Hearts Wide Open - The Men's Mental Health Podcast

Life moves in cycles and this episode is testament to that. Dennis has been through a transformational experience at the start of the month, which realigned him to his purpose and values, brought him back on track in terms of the direction he was taking in life and left him with clarity of what his north star is. Dennis takes you on a journey throughout this experience: What happened to him at the start, how he was all of the sudden able to deal with topics he'd felt stuck with and how this enabled him to tackle all of life's challenges. This episode is for everyone, sprinkled with learnings and wisdom from Dennis that you can apply directly into your life too! Some of the things Dennis talks about are: Purpose, Personal Values & Direction Dealing with things blocking your life His recent retreat experience How to let go of things, feel them in your body to then ultimately let them go, learn to cope with them and find your own truth Relationship with friends & family How he got new energy and inspiration to take his marketing business and Hearts Wide Open to the next level Daily ritual & routine, setting intentions The Movember ambassadors gathering Here all the relevant links he mentioned in the right order: Dennis' website's About Page to view his personal values @freedomofmovementofficial for retreats The Hearts Wide Open Movember campaign K-Lo on Soundcloud (Dennis' Cousin) Dennis' Website Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon! Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast, or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

In this episode, we talk about attachment theory. Attachment theory talks about how we attach in romantic relationships with a partner and how it relates to the love and care we receive as a baby or child. Our guest is Rita Bliven. Rita has a lot of experience in the field of attachment theory and opens up about her own personal story on attachment which starts with a child kidnapping. She also coaches Dennis and Soroosh on their past love relationships and how attachment styles played a role there. You don't want to miss this one! Rita has written a book about her life story which has led her to become an expert in the field of attachment theory and attachment styles. Check out her upcoming book ⁠here⁠. There are 4 different types of attachment styles: Anxious attachment Avoidant attachment Disorganised attachment Secure attachment Learn how you can start to recognise different attachment styles in yourself and your partner and discover what this can mean for your relationship and how you can cope better with attachment? Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon! Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast, or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

In this episode, Soroosh gives the definition of self-sabotage from a technical point of view. How sometimes we set high goals for ourselves and set ourselves up for failure. Are you also inspired by the success story of other people and plan to wake up at 4 am, and then fail? Do you criticise &set high expectations for yourself? We talk about how you too, can plan properly. Furthermore, we dive deep into the patterns and mindset traps that hold us back, exploring practical strategies to break free and start thriving. Tune in to learn how to stop standing in your own way and how you too can unlock your true potential. Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon! Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast, or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

Lenny shares about his decision to quit Instagram and delete the app on this episode of the Hearts Wide Open Podcast. He deleted Instagram over 2 years ago and talks about the process and impact it has on him today. We also discuss other social media platforms like Twitter / X and how they have changed. We all choose what type of content we consume and in the end it is important to be conscious about where we spend our time. In this episode Lenny even offers to take us through a short meditation that has helped him create focus and stress relief. Do this and quickly create focus for yourself. Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon! Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? Send us a voice message on Spotify, DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

Ever wondered why it seems so hard to have an authentic conversation #realtalk with one of your friends, a family member or maybe even a stranger you've just met? Then this episode is for you! In this episode we not only discuss why it can seem so hard to finally see and really talk each other through the thick surface of small talk, people pleasing, playing a role and so on, but ALSO how we can foster more of these spaces and what we can do to be more authentic in our environment and with the people we interact with. Not every talk needs to be deep talk or real talk, but it can be a powerful tool to discover and learn the ability to jump into these conversations, as we believe they help us establish real connections with one another. Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon! Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? Send us a voice message on Spotify, DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

Hearts Wide Open is celebrating its first anniversary! 1 year podcasting about men's health and men's mental health related topics. In this episode hosts Soroosh and Dennis are getting interviewed by former guest Tamara and look back at their highlights, lowlights, learnings and take aways from 1 year of hosting a men's health podcast. The two not only share about the past year, but take a deeper look at some of their learnings and what being a healthy man means to them. They go on giving some hints on where Hearts Wide Open will go in the next year and what we can look forward to! If you love Hearts Wide Open, you cannot miss this episode! Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? Send us a voice message on Spotify, DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hearts_wide_open_podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or simply mail us at mailto:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

