Gay Men Going Deeper

Gay Men Going Deeper has never done an episode about a TV show before. There’s a reason we did this one. Heated Rivalry isn’t just popular. It landed at a very specific cultural moment for gay men, and the response to it points to something bigger than whether people liked the plot. In this off-the-cuff conversation, Michael and Matt explore why this story resonated so strongly, what emotional needs it taps into, and why certain depictions of gay love, sex, courage, and intimacy feel especially potent right now. This isn’t a recap or a review. It’s a conversation about why some stories carry more weight than others, and how paying attention to your reaction can become an opportunity to understand yourself more deeply. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deep: The Rivalry(00:00:47) - Heated Rival: Gay Men's Brotherhood Comments(00:01:49) - "The Disappointment"(00:02:55) - "Love Yourself"(00:07:04) - Bait & Switch: The Gay Men's Episode 3(00:10:53) - Pushing the Gay Culture(00:12:53) - Coming Out: Gay People in the Closet(00:13:36) - Matt Cooke on Coming Out In The Hockey League(00:17:49) - The Gay Love Story(00:21:06) - Neil Gaiman: The Book Review, Part 2

It’s a question many gay men quietly carry… especially after heartbreak, disappointment, or years of trying. In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we put on our coach hats and unpack why this belief takes hold, how shame and self-protection can block love without us realizing it, and what actually helps us become more open to connection again. This conversation isn’t about forcing positivity or dating tactics. It’s about understanding the patterns that keep us guarded, how we sabotage love unintentionally, and how to restore hope without lowering your standards or abandoning yourself. In this episode, we explore: Where the belief “I’ll be single forever” comes from The most common blocks to love we see in gay men How shame quietly shapes dating and relationships The difference between protection and emotional availability How to let love in while staying grounded, discerning, and self-respecting If you want real connection but feel tired, guarded, or discouraged, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and a grounded way forward. Listen now and go deeper. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio: Take the 360 Review for Gay Men Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Going Deeper(00:00:34) - Gaming Gay Men's Brotherhood(00:02:05) - Will I Be Single Forever?(00:04:42) - Lack of role models for gay couples(00:05:31) - Open Relationships(00:06:19) - I'll Be Single 'Forever'(00:12:48) - This 67-Year-Old Gay Man Found Love For the First(00:14:47) - How To Get Out Of The Single Trap(00:15:38) - Common Shame Blocks in Gay Men's Love Life(00:22:07) - Gay Men Need To Heal Their Love Lives(00:28:27) - Healing Your Shame For Dating & Relationships(00:30:04) - How to Overcome the Blocks to Love(00:33:26) - "My Protector Parts Are Slowly Breaking My Own Heart"(00:36:53) - How to Love Yourself(00:42:17) - How To Heal Your Heart From Heartbreak(00:44:38) - Are You Ready for Your Relationship?(00:45:58) - Gay Men's Brotherhood Podcast

This episode of Gay Men Going Deeper is less of a casual conversation and more of a confidence masterclass. One you’ll likely want to come back to again and again. We break down what real, unshakeable confidence actually is (and what it isn’t). Not the loud, performative kind, but the grounded confidence that comes from self-trust, self-compassion, and emotional regulation. We talk honestly about why confidence can feel harder for gay men, how minority stress and shame shape a harsh inner critic, and how we deal with setbacks. In this episode, we cover: How confidence is built through action, discomfort, self-compassion How shame and the inner critic quietly undermine self-trust Whether “fake it till you make it” actually works… and where it falls apart Why taking action builds confidence (and how inaction erodes it) How self-compassion keeps confidence intact when things go wrong What to do when confidence wobbles after rejection, embarrassment, or insecurity If you’ve ever looked confident on the outside but felt shaky on the inside, this episode will help you understand why, and give you a clear, grounded path forward. Save this one. It’s the kind of episode you’ll get something new from every time you listen. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio - Take the 360° Self-Review for Gay Men Matt Landsiedel Reno Johnston Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Qui... Chapters (00:00:05) - Gay Men Going Deeper: How to Build Confidence(00:01:05) - How to Build Unshakable Confidence(00:04:35) - What Actually Build Unshakable Confidence?(00:11:14) - How Do You Build Unshakable Self Confidence?(00:15:18) - How to Build Confidence(00:19:02) - Self-Compassion vs. Boastful(00:20:16) - What helps you build confidence? Join our Connection Circles(00:21:06) - Faking It Till It Actually Works(00:24:55) - "Faking It" Has It Work For You?(00:29:26) - Kinda Like Fake It Till You Make It(00:33:30) - You Should Be More Frumpy On The Podcast(00:33:48) - Gay Men: Unshakable Self Confidence(00:34:53) - How To Deal With Confirmations(00:39:15) - Reno on Being Confident(00:41:55) - How Do You Deal With Confidence(00:47:48) - Queens Talk About Self-Compassion(00:52:33) - Gayman's Brotherhood: Connection Circle

