Episode 118 Matthew Braman on the Hidden Grief Men Carry Through Fertility, Loss, and Fatherhood

In this episode of Dismantling You, I sit down with Matthew Braman, LCSW, LCSW-C, PMH-C, a paternal perinatal mental health specialist and the Founder & CEO of VERVE Psychotherapy to explore a subject that too often goes unspoken: the grief men carry through fertility struggles, pregnancy loss, and the transition into fatherhood. Matthew shares how he found his way into this work, why men's emotional experiences in the perinatal period are so easily overlooked, and what happens when partners stop truly seeing each other. We talk honestly about the distance and resentment that build when grief has nowhere to go, and why real connection asks so much more of us than we expect.From there, Matthew and I dig into the four pillars of connection and what it takes for couples to move through reproductive grief together rather than apart. We explore why so many men wait for a crisis before seeking support, how the myth of the impenetrable man keeps them isolated, and the quiet power of doing the work before things fall apart. We also cover the invisible load in partnership, the guilt that surfaces around parenting, and the practice of building internal safety in the middle of hard seasons. It is a tender, grounding conversation about showing up, asking for help, and remembering that therapy, and honesty, are for everyone.__________________________________________________💔 Grief that goes unspoken: Why reproductive and perinatal loss create distance in relationships when emotions are not shared or validated.👨‍👦 Fathers in the perinatal period: The overlooked reality of men's mental health through fertility, pregnancy, and early parenthood.🧱 The four pillars of connection: How empathy, understanding, acceptance, and validation keep couples close through hard seasons.🚪 The myth of the impenetrable man: How the pressure to appear strong keeps men isolated and delays them from seeking support.⚖️ The invisible load: A candid look at Fair Play, shared responsibility, and the guilt that surfaces in modern parenting.🌱 You do not need a crisis: Why therapy and inner work matter before things fall apart, not only after.__________________________________________________Key HighlightsResources & Next Steps🧠 VERVE Psychotherapy (Matthew Braman’s practice), www.vervpsychotherapy.com 👶 Becoming Dad workshops for new and expecting fathers (in person in Westfield, New Jersey, and virtual)📲 Follow Matthew Braman on Instagram @vervepsychotherapy🎧 Subscribe to Dismantling You on Apple Podcasts