Challenging Stereotypes in Parenting: A Father’s Emotional Journey

06/06/23 • 60 min

2 Listeners

Welcome to Episode Nine of Touched Out: A Mental Health Podcast for Parents!

In this thought-provoking episode, host Carter sits down with Luke, a stay-at-home dad of five, who shares his powerful story of navigating fatherhood, trauma, and mental health. Luke opens up about his battles with anxiety, self-medication, and the pressures of managing a blended family, while also challenging societal norms around masculinity and emotional expression.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions on mental health struggles, self-medication, and trauma. Listener discretion is advised.

Join us as Luke discusses:

Vulnerability and Fatherhood: Luke shares his journey of embracing vulnerability and breaking free from traditional masculine roles, emphasizing the importance of open emotional expression in parenting.

Personal Healing and Mental Health: Insights into Luke's personal battles with anxiety and self-medication, and how these challenges led him to focus on family and healing childhood traumas.

Balancing Family and Career: A candid look at how Luke manages the complexities of raising a blended family while dealing with online negativity and societal expectations.

Supportive Communities for Fathers: The critical need for supportive networks and resources for fathers, highlighting Luke's dedication to fostering change and advocating for mental health awareness.

Overcoming Societal Stigmas: A discussion on the societal pressures faced by men in expressing emotions, and the importance of challenging traditional gender roles for a healthier family dynamic.

Empowerment Through Authenticity: Luke’s story underscores the power of authenticity and community, offering a platform for fathers to share their experiences and embrace their roles fully.

Listen to Luke's inspiring journey and gain valuable insights into parenting, mental health, and the power of vulnerability. Subscribe now to Touched Out for more heartfelt conversations and practical tips on navigating parenthood and mental health.

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Drop a comment on Spotify if you have any questions or thoughts. You can also visit The Touched Out Website to leave a voice message or contact me via email. If you are interested in being a guest on Touched Out you can access the guest form HERE

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Welcome to Episode Nine of Touched Out: A Mental Health Podcast for Parents!

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions on mental health struggles, self-medication, and trauma. Listener discretion is advised.

Join us as Luke discusses:

Personal Healing and Mental Health: Insights into Luke's personal battles with anxiety and self-medication, and how these challenges led him to focus on family and healing childhood traumas.

Balancing Family and Career: A candid look at how Luke manages the complexities of raising a blended family while dealing with online negativity and societal expectations.

Overcoming Societal Stigmas: A discussion on the societal pressures faced by men in expressing emotions, and the importance of challenging traditional gender roles for a healthier family dynamic.

Empowerment Through Authenticity: Luke’s story underscores the power of authenticity and community, offering a platform for fathers to share their experiences and embrace their roles fully.

Support the show

Connect with Us:

Get your official Touched Out! Merch HERE

Donate to Touched Out! HERE

Spoony App:

All of the friends, None of the fear. A safe space for neurodivergent, chronically ill and disabled people to make friends and find support. Download the Spoony App HERE

*This is not a paid promotion

Previous Episode

Laughter and Tears: Parenting an Autistic Child

1 Recommendations

Welcome to Episode Eight of Touched Out: A Mental Health Podcast for Parents!

In this heartfelt episode, host Carter is joined by Martin, a dedicated father from Perth, Australia, who shares his touching story about his son Harrison's autism diagnosis and the challenges they faced. Martin opens up about the emotional turmoil of Harrison going completely nonverbal, the struggle of finding a supportive community, and the significant gaps in resources available for fathers after an autism diagnosis.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions on autism, mental health struggles, and societal stigma. Listener discretion is advised.

Join us as Martin discusses:

From Silence to Resilience: Martin's emotional journey through his son Harrison's regression to nonverbal communication and the transformative impact on their family.

Finding Community and Support: The challenges Martin faced in building a supportive network and overcoming societal stigma surrounding autism.

