Today’s episode on The Midlife Mentors is a really important conversation and honestly, one we don’t hear enough about.
Because Claire has spoken about female childlessness on this podcast a few times, but we’ve not discussed male childlessness… particularly the emotional impact of it, the silence around it, and why so many men feel they have to carry that experience alone.
Whether it’s through circumstance, infertility, relationships not working out, or simply life not unfolding the way someone expected, involuntary male childlessness can have a profound effect on identity, mental health, relationships, and how men see themselves in the world. Yet unlike the conversations we often have around women and fertility, men’s experiences in this area are rarely talked about openly.
So today, we’re joined by someone who has dedicated years of research to understanding exactly that. Dr. Robin Hadley is an author, researcher and leading voice on male childlessness and male fertility narratives. His work explores the psychological, emotional and social impact of childlessness in men, and why so many feel invisible in conversations around fertility, masculinity and family life.
This is a really honest, thoughtful and emotional conversation about identity, grief, masculinity, relationships, ageing, and the expectations society places on men.
So whether this topic affects you personally, someone you love, or you’re simply curious to better understand the male experience – this is an episode well worth listening to.
Rob has offered listeners 35% off the hardback edition of his book – using the code: HAD35 and 25% off the e-book using the code: HAD25. Offer ends 12th July 2026.
Click HERE to purchase and redeem your money off.
https://www.berghahnbooks.com/title/HadleyHow
Rob’s website: https://www.robinhadley.co.uk/
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