Causeway Conversations

What does it mean for a man to truly feel alive — and what happens when that spark goes missing?In this episode, host Vince Benevento, LPC sits down with his longtime friend and colleague Justin Carotti, LCSW, LADC — licensed psychotherapist, mental performance coach, and founder of Valiant Counseling and Coaching — for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about what it looks like when men lose themselves in the grind of everyday life.Together, Vince and Justin unpack Chapter 4 of Vince's book Boys Will Be Men, "Finding Your Wild" — exploring why so many men today feel stuck, muted, and disconnected from any real sense of purpose or adventure. Drawing on over a decade of shared clinical experience, they trace the dramatic shift they've witnessed in the young men walking through their doors: from the chaotic, externalized energy of a generation ago to the quiet apathy and isolation that defines so many young men today.They dig into the forces driving this change — the rise of social media, the collapse of in-person dating and community, learned helplessness, and the trap of measuring yourself against impossible external standards. Most importantly, they talk about what it actually takes to find your way back: stepping into the unknown, chasing intrinsic purpose over external validation, and having the courage to try something new — even if you've never picked up a lacrosse stick in your life.In this episode:Why so many men feel like they've "lost their soul" somewhere between the carpool line and bedtimeThe clinical shift from oppositional, externalized young men to disengaged, isolated ones — and what's driving itHow online dating and social comparison have created a "failure before you even start" dynamic for menThe difference between extrinsic and intrinsic goals — and why it changes everythingWhat "wild" actually means, and why community, novelty, and brave first steps are the path back to itIf any part of this conversation hit close to home — whether you're a man who's been running on empty, a father trying to model something real for his kids, or someone who works with young men every day — this episode is your reminder that finding your wild doesn't require a dramatic life overhaul. It starts with a single brave step toward something new. Subscribe to Causeway Conversations wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode resonated with you, share it with a man in your life who needs to hear it.Where you can find Vince:Website: https://causewaycollaborative.com/IG:  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/⁠causewaycollaborativeYT: https://www.youtube.com/@causewaycollaborativeWhere you can find Justin:Website: https://valiancecounseling.com/Newsletter: https://one-percent-better.kit.com/thanks-for-listeningLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justincarotti/IG: https://www.instagram.com/valiancecounseling/YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaPQ1Z7mOABEaYGHEj30H1Q

What does it really mean to show up for your family?In this episode of Causeway Conversations, Vince sits down with Nick Fernandes, LCSW, to explore why providing isn’t the same as being present. They discuss how modern life and career demands can quietly pull fathers away from home — and the lasting impact that absence can have on family connection.Vince shares his own experience of prioritizing work over relationships, and how a pivotal moment during Leo’s illness shifted his perspective on what truly matters.In this episode, Vince & Nick discuss:Why presence shapes family health more than provisionHow career success can create unintended distance at homeThe importance of mentorship, modeling, and repairFor men:Time is your most valuable currencyMentorship mattersOffer graceFor parents:Guard work boundariesBe intentional at homeRepair is always possibleA clear, honest conversation about choosing presence — and the impact it has on the people who matter most.

What happens when we stop running from the labels in our lives — and start using them as a roadmap for growth?In this episode of Causeway Conversations, Vince sits down with Michael Mello, LCSW, to talk about why naming our struggles can be one of the most powerful steps toward healing. Together, they explore how it is difficult for men to articulate emotions, how naming the emotion can help young men navigate its impact, and how you can support the young men in your life to move through this.Vince also shares his personal journey of accepting both a mental health diagnosis and addiction recovery as essential turning points in his path forward. The conversation highlights the importance of honest self-reflection, courage in facing discomfort, and trusting the bigger story as growth unfolds.In this episode, we discuss:• Why labels can create direction for growth• The emotional challenges many men face in naming their struggles• Acceptance as the foundation for real progress• Expecting discomfort as part of self-discoveryFor parents:• Growth is rarely linear• Patience and empathy matter• Supporting change means tolerating discomfortA direct and thoughtful conversation about identity, responsibility, and what it takes to move toward lasting change.

The premiere episode of this season’s Causeway Conversations begins with Chapter 1 of Vince’s Book, Boys Will Be Men: 8 Lessons for the Lost American Male, “Brick by Brick.”Vince sits down with Johnny Markette, LPC to explore why real growth — in growing up, fatherhood, relationships, career, strength, and character — is built one small decision at a time.They discuss how:Any problem can be solved brick by brick.Mistakes are teachers.Your mess can become your gift.Parental over-intervention can rob young men of growth and belief in themselves.This episode challenges the myth of overnight transformation and argues for a long-game mindset: step by step, day by day, brick by brick.

Causeway Conversations is a podcast about young men navigating the in-between—when motivation drops, direction feels unclear, and purpose is hard to find. Hosted by Vince Benevento, LPC, the show explores men’s mental health, masculinity, identity, and personal development through honest, grounded conversations.Each episode offers insight into the challenges facing young men, including confidence, resilience, emotional intelligence, and finding direction in adulthood. This podcast is for young men seeking clarity and growth, and for parents, educators, and professionals looking to better support boys and young men without pushing or fixing.