Gay Men Going Deeper

How would you, your life, and your experience be if you were free from uncertainty, instability, and insecurity? While it can’t be promised you won’t have to experience these again, in this special solo episode, Reno shares personal experiences, perspectives, anecdotes, and practices to help you relate to them in ways that do create more freedom, creativity, resourcefulness, resilience, discernmen...

We may be adults, but a lot of us are still living in emotional childhood—blaming others for how we feel and how we act. When you give other people control over your emotions, you give away your power. In this episode, we're breaking down what it means to take responsibility for your emotions and why it is fundamental if you want true freedom, stronger relationships, and genuine self-confidence. W...

In this episode, Matt speaks with author and love advocate, Scott Stabile. Together, they break down the psycho-spiritual aspects of the inner critic and how to best work with it from a place of love. If you are someone who is hard on yourself and has a tough time finding self-love and self-compassion, this episode will help you develop greater awareness of your inner critic, where self-judgment o...

What happens when we avoid feeling our emotions? In this episode, we explore the importance of emotional awareness: tuning in instead of checking out. We share what happens when we suppress our feelings, and how to navigate the tough ones with compassion and care. We also explore: The link between emotional avoidance and things like addiction, depression, and burnout What blocks us from feeling ou...

It’s Pride Month, and with everything going on in the world right now, it feels especially important to pause and reflect. In this special panel discussion episode, Reno Johnston is joined by three incredible guests—Mark Fleming, Keone Wales, and Jordan Layne—for a candid panel discussion on the meaning of Pride: where it began, how it’s evolved, and what it means to each of us today. Together, th...

In 2025, LGBTQ rights are facing renewed challenges- from the rise of far-right populism to legislative rollbacks and the rise of hate sweeping across the globe. But how serious is the threat? And if the fight is back on… are we ready? This week, Michael is joined by author and longtime activist, Tim McCaskell , who’s been on the front lines of LGBTQ+ resistance for over five decades. From the bat...

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a question many in our community have been quietly (or loudly) asking: Has Pride lost its meaning? In this wide-ranging conversation, we reflect on how Pride has evolved from its radical roots in activism to its present-day celebratory scene shaped by media, politics, and corporate sponsorships. We talk about what’s been gained, what’s been lost, and what stil...

In this episode, Matt speaks with a panel of demisexual gay men about their experiences dating as demisexuals. What we want you to get out of this episode is greater awareness of yourself if you are demisexual, and to know you are not alone. We want to share our own experiences in the hope that you can learn ways to thrive as a demisexual.  If you are not demisexual, this episode will offer you a...

For many gay men, friendship is complicated, performative, and sometimes downright painful. We crave genuine connection but end up navigating cliques, comparison, and quiet loneliness.  In this episode, Michael and Pepper are doing an exposé on gay friendships to unpack what’s really going on beneath the surface and why so many gay friendships fall short of the depth and safety we actually want. W...

How do the unmet needs of our childhood shape who we are today? And more importantly, how do we learn to meet those needs for ourselves as adults? In this deeply personal and eye-opening episode of Gay Men Going Deeper , we explore the re-parenting process—a therapeutic model that helps us heal old wounds, develop self-compassion, and rewrite the internal narratives we inherited from childhood. We...

In this episode, Matt speaks with therapist and author, Tom Bruett , about how to avoid losing yourself in your relationships. By balancing connection and autonomy in our relationships, we can foster more secure relationships that allow us to maintain our sense of self while allowing our partner to do the same.  If you easily lose yourself in your relationships or you’re having a hard time establi...

From Madonna to Mariah, Beyoncé to Barbra— throughout the generations, gay men have been obsessed with divas. But why ? In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we’re diving into the deep connection between gay men and our beloved divas, exploring: Who are the divas and what do they have in common? Why divas resonate so deeply with gay men  How these women inspire us  The diva anthems that have be...