In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the biggest dating myths gay men love to repeat: “My standards are too high.” But sometimes the problem isn’t what you want, it’s what you allow. We get into the real difference between standards and boundaries, why attraction wipes our memory clean, and how low boundaries quietly reveal your level of self-worth. If you’ve ever said you want emotional maturity but keep entertaining sexy chaos, this episode is going to sting a little (in a good way). Some of the topics we cover in this episode are: A clear explanation of standards vs boundaries (with examples) Why our standards collapse the second a hot man gives you attention How boundaries are actually a self-worth and self-respect practice The “crumb diet” too many gay men settle for Join us for this honest, relatable, and painfully accurate episode that might be the reset your dating life has been waiting for. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio - Take the 360° Self-Review for Gay Men Matt Landsiedel Come to our Monthy Community Events  Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men's Dating: Standards and Boundaries(00:02:54) - What's The Difference Between Standards and Boundaries(00:04:52) - Gay Women Talk About Boundaries(00:09:14) - How To Give Care To Your Partner(00:12:34) - Why High Standards Don't Matter If Your Boundaries Are Low(00:16:22) - When do you find your boundaries collapsing fastest?(00:18:58) - What Makes You Feel Valid? Validation and Control(00:23:13) - What Poor Boundaries Look Like(00:27:08) - Standards vs Boundaries(00:27:23) - Gay Men's Brotherhood: Donor-funded Podcast

In this episode, Michael and Matt get personal about what we love about being single, how we knew we were ready to start dating again, and what we want to experience differently this time around. We talk about flirting on apps, dating in 2026, and all the messy, exciting parts of putting yourself back out there when you’re ready to mingle.  Some of the topics we cover in this episode are: • Getting back into the dating world • When your nervous system tries to hijack your dating life • Red flags and green flags • What we’re actually looking for in a man now (and how that has changed)  It’s cheeky, honest, and surprisingly insightful. If you’re single (or single-ish), you’ll feel right at home. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio 360° Self-Review for the New Year Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:05) - Gamin Going Deeper: Being Single & Ready To Mingle(00:01:46) - What Is Single and Ready To Mingle?(00:02:27) - What Do You Love About Being Single?(00:05:02) - Mixed Messages on Dating and Singling(00:06:02) - What's Your Favorite Stage Of A Relationship? The Honeymoon Phase(00:10:22) - Matt on Conflicts In His Relationships(00:12:06) - Single People Talk About The Best Things About Being Single(00:16:13) - What I Need In A Good Relationship(00:17:50) - What's The Non-Negotiable Item In A Relationship?(00:20:43) - Gay Men's Brotherhood(00:21:22) - When Are You Ready to Mingle?(00:24:31) - Gay Men on Matching Apps(00:28:26) - "Does It Mean I Attract a Polyamorous Partner?"(00:31:49) - Are You Dating Gay People?(00:33:28) - Gaiman's Going Deep: Relationships and Dating(00:34:25) - What Would You Like To Experience The This Time Around?(00:39:17) - What You Need To Know About Chasing(00:43:10) - What I Want In A Relationship(00:43:52) - Matt on His Sexual Life(00:46:14) - I Should've Knew That My Best Friend Had Sex With Her(00:49:28) - "That's Off-limits" For Gay People(00:49:47) - Gay Men's Brotherhood: Connection Circle

