Authentic Connections – Details, episodes & analysis

Men don’t reach out to share what they’re going through or to check in on others. We all want and need that connection, so why do we live solitary lives? 

Men often don’t express their feelings because they are not connected to their own emotions, and it’s no joke. It leads to loneliness, depression, and even violence. 

Is ignorance truly bliss? This thought-provoking discussion delves into the relationship between awareness and mental well-being.

Explore how the myth of American exceptionalism not only shapes our national identity but also impacts how we judge others and our sense of self.

Traditional structures that once provided this sense of belonging - from workplaces to social clubs - are rapidly devolving or disappearing in our digital age.

While the holiday season brings joy for many, it can also be a complex time of mixed emotions and unrealized expectations. Today we explore the anxious side of holiday experiences with special guest Dr. Richard Gable.

The backstory of Authentic Connections, the guys who started it, and the journey that brought them together. This episode was recorded at the end of the first season to provide context for our efforts to break the cycle of silence, which is harming men at alarming rates.

Tribes can be supportive, provide a sense of belonging and purpose. However, in a competitive environment or when resources are scarce, tribalism can also be divisive. Capitalism is a free-market philosophy based on competition. We are all potential competitors for scarce resources, such as schools, jobs, scholarships, and internships. Counterintuitively, higher socio-economic groups have a higher rate of substance abuse and suicide. 

Men used to be providers and protectors, but not now. What are "masculine" traits? What is men's role? Women joke that men are obsolete. Men internalize that. Men feel lost, without purpose. Read: Epidemic of Male Loneliness

Like any positive traits, independence and self-sufficiency can be taken to a toxic extreme. Too many people cannot ask for or accept help. This leads to loneliness, isolation, and even suicide. Read more: Red Flags You're Actually Too Independent...by Emily Laurence