Why Fatherhood Research Matters: Data, Dads, and the “So What?” Question with Dr. Matthew Shepherd

Five seasons in, the I Am Dad Podcast continues to examine the foundations of responsible fatherhood—and this episode goes straight to the core question too few ask: So what? Host Kenneth Braswell, CEO of Fathers Incorporated, welcomes national thought leader Matthew Shepherd, founder of Midwest Evaluation and Research, for a wide-ranging and deeply reflective discussion on fatherhood, research integrity, program evaluation, and systems change. Shepherd shares his personal fatherhood journey, including lessons learned from his own dad and the transformative experience of adoption. From there, the conversation expands into the realities of Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood programs, the challenges of sustainability, the role of policy, and why data without meaning fails to move systems forward. Together, Braswell and Shepherd unpack how programs can use research not as a compliance exercise, but as a tool for continuous improvement, storytelling, and long-term impact. The episode challenges practitioners, funders, and policymakers alike to rethink how success is measured—and why fatherhood remains one of the most powerful, bipartisan investments society can make. If you care about fathers, families, research, or the future of social impact work, this conversation will stretch how you think about all four.

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