MensGroup

What actually happens in a men’s group? https://mensgroup.com/what-to-expect-in-a-mens-groupIn this episode, Sean Galla, founder of MensGroup.com, explains what men can expect when they join a men’s group for the first time. He walks through how a typical group is structured, how new members are welcomed, what kinds of conversations come up, and how men support each other through honest discussion, practical feedback, and shared life experience.Sean also clears up some common misconceptions about men’s groups. These are not “crying circles” or places where men are told what to do. A good men’s group is a grounded, supportive space where everyday men can talk openly about relationships, stress, divorce, purpose, confidence, fatherhood, addiction, money, and major life transitions.Whether you’re curious about men’s work, looking for support, or wondering what it would feel like to sit in a circle with other men and talk honestly about life, this episode offers a clear and approachable introduction to what men’s groups are really like.Learn more or join a men’s group at https://MensGroup.com.

If you’re curious about men’s groups but hesitant, I get it. https://mensgroup.com/which-mens-group If you’re curious about men’s groups but hesitant, I get it. When I went looking for my first group, I didn’t want to waste time, feel out of place, or be pushed to overshare with a bunch of strangers. I worried men’s groups were for “other guys.” Turns out, the truth is simpler: finding the right men’s group is like finding the right car or therapist—you’ve got to test-drive a few.Here’s the straight goods:Don’t judge a group by the website or the leader’s pitch. With confidentiality, you can’t really know until you sit in a meeting. Some “perfect on paper” groups won’t click. Others you’re unsure about might end up changing your life.Expect to sample a few. We’re all different—personalities, communication styles, what we need right now. One size never fits all. Attend a handful and trust your gut.Not all formats are the same. You’ll find church/community-center circles, small groups run out of a garage, dinner meetups in private rooms, ritual-heavy weekend retreats, adventure-based trips, and online options. Each has a vibe. Pick what suits your season.Online groups can be a smart entry point. They’re convenient, discreet, and lower cost. You can even just listen at first, build trust, and share when you’re ready. That’s why I built MensGroup.com—to make it easy for guys to drop in, learn, and connect on their own terms.Keep an open mind. My first group wasn’t a fit—the coach talked too much and the ceremonial stuff wasn’t me. But I met one solid friend there (still in my life today). And the group I almost skipped? That one ended up improving my relationships, wealth, and day-to-day fulfillment in a big way.If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it. Pick two or three groups and try them in the next couple of weeks. Notice how you feel during and after: Did you feel heard? Did the format help you open up? Did you leave with clarity or a next step?I’m filming a follow-up on red flags and green flags—quick tells that a group will be a waste of time vs. worth it. Watch for that soon.

Thinking about joining a men's group, but feeling unsure or hesitant? 👉 https://mensgroup.com/considering-a-mensgroupYou’re not alone. In fact, 94% of the guys who join our Men's Group community have never been part of anything like this before. If you're feeling skeptical, confused, or even a bit nervous about showing up and talking with other men, this video is for you. Sean Galla, MensGroup CEO, shares what it was like when he first joined a men’s group—navigating fears about being judged, wasting time, or not fitting in.He talks candidly about his early doubts: worrying he wouldn’t like the other guys, wondering if his problems were “too much,” and fearing he'd be stuck listening to people complain. But as he shares in the video, those fears were just a reflection of the unfamiliar. Like most guys, he had never experienced being in a room where men openly talk about real-life challenges—from breakups and burnout to addiction, family struggles, and self-doubt.Over time, he discovered that men’s groups aren’t one-size-fits-all. Just like finding the right gym or therapist, you might need to try a few before you land on one that clicks. But once you do, it’s powerful. Sean found groups where men were there to grow, not wallow. Where guys shared openly and offered guidance, not judgment. And that kind of honest connection changed everything.This video is a real, personal account of what it's like to join a men’s group for the first time—and what’s possible when you stick with it. Whether you join one of our online groups or find a local meeting in your town, having a safe place to talk makes a huge difference in a man’s life. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.If you’ve ever thought about joining a men’s group but had doubts or concerns, this video breaks it down in a relatable, no-BS way. Watch to hear what Sean learned from 20+ years of experience running men’s groups—and why it might be exactly what you need right now.00:00 - Why most men have never been to a men's group00:42 - Sean’s personal struggles that led him to seek help01:25 - Fears and stigma around joining a men’s group02:20 - Worried about being judged or being a burden03:18 - First group experience and early impressions04:12 - Finding the right group takes trial and error05:10 - Types of groups that didn’t work for Sean06:00 - Connecting with individual guys even in tough groups06:45 - Discovering groups aligned with personal growth07:42 - The power of sharing with men who’ve been there08:28 - Why isolation makes things worse for men09:12 - The fastest way to get answers to life challenges09:53 - What we do at MensGroup.com10:38 - Why safe spaces for men to talk matter11:10 - Encouragement for finding your own group11:45 - Final thoughts and next stepsFor more info: MensGroup.com

Dealing with social anxiety as a man? You’re not alone.👉 https://mensgroup.com/how-to-stop-social-anxiety-for-menIn this video, I share a real-life story about how I faced intense social anxiety at a local concert — and the simple, practical steps that helped me stay grounded, connect with others, and walk away feeling good about the night.00:00 – Intro Sean's Social Anxiety00:33 – Social Anxiety is common in men01:12 – My Lifelong Struggle With Social Anxiety  02:00 – A Recent Social Anxiety Experience  03:12 – Overwhelmed at a Local Concert  04:24 – The First Strategy: Give Yourself an Out  05:18 – Finding Safe People in the Crowd  06:00 – Working the Periphery  07:05 – Calming the Nervous System  08:04 – Real Conversations With Friends  09:10 – Reflections on Social Anxiety  10:15 – Breathing, Awareness, and Compassion  11:05 – Conclusion: Managing Social Anxiety as a Man  Having spent 17 years leading men’s groups and listening to thousands of guys talk about anxiety, I’ve learned that social anxiety doesn’t discriminate — it hits confident guys, introverts, leaders, and everyday men alike. The key is knowing how to navigate it when it shows up. Whether it’s breathing, working the edges of the room, or finding one safe connection, the tools I share are based on what actually works.If you ever feel overwhelmed in social settings or you avoid events because of anxiety, this video is for you. It’s not expert advice — just a personal story of me applying the wisdom I absorbed from men's groups around feeling socially anxious that might help you feel less alone in your own experience.

