A Psychotherapist Explains Why So Many Men Feel Lost Lonely and Disconnected Today

Glen Ross is an integrative psychotherapist and brain coach who works with men struggling across the full spectrum of mental health. In this conversation he explains why so many men feel disconnected, overwhelmed and stuck in survival mode without realising it. Glen breaks down dopamine driven “over masculinity,” the loss of empathy and connection in modern men and the emotional cost of always being in action mode. He introduces the minus 5 to zero and zero to plus 5 mental health model and explains why men at rock bottom often feel worse when they consume positive advice designed for people already thriving. He talks about emotional avoidance, gratitude misuse, cold plunges, routines, distractions and the ways men use “self improvement” to run from their pain. Glen also shares how trauma shapes the body, why timing matters for recovery and how to build awareness of what you are actually feeling. This episode gives a clear and practical understanding of the pressures men face today and offers grounded insight into what real healing looks like. Themes Modern masculinity Survival mode Loneliness in men Dopamine and serotonin patterns Trauma and emotional avoidance Why self improvement backfires Mental health models Emotional awareness and timing Men struggling in silence Why this episode matters Many men try to fix themselves with habits, routines and discipline while avoiding the emotions underneath. Glen explains why this approach fails and what actually helps men move forward. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Breaking the Silence on Men's Mental Health 00:01:47 The Message: Why Glenn Said Yes to This Podcast 00:09:50 Understanding Emotional Intelligence and Literacy 00:20:08 Learning How to Ask for Help 00:24:27 The Three D's: Dismiss, Devalue, Demonize 00:31:35 Cause vs Effect: Treating the Root Problem 00:38:09 Desperation vs Inspiration: What Drives Change 01:00:22 Masculinity, Femininity, and the Chemistry of Connection 01:23:03 Shadow Work: Integrating Your Whole Self 01:17:31 Single Fatherhood and Building the Banks 01:09:30 Digital Dissociation and the Future Crisis 01:28:07 Adaptations: Why We Are Who We Are 01:34:07 Self-Fulfilling Prophecies and Belief Systems 01:41:24 Leaving Things Better Than You Found Them 🔔 If this conversation resonated with you, like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to hear it. Follow Glen Ross Instagram: www.instagram.com/glenrosstherapy Website: www.glenross.co Follow The Dad Project Instagram: @thedadprojecthq TikTok: @thedadprojecthq YouTube: @thedadprojecthq X (Twitter): @thedadprojecthq LinkedIn: The Dad Project #MensMentalHealth #Masculinity #Loneliness #SelfImprovement #HealingJourney #TheDadProject #EmotionalAwareness #TraumaHealing #MentalHealthMatters