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Authentic Connections

Author: Jeff Singer

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Despair among men is already a global epidemic and increasing at an alarming rate. Even high-functioning “successful” men succumb to substance abuse and even suicide. In fact, 80% of suicides are men. Without the permission, tools, or role models, men don’t talk about their feelings. Instead, they keep silent, suppressing their thoughts and emotions and driving themselves further into isolation.

On the Authentic Connections podcast, co-hosts Jeff Singer and Richard Gabel engage in unscripted conversations about topics and issues that men think about but rarely talk about. The goal is to normalize substantive, honest dialogue among men (and their families) to promote connection and wellness.

Richard is a psychiatrist, teacher, and Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He and Jeff suggest that men who feel they need assistance should seek help from qualified professionals. The podcast is intended to act as a catalyst for positive change; it is not meant to diagnose, treat, or prescribe.

Listeners are encouraged to use this podcast to facilitate conversation and inspire action to reduce isolation and loneliness.
25 Episodes
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A Culture of Support

A Culture of Support

2025-05-2025:41

They guys talk about a trip to India that provided perspective and deeply impacted concepts of family, community, and individual purpose. 
Emotional T-Rex Arms

Emotional T-Rex Arms

2025-05-1325:28

Men don’t reach out to share what they’re going through or to check in on others. We all want and need that connection, so why do we live solitary lives? 
Trust is the foundation of every strong relationship—whether personal or professional. Yet, many men struggle with building and maintaining trust with others
Dive into the age-old question: Are happy people naturally more social, or does being socially engaged lead to happiness?
A fascinating discussion about attachment styles and how they shape our relationships! Men make up the majority of those with an Avoidant attachment style, which means they often disassociate with those closest to them for fear of reprisal. No wonder men are more isolated and lonelier. READ: Attached by Amir Levine, M.D. and Rachel S.F. Heller, M.A.
Studies show that people who attend religious services tend to be happier, with those practicing Eastern religions/philosophies reporting the highest levels of happiness.
Anonymous and Lonely

Anonymous and Lonely

2025-04-0124:42

Popular collaborative video games that once provided a sense of community and connection have shifted away from voice chat to anonymous modes - mirroring a wider trend of driving isolation and loneliness.   READ: Silent but Deadly by Luke Winkie
The Big Joy Experiment

The Big Joy Experiment

2025-03-2528:27

This experiment challenges our traditional notions of happiness, suggesting that happiness is possible even amid life’s challenges. READ: Can “micro-acts” of joy make you happier? By Emma Beddington
Research shows our attempts to fight boredom through endless scrolling and streaming often leave us feeling more disconnected. The guys talk about how to how to avoid languishing and bringing your best self to everything and everyone in your life. READ: Fast Forward - How Switching Behavior on Digital Media Makes People More Bored by Dr. Katie Tam
Hungry Ghosts

Hungry Ghosts

2025-03-1119:03

Explore modern addiction where we constantly seek something (money, status, objects, substances) outside ourselves to curb an insatiable yearning for relief or fulfillment. READ: In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts - Close Encounters with Addiction by Gabor Mate
Is ignorance truly bliss? This thought-provoking discussion delves into the relationship between awareness and mental well-being.  
The BIG Myth

The BIG Myth

2025-02-2521:33

Explore how the myth of American exceptionalism not only shapes our national identity but also impacts how we judge others and our sense of self.
Sports and Belonging

Sports and Belonging

2025-02-1825:04

Traditional structures that once provided this sense of belonging - from workplaces to social clubs - are rapidly devolving or disappearing in our digital age.
Happy(?) Holidays.

Happy(?) Holidays.

2025-02-1120:29

While the holiday season brings joy for many, it can also be a complex time of mixed emotions and unrealized expectations. Today we explore the anxious side of holiday experiences with special guest Dr. Richard Gable.
The backstory of Authentic Connections, the guys who started it, and the journey that brought them together. This episode was recorded at the end of the first season to provide context for our efforts to break the cycle of silence, which is harming men at alarming rates.
Tribalism in America

Tribalism in America

2024-08-2812:04

Tribes can be supportive, provide a sense of belonging and purpose. However, in a competitive environment or when resources are scarce, tribalism can also be divisive. Capitalism is a free-market philosophy based on competition. We are all potential competitors for scarce resources, such as schools, jobs, scholarships, and internships. Counterintuitively, higher socio-economic groups have a higher rate of substance abuse and suicide. 
Modern Masculinity

Modern Masculinity

2024-08-2827:06

Men used to be providers and protectors, but not now. What are "masculine" traits? What is men's role? Women joke that men are obsolete. Men internalize that. Men feel lost, without purpose. Read: Epidemic of Male Loneliness
Toxic Independence

Toxic Independence

2024-08-2727:23

Like any positive traits, independence and self-sufficiency can be taken to a toxic extreme. Too many people cannot ask for or accept help. This leads to loneliness, isolation, and even suicide. Read more: Red Flags You're Actually Too Independent...by Emily Laurence
We are told to never be content or satisfied. But contentment may be a source of happiness and fulfillment. Maybe the key is to hold onto two thoughts at the same time: gratitude for what you have, while working to improve.
Often overlooked is how masculine facades of strength and confidence are toxic to men. Men are not allowed to be vulnerable and struggle to connect with friends and family on a deep level, driving isolation and loneliness. 
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