The NICU Dad Podcast

What happens when the fight for your premature baby's life collides with the sudden, unthinkable loss of your wife? In our most raw and powerful episode yet, we sit down with Weston Brandon to discuss the unspoken reality of widowed NICU fathers.Today, we are sharing a story of profound grief, unimaginable resilience, and the life-altering impact of NICU nurses.Wes Brandon’s journey into fatherhood began at 26 weeks with an emergency C-section, welcoming his son Vance at just 1 lb., 13 oz. But only two weeks into their NICU journey, tragedy struck. Wes's wife suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism, leaving him a 23-year-old widower navigating the terrors of the NICU completely alone.In this deeply vulnerable conversation, Wes holds nothing back. He walks us through the harrowing day his life was shattered, the heavy, silent drives to the hospital, and the paralyzing numbness of trying to bond with his micro-preemie while grieving his wife. He also shares the turning point: a stark, honest conversation with a NICU nurse named Bev that forced him to step up, connect with his son, and ultimately transform his trauma into a mission.We discuss the critical gaps in maternal mortality conversations, the complete lack of resources for widowed fathers, and how Wes is now changing the landscape for men left behind.If you are a NICU parent, a healthcare provider, or someone navigating profound grief, you cannot miss this episode.

Episode 13- Jennifer ZavalaIn this deeply personal episode of The NICU Dad Podcast, Alex Zavala is joined by his wife, Jennifer Zavala, for an honest conversation about the emotional reality of life inside and beyond the NICU.Together, they reflect on their family’s journey through premature birth, medical uncertainty, trauma, fear, survival mode, and the lasting impact the NICU experience can have on both mothers and fathers.Jennifer shares her perspective as a NICU mom while Alex opens up about the weight many fathers silently carry during medical crisis, parenthood, and life after discharge.This episode explores: • The emotional toll of the NICU on parents • Marriage and relationships during crisis • Fear, anxiety, and trauma after premature birth • Different ways moms and dads process the NICU experience • Faith, resilience, and finding strength in uncertainty • Why these conversations matter for NICU families everywhereWhether you are a NICU parent, healthcare professional, advocate, or someone supporting a family through prematurity, this conversation offers honesty, hope, and connection.Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who needs this conversation today.Learn more at: The NICU Dad Official Website

In this episode, Dan Miller shares his story of having his premature baby born on Christmas Day. Dan, who is a board member of his local Ronald McDonald House Charity, also talks about NICU Dad support and offers his advice for navigating the NICU.

NICU dad and author Adam Wood shares his NICU story of his son’s delivery at just 25 weeks, the feelings of guilt and failure he felt in not being able to protect his wife and child, and how he’s bringing NICU parents together with his book, Our Preemie Adventure.

NICU dad Fabian Tejedor shares his story of having a micro preemie daughter in 2002, the anxiety of his wife’s high-risk pregnancy after loss, and how he and his wife have learned to adjust their expectations at each stage of their daughter’s life, from birth to the teen years.

Troy tells the story of his wife, Rebecca, going into pre-term labor during the pandemic, as well as being in the NICU with COVID precautions in place. He describes the emotional toll of not being able to see his daughter in the NICU for three weeks. This episode is even more special because I was a peer-to-peer mentor to Troy during his NICU stay.

2021- Henry discusses his experience of his wife being on bed rest and then giving birth to their twins in the NICU. How having a micro-preemie changed his outlook on being in the NICU. How Henry navigated his NICU experience and the challenges facing his sons during the NICU stay and after.

2020- Jeff Bradbury discusses the sudden birth of his triplets while he was at a conference. He talks about the journey that followed, with one of his babies having to be in another NICU. He also gives advice to other NICU dads out there on how to cope with the pressure and stress of a long NICU stay.

2020- Chris discusses the early birth of his son, Beckett, and the seven-month NICU stay that followed. He talks about enduring the ups and downs of that NICU stay that ultimately ended with the death of his son and the intense grief that followed. He discusses how blogging about his experience and eventually writing a book helped him cope with the situation

2020- Mike speaks about the unexpected early birth of his son Jackson at 24 weeks. He also discusses his journey of becoming familiar with the NICU and bonding with his son, as well as the lasting effects of a NICU stay, including anxiety and PTSD, and the continued therapies families usually face after going home from the NICU.