Why does attraction fade- and what can we do about it?  In this episode, we get real about attraction in long-term relationships. The spark doesn’t always burn forever, and losing sexual interest doesn’t mean the relationship is doomed. We talk about why attraction naturally shifts over time and how couples can ignite intimacy. We explore: Why attraction fades in relationships The 4 types of intimacy (and why they matter) Sexless marriages and normalizing libido changes What erodes desire over time How to bring spark, novelty, and connection back Join us for a real conversation on attraction, intimacy, and what keeps the spark alive over time. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio – Join my weekly newsletter for deeper reflections and practical tools Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - When Attraction Fades in Gay Relationships(00:04:24) - 4 Types of Intimate Relationship(00:10:11) - How To Keep The Fire In Your Relationships(00:15:06) - What Causes Attraction To Fizzle For You(00:18:01) - How to Keep the Sex Fire Alive in Your Marriage(00:21:21) - 3 Tips For Keeping Intimate Relationships Alive(00:23:47) - Gay Men's Brotherhood: Sparking Your Love Life

After unpacking our culture’s obsession with “perfect” bodies, this week we’re flipping the script. In this episode, we’re celebrating what’s actually hot: the things that don’t get enough love in the gay world. We’re talking dad bods, wrinkles, kindness, confidence, awkward charm, conversational skills, and all the real stuff that makes someone magnetic.  Some of the things we’re talking about: How social media perpetuates social norms that don’t fit  The traits we find sexy that don’t get enough love  Stories of when we’ve fallen for people outside our type  The roles of dating apps in attraction and rejection How our types have changed (and how they haven’t) This is our love letter to all the guys out there who feel they aren’t sexy because they don’t fit the mold. It’s time to expand our definition of sexy and give some overdue appreciation where it’s due. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio- Join my weekly newsletter for deeper reflections and practical tools Matt Landsiedel Reno Johnston Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deep: What's Really Sexy?(00:01:15) - How To Survive A Culture of Body Perfection(00:03:42) - The Real Sexy, Unmarketed(00:04:42) - Celebrating What's Real(00:05:09) - What Is Something That You Think Is Sexy About Your Guy?(00:06:02) - 5 Things That Make A Guy Sexy(00:08:03) - What's The Sexiest Walk?(00:08:55) - Michael's Signature Walk(00:09:45) - Alexandra On Being Hot For Quirkies(00:12:44) - People Compare Their Feet To Hands(00:14:58) - What's The Non Physical Attraction Of Gay People?(00:18:37) - Dad Bods and Big Nose(00:21:23) - Oh, Lisps and Accents(00:21:58) - Connection Circle(00:22:58) - My Types Are Different(00:27:06) - I Should've Swiped On Grindr Instead Of Dating(00:31:10) - Are You My Type?(00:34:44) - Matt Reno And Chris Hemsworth On Being Unorthodox(00:37:34) - Michael Jackson On His Hotness(00:39:37) - Thank You!!!

From the gym to social media, gay men are constantly surrounded by images of the “ideal” body. But what does all this perfection chasing actually cost us? In this episode, we explore how body perfection culture impacts gay men on a deeper level: from belonging and self-worth to intimacy and identity. We open up about our own journeys with body image— how we’ve moved from obsession to acceptance, where it still sneaks in today, and what we’ve learned along the way. You’ll hear us unpack: Why body image matters more for gay men How fitness and self-worth often get mixed up The difference between caring for your body and obsessing over it How to stop letting your reflection decide your mood Practical ways to reclaim confidence and self-respect If you’ve ever felt like a “perfect” body will earn you love, attention, or belonging, this one’s for you. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio - Join my weekly newsletter for deeper reflections and practical tools Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gaiman Going Deep: The Culture of Body Perfection(00:01:52) - How to Love Your Body (Without Perfection)(00:05:50) - Does the Culture of Body Perfection Impact You?(00:09:07) - The Help I Learned To Love My Body(00:13:40) - What Do You Think You Need To Look To Be Attractive?(00:16:08) - November 6: The Culture of Body Perfection(00:16:55) - Letting Go Of Body Perfection(00:22:08) - "Self-worth is not solely based on your body"(00:24:42) - Body Positivity(00:26:33) - What Have We Done To Mitigate Body Perfection Culture?(00:30:41) - What Have I Done To Prevent Body Perfection Pressure?(00:35:43) - Neil Gaiman on The Gay Brotherhood(00:36:53) - The Hard Work of Being Gay(00:37:30) - Gay People Go To the Gym(00:41:27) - Gay culture's need for belonging(00:43:13) - Gay Men's Brotherhood Podcast

