The Better Humans Project

Gregory Pfeiffer
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A series of Podcasts that look at practical aspects of how your can make a transformation in your life and become a better human.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Episode #29 - Learning How Not to Cry

    This episode explores the detrimental effects of emotional suppression, particularly in men, who are often taught to equate crying with weakness. Psychologist Ronald F. Lavon's concept of "normative male alexithymia" highlights the learned difficulty men face in identifying and expressing emotions. While suppression may seem like a form of strength or Stoicism, research shows it leads to increased stress hormones, anxiety, depression, and impaired social connection. The episode emphasizes that true strength lies not in the absence of feeling, but in the ability to acknowledge, name, and manage emotions honestly. It encourages listeners to practice identifying their feelings daily and provides a worksheet for deeper self-reflection. The key takeaway: emotional suppression, while a learned survival mechanism, ultimately leads to isolation, and learning to embrace emotional honesty is crucial for well-being and deeper connections. 00:00:18 - Podcast intro: Emotional suppression in men 00:00:46 - Societal expectations: Suppressing emotions 00:01:13 - Emotional suppression: A widespread cultural habit 00:01:33 - Downsides of emotional suppression: Depression 00:01:56 - Stoicism revival versus emotional numbness 00:02:24 - Suppression: Increased stress, impaired connection 00:02:49 - Long-term suppression is not resilience 00:03:23 - Emotions reroute: Sadness becomes anger 00:05:23 - Emotions reroute: Sadness, fear, shame, silence 00:10:17 - Redefining strength: Naming emotions

    16 min

  2. 15 FEB

    Episode #28 - Only the Lonely

    This episode of The Better Humans Project Podcast explores loneliness as a critical public health issue affecting people worldwide. The host examines how loneliness has evolved from a personal struggle into a recognized social determinant of health, with approximately 16% of adults globally reporting feelings of loneliness—and even higher rates among young people. Key Topics Covered: The Hidden Nature of Loneliness: How loneliness often disguises itself as busyness, digital connection, or being surrounded by people while feeling unseen Health Impact: Loneliness is linked to serious health outcomes including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cognitive decline, anxiety, and depression—associated with nearly 871,000 deaths globally per year Contributing Factors: Digital communication replacing meaningful connection, busy lifestyles, cultural emphasis on independence, and fear of vulnerability Physical Manifestations: How the body carries loneliness through stress responses, inflammation, sleep disruption, and cardiovascular effects Social Patterns: How small moments of disconnection accumulate and create cultures where loneliness becomes normalized Practical Solutions: Simple, actionable steps including intentional connection, reaching out to safe people, and choosing low-pressure social activities Weekly Challenge: Creating one moment of intentional connection The episode includes anonymous personal stories illustrating different faces of loneliness and concludes with an invitation for listeners to share their own experiences.

    17 min

  3. 8 FEB

    Episode #27 - Our Private Universes

    Each person exists within their own "private universe" of thoughts, emotions, and needs, and stress arises when these universes collide without clear boundaries. Boundaries are essential for psychological well-being, self-awareness, and healthy relationships. They translate your internal world, defining acceptable and unacceptable behavior from others, shaping time use and responsibility. Weak boundaries lead to burnout and resentment, while healthy boundaries create clarity and trust. External boundaries define interactions with time, energy, and emotions (e.g., saying no to extra work). Internal boundaries manage thoughts and impulses (e.g., self-criticism). Respecting limits builds self-trust, and guilt doesn't always indicate a wrong boundary, but a new one. Healthy boundaries are flexible, balancing clear limits with empathy. Practice involves identifying limits early, prioritizing self-care, and communicating directly and consistently. The "Four I's" help with self-regulation when setting boundaries triggers strong emotions. Examples of boundary-setting include Serena Williams defining unacceptable behavior and Keanu Reeves protecting his privacy. Boundaries are about dignity, not just comfort. Most boundaries are quiet, daily actions. They protect the self, teach self-respect, and improve relationships. This week's challenge: choose one small boundary to practice. A worksheet is available to explore your private universe and identify areas needing protection. Boundaries aren't about shutting people out, but about living well and authentically while staying connected. Actions aligned with values reduce stress and increase satisfaction. 00:00:23 - Private universes: Thoughts, emotions, and memories 00:00:52 - Boundaries: Protecting your inner world 00:01:30 - Boundaries shape time, speech, responsibility 00:01:59 - Boundaries role in self esteem, identity 00:02:32 - Boundaries: Preference, capacity, and conditions 00:02:50 - Boundaries: Self regulation and health 00:05:57 - Healthy boundaries secure inner world 00:11:11 - Boundaries protect self, teach respect 00:16:07 - Weekly challenge: Choose a small boundary If you enjoyed this episode of The Better Humans Project Podcast, please share o your socials or with someone you think could benefit from listening to it. If you want a copy of the worksheet, or want to share a story, send an email to contact@thebetterhumansproject.com

