Podcasts about attachment style quiz

For many gay men, our relationship with our dad is one of the most defining- and least talked about. In this episode, we explore the nuances of our relationships with our fathers through three core questions: How did your dad react when you came out? How do you express your gayness around him today? Does being gay impact the level of intimacy you have with your dad? From there, we go deeper into family dynamics, cultural expectations, and the different expressions of love and acceptance between fathers and their gay sons. We get into physical affection between fathers and sons, how much access we give them into our lives, and the boundaries we set as adults. We also explore how these early relationships can shape the kinds of men we're attracted to… and the patterns we carry into dating and relationships. This is a grounded, honest conversation about the often complex and layered relationship between fathers and sons.  Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio - Take the 360° Self-Review for Gay Men Reno Johnston Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Going Deeper: The Daddy Issue(00:01:47) - Did Gay Men Need Daddies?(00:03:20) - How Did My Dad React To My Coming Out?(00:07:49) - How Did My Dad React To My Coming Out?(00:10:18) - Reno On Not Bringing Up Gay Issues With His Father(00:14:24) - When My Gay Friend Comes Out(00:14:43) - How Did My Dad React To Coming Out?(00:18:53) - Coming Out To My Dad(00:20:52) - How Do You Describe Your Gayness To Your Dad?(00:27:38) - How Do I Feel Representing My Gayness To My Dad?(00:31:14) - How My Parents Accept My Gay Love Life(00:33:37) - Do You Hold Back Your Gayness When You're Around Your Dad(00:37:56) - Adam Levine on Father-Son Conferences(00:42:40) - Does Being Gay Impact How You Experience Intimate Touch With Your Dad(00:45:32) - Does Being Gay Impact How I Experience Intimate With My Dad?(00:47:52) - Michael Jackson on His Dad's Love(00:51:09) - We Love You, Dads

A lot of gay men take pride in being independent, self-sufficient and in control. But is there a shadow side? When the time comes to let someone in, ask for support, or even rely on others—it feels uncomfortable, exposing, even threatening. In this episode, we explore the spectrum between dependence, co-dependence, independence, hyper-independence, and interdependence—and why so many gay men get stuck at the far end of doing life alone. We talk about:  What hyper-independence actually is (and why it's so common) The fear of losing yourself, your freedom, or your identity Why intimacy feels harder than being alone How this shows up in dating, relationships, and asking for support What it looks like to move toward interdependence (secure attachment)  This isn't about becoming dependent. It's about learning how to find a happy middle ground where you can let someone in without losing yourself or pulling further away.  Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio - Take the 360° Self-Review for Gay Men Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deeper: How to Let People In(00:01:14) - What is Dependency and Independence?(00:03:34) - Guys Who Are Hyper Independent or Codependent(00:04:54) - Cocodependent and Secure Attachment: How Do You Know(00:08:04) - How to Grow Up With Someone (Gay Men)(00:10:49) - Insecure Attachment and The Fear That(00:13:38) - What Are Some Boundaries That You Have For Yourself?(00:15:23) - What's the Hardest Part of Learning To Trust Again?(00:17:06) - How Anxious Attachers Get Out Of Conflict(00:18:45) - How To Start Moving Toward Interdependence(00:20:21) - Can An Avoidant Attachment Style Overcorrect Into Becoming Cod(00:24:59) - How to Cope With Anxious Partner(00:27:54) - The Importance of Living With Your Partner(00:30:44) - How To Overcome The Fear Of Disappointment During Relationships(00:34:35) - Gay Men Talk About Being Independent

What if the patterns in your relationships are not just about communication, compatibility, or choosing the wrong person, but subconscious wounds your nervous system learned years ago? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with Thais Gibson, PhD, bestselling author, counselor, speaker, attachment theory expert, and founder of The Personal Development School, to explore how attachment styles, childhood conditioning, core wounds, subconscious programming, and nervous system regulation shape the way we love, fight, connect, and pull away.In this episode, Thais explains why the conscious mind often cannot overpower the subconscious mind, and why so many people keep repeating the same relationship patterns even when they know better. She breaks down the four attachment styles: secure, anxious, dismissive avoidant, and fearful avoidant, and explains how each style can show up in adult relationships, dating, marriage, family dynamics, conflict, ghosting, love bombing, emotional shutdown, clinginess, and the painful push-pull cycle.Dr. Taz and Thais discuss why affirmations may not be enough to heal deep core wounds, why the subconscious mind responds more to emotion and imagery than language, and how childhood experiences can become the lens through which we interpret adult relationships. Thais also shares a practical 21-day rewiring exercise using memory, emotion, visualization, and repetition to help shift core wounds like abandonment, betrayal, shame, unworthiness, and fear of being trapped.If you're listening to this and thinking, “I know something is off in my body, but I don't know where to start,” join the Circle here:

There's something unique about friendships between gay and straight men. They often feel easy, natural, and unexpectedly intimate. In this episode, we explore the unique reasons why gay and straight men are drawn towards each other. From male bonding and emotional intimacy to validation, and the freedom to drop the “rules” of being a man, these friendships often offer something both sides aren't getting elsewhere. We unpack: Why gay men are drawn to straight men… and what they represent Why straight men feel safe, open, and even curious around gay men How masculinity is shifting in 2026… and where these friendships fit What each side gives the other and how we balance each other out  This isn't about hookups or labels. It's about what men are craving, and what that reveals about modern masculinity. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio - Take the 360° Self-Review for Gay Men Reno Johnston Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gaming Going Deeper(00:00:59) - Gay Men On Straight Men's Friendship(00:04:43) - Why Do Gay Men Are Attracted To Straight Men?(00:06:55) - Gay Hockey Players Play With Straight Guys(00:08:41) - Why Are You Attracted To Straight Male Friends?(00:13:32) - Straight Men On The Gay Men's Brotherhood(00:17:46) - Gay Men's Brotherhood Connection Circles(00:18:28) - Why Are Straight Men Drawn To Gay Men?(00:22:43) - Damon on Why Gay Men Are Drawn to Him(00:23:50) - Straight Men Are Desperate For Sex(00:26:45) - Broke Male Podcast: Permission To Be You(00:31:41) - "It's Okay to Hug Your Gay Father"(00:33:11) - Gay Men Going Deep(00:33:48) - Gay Men Want More Sexual Closeness(00:39:15) - Straight Men Talk About Gay Bars(00:41:46) - Set Free Your Gay Men!(00:43:12) - Going Deep: Gay Men's Brotherhood

Welcome back to Love Fully, a podcast dedicated to helping you deepen emotional connection, strengthen secure bonds, and understand your inner world with tenderness and clarity. In today's episode, we explore coping with disappointment through the lens of Emotionally Focused Therapy and the very real, very human experience of disappointment in relationships.Whether the disappointment comes from a partner, a friend, or family member, this episode unpacks why unmet needs strike so deeply at the heart of our attachment system. We talk honestly about the moments when we've reached vulnerably, communicated clearly, and still felt unseen or unsupported — and what to do next.Challenges We ExploreThe emotional impact of unmet expectationsWhy we minimize our own pain (and how this keeps us stuck)The grief that comes with realizing someone cannot show up for usHow disappointment, when acknowledged, becomes a doorway to deeper self-loveHow repeated unresponsiveness shapes attachment woundsKey Takeaways for HealingHonor your hurt — disappointment is a valid emotional signalLet your pain be witnessed — connection softens emotional weightWatch patterns, not promises — behavior reveals someone's capacityExpand your support system — seek secure, responsive othersRedirect with compassion — for yourself and for those who cannot meet your needsThrough a compassionate, humanistic dialogue, Kim and Kyle invite you to slow down, feel the truth of your experience, and explore how to stay open to love — even when others fall short. This episode is a reminder that healing disappointment isn't about dismissing your needs… it's about honoring the parts of you that long to be held, seen, and supported.Follow Love Fully on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.Until next time, stay connected and love fully. ❤️Additional Resources for You:Take the free Attachment Style Quiz to discover your attachment style today!Sign up for the Secure Attachment Path to foster deep, secure connections within your relationships.

