Therapy for Black men remains an underserved and often misunderstood area of mental health care. In a powerful conversation on the Men’s Therapy Podcast, psychologist Dr. Curtis Jasper opens up about his journey. He highlights the barriers Black men face when seeking therapy. He shares how men of color can begin their healing process.

Dr. Jasper’s path to becoming a Black male therapist is one of resilience and transformation. Initially working in education, he found himself struggling after personal and financial hardships. These included the loss of his parents, a divorce, and financial ruin. “I was homeless, sleeping in my buddy’s basement, and had given up on therapy,” he recalls. But a pivotal session with a white therapist changed everything. He told me, “You’re not clinically depressed, you’re angry. You’re grieving. You’re disillusioned with a system that wasn’t built for you. That was the moment I realized therapy could work for me.”

In a world where men are told to hide their feelings and face challenges alone, healing from trauma can feel out of reach. Society often pressures men to suppress emotions, making recovery seem impossible. Breaking free from these expectations is key to overcoming pain and finding healing. On this Men’s Therapy Podcast episode, host Marc Azoulay speaks with Dan Griffin. He is a leading expert in men’s mental health, therapy, and recovery. Griffin has authored several books. These include A Man’s Way Through Relationships. He has developed groundbreaking trauma-informed therapy programs for both men and women.

Griffin has been in recovery for over 30 years. He shares his insights on why trauma healing is a crucial yet overlooked aspect of men's mental health. “Untreated trauma is one of the biggest reasons for relapse,” he explains. Griffin highlights the need for therapy for men that addresses their unique experiences.

He also emphasizes the importance of addressing societal conditioning. “For the longest time, people thought men didn’t experience trauma. Veterans did. Women did. But not men,” Griffin says. This misconception, he argues, has kept many men from seeking the help they need. His work focuses on breaking these barriers. It aims to help men embrace emotional growth without feeling like they are betraying their masculinity.

The journey from struggle to stability is never easy. Especially for men who face homelessness, addiction recovery, or past trauma. In today's Men's Therapy Podcast episode, Host Marc Azoulay sat down with Mark McIntosh. He is the founder of Victory Productions Denver. He discusses the transformative role of life coaching and mentorship programs for displaced men.

McIntosh has spent years working with men in rehabilitation programs. He describes life coaching as more than just guidance. It's a path to rebuilding self-worth and community connections. "Men need men. Iron sharpens iron," he says. He runs a nonprofit organization called A Stronger Cord. It focuses on giving men a second chance by fostering healthy relationships. It also helps men encourage physical wellness and engage in community service.

McIntosh emphasizes the importance of building a new social network for recovery. He leads devotion sessions at the Denver Rescue Mission to support individuals in their journey. Additionally, he develops structured mentorship programs to guide people through recovery. These efforts help foster a sense of community and personal growth. "You can’t go back to old friends if they’re dragging you down. You need a new support system," he explains. His work is not just about homelessness support. It’s about reshaping a man’s mindset so he can move forward with confidence and purpose.

Talking about money is often uncomfortable. Especially for men expected to be providers and financial decision-makers. On a recent episode of the Men’s Therapy Podcast, host Marc Azoulay speaks with financial therapist Khara Croswaite Brindle. They talk about the deep connection between financial stress and mental health. Brindle is a financial therapist who specializes in helping individuals with their money mindset. She is an expert in financial coaching. She works with clients to address financial trauma and improve their relationship with money. Her goal is to help people gain a healthier outlook on their finances. Brindle’s expertise focuses on guiding clients through their financial challenges.

“I will talk about anything people don’t want to talk about,” Brindle says. She notes that money is one of the most taboo topics, often ranking even higher than discussions about relationships or mental health. This avoidance can lead to financial stress, causing anxiety, shame, and even depression. “The running joke is that we’d rather talk about our sex lives than our money lives,” she adds. Kara highlights the societal reluctance to engage in honest financial discussions.

So, how can men break free from the cycle of financial avoidance and develop a healthier relationship with money? Brindle offers valuable insights into financial literacy and business coaching. She also helps clients develop strategies to overcome financial trauma.

Men’s relationships with Enneagram Type 4 individuals and those with BPD are often emotionally intense. Extreme highs and lows characterize these relationships. The connection is passionate and can be unpredictable. In today's episode of the Men’s Therapy Podcast, host Marc Azoulay speaks with returning guest, Tamra Sattler. Sattler is an expert therapist. She has worked extensively with individuals with BPD and those who identify as Enneagram Type 4. She sheds light on the complex dynamics that arise in these relationships. "Enneagram Type 4 is creative, vibrant, and deeply emotional," Sattler explains. "At their healthiest, they bring depth and artistry to relationships. At their most extreme, they may struggle with self-sabotage. They may show emotional outbursts and volatile behavior."

Marc shares his insights, reflecting on past relationships. "I think every woman I dated before my wife was a Type 4. The passion is undeniable, but so are the emotional swings."

For many men, these relationships begin with intense attraction and admiration. A Type 4 partner offers emotional depth and authenticity. This can feel like a refreshing change from the emotional detachment many men have developed. The connection brings a sense of warmth and openness. When the intensity turns toxic, men may feel overwhelmed and confused. This can cause them to question their reality.