In this episode, Sooroosh and Alican delve into the reality that everyone faces low moments in life, times when the weight of challenges can feel overwhelming. It's crucial to recognize that these experiences are part of the human condition and do not reflect personal failure or weakness. Seeking help is a courageous step, not a sign of inadequacy. Whether it’s talking to a friend, consulting a therapist, or finding solace in a support group, asking for assistance is a proactive way to manage and overcome these difficult times. If you find yourself in a dangerous or unhealthy environment, remember that prioritizing your safety is essential. Sometimes, the most empowering decision is to physically leave a harmful situation even from your childhood home to protect your mental and emotional well-being. Tune in as we explore practical strategies for navigating these tough times and highlight stories of resilience and recovery. Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon! Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast, or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? Send us a voice message on Spotify, DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

In this powerful episode, Soroosh and Alican dive into the complex and often painful reality of toxic relationships with parents during the teenage years and even adulthood. As a teenager, dealing with toxic parental dynamics can be particularly challenging. The pressure to meet unrealistic expectations, constant criticism, and a lack of emotional support can lead to severe consequences such as depression, anxiety, and difficulties in establishing personal boundaries. We explore how these toxic relationships can manifest and the impact they can have on mental health, academic performance, and social life. Our discussion includes personal stories from Alican and Soroosh who have navigated these turbulent waters, expert insights into recognizing toxic behaviors, and practical advice on coping mechanisms. We also highlight the crucial role of support systems – friends, therapists, and online communities – in providing the understanding and validation that might be lacking at home. In this first episode, listeners will hear the engaging story of Alican and how he felt as a teenager. Lacking self-worth, lacking boundaries in a house where he did not feel safe. Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon! Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast, or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? Send us a voice message on Spotify, DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

In this episode we tried something new! If you're able to, definitely check out the video version of this episode on Spotify or YouTube, because we're PAINTING as we have this conversation about a variety of thought-provoking topics that we as young men are faced with. It helps us a lot, if you take a moment to let us know what you think about this new format. This week Soroosh asked himself why he obsesses about the reasons why someone rejected him after a date. We're sure you can relate, if you ever asked yourself: Why am I not good enough for her? or why doesn’t she want me? Why do we obsess about these questions? Why is this person able to make me question my entire being even though she may not even know me well enough to judge me. Oftentimes this makes us feel left out and alone, without a good reason as to why. "I'm just not good enough for her." Does it actually matter, if we knew why we got rejected? What would it change, if the outcome (the rejection) is this the same? So do we need to find out why we got rejected Does it make sense to want an answer so I can improve myself for the next person? Would it maybe help me save the relationship with this person? In dating: When is it helpful to know the reasons for rejection and when is it not? As Soroosh and Dennis complete this freestyle painting, they share from their own personal experiences and impressions with this topic and end up also touching upon the relation with the topics of perfectionism and blaming ourselves. They're having a vibrant discussion on the pro's and con's of perfectionism and living a life with a perfectionist mindset while blaming ourselves for our numerous shortcomings in the eyes of everyone else. Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon! Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? Send us a voice message on Spotify, DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

On this episode Soroosh and Dennis sat down with Lukas aka @vollblutvater who is an advocate for the equal parenting model and sharing his experience as an involved father on his social channels. Lukas explains what equal parenting or shared care means for him and his wife and why they chose this model. He shares about building a father son connection with his newborn and how equal care looks in practice also talks about the struggles that come with juggling both work and being a parent and why it’s all worth it for him. Does being a parent slow his (career) growth? How does he deal with backlash and what others think about the path he chose? How do you both provide for a child and build an emotional connection as a father? How did Lukas go from idolizing Charlie Harper to becoming quite the opposite? On top of this Dennis and Lukas share that they both suffer from patchy hair loss aka alopecia areata and what that has to do with stress. We talk about all this on the episode and more: Like dealing with our own childhood and parents from both their perspective and our own. You do not want to miss out on this episode full of nuggets of wisdom about being a parent. Follow Lukas here: ⁠⁠⁠@vollblutvater vollblutvater.de Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon! Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? Send us a voice message on Spotify, DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

Soroosh had a talk with a friend recently and thought he'd bring the topic to the podcast to dive deep and discuss our thoughts on the pressure to perform. What is pressure to perform? What types of pressures are there that we can experience and where do they come from? How do these pressures affect us today and how do we still attach to them? We discuss all these questions and more around the topic of pressure on this episode and share real examples from our own lifes to illustrate how different people can experience different types of pressures and to share how we deal with these or how we're still learning to. Like Soroosh's pressure to always wanting to become better, do more, work harder, be more successful or Dennis who shares about his fear of success and feeling guilty for taking a break from being productive. Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon! Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? Send us a voice message on Spotify, DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