Self-compassion is one of the most powerful tools a man can develop—but it’s also one of the hardest. 👉 Article & Video: Self-Compassion for Men – You Are the Way You Are for Good ReasonAfter 17 years of leading men’s groups, I’ve seen thousands of guys—from pro athletes to everyday dads—struggle with shame, self-judgment, and feeling like they’re never enough. The truth is, you are the way you are for good reason, and learning to meet yourself with self-compassion is where real change begins.In this video, I share my personal journey of practicing self-compassion—from my decision to move to a small surf town to reconnect with who I really am, to my lifelong battle with emotional eating. I talk about why certain habits are so hard to change, and how understanding where they come from can help you stop beating yourself up and start healing.If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or ashamed of your patterns, this video will help you reframe those challenges through the lens of self-compassion for men. When you begin to understand your wiring—and treat yourself with the same kindness you'd show a friend—you create space for growth, peace, and purpose.👇 Share in the comments: What’s one habit or part of yourself you're trying to meet with more self-compassion? Your story could help another man on his path.

Masculinity is a topic that a lot of guys are confused about in 2025. With all of the social movements - many of which were critical towards men and masculinity - a lot of guys have felt attacked and may not feel proud to be a man. There has also been so much mixed messaging.To watch the video of this episode, go here: https://mensgroup.com/how-to-be-a-man-in-2025-productive-masculinity In this conversation, Josh Biro and Sean Galla explore the evolving definitions of masculinity, the importance of mental health for men, and the redefinition of fatherhood. They discuss societal changes, the backlash against feminism, and the necessity of emotional openness among men. The conversation emphasizes the need for a more inclusive dialogue around masculinity and the role of fathers in modern society, highlighting the impact of these discussions on future generations. In this conversation, Sean Galla and Josh Biro explore the evolving roles of men in society, focusing on themes such as gender roles in household responsibilities, the importance of brotherhood and community, the need for third spaces, the impact of AI on work and identity, the rise of longevity and physical wellness, social responsibility, and personal branding. They discuss how these elements are shaping modern masculinity and the future of male relationships.CHAPTERS:00:00 Tomorrow’s Man: Predictions for Masculinity02:02 Expanding Definitions of Masculinity03:41 The Role of Men in Feminism06:28 Emotional Openness and Vulnerability in Men11:31 The Backlash Against Feminism18:07 Regional Differences in Masculinity Conversations19:45 The Importance of Masculine Energy in Parenting26:37 The Shift from ‘Man Up’ to ‘Grow Up’32:42 Cultural Role Models for Masculinity35:23 The Need for Positive Masculine Images36:09 Energetic Duality: Masculine and Feminine Energy38:45 Men’s Mental Health: A Growing Discussion56:12 Redefining Fatherhood and Family Roles01:08:57 Redefining Gender Roles in Household Responsibilities01:12:52 The Importance of Brotherhood and Community01:15:46 The Need for Third Spaces in Modern Society01:18:46 The Evolution of Work and Identity in the Age of AI01:42:59 The Shift Towards Longevity and Wellness01:45:08 The Shift in Longevity Perspectives01:51:34 Emerging Trends in Longevity and Wellness01:52:33 Social Responsibility and Masculinity02:04:04 The Rise of Personal Branding02:14:49 Future Predictions for MasculinityKey Takeaways:– The future of masculinity is about expanding definitions and emotional openness.– Men’s mental health is a critical issue that needs more attention.– The presence of a father significantly impacts a child’s future.– Redefining masculinity includes understanding emotional vulnerability.– The backlash against feminism is prompting a re-examination of masculinity.– Societal acceptance is crucial for empowering men to seek help.– Fatherhood is not just about being a breadwinner but being present.– The conversation around masculinity must include discussions about mental health.– Cultural narratives around masculinity are shifting towards inclusivity.– The importance of teaching boys about healthy masculinity starts at home. Men are increasingly sharing household responsibilities, challenging traditional gender roles.– Brotherhood and community are essential for men’s mental health and well-being.– The lack of third spaces contributes to feelings of isolation among men.– Shared experiences and teamwork are vital for building strong male friendships.– AI is transforming the nature of work and personal identity.– Longevity and physical wellness are becoming central to men’s health conversations.– Men are being called to take on more social and environmenta

Men's groups can be intimidating and confusing. There is so much stigma around them and a lot of guys think they're for losers. Sean Galla - founder of MensGroup.com - shares his thoughts on Men's Groups after putting on 1000+ groups. For more info visit: https://mensgroup.com/thoughts-from-1000-mens-groupsWe hope you too will one day find a place to share what's on your mind and to make like minded guy friends!This video emphasizes the importance of joining a men's support group for personal growth and improved mental health. He highlights how these groups provide a safe space for peer support groups and sharing circles, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Consider joining a men's support group to experience these advantages firsthand.

