Authentic Connections
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.
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
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
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
Is ignorance truly bliss? This thought-provoking discussion delves into the relationship between awareness and mental well-being.
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
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.
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Traditional structures that once provided this sense of belonging - from workplaces to social clubs - are rapidly devolving or disappearing in our digital age.
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
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.
Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
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.
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
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.
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
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
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
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
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
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.