The Emotional Men Podcast

If you’re having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 (U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). Veterans press 1. This episode is a direct, stigma-free conversation about suicide . We talk about what suicidal thoughts feel like, how ideation differs from plans and intent, and why human connection can pull people back from the brink. Guest Mike Dolloff shares his experience of an attempted suicide at 18...

In the final part of our “balanced life” arc (creativity • education • physicality), we dig into how the body teaches identity. This one isn’t reps-and-macros. It’s about push-ups to kill an urge, trauma collapsing your whole self into one joint, posture shifting mood, Weird Al-induced joy, ballet and masculinity, nature as a somatic reset, “dad hands,” EMG tests, and memento mori. We connect phys...

Creativity isn’t just paintings and songs. It’s making anything that didn’t exist five minutes ago, be it spreadsheets, shelves, systems, owl houses. Taylor and Pete dig into creativity as agency, meaning-making, and identity. You’ll hear how “creation is confrontation,” why anchors matter, how to practice “everyday creativity,” and a simple three-step framework you can use tonight. Content note:...

This episode launches a three-part series focusing on the pursuit of a balanced life through three essential human endeavors: Education, Creativity, and Physicality. Hosts Taylor and Pete argue that focusing on these three areas provides a richer, less overwhelmed existence. 1. Educational Pursuits: Going Beyond the Degree The first pillar is Education , defined as the lifelong process of filling...

Humility isn’t “I suck.” It’s “I’m listening.” In this episode, Taylor and Pete sit down with their long-time friend Jihad Alex Sakhnini (former Army linguist, performance consultant in oil & gas and aerospace, ex–head of sports strategy at EA, and current leadership coach) to dismantle the “hero leader” myth. They unpack the difference between formal and informal leadership , how humility sho...

Episode Summary In this episode, Taylor and Pete tackle one of the most loaded phrases in modern culture: toxic masculinity. What does it actually mean? Who decides? And can we talk about it without turning it into a fight? Through an honest, sometimes uncomfortable, but always thoughtful conversation, the guys unpack what’s behind the label and how it often gets misused. Together, Pete and Taylor...

Art is so much more than just decoration. It’s nervous-system care! In this episode we bring on arts critic and teacher Cat McCarrey to explore why engaging with art measurably lowers anxiety, increases empathy, and strengthens well-being. We talk about “giving vs. demanding” art, why hospitals with nature images see reduced stress and medication use, how design and acoustics count as art, and why...

Conflict isn’t the problem— bad conflict is. Taylor and Pete break down what it actually means to fight well in relationships. From “strike while the iron is cold” to the instant-apology rule, they unpack six clear steps for arguing like an adult. Along the way, they tackle honesty, defensiveness, gaslighting, gender myths, and why “being whipped” isn’t weakness—it’s emotional maturity. Real stori...

Hosts: Taylor McCarrey & Pete Kingsley Contact / Listener mail: emotionalmenpc@gmail.com In this episode Taylor and Pete take apart a common but dangerous myth: that we should be able to control our emotions. They argue that emotions are amoral, often automatic, and not a moral failing. What is under our control are the inputs that influence feelings and, critically, our behaviors in response...

Episode Summary Optimism without the glitter. Taylor and Pete dig into what it really means to stay hopeful when things are hard. Using the Life Orientation Test–Revised (LOT-R) (no Hobbits, so sorry), they separate healthy optimism from denial and “toxic positivity.” They talk about meaning-making after tough experiences, how gratitude and mindfulness actually shift outcomes, and how to practice...

Episode Summary Taylor and Pete take the myth of doing everything “perfectly” out back and put it to rest. Using the 80/20 rule, they show why chasing 100% is a waste of energy, why even “perfect” systems have junk you need to deal with, and how to identify the things that actually move the needle in your mental health and life. This episode mixes research-backed ideas, irreverent humor, and real...

Taylor McCarrey and Pete Kingsley are two longtime friends who are both therapists, one data-driven and one intuition-forward. Together, they pull apart what makes male friendship hard and necessary. From awkward notes in a warzone to a simple touch between friends, they cover affection without sexualization, why “should” is poison, the Gottman micro-repair idea, and how social comparison and perf...