Visit: menstherapy.online/start

The midlife crisis has a stock image problem: sports car, affair, motorcycle, a man trying to be twenty-two again. On this Men's Therapy Podcast roundtable, host Marc Azoulay brings together three voices who work with men at exactly this turning point. Brooks, a therapist and retreat leader based in Central Iowa with a telehealth practice in Colorado; Desmond Cohen, a counsellor and longtime Man Kind Project facilitator based in Oregon; and Mark Platten, who has spent over two decades in men's work, now focused specifically on midlife, andropause, and the men whose partners are moving through perimenopause.

The conversation moves well past the cliché, tracing the midlife crisis back to an older idea: a reckoning with the ladder you've spent your whole life climbing, and whether you ever leaned against the right wall. The panel debates whether this is a modern phenomenon or a timeless one (Brooks points to Dante and The Odyssey), why the timeline seems to be shifting a decade later than it used to, and why roughly two-thirds of midlife divorces in the U.S. are initiated by women rather than men. From there, it gets personal: Robert Bly's image of the shame men shove into an invisible bag starting in childhood; a real case study of a marriage rebuilt after a hidden affair came to light; and the pattern of "being right" as a childhood survival strategy that quietly wrecks adult relationships. The episode closes on spirituality and altered states, ayahuasca, psilocybin, vision quests, and why Joseph Campbell wouldn't take a student under 40.

Connect with PanelBrooks Witter:Website: https://vidapsychotherapy.com/ Desmond Cohen:Website: https://desmondcohencounseling.com/ Mark J. Platten:Website: http://markjplatten.com/ Resources MentionedIndividual Therapyhttps://menstherapy.online/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Individual_TherapyMen’s grouphttps://menstherapy.online/mens-groups/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Mens_GroupsMTO Slackhttps://menstherapy.online/slack/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Slack_CTA&utm_campaign=MTO_SlackWebsite:https://menstherapy.online/

Visit: menstherapy.online/start

What happens when the habits men use to cope with life start creating problems of their own? From relying on marijuana every night to struggling to say no, feeling emotionally numb, or carrying grief through the holidays, many men learn to manage difficult emotions by pushing them aside rather than dealing with what is underneath.

In this episode of the Men's Therapy Podcast, Marc Azoulay answers four listener questions covering marijuana dependence, nice guy syndrome, emotional numbness, and grief. The conversation explores how daily marijuana use can become something a person depends on to relax, why withdrawal can make stopping difficult, and how substances can sometimes act as a “smokescreen” over the deeper issues preventing someone from feeling comfortable in their own life.

The episode also examines the problem of constantly saying yes to other people. Being dependable can be a valuable quality, but trying to be everything for everyone can eventually lead to resentment and burnout. Learning to establish boundaries requires practice and may initially feel uncomfortable.

Another listener asks why he feels almost nothing during experiences that would normally produce strong emotions, such as death and grief. The discussion explores how men can become conditioned to suppress emotional experiences and why creating safe environments can make it easier to reconnect with feelings.

Finally, the episode looks at grief around the holidays and the importance of creating new family traditions while continuing to honour the person who has died.

Ultimately, the episode emphasizes a common theme: removing an unhealthy coping mechanism is only part of the process. The deeper work involves understanding what is underneath, creating new experiences, and building a life that does not require constant avoidance.

For more podcasts, blogs, and to get involved in the Men's Therapy Online Community, visit www.menstherapy.online.

Follow us on social media: https://mtr.bio/mens-therapy-online.

Visit: menstherapy.online/start

Why do so many men who look like they have it all together secretly feel like they're about to be found out? Imposter syndrome in men rarely looks like self-doubt from the outside. More often it looks like a packed calendar, a growing résumé, and a constant sense that none of it counts.

In this episode of the Men's Therapy Podcast, host Mark Azoulay talks with Kealy Spring, a Bay Area therapist who specializes in working with high achievers. Kealy has felt imposter syndrome herself, which is a big part of why she works with this population today.

Together they trace how pressure, perfectionism, and the fear of being exposed push men into overworking, procrastination, and emotional suppression. They also cover what it costs them at work, in leadership, and at home, and what it takes to step off the treadmill.

Connect with Kealy:Website: https://www.kealyspring.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kealyspring Resources MentionedHer Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@therapeuticallyalignedIndividual Therapy:https://menstherapy.online/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Individual_TherapyMen’s grouphttps://menstherapy.online/mens-groups/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Mens_GroupsMTO Slackhttps://menstherapy.online/slack/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Slack_CTA&utm_campaign=MTO_SlackWebsite:https://menstherapy.online/

Why do so many men bounce off traditional therapy? What would therapy look like if it were actually built for them?

In this episode of the Men's Therapy Podcast, host Mark Azoulay talks with Dr. Andrew Smiler, psychologist and author of the brand-new Clinical Work with Men: Understanding Masculinity in Psychotherapy, as well as The Masculine Self, the widely used men's studies textbook now in its seventh edition. Andrew has spent decades researching masculinity and training clinicians on how to actually work with male clients, not just adapt techniques built for someone else.