This episode marks an important evolution.What began as The Roadmap to Secure Love Podcast is now Love Fully—not because secure attachment no longer matters, but because we've seen something deeper emerge in our work with clients, listeners, and ourselves.Secure attachment gives us language and clarity. Loving fully is about living that understanding in real life.In this episode of Love Fully, Kim and Kyle explore what it truly means to love from a grounded, secure place—both with ourselves and with the people we care about most. Through an Emotionally Focused Therapy lens, they unpack why loving fully requires more than insight; it calls for courage, self-honesty, and a willingness to challenge the attachment patterns that once protected us.Many of us grew up without a roadmap for healthy emotional connection. Maybe you learned to stay small to keep the peace, to over-function to earn closeness, or to shut down when vulnerability felt unsafe. These strategies once helped you survive—but they may now limit the kind of love you long for. This episode explores how to gently rewrite those relational “scripts” and build the inner security needed for healthier, more fulfilling bonds.In today's conversation, Kim and Kyle highlight:Balancing closeness and autonomySetting boundaries without losing connectionHonoring your needs without shameLoving someone as they are—not who you hope they'll bePracticing compassion for the younger parts of yourselfWhether you're healing personal wounds, navigating relationship challenges, or seeking deeper emotional clarity, this episode supports your journey toward healthy relationship boundaries and secure connection.Follow Love Fully on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.Until next time, stay connected and love fully. ❤️Additional Resources for You:Take the free Attachment Style Quiz to discover your attachment style today!Sign up for the Secure Attachment Path to foster deep, secure connections within your relationships.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Nima Rahmany to unpack the push-pull dynamic that so many couples experience after betrayal or relational trauma.He explains how our nervous system shifts between states like fight-or-flight, shutdown, and connection—and how real healing requires learning to regulate those states rather than just understanding the dynamics intellectually.Dr. Nima Rahmany is a nervous system and trauma specialist helping individuals heal attachment wounds and become trigger-proof in love and leadership. Formerly a chiropractor, he now guides clients through somatic and shadow integration to break free from toxic patterns and self-abandonment. Dr. Nima offers several programs designed to support this process, including his ⁠Attachment Style Quiz and the Trigger Proof Experience, a monthly program focused on emotional regulation and relationship transformation.If this episode resonated with you, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with someone who might need this conversation.Connect With Me + Continue Your HealingIf today's episode resonated with you, you don't have to walk the healing journey after betrayal alone. I create trauma-informed resources, conversations, and learning experiences to support individuals and couples navigating infidelity, betrayal trauma, and relational repair.Here are a few ways to stay connected and continue your healing:Join me at a Retreat or IntensiveIf you're craving deeper, in-person support and embodied healing, I'm helping facilitate upcoming experiences created specifically for betrayed partners. ⁠Register for my 90-minute Zoom workshop⁠ called Boundaries That Build Safety: Reclaiming Your Power After Betrayal. Happening Thursday, April 30th at 6 PM Pacific Time.Email Hali⁠ to join the⁠⁠⁠ Interest list for an upcoming course for parents called Intentional Parenting After Betrayal⁠⁠⁠⁠, hosted by Hali and her daughter, Morgan Ellsworth. Later this year, the Courage to Thrive Betrayal Trauma Intensive takes place August 25 - 28 in Spanish Fork, Utah and offers a structured, trauma-informed space to understand betrayal trauma, regulate your nervous system, and rebuild self-trust. Free Resources & DownloadsAccess free tools, guided practices, and educational resources designed to support nervous system regulation, self-trust, boundaries, and clarity after betrayal.

When a gay man says he's attracted to masculine men, is that simply preference… or could internalized homophobia be part of the story? In this episode, we unpack one of the most volatile conversations in the gay community. We explore what people actually mean when they say “masculine,” the masc and fem archetypes that shape gay culture, and how social conditioning around masculinity and femininity can influence attraction and identity. Most importantly, we tackle the question at the center of the debate: where is the line between genuine preference and internalized bias? In this episode we discuss: What people really mean when they say “masculine” Masculine and feminine archetypes  How conditioning around masculinity shapes attraction What internalized homophobia can look like in everyday life The difference between preference and hierarchy Where the line may exist between preference and prejudice Join us for a nuanced conversation about masculinity, attraction, and the cultural forces that shape how gay men see themselves and each other. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio - Take the 360° Self-Review for Gay Men Reno Johnston Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your... Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deep(00:01:00) - Gay Men's Issues With Masculinity(00:03:16) - What is Internalized Homophobia?(00:05:26) - Are You Attracted To Masculine Men?(00:10:26) - Tom Brokaw on Masculinity(00:11:40) - Masculinity and the Gay Community(00:14:31) - On Masculinity and Sexuality(00:17:39) - Gayman's Brotherhood Connection Circles(00:18:29) - Internalized Homophobia(00:23:06) - Gay Men's Brotherhood: Femininity and Gay Life(00:29:44) - Queens Talk About Their Gay Culture(00:32:15) - Outing My Own Phobia(00:36:08) - Gay Men Go Deep Coaching(00:36:50) - Where Is the Line Between Real Sexual Desire and Internalized Homophobia(00:39:58) - I Used To Be Attracted To Performative Masculinity(00:45:24) - Reno On Gay Men's Sexualities(00:49:08) - Blind Dating on Grindr(00:50:14) - A Very Long Goodbye

The guy who constantly cancels plans, keeps things vague, or disappears when something better comes along — that's flakiness: a pattern of not following through. In a culture of endless options and shifting feelings, has unreliability quietly become normal? And what does that actually say about us? In this off-the-cuff episode, we talk about: What flakiness actually is — and what it isn't The difference between boundaries and excuses Common avoidance patterns in dating and friendships Why keeping your word is about more than just social plans What it really means to be a reliable man This isn't just about the inconvenience of canceled plans. It's about self-trust, stronger relationships, and the kind of man you're practicing becoming. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio - Take the 360° Self-Review for Gay Men Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deep: FlAKY Gays(00:03:24) - Gay Men Talk About Flakiness(00:07:37) - How to run a group(00:08:45) - Flaky Gay Men vs Avoidant Gay Men(00:13:03) - Being Candid With People(00:16:34) - Gay Men Talk About When They Don't Want To Connect With Me(00:20:13) - How to Get More Out of Your Friendships(00:21:10) - Lack of Follow Through(00:25:50) - Matt On His Love Life(00:29:04) - In the Elevator With Flakiness(00:30:25) - Gaming Going Deep

Sponsored By: → Timeline | Support your cells and how you age with Mitopure® Gummies from Timeline. Visit https://timeline.com/DRG and save up to 39% off your Mitopure® Gummies. → My one-stop shop for quality supplements: https://theswellscore.com/pages/drg Episode Description You didn't fall in love with them. You fell in love with who you thought you'd finally become through their eyes. Dr. Nima Rahmany spent 20 years as a chiropractor watching chronic illness follow relational ruptures — divorce, betrayal, grief — before leaving the entire system to understand why. A nervous system and attachment specialist, he built the Trigger Proof Method after hitting his own rock bottom: a toxic trauma bond, a moment of physical violence, and a reckoning with the question — how did I get here? What emerged is one of the clearest frameworks Dr. G has encountered for why relationships break down, and how they actually heal. In this episode, you'll discover:  • The three phases every relationship moves through — and why most couples get permanently stuck in phase two without ever knowing it exists • Why the moment you get triggered, the pain you're feeling is your own self-abandonment — not what the other person did • How unhealed nervous systems pass invisibly to children, and what it actually takes to break the cycle before it goes another generation If your relationships keep following the same pattern no matter how hard you try — this is the upstream answer you've been missing. Find Dr. Nima: Website & Attachment Style Quiz: becometriggerproof.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnima Timestamps:0:00 - Intro 4:07 - Rapid Fire: Why Talking About Trauma Doesn't Heal It 6:21 - Why High Performers Struggle Most in Relationships 14:09 - Dr. Nima's Story: From Chiropractor to Cycle Breaker 24:46 - What Codependency Is Really Stealing From You 32:37 - The Truth About Boundaries (And Why Yours Keep Failing) 44:39 - The 3 Phases Every Relationship Goes Through 56:08 - The Trigger Proof Method Explained Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it actually mean to identify as gay? For many of us, claiming the word “gay” was liberating. It gave us language, belonging, community, and pride. It helped us make sense of our experiences and find people who understood us. But is there a point where identification turns into over-identification? In this episode, we unpack some big questions: What is identity, really? In what ways is identifying as gay empowering? How does it foster belonging and inclusion? When does it start to create division, hierarchy, or limitation? Is “gay” a culture — and if so, what does that even mean? Where's the line between healthy pride and rigid attachment? We explore the benefits and the drawbacks of tying ourselves closely to any identity — and how over-identifying can sometimes shrink us rather than expand us. This conversation isn't about minimizing being gay. It's about integrating it. About moving from performance to embodiment. From label to lived experience. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio - Take the 360° Self-Review for Gay Men Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deep: Over Identifying With Being Gay(00:00:50) - Being gay in the quest for enlightenment(00:03:29) - Michael Buble On Over Identifying With Being Gay(00:08:55) - On Loss of Identity(00:13:26) - Gay Men's Brotherhood: The Gay Community(00:18:03) - Coming Out Has Helped People(00:21:17) - How Over Identifying Can Be a Hindrance(00:23:05) - Is Pride Helpful or a hindrance for Gay Men?

