Men Get Broody Too… Dr Robin Hadley on When Fatherhood Doesn’t Happen

Men can get broody too. And when fatherhood doesn’t happen, the grief can be devastating, silent, and unseen.Dr. Robin A. Hadley, one of the world’s leading voices on involuntary male childlessness, breaks the silence in his warm and deeply moving way.His powerful bookHow Is a Man Supposed to Be a Man? Male Childlessness – A Life Disrupted (Berghahn, 2021)is a book I devoured in one sitting! It articulates a grief that so many men carry quietly, often without language, permission, or space.I knew instantly I had to talk with him, and I knew he had to be on this podcast...This conversation is honest, and compassionate.There's smiles, laughter, wisdom and tears.Rob shares his personal journey, the findings from his groundbreaking research, and the emotional realities men face when biology, circumstance, or fate disrupts their path to fatherhood.We explore masculinity, jealousy, silence, shame, tenderness, and why vulnerability in men is not weakness, but survival.This episode is for men who feel unseen.And for partners, clinicians, friends, and families who care..Check out his website for more:  https://www.robinhadley.co.uk/ .In this episode, we explore:• Why involuntary childlessness is a hidden grief for so many men• The quiet pressure men feel to “be strong” and stay silent• Jealousy, isolation, and the emotional landmines of social life• How masculinity and fertility have become tightly intertwined• The absence of men’s stories in fertility narratives and healthcare• Why emotional wellbeing is still overlooked in male fertility support• How planning, meaning, and kindness can help men live fully alongside grief• Practical strategies for navigating holidays, family gatherings, and painful milestonesKey takeaways:• Grief does not require permission to be real• Men need language and space for fertility-related loss• Vulnerability strengthens individuals and societies• Kindness, especially self-kindness, is not optional• Open conversations change cultureEpisode chapters:00:00 Introduction to involuntary childlessness01:48 Rob’s personal journey08:38 The emotional toll of male childlessness13:25 Grief, jealousy, and comparison19:34 Societal expectations of fatherhood25:18 Why vulnerability in men matters30:35 Gaps in healthcare and cultural awareness34:08 Meaning, connection, and identity beyond fatherhood39:09 Navigating holidays and social pressure41:05 A powerful call to actionFertility Finesse is your go-to podcast for smart, straight-talking conversations about fertility, IVF, miscarriage, and everything that comes with navigating this emotional rollercoaster.Hosted by internationally recognised fertility coach, trauma therapist, and former midwife Helena Tubridy, the show blends medical accuracy with lived experience. Expect expert guests from reproductive medicine, psychology, and allied fields, alongside practical mindset tools and strategies Helena has honed through years of guiding clients worldwide.Clear insights, compassionate guidance, and the occasional reality check to help you cut through the overwhelm and actually feel more in control of your journey.Whether you’re just starting out, deep into treatment, or finding your way after loss, Fertility Finesse empowers you with the knowledge, support, and confidence to advocate for your fertility. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.