Masturbation is a perfectly natural and healthy sexual activity that has many physical and mental benefits. However, some question whether it is a harmful habit that leads to negative consequences in their personal life and relationships. In this provocative and educational episode, Michael and Sex Coach, Craig Cassey answer your burning questions about masturbation, including topics such as: The benefits of masturbation When is it too much? Masturbation while in a relationship Is po...
Oct 27, 2022•50 min•Ep 106•Transcript available on Metacast Trust takes a long time to build and only seconds to break. In this episode, we’re talking about how our trust issues impact our ability to connect with others. Specifically, we’ll be exploring questions such as: What do you think has led to trust issues in the gay community? How have trust issues impacted your relationships? How can we begin to heal trust issues amongst gay men? Join us to learn some practical tips on relating more authentically with others, especially if you’ve had a hard time...
Oct 20, 2022•50 min•Ep 105•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode Matt Landsiedel interviews Dr. Lucas Wilson about the psychological impact of conversion therapy. They explore how shame and internalized homophobia are typically precursors to making someone susceptible to agreeing to do conversion therapy. Dr. Wilson shares his own personal experience with conversion therapy and how this experience has impacted his life. Both Matt and Dr. Wilson share how they have approached their own healing journey through shame and internalized homophobia a...
Oct 13, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep 104•Transcript available on Metacast We often talk about trust in the context of trusting others, but in this episode, we’re focusing on how to build an internal sense of trust. We’re exploring questions such as: How do you know if you trust yourself? What gets in the way of trusting yourself? What is one thing you can do to build greater self-trust? Join us for this informative conversation that will help you develop your relationship to self, and ultimately your relationship with others. Take the Attachment Style Quiz! Watc...
Oct 06, 2022•50 min•Ep 103•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s episode, host Calan Breckon and guest Drummond Fulcher dive into the uncomfortable for a conversation that revolves around cancel culture, the "either you’re with me or against me (or us)" mentality, giving space for the in-between where conversation happens, how bridges are where understanding is born, and where we need to go in order to work through the uncomfortable feelings in order to learn and grow. Together they unpack questions like: Why do people avoid being uncomfortabl...
Sep 29, 2022•53 min•Ep 102•Transcript available on Metacast You asked and we answered! In this episode, we're answering some of the juiciest questions from our community such as… How to let go of the past? Why can’t gay men find love? How to get unstuck and move forward? Join us as we cover topics such as shame, gay dating, self-confidence, and trust in this Q & A style discussion. Take the Attachment Style Quiz! Watch this ep on YouTube - Connect with us - Join the private Facebook community Take our "Building Better Relationships" course Take the A...
Sep 22, 2022•54 min•Ep 101•Transcript available on Metacast In this very special 💯 100th episode 💯, we are taking you behind the scenes of the idea that started it all, The Gay Men's Brotherhood. Today, we represent a group of thousands of men who share a vision to create a community where people feel more authentically connected to one another and feel comfortable showing up vulnerably so deeper intimacy can be established within our community. We have invited our moderators to the podcast to join us as we share our personal experiences as a leadershi...
Sep 15, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep 100•Transcript available on Metacast From the outside looking in, the queer community is seen as an inclusive space that celebrates diversity. Yet for many people, it feels quite exclusive and lonely. In this episode, we are sharing our vision for the gay community and the different ways we are implementing this vision. We’re talking about... What exactly is our vision? What are the different parts of our community? Why is building this community important to each of us? How we’ve changed from the beginning to today? Wh...
Sep 08, 2022•48 min•Ep 99•Transcript available on Metacast Dark periods are an inevitable part of life that can happen at any moment and in any number of ways: The death of a loved one A terminal diagnosis Job loss Relationship breakdown But what is the spiritual and psychological significance of this pain? In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, Michael is joined by LGBTQ+ affirmative psychotherapist Justin Oberste to discuss the concept of the Dark Night of the Soul, including: The 4 phases of a dark night of the soul Sharing personal, real-life exam...
Sep 01, 2022•56 min•Ep 98•Transcript available on Metacast Your mind is a powerful tool that you can use to create a life that you love. Your mindset is your overall outlook on life and it will determine whether you remain stuck spinning your wheels or moving towards your goals and dreams. In this episode, we’re looking specifically at the difference between the Fixed and Growth Mindsets. We will be discussing questions such as…. What type of mindset were you raised with (growth of fixed)? And what mindset do you have today? How do you cultivate m...