In a world of swipes, situationships, and high-intensity connections, romance can start to feel obsolete — replaced by sexual energy, emotional guardedness, or the safety of detachment. And yet many of us still long for thoughtfulness, depth, being chosen and choosing in return. In this episode, we explore why that part of us often gets buried under performance, fear of rejection, and modern dating norms — and what it actually takes to lead with romance instead of intensity. We talk about: What romance really looks and feels like in dating  Why intensity is so often mistaken for intimacy What it means to actively bring romance into your dating life How love languages and attachment styles shape our romantic expression And what truly sweeps us off our feet This conversation is both a reality check and an ode to the intentional, courageous, thoughtful part of ourselves that still believes in romance. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio - Take the 360° Self-Review for Gay Men Matt Landsiedel Reno Johnston Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:05) - Gay Men Going Deeper: The Romantic Gay Man(00:00:53) - How To Bring Romance Into Your Dating & Relationships(00:01:56) - How To Be Romantic In Gay Culture(00:03:47) - Michael on Romance in Gay Culture(00:07:34) - Gay Men Talk About Romance(00:12:44) - "I Don't Think Romance Is Romantic"(00:18:00) - How To Start A Romance: Setting the Tone(00:20:25) - The Gay Men's Brotherhood(00:21:09) - How Do You Bring Romance Into Dating?(00:25:48) - How Do I Bring Romance Into Dating?(00:29:03) - What's The Most Romantic Thing You've Ever Done For Someone?(00:33:40) - How To Get Out Of Your Attractor's Grip(00:34:51) - The Most Romantic Thing Someone's Done For Me(00:36:47) - What Do You Need To Know To Be Swept Off Your Feet(00:39:04) - Toronto Guy Problems(00:43:11) - Saved Off My Feet(00:47:10) - "If I'm a 10, I'll Keep Dating"(00:50:05) - Don't Be Afraid To Be Romantic With Your Gay Guy Friends

Being sexually open isn't the same as being sexually honest. In a culture that celebrates sex, many gay men still struggle to feel aligned with what they truly want, without shame or pressure. In this off-the-cuff conversation, we explore what it really looks like to own your desires without shame, performance, or pressure. We unpack how conditioning, fear, and expectations can quietly pull us away from what we genuinely want, and why many gay men feel disconnected from their evolving desires over time. We talk about: What sexual authenticity actually means (and what it doesn't) The subtle ways we learn to edit or override our desires How shame, fear, and social expectations shape what we allow ourselves to want How desire changes across seasons of life, relationships, and identity Why authenticity, not experience or performance, is the foundation of sexual empowerment This episode isn't about labelling “right” or “wrong” desires. It's about building an honest, compassionate relationship with yourself so your choices around sex feel grounded, intentional, and aligned. Join Michael's Sexual Empowerment 101 7-week men's group Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment... Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deeper: Unpacking Sexual Authenticity(00:01:30) - What Does It Mean To Be Sexual Authentic?(00:04:32) - Kinky and Vanilla Sexual Shamers(00:06:02) - How to Exploit Your Sexual Desire in Your 40s(00:08:09) - Tom Brokoe on His Sexual Authenticity(00:09:08) - Demisexuals on Being More Sexual in Their 40s(00:12:28) - The Importance of Authenticity in Relationships(00:15:28) - Geminis Talk Sexually(00:18:04) - Gemini Talk About Vocal Play(00:19:06) - Gay Men Talk Sex(00:22:21) - Gay Mens Brotherhood: Sexual Authenticity

"Loyalty without boundaries is self-abandonment."In this lecture, Christan and Tarrah tackle the exhausting dynamic of anxious attachment. If you feel like your "cup" is always being emptied but never refilled, it's time to recalibrate your connections and build internal safety.In this lecture:Friendship Court: A ruling on the friend who needs too much reassurance. Take Out The Trash: A life-changing review of How We Love. Why your childhood "Love Style" is the secret key to your current relationship drama.

In gay culture, “body count” refers to how many people you've slept with. And whether it's high or low, it often feels like a no-win situation. Have a low body count and you risk being seen as repressed, inexperienced, or undesirable. Have a high one and you're either celebrated… or slut shamed. In this off-the-cuff conversation, we unpack why gay men are stuck between purity culture and performance culture, and how both distort our relationship to sex, desire, and self-worth. We explore: Why body count became a stand-in for confidence and masculinity How sex gets turned into proof of worth instead of a personal choice The difference between sexual freedom and sexual pressure Why sex positivity isn't about having more sex, or less sex What sexual empowerment actually looks like when shame isn't running the show This episode isn't about judging how much sex you've had. It's about reclaiming choice, agency, and a healthier relationship to desire. Join the Sexual Empowerment 101 7-week men's group Link Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Culture: Perpetual Sexual Hygiene(00:02:00) - Body Count in Our Culture(00:05:48) - Purity Culture and Performance Culture(00:06:42) - Who Are The People Shaming Gay People Having Sex?(00:08:29) - "Purity Culture" Is Full of Shame For Gay Men(00:09:52) - What Is the Story You Tell Yourself About People Who Have A Lot(00:10:18) - Demisexual Man on His Sexual Preoccupation(00:13:55) - Is Demisexual Love The Same As Sex?(00:16:09) - Straight Guys Think They're More Hot Than Girls(00:18:14) - Sexual Empowerment(00:21:57) - Sexual Empowerment Group and Connection Circle(00:23:31) - Oh My Goodness(00:23:40) - Gay Men's Brotherhood: Connections Circles

Gay culture rewards visibility, desirability, and dominance, so a lot of what looks like confidence is actually performance under pressure. In this episode, we unpack the myths of self-confidence gay men inherit and what real confidence looks like when no one's watching. In this conversation, we explore: What traits often get mistaken for confidence in gay culture How social media amplifies performative confidence and quietly fuels insecurity Why confidence built on validation, desirability, or status is inherently fragile How childhood experiences and early coping strategies shape what confidence feels safe to express The difference between looking confident and being confident Why real confidence isn't the absence of insecurity and why it naturally shifts over time This episode isn't about fixing yourself or learning how to project confidence. It's about understanding why the version you were taught to chase often feels exhausting, and what a quieter, more grounded confidence actually looks like in real life. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Reno Johnston Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:05) - Gays Go Deep: Why So Many Confident Gay Men Are(00:00:59) - How Confidence For Gay Men Is Decoded(00:04:32) - What Are The Traits That Get Mistaken for Confidence in(00:09:03) - The Gay Gay Male Hypothesis(00:10:39) - Gay Men Reveal How Much Confidence They Have(00:15:52) - The Need for Codependence(00:16:48) - What Makes a Confident Person?(00:21:58) - Is Your Confidence Dependent on Social Media?(00:23:11) - The Need for Self-Confidence(00:25:15) - Want to Attend a Connection Circle? Here!(00:26:10) - What Does Real Confidence Look Like In Real Life?(00:29:16) - What Does Real Confidence Look Like In Real Life?(00:33:28) - Is There A Difference Between Confidence And Heart-centered Confidence(00:35:59) - What does real confidence look like in real life?(00:36:24) - How to Handle Failure and Defeat(00:38:01) - Who Is The Most Confident Person That You Know?(00:41:55) - What Is It That Gay People Get From Being Confident?(00:47:03) - How to Build a Confidence(00:48:20) - Thank You!!

