{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Dad Manual","title":"Ep 23: Before the Birth: A Surgeon Prepares to Become a Father","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2311,"description":"What happens inside a man when he finds out he's going to be a dad — and he's still months away?Vascular surgeon and expectant father Lucas Ferrer joins Tony Cooper for a candid conversation about what life looks like at 25 weeks pregnant. Lucas opens up about the in-between feeling of impending fatherhood — the moments of disconnection at work and the gut-punch of feeling Santiago kick for the first time. Together, Tony and Lucas explore generational patterns, the fear culture Lucas grew up with in Puerto Rico, and the powerful model his grandfather set. This is a rare, honest look inside the heart and mind of a man preparing to become a dad.Key Takeaways:The emotional reality of expectant fatherhood often oscillates between disconnection and profound shockBecoming a parent heightens awareness of unconscious patterns and generational traumaGrowing up around self-aware role models can shape a man's approach to fatherhood long before he becomes a fatherFear of risk is a learned behavior — and it can be unlearnedBeing present as a father starts as an intention you set before the baby arrivesA man's relationship with support and community matters as much as his individual inner workFinding a men's group or support network can be transformational, especially in the transition to fatherhoodShifting priorities away from career and toward family requires intentional planning, not just good intentionsSpeaking to your child before birth — in Lucas's case, in Spanish — is a simple, powerful act of early connectionFatherhood, at its core, is a call to become the best version of yourselfIf you enjoyed The Dad Manual, leave us a rating on your podcast app! If you loved it, share this episode with a Dad! Send your questions to dadmanualpodcast@gmail.com.Connect with Tony Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetonycooper/00:00 Intro & cold open01:00 Meet Lucas Ferrer, expectant father at 25 weeks02:10 A vascular surgeon's approach to pregnancy03:03 Why \"What to Expect\" can do...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/RhesufeLfq-KH7W3Ni1tcYfxGDlnUQ1BXbcDk7-CgJk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8zMWVh/NTk0NDViNmUyYWZl/Zjk4NDk3NWVjMWEy/NWYxYi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}