What happens when the person expected to be the protector is left out of the story entirely?

In this heart-opening episode of Care Out Loud, Mary sits down with Alex Zavala, founder of The NICU Dad, to spotlight the overlooked yet vital experience of fathers navigating the NICU.

From the trauma of separation and silence to the transformative power of peer support and advocacy, Alex shares his personal journey from NICU parent to national changemaker — and invites us to reimagine how we care.

Together, Mary and Alex unravel:

• The hidden trauma and mental health toll NICU dads carry

• Why ignoring fathers isn’t benign — it’s a systemic failure with long-term consequences

• What true family-centered care looks like when we actually include dads

• How stereotypes about masculinity, emotion, and resilience get in the way of healing

• Practical strategies for clinicians to support fathers meaningfully and intentionally

Alex doesn’t just name the problem — he’s living the solution. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone working in perinatal or neonatal care, and for every human who believes we can do better by families, starting with the quietest voices in the room.

Because when we say family-centered, we have to mean every member of the family.

00:00  Introduction to Today's Guest: Alex Zavala

00:34  Alex Zavala's NICU Journey Begins

01:54  Founding NICU Dad: The Inspiration and Growth

03:43  Challenges and Realizations as a NICU Dad

05:02  The Role of Dads in the NICU: Personal Experiences

07:54  The Importance of Support and Community

09:36  Clinician and Dad Dynamics in the NICU

12:33  Advocating for Dads: Changing the System

20:04  Men's Mental Health and the Future of NICU Dad

25:17  Honoring Individual Experiences in Health Care

26:21  The NICU Journey: From Hospital to Home

28:14  Supporting NICU Dads: Tips and Strategies

29:43  The Importance of Physical and Spiritual Health

31:59  Addressing the Unique Needs of NICU Dads

39:54  The Impact of COVID-19 on NICU Dads

43:58  Caring Out Loud: Advocating for NICU Dads

48:09  Conclusion: The Future of Trauma-Informed Care

Connect with Alex:

Website: thenicudad.com
Instagram: @thenicudad

Call to Action

After listening, take one bold step:

• Ask yourself — Who am I not seeing in the care I give?
• Clinicians: Bring this episode into your next team huddle.
• Families: Share this with a NICU dad in your life.