How do you know when it’s time to say goodbye? Whether it’s a relationship or job or a living situation, the best goodbyes are the ones that come from a place of love, not destruction. In today’s episode, Michael and Star are opening up about their painful decision to close the chapter on their romantic relationship. Some of the topics they’ll cover in this episode are: How and why they came to this decision The importance of knowing when you’ve reached the natural ending Ways to make the ...
Feb 22, 2024•35 min•Ep. 175
As gay guys, our relationship with straight men can be quite complicated. In this episode, we’re exploring the complex connection between gay-straight male bonds, from platonic friendship to secret attractions. We'll also discuss common misconceptions and challenges that can arise when navigating these dynamics. Some of the topics we’ll be covering are: Our relationships with straight men How early experiences influenced these relationships What makes straight men attractive Sharing our intimate...
Feb 15, 2024•57 min•Ep. 174
In this episode, Matt speaks with Ken Reid , an attachment and trauma informed counsellor, about narcissism in the gay community. They unpack the intricacies of this topic from both perspectives; understanding the narcissistic person, as well as those who attract these types of people into their lives. Come learn what causes narcissism, how to deal with narcissistic people, and what you can do to heal the parts of you that are attracting narcissistic people. The questions we wi...
Feb 08, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 173
In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we’re exploring a more playful and flirtatious side of ourselves as we dive headfirst into the captivating realm of crushes and attraction. Being "boy crazy," may seem frivolous but, today we are unfolding the intricate layers of emotions and experiences that come with navigating attraction. As always, we are using our personal experiences to explore the unique dynamics of attraction, the thrill of infatuation, and the challenges that come with it. The qu...
Feb 01, 2024•55 min•Ep. 172
In Part 2 of Finding Connection in the Gay Community, we shift the focus towards solutions, strategies, and the transformative power of authentic connections. If Part 1 delved into the challenges, Part 2 is all about fostering meaningful connections and platonic intimacy with other men. In this episode, we provide tangible and actionable ways for our listeners to build and strengthen bonds within the gay community. Some of the topics we’re covering: Real connection vs. pseudo connection Ho...
Jan 25, 2024•46 min•Ep. 171
Join us for an intimate exploration into the common challenges and pain points that gay men encounter in our quest for connection within the gay community. Loneliness is a universal experience, but in this episode, we delve into the unique challenges that we face in our community such as: The types of loneliness What loneliness actually looks like Shame and stigmas Sex as a solution The need for emotional intimacy This episode feels like a heartfelt conversation, sharing personal sto...
Jan 18, 2024•45 min•Ep. 170
In part 2 of this 2-part series, we are focusing on recovery from addiction, including the strategies that proved useful along our respective journeys, and the wisdom we’ve gained in the process. Throughout the episode, we stress the importance of community and offer practical advice for those navigating recovery, while still acknowledging the unique challenges that we encounter along the way. Some of the topics we cover: Different pathways to recovery Understanding and managing our trigge...
Jan 11, 2024•55 min•Ep. 169
In part 1 of this 2-part series, we are exploring the complex and often unspoken realm of addiction and compulsive behaviour. In this episode, we are sharing our own experiences, including substance abuse and behavioral addictions. In doing so, we hope to break the stigma surrounding addiction within the gay community, and foster a sense of understanding and support. Some of the topics we’ll be covering in this episode are: How do we define addiction and compulsive behaviour? Different typ...
Jan 04, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 168
For many LGBTQ+ people, coming out to family is a pivotal moment and significant step toward self-acceptance and living authentically. However, regardless of your age, coming out to family members can be extra challenging due to cultural reasons, family dynamics, and a fear of not being accepted. Even once we have come out to our family members, we must navigate the delicate balance of how much access we give them into our gay lives, including our intimate relationships. In this episode, w...
Dec 28, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 167
In this extra special episode, Michael welcomes members of his own chosen family to explore the unique dynamics that make chosen families such an important part of the LGBTQ+ experience. While providing a candid look at their own family dynamics, they delve into various subjects including: The importance of chosen family compared to biological family How bonds evolve over time and what makes them last How their dynamics can be similar to traditional family (for better or worse) Navigating ...