The centrepiece of the conversation is Andrew's "multifaceted masculinity framework," a way of breaking masculinity down into four connected pieces so therapists (and men themselves) have something concrete to work with instead of vague, one-size-fits-all questions. From there, Mark and Andrew get into why gender training in grad school rarely actually includes men, why problem-solving therapy tends to land better with male clients than coping and validation, and why respect, not just safety, might be the missing ingredient in how men experience therapy.

Connect with Dr. AndrewWebsite: https://jasonconnell.co/ Resources MentionedGet His Books: Clinical Work with Men: Understanding Masculinity in Psychotherapy, The Masculine Self (now in its seventh edition): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1597381721?lv=shuf&language=zh_TW&channelId=510&plpRedirect=mhFallbackIndividual Therapy:https://menstherapy.online/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Individual_TherapyMen’s grouphttps://menstherapy.online/mens-groups/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Mens_GroupsMTO Slackhttps://menstherapy.online/slack/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Slack_CTA&utm_campaign=MTO_SlackWebsite:https://menstherapy.online/

How do you know what type of therapy is right for you? With options like CBT, DBT, psychodynamic therapy, somatic therapy, and group therapy, finding the right starting point can feel overwhelming.

In this episode of the Men's Therapy Podcast, the conversation explores how men can better understand different approaches to therapy and recognize what they actually need from the process.

Some forms of therapy are highly structured and focus on building practical skills. Others focus on deeper patterns, unconscious processes, conditioning, and changing the way you experience yourself and the world.

The episode also explores why therapy can sometimes feel like you're “talking in circles,” how to know whether your therapist is a good fit, why group therapy can create accountability and connection, and why many young men are struggling with identity, online isolation, dating, and male friendships.

Ultimately, effective therapy isn't simply about finding the most popular approach. It's about understanding what you're struggling with and finding a therapeutic environment that helps you move forward.

For more podcasts, blogs, and to get involved in the Men's Therapy Online Community, visit www.menstherapy.online.

Follow us on social media: https://mtr.bio/mens-therapy-online.

Resources MentionedIndividual Therapy:

https://menstherapy.online/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Individual_TherapyMen’s grouphttps://menstherapy.online/mens-groups/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Mens_Groups

MTO Slackhttps://menstherapy.online/slack/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Slack_CTA&utm_campaign=MTO_SlackWebsite:https://menstherapy.online/

What happens when you achieve everything you thought would make you happy and still don't feel fulfilled?

In this episode of the Men's Therapy Podcast, host Mark Azoulay talks with therapist, speaker, and author Jason Connell. They talk about what he calls the “success wound”. It is the deep belief that you are not lovable, worthy, or enough unless you continue achieving.

Jason works with highly successful and high-performing men, including executives, entrepreneurs, athletes, and other public-facing professionals. He explains why these men can look like they have everything together while privately struggling with loneliness, relationship problems, emotional disconnection, shame, and a hidden “secret life.”

The conversation explores why traditional therapy may not always work for high-achieving men, why successful men can struggle to be vulnerable, how achievement can become a substitute for self-worth, and why money and success don't necessarily translate into happiness or emotional health.

Jason also discusses childhood and developmental trauma, self-compassion, body awareness, male friendship, men's groups, and the importance of learning to connect with yourself and other people beyond your professional identity.

At the heart of the conversation is a simple but uncomfortable question: What if the thing you're using to prove that you're worthy is the very thing keeping you from feeling worthy?

Connect with JasonWebsite: https://jasonconnell.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayconnell Resources MentionedGet His Book: https://www.amazon.com/When-Success-Isnt-Enough-Empty/dp/1966372175Individual Therapy:https://menstherapy.online/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Individual_TherapyMen’s grouphttps://menstherapy.online/mens-groups/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Mens_GroupsMTO Slackhttps://menstherapy.online/slack/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Slack_CTA&utm_campaign=MTO_SlackWebsite:https://menstherapy.online/

What happens when the emotional pressure of divorce starts driving financial decisions? In this episode of the Men's Therapy Podcast, host Mark Azoulay talks with divorce coach Gabriella Martinelli about one of the most complicated parts of divorce: money.

Gabriella specializes in the financial side of divorce and explains why being financially savvy does not necessarily mean understanding divorce finances. A successful business owner, physician, or someone who has managed household finances for decades can still make costly mistakes because divorce operates under a complex set of laws, rules, and processes.

The conversation explores the emotional side of financial decision-making, the risks of acting out of guilt or anger, why business owners face unique challenges, and how prolonged conflict can drain both finances and emotional energy.

Gabriella describes divorce as a high-stakes financial restructuring disguised as a legal event and constantly hijacked by emotions. Her approach focuses on understanding those emotions before making major financial decisions.

