We all know self-love is important, but what happens when it goes too far in the wrong direction?

In this episode, Michael DiIorio is joined by therapist Michael Pezzullo for an honest conversation about the shadow side of self-love. Together, they explore:

You’ll learn about the Self-Love Spectrum, the signs of self-coddling and self-bulldozing, and how to practice a more empowering, growth-oriented version of self-love- without abandoning your need for care and compassion.

Join us for an episode that will help you get honest about how you love yourself, and what real self-love actually looks like.

Today's Guest: Michael Pezzullo

Today's Host: Michael DiIorio

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Some of us didn’t choose to become lone wolves—we were shaped into them. Many gay men have learned to rely only on themselves, and while that self-sufficiency can feel empowering, it often comes at the cost of connection and intimacy.

In this personal and vulnerable episode, Michael and Matt open up about their own lone wolf energy—where it comes from, how it’s served them, and the moments when it became more isolating than empowering.

Together, we’re unpacking:

Whether you identify as a lone wolf or love someone who does, this episode will help you navigate the delicate balance between fierce independence and meaningful connection.

Today's Hosts:

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In this episode, Matt speaks with queer relationship coach Lonay Halloum about why we attract unavailable men. This episode will provide you with a deeper understanding of your relationship patterns and why you might be attracting unavailable men. This episode was inspired by a deep desire to help you heal the subconscious programs that lead to self-abandonment so you can end this exhausting cycle and finally attract available men. 

The concepts and questions we explore in this episode are:

Related Topics:

Today's Guest: Lonay Halloum

Today's Host: Matt Landsiedel

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Why do so many gay men struggle with deep fears of rejection—whether in dating, friendships, or even at work? In this episode, we’re unpacking rejection sensitivity: where it comes from, how it shows up in everyday life, and why it can feel so intense for us.

Some of the topics we cover:

If you’ve ever felt crushed by criticism, avoided risks to protect yourself, or wrestled with feelings of “never enough,” this one’s for you.

Related Episodes:

Today's Hosts:

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How would you, your life, and your experience be if you were free from uncertainty, instability, and insecurity?

While it can’t be promised you won’t have to experience these again, in this special solo episode, Reno shares personal experiences, perspectives, anecdotes, and practices to help you relate to them in ways that do create more freedom, creativity, resourcefulness, resilience, discernment, enthusiasm and lightness in the face of them. He also demonstrates some ways he has personally navigated uncertainty, instability, and insecurity throughout his life.

Today's Host: Reno Johnston

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We may be adults, but a lot of us are still living in emotional childhood—blaming others for how we feel and how we act. When you give other people control over your emotions, you give away your power.

In this episode, we're breaking down what it means to take responsibility for your emotions and why it is fundamental if you want true freedom, stronger relationships, and genuine self-confidence. We’ll share personal stories of when we were stuck in emotional immaturity and how we learned to take responsibility for our emotions 

We’re covering:

This isn’t about being perfect. It's about waking up, stepping up, and taking your power back.

Today's Hosts:

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In this episode, Matt speaks with author and love advocate, Scott Stabile. Together, they break down the psycho-spiritual aspects of the inner critic and how to best work with it from a place of love. If you are someone who is hard on yourself and has a tough time finding self-love and self-compassion, this episode will help you develop greater awareness of your inner critic, where self-judgment originates, and how you can start practicing more acceptance of yourself and others through presence, love, and compassion. 

The concepts and questions we explore in this episode are:

Today's Guest: Scott Stabile

Today's Host: Matt Landsiedel

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What happens when we avoid feeling our emotions? In this episode, we explore the importance of emotional awareness: tuning in instead of checking out. We share what happens when we suppress our feelings, and how to navigate the tough ones with compassion and care.

We also explore:

Whether you’re someone who bottles it all up or someone who feels everything all at once, this conversation will give you insight and tools to better understand yourself and others.

Today's Hosts:

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It’s Pride Month, and with everything going on in the world right now, it feels especially important to pause and reflect.

In this special panel discussion episode, Reno Johnston is joined by three incredible guests—Mark Fleming, Keone Wales, and Jordan Layne—for a candid panel discussion on the meaning of Pride: where it began, how it’s evolved, and what it means to each of us today. Together, they explore questions like:

This conversation isn’t a history lesson or a debate. It's an open, honest sharing of lived experience. Whether you’re a seasoned activist or celebrating your first Pride, we invite you to reflect alongside us and consider what Pride means to you, not just this month, but all year round.

Today's Guests:

Mark Fleming

Keone Wales

Jordan Layne

Today's Host: Reno Johnston

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In 2025, LGBTQ rights are facing renewed challenges- from the rise of far-right populism to legislative rollbacks and the rise of hate sweeping across the globe. But how serious is the threat? And if the fight is back on… are we ready?

This week, Michael is joined by author and longtime activist, Tim McCaskell, who’s been on the front lines of LGBTQ+ resistance for over five decades. From the bathhouse raids to the fight for AIDS treatment and beyond, Tim brings deep historical context and lived experience to the conversation. 

Together, they explore what activism looks like in 2025, whether we’ve grown too comfortable, how activism has changed over the decades, and most importantly, what we need to do to show up and fight for our future.

Today's Guest: Tim McCaskell

Today's Host: Michael DiIorio

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