Explore every episode of the podcast Authentic Connections

They guys talk about a trip to India that provided perspective and deeply impacted concepts of family, community, and individual purpose. 

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. 

Trust is the foundation of every strong relationship—whether personal or professional. Yet, many men struggle with building and maintaining trust with others

Dive into the age-old question: Are happy people naturally more social, or does being socially engaged lead to happiness?

A fascinating discussion about attachment styles and how they shape our relationships! Men make up the majority of those with an Avoidant attachment style, which means they often disassociate with those closest to them for fear of reprisal. No wonder men are more isolated and lonelier.

READ: Attached by Amir Levine, M.D. and Rachel S.F. Heller, M.A.

Studies show that people who attend religious services tend to be happier, with those practicing Eastern religions/philosophies reporting the highest levels of happiness.

This experiment challenges our traditional notions of happiness, suggesting that happiness is possible even amid life’s challenges.

READ: Can “micro-acts” of joy make you happier? By Emma Beddington

Research shows our attempts to fight boredom through endless scrolling and streaming often leave us feeling more disconnected. The guys talk about how to how to avoid languishing and bringing your best self to everything and everyone in your life.

READ: Fast Forward - How Switching Behavior on Digital Media Makes People More Bored by Dr. Katie Tam

Explore modern addiction where we constantly seek something (money, status, objects, substances) outside ourselves to curb an insatiable yearning for relief or fulfillment.

READ: In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts - Close Encounters with Addiction by Gabor Mate

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

We are told to never be content or satisfied. But contentment may be a source of happiness and fulfillment. Maybe the key is to hold onto two thoughts at the same time: gratitude for what you have, while working to improve.

Often overlooked is how masculine facades of strength and confidence are toxic to men. Men are not allowed to be vulnerable and struggle to connect with friends and family on a deep level, driving isolation and loneliness. 

Each generation of parents is affected by the social, economic, and political realities in which they grew up as children. Further, their fundamental parenting style is a reaction to the methodology of their parents. Perfectionism is one of the most invisible and toxic concepts that often result in high levels of anxiety and despair. Read: The Fourth Turning is Here by Neil Howe

Athletics at any level seem to offer an antidote to loneliness:  community and belonging, purpose, support, exercise, and healthy diet. Yet, the rates of depression and suicide are skyrocketing among college athletes. Read CNN Health

Compartmentalizing and creating structures around professional and personal time is a modern concept designed by corporations to dehumanize work, disassociate people from facets of their lives, and drive competition for jobs. The time you spend working is not separate from your life. In fact, all the time in every day is your life. How you spend your time and with whom you spend it should be a conscious and intentional decision to construct a meaningful and fulfilling life.

People tend to live in personal cocoons - disconnected from other humans. The gig economy, work from home, online shopping, suburban sprawl - all contribute to living in isolation. Many people also move for work or educational opportunities, leaving established communities and social groups. Read: Japanese apartment building combats loneliness