I Wanted to Be a Different Kind of Dad - Then I Had a Baby

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

June 4, 2026

Duration

36m

Channel

Good Inside with Dr. Becky

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

I Wanted to Be a Different Kind of Dad Becoming a dad can bring up a surprising thought: “What if I become my father?” Dr. Becky talks with writer Aymann Ismail about the emotional reality of early fatherhood — the parts men are rarely encouraged to say out loud. Aymann opens up about wanting to be a different kind of dad than the one he grew up with, the panic and shame he felt during those first exhausting weeks with a newborn, and how quickly parenthood forced him to confront old patterns, identity shifts, and fears he didn’t expect. Together, they explore partnership strain, emotional inheritance, and the complicated grief of losing parts of your old life while trying to build a new one. Aymann Ismail is a staff writer at *Slate* and the author of *Becoming Baba*. Looking for more support navigating pregnancy, postpartum, and life with a new baby? Good Inside Baby gives you practical tools, scripts, and expert guidance for the moments that can feel most overwhelming in early parenthood. Thank you to our partners for making this episode possible:

• Once Upon a Farm: Use the code GOODINSIDE for 40% off your first subscription
• Pipette: Get 15% off Pipette’s line of SPF products with the code GOODINSIDESPF at pipettebaby.com
• LMNT: Get a free 8-count sample pack with your purchase at LMNT.com/goodinside
• Airbnb: Host your home or book your next stay on Airbnb

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Aymann Ismail

  guest

  Journalist and former photojournalist sharing personal experiences about fatherhood and identity.

• Dr. Becky

  host

  Clinical psychologist and parenting expert behind Good Inside who hosts and guides the Rattled interviews.

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Good Inside with Dr. Becky, featuring Aymann Ismail and Dr. Becky, I Wanted to Be a Different Kind of Dad - Then I Had a Baby explores a new dad learns usefulness, partnership, and emotional self-regulation fast Aymann enters fatherhood determined to be hands-on and “different from his dad,” but immediately discovers the loss of control, sleep deprivation, and anxiety can turn good intentions into conflict.

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