She Breaks Down Shame, Anger and Addiction and Explains What Men Are Really Carrying Inside

Jacky Power is a therapist and poet who specialises in addiction and men’s emotional wellbeing. In this conversation she explains what shame really feels like, why men hide their pain and how unresolved emotions shape behaviour in ways most people never see. Jacky talks about anger, frustration and the nervous system responses that men slip into when they feel overwhelmed. She describes how boys learn early to disconnect from their feelings and why so many men numb themselves with work, alcohol, porn, scrolling or anything that stops them from sitting with discomfort. She explains how shame creates isolation, how connection helps the nervous system feel safe again and why men need “brave spaces” where they can speak honestly without being judged. Jacky also shares practical tools for emotional awareness, communication, timing difficult conversations and noticing the signals your body gives you before you unravel. The episode explores addiction, childhood patterns, unmet needs, relationships, fatherhood and how we can support adolescent boys in a world full of pressure. This is one of the most insightful episodes in the series and offers a clear, compassionate understanding of what men carry inside. Themes Shame and self worth Anger and emotional regulation Nervous system responses Addiction as coping Numbing behaviours in men Masculinity and vulnerability Relationships and communication Childhood wounds and unmet needs Raising adolescent boys Safe and brave spaces for men Poetry as emotional expression Why this episode matters Many men carry pain they cannot name. Jacky gives language to that hidden world and offers practical ways to understand, process and talk about difficult emotions. Chapters 00:01:00 Introduction: Breaking the Silence on Men's Mental Health 00:01:45 Meeting Jackie Power: Poetry, Therapy and Noticing Untold Stories 00:06:44 Understanding the Window of Tolerance: Fight, Flight and Freeze 00:08:12 Emotional Fatigue and the Bucket Analogy 00:11:43 When Men Need Help: Recognizing the Signs 00:13:52 Creating Safe Spaces vs Brave Spaces for Vulnerability 00:14:15 The Struggle to Surrender: Why Vulnerability is Strength 00:15:44 Breaking Free from Family Roles and Systems 00:16:49 Healthy Masculinity: Showing Up as Human 00:18:16 The Art of Arguing: Communication in Relationships 00:30:35 Removing Distractions: Finding Answers Within 00:34:27 The Mirror Test: Learning to Say 'I Love You' to Yourself 00:34:58 Understanding Shame: Bringing It Into the Light 00:29:10 Music as Emotional Expression: Alternative Ways to Feel 00:40:20 Addiction: Pain, Medicating and the Path to Recovery 00:50:31 Poetry as Code: Jackie's Creative Outlet for Healing 00:53:43 Being Authentic: The Freedom of Showing Up as Yourself 01:04:54 Supporting Adolescent Boys: The Next Generation 01:09:42 Legacy: Encouraging You to Be the You-est You 🔔 Like, share, and subscribe to support The Dad Project and help redefine masculinity, one honest conversation at a time. Follow Jackie Power Instagram:@the_therapeutic_poet LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jacky-power-msc-b3042b1b0/ Follow The Dad Project Instagram: @thedadprojecthq TikTok: @thedadprojecthq YouTube: @thedadprojecthq LinkedIn: The Dad Project #MensMentalHealth #AddictionRecovery #Fatherhood #Shame #Healing #TheDadProject #EmotionalHealth #ModernMasculinity #RelationshipAdvice #PoetryHealing