In this episode, we dive into what radical honesty really means- not the brutally blunt “telling it like it is” version, but the deeper, more vulnerable kind that lets you actually be known. We explore why being honest is both terrifying and liberating, the subtle ways we still avoid it, and how honesty differs from harsh truth-telling. We share our own struggles with showing up honestly in dating, friendships, and community, and why the outcome isn’t always pretty… but is always worth it. If honesty is one of your personal values (or you want it to be)  this episode will give you plenty to reflect on. And if you’re enjoying these more relaxed, conversational episodes, let us know. We’ve been loving creating them. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Game & Going Deeper: The Gaiman Brothers Podcast(00:00:26) - What is Radical HONOR?(00:04:35) - Being Candid With My Partner(00:06:25) - How To Talk About Jealousy In Relationships(00:10:04) - Radical honesty can be a beautiful tool to heal intimacy(00:14:36) - Radical Alignment: The Benefits of Real Love(00:20:06) - Radical Honesty and the Relationship(00:22:38) - What are some other things that you need to practice radical honesty in(00:27:51) - Slices With Matt Maher(00:28:20) - What's Hard for You to Share?

Today we’re diving into one of the most iconic (and hilarious) parts of gay culture: labels. In this episode, we unpack why gay men are so obsessed with categories like “twink,” “daddy,” “masc,” “otter,” “guy next door,” and every micro-label in between… and how these identities shape the way we date, belong, and see ourselves. We explore: Why labels can feel empowering (and sometimes limiting) How they create tribe, shorthand, and community When they become boxes we get stuck in How attraction, identity, and insecurity get wrapped into these roles What happens when you “grow out” of a label or never fit one at all It’s a fun, honest look at the ways we use labels to navigate gay life:  where they help, where they fall short, and why they matter more than most of us want to admit. If you enjoy these more conversational episodes, let us know… we’re trying something new. Today's Hosts: Matt Landsiedel Michael DiIorio - Join my weekly newsletter for deeper reflections and practical tools Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deep: A Short Talk(00:01:02) - What Gay Labels Do You Use?(00:05:21) - Gay People Don't Like Labels(00:08:40) - In the Gay Community's Elite Communities(00:11:56) - Gay Men Let Go Of Their Identities(00:17:07) - The Negative Connotations of Labels(00:21:34) - Gay People Play With Their Identities(00:24:54) - Spontaneous Conversation With The Gaiman's Brotherhood