Goal setting and planning are crucial coming into the New Year. Research shows that if you set goals for the year you are much more likely to hit them. If you don't, you won't. Video podcast here: https://mensgroup.com/goal-setting-planning-for-menIn this conversation, Sean Galla and Josh Biro discuss the significance of goal setting and planning for the year 2025. They explore their personal approaches to setting goals, the importance of reflecting on past achievements, and the challenges faced along the way. The discussion emphasizes the need for a structured plan while also acknowledging the unpredictability of life and the importance of emotional connection to goals. They share insights on how to navigate setbacks and the value of focusing on a few key objectives rather than trying to tackle everything at once. In this conversation, Sean Galla and Josh Biro explore various themes related to success, goal setting, and personal development. They discuss the Matthew Effect, emphasizing the importance of focusing on one thing at a time to achieve mastery. The duo also delves into the illusion of overnight success in entrepreneurship, the significance of setting big goals, and the necessity of measuring inputs over outputs. They highlight the importance of consistency in achieving goals and introduce the concept of habit stacking as a practical strategy for habit formation. The conversation concludes with insights on adjusting goals and the 21/90 rule for lasting change.CHAPTERS:00:00 Setting the Stage for 202501:03 The Importance of Goal Setting06:25 Personal vs. Work Goals13:25 Reflecting on the Past Year19:19 Creating a Tangible Plan for the Future26:47 The Journey Over the Destination32:26 Navigating Life's Storms38:11 Goal Setting Strategies45:16 The Myth of Multitasking52:18 Aiming for Big Goals57:55 The Importance of Measuring Inputs and Celebrating Wins58:53 Time-Bound Goals: Testing and Adjusting Strategies01:00:52 Flexibility in Goal Setting: Moving the Goal Posts01:01:42 Learning from Setbacks: The No-Failure Mindset01:05:02 Habit Stacking: Small Changes for Big Results01:07:06 Consistency: The Key to Achieving Goals01:08:36 The Four Tenets of Success01:12:05 Non-Attachment to Outcomes: Embracing the Journey01:14:39 The Science of Habit Formation: 21 Days to Change01:17:58 The 2190 Rule: Building Lasting HabitsKey Takeaways:- Goal setting is crucial for achieving success.- Planning helps bridge the gap between vision and action.- Reflecting on past achievements can provide motivation.- It's beneficial to define both personal and professional goals.- A structured plan can reduce stress and overwhelm.- Emotional connection to goals enhances commitment.- Set tangible, measurable goals for better tracking.- Expect setbacks and learn to navigate them.- Focus on one or two main goals for the year.- The journey towards goals is as important as the goals themselves. The Matthew Effect illustrates - how success can be cumulative.- Focusing on one thing at a time leads to mastery.- Overnight success stories often hide failures.- Setting big goals can lead to expansive thinking.- Measuring inputs rather than outputs is crucial for progress.- Adjusting goals is necessary when strategies aren't working.- Habit stacking can facilitate easier habit formation.- Consistency is key to achieving any goal.- The 21/90 rule suggests 21 days to form a habit and 90 days for it to become a change.- Emotional motivation can drive goal setting effectively.Goal Setting & Planning topics covered:- Why goal setting is so important- How they set goals, step-by-step- Nuanced goal-setting advice- Mistakes from past planning- An outline for planning your goals- Useful tools for goal setting and planning

The holidays can be a lovely time, but they can also be difficult for many: family conflicts, work stress, financial stress, and more. In this episode, we'll talk about our experiences with the holidays as men and give guys a guide to managing the holidays in healthy ways. In this episode, Josh and Sean will cover:The reality for a lot of peopleFamily dynamicsWork dynamicsStress and the holidaysSingle peopleAnxietyDepression ConflictsStats around holidaysPROS AND CONS of the holidaysOur Step-By-Step Plan to help you manage the holidaysYou can see the video version of this episode here: https://mensgroup.com/how-to-manage-conflict-stress-anxiety-depression-the-holidaysSean & Josh are keen to talk about men's issues and to give guys a positive and entertaining example of how to handle things as a man.You're not alone man. Josh and Sean are here!​Chapters00:00 Navigating Holiday Realities11:46 Personal Holiday Experiences and Transitions23:46 Family Dynamics and Emotional Triggers25:54 Understanding Emotional Triggers During the Holidays27:38 Navigating Family Dynamics and Conflict29:08 Loneliness and the Fear of Abandonment30:23 Expectations vs. Reality in Family Relationships32:33 The Importance of Acceptance and Fairness34:57 Planning for Emotional Well-being37:55 Identifying Personal Needs and Desires38:50 Setting Boundaries and Managing Vulnerability41:29 The Role of Empathy and Acceptance46:49 Learning from Family Dynamics51:56 Navigating Family Dynamics During the Holidays53:36 Work Stress and Holiday Pressures56:34 Balancing Work and Family Commitments01:00:18 The Single Experience During the Holidays01:03:26 Coping with Loneliness and Breakups01:07:31 The Romantic Potential of the Holidays01:10:53 Statistics on Holiday Stress and Loneliness01:14:15 Seasonal Dating Dynamics01:16:32 The Impact of Holidays on Relationships01:18:09 Expectations and Reality in Dating01:20:32 Attraction Beyond Physical Appearance01:23:18 Navigating Holiday Pressures01:26:41 Strategies for Managing Holiday Stress

Do you get triggered? Ever lash out and regret it? Ever feel ashamed of the way you behave when you are emotional? Aren't these emotional triggers exhausting and making things worse?If you can relate to any of the above, I encourage you to listen to or watch this episode of the MensGroup podcast on what to do when you're triggered and how to stop your triggers for good! We will cover:What is being triggered?Why men get emotionally triggered?What NOT to do when you're triggeredThe exact steps to manage getting triggeredHow to communicate when you're triggered How to STOP getting triggeredYou can see the video version of this episode here: https://mensgroup.com/what-to-do-when-youre-triggered-for-men-podcastSean & Josh are keen to talk about men's issues and to give guys a positive and entertaining example of how to handle things as a man.You're not alone man. Josh and Sean are here!​

Sean Galla and Josh Biro talk about male friendships on MensGroup Podcast. We will cover:Why do friends even matterMale friend StatsWhy men suck at making friendsWhat makes a good friendship, How to make friendYou can see the video version of this episode here: https://mensgroup.com/how-do-adult-men-make-friends-podcastSean & Josh are keen to talk men's issues and to give guys a positive and entertaining example of how to handle things as a man.You're not alone man. Josh and Sean are here!

Sean Galla and Josh Biro introduce the new MensGroup Podcast. You can see more at https://mensgroup.com/You can see the video version of this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p42xNfBR0UMSean & Josh are keen to talk men's issues and to give guys a positive and entertaining example of how to handle things as a man.You're not alone man. Josh and Sean are here!

Deconstructing the traditional concept of being a man. Building Emotional Intelligence. The importance of working on our mindset.You can watch the full interview here: https://mensgroup.com/mindset-emotional-intelligence-for-men-jay-williamsToday’s guest Jay Williams is a life coach and founder of NLP, Life and business coaching, an organization that helps Entrepreneurs & Business Owners to go from feeling stuck to becoming Mentally and Emotionally Unstoppable in life & business. In today’s episode he talks about the benefits of handling our emotions in a healthy manner, how we can grow our emotional intelligence and build a solid mindset. 

