Modern Wisdom: The Hidden Brain Changes of Fatherhood with Darby Saxbe

Fatherhood reshapes men’s brains, hormones, and identity in ways most people never hear about. In this condensed summary of Chris Williamson’s conversation with researcher Darby Saxbe on Modern Wisdom, we break down what happens during pregnancy and after a first child arrives, from gray matter changes and mentalizing to shifts in testosterone, empathy, and executive function. You’ll learn why involved fatherhood is a major biological and psychological transition, how culture and caregiving time shape those changes, and why some dads feel sharper at parenting while more forgetful elsewhere. Saxbe also challenges the “mom brain” stereotype, explains the mental health strain of modern fatherhood, and reframes good parenting as a strength rather than a weakness. Get the key insights from the full episode in far less time—listen now to get the key ideas in minutes.