Dec 21, 2023•53 min•Ep. 166
In this heartfelt episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we are sharing poignant stories of our family relationships. Join us as we explore the triumphs and tribulations of the intricate bonds that tie us to our biological family dynamics. Some of the questions we’ll be answering today are: 1. What do you find challenging about family? 2. How has your family shaped who you are? 3. What matters most to you when it comes to your family? Tune in to this illuminating episode that reminds us that despite i...
Dec 14, 2023•59 min•Ep. 165
In this episode, Matt speaks with Nyle Biondi , a trans and queer psychotherapist, about protecting their peace. In a world that is divisive and full of violence, oppression and hatred, how can we protect our peace? This episode explores ways in which we might be giving away our power and how we can stop doing this and learn to protect our peace. Come spend an hour with Matt and Nyle and learn how to protect your own peace from things like family dynamics, media, oppressive societal views/...
Dec 07, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 164
In this enriching episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we are delving deep into the world of personal finance and exploring the often underestimated power of your money mindset. Everyone has a money mindset, which consists of your thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes about money. Whether you realize it or not, this mindset is creating your financial well-being. Our goal today is to inspire you to create a money mindset that helps you live the life you most want to live. Some of the questions...
Nov 30, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 163
Making friends can feel like a complex puzzle in the gay world - and when you're an introvert, the pieces fit differently. In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, Michael DiIorio and friendship coach, Zayne Khan explore the distinctive hurdles faced by introverts in their quest for companionship. We’ll cover topics such as: The unique challenges introverts face in making friends How being gay impacts our ability to make friends The impact of apps and social media in seeking connection Pra...
Nov 23, 2023•54 min•Ep. 162
In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we tackle a topic that's become increasingly important in our fast-paced, interconnected world: work-life balance. Throughout this episode, we explore the causes of the work-life balance struggle, including societal expectations and the constant connectivity enabled by technology. We’ll also share stories and practical advice on how we set boundaries, prioritize self-care, and reclaim our precious personal time as entrepreneurs. The questions we’ll ...
Nov 16, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 161
In this episode Matt speaks with Indie Author and Counselor, Jonathan Lee about dating as a gay man. Jonathan wrote his debut book 40 Single Gay where he over-shares his experience in the hostile gay dating world and what he learned about himself through the process. Matt and Jonathan unpack everything from hookup culture and non-monogamy, to intimacy and how to get our emotional needs met as gay men. Here are some of the concepts they explored in this episode: What is your experience of dating ...
Nov 09, 2023•57 min•Ep. 160
Every human being has a unique purpose: something you and only you can bring to this world. In today’s episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we are sharing our personal journeys towards our purpose. We’ll share how moments of clarity, inspiration, and even adversity provided invaluable insights into our true calling. Some of the questions we’ll be answering are: How did you discover your purpose? What gives your life meaning? What kind of impact do you want to make? Whether you're at a crossroads, se...
Nov 02, 2023•55 min•Ep. 159
In this provocative episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, Michael DiIorio and Pepper pushing boundaries, sparking discussion, and providing helpful tips on sharing NSFW pics. Some of the topics we’ll be covering today are: Why do we send NSFW pics? What are the risks in doing so? Does it impact how our relationships unfold? Are we too desensitized to nudity? What are some best practices for sending and receiving pics? Join us for this entertaining episode where we celebrate sexualit...
Oct 26, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 158
In this episode Matt speaks with Scott Blackwood about healing their traumatic pasts. They talk about the impacts of relational and attachment trauma on their lives and how this led to Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), shame, low self-esteem and social isolation. They talk about how the unresolved trauma impacted their relationship with themselves and others and the steps they are taking to overcome this. Here are some of the concepts they explored in this episode: What is trauma? ...
Oct 19, 2023•56 min•Ep. 157
Today we are diving deep into the profound practice of inner child work, a transformative journey that has the power to heal wounds from our past and pave the way for a brighter future. Join us as we delve into various techniques and exercises that can help you connect with your inner child, nurture them, and ultimately begin the process of healing any unresolved childhood pain. Some of the questions we’ll be exploring are: How would you describe your relationship with your inner child (past and...
