In a riveting episode of the Men's Therapy Podcast, host Marc Azoulay sits down with Rick Belden. He is a poet, essayist, and men’s coach whose work explores the psychological challenges men face. Belden helps men confront emotional wounds by exploring the "mother wound," childhood trauma, and the impact of therapy. His work highlights the transformative power of addressing deep-rooted pain.

“A mother wound may be thought of as an injury to the psyche of a child. It results from significant dysfunction in the relationship with the mother,” says Belden. He grounds his insights on personal experience and years of coaching. The mother wound isn’t always about overt neglect or abuse. It can stem from a mother’s unhealed pain being unconsciously passed on to her child.

Belden’s journey into men’s work is just as compelling as his insights. After grappling with unresolved grief and emotional disconnection in his 20s, he found solace in therapy and men’s groups. "It was terrifying to join a group full of men," he admits, "but it turned out to be fantastic. I discovered that everyone there had struggles they never spoke about." This realization became a cornerstone of his coaching approach. It emphasizes creating safe spaces for men to process and grow..