Loneliness is more than just feeling alone—it’s a growing public health crisis that affects men of all ages. In today's episode of the Men’s Therapy Podcast, host Marc Azoulay sits down with Phil McAuliffe. He is the founder of Humans Connecting. He discusses how the loneliness epidemic is impacting men and what can be done about it.

Phil, a former Australian diplomat, shares his struggle with loneliness abroad. He has a successful career and a family. But, he feels an overwhelming sense of disconnection. “I realized that beyond all the meetings, the job title, and the life I had built, something was missing,” he explains. He came across an article in The Boston Globe about male loneliness. That's when he recognized his struggles. “I thought, ‘This is me. This is exactly what I’m going through.”

Through his organization, Humans Connecting, Phil is now dedicated to helping men. He helps them navigate loneliness by fostering meaningful connections and embracing emotional vulnerability. His approach is rooted in both personal experience and extensive research. This makes his insights invaluable for men struggling with isolation.

Divorce can be one of the most challenging transitions in a man's life. The journey is full of uncertainty and self-discovery. It begins with emotional recovery and continues as you step back into the dating world. Along the way, you experience growth and change. On this episode of the Men’s Therapy Podcast, host Marc Azoulay sits down with returning guest Philip Botha. He discusses life after divorce and toxic marriage signs. He talks about the impact of masculinity in relationships.

Philip is a coach and former entrepreneur who opens up about his personal experience with divorce. “I was very much a ‘nice guy’ going into my marriage,” he reflects. “I didn’t understand what I needed in a relationship or what my non-negotiables were.” Philip highlights the complexities of nice guy syndrome. He describes how the pandemic catalyzed clarity. It exposed toxic patterns in his marriage that ultimately led to its end.

Despite the difficulties, Philip sees his divorce as a turning point. “There’s no failure in ending something that no longer serves you. The real failure is not learning from it,” he shares. His story is one of resilience, and it offers valuable lessons for men facing similar struggles.

Toxic relationships are often misunderstood. Especially when it comes to men being on the receiving end of emotional abuse. On the latest episode of the Men’s Therapy Podcast, host Marc Azoulay speaks with returning guest Bre Wolta. She is a relationship clarity coach. She speaks about how toxic love manifests. She highlights why men struggle to recognize emotional abuse. She shares insights on how to break free from unhealthy relationship patterns.

As Bre explains, toxic relationships often stem from deep-rooted emotional wounds. “Narcissists are seeking control and validation from relationships rather than love and connection,” she says. This manipulation can take many forms. These include gaslighting, love bombing, and emotional withdrawal. All create cycles of codependency.

But toxic relationships aren’t always easy to identify—especially for men. “We don’t talk enough about men being in toxic relationships as the victims,” Marc points out. “The narrative often assumes that men are the abusers, but the reality is far more complex.”

Dr. Matt Englar-Carlson has spent decades studying the psychology of masculinity. He has worked directly with men to help them navigate mental health challenges. He is an esteemed professor and department chair at California State University. As a leading expert on positive masculinity, he brings a nuanced perspective to the conversation. His research focuses on strength-based therapy. It shows how men can use their natural strengths to improve mental well-being. Instead of suppressing emotions, they can embrace them for better mental health.

But Englar-Carlson’s interest in this field is personal. “My dad was a psychologist,” he shares. “I was close to him, and I grew up in the field.” As a child, he attended psychology conferences and observed his father, a small-town therapist. This gave him a deep understanding of the mental health profession. He also gained insight into the unique challenges men face when seeking help. These experiences shaped his perspective on the importance of mental well-being for men. “I had a lot of exposure to what therapy was, and it wasn’t a strange thing for me.”

But, when he started working as a counsellor, he noticed a trend. “Most of my caseload was male, and they had been suffering for a long time before coming in,” he explains. Many men wait until they are in crisis before seeking help. He argues that men’s reluctance to seek help is linked to social expectations and gender roles. These pressures discourage men from showing vulnerability.

Parenting in the modern world is a complex endeavor. On a recent episode of the Men’s Therapy Podcast, host Marc Azoulay sat down with Jordan Shapiro. He is a professor at Temple University and author of Father Figure: How to Be a Feminist Dad. Shapiro’s work centers on rethinking traditional gender norms. It focuses on equipping children to navigate an ever-changing world. This conversation provides insightful perspectives for men exploring fatherhood, parenting, and personal growth.

“I grew up in Philadelphia, a city deeply rooted in sports culture and traditional masculinity. I never felt like I fully fit into those norms,” Shapiro recalls. His experience as an outsider in these spaces led him to explore how societal expectations shape boys and men. Shapiro started by focusing on parenting but soon expanded to discussing gender norms. He realized that issues of fatherhood are deeply connected to broader cultural changes. Such as feminism and social justice. This shift led him to explore how these larger movements influence family dynamics.

“If we want to raise kids for a changing world,” Shapiro explains, “we can’t ignore the evolving conversations around gender and equality.” He emphasizes the importance of challenging toxic traits often associated with masculinity. Such as dominance and emotional suppression. These should be challenged while advocating for values like empathy and collaboration.