Episode Details

Fatherhood is more than a life change—it can reshape men’s hormones, brains, and relationships. This condensed summary of Armchair Expert trims the full-length conversation down to a quick listen, turning the original episode into a time-saving recap that covers the key science and takeaways. Dax Shepard and Monica Padman talk with clinical psychologist Darby Saxbe about her research on dad brain, hands-on fatherhood, and why modern nuclear-family life often clashes with how humans evolved to parent. You’ll hear how testosterone, prolactin, and oxytocin can shift in new fathers, how caregiving may affect brain structure, and why cultures like Spain and Sweden normalize active dad involvement. The episode also explores the impact of sleep deprivation, relationship strain, paternal leave, and the surprising link between shared caregiving, happiness, and longevity. Listen now to get the key ideas in minutes.