Host Erin Kerry is joined by Dr. Nima Rahmany, a trauma and nervous-system expert who helps high-performers heal attachment wounds and become “trigger-proof” in love, leadership, and everyday life. They break down the least talked about trauma response: fawning—the automatic people-pleasing pattern rooted in attachment injury, self-abandonment, and chronic dysregulation. You'll learn how the fawn response affects physiology, how it shapes boundaries, and why your body often becomes the boundary when your voice can't. They also explore attachment styles, polyvagal theory, somatic healing, and the neuroscience of safety. Dr. Nima shares practical tools to rewire your stress response, break away from shame, restore connection, and create secure relationships from the inside out. Links from this episode:
Website: becometriggerproof.com
Attachment Style Quiz: https://becometriggerproof.com/attachment-style-assessment/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnima/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/chironimz Erin's links: Join Erin's monthly mailing list to get health tips and fresh meal plans and recipes every month: https://mailchi.mp/adde1b3a4af3/monthlysparksignup Order Erin's new book, Live Beyond Your Label, at erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook/ 45 Journaling Prompts for Mind-Body Regulation https://mailchi.mp/dc24677d1aad/45-journaling-prompts

Everyone says they want a “slow build” in dating… right up until chemistry hits and judgement leaves the building. In this off-the-cuff episode, we talk about why moving fast feels so intoxicating, what actually happens in your nervous system when you do, and how speed can quietly hijack discernment, attachment, and self-trust. We share personal stories, name the difference between excitement and regulation, and break down how slowing down isn't about playing games, withholding sex, or killing the spark… it's about letting something real have a chance to form. If you've ever confused intensity for intimacy, this one's for you. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gaiman Going Deeper: Slow Build In Relationships(00:00:39) - What is the Slow Build?(00:02:29) - How to Control the Pace of a Relationship(00:02:50) - Falling In Love Too Fast(00:05:57) - How To Manage Your Relationships(00:07:43) - Why Do We Do This?(00:11:06) - What Is A Healthy Pace For A Romantic Relationship?(00:14:13) - What Happens to People Who Go Too Fast?(00:15:13) - What is the Healthy Pace for a Romantic Relationship?(00:17:01) - "We're Going Too Fast For My Own Natural System"(00:19:23) - Knowledge Is Key to Secure Relationships(00:23:01) - How To Slow Down Your Love Life(00:25:02) - How To Control the Pace of Your Relationship(00:29:48) - How To Manage Your Attachment Style(00:30:56) - Podcast

Episode TitleThe Attachment Style Quiz Your Therapist Would Give You (Part 2 of the Secure-Relationship Series)Episode DescriptionMost of what we do in relationships is on autopilot—shaped by how we were cared for (or not) as kids. In this episode, Sharla and Robert unpack the three main attachment styles (Secure, Anxious, and Avoidant), share eye-opening childhood reflection questions, real-life couple stories, and checklists to help you identify yourself. You'll finally understand why you chase, why they pull away, and how to stop using labels as weapons—so you can actually build the safety and closeness you both crave.Key TakeawaysYour attachment style isn't a flaw—it's an adaptation from childhood.Never weaponize labels (“You're so avoidant!”). Use them for compassion only.Secure relationships require: safety first, equal power, and the relationship that come first.The path to more security = Acceptance of who you both are + owning your impact.You can't force change in your partner. You create it through consistent safety.Quick Attachment Style Checklists (from the episode)Secure I enjoy closeness but am also comfortable alone. Disagreements don't shake me. I trust easily.Avoidant I recharge best alone. Closeness can feel smothering. I downplay emotions.Anxious I worry my partner will leave. I need frequent reassurance. Small things feel like big threats.Resources for Deeper LearningMust-Read BooksAttached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love by Amir Levine & Rachel Heller → The book that brought attachment theory into everyday relationships. Wired for Love by Stan Tatkin → Deep dive into how your partner's brain works and how to create real security together.The Power of Attachment by Diane Poole Heller → Excellent for understanding how early wounds show up now and how to heal them.Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson → Seven conversations that can transform your relationship (Emotionally Focused Therapy classic).Next WeekWe start building that “invisible forcefield” around your relationship—specific tools to create safety and security even when your attachment styles clash.Call to Action!If this episode gave you an “aha!” moment, please leave us a 5-star rating and quick review—it really helps other couples find the show. Share this episode with your partner or a friend who's stuck in the chase-pullaway cycle. And subscribe so you don't miss Part 3!Thanks for listening — and remember: put each other first this week. The small things, done often, really do change everything. ❤️

Gay Men Going Deeper has never done an episode about a TV show before. There's a reason we did this one. Heated Rivalry isn't just popular. It landed at a very specific cultural moment for gay men, and the response to it points to something bigger than whether people liked the plot. In this off-the-cuff conversation, Michael and Matt explore why this story resonated so strongly, what emotional needs it taps into, and why certain depictions of gay love, sex, courage, and intimacy feel especially potent right now. This isn't a recap or a review. It's a conversation about why some stories carry more weight than others, and how paying attention to your reaction can become an opportunity to understand yourself more deeply. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deep: The Rivalry(00:00:47) - Heated Rival: Gay Men's Brotherhood Comments(00:01:49) - "The Disappointment"(00:02:55) - "Love Yourself"(00:07:04) - Bait & Switch: The Gay Men's Episode 3(00:10:53) - Pushing the Gay Culture(00:12:53) - Coming Out: Gay People in the Closet(00:13:36) - Matt Cooke on Coming Out In The Hockey League(00:17:49) - The Gay Love Story(00:21:06) - Neil Gaiman: The Book Review, Part 2

It's a question many gay men quietly carry… especially after heartbreak, disappointment, or years of trying. In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we put on our coach hats and unpack why this belief takes hold, how shame and self-protection can block love without us realizing it, and what actually helps us become more open to connection again. This conversation isn't about forcing positivity or dating tactics. It's about understanding the patterns that keep us guarded, how we sabotage love unintentionally, and how to restore hope without lowering your standards or abandoning yourself. In this episode, we explore: Where the belief “I'll be single forever” comes from The most common blocks to love we see in gay men How shame quietly shapes dating and relationships The difference between protection and emotional availability How to let love in while staying grounded, discerning, and self-respecting If you want real connection but feel tired, guarded, or discouraged, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and a grounded way forward. Listen now and go deeper. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio: Take the 360 Review for Gay Men Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Going Deeper(00:00:34) - Gaming Gay Men's Brotherhood(00:02:05) - Will I Be Single Forever?(00:04:42) - Lack of role models for gay couples(00:05:31) - Open Relationships(00:06:19) - I'll Be Single 'Forever'(00:12:48) - This 67-Year-Old Gay Man Found Love For the First(00:14:47) - How To Get Out Of The Single Trap(00:15:38) - Common Shame Blocks in Gay Men's Love Life(00:22:07) - Gay Men Need To Heal Their Love Lives(00:28:27) - Healing Your Shame For Dating & Relationships(00:30:04) - How to Overcome the Blocks to Love(00:33:26) - "My Protector Parts Are Slowly Breaking My Own Heart"(00:36:53) - How to Love Yourself(00:42:17) - How To Heal Your Heart From Heartbreak(00:44:38) - Are You Ready for Your Relationship?(00:45:58) - Gay Men's Brotherhood Podcast

In this episode, we're breaking down one of the biggest dating myths gay men love to repeat: “My standards are too high.” But sometimes the problem isn't what you want, it's what you allow. We get into the real difference between standards and boundaries, why attraction wipes our memory clean, and how low boundaries quietly reveal your level of self-worth. If you've ever said you want emotional maturity but keep entertaining sexy chaos, this episode is going to sting a little (in a good way). Some of the topics we cover in this episode are: A clear explanation of standards vs boundaries (with examples) Why our standards collapse the second a hot man gives you attention How boundaries are actually a self-worth and self-respect practice The “crumb diet” too many gay men settle for Join us for this honest, relatable, and painfully accurate episode that might be the reset your dating life has been waiting for. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio - Take the 360° Self-Review for Gay Men Matt Landsiedel Come to our Monthy Community Events  Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men's Dating: Standards and Boundaries(00:02:54) - What's The Difference Between Standards and Boundaries(00:04:52) - Gay Women Talk About Boundaries(00:09:14) - How To Give Care To Your Partner(00:12:34) - Why High Standards Don't Matter If Your Boundaries Are Low(00:16:22) - When do you find your boundaries collapsing fastest?(00:18:58) - What Makes You Feel Valid? Validation and Control(00:23:13) - What Poor Boundaries Look Like(00:27:08) - Standards vs Boundaries(00:27:23) - Gay Men's Brotherhood: Donor-funded Podcast