The women in our lives have influenced us in ways we don’t always recognize, but when we take a step back, their impact is undeniable. In this heartfelt episode, we’re celebrating the uniquely beautiful relationships gay men have with women—from mothers and grandmothers to besties, sisters, and beyond. We’re showing love to all the women who have supported us, shaped us, and often modeled the trai...

Do you find yourself putting other people’s needs ahead of your own? Struggle to set boundaries? Feel responsible for keeping the peace even when it costs you your authenticity? In this episode, gay therapist Michael Pezzullo joins Michael to go deeper into the roots of people pleasing—especially why so many gay men fall into this pattern. We’ll explore how people pleasing shows up in everyday lif...

Many gay men struggle with saying no, setting boundaries, or engaging in difficult conversations due to deep-seated people-pleasing tendencies and fear of conflict. But staying silent often leads to resentment, burnout, or feeling disconnected from your true self. As recovering people-pleasers themselves, Matt and Michael have plenty to share about their own journeys toward becoming more assertive...

In this episode, Matt speaks with Psychotherapist, Merle Yost , about how shame may influence sexual desire and arousal by eroticizing shame as a way of coping with it. Merle shares his story about being sexually molested by his father and the impact this had on his sexual development. Join us for this interesting topic that is often not talked about but deeply impacts many of us.  The concepts an...

Communication is at the heart of every relationship—whether it’s with friends, partners, colleagues, or even yourself. But what does it actually mean to be a strong communicator? In this episode, we’re diving into the key skills that make conversations more effective, engaging, and authentic. Join us as we discuss: What makes a strong communicator? The role of emotional intelligence in communicati...

They didn’t teach us about gay sex in school… so we had to teach ourselves. From porn to awkward trial-and-error hookups, most of us pieced together our own “education”—for better or worse. In this episode, Michael is joined by porn star turned sex educator, Patrick Marano , to talk about the sex ed we should have had, how we’ve had to create it for ourselves, and why stigma and censorship still k...

Is your dating profile truly showing the best version of you? In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper , we're diving into the do's and don'ts of crafting a profile that is aligned with what you’re truly looking for. On the apps, your profile is the first impression that counts so whether you're looking for love, fun, or meaningful connections, it matters.  Some topics we’ll discuss: What it means...

In this episode, Matt speaks with men’s coach Shay Doran about the psychology and mindset of erectile dysfunction. Did you know that some research indicates that gay men experience a higher rate of erection problems compared to straight men? This episode unpacks the reasons gay men experience erection problems and how to overcome them. If you struggle with erection issues or performance anxiety an...

Join us as we take a deep dive into the impact of dating apps on both our personal lives and the gay community at large. We get candid about how these apps have shaped our experience of dating and relating with other guys. From mindless swiping and ghosting to feeling used and disconnected, we explore the darker side of app culture while offering practical tips to create healthier, more positive e...

Bottoming is more than just a position. It’s time to flip the script on the old, tired narrative that bottoms are the passive or submissive partners.  In this episode we’re celebrating all things bottom and introducing the concept of the Empowered Bottom —someone who owns their pleasure, sets boundaries, and takes charge of the experience, whether they’re submissive, bossy, or anywhere in between....

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the dynamics of monogamy in gay relationships. From unpacking the myths and stigmas surrounding monogamy to exploring the concept of devotion and intimacy, we’re challenging assumptions and offer fresh perspectives. Some of the things we discuss: The benefits of monogamy and why some gay couples choose it. What it takes to make monogamy work, and why that...

In this episode, Matt speaks with therapist and author Tom Bruett about the struggles many gay men face with romantic relationships. Together they share decades of experience when it comes to understanding the relational challenges faced by gay men. From toxic shame to developmental trauma, they unpack what causes these challenges and how to start healing and empowering ourselves in our relationsh...

What happens when friendship and intimacy collide? In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we’re exploring the nuanced dynamics of friends with benefits (FWB) and friends with intimacy (FWI). But what happens when emotions sneak in, boundaries blur, or feelings start to change? We’ll discuss: Defining FWB vs. FWI: What they mean, how they’re different from dating or hookups, and what these relati...