Jordan Peterson & John Delony discuss childhood trauma stories and Sean Galla from MensGroup weighs in with his thoughts. Full video here: https://mensgroup.com/childhood-trauma-101-jordan-peterson-john-delonyOriginal interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_373YVlnDA (highly recommended!)

Tony Daloisio is a psychologist and author of the book “The Journeyman Life”, and he’s on the MensGroup Podcast to talk about self-improvement, the obstacles we may find along the path to a better self, and the benefits of making some solid change. Watch the video interview and short clips here: https://mensgroup.com/how-to-do-self-improvement-dr-tony-daloisio-psychologistGetting in touch with our emotions, different ways of approaching change, and the benefits of improving ourselves.  *I'm sorry that I lost my video for this recording. All of the other podcast episodes have video of the MensGroup host Sean Galla. We have lots more great self-improvement content for men over at https://mensgroup.com/00:00:00 Intro00:07:17 Getting in touch with your emotionsResearch shows that almost 70% are at a reactive stage when it comes to their emotional development.  00:11:13 Triggering eventsMost of us carry around emotional wounds from our past experiences, particularly out childhood.  00:15:26 The story of you In order to heal from trauma, you have to get to know yourself in a three-way path: your external story – meaning the way you describe yourself to the world –, your inner story – how to you really feel about yourself in your mind – and a third story regarding the kind of person you seek to become. 00:20:35 Self-actualization can be the hardest thingMaking the decision of looking into ourselves in order to change and grow can be the hardest thing to do because it’s not possible to do without facing our deepest fears and pain. 00:26:49 Three paths for self-changeThere are basically three ways to approach self-change: the cognitive behavioral approach, the psycho-dynamic approach and the spiritual approach.00:32:38 Three key elements for successAwareness is crucial. The most important thing that’s gonna drive success in a man life is learning to be aware of what’s happening outside – meaning the external context – and inside, concerning his feelings and emotions.00:34:38 AccountabilityThere’s a psychological principal called “The incorporation effect” – whenever we attempt to make a substantial change, there’s an inner tendency that pushes us to go back to the norm, because that’s where our brain feels more comfortable. 00:42:23 The people component Surrounding ourselves with people that share the same values than us can have a great impact in ourselves. However, there are some times in life in which we’ll inevitably find ourselves sharing time and space with people that may be in a whole different stage.    00:50:49 Three benefits for embracing changeThere are three important benefits that derive from embracing change. The first one has to do

How to get through a divorce, how to avoid it, and the truths and myths surrounding divorce, including child custody, weather divorce is fair to men, and more. Full video interview & short clips here: https://mensgroup.com/divorce-advice-for-men-divorce-lawyer-val-hemminger and check out our newsletter for more great self-improvement content for men.Today’s guest Val Hemminger is a Westshore divorce lawyer and creator of the B.E.S.T method for lawyers, and she’s here to talk about fairness in divorce, how divorce can impact kids, what are the main reasons that lead to divorce, and some legal advice on the subject. CHAPTERS:00:01:20 CHAPTER I –  Going Through Divorce00:01:20 Fairness in DivorceWhen going through a divorce, men are usually pretty stressed out. Wondering how they’ll manage financially, what the support obligation is going to be or how their relationship with kids will develop are just a few of the common fears that arise throughout this period. More often than not, men also fear that the court may be against them, but actually this is rarely the case. 00:05:41 Divorce on KidsHow a couple handle their divorce is crucial regarding how it can impact their children. Kids can actually feel when their parents are in conflict, even after separating. Sadly, they tend to put the blame on themselves, believing that if they were lovable enough, that would keep their parents from constantly fighting.   00:10:34 Legal Advice on DivorceIf someone’s trying to serve you with something, the best piece of advice is to always show up and let yourself be served. Despite being a stressful thing to do, making yourself present in front of the court can save you from some really unpleasant consequences. 00:19:56 CHAPTER II –  Avoiding Divorce00:20:01 Avoiding DivorceKeeping your communication B.I.F.F. –brief, informative, friendly and firm – throughout a conflictive context can pay high dividends when it comes to saving a marriage and avoiding divorce. This can be a hard thing to put in practice when the other member of the couple is clearly trying to pick up a fight through provoking and insulting statements, but it can definitely help put out the fire, not to mention that it’s by far the best way to proceed when there are kids involved. 00:25:16 Main Reasons That Lead to DivorceConsistent disrespectful treatment and communication ranks high among the main reasons why people end up getting divorced. Often, resentment builds up proportionally as respect goes down between two members of a couple. Some other usual causes of separation are unbalanced relationships in which one of the spouses carries most of the weight, or excessive controlling behavior from one of the sides. 00:34:08 CHAPTER III – Thruths and Myths Arround Divorce00:34:15 Deconstructing StereotypesThere seem to be some widely spread stereotypes according to which all men are cheaters whilst all women are gold-diggers. Even though it’s pretty obvious that a same tag cannot be applied to all men or women, there are definitely some tendencies that have helped build those stereotypes. Stats reveal that when going through a divorce, women will push harder to keep the house, given that they seek stability for their kids. At the same time, an affair on the male side is one of the most usual reasons that lead to divorce.  00:36:36 A Legal Eye On Your Current RelationshipEven though it can be an unpleasant thing to bring to the table, It’s key that your relationship has a foundation solid enough that allows you to discuss uneasy topics such as pr

