how shame gets passed down through spiritual systems, and what raising kids with a grounded sense of love and identity can look like—without recreating the patterns they’re still unlearning.

Cara also shares how her theology and parenting have evolved, why she still loves camp, and the power of asking questions even when you’re afraid of the answers.

About Cara: Cara Meredith is the author of The Color of Life and Church Camp. She lives in Oakland, CA, where she works in development by day and writes by night. Follow her on Substack at carameredith.substack.com or on Instagram @carameredithwrites.

In this powerful episode of Daring to Dad, Ryan sits down with licensed clinical social worker Tisheila Justice to unpack the silent struggles of men in the postpartum period. From hormonal changes in fathers to the emotional toll of feeling like the “B parent,” Tisheila shares clinical insights and personal wisdom on why dads need just as much support as moms after birth.

They talk openly about miscarriage, depression, identity shifts, and the ways men often grieve in silence—along with what we can do to change that. This is the conversation about fatherhood, masculinity, and emotional health you didn’t know you needed.

Follow Tisheila at ⁠@growthandwellnessmhc⁠ and check out her site at ⁠growthandwellnessmhc.com⁠

🧠 Topics Covered:

• Postpartum depression in men

• Hormonal shifts after birth

• How society dismisses paternal pain

• Miscarriage and grief

• Building emotional support for fathers

Connect with the show at @daringtodad

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