In this episode, Michael and Matt get personal about what we love about being single, how we knew we were ready to start dating again, and what we want to experience differently this time around. We talk about flirting on apps, dating in 2026, and all the messy, exciting parts of putting yourself back out there when you're ready to mingle.  Some of the topics we cover in this episode are: • Getting back into the dating world • When your nervous system tries to hijack your dating life • Red flags and green flags • What we're actually looking for in a man now (and how that has changed)  It's cheeky, honest, and surprisingly insightful. If you're single (or single-ish), you'll feel right at home. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:05) - Gamin Going Deeper: Being Single & Ready To Mingle(00:01:46) - What Is Single and Ready To Mingle?(00:02:27) - What Do You Love About Being Single?(00:05:02) - Mixed Messages on Dating and Singling(00:06:02) - What's Your Favorite Stage Of A Relationship? The Honeymoon Phase(00:10:22) - Matt on Conflicts In His Relationships(00:12:06) - Single People Talk About The Best Things About Being Single(00:16:13) - What I Need In A Good Relationship(00:17:50) - What's The Non-Negotiable Item In A Relationship?(00:20:43) - Gay Men's Brotherhood(00:21:22) - When Are You Ready to Mingle?(00:24:31) - Gay Men on Matching Apps(00:28:26) - "Does It Mean I Attract a Polyamorous Partner?"(00:31:49) - Are You Dating Gay People?(00:33:28) - Gaiman's Going Deep: Relationships and Dating(00:34:25) - What Would You Like To Experience The This Time Around?(00:39:17) - What You Need To Know About Chasing(00:43:10) - What I Want In A Relationship(00:43:52) - Matt on His Sexual Life(00:46:14) - I Should've Knew That My Best Friend Had Sex With Her(00:49:28) - "That's Off-limits" For Gay People(00:49:47) - Gay Men's Brotherhood: Connection Circle

Why does attraction fade- and what can we do about it?  In this episode, we get real about attraction in long-term relationships. The spark doesn't always burn forever, and losing sexual interest doesn't mean the relationship is doomed. We talk about why attraction naturally shifts over time and how couples can ignite intimacy. We explore: Why attraction fades in relationships The 4 types of intimacy (and why they matter) Sexless marriages and normalizing libido changes What erodes desire over time How to bring spark, novelty, and connection back Join us for a real conversation on attraction, intimacy, and what keeps the spark alive over time. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - When Attraction Fades in Gay Relationships(00:04:24) - 4 Types of Intimate Relationship(00:10:11) - How To Keep The Fire In Your Relationships(00:15:06) - What Causes Attraction To Fizzle For You(00:18:01) - How to Keep the Sex Fire Alive in Your Marriage(00:21:21) - 3 Tips For Keeping Intimate Relationships Alive(00:23:47) - Gay Men's Brotherhood: Sparking Your Love Life

After unpacking our culture's obsession with “perfect” bodies, this week we're flipping the script. In this episode, we're celebrating what's actually hot: the things that don't get enough love in the gay world. We're talking dad bods, wrinkles, kindness, confidence, awkward charm, conversational skills, and all the real stuff that makes someone magnetic.  Some of the things we're talking about: How social media perpetuates social norms that don't fit  The traits we find sexy that don't get enough love  Stories of when we've fallen for people outside our type  The roles of dating apps in attraction and rejection How our types have changed (and how they haven't) This is our love letter to all the guys out there who feel they aren't sexy because they don't fit the mold. It's time to expand our definition of sexy and give some overdue appreciation where it's due. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Reno Johnston Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deep: What's Really Sexy?(00:01:15) - How To Survive A Culture of Body Perfection(00:03:42) - The Real Sexy, Unmarketed(00:04:42) - Celebrating What's Real(00:05:09) - What Is Something That You Think Is Sexy About Your Guy?(00:06:02) - 5 Things That Make A Guy Sexy(00:08:03) - What's The Sexiest Walk?(00:08:55) - Michael's Signature Walk(00:09:45) - Alexandra On Being Hot For Quirkies(00:12:44) - People Compare Their Feet To Hands(00:14:58) - What's The Non Physical Attraction Of Gay People?(00:18:37) - Dad Bods and Big Nose(00:21:23) - Oh, Lisps and Accents(00:21:58) - Connection Circle(00:22:58) - My Types Are Different(00:27:06) - I Should've Swiped On Grindr Instead Of Dating(00:31:10) - Are You My Type?(00:34:44) - Matt Reno And Chris Hemsworth On Being Unorthodox(00:37:34) - Michael Jackson On His Hotness(00:39:37) - Thank You!!!

From the gym to social media, gay men are constantly surrounded by images of the “ideal” body. But what does all this perfection chasing actually cost us? In this episode, we explore how body perfection culture impacts gay men on a deeper level: from belonging and self-worth to intimacy and identity. We open up about our own journeys with body image— how we've moved from obsession to acceptance, where it still sneaks in today, and what we've learned along the way. You'll hear us unpack: Why body image matters more for gay men How fitness and self-worth often get mixed up The difference between caring for your body and obsessing over it How to stop letting your reflection decide your mood Practical ways to reclaim confidence and self-respect If you've ever felt like a “perfect” body will earn you love, attention, or belonging, this one's for you. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gaiman Going Deep: The Culture of Body Perfection(00:01:52) - How to Love Your Body (Without Perfection)(00:05:50) - Does the Culture of Body Perfection Impact You?(00:09:07) - The Help I Learned To Love My Body(00:13:40) - What Do You Think You Need To Look To Be Attractive?(00:16:08) - November 6: The Culture of Body Perfection(00:16:55) - Letting Go Of Body Perfection(00:22:08) - "Self-worth is not solely based on your body"(00:24:42) - Body Positivity(00:26:33) - What Have We Done To Mitigate Body Perfection Culture?(00:30:41) - What Have I Done To Prevent Body Perfection Pressure?(00:35:43) - Neil Gaiman on The Gay Brotherhood(00:36:53) - The Hard Work of Being Gay(00:37:30) - Gay People Go To the Gym(00:41:27) - Gay culture's need for belonging(00:43:13) - Gay Men's Brotherhood Podcast

Send us your desired health topic or guest suggestionsWhat if your body is telling the truth you won't say out loud? We sit down with Nima Rahmany to unpack the trauma response of "fawning", and learn how chronic people pleasing freezes your authentic voice, strains your nervous system, and quietly fuels physical symptoms. Nima opens up about his own wake-up call, and the hard lessons that turned into practical tools for regulation and repair.We trace how children learn to trade authenticity for attachment, and how power dynamics decide whether we fight, flee, freeze, or fawn. Nima breaks down polyvagal theory in plain language so you can recognize sympathetic activation, dorsal shutdown, and ventral safety in your own body and in others. You'll learn how to become the operator of your state, not a passenger—interrupting people pleasing, tolerating the guilt of setting honest boundaries, and using anger as medicine rather than something to hide. Nima shares the “rage run,” a structured blend of sprint intervals and striking that completes fight-flight energy so calm can return. We also explore relationship dynamics: the shift from chaotic, trauma-bonded intensity to steady, secure connection;  and why true repair beats perfection. Real stories show health turning points and relational breakthroughs when clients stop outsourcing safety and start choosing themselves. Ready to trade chronic appeasement for nervous system safety and self-respect? Listen now, share it with someone who needs stronger boundaries, and subscribe to get more honest conversations on healing and secure love. If this resonated, leave a review—your words help others find the tools they've been missing.You can find Nima Rahmany at:Website - https://drnima.com/Attachment Style Quiz - https://go.drnima.com/xui56Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/drnimarahmanyFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/drnimarahmany/ Please Follow and Review this podcast if you would like to support the growth of this show. Thank You! :)If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with two people you know that might benefit from the information. The more knowledge that people have in their hands, the healthier we can all become. If you would like to see a particular health issue discussed, or know someone who would be a great guest, contact the Open-Minded Healing podcast at openmindedhealing365@gmail.com. Note: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, including but not limited to patients that you are treating. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Marla Miller, Open-Minded Healing Podcast, any guests or contributors to the podcast, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.

In this episode, we dive into what radical honesty really means- not the brutally blunt “telling it like it is” version, but the deeper, more vulnerable kind that lets you actually be known. We explore why being honest is both terrifying and liberating, the subtle ways we still avoid it, and how honesty differs from harsh truth-telling. We share our own struggles with showing up honestly in dating, friendships, and community, and why the outcome isn't always pretty… but is always worth it. If honesty is one of your personal values (or you want it to be)  this episode will give you plenty to reflect on. And if you're enjoying these more relaxed, conversational episodes, let us know. We've been loving creating them. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Game & Going Deeper: The Gaiman Brothers Podcast(00:00:26) - What is Radical HONOR?(00:04:35) - Being Candid With My Partner(00:06:25) - How To Talk About Jealousy In Relationships(00:10:04) - Radical honesty can be a beautiful tool to heal intimacy(00:14:36) - Radical Alignment: The Benefits of Real Love(00:20:06) - Radical Honesty and the Relationship(00:22:38) - What are some other things that you need to practice radical honesty in(00:27:51) - Slices With Matt Maher(00:28:20) - What's Hard for You to Share?

