Authentic Connections

Hungry Ghosts

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

Stupid, Selfish, Healthy?

Is ignorance truly bliss? This thought-provoking discussion delves into the relationship between awareness and mental well-being.
 

The BIG Myth

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

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.

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.

Episode 0 - The Pub and Hug

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

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

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

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

Can Successful People be Happy?

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.