Today we’re talking about The Slow Fade:  that slow, quiet drifting apart where the messages get shorter, the replies slower, and the energy shifts until one day…it’s just silence. In this episode, we’re unpacking: Why we quietly quit people instead of having real conversations What’s actually happening beneath the surface for both sides — the Fader and the Fadee Who deserves an explanation and who doesn’t  What can we do instead of fading away  If you’ve ever been on either side of The Slow Fade, this conversation will help you see what’s really going on underneath, and how to move through it with more clarity, courage, and integrity. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio - Join my weekly newsletter for deeper reflections and practical tools Matt Landsiedel Reno Johnston Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:05) - Gay Men Going Deeper: The Slow Fade(00:01:12) - Why We're Always Ghosting(00:01:53) - What Is The Slow Fade?(00:03:17) - How To Deal With An Uncomfortable Relationship(00:08:02) - What To Do About A faded Love Letter(00:10:20) - What's The Slow Fade?(00:14:06) - Gay Men Talk About Dating Apps(00:15:05) - Matt on Slow Fade(00:19:17) - In the Elevator With Real People(00:20:38) - A Sense of Community With Neil Gaiman(00:21:42) - The Fader and the Fade(00:22:42) - The Signs That Someone Is Starting To Distance From You(00:26:51) - When You're Not Enough, Do You Lash Out?(00:28:44) - Fader: Being Honest With My Friends(00:30:34) - The Slow Fade(00:34:52) - Reno on His Heartbreak(00:36:16) - Slow Fling(00:37:44) - The Gay Men's Brotherhood(00:41:30) - How to Deal With An Avoidant Partner(00:45:32) - You Can't Force People To Tell You Things(00:46:52) - Gaiman's Brotherhood

What we want you to gain from this episode is the importance of non-sexualized, safe, and brave spaces for gay men to heal and grow together. By the end of this episode, you will be able to identify what a nest is, how you could benefit from one, and where to find or create one if you are interested in nesting. The concepts and questions we explore in this episode are: What is “nesting” and why is it important for gay men? What moments in our lives require the need for nesting? How do we know when we’re “nested” — or when we’re not? What makes a nest truly safe? How do you tend and protect a nest once it’s formed? What could gay culture look like if nesting became normal? What’s one small way you can begin nesting today? Today's Guest: Nigel Pedlingham Gay Men's Retreat Instagram LinkedIn Today's Host: Matt Landsiedel Facebook Instagram TikTok Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Chapters (00:00:05) - Gaiman Going Deeper: The Need for Gay Sexual Spaces(00:01:44) - The Nested Experience(00:07:27) - The Neve of Gay Men(00:10:48) - Are Gay Nests Sexual?(00:17:38) - The Need for Self-Compassion(00:23:32) - Exploring the Body in Gay Groups(00:26:36) - Why are these spaces so important for gay and queer men?(00:29:15) - How to help lone wolves(00:31:51) - What Makes You Feel Like You're a Real Person?(00:33:58) - What Makes Gay Men Feel Like They Deserve Their Love?(00:39:06) - How to Connect with Others(00:40:53) - Finding a nest(00:44:34) - An offering to the sacred men(00:46:52) - Let's Nest

We all say we want love… but are we actually open to receiving it? In this episode, we’re going deeper into what it really means to open your heart. From the subtle subconscious programming that keeps love at arm’s length to the sneaky ways we self-sabotage, we’re unpacking the hidden barriers that make intimacy feel unsafe (even when we crave it most). You’ll learn: Why receiving love can feel harder than giving it How old conditioning teaches us to block love without realizing it The difference between performing for love and allowing it in Practical ways to build safety, self-trust, and openness in all forms of love—romantic, platonic, and self If you find yourself pushing love away, deflecting compliments, or find yourself stuck in patterns that keep intimacy just out of reach—this one’s for you. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:02) - Gaiman Going Deeper: How to Open Your Heart to Love(00:02:43) - The Secret to Feeling Love(00:05:36) - When I Can't Receive Love(00:10:25) - Navy Green and The Beauty of Technology(00:10:41) - Why It's So Hard To Receive Love(00:15:35) - What I'm Most Afraid Of(00:18:18) - In What Ways Has It Been Difficult to Receive Love From(00:19:33) - What Does It Look Like To Receive Love?(00:23:04) - Letting Yourself Receive Love(00:24:07) - Receiving Love From Others(00:29:03) - How to Learn How to Receive Love(00:30:35) - 5 Tips for Open Your Heart to Love(00:34:51) - How to Open Your Heart to Love(00:41:03) - Gay Men Talking About Love(00:44:04) - Gayman's Brotherhood: Unpacking Love