We talked to Daley who went from being unhappy as a strategy consultant to working at the zoo. He talks about the dark side of being a strategy consultant, how he discovered his passion for animals and how working at the zoo feels more aligned to his purpose, which ultimately makes him much happier. Daley opens up about how being a "nice guy" worked against him and how he strives to become an "integrated male", embracing all his different components of self: Emotional, physical and psychological. In his time off and when he's not taking breathtaking photos of animals with his camera, he has a steady running routine to support his physical and mental health. He is also a serial marathon runner and raises awareness and funds to help save the endangered painted dogs. Follow Daley here: ⁠⁠@daleyvandesande.photography⁠⁠ ⁠⁠@daley_running⁠⁠ Donate ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ to help save the painted dog Finished this episode and not done yet? Listen to an episode where Soroosh talks about his longest run ever: ⁠⁠#11 Running And Mental Health - How I Experienced My Longest Run Ever Physically And Mentally⁠⁠ Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon! Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? Send us a voice message on Spotify, DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

Have you ever consciously or subconsciously talked about a past event using third person language? This can mean different things like creating distance to our past self because it doesn't serve us anymore or we evolved from this person. Take a moment and think about it. Why am I using third person language here? We also talk about s*xual abuse on men and that if it happens to a man, it can challenge us in our manhood. "I don't wanna be the guy that this happened to" These are exactly the type of things we want to open up about, talk about and share with the world on this podcast. The uncomfortable topics. This happens to men too and we should talk about it and once we did, there is a high chance that we'll feel lighter, relieved and more connected as we open up the door for others to share with us too. You're not alone. Share your story with us too, if you feel the calling like we did <3 Stay in the topic and check out another episode? Listen to #19 The Impact Of P*rn On Men & Evolving To Who I Really Am - We Had Coffee With An Award-Winning Barista Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list, by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon! Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? Send us a voice message on Spotify, DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5 star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

We invited Jaideep to the pod and the conversation that unfolded left us speechless 🤯 Jaideep is an award-winning barista at Wide Awake Coffee in Brussels by day, but he is so much more than that and you can witness this in his thoughts about a wide range of topics related to men's health. He's been working on evolving and becoming his best self a lot over the past decade and it shows. Join us on this episode as we dive deep into topics of evolving oneself or reinventing yourself and what that implies. We look at both the positive as well as the darker aspects of this never-ending process. Halfway through the epsiode Jaideep serves us some specialty coffee from Wide Awake Coffee in Brussels and explains his love for the craft of making coffee as well as similarities he sees with evolving himself. We also touch on the topic of performance anxiety with friends, family, in social situations or at work and what it feels like when you're playing a role that's not truly you. When and why do we do this? Does playing a role gain us anything? What do we have to lose? Not enough? Wondering why this has become our longest episode thus far? Well hold my drink: We also discuss a topic that's barely talked about in men's health and that's p*rn! Make sure to stay until the end to get the most out of it. What is Jaideep's story with this topic? How does it impact men and how can you stop? Lastly we engage in a bit of a unstructured rant on what it means to be "cool" vs. secure. You can't miss this one! Stay in the topic and check out another episode? Listen to #12 Authentic Self-Expression: Why Does It Matter? How Can We Express Ourselves Authentically? where we talk more about being authentic and self-expression. Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list, by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon! Check out Jaideep & Wide Awake Coffee Brussels: @jaideology wideawake.coffee The Spice Within Podcast Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? Send us a voice message on Spotify, DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5 star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

Grab a pen and paper and join us on this episode, where we dive into the power of journaling. We begin the episode with some general chit chat between men, exchanging ideas and thought and our reflections on how the journey has been for Hearts Wide Open: From starting our first podcast 6 months ago, to regularly releasing better and better episodes for a growing audience of men who want to embrace themselves and live more authentically. Halfway into it, we invite you to join us on the creative writing exercise that helps us visit our younger selves through creative storytelling. If you don't have a pen and paper, feel free to use a note on your phone. Feel free to share your story with us via voice message (see below) or in text. Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon! Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? Send us a voice message on Spotify, DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5 star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.