The Lonely Dad Conversations

Written by Chris Gethard

Narrated by Chris Gethard, PJ Ochlan and Hope Newhouse

Comedian and actor Chris Gethard sits down with some of his closest comrades for no-holds-barred conversations about transitioning to dad life.

It’s no secret that parenting isn’t easy. The way life changes when two people decide to raise a child together can be unexpectedly… different. A rollercoaster of emotions — ranging from excitement to surprise to inspiration to sadness and even loneliness — ensues as the everyday shifts from what once was to what now is. When it comes to being a new dad — as Chris Gethard explores in his latest Scribd Original, The Lonely Dad Conversations — there is definitely a lot to be said about seeking comfort with those who share in these newfound and sometimes overwhelming feelings of change.

Featuring interviews with twelve of Gethard’s closest dad friends (and one mom because — as Gethard notes — she is “one of the smartest people” he knows and “might have some insight into presenting masculinity that no one else could offer”), The Lonely Dad Conversations looks at how social interactions, relationships, and friendships can change upon becoming a dad. As the long nights of partying turn into long nights of diaper duty or constant worries about their child’s future (especially in a post-pandemic world), each dad — and one mom — offers insight into how they managed a complete lifestyle pivot. And while being a mom is “actually more difficult,” as one interviewee points out, dads “are allowed to complain too.”

Following up on his deeply personal book Dad on Pills: Fatherhood and Mental Illness, Gethard “airs out the conversations that dads often feel too nervous to have” in The Lonely Dad Conversations by tapping into the thoughts and emotions of those around him as they reflect on their own childhoods and learned family values.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Everand Originals
• Release date: Mar 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9781094459417

Chris Gethard

CHRIS GETHARD is a comedian and creator of The Chris Gethard Show and host of the popular weekly podcast Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People. His Judd Apatow-produced one-man show, Career Suicide, premiered on HBO and was nominated for the Lucille Lortel award for its off-Broadway run. He lives in Queens, New York.

Reviews for The Lonely Dad Conversations

[rob hunt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have a son who is only two or three months older than Chris’s and I’m two or three years younger than Chris so I am absolutely in the heart of experiencing so much of what comes up here even if I’ve never been able to articulate it.

The stuff about losing friends hit me so hard.

Fantastic book. I’m recommending it to everyone.

[rus · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Insightful and comforting, there are such a lack of dad books that are not insulting to the inner life acknowledging that in addition to being men, they are people also.

[Jaron Cadena · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I appreciate the honesty and truth that were present in the audio. One of the things that kept throwing me off was the voice actor was used to voice each male interviewer which threw me off. It was really hard to keep up with who was who and understand more deeply about each person and their perspective. It was hard to keep track and be able to connect more fully with each individual for this reason.

I was able to relate to several different perspectives as a 15 month dad. Knowing that I'm not alone is truly a great message that is powerful to understand through and through.

[Micah McCarty · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Chris Gethard is known and loved for his vulnerability and empathy. This is another shining example of his beautiful personality having those same conversations with friends about parenting. If you are a fan of his podcast (or even if you aren't) this is a wonderful book filled with wisdom and humor and a deep appreciation for the struggles of parenting.

My only criticism of the book is that the actual people should have narrated their stories instead of the voice actor who voices them all. Contrasted by Chris's deep empathy the actor came across as fake and even cartoonish. There were parts that his voice sounded like a character in Sesame Street. It wasn't enough to make me dislike the book and it was redeemed in the final story with the single female perspective. Her narration was equal to the authenticity of the author. Highly recommend.

[Blake Kabnick · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed listening to the author's book. It's great to hear the experiences and perspectives of other fathers. I would recommend this to any father or father to be.

[Shawn Eubanks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful. Didn’t relate to every single part, but there was enough here to appreciate.

[Christopher Todd Nicholes · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This a quite a very liberal and socialist kind of reading. I don’t feel it takes a community or village to raise a healthy child. It takes two emotionally healthy souls to meet to the needs of a young person. It is my responsibility to raise my child, no one else’s, especially society or the government.