Today we're diving into one of the most iconic (and hilarious) parts of gay culture: labels. In this episode, we unpack why gay men are so obsessed with categories like “twink,” “daddy,” “masc,” “otter,” “guy next door,” and every micro-label in between… and how these identities shape the way we date, belong, and see ourselves. We explore: Why labels can feel empowering (and sometimes limiting) How they create tribe, shorthand, and community When they become boxes we get stuck in How attraction, identity, and insecurity get wrapped into these roles What happens when you “grow out” of a label or never fit one at all It's a fun, honest look at the ways we use labels to navigate gay life: where they help, where they fall short, and why they matter more than most of us want to admit. If you enjoy these more conversational episodes, let us know… we're trying something new. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report.

Today we're diving into one of the most iconic (and hilarious) parts of gay culture: labels. In this episode, we unpack why gay men are so obsessed with categories like “twink,” “daddy,” “masc,” “otter,” “guy next door,” and every micro-label in between… and how these identities shape the way we date, belong, and see ourselves. We explore: Why labels can feel empowering (and sometimes limiting) How they create tribe, shorthand, and community When they become boxes we get stuck in How attraction, identity, and insecurity get wrapped into these roles What happens when you “grow out” of a label or never fit one at all It's a fun, honest look at the ways we use labels to navigate gay life:  where they help, where they fall short, and why they matter more than most of us want to admit. If you enjoy these more conversational episodes, let us know… we're trying something new. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deep: A Short Talk(00:01:02) - What Gay Labels Do You Use?(00:05:21) - Gay People Don't Like Labels(00:08:40) - In the Gay Community's Elite Communities(00:11:56) - Gay Men Let Go Of Their Identities(00:17:07) - The Negative Connotations of Labels(00:21:34) - Gay People Play With Their Identities(00:24:54) - Spontaneous Conversation With The Gaiman's Brotherhood

Today we're talking about The Slow Fade:  that slow, quiet drifting apart where the messages get shorter, the replies slower, and the energy shifts until one day…it's just silence. In this episode, we're unpacking: Why we quietly quit people instead of having real conversations What's actually happening beneath the surface for both sides — the Fader and the Fadee Who deserves an explanation and who doesn't  What can we do instead of fading away  If you've ever been on either side of The Slow Fade, this conversation will help you see what's really going on underneath, and how to move through it with more clarity, courage, and integrity. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Reno Johnston Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:05) - Gay Men Going Deeper: The Slow Fade(00:01:12) - Why We're Always Ghosting(00:01:53) - What Is The Slow Fade?(00:03:17) - How To Deal With An Uncomfortable Relationship(00:08:02) - What To Do About A faded Love Letter(00:10:20) - What's The Slow Fade?(00:14:06) - Gay Men Talk About Dating Apps(00:15:05) - Matt on Slow Fade(00:19:17) - In the Elevator With Real People(00:20:38) - A Sense of Community With Neil Gaiman(00:21:42) - The Fader and the Fade(00:22:42) - The Signs That Someone Is Starting To Distance From You(00:26:51) - When You're Not Enough, Do You Lash Out?(00:28:44) - Fader: Being Honest With My Friends(00:30:34) - The Slow Fade(00:34:52) - Reno on His Heartbreak(00:36:16) - Slow Fling(00:37:44) - The Gay Men's Brotherhood(00:41:30) - How to Deal With An Avoidant Partner(00:45:32) - You Can't Force People To Tell You Things(00:46:52) - Gaiman's Brotherhood

Today we're talking about The Slow Fade: that slow, quiet drifting apart where the messages get shorter, the replies slower, and the energy shifts until one day…it's just silence. In this episode, we're unpacking: Why we quietly quit people instead of having real conversations What's actually happening beneath the surface for both sides — the Fader and the Fadee Who deserves an explanation and who doesn't  What can we do instead of fading away  If you've ever been on either side of The Slow Fade, this conversation will help you see what's really going on underneath, and how to move through it with more clarity, courage, and integrity. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Reno Johnston Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report.

Still holding onto the perfect partner myth? In this second part of this eye-opening conversation, Kathleen Cameron and Dr. Morgan Anderson share how elevating your vibration and healing old patterns make space for the kind of soulful, aligned love that expands your entire life. Meet Dr. Morgan Anderson Known for being a fun, fearless, honest, and committed individual, Dr. Morgan is a clinical psychologist, relationship coach, and host of the popular "Let's Get Vulnerable" podcast. After finding herself in a cycle of unhealthy relationships years ago, she knew that women, just like her, needed a clear path to attracting healthy relationships and embodying secure attachment. Through the combination of NLP, cognitive behavioral therapy, and attachment theory science Dr. Morgan has helped 700 plus women rewire their brain for healthy, securely attached love through her Empowered.Secure.Loved. (E.S.L.) Relationship Program.   Instagram: @drmorgancoaching YouTube: Dr. Morgan TV Podcast: Let's Get Vulnerable with Dr. Morgan Get her book: Love Magnet Take the Attachment Style Quiz here       Subscribe To The Manifested Podcast With Kathleen Cameron: Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify Connect With The Kathleen Cameron: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube | TikTok | Kathleencameronofficial.com   Unlock Your Dreams with House of ManifestationA community where you take control of your destiny, manifest your desires, and create a life filled with abundance and purpose? Look no further than the House of Manifestation, where your transformation begins: https://houseofmanifestation.com/ About Kathleen Cameron: Kathleen Cameron, Chief Wealth Creator, 8-figure entrepreneur, and record-breaking author. In just 2 years, she built a 10 Million dollar business and continues to share her knowledge and expertise with all of whom she connects with.  With her determination, unwavering faith, and powers of manifestation, she has helped over 100,000 people attract more love, money, and success into their lives. Her innovative approaches to Manifestation and utilizing the Laws of Attraction have led to the creation of one of the top global success networks, Diamond Academy Coaching, thousands of students have been able to experience quantum growth. The force behind her magnetic field has catapulted many students into a life beyond their wildest dreams and she is just getting started. Kathleen helps others step into their true potential and become the best version of themselves with their goals met. Kathleen graduated with two undergraduate degrees from the University of Windsor and the University of Toronto with a master's degree in nursing leadership. Her book, "Becoming The One", published by Hasmark Publishing, launched in August 2021 became an International Best Seller in five countries on the first day.    This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact

What we want you to gain from this episode is the importance of non-sexualized, safe, and brave spaces for gay men to heal and grow together. By the end of this episode, you will be able to identify what a nest is, how you could benefit from one, and where to find or create one if you are interested in nesting. The concepts and questions we explore in this episode are: What is “nesting” and why is it important for gay men? What moments in our lives require the need for nesting? How do we know when we're “nested” — or when we're not? What makes a nest truly safe? How do you tend and protect a nest once it's formed? What could gay culture look like if nesting became normal? What's one small way you can begin nesting today? Today's Guest: Nigel Pedlingham Gay Men's Retreat Instagram LinkedIn Today's Host: Matt Landsiedel Facebook Instagram TikTok Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report.

We all say we want love… but are we actually open to receiving it? In this episode, we're going deeper into what it really means to open your heart. From the subtle subconscious programming that keeps love at arm's length to the sneaky ways we self-sabotage, we're unpacking the hidden barriers that make intimacy feel unsafe (even when we crave it most). You'll learn: Why receiving love can feel harder than giving it How old conditioning teaches us to block love without realizing it The difference between performing for love and allowing it in Practical ways to build safety, self-trust, and openness in all forms of love—romantic, platonic, and self If you find yourself pushing love away, deflecting compliments, or find yourself stuck in patterns that keep intimacy just out of reach—this one's for you. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:02) - Gaiman Going Deeper: How to Open Your Heart to Love(00:02:43) - The Secret to Feeling Love(00:05:36) - When I Can't Receive Love(00:10:25) - Navy Green and The Beauty of Technology(00:10:41) - Why It's So Hard To Receive Love(00:15:35) - What I'm Most Afraid Of(00:18:18) - In What Ways Has It Been Difficult to Receive Love From(00:19:33) - What Does It Look Like To Receive Love?(00:23:04) - Letting Yourself Receive Love(00:24:07) - Receiving Love From Others(00:29:03) - How to Learn How to Receive Love(00:30:35) - 5 Tips for Open Your Heart to Love(00:34:51) - How to Open Your Heart to Love(00:41:03) - Gay Men Talking About Love(00:44:04) - Gayman's Brotherhood: Unpacking Love

We all say we want love… but are we actually open to receiving it? In this episode, we're going deeper into what it really means to open your heart. From the subtle subconscious programming that keeps love at arm's length to the sneaky ways we self-sabotage, we're unpacking the hidden barriers that make intimacy feel unsafe (even when we crave it most). You'll learn: Why receiving love can feel harder than giving it How old conditioning teaches us to block love without realizing it The difference between performing for love and allowing it in Practical ways to build safety, self-trust, and openness in all forms of love—romantic, platonic, and self If you find yourself pushing love away, deflecting compliments, or find yourself stuck in patterns that keep intimacy just out of reach—this one's for you. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report.

