Surface Acting - The Exhausting Practice of Many Black Men

Ever walk into work exhausted, frustrated, or overwhelmed—but still put on a smile and say, “I’m good”? There’s actually a name for that: surface acting. It’s the practice of forcing emotions you don’t really feel in order to meet expectations at work, (even home) and research shows it can quietly drain your mental health.In this episode of Man, Listen, we unpack the hidden toll of constantly performing happiness, professionalism, and emotional control—especially for men who feel pressure to always appear strong and composed. From burnout to emotional exhaustion, we explore how surface acting creates a cycle that can leave you disconnected from yourself.But there’s hope. We also talk about practical ways to break the cycle, protect your energy, and create moments where you don’t have to perform for anyone.Sometimes the most exhausting part of the job isn’t the work—it’s the mask.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.