Challenges in Support for Fathers: Insights into the lack of resources for fathers after an autism diagnosis and Martin's frustrations with ineffective seminars.

The Power of Early Intervention: The crucial role early intervention played in Harrison's development and Martin's experiences with unexpected milestones, like Harrison learning Russian from YouTube videos.

Impact on Family Dynamics: How Harrison's autism diagnosis affected Martin's marriage and the financial and emotional strains it brought.

Moments of Joy and Triumph: Heartwarming and humorous anecdotes that showcase Harrison's unique personality and the special bond he shares with Martin.

Addressing Societal Stigma: The importance of receiving a diagnosis, unlearning toxic masculinity, and embracing authenticity despite societal pressures.

Listen to Martin's inspiring journey and gain valuable insights and support for your own parenting challenges. Subscribe now to Touched Out for more heartfelt conversations and practical tips on navigating parenthood and mental health.

Support the show

Connect with Us:

Get your official Touched Out! Merch HERE

Donate to Touched Out! HERE

Spoony App:

All of the friends, None of the fear. A safe space for neurodivergent, chronically ill and disabled people to make friends and find support. Download the Spoony App HERE

*This is not a paid promotion

Next Episode

Cutting Ties and Moving Forward: Family Estrangement Insights

1 Recommendations

Welcome to Episode Ten of Touched Out: A Mental Health Podcast for Parents!

In this enlightening episode, host Carter is joined by Bekah and Bryan, a resilient couple who have spent 18 years navigating the complex landscape of parenting and mental health. From facing family estrangement to raising a child with autism, their journey is filled with both challenges and triumphs. Bekah and Bryan candidly discuss their unique parenting experiences, shedding light on how mental health awareness has profoundly influenced their approach to family life.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions on mental health challenges, family estrangement, grief, and loss. Listener discretion is advised.

Join us as Bekah and Bryan discuss:

Navigating Grief and Estrangement: Insights into Bekah's decision to cut ties with her family and how this choice has impacted their parenting journey, alongside their experiences of dealing with profound loss and grief.

Parenting with Purpose: How Bekah and Bryan overcame their own childhood trauma and used those lessons to create a nurturing environment for their children, emphasizing emotional growth and resilience.

Fatherhood and Emotional Growth: Bryan shares the male perspective on mental health, detailing his initial resistance to therapy and the transformative impact it had on his emotional well-being.

Understanding Autism: A heartfelt discussion on the unique dynamics introduced by raising a child with autism, including the challenges and joys that have shaped their family life.

Setting Emotional Examples: The importance of setting a healthy emotional example for children and how Bekah and Bryan are challenging societal expectations around masculinity and emotional expression.

Grief and Loss: The emotional weight of explaining death to young children, sharing poignant anecdotes about the loss of a loved one to cancer and the comforting presence of grandparents sensed by their children.

Community and Support: How personal beliefs and online communities provide solace, emphasizing the critical role of community support in navigating parenting challenges.

Listen to Bekah and Bryan inspiring story and gain valuable insights into how they navigate grief, family estrangement, and the realities of modern parenting. Subscribe now to Touched Out for more heartfelt conversations and practic

Support the show

Connect with Us:

Get your official Touched Out! Merch HERE

Donate to Touched Out! HERE

Spoony App:

All of the friends, None of the fear. A safe space for neurodivergent, chronically ill and disabled people to make friends and find support. Download the Spoony App HERE

*This is not a paid promotion

Touched Out! - Challenging Stereotypes in Parenting: A Father’s Emotional Journey

Transcript

Carter: [00:00:00] Trigger warning. The following podcast contains explicit language and discussions of sensitive topics that some listeners may find distressing, including miscarriage, child abuse, mental health issues, and birth trauma. Listen to discretion is advised. If you feel triggered or overwhelmed at any point, we encourage you to pause the episode and take care of yourself.

Hello, and welcome to another episode of The Touched Out Podcast. Today I have Luke as