In this episode of The Relaxed Male, host Bryan Goodwin delves into the crucial distinction between tolerating and accepting in relationships, particularly marriage. Bryan emphasizes how tolerating can lead to resentment and emotional disconnection, while accepting allows for healthier communication and understanding. He discusses common relationship issues such as overspending and unsatisfactory love lives, highlighting the importance of addressing these problems through open dialogue and emoti...
Apr 10, 2025•33 min•Ep. 270
Bob Gardner joins Bryan Goodwin on episode 269 of The Relaxed Male, providing insights that challenge conventional approaches to pain and addiction. Bob, known as the "Freedom Specialist," shares a transformative perspective on how our mindset shapes our experiences and influences our health. At the start, Bryan highlights how Bob's work has shifted his own understanding of addiction, viewing it as a symptom of underlying emotional struggles rather than a mere behavioral issue. This conversation...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 269
In this episode of The Relaxed Male, host Bryan Goodwin tackles a tough question of the month from a listener named Marty, who finds himself in a difficult situation after cheating on his wife of nine years. With two young children and the possibility of another child on the way with the woman he cheated with, Marty seeks advice on how to confess to his wife and work towards regaining her trust. Brian shares insights from his own experiences and offers guidance on navigating the aftermath of inf...
Mar 27, 2025•41 min•Ep. 268
In this episode of The Relaxed Male, host Bryan Goodwin takes listeners on a reflective journey as he navigates the challenges of unmet expectations and life not going according to plan. Broadcasting from his truck, Bryan shares personal insights and experiences from the past few years, discussing the hurdles he has faced in his coaching business and the lessons learned along the way. He candidly explores the concept of success, the struggle with imposter syndrome, and the importance of redefini...
Mar 20, 2025•39 min•Ep. 267
In this episode of The Relaxed Male, we delve into the complex relationship between physical intimacy and emotional connection. Host Bryan Goodwin shares his personal experiences and insights on how different types of intimacy, including physical, emotional, and intellectual, play a crucial role in strengthening relationships. Bryan candidly discusses the challenges he faced in his own marriage, from dealing with a lack of sexual intimacy to navigating the roommate syndrome, where partners drift...
Mar 13, 2025•28 min•Ep. 266
In this episode of The Relaxed Male, we delve into the complex world of expectations and how they shape our reactions and relationships. Host Bryan Goodwin shares personal insights from his recent experiences with unrealized expectations, particularly in the context of a social media workshop that didn't meet his expectations. He discusses the common pitfalls of unvoiced expectations and covert contracts, especially in personal relationships, and how they can lead to frustration and resentment. ...
Mar 06, 2025•44 min•Ep. 265
In this episode of The Relaxed Male, we have a special guest, Todd, who is one of my clients. Todd is a father, husband, and coworker who has faced relationship challenges that many men encounter, whether at home or work. This episode provides a unique opportunity to experience firsthand how coaching with me can transform relationships from feeling like roommates to ones you can truly enjoy. We delve into Todd's journey, discussing the struggles he faced in his marriage, particularly financial d...
Feb 27, 2025•53 min•Ep. 264
In this episode of The Relaxed Male, we dive into the topic of getting unstuck and moving forward in life, especially after significant life changes like a divorce. Host Bryan Goodwin, a certified coach, addresses the common feelings of stagnation and fear that can keep us from pursuing new adventures and living life on our own terms. We explore the importance of introspection and identifying the thoughts that hold us back, and Bryan provides actionable steps to overcome these barriers. We also ...
Feb 20, 2025•50 min•Ep. 263
In this episode of The Relaxed Male, we delve into the intriguing topic of how we often use our limitations as badges of honor. Host Bryan Goodwin explores why society tends to celebrate limitations and how this mindset can actually reinforce these constraints rather than liberate us from them. Brian discusses the phenomenon of labeling oneself with terms like ADHD, neurodivergent, or introvert, and how these labels can become self-fulfilling prophecies that hinder personal growth. Bryan emphasi...
Feb 13, 2025•21 min•Ep. 262
In this week's episode of The Relaxed Male, we delve into the common struggles men face when trying to improve their relationships, particularly with their wives. Host Bryan Goodwin, a certified coach, explores the barriers that hold men back from living the fulfilling life they desire. He discusses the motivational triad that keeps us in our comfort zones, the fear of failure, rejection, and even success, and how these fears prevent us from taking necessary actions. Bryan shares his personal ex...