Oct 12, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 156
Bullying is defined as an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. Why this conversation is important: It is said that approximately ⅓ people will experience some form of bullying in their lifetime; in the home, in the community, in the classroom, in the workplace, online, and/or outside of these spaces. Our goal today is to have a discussion with men who hav...
Oct 05, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 155
In today’s episode, Michael DiIorio invites special guest Jeremy Russo to explore how spiritual abuse can manifest within religious communities, causing harm to individuals' mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. We also touch upon religious trauma, discussing its lasting impact on survivors, and the journey towards healing and forgiveness. While this is a deeply sensitive topic, we believe it’s crucial to shed some light on the dark corners of this often-overlooked aspect of faith and...
Sep 28, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 154
In this episode, Matt Landsiedel takes you on a guided meditative journey to discover the relationship between your masculine and feminine energies. The guided meditation is designed to help you restore balance between your masculine and feminine energy. When we use the terms masculine and feminine, we are not referring to the gender or sex of an individual, we are referring to the energetic duality that exists within all human beings. We all have a masculine or yang energy, and we all have...
Sep 21, 2023•55 min•Ep. 153
Expressing your feminine energy does not diminish your masculinity or make you less of a man. Each person is a unique expression of masculine and feminine energies, and this expression is a natural and valid part of our identity. In today's episode, we are sharing our own experiences of discovering and expressing our feminine energy. We'll explore various aspects of embracing our inner femininity, from fashion and emotional expression to intuition and relationships. We're answering questions suc...
Sep 14, 2023•48 min•Ep. 152
Gay culture has historically idolized traditional masculinity in the context of societal norms, which includes traits like physical strength, assertiveness, and stoicism. But we must remember that there isn't a single, fixed definition of masculinity. While some embrace traditional concepts of masculinity, others may lean towards more non-conforming presentations. Lately, there has been a growing acceptance of the fact that gender expression and sexual orientation are distinct aspect...
Sep 07, 2023•57 min•Ep. 151
Libido, or sex drive, is our natural instinctual inclination for sexual activity. Libido varies person to person and fluctuates over time. It’s not uncommon for men to put a high value on their sex drive, especially if they associate it with their masculinity and self-esteem. In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, Michael welcomes Dr. Hector Rodriguez to answer your questions about libido. Some of the topics they’ll be covering are: How does aging impact your sex drive? How d...
Aug 31, 2023•51 min•Ep. 150
Attraction is a fickle matter. Call it a vibe or energy or aura, it is indeed a powerful unseen force that influences our relationships. In the metaphysical sense, energetic attraction stems from the belief that everything in the universe is made up of energy, including human beings, and that this energy can interact and create connections between people. In this episode, we're going deeper into the concept of Energetic Attraction , by answering these questions: What traits make someone attracti...
Aug 24, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 149
In this episode, Matt Landsiedel and Michael DiIorio unpack the concept of the spiritual awakening. They both share their personal experiences with spiritual awakenings and how they navigated these really challenging periods in their lives. If you are struggling in life right now, you might be going through a spiritual awakening. The best way through one of these experiences is to learn about its meaning, making it easier to navigate. Here are the 4 questions we explored in this episode: What do...
Aug 17, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 148
Attracting a romantic relationship is as much about energy as it is about the practical steps. Directing your thoughts and emotions towards finding love adds an energetic boost to any tangible action steps you’re taking. In this episode, we’re sharing our experiences with attracting love including: Manifestation basics Artificial desire vs. authentic desire How to recognize your 'ideal' partner Why you attract who you attract Our fave tips and tricks Watch this episode on YouTube Want more? Gay ...
Aug 10, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 147
Body confidence is the ability to feel good in your body, regardless of its size or shape. But there are many reasons why gay men in particular struggle in this area. Wanting to work on your body is perfectly natural, but having the right mindset is crucial to this process. How can you work on your body goals without it being harmful to your mental health? In today’s episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, Michael DiIorio invites Jarrod Bruce Lee to answer that very question, as well as di...
Aug 03, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 146