Aug 25, 2022•43 min•Ep 97•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Matt Landsiedel and Andre-Lee Wills unpack the hot topic of pretty privilege. Pretty privilege works on the principle that people who are deemed more attractive—based on accepted societal beauty standards—have an upper hand in the world and are afforded many opportunities that less “attractive” people don't have. Yet, it's not often that people are willing to admit it—or even talk about it—especially if they’re on the receiving end of its benefits. Here is what Matt and Andre-Le...
Aug 18, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Ep 96•Transcript available on Metacast As more people are choosing to explore non-monogamous relationships, the discussion about open and closed relationships can be divisive and unhelpful. In today's episode, we are having an open conversation about open and closed relationships that will enrich your understanding of the many different types of relationships out there and help you figure out what's right for you. We will cover questions such as: What is the ideal relationship structure for you? How do you handle jealousy in yo...
Aug 11, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep 95•Transcript available on Metacast Recognizing and understanding privilege can be a hard pill to swallow for some. It means admitting you’re not perfect and possibly “looking bad,” which we were all taught growing up not to do. In today’s episode, host Calan Breckon unpacks some of the hard questions around community inclusion with guest Raymond Jordan Johnson-Brown and the work they do as an indigenous wellness leader. Raymond, who uses they/them pronouns, is passionate about creating connections for marginalized groups and havi...
Aug 04, 2022•36 min•Ep 94•Transcript available on Metacast Sex is a natural part of the human experience yet many people sense a lot of shame and insecurity around the topic. In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we want to help you become more sexually empowered. We will be discussing things like… What does sexual empowerment mean to you? What makes you feel sexually empowered? What makes you feel sexually disempowered? What is one tip you can share with the audience to feel more sexually empowered? By the end of this episode, you’ll be able ...
Jul 28, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep 93•Transcript available on Metacast Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS) is the tendency chase after things that are new and exciting, keeping you in a state of perpetually looking for “the next best thing”. In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, Michael invites psychiatrist Dr. Hector Rodriguez to discuss how Shiny Object Syndrome affects gay men in life and in relationships. They’ll cover topics such as: SOS in dating apps The link between perfectionism and SOS The role of social media The fear of genuine intimacy The...
Jul 21, 2022•54 min•Ep 92•Transcript available on Metacast One of the most common forms of sexual shaming we see in the gay community is towards bottoming. The closed-minded narratives that are perpetuated around receptive anal sex reflect a patriarchal belief system that inhibits our growth as a community. In this episode, we're tackling the topic of bottom shaming and exploring questions like... Where do you think bottom shaming stems from? Why do you think bottom shaming keeps being perpetuated in the community? How do you think we as a community can...
Jul 14, 2022•51 min•Ep 91•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Matt Landsiedel speaks with certified SOMA Breath breathwork instructor Jason Samadhi . Jason takes us on a journey into the power of breathwork and how consciously connecting with your breath can be one of the most potent tools for healing. By sharing the science of breathwork, Jason teaches us about the health benefits of working with your breath and how it can be used to improve performance both in and out of the bedroom. Jason then takes us on an hour long breathwork journey...
Jul 07, 2022•2 hr 44 min•Ep 90•Transcript available on Metacast One of the greatest obstacles along the spiritual path is an overactive ego - that fear-based part of you that needs to control outcomes and win at all costs. But having an ego is necessary to the human experience, so how can we reconcile both the ego self and spiritual self? In this episode, we’re explaining how understanding your ego can actually benefit your spiritual practice. We’re answering questions such as: How do you distinguish between your ego self and spiritual self? How ...
Jun 30, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep 89•Transcript available on Metacast Change can be scary. And in today’s world of ever-evolving language around gender and identity, it can make it hard for someone to ask questions without feeling judged or misunderstood. In today’s episode, host Calan Breckon opens up the conversation around navigating non-binary with genderqueer author Jason June and what his journey was like and how it now informs his work as a writer. Together they explore questions like… What is Non-Binary and what does it mean to be non-binary? What’s the mo...
Jun 23, 2022•45 min•Ep 88•Transcript available on Metacast Spirituality is an umbrella term that means many different things to many people. In this episode, we’re revealing our own experience with spirituality and spiritual practices by exploring these questions: What does spirituality mean to you? What in your life brought you to spirituality? What does your spiritual practice involve? Where can someone start if they want to develop a spiritual practice? Whether you’re spiritual or religious or neither, this episode will give you much to think about w...
