Gay Men Going Deeper

From the outside looking in, the queer community is seen as an inclusive space that celebrates diversity. Yet for many people, it feels quite exclusive and lonely.  In this episode, we are sharing our vision for the gay community and the different ways we are implementing this vision.  We’re talking about... What exactly is our vision? What are the different parts of our community? Why is building...

Dark periods are an inevitable part of life that can happen at any moment and in any number of ways: The death of a loved one A terminal diagnosis Job loss Relationship breakdown But what is the spiritual and psychological significance of this pain? In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, Michael is joined by LGBTQ+ affirmative psychotherapist Justin Oberste to discuss the concept of the Dark Nig...

Your mind is a powerful tool that you can use to create a life that you love. Your mindset is your overall outlook on life and it will determine whether you remain stuck spinning your wheels or moving towards your goals and dreams.  In this episode, we’re looking specifically at the difference between the Fixed and Growth Mindsets. We will be discussing questions such as….  What type of mindset we...

In this episode, Matt Landsiedel and Andre-Lee Wills unpack the hot topic of pretty privilege. Pretty privilege works on the principle that people who are deemed more attractive—based on accepted societal beauty standards—have an upper hand in the world and are afforded many opportunities that less “attractive” people don't have. Yet, it's not often that people are willing to admit it—or even talk...

As more people are choosing to explore non-monogamous relationships, the discussion about open and closed relationships can be divisive and unhelpful.  In today's episode, we are having an open conversation about open and closed relationships that will enrich your understanding of the many different types of relationships out there and help you figure out what's right for you. We will cover questi...

Recognizing and understanding privilege can be a hard pill to swallow for some. It means admitting you’re not perfect and possibly “looking bad,” which we were all taught growing up not to do. In today’s episode, host Calan Breckon unpacks some of the hard questions around community inclusion with guest Raymond Jordan Johnson-Brown and the work they do as an indigenous wellness leader. Raymond, wh...

Sex is a natural part of the human experience yet many people sense a lot of shame and insecurity around the topic. In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we want to help you become more sexually empowered. We will be discussing things like…   What does sexual empowerment mean to you? What makes you feel sexually empowered? What makes you feel sexually disempowered? What is one tip you can share...

Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS) is the tendency chase after things that are new and exciting, keeping you in a state of perpetually looking for “the next best thing”.  In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, Michael invites psychiatrist Dr. Hector Rodriguez to discuss how Shiny Object Syndrome affects gay men in life and in relationships. They’ll cover topics such as: SOS in dating apps The link betw...

One of the most common forms of sexual shaming we see in the gay community is towards bottoming. The closed-minded narratives that are perpetuated around receptive anal sex reflect a patriarchal belief system that inhibits our growth as a community. In this episode, we're tackling the topic of bottom shaming and exploring questions like... Where do you think bottom shaming stems from? Why do you t...

In this episode, Matt Landsiedel speaks with certified SOMA Breath breathwork instructor Jason Samadhi . Jason takes us on a journey into the power of breathwork and how consciously connecting with your breath can be one of the most potent tools for healing. By sharing the science of breathwork, Jason teaches us about the health benefits of working with your breath and how it can be used to improv...

One of the greatest obstacles along the spiritual path is an overactive ego - that fear-based part of you that needs to control outcomes and win at all costs.  But having an ego is necessary to the human experience, so how can we reconcile both the ego self and spiritual self?  In this episode, we’re explaining how understanding your ego can actually benefit your spiritual practice. We’re answerin...

Change can be scary. And in today’s world of ever-evolving language around gender and identity, it can make it hard for someone to ask questions without feeling judged or misunderstood. In today’s episode, host Calan Breckon opens up the conversation around navigating non-binary with genderqueer author Jason June and what his journey was like and how it now informs his work as a writer. Together t...

Spirituality is an umbrella term that means many different things to many people. In this episode, we’re revealing our own experience with spirituality and spiritual practices by exploring these questions:  What does spirituality mean to you? What in your life brought you to spirituality? What does your spiritual practice involve? Where can someone start if they want to develop a spiritual practic...

Guilt and shame are two of the most challenging emotions we encounter. For those who grew up with a religious or spiritual belief system, guilt and shame can have a uniquely traumatic impact on your sense of self and in your relationships. In this episode, host Michael DiIorio speaks with inter-faith community leader, Jeremy Russo, who has used his experience with spiritual abuse to become a leade...

Toxic positivity is the belief that people should maintain a positive mindset, no matter how challenging a situation may be.  This belief invalidates your authentic emotions and is a form of avoidance.  In this episode, we're sharing our own experiences and understanding of toxic positivity and we'll answer the questions: What are your thoughts on toxic positivity and the effects it has on silenci...

Have you ever found yourself conflicted about being top, bottom or vers? Or maybe you find yourself torn between whether or not you want monogamy or non-monogamy... Sometimes we can see pros and cons on both sides of our inner conflicts and it paralyzes us from making decisions. Being conflicted about your desires is completely normal. In this episode, Matt Landsiedel and Miguel Ezra Ramirez talk...

While emotional health falls under the overall umbrella of mental health, it deserves its own conversation because your emotions have a profound impact on how you show up in the world and your overall quality of life. This episode will answer questions such as: What does it mean to be emotionally healthy? How can you tell when your emotional health may be suffering? How do you handle challenging e...

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States that affects an estimated 17.3 million adults and 3.2 million adolescents according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Research shows that gay and bisexual men are at a higher risk for: Major depression, Bipolar disorder, and, Generalized anxiety disorder, and are more likely than heterosexual men to attemp...

Each year, over 800,000 people die from suicide and it is the 2nd leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds. The LGBTQ community has a significantly increased risk and that’s why we’re dedicating an episode to having a candid conversation about suicide. In this episode, we’ll answer questions such as: How have you been impacted by suicide? What are some of the stigmas around suicide? What is yo...

Your environment plays an important role in developing a strong identity and sense of self. Everything from the people you spend time with, where you get your news, and the social media accounts you follow will influence your sense of belonging in a community. In this episode, LGBTQ+ affirmative psychotherapist Justin Oberste joins host, Michael DiIorio to discuss mirroring: how we reflect back ou...

Relationships can be a minefield to navigate when you don't have the right tools or language to help you. Whether it's romantic or platonic ones, we all could use a little more guidance and support with it comes to creating more secure, healthy relationships. In this episode, we're giving you a sneak peek into our exciting new course, Building Better Relationships, where we guide you on how to bui...

In today’s episode, host Matt Landsiedel speaks with Nutrition Coach Scott Weisgarber about the relationship between fitness, nutrition and mental health. Together they explore questions like: What is the relationship between fitness, nutrition and mental health? How come gay men are so concerned about physical health and appearance? How does this obsession with appearance impact mental health? Th...

Intimacy is defined as the feeling of mutual vulnerability and closeness in personal relationships.  In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we’re talking about our unique experiences with intimacy as gay men. We’ll answer questions such as: What does intimacy mean to you? What was an intimate experience you’ve had that was not sexual?  What unique challenges do gay men face when it comes to inti...

Grief can be a hard experience to navigate because nothing can really prepare you for deep and emotional loss. It's something that everyone will have to experience at least a few times in their life and each person's experience with it is going to be different. In today’s episode, host Calan Breckon is joined by special guest Addison Brasil to talk about his journey with grief after the lose his b...

Relationships have a natural rhythm between feeling connected to your partner, and other times feeling disconnected from them. Each end of the spectrum can trigger different fears: the fear of being too close and/or the fear of abandonment. Understanding attachment styles helps you see how these fears show up in your relationships. In this episode, we're exploring our attachment styles and sharing...