Some of us don’t fall in love with people, we fall in love with an idea of them. The story, the potential, the fantasy of the perfect boyfriend who finally makes everything click. But that idealized version of love often keeps us chasing what looks right instead of what feels real. In this episode, Michael DiIorio and therapist, Michael Pezzullo, explore how fantasy, perfectionism, and external validation shape the way we love- and why chasing the ideal often keeps us from the real thing. We’ll unpack: What it looks like to fall in love with potential - and why we do it  How to tell the difference between healthy excitement and mental storytelling How seeking the “perfect” partner keeps us single or dissatisfied How to stop chasing the ideal and let love be more organic and human Whether letting go of the fantasy means “settling for less” If you’ve ever been in love with potential or the picture-perfect relationship, this conversation will help you come back to reality…where real connection actually happens. Today's Guest: Michael Pezzullo Website Instagram Today's Host: Michael DiIorio Website Instagram Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Ta... Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deeper: Falling In Love With The Fantasy(00:01:47) - What Is Love And The Perfect Relationship?(00:04:03) - Falling In Love With Potential(00:05:02) - Have You Ever Fall In Love With Potential?(00:07:47) - How To Tell When You're Falling In Love With a Potential Partner(00:10:15) - What I Learned From Falling In Love With Fantasy(00:14:17) - What I Wish I Knew About Falling For My Guy(00:17:11) - Chasing A Single Guy(00:19:25) - Gay Men's Brotherhood Connection Circles(00:20:31) - The Perfect Boyfriend Myth(00:22:19) - What Are Some Standards That Gay People Have For Their Love Relationships(00:27:09) - "And It's Proof To Who?"(00:27:18) - Michael on Dating and Being Single(00:32:08) - Michael: Don't Have A List Of Qualities For Dating(00:34:41) - What Advice Would You Give Someone Who's Chasing Perfection(00:40:05) - "The More Perfect My Relationship, the More Lovable I Am(00:43:06) - How to Connect with People(00:43:16) - Gaming Going Deeper: Falling In Love With The Fantasy

Why does joy feel so hard to hold onto? In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we’re revealing the joy killers: those sneaky ways we sabotage happiness even when life is going well. We explore: The difference between chasing pleasure and cultivating joy Foreboding joy (a.k.a. waiting for the other shoe to drop) and how it robs us of the present. How trauma and disappointment condition us to expect loss  The role of protector parts and self-sabotage in keeping joy at arm’s length. What we’re really trying to protect ourselves from when we don’t let joy all the way in. By the end, you’ll see how internalized shame, fear, and control kill our joy- and how practicing gratitude, presence, and vulnerability can help us reclaim it. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deep: How and Why We Sabotage Our(00:01:18) - Happy Life: Chasing Joy(00:03:23) - Why Joy Is Hard(00:04:59) - What is the biggest joy killer for you?(00:06:57) - How To Stop Comparing Yourself With Others(00:10:14) - Learning How to Deal With Criticism(00:12:46) - Inside the Inner Critic(00:14:31) - The Joy of the Game Men's Brotherhood(00:15:39) - The 'Foreboding Joy' of Love(00:20:06) - "Be Joy in Your 40s!"(00:21:56) - How To Deal With The 'Other shoe To Drop'(00:25:45) - How To Find Security and Stability Attractive(00:28:31) - Healing Your Shame(00:29:28) - What Are We Protecting From Joy?(00:34:03) - Adam Levine on Being Vulnerable With People(00:37:57) - "I Love You"(00:38:20) - Beyond Fear: How to Love Yourself(00:40:19) - Thank You!

What would your day, your week, your next year, or even your life look like if you spent it following your joy? What if joy became your North Star? Your guiding light? Your compass? What is in the way of you experiencing more joy in your life?  What if you could find joy in how you dress, what you eat, how you exercise, where you live, what you do for work, who you spend time with, and how you navigate your day to day life?  These, and more, are the questions we’ll cover in this intuitive and inspired conversation around following your joy. True to form, you will be joining Reno on location at Sunset Beach, in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, where he followed his joy down to the beach where he fell in love with Vancouver, so that he could not just talk about following your joy, but embody it. Note: You may occasionally hear some fun background noise, which actually becomes part of the conversation, so you’ll want to keep listening. Today's Host: Reno Johnston Instagram Facebook Schedule a Zoom Call Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:01) - The Gay Men Going Deeper: Joy(00:05:14) - What have you noticed in your life gets in the way of enjoyment(00:11:35) - When You're Living Life in Joy(00:14:34) - Follow Your Joy in Life(00:19:21) - What Precedes Joy?(00:21:20) - Coming into the Place of Joy(00:26:56) - What Does Following Your Joy Look Like For You?