Jun 16, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep 87•Transcript available on Metacast Guilt and shame are two of the most challenging emotions we encounter. For those who grew up with a religious or spiritual belief system, guilt and shame can have a uniquely traumatic impact on your sense of self and in your relationships. In this episode, host Michael DiIorio speaks with inter-faith community leader, Jeremy Russo, who has used his experience with spiritual abuse to become a leader in the queer community helping others overcoming their own spiritual and religious trauma. In this...
Jun 09, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep 86•Transcript available on Metacast Toxic positivity is the belief that people should maintain a positive mindset, no matter how challenging a situation may be. This belief invalidates your authentic emotions and is a form of avoidance. In this episode, we're sharing our own experiences and understanding of toxic positivity and we'll answer the questions: What are your thoughts on toxic positivity and the effects it has on silencing negative emotions and experiences? What’s been your experience with pushing away negati...
Jun 02, 2022•55 min•Ep 85•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever found yourself conflicted about being top, bottom or vers? Or maybe you find yourself torn between whether or not you want monogamy or non-monogamy... Sometimes we can see pros and cons on both sides of our inner conflicts and it paralyzes us from making decisions. Being conflicted about your desires is completely normal. In this episode, Matt Landsiedel and Miguel Ezra Ramirez talk about polarity in life and how to navigate contradictions, preferences and the duality of the human ...
May 26, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Ep 84•Transcript available on Metacast While emotional health falls under the overall umbrella of mental health, it deserves its own conversation because your emotions have a profound impact on how you show up in the world and your overall quality of life. This episode will answer questions such as: What does it mean to be emotionally healthy? How can you tell when your emotional health may be suffering? How do you handle challenging emotions? What are some simple things you can do to support your emotional health? By the end of this...
May 19, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep 83•Transcript available on Metacast Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States that affects an estimated 17.3 million adults and 3.2 million adolescents according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Research shows that gay and bisexual men are at a higher risk for: Major depression, Bipolar disorder, and, Generalized anxiety disorder, and are more likely than heterosexual men to attempt suicide. In today's episode, host Calan Breckon unpacks the heaviness around depression ...
May 12, 2022•59 min•Ep 82•Transcript available on Metacast Each year, over 800,000 people die from suicide and it is the 2nd leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds. The LGBTQ community has a significantly increased risk and that’s why we’re dedicating an episode to having a candid conversation about suicide. In this episode, we’ll answer questions such as: How have you been impacted by suicide? What are some of the stigmas around suicide? What is your advice to someone who is feeling suicidal? As a community, how can we best support someone who is...
May 05, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Ep 81•Transcript available on Metacast Your environment plays an important role in developing a strong identity and sense of self. Everything from the people you spend time with, where you get your news, and the social media accounts you follow will influence your sense of belonging in a community. In this episode, LGBTQ+ affirmative psychotherapist Justin Oberste joins host, Michael DiIorio to discuss mirroring: how we reflect back our lived experience with the world around us. Today’s episode will answer these questions: What is mi...
Apr 28, 2022•56 min•Ep 80•Transcript available on Metacast Relationships can be a minefield to navigate when you don't have the right tools or language to help you. Whether it's romantic or platonic ones, we all could use a little more guidance and support with it comes to creating more secure, healthy relationships. In this episode, we're giving you a sneak peek into our exciting new course, Building Better Relationships , where we guide you on how to build better relationships in your life as well as deepen the one you have with yourself. Today we're ...
Apr 21, 2022•52 min•Ep 79•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s episode, host Matt Landsiedel speaks with Nutrition Coach Scott Weisgarber about the relationship between fitness, nutrition and mental health. Together they explore questions like: What is the relationship between fitness, nutrition and mental health? How come gay men are so concerned about physical health and appearance? How does this obsession with appearance impact mental health? The difference between approaching health from feel good vs look good mentality How can we find more b...
Apr 14, 2022•46 min•Ep 78•Transcript available on Metacast Intimacy is defined as the feeling of mutual vulnerability and closeness in personal relationships. In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we’re talking about our unique experiences with intimacy as gay men. We’ll answer questions such as: What does intimacy mean to you? What was an intimate experience you’ve had that was not sexual? What unique challenges do gay men face when it comes to intimacy? How can you nurture intimacy in any kind of relationship? By the end of this e...
Apr 07, 2022•54 min•Ep 77•Transcript available on Metacast 
