Ep 35: Six Weeks From Fatherhood: Jesse Ganes on Becoming a Dad

A first-time dad six weeks from his due date opens up about what the third trimester really feels like. Tony Cooper sits down with Jesse Ganes to talk through the physical and emotional shifts of late pregnancy, the conversations he's having with friends and family about how life is about to change, and the parenting choices he and his wife Emma are making before their son even arrives. They cover screen time boundaries, the science behind a changing "dad brain," sleep deprivation, division of labor in parenting, and why protecting couple time now matters so much.

Key Takeaways

Screen time boundaries are a conversation worth having before the baby arrives, not afterPregnancy changes what a couple can physically do together, and renegotiating that takes patienceA father's brain physically changes to respond differently to a baby's cry, according to research Jesse's been readingTelling friends without kids that the relationship will change, but won't end, sets healthier expectationsCommunity and local parent networks (including a "semi active" dad group) become a real resourceSleep deprivation is often less about the sleep loss itself and more about the judgment attached to itProtecting couple time during pregnancy builds the foundation for the family that's coming

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00:00 Cold open

00:29 Meet Jesse Ganes

01:17 Six weeks from the due date

02:10 What feels real right now

03:04 Talking about screen time early

05:16 Two becomes three