Feb 06, 2025•42 min•Ep. 261
In this episode of The Relaxed Male, host Brian Goodwin delves into the complexities of maintaining individual identities within a marriage. Using the biblical reference of two becoming one, Brian explores how couples can balance unity with independence. He discusses the common pitfall of losing oneself in a relationship by trying to appease a partner, leading to codependency. Brian emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and the detrimental effects of relying on a partner for affirma...
Jan 30, 2025•37 min•Ep. 260
In this week's episode of The Relaxed Male, we're doing something a bit different by diving into an email from a listener. I, Brian Goodwin, your host, start with an apology for not responding to emails due to a technical oversight. I acknowledge the missed opportunities to connect with listeners and answer their questions. Moving forward, I commit to addressing one listener question per month on the show. We also discuss the renewed interest in the Brotherhood of Men group coaching package. Des...
Jan 23, 2025•39 min•Ep. 259
In this episode of Relaxed Male, your host Bryan Goodwin dives deep into the intricacies of personal responsibility and self-awareness in relationships. Bryan discusses how men often become their own worst enemies by repeating the same actions and expecting different results. He emphasizes the importance of taking control of one's thoughts and actions to improve personal circumstances and relationships. Bryan shares his personal journey of overcoming frustration and blame, highlighting how men t...
Jan 16, 2025•37 min•Ep. 258
In this episode of The Relaxed Male, host Bryan Goodwin delves into the common feeling of being stuck in life and how to overcome it. Bryan discusses the emotional and psychological aspects of feeling stuck, often referred to as mental spin or confusion, and explains how these feelings are rooted in fear and uncertainty. He shares personal experiences of feeling stuck in his own business endeavors and emphasizes the importance of understanding these emotions to move forward. Bryan outlines the c...
Jan 09, 2025•34 min•Ep. 257
Welcome to the first episode of 2025 on The Relaxed Male! As we step into the new year, it's crucial to reflect on the past year and learn from our experiences. In this episode, I, your host Brian Goodwin, delve into the importance of reviewing the past year to fuel your progress in the new one. We discuss how acknowledging your achievements and setbacks can empower you to move closer to your goals. Reflecting on my own journey with Relaxed Male, I share the ups and downs of 2024, including the ...
Jan 02, 2025•25 min•Ep. 256
In this episode of The Relaxed Male, we delve into the concept of grace and how it can transform your life in the coming year. As the holiday season wraps up, many of us reflect on family gatherings and the challenges they bring. Host Bryan Goodwin encourages listeners to consider a different approach for 2025 by allowing grace to flow into their lives. Grace, defined as unearned forgiveness, is explored as a powerful tool for improving mental health and personal freedom. Bryan discusses the imp...
Dec 26, 2024•26 min•Ep. 255
As the holiday season approaches, it's the perfect time to reflect on the past year and prepare for the new one. In this episode of The Relaxed Male, we delve into the importance of reviewing our lives and setting goals for 2025. Host Bryan Goodwin, a certified coach, guides us through the process of self-examination and goal setting, emphasizing the significance of the four pillars of a relaxed male: mind, body, soul, and community. Bryan shares his personal journey with Relaxed Male, discussin...
Dec 19, 2024•40 min•Ep. 254
The podcast focuses on the concept of taking one's wife off a metaphorical pedestal in a relationship. The host, Bryan, discusses how men often idealize their wives, creating an unrealistic and ultimately harmful dynamic in their marriages. Bryan explains that when men place their wives on a pedestal, they create an impossible standard of perfection. This idealization actually prevents genuine connection and love. By elevating their wives to an unreachable status, men inadvertently create distan...
Dec 12, 2024•25 min•Ep. 253
This week on The Relaxed Male, we have a special guest, Dawn Wiggins, host of the podcast Dear Divorce Diaries. We dive deep into the world of marriage counseling and explore what couples can expect from therapy. Dawn shares insights on how to navigate the painful journey of divorce and offers strategies to prevent it by fostering healthier relationships. We discuss the concept of conflict avoidance, a common issue many men face, and how it impacts relationships. Dawn explains the importance of ...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 252
In this final episode of our series on intimacy, we delve into the realm of physical intimacy. Over the past ten weeks, we've explored various forms of intimacy, including emotional, intellectual, spiritual, experiential, social, creative, conflict, aesthetic, and work. Today, we focus on the nuances of physical intimacy, a topic that often garners significant attention and curiosity. Physical intimacy is more than just the act of sex; it encompasses a range of interactions, from holding hands t...
