The Joe Martino Show

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. This season may not be what you had hoped. I grieve for and with you. If your holiday is exactly what you hoped for, I celebrate with you.

How do you tell the difference between someone who’s truly toxic and someone who just annoys you? In this episode of The Joe Martino Show, I break down five clear markers of toxic behavior and how to spot them without overusing therapy-speak. We’ll also talk about how boundaries get misused, why “gaslighting” has become a catch-all label, and how to think more clearly about the people in your life...

In this episode, we explore the surprising mental and emotional benefits of reading books you don’t enjoy. From expanding your perspective to building resilience, we break down why pushing through uncomfortable or challenging material can actually strengthen your mind. You’ll learn how disliked books sharpen critical thinking, deepen emotional capacity, and reveal hidden parts of your own preferen...

Recently my son accidentally ruined an entire freezer full of meat. In today’s episode I use this event and my response to it to explain five steps that anyone can use to change their lives. Episode 324 is live. Don't forget to subscribe and share.

Family stress seems to be more of a theme around the holidays. It seems to me most people are caught between wanting to spend time with family and not wanting to wade through the distress of a divisive political conversation. In today’s episode, I share some strategies to finding a peaceful way to spend time with family and avoid the divisive, blood pressure rising conversations. Episode 323 is li...

Nearly all of us say we hate cancel culture, but in this episode, I explore the possibility that maybe we like it a little bit more than we let on. What happens when all or nothing combines with a dislike of being questioned? Often, we engage in a mini version of cancel culture. That is to say, we stop talking to the person because we don’t like something that they said about something we believe....

The words you speak shape the world you live in. When you learn to own that truth, you can stop reacting to life and start creating it, one word at a time. This episode dives into how your language defines your reality, your mindset, and your freedom. Let’s talk about how changing your words can change your world. Episode 321 is live now.

When life shifts, we like to think we’re being tested, but most of the time, we’re being revealed. Change doesn’t create your character; it exposes it. In this episode, we’ll talk about how turmoil shows what’s really driving you, and how to use those moments to grow instead of spiral. You’ll walk away with practical steps to examine your reactions, identify what’s under them, and start shaping th...

Are you one person at work and another at home? In this episode of The Joe Martino Show, we talk about what happens when the version of you your family gets isn’t the same one everyone else sees—and how to start closing that gap. Plus, I answer a listener question about “The Rule of Three” and how it can change the way you approach relationships and growth. Listen now here or on your favorite podc...

What do you do when the person who raised you can’t celebrate you? In this episode, I respond to a listener whose father’s health struggles and jealousy make their relationship complicated. We’ll unpack the tension of situations like this, and how to carry success without shame or guilt.

Date night at Costco. Yep, you read that right. While strolling the aisles of free samples and bulk toilet paper, my wife and I watched a dad trying—really trying—to parent gently. It sparked a bigger conversation: when does gentle parenting cross the line into ineffective parenting? And what does that reveal about the way we talk to ourselves when what we’re doing isn’t working? If you have kids,...

Civil discourse feels harder to find every day. Last week, a prominent conservative figure was executed, and what troubled me most were the responses that followed. Not long ago, a young woman was murdered on public transportation, and the government tried to cover it up—afraid of how the public might respond. This episode isn’t about reliving those events. It’s about what they reveal: how quickly...

My summer series continues with another chapter from my upcoming book, Hiding Behind God. In today’s episode, I read from Part Three—the section focused on practical suggestions to help us course correct. This chapter? It’s about Consumer Church. Why it’s broken. Why it needs to end. I tell the story of two people—one wrecked by it, the other who stood up, pushed back, and walked away whole. Episo...

A friend asked me recently, “Why do you always stir the pot?” Fair question. It’s a fair question and to be honest, I’ve become comfortable with being willing to discuss the things that people tend to find uncomfortable. But truthfully? I’m not trying to stir anything. I’m trying to name what’s real. Because I’ve sat with too many people wrecked by the things we refuse to talk about. It’s not abou...

There are four things I wish for everyone. Four practices I believe can reshape your pace, your peace, and your presence. Engage with them, and your entire life could shift. Listen to Episode 312 now.

We all fail. It’s part of being human. But what we do after the failure? That’s where growth—or deeper damage—happens. In this episode, I talk about what failure can teach us if we’re willing to listen, learn, and lean into the discomfort. I also address some listener concerns about a previous episode—because feedback, like failure, is a gift when we choose to receive it with humility. Let’s talk...

This weekend, I was reminded why I love sports so much. Friends sent me a video of their son playing in a weekend tournament—the final moments captured one of those beautiful truths that sports offer us all. That's the first half of today's episode. In the second half, I want to share something powerful—something that, if you truly embrace it, can radically change your life. Listen in as I unpack...

In this episode of The Joe Martino Show, we dive deep into the misconception that money is the key to happiness. Many of us chase financial success, believing it will bring fulfillment, only to find that something is still missing. The truth is, what we truly crave isn’t money—it’s meaning. Join me as we explore how to shift our focus from accumulating wealth to creating purpose in our lives. Whet...

In today’s episode of The Joe Martino Show, we dive into how to slow down and savor time — especially during summer. As the school year wraps up, life speeds up. Days slip by. But what if you could press pause? What if you could truly be present and enjoy summer without rushing? This episode shares simple and practical ways to slow the pace, embrace stillness, and make space for meaningful moments...

What do our kids really need from us? In this episode, I break down three powerful, research-backed essentials every child needs for healthy emotional development. And here’s the thing—we never outgrow them. We all need to know who we are (identity), that we’re truly loved, and that we’re genuinely liked—not just for what we do, but for who we are. This is practical, real-world parenting advice wi...

Today, we seem to spend so much time, energy, and effort chasing insight. Almost anytime that you engage in psychotherapy or counseling, someone will inevitably bring up the idea of having to look into your childhood to figure out why you do what you do. The idea seems to be that we need insight to facilitate change. We seem to think that we can figure out why we do what we do, and then we will be...

305. 8 Surprising Benefits of Conflict in Relationships (Yes, Really!) by Joe Martino

Welcome to Episode 304 of The Joe Martino Show. Today, we're going to continue a topic that doesn't get enough attention—men grieving. Grief is hard enough, but for men, it's often complicated by cultural expectations and personal struggles. Too many guys hear, “Man up” instead of, “How are you holding up?” When called out, one wife responded to say that those calling her out were wrong. Let’s be...

Empathy matters—but it’s not a magic fix. In this follow-up episode of The Joe Martino Show, we explore what it really takes to use empathy well. I break down five practical steps to move from good intentions to meaningful action—and why just “feeling with someone” isn’t always helpful. Plus, I read and respond to some honest emails from listeners who pushed back on Part 1. 🎧 Press play to learn...

We’ve been told that empathy is the key to a better world—but what if that’s only half the truth? In this episode of The Joe Martino Show, we dive into the hidden downside of empathy and why, on its own, it can do more harm than good. When unchecked, empathy can cloud judgment, fuel burnout, and even enable toxic behavior. So, what’s the solution? Tune in as we unpack the critical balance between...