Joy isn’t just fireworks and big milestones; it’s in the ordinary, everyday moments we often overlook. Yet for many of us, joy feels slippery and hard to find.  In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we’re diving into what joy really feels like, how it shifts as we evolve and age, and why it’s less about chasing highs and more about cultivating presence. We’ll explore: The difference between joy and pleasure (and why we confuse them) Joy-givers vs. joy-suckers (and how to spot yours) The role of play, laughter, and lightheartedness in a joyful life How to deepen your relationship with joy in your next chapter Why joy is a skill you can practice, not just a mood you stumble into If you’re ready to move beyond quick fixes and start building a life that feels nourishing, playful, and deeply fulfilling, this conversation is for you. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deeper: How to Find More Joy In Your(00:01:44) - How to Find More Joy in Your Life(00:03:56) - What Joy Is and What Joy Isn't(00:07:53) - What brings you joy in life?(00:12:20) - A Dharma Walk for the Soul(00:14:29) - How I'm Starting to Feel Joy Again(00:18:06) - What Does Joy Feel Like For You?(00:19:11) - How to Develop a Relationship with Joy in the Next Chapter of Your(00:22:30) - What about that brings you joy?(00:27:15) - How to Prioritize Presence Over Productivity at 40(00:31:44) - What can bring you joy in your life?(00:33:04) - How to Find More Joy in Your Life(00:34:31) - Matt Has A List of Joy(00:37:21) - How to Find Joy in the Present(00:38:21) - "Joy Can Be Vulnerable For Men"(00:39:17) - How to Laugh at Your Inner Critic(00:40:27) - How to Find More Joy in Your Life(00:43:24) - Making Play a Priority(00:45:36) - Welcome More Joy Into Your Life(00:46:20) - Gaimans Brotherhood: Going Deep

You know the type — ambitious, perfectionistic, and always striving to do more and be more… yet secretly fuelled by pressure, anxiety, and fear.   In this episode, Michael is joined by special guest Scott Stirrett as they share their own stories of hustling for achievement and how they’ve learned to stay ambitious without destroying themselves in the process. Together, they unpack how perfectionism, internalized shame, and the need for external validation can be ways we attempt to outrun our insecurities — and pivot toward ambition that’s healthy, sustainable, and soul-driven.  Topics covered in this episode: Why gay men are uniquely wired for overachievement How perfectionism shows up in covert and overt ways  How adversity can build anti-fragility and real confidence The difference between healthy ambition vs shame-fuelled hustle Learning to slow down without feeling lazy, guilty, or like you’re falling behind  Rewiring your motivation so it feeds you instead of drains you  By the end of this episode, you’ll be inspired to pursue success in a way that keeps you driven and impactful — without burning yourself out — and to start measuring your worth from the inside out. Today's Guest: Scott Stirrett LinkedIn Instagram Today's Host: Michael DiIorio Instagram Men's Group Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gay Men Going Deeper: Overachieving Gays(00:01:39) - How I Became A Perfect Male Athlete: The Shame(00:08:11) - Scott on Struggles With Self-Valuation(00:13:35) - The Need For External Validation In Gay Men(00:19:17) - How to Get Out of Gay Workplaces(00:21:52) - Gay Men: The Importance of Internal Validation(00:25:30) - The Gay Men's Brotherhood(00:26:34) - What Does Healthy Willing Look Like vs Perfectionism?(00:31:22) - Coming Out: Don't Be Afraid of Failure(00:36:57) - Mental Health Support for Men(00:40:20) - Self-Motivation and the Uncertainty Advantage(00:42:47) - What's Your Tipping Point?(00:43:48) - Michael Jackson on His End(00:44:24) - Healthy Work Life Balance(00:46:47) - Michael Buble Reveals His Personal Values(00:50:52) - How to Say No to Stuff(00:57:00) - Developing self-efficacy through challenging times(00:59:06) - Gabor Mate on Gay Men's Trauma(01:03:40) - Scott Courteney on The Uncertainty Advantage