Nov 21, 2024•40 min•Ep. 251
What is Work initiative? In this week's episode of The Relaxed Male, we delve into the concept of work intimacy, a lesser-known but vital form of intimacy that influences our relationships both at home and in the workplace. Host Brian Goodwin explores how work intimacy fits into the broader spectrum of intimacy types, including emotional, intellectual, and experiential intimacy. He discusses the importance of effective communication and collaboration with our partners and colleagues, emphasizing...
Nov 14, 2024•20 min•Ep. 250
In this episode of The Relaxed Male, we delve into the concept of aesthetic intimacy, exploring how aesthetics and intimacy intertwine in our lives. As part of a series on different types of intimacy, We discuss the importance of sharing beautiful experiences with loved ones, particularly spouses, to strengthen relationships. Aesthetic intimacy is about appreciating the beauty around us, whether it's a sunset, a piece of art, or a simple walk with a partner, and how these shared moments can enha...
Nov 07, 2024•31 min•Ep. 249
In this week's episode, we delve into the concept of conflict intimacy, a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of relationships. Drawing inspiration from an article on Choose Therapy, we explore the ten different types of intimacy, focusing particularly on conflict intimacy and its significance in maintaining a healthy relationship. Conflict intimacy, as discussed, is the ability to engage in and resolve conflicts constructively. It is essential for preventing relationships from becoming stagnant...
Oct 31, 2024•37 min•Ep. 248
We are exploring the world of Creative Intimacy today In this episode of The Relaxed Male, we delve into the concept of creative intimacy, one of the ten types of intimacy outlined by Choose Therapy. As we explore whether creative intimacy is a legitimate form of intimacy, I share my personal insights and invite listeners to form their own opinions. Creative intimacy involves the ability to collaborate with your partner on creative projects, such as making music, writing, or crafting. It require...
Oct 24, 2024•29 min•Ep. 247
Host BrYan Goodwin, a certified coach, explores the ten different types of intimacy, focusing this week on social intimacy. He explains how social intimacy is essentially the connections we form with others, whether they are long-term relationships or brief interactions with acquaintances like a barista. Brian emphasizes the importance of maintaining these connections as we age, noting that societal changes and personal anxieties often hinder our ability to nurture friendships. BrYan discusses t...
Oct 17, 2024•32 min•Ep. 246
In this episode of The Relaxed Male, we delve into the concept of experiential intimacy, a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of relationships. Experiential intimacy involves sharing and bonding over life experiences with your partner, which can significantly strengthen your relationship. We explore why these shared experiences are vital and how they act as the cement that holds relationships together. Drawing inspiration from a Choose Therapy post on the ten types of intimacy, we focus on expe...
Oct 10, 2024•21 min•Ep. 245
In this week's episode of The Relaxed Male, we delve into the concept of spiritual intimacy, continuing our exploration of the ten different types of intimacy as outlined by Choose Therapy. Having previously discussed emotional and intellectual intimacy, we now turn our attention to understanding each other's spiritual journeys. This episode challenges the notion of being spiritual without being religious and explores how spiritual beliefs can impact relationships. Host Bryan Goodwin shares his ...
Sep 26, 2024•29 min•Ep. 244
In this episode of The Relaxed Male, host Bryan Goodwin delves into the concept of intellectual intimacy, exploring its significance in relationships. Building on last week's discussion on emotional intimacy, Bryan questions whether intellectual intimacy is a genuine form of connection or simply a modern construct. He shares insights from various sources, including a book on the pillars of marriage and a website listing ten types of intimacy, to understand this concept better. Bryan explains tha...
Sep 19, 2024•29 min•Ep. 243
In this week's episode of The Relaxed Male, host Bryan Goodwin delves into the complex world of emotional intimacy. Bryan, a certified men's coach, shares his journey of understanding intimacy better to help men improve their relationships. He introduces the concept of emotional intimacy, distinguishing it from physical intimacy, and explains its importance in a healthy marriage. Bryan discusses the various types of intimacy, including intellectual, spiritual, experiential, social, creative, con...
Sep 12, 2024•28 min•Ep. 242
In this episode of The Relaxed Male, we delve deep into the complexities of conflict, particularly in relationships, where disagreements often escalate into more significant issues. I emphasize the importance of addressing these conflicts rather than avoiding them, as avoiding uncomfortable discussions can lead to resentment and unresolved feelings. I explain that conflict itself is not inherently negative but rather an opportunity for growth and understanding if handled correctly. As a certifie...
Sep 05, 2024•32 min•Ep. 241