How to recover from a divorce, breakup, or infidelity. How to think about adversity. Why stoic philosophy is so useful for men, especially through a breakup or divorce? Today's https://mensgroup.com/podcast guest, Dr. Walter Matweychuck is a clinical psychologist that helps men through a wide range of issues like recovering from a breakup, divorce, separation, or infidelity.You can watch the video interview on the Men's Group Youtube. https://youtu.be/xWlcUmoZDPE And if you want to be in more of these kinds of conversations, you can get access to our free men's groups and discussion community over at https://mensgroup.com  You can find more on Dr. Matweychuk and REBT therapy here:  https://rebtdoctor.com/____________________________________________CHAPTERS:00:03:21 Healthy Recovery - Involves the acknowledgment that you cannot change the other person nor what happens to you, but that you can change yourself and choose how to react to a specific situation.00:11:00 Healthy & Unhealthy Emotions- They both share the same cognitive component: the acknowledgment that reality isn’t the way they want it to be. - Unhealthy behavior involves elements of self-defeat whilst healthy behavior leans towards acceptance.00:16:28 The ABC model- A being "reality", B being how you process reality, and C being how you feel about the way you process reality. Many people ignore B, thinking that there’s nothing they can do between whatever happens to them (A) and how they feel about it (C).  00:19:15 Eight Healthy Negative Emotions vs. Eight Unhealthy Negative Emotions - Concern rather than Anxiety - Sorrow rather than Hurt.- Sadness rather than Depression. - Remorse rather than Guilt. - Disappointment rather than Shame. - Healthy Jealousy rather than Unhealthy Jealousy. - Healthy Envy rather than Unhealthy Envy. - Healthy Anger rather than Unhealthy Anger. 00:35:32 Women Hating Communities - Redpill, Incel, MGTOW- Men who put themselves down after an emotional breakup feel the need to put others down in order to gain back some of their lost self-esteem. - Holding to that negative emotion leads to a negative biased perception of reality, which is encouraged by being part of an unhealthy community. It’s important to acknowledge your share of the responsibility and the fact that being involved in an emotional relationship involves the risk of being hurt. 00:42:32 Acceptance - Acceptance can be defined as the acknowledgment that a negative state of affairs exists, but that you’re in peace with that. - It also involves the acceptance that whatever happened was due to the fact that all the related conditions were in place, regardless of whether you understand them or not.- It may involve some unpleasant but positive emotions such as disappointment, sadness, and healthy anger.- It can lead to either repairing the current relationship with a healthy negative emotion or moving on to a new relationship with more wisdom derived from the hurtful experience. - Self-acceptance involves living life to enjoy yourself rather than proving yourself. 00:53:40 Healthy Escapes vs. Unhealthy Escapes- The worst thing to do: give in to self-rejection and downing yourself. Also, using alcohol or drugs.00:59:22 Stoic PhilosophyPhilosophy helps you live a meaningful life and cope with adversity by embracing reason. “You cannot be a victim of another, you can only be a victim of yourself.”   Rumi: “The cure for the pain is the pain” – if it’s uncomfortable, it’s likely to be ther

In this episode,  Jordan Caron and Sean Galla from MensGroup get into how to deal with porn addiction. We also get into the consequences of a porn-traumatized brain and what goes behind the porn industry.Today’s https://mensgroup.com/podcast guest Jordan Caron is a MensGroup facilitator who leads a support group for guys that are dealing with porn addiction, and he’s here to talk about the pornographic industry and the negative impact that consuming porn can have on ourselves and our partners, both on a physical and an emotional realm.CHAPTERS:00:00:00 SINGLE CHAPTER –  Porn Addiction00:02:05 Porn Stats in the USAccording to official stats, around 200,000 Americans are or have been addicted to porn. This may sound like a pretty low number, but this can be explained by the fact that most men are in denial when it comes to acknowledging their relationship to porn. 00:07:56 Porn Traumatized Brain When a guy gets too used to getting off by just watching porn on a screen, his neural pathways get wired in a certain way that his brain doesn’t know anything else. This results in a so-called “Porn Traumatized Brain”, preventing a guy to be able to masturbate in a healthy way; let alone perform sexually with his partner. 00:14:47 The Behind the Scenes of PornOne of the most delicate subjects that most men miss when they stop to think about porn is the great amount of sex trafficking that goes on within this industry, even into levels of escorts, strippers, webcam models, etc. Being aware of this and continuing to consume porn is to consciously and voluntarily support sex trafficking. 00:22:45 Porn Addiction ResourcesThere are several tools that can be pretty useful when it comes to coping with porn addiction. These include watching documentaries (such as “Fight the new drug” and “After porn ends”), reading books (some good ones are “Your Brain on Porn” and “The Porn Trap”), or joining an online community (there’s one on Reddit called “Anti-Pornography”). 00:26:12 The Porn Comfort Zone: Porn can be a sticky trap for single men, given that it provides sort of a comfort zone. Our brain is basically designed to keep us away from pain – such as the kind that can be experienced after being rejected – and it’s also wired to save energy whenever possible. 00:36:56 Porn as a Sex Educator: For many men, porn has served as a sex educator. The main issue with this is that most porn content is targeted at a male audience, in which women are always supposed to please men and male pleasure is the most important thing. 00:45:25 Porn as a way of cheating! Some men will watch random porn, just going through any given website and clicking on a haphazard video that calls their attention at that particular moment. However, other men will develop a so-called “parasocial” relationship with one or more pornstars, becoming faithful followers and keeping themselves updated on any news on their end. 01:09:47 Positives of Porn Addiction Even though addiction cannot be tagged as something positive, it can though bring about some positive consequences along the way, such as developing some strong unconditional love and compassion towards yourself as well as learning to forgive yourself. It’s not healthy to beat yourself up about mistakes that you’ve made or the person you were in the past. 01:15:03 Socially Accepted AddictionsSocially accepted addictions such as those related to porn or food are most of the time more difficult to deal with, given that there’s not much stigma around them and they happen to be readily available. 