In this final installment of our 4-part series on grief, we explore the powerful practice of Radical Acceptance—what it means, why it’s so difficult, and how it becomes the turning point in your healing journey. Whether you're grieving the person you used to be, mourning a friendship that faded, or facing the slow heartbreak of watching your parents age, grief often leaves us wrestling with reality. Radical acceptance is what allows us to stop fighting what is, and start living again with peace, presence, and purpose. Topics we explore in this episode include: What radical acceptance really means (and why it’s radical) How it differs from giving up, resignation, or bypassing Why acceptance is often the hardest part of grief The role of faith and inner trust when you’re still hurting Personal stories of surrender, softness, and finding peace How to move forward when closure isn’t coming This episode offers a hopeful, grounded perspective for anyone still sitting with loss, longing, or unanswered questions. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Going Deeper: Radical Acceptance(00:01:08) - How to Deal With Grief(00:04:57) - The Radical Acceptance of Suffering(00:07:38) - Coming to Acceptance of Chronic Pain(00:11:24) - Accepting One's Gay Identity(00:15:41) - Do You Think Your Sexuality Is Introspective?(00:17:46) - The Radical Acceptance of Gay People(00:18:32) - Radical Acceptance in the Gay Men's Brotherhood(00:19:31) - What helps you move into Acceptance while you're still hurting?(00:22:47) - The 7 Stages of Grief(00:26:31) - Grieving the Loss of a Friend(00:27:21) - What is Surrender and Acceptance?(00:30:56) - 5 of My Favorite Coping Statements(00:32:48) - What final tips do you have for people?(00:33:09) - A Taste of Grief

As our parents get older, many of us are faced with a new kind of grief- the quiet, ongoing loss that comes not from death, but from watching the people who once raised us begin to slow down and need us in ways they never did before. In this deeply personal episode, we open up about the emotional complexity of witnessing our parents age. From role reversals and unresolved wounds, to meaningful moments and surprising lessons, we reflect on how our relationships with our parents evolve, and how it stirs up questions of our own mortality.   We explore: The quiet grief of losing parts of who they were The guilt, tenderness, and sometimes resentment of becoming the caretaker How aging parents trigger our own fears about time, mortality, and purpose Ways to heal, connect, and make meaningful memories before it’s too late This is an episode for anyone navigating that in-between space—where love, loss, and legacy all live at once. Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report. Chapters (00:00:00) - Going Deeper: The Grief of Watching Your Parents Age(00:02:05) - As Your Parents Age, Do You Grieve?(00:04:06) - What Comes Up For You When You Think About Your Parents Aging?(00:08:28) - On How Close Is Your Parents With You?(00:09:43) - One Empath's Thoughts On Her Parents' Aging(00:13:23) - Who's To Be My Caregiver When My Parents Die?(00:16:10) - How Has Your Relationship With Your Parents Changed As They Get Older?(00:18:38) - Queens Talk About Being a Parent's Caregiver(00:22:32) - How's My Relationship With My Parents Changed As They've Get Older(00:24:51) - How To Develop a Better Relationship With Your Parents(00:26:18) - What Lessons Are You Learning From Watching Your Parents Age?(00:30:07) - What Lessons Are You Learning From Watching Your Parents Age?(00:33:47) - What's The Age Difference With Your Parents(00:34:40) - How To Make Meaningful Memories With Your Parents As They Age(00:39:10) - How Do You Want Your Parents To Remember You?(00:42:09) - The Importance of Celebrating Lives(00:44:41) - Gay Men's Brotherhood