Are you tired of attracting the same relationships again and again?  In today's episode of The Manifested Podcast, Kathleen Cameron sits down with Dr. Morgan Anderson to explore how your attachment style shapes the kind of love you attract — and how to finally manifest the healthy, secure relationships you deserve. Together, they uncover how healing emotional patterns, building self-awareness, and aligning your energy can transform your love life from repeating cycles to lasting connection.   Episode highlights: Understand your attachment style — secure, anxious, avoidant, or disorganized — and how it influences your relationships. Heal and manifest love by releasing old patterns and embracing self-love. Recognize red flags in the anxious-avoidant dynamic and shift toward secure, conscious relationships. Transform trauma into growth, creating emotional safety and deeper intimacy. Attract love that matches your energy, not your fears.   Tune in to this Part 1 of a two-part interview with Dr. Morgan Anderson and discover how to break old cycles, attract secure love, and align with the relationships that reflect your highest self.   Meet Dr. Morgan Anderson Known for being a fun, fearless, honest, and committed individual, Dr. Morgan is a clinical psychologist, relationship coach, and host of the popular "Let's Get Vulnerable" podcast. After finding herself in a cycle of unhealthy relationships years ago, she knew that women, just like her, needed a clear path to attracting healthy relationships and embodying secure attachment. Through the combination of NLP, cognitive behavioral therapy, and attachment theory science Dr. Morgan has helped 700 plus women rewire their brain for healthy, securely attached love through her Empowered.Secure.Loved. (E.S.L.) Relationship Program.   Instagram: @drmorgancoaching YouTube: Dr. Morgan TV Podcast: Let's Get Vulnerable with Dr. Morgan Get her book: Love Magnet Take the Attachment Style Quiz here       Subscribe To The Manifested Podcast With Kathleen Cameron: Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify Connect With The Kathleen Cameron: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube | TikTok | Kathleencameronofficial.com   Unlock Your Dreams with House of ManifestationA community where you take control of your destiny, manifest your desires, and create a life filled with abundance and purpose? Look no further than the House of Manifestation, where your transformation begins: https://houseofmanifestation.com/ About Kathleen Cameron: Kathleen Cameron, Chief Wealth Creator, 8-figure entrepreneur, and record-breaking author. In just 2 years, she built a 10 Million dollar business and continues to share her knowledge and expertise with all of whom she connects with.  With her determination, unwavering faith, and powers of manifestation, she has helped over 100,000 people attract more love, money, and success into their lives. Her innovative approaches to Manifestation and utilizing the Laws of Attraction have led to the creation of one of the top global success networks, Diamond Academy Coaching, thousands of students have been able to experience quantum growth. The force behind her magnetic field has catapulted many students into a life beyond their wildest dreams and she is just getting started. Kathleen helps others step into their true potential and become the best version of themselves with their goals met. Kathleen graduated with two undergraduate degrees from the University of Windsor and the University of Toronto with a master's degree in nursing leadership. Her book, "Becoming The One", published by Hasmark Publishing, launched in August 2021 became an International Best Seller in five countries on the first day.    This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact

Some of us don't fall in love with people, we fall in love with an idea of them. The story, the potential, the fantasy of the perfect boyfriend who finally makes everything click. But that idealized version of love often keeps us chasing what looks right instead of what feels real. In this episode, Michael and therapist, Michael Pezzullo, explore how fantasy, perfectionism, and external validation shape the way we love- and why chasing the ideal often keeps us from the real thing. We'll unpack: What it looks like to fall in love with potential - and why we do it  How to tell the difference between healthy excitement and mental storytelling How seeking the “perfect” partner keeps us single or dissatisfied How to stop chasing the ideal and let love be more organic and human Whether letting go of the fantasy means “settling for less” If you've ever been in love with potential or the picture-perfect relationship, this conversation will help you come back to reality…where real connection actually happens. Today's Guest: Michael Pezzullo Website Instagram Today's Host: Michael DiIorio Website Instagram Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report.

Why does joy feel so hard to hold onto? In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we're revealing the joy killers: those sneaky ways we sabotage happiness even when life is going well. We explore: The difference between chasing pleasure and cultivating joy Foreboding joy (a.k.a. waiting for the other shoe to drop) and how it robs us of the present. How trauma and disappointment condition us to expect loss  The role of protector parts and self-sabotage in keeping joy at arm's length. What we're really trying to protect ourselves from when we don't let joy all the way in. By the end, you'll see how internalized shame, fear, and control kill our joy- and how practicing gratitude, presence, and vulnerability can help us reclaim it. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deep: How and Why We Sabotage Our(00:01:18) - Happy Life: Chasing Joy(00:03:23) - Why Joy Is Hard(00:04:59) - What is the biggest joy killer for you?(00:06:57) - How To Stop Comparing Yourself With Others(00:10:14) - Learning How to Deal With Criticism(00:12:46) - Inside the Inner Critic(00:14:31) - The Joy of the Game Men's Brotherhood(00:15:39) - The 'Foreboding Joy' of Love(00:20:06) - "Be Joy in Your 40s!"(00:21:56) - How To Deal With The 'Other shoe To Drop'(00:25:45) - How To Find Security and Stability Attractive(00:28:31) - Healing Your Shame(00:29:28) - What Are We Protecting From Joy?(00:34:03) - Adam Levine on Being Vulnerable With People(00:37:57) - "I Love You"(00:38:20) - Beyond Fear: How to Love Yourself(00:40:19) - Thank You!

Why does joy feel so hard to hold onto? In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we're revealing the joy killers: those sneaky ways we sabotage happiness even when life is going well. We explore: The difference between chasing pleasure and cultivating joy Foreboding joy (a.k.a. waiting for the other shoe to drop) and how it robs us of the present. How trauma and disappointment condition us to expect loss  The role of protector parts and self-sabotage in keeping joy at arm's length. What we're really trying to protect ourselves from when we don't let joy all the way in. By the end, you'll see how internalized shame, fear, and control kill our joy- and how practicing gratitude, presence, and vulnerability can help us reclaim it. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report.

What would your day, your week, your next year, or even your life look like if you spent it following your joy? What if joy became your North Star? Your guiding light? Your compass? What is in the way of you experiencing more joy in your life?  What if you could find joy in how you dress, what you eat, how you exercise, where you live, what you do for work, who you spend time with, and how you navigate your day to day life?  These, and more, are the questions we'll cover in this intuitive and inspired conversation around following your joy. True to form, you will be joining Reno on location at Sunset Beach, in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, where he followed his joy down to the beach where he fell in love with Vancouver, so that he could not just talk about following your joy, but embody it. Note: You may occasionally hear some fun background noise, which actually becomes part of the conversation, so you'll want to keep listening. Today's Host: Reno Johnston Instagram Facebook Schedule a Zoom Call Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:01) - The Gay Men Going Deeper: Joy(00:05:14) - What have you noticed in your life gets in the way of enjoyment(00:11:35) - When You're Living Life in Joy(00:14:34) - Follow Your Joy in Life(00:19:21) - What Precedes Joy?(00:21:20) - Coming into the Place of Joy(00:26:56) - What Does Following Your Joy Look Like For You?

What would your day, your week, your next year, or even your life look like if you spent it following your joy? What if joy became your North Star? Your guiding light? Your compass? What is in the way of you experiencing more joy in your life? What if you could find joy in how you dress, what you eat, how you exercise, where you live, what you do for work, who you spend time with, and how you navigate your day to day life? These, and more, are the questions we'll cover in this intuitive and inspired conversation around following your joy. True to form, you will be joining Reno on location at Sunset Beach, in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, where he followed his joy down to the beach where he fell in love with Vancouver, so that he could not just talk about following your joy, but embody it. Note: You may occasionally hear some fun background noise, which actually becomes part of the conversation, so you'll want to keep listening. Today's Host: Reno Johnston Instagram Facebook Schedule a Zoom Call Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report.