In this episode, Lachie Stuart and Sean Galla from Mensgroup get into the importance of community and healthy communication for men. We also get into taking feedback and ownership of thoughts, feelings, and actions and how to recover from a breakup.Today’s https://mensgroup.com/podcast guest Lachie Stuart is a men coach who helps career-driven men to live, love, and laugh more, and he’s here to talk about the importance of community, accepting feedback, and coping with difficult situations such as a breakup, divorce, and infidelity.  CHAPTERS:00:01:16 Community & Communication00:01:16 The Importance of Community  Getting together with people that share your same core values will help you stick to them and encourage you to keep doing the things that align with those values. People in your community will hold you accountable for maintaining the habits that resonate with the kind of life you want to live, and at the same time, will point out whenever you’re drifting away from your path. The concept of community comes down to surrounding yourself with people that will help you grow into the person you want to become. Keeping positive people close is key – research has proven that negative influence in your life can be even 6 times more impactful than positive influence.00:13:40 Good communicationHow you articulate what you’re feeling and what you’re experiencing is crucial – If you’re able to put into actual words what you’re going through, it will make it easier for you to deal with that specific issue or situation.   Learning to communicate in a good way will definitely have a positive impact on your relationships, from friends and co-workers to your family and closest beings. 00:18:00 Learning to cherish feedbackFeedback can highlight those areas in which you can eventually improve, and help you accept how you are doing on those in the meantime. Sometimes people who are not used to receiving feedback can get pretty defensive about it since it can be taken as a piece of evidence that they’re not perfect. 00:35:50 Taking ownership of your thoughts, feelings, and actionsMost men struggle when it comes to taking responsibility for themselves, and have a strong tendency to blame others for their own issues. These men are in fact passive about their lives and are just expecting things to change on their own. Even though it’s worth it, it’s actually harder to take ownership, given that this may imply dealing with limiting beliefs and carefully reviewing how you talk to yourself. Unfortunately, due to how demanding this process can get, most men end up accepting mediocracy, choosing to remain in their comfort zone. 00:47:25 How to recover from infidelity, divorce, or breakupWhen dealing with a tough breakup, it’s important to accept the situation as challenging and allow yourself to mourn and to feel sad.  After infidelity or a difficult divorce, it’s tempting to want to take revenge. In a situation like this, just ask yourself – how do I want to respond? Does that response align with the kind of person I want to be? Having good support around yourself and talking with other guys that have been through similar experiences can be a powerful tool throughout difficult times like these.  It’s essential to give yourself some time to go through the situation in a healthy way, rather than trying to deny it or trying to avoid dealing with painful feelings.

In this episode, Ben Ahrens and Sean Galla from MensGroup get into how thoughts and feelings contribute to our mental and physical health. We also get into the power of perspective and how to cope with adversity. Today’s https://mensgroup.com/podcast guest Ben Ahrens is a chronic illness recovery expert, TEDx Speaker, Neuroplasticity coach, and Co-founder of re-origin, and he’s here to talk about emotional management, the importance of perspective, and dealing with adversity. CHAPTERS:00:07:06 CHAPTER I – Emotional Management00:07:15 Mental & Physical Health Most people can probably identify with the feeling of mental weight or burden, feeling overwhelmed when it comes to dealing with their own personal issues. Even though this sensation takes place in the mind’s realm, it actually translates into physiological changes such as muscle tension, heavy breathing, or rapid heartbeat.    00:11:46 Feelings & Thoughts Management In and of themselves, thoughts are neutral – they are just what the mind does, the same way that the ears hear, the eyes see and the nose smell and the mind thinks. On that note, it’s key to understand that we don’t need to be that aware of our thoughts at all times since they’re not always telling us something useful. 00:17:31 Tools for Emotional ManagementScientific research has proven that our brain is widely plastic, meaning that it has an amazing capacity to change, regardless of our age and our learned patterns. This means that we can mentally train ourselves to manage our feelings and emotions in a way that works to our advantage rather than the other way around.  00:26:39 CHAPTER II – Perspective00:26:55 Switching the Negative BiasThe human brain takes roughly about eleven million bits of information per second, from which around nine million are inherently negative. This is due to our brain’s evolved negativity bias, which is designed to keep us out of danger. However, being aware of this grants us the possibility to re-train our brain, and switch that negativity bias into some sort of positivity bias. 00:40:16 Positive and Negative EventsEvery situation we go through has a positive and a negative component to it. However, some events will definitely be more positive than negative and the other way around. In that sense, life’s like a pendulum that constantly sways from one side to the other. Nonetheless, if we acknowledge that there’s good and bad in all, we can consciously choose to focus on the positive portion of things, which would be like climbing up that pendulum – the higher we go, the less we’re gonna feel its swaying. 00:50:13 CHAPTER III – Adversity00:50:51 Advice on Adversity One good piece of advice that can come in handy when to dealing with unpleasant situations is to think about the future and how much the current context could have a long-lasting impact on our life. For example, if you’re in your thirties, you could ask yourself something like “what advice would the 40 years version of myself give me in these particular times?” Usually, the hypothetical answer to that question is something similar to “Take it easy and don’t worry too much about it”.  00:55:58 Dealing with Adversity Adversity itself isn’t the problem, but our resistance to adversity and our inability to stay pleasant in the present can have a negative impact on our life. Ultimately, accepting things the way they are while trying to make the best out of each day appears to be the best recipe for happiness and overall wellbeing. 

In this episode, Jeremy Amyotte and Sean Galla from MensGroup get into how to build self-assurance and self-confidence. We also get into why is so important to set our core values straight, take ownership and be vulnerable. Today’s https://mensgroup.com/podcast guest Jeremy Amyotte is the leader of one of the highest-producing real estate sales teams in his territory and author of the book “Self-Assurance”, and he’s here to talk about self-confidence, accepting responsibility, and identifying inner values. CHAPTERS:00:07:01 SINGLE CHAPTER – Self-Assurance & Self-Confidence00:11:20 Coping with Funky TimesPushing ourselves to do those things that take us out of our comfort zone is a great way to build confidence, as we’ll start to accomplish things that we didn’t believe we could do in the first place. 00:18:27 Human Hierarchy & Self-ConfidenceEvery now and then we may find ourselves putting people above or below us, following some sort of human hierarchy. This phenomenon is pretty usual and can take place even among our loved ones, such as close friends and family. 00:26:16 Being VulnerableMost of the time, building confidence is not about talking nicely to ourselves but actually about digging deep inside and dealing with any negative feelings that may be holding us back and rooting our limiting beliefs. To do this though, we have to be willing to be vulnerable. 00:29:42 Acceptance & OwnershipThe first step towards self-confidence is acceptance - we can’t change anything that we haven’t accepted first. However, acknowledging our flaws and our weak spots can be hard from an emotional perspective. What’s more, there’s a strong tendency in society that pushes us to distract and numb ourselves, rather than getting in touch with our feelings.  00:35:04 Self-Assurance & Self-ConfidenceSelf-confidence is compartmental and mainly related to specific fields. For example, somebody can be a pretty confident athlete and at the same time lack confidence when it comes to public speaking. On the other hand, self-assurance involves all of those areas in which we feel confident, whilst accepting all of the others in which we don’t, also acknowledging and trusting our inner resources to get better and improve in whichever area we’d be interested in making some real progress. 00:51:32 Self-Assurance & Core ValuesArticulating our core values is crucial when it comes to building self-assurance. Values are like a compass that can guide us in the right direction, helping us make the best decisions along the way. 00:59:21 Self-Confidence ToolsThere are some practical tools that can really help boost our self-confidence, such as reading relevant books and journaling on a steady basis. Also, surrounding ourselves with people that share our core values and then encourage us to remain on the right path is key to achieving self-growth. If possible, having some trusted mentors to guide us throughout our life journey can certainly be a priceless asset. 01:01:39 Taking Responsibility We can’t always have control over whatever happens to us, but we can definitely have a say on how we’re gonna react to that. As Jack Canfield has stated: E + R = O, meaning that events plus response equal outcome, making it clear that the way we respond we’ll be at least half of the equation. In addition, it’s also important to avoid tying ourselves to any potential result but just focused on our actions instead, given that they’re the only part of the equation we have any influence on.   

