Ben Petchel is officially a dad. Emma Parker arrived May 1st, and this episode is the real, unfiltered update: doula ROI, cabin fever with a newborn, and Adam catching everyone up on Dad Day’s first live event and the YouTube channel taking off.

What This Episode’s About

Recorded while Ben’s staying at his in-laws without his usual mic, this one’s part birth announcement, part gut-check on what the first few weeks of fatherhood actually feel like. Adam also recaps Dad Day’s first “Built for More” event in Charleston and gives an update on the Go West YouTube series and the gear-review videos taking off.

The Big Takeaways

  • You don’t fully get it until you’re in it. Ben’s honest opener: “I downplayed what having a child would be like.” No amount of hearing other dads talk about it prepares you for the actual thing.
  • A doula can be worth it, even if it doesn’t feel that way in the moment. Ben was skeptical mid-labor, but in hindsight: “What’s the cost of peace of mind, and what’s the cost of anxiety? I wouldn’t do it again for baby number two, since I know what to expect now. But for a first-time dad, it’s definitely worth it.”
  • Asking for help isn’t giving up. After two and a half weeks with zero support and a bad case of cabin fever, Ben and Ashley made the call: “We kind of hit that point. We got stir crazy as hell and were like, why are we torturing ourselves? Let’s just let family help out.”
  • Every phase has its own challenge, and it does get easier. Adam’s reassurance to a sleep-deprived new dad: “It gets easier. It just continues elevating, and each phase comes with its own challenge.”
  • Real gear reviews beat sponsored fluff. On Adam’s beach umbrella review video: “This is Adam’s real review, and I can’t wait to see it, because I don’t think there’s enough of that out in the world.” No brand paid for placement. Just an actual dad who went through the buying decision himself.

Best Quote of the Episode

“It’s a different feeling that I never felt before. And I understand what you dads were talking about earlier.” — Ben, three weeks into fatherhood

Listen to Episode 11
Spotify/Apple

Related Reading

One Day at a Time, Brother — Guys Being Dads Ep. 12
Watch: Our Grenadier Review on YouTube

Join the Conversation

Went through the doula debate yourself, or have a “why didn’t we just ask for help sooner” story? Drop it in the Dad Day Slack or call it in to 833-DAD-SHOW. We might play it on the next episode.