Joy isn't just fireworks and big milestones; it's in the ordinary, everyday moments we often overlook. Yet for many of us, joy feels slippery and hard to find.  In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we're diving into what joy really feels like, how it shifts as we evolve and age, and why it's less about chasing highs and more about cultivating presence. We'll explore: The difference between joy and pleasure (and why we confuse them) Joy-givers vs. joy-suckers (and how to spot yours) The role of play, laughter, and lightheartedness in a joyful life How to deepen your relationship with joy in your next chapter Why joy is a skill you can practice, not just a mood you stumble into If you're ready to move beyond quick fixes and start building a life that feels nourishing, playful, and deeply fulfilling, this conversation is for you. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deeper: How to Find More Joy In Your(00:01:44) - How to Find More Joy in Your Life(00:03:56) - What Joy Is and What Joy Isn't(00:07:53) - What brings you joy in life?(00:12:20) - A Dharma Walk for the Soul(00:14:29) - How I'm Starting to Feel Joy Again(00:18:06) - What Does Joy Feel Like For You?(00:19:11) - How to Develop a Relationship with Joy in the Next Chapter of Your(00:22:30) - What about that brings you joy?(00:27:15) - How to Prioritize Presence Over Productivity at 40(00:31:44) - What can bring you joy in your life?(00:33:04) - How to Find More Joy in Your Life(00:34:31) - Matt Has A List of Joy(00:37:21) - How to Find Joy in the Present(00:38:21) - "Joy Can Be Vulnerable For Men"(00:39:17) - How to Laugh at Your Inner Critic(00:40:27) - How to Find More Joy in Your Life(00:43:24) - Making Play a Priority(00:45:36) - Welcome More Joy Into Your Life(00:46:20) - Gaimans Brotherhood: Going Deep

Joy isn't just fireworks and big milestones; it's in the ordinary, everyday moments we often overlook. Yet for many of us, joy feels slippery and hard to find. In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we're diving into what joy really feels like, how it shifts as we evolve and age, and why it's less about chasing highs and more about cultivating presence. We'll explore: The difference between joy and pleasure (and why we confuse them) Joy-givers vs. joy-suckers (and how to spot yours) The role of play, laughter, and lightheartedness in a joyful life How to deepen your relationship with joy in your next chapter Why joy is a skill you can practice, not just a mood you stumble into If you're ready to move beyond quick fixes and start building a life that feels nourishing, playful, and deeply fulfilling, this conversation is for you. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report.

You know the type — ambitious, perfectionistic, and always striving to do more and be more… yet secretly fuelled by pressure, anxiety, and fear. In this episode, Michael is joined by special guest Scott Stirrett as they share their own stories of hustling for achievement and how they've learned to stay ambitious without destroying themselves in the process. Together, they unpack how perfectionism, internalized shame, and the need for external validation can be ways we attempt to outrun our insecurities — and pivot toward ambition that's healthy, sustainable, and soul-driven. Topics covered in this episode: Why gay men are uniquely wired for overachievement How perfectionism shows up in covert and overt ways How adversity can build anti-fragility and real confidence The difference between healthy ambition vs shame-fuelled hustle Learning to slow down without feeling lazy, guilty, or like you're falling behind Rewiring your motivation so it feeds you instead of drains you By the end of this episode, you'll be inspired to pursue success in a way that keeps you driven and impactful — without burning yourself out — and to start measuring your worth from the inside out. Today's Guest: Scott Stirrett LinkedIn Instagram Today's Host: Michael DiIorio Instagram Men's Group Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report.

In this final installment of our 4-part series on grief, we explore the powerful practice of Radical Acceptance—what it means, why it's so difficult, and how it becomes the turning point in your healing journey. Whether you're grieving the person you used to be, mourning a friendship that faded, or facing the slow heartbreak of watching your parents age, grief often leaves us wrestling with reality. Radical acceptance is what allows us to stop fighting what is, and start living again with peace, presence, and purpose. Topics we explore in this episode include: What radical acceptance really means (and why it's radical) How it differs from giving up, resignation, or bypassing Why acceptance is often the hardest part of grief The role of faith and inner trust when you're still hurting Personal stories of surrender, softness, and finding peace How to move forward when closure isn't coming This episode offers a hopeful, grounded perspective for anyone still sitting with loss, longing, or unanswered questions. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report.

In this final installment of our 4-part series on grief, we explore the powerful practice of Radical Acceptance—what it means, why it's so difficult, and how it becomes the turning point in your healing journey. Whether you're grieving the person you used to be, mourning a friendship that faded, or facing the slow heartbreak of watching your parents age, grief often leaves us wrestling with reality. Radical acceptance is what allows us to stop fighting what is, and start living again with peace, presence, and purpose. Topics we explore in this episode include: What radical acceptance really means (and why it's radical) How it differs from giving up, resignation, or bypassing Why acceptance is often the hardest part of grief The role of faith and inner trust when you're still hurting Personal stories of surrender, softness, and finding peace How to move forward when closure isn't coming This episode offers a hopeful, grounded perspective for anyone still sitting with loss, longing, or unanswered questions. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Going Deeper: Radical Acceptance(00:01:08) - How to Deal With Grief(00:04:57) - The Radical Acceptance of Suffering(00:07:38) - Coming to Acceptance of Chronic Pain(00:11:24) - Accepting One's Gay Identity(00:15:41) - Do You Think Your Sexuality Is Introspective?(00:17:46) - The Radical Acceptance of Gay People(00:18:32) - Radical Acceptance in the Gay Men's Brotherhood(00:19:31) - What helps you move into Acceptance while you're still hurting?(00:22:47) - The 7 Stages of Grief(00:26:31) - Grieving the Loss of a Friend(00:27:21) - What is Surrender and Acceptance?(00:30:56) - 5 of My Favorite Coping Statements(00:32:48) - What final tips do you have for people?(00:33:09) - A Taste of Grief

As our parents get older, many of us are faced with a new kind of grief- the quiet, ongoing loss that comes not from death, but from watching the people who once raised us begin to slow down and need us in ways they never did before. In this deeply personal episode, we open up about the emotional complexity of witnessing our parents age. From role reversals and unresolved wounds, to meaningful moments and surprising lessons, we reflect on how our relationships with our parents evolve, and how it stirs up questions of our own mortality. We explore: The quiet grief of losing parts of who they were The guilt, tenderness, and sometimes resentment of becoming the caretaker How aging parents trigger our own fears about time, mortality, and purpose Ways to heal, connect, and make meaningful memories before it's too late This is an episode for anyone navigating that in-between space—where love, loss, and legacy all live at once. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report.

As our parents get older, many of us are faced with a new kind of grief- the quiet, ongoing loss that comes not from death, but from watching the people who once raised us begin to slow down and need us in ways they never did before. In this deeply personal episode, we open up about the emotional complexity of witnessing our parents age. From role reversals and unresolved wounds, to meaningful moments and surprising lessons, we reflect on how our relationships with our parents evolve, and how it stirs up questions of our own mortality.   We explore: The quiet grief of losing parts of who they were The guilt, tenderness, and sometimes resentment of becoming the caretaker How aging parents trigger our own fears about time, mortality, and purpose Ways to heal, connect, and make meaningful memories before it's too late This is an episode for anyone navigating that in-between space—where love, loss, and legacy all live at once. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Going Deeper: The Grief of Watching Your Parents Age(00:02:05) - As Your Parents Age, Do You Grieve?(00:04:06) - What Comes Up For You When You Think About Your Parents Aging?(00:08:28) - On How Close Is Your Parents With You?(00:09:43) - One Empath's Thoughts On Her Parents' Aging(00:13:23) - Who's To Be My Caregiver When My Parents Die?(00:16:10) - How Has Your Relationship With Your Parents Changed As They Get Older?(00:18:38) - Queens Talk About Being a Parent's Caregiver(00:22:32) - How's My Relationship With My Parents Changed As They've Get Older(00:24:51) - How To Develop a Better Relationship With Your Parents(00:26:18) - What Lessons Are You Learning From Watching Your Parents Age?(00:30:07) - What Lessons Are You Learning From Watching Your Parents Age?(00:33:47) - What's The Age Difference With Your Parents(00:34:40) - How To Make Meaningful Memories With Your Parents As They Age(00:39:10) - How Do You Want Your Parents To Remember You?(00:42:09) - The Importance of Celebrating Lives(00:44:41) - Gay Men's Brotherhood

In this episode of Top Self, Shanenn breaks down one of the most common communication traps in relationships: expecting your partner to read your mind.Whether you're silently hoping your partner just knows you need a hug—or you're dropping hints that never land—this episode is your guide to getting what you actually need without spiraling, snapping, or shutting down.From attachment styles to the six human needs, Shanenn explains why asking isn't needy—it's necessary—and gives you the exact words to use so your partner can finally show up for you.