In this episode, Ryan Kalamaya and Sean Galla from MensGroup get into how to deal with a divorce from an emotional and a legal side. We also get into when to reach out to a divorce attorney and the differences between a pre-marital and a marital agreement. Today’s https://mensgroup.com/podcast guest Ryan Kalamaya is a divorce lawyer and co-host of Divorce at Altitude: A Podcast on Colorado Family Law, and he’s here to talk about divorce, prenup, and marital agreements.CHAPTERS:00:01:53 CHAPTER I – The Emotional Side of Divorce00:02:06 Avoiding Divorce Whilst there’s no recipe that can guarantee you’ll not be going through such a tough thing as a divorce, there are some valuable things that you can put into practice that will definitely enrich your loving relationship and minimize the odds of navigating through a difficult break-up.00:05:07 Coping With DivorceTaking up physical challenges can be a very helpful tool when facing a difficult divorce. 00:07:33 BitternessMany guys that go through a divorce experience usually share a deep feeling of bitterness. The fact is that divorce is a complex process that involves several stages, being grief one of them. So actually, being bitter at this point is not an issue itself but a normal feeling to experience. 00:13:29 Common Mistakes Around Divorce Some common mistakes that guys make when facing a divorce are financially related. One can be draining their bank account and trying to empower themselves by controlling their wives from a financial side. 00:18:16 When to Seek a Divorce Attorney Whilst this may vary from case to case, there’s actually no downside to reaching out to a professional counselor that can help you figure out where are you standing from a legal point of view. It’s also worth adding that this is better to be done sooner than later, given that divorces can be tough to process from both a legal and an emotional perspective.  00:24:58 Child CustodyWhen fighting over custody of your kids, it’s crucial that you’re present. Failing to show up or coming drunk to legal disputes will surely lean the scale towards the opposite side. 00:26:56 CHAPTER II – The Legal Side of Divorce00:29:22 Prenup and Marital AgreementsA prenup is essentially a written agreement in which you and your spouse agree ahead of time on specific things such as property division, the amount of spousal support in potential attorney’s fees, etc. However, kid-related issues including child support and custody are not a part of these legal contracts. 00:35:30 Attacking a Pre-Marital AgreementOccasionally when going through a divorce, one of the spouses will file a dispute against the pre-marital agreement, mostly due to the fact that, from their point of view, the terms agreed on in that legal contract may leave them on the weaker side of the equation when facing a potential break-up. Most of the time, this action is taken by the downward spouse, who will be more financially affected by the separation. 00:46:17 History of Prenup AgreementsEven though prenup may appear to be a pretty modern concept, the first pre-marital agreements documented are from Ancient Egypt around 3,000 years ago! Current stats show that millennials are more open to prenup than older generations were. This is mainly because they see this legal agreement as a way to prevent potential conflicts in the event of a potential break-up. Also, younger generations tend to get married later in life, so they usually have more patrimony to protect.

In this episode, Brian Dubow and Sean Galla from MensGroup get into how to understand and achieve happiness. We also get into the benefits of self-actualization and why are relationships so important for men. Today’s https://mensgroup.com/podcast guest Brian Dubow is a happiness coach, blogger, and founder of Hit of Happiness (https://hitofhappiness.com), and he’s here to talk about long-term wellbeing, personal growth, and the value of building meaningful relationships. CHAPTERS:00:02:46 A Deep Dive into Happiness  Everyone is looking for happiness, it’s everybody’s endgame, and actually, everything we do, from having a job, getting into a specific relationship, taking in certain activities, and most of our life decisions are driven by our inner seek for happiness.00:11:33 SPHIRE FrameworkSPHIRE is a five-dimensional framework that can be a powerful tool to help us spot those goals we can benefit from working towards. SPHIRE is an acronym in which each letter stands for something concrete. 00:31:59 Happiness vs. PleasureNowadays, people tend to run away from challenging situations and lean towards instant gratification instead, but the reality is that we are actually happier when we’re growing, and this growth can only be nurtured by going through challenging experiences. We naturally avoid difficult contexts since we don’t want to feel uncomfortable.     00:43:14 CHAPTER II – Self-Actualization Self-Actualization can be defined as the journey towards becoming all we’re meant to be. We all have our own purpose in this world, and in order to figure out what that is, it’s important to ask ourselves some big questions such as why am I here, what’s my superpower, and how can I add to this world? 00:56:06 Coping with Divorce & Break-UpWhen dealing with a nasty break-up or divorce, we can get to feel quite bitter. On that note, the first thing to be aware of is that bitterness is an emotion that doesn’t do a lot for us. Actually, by feeling bitter at someone else, we’re letting that person win and have control over us, even though we’re passed being in a relationship with them.    00:59:04 The value of relationshipsIt’s a proven fact that relationships are the number one predictor of happiness in our lives. Feeling that we’re a part of a community in which we can be authentic and expose ourselves emotionally is key to our personal development. On that same note, having a significant other who we can trust almost anything adds a ton of ease and value to our life. The purpose of a relationship is not to complete each other but to help each other grow – often times other people can help us bring out the best in us and learn things about ourselves that we couldn’t have done on our own.  A big part of happiness is about giving to others and being aware that it is not all about us. In fact, the more we do for others, the more we do for ourselves. On that matter, when we are in a relationship and we’re willing to do anything at our reach to make our companion happy, that takes us out of our own headspace and makes our personal existence more fulfilling. We, humans, are tribal creatures, and as so we’re meant to help each other out and have a specific role in society. Unfortunately, in the last hundred years, mankind has developed a more competitive feature, as each individual is more concerned about their own success than about pursuing the common good. 

