“Dad brain”: How becoming a parent changes the brain, with Darby Saxbe, PhD

Darby Saxbe, PhD, an associate professor at USC and director of the NEST Lab, discusses the fascinating brain changes that occur in new parents. She explains how these shifts improve bonding and caregiving but can also bring challenges. Saxbe highlights the benefits of paternity leave, which significantly boost mental health for families. The conversation touches on the neuroprotective advantages of parenthood and the need for policies that support the mental well-being of both parents during this critical transition.