Connect with GabriellaWebsite: https://www.everafterwealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellamartinelli-divorce-financial-strategist Resources MentionedEver After Wealth:https://everafterwealth.com/ Divorce and Money Podcast:https://www.everafterwealth.com/podcast Individual Therapy:https://menstherapy.online/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Individual_TherapyMen’s grouphttps://menstherapy.online/mens-groups/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Mens_GroupsMTO Slackhttps://menstherapy.online/slack/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Slack_CTA&utm_campaign=MTO_SlackWebsite:https://menstherapy.online/

What happens when a therapist realizes that a client can spend three years in the same chair talking about the same problems without actually changing? In this episode of the Men’s Therapy Podcast, the host reflects on his own experience as a psychotherapist and asks a difficult question: Is traditional one-on-one psychotherapy actually working for men?

After seeing a client struggle with the same fears, patterns, and stories for years, he came to believe he wasn't using the right tool. His answer wasn't simply a different version of individual therapy. Instead, he began questioning the traditional psychotherapy model itself and what men actually need to grow.

The episode explores why many men may respond differently to therapy, why guidance and mentorship can matter alongside emotional exploration, and why respect and authenticity are essential to the therapeutic relationship. It also makes the case for men's groups as a powerful next stage after individual therapy, providing something individual sessions can't fully replicate: real relationships, conflict, accountability, belonging, and brotherhood.

Resources Mentioned:

Individual Therapy

https://menstherapy.online/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Individual_Therapy

Men’s group

https://menstherapy.online/mens-groups/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Mens_Groups

MTO Slack

https://menstherapy.online/slack/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Slack_CTA&utm_campaign=MTO_Slack

Website:

https://menstherapy.online/

What if the video game your kid spends hours playing isn't pulling them away from you—but could actually be one of the best ways to get closer?

On this episode of the Men's Therapy Podcast, host Marc Azoulay talks with psychotherapist Brian Keating, who specializes in Minecraft therapy and works with children, young adults, and families. Brian explains why dismissing video games as "brain rot" can cause parents to miss what's actually happening inside their child's world.

For Brian, play is communication. The way a child plays can reveal how they're experiencing the world, from bullying and negative self-talk to frustration, disappointment, confidence, and resilience. Minecraft gives children a space where they can create, explore, take risks, fail, restart, and sometimes even teach their parents something.

The conversation also tackles one of the biggest challenges for modern dads: how to enter a child's digital world without simply becoming another person telling them to get off the screen. Brian and Marc explore letting kids win, modelling healthy responses to failure, understanding screen dependency, creating online safety boundaries, and using side-by-side activities to make vulnerable conversations easier.

Most importantly, the episode argues that parents don't necessarily need to pull kids out of their digital world. They need to learn how to enter it.

For more podcasts, blogs, and to get involved in the Men's Therapy Online Community, visit www.menstherapy.online.

Connect with BrianWebsite: https://www.brianwkeating.com/ Resources MentionedIndividual Therapy:https://menstherapy.online/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Individual_TherapyMen’s grouphttps://menstherapy.online/mens-groups/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Mens_GroupsMTO Slackhttps://menstherapy.online/slack/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Slack_CTA&utm_campaign=MTO_SlackWebsite:https://menstherapy.online/

Narcissism might be the most overused word on the internet, and one of the least understood. On this Men's Therapy Podcast roundtable, host Marc Azoulay brings together four voices who each see the topic from a different angle: Dr. Mark Ettensohn (clinical psychologist, host of Heal NPD), Dr. David Hawkins (Marriage Recovery Center, author and clinician), Sarah, known online as Cluster B Milkshake (a self-diagnosed narcissist who built a following documenting her own recovery), and therapist Darren F. Magee.

The panel opens by separating pathological narcissism from garden-variety grandiosity, then digs into why the clinical literature and the DSM's narrow definition often talk past each other. Dr. Hawkins pushes back on the idea that most "narcissistic" men in his practice actually meet criteria for NPD at all, distinguishing narcissism from emotional abuse and immaturity. Sarah offers a rare inside view of what grandiosity and collapse actually feel like day to day, including how it shaped her parenting and relationships. The conversation moves through the empathy myth (having it doesn't make you good, lacking it doesn't make you evil), the near-universal presence of developmental trauma in diagnosed cases, and closes with a genuinely hopeful case for why recovery and treatment are possible.

Connect with PanelDr. Mark Ettensohn: Website: https://www.healnpd.org/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHeT5kujD1JqHRAi-x8xD-w Dr. David Hawkins: Website: https://drdavidbhawkins.com/ Marriage Recovery Centre: http://marriagerecoverycenter.com Sarah / Cluster B Milkshake:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/cLuStErBMiLkShAkE Darren F. Magee: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DarrenFMagee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrenfmagee/ Resources MentionedIndividual Therapy:https://menstherapy.online/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Individual_TherapyMen’s group:https://menstherapy.online/mens-groups/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Service&utm_campaign=Mens_GroupsMTO Slack:https://menstherapy.online/slack/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Slack_CTA&utm_campaign=MTO_SlackWebsite:https://menstherapy.online/