Jordan Caron was a "basic sports bro", watching a lot of sports, playing golf, and drinking a lot of beer. However, the end of his relationship made him face some of his challenges head on. This episode highlights how Jordan started his transition from being an average joe, to learning about himself, his addictions (gambling, porn, and alcohol), his emotions, and more. There is nobody that I have seen grow more than Jordan and so we are so excited to have him on the https://mensgroup.com podcast. You can also see the video version of this interview and others on the MensGroup Youtube channel. 

In this episode, Paul Marlow and Sean Galla from MensGroup get into how to deal with anxiety and depression. We also get into the benefits of a morning routine and everything about MDMA Therapy.Today’s https://mensgroup.com/podcast guest Paul Marlow is the founder of “Never Alone”, a mental health brand created for people struggling with depression, anxiety, loathing, and self-doubt. NA’s mission is to help and inspire them to find their day-to-day routines to start their journey back to a healthy mindset and life.CHAPTERS:00:02:11 CHAPTER I –  Mental Health00:04:09 Depression & Anxiety  The very first thing to do when dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety or depression is to acknowledge them and accept their existence. Unfortunately, most men are used to building inner walls to keep them away from feeling these uncomfortable emotions. Given that this tends to be an unconscious process, it can actually take quite a while for some people to realize that they’re carrying around some substantial amount of depression and/or anxiety.       00:14:00 Dealing with LossGrief includes acknowledging your feelings and emotions and letting them come out into the world. Most of us actually don’t know how to grieve when dealing with a loss because we’ve never been taught how to do so from an emotional point of view. 00:17:43 Getting into Emotions Accepting and expressing our emotions can be a hard thing to do at first because it might make us feel vulnerable. However, it becomes quite easier with practice, and it certainly helps to also demonstrate our feelings in a non-verbal way.Even though letting out our emotions can come up as a tough thing to do, it’s definitely the best way to go in the long run. Keeping your uncomfortable feelings all bottled up can have a huge negative impact on both our mental and physical health. 00:26:11 Tools for Self-Growth Aside from the mourning routine activities that were previously mentioned, there are some other things you can look into when working towards achieving a better version of yourself, such as expressing gratitude and sticking to a healthy diet. 00:30:22 CHAPTER II – Psychedelic Therapies00:36:57 MDMA TherapyIf you’re thinking of trying MDMA or any other psychedelic therapy, it’s essential that you get in touch with the right guide. Alternative therapists can be hard to find though, given that their activity is currently illegal. However, doing this stuff led by inexperienced people or worst even all by yourself is strongly inadvisable.  MDMA can help you open up and tap into subjects you’re usually too uncomfortable to talk about because it provides an overall safety sensation in which you’re not judging yourself and you’re then not afraid of being vulnerable. Most psychedelic therapists will advise that it’s not wise to jump into any of these alternative therapies expecting something in particular. That can actually make you resist the journey and where it wants to take you, and potentially end up having a bad trip. As usual, it’s better to allow things to just happen. Psychedelic therapies may not solve your problems, but they may certainly help you crack them open and understand different parts of them from unexplored perspectives.   

In this episode,  Craig Casaletto and Sean Galla from MensGroup get into being a man today.  We also get into the essential tools for change and the value of good communication.Today’s https://mensgroup.com/podcast guest Craig Casaletto is a coach drawn to change men's lives around, and he’s here to talk about the main obstacles men face when aiming to make significant changes in their lives, and how to overcome them.   CHAPTERS:00:03:24 CHAPTER I –  The challenges of Change00:03:24 Being a Man TodayDespite the latest social breakthroughs, there is still is this old-school stereotypical take on what being a man is and how a man is supposed to behave and handle his problems, in which expressing his feelings and emotions in an open and healthy way is not on the table. 00:06:00 Making a 180° Change The first thing a man needs to know in order to make a substantial change in his life and mindset is that it’s possible. However, it will definitely be hard. It demands getting out of the comfort zone and taking action, whilst acknowledging that consistency and accountability are non-negotiable key elements throughout the process.  00:08:36 CHAPTER II –  Indispensable Tools for Change00:08:36 Components of a Winning MindsetPerhaps the most essential thing that’s needed to achieve a winning mindset comes down to changing our perspective of the word “failure”. Being comfortable with failing and taking it as just an opportunity to learn why some things didn’t work out can pay high dividends in the long run. In addition, going through failure definitely helps us appreciate and really cherish our accomplishments. 00:13:54 AccountabilityAccountability is one of the most important components when it comes to achieving your goals. Nowadays, finding inspiration out there is easy, and so can develop a plan toward your main objectives. However, holding yourself accountable for what you’ve decided to pursue is definitely the hardest part. 00:19:33 Confidence: When it comes to strengthening your confidence and working out your mindset, the procedure is not that different from going to the gym – you’ll just have to put in the reps and be consistent throughout a substantial period of time.  00:24:29 Success In order to be successful, you’ll first need to define what success means to you. Even though there’s a widely spread image of success that can lead men to believe they need to make a lot of money, drive a certain car or wear some specific shoes to be successful, the fact is that success itself is different for everybody. 00:30:36 CHAPTER III –  The Importance of Communication00:30:36 Communication in Relationships: Being comfortable with communication is crucial when it comes to keeping a healthy relationship. Being able to share your concerns honestly with your spouse or loved one is the best way to keep the air clean and avoid potential bad interpretations and false narratives that can eventually develop into an unpleasant relationship issue.  00:39:14 Consequences of an Obsolete Stereotype Many men don’t actually have real friends to talk to. They may have acquaintances, but when adversity strikes they come to realize they don’t have anyone around to rely on and share their feelings with. This is undoubtedly a consequence of an archaic stereotype, according to which any emotional expression from a man would be taken as a sign of weakness.