    20 min

  4. 31 JAN

    Episode #26 - Have a Little Faith (In Yourself)

    This podcast episode explores the critical concept of having faith in yourself, especially in the face of failure. It emphasizes that failure, while painful, is not a verdict on your worth but rather an outcome, feedback, or lesson. Successful individuals reframe setbacks, separate self-worth from results, and maintain a growth mindset. The episode highlights how failure can clarify priorities, build resilience, and lead to unexpected opportunities, citing examples like Thomas Edison, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, and J.K. Rowling. The key is to learn, adapt, and recover without self-criticism, staying curious and maintaining self-respect. The episode concludes with a challenge to pause, reflect without judgment, and learn from failures, offering a worksheet (available at contact@thebetterhumansproject.com) to help interrupt self-judgment and foster self-compassion. Ultimately, faith in yourself means staying on your own side, trusting your ability to learn and grow. 00:00:40 - Introduction: Having faith in yourself 00:05:07 - Growth comes from learning how to repair 00:10:00 - Failure informs next step, not worth 00:11:08 - Failure builds emotional strength, clarifies values 00:12:22 - Speak fairly to yourself after disappointment 00:13:06 - Learn from what didn't work, build capacity 00:13:36 - Challenge: Pause, ask what happened, learn 00:14:11 - Faith is staying on your own side 00:14:47 - Worksheet: Slow down, notice failure response 00:15:32 - Worksheet: Curiosity rather than criticism

    18 min

  5. 24 JAN

    Episode #25 - State of Grace

    Grace is strength with restraint. This episode breaks down what human grace looks like, why it’s rare right now, and how it can shape your relationships, self-respect, and even healthy masculinity, without letting people walk all over you. Email for the reflection worksheet: contact@thebetterhumansspro.com 0:00 Opening, state of grace 0:18 What grace is 1:16 Human grace 2:12 Mandela, restraint 2:57 Jacinda Ardern, steadiness 3:39 Roger Federer, composure 5:37 Shared traits 7:23 Everyday moments 10:00 Weekly challenge 10:45 Reflection worksheet #Grace #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalIntelligence #BetterHumansProject #Masculinity

    13 min

  6. 17 JAN

    Episode #24 - Moment by Moment

    In a world obsessed with goals, it's easy to feel pressured to constantly strive for more. But what if happiness and meaning don't require endless ambition? What if living in the moment is a skill we've forgotten? This episode explores the societal pressure to achieve, fuelled by milestones and social media comparisons, and how it can lead to anxiety and a life spent in the future.   00:00:32 - Happiness without ambition 00:04:34 - Freedom, enjoyment, and authenticity 00:09:45 - Saying "not right now" to yourself

    13 min

  7. 11 JAN

    Episode #23 - The Wells of Silence

    Discussing how men staying silent and failing to take action on their health affects them. Silence around men’s health can look like strength, but it often costs years. This episode looks at masculinity, help-seeking, mental health, and simple ways to shift from isolation to support.   0:35 Episode intro 1:31 Men’s health stats 2:55 Mental health gap 3:51 Why men stay silent 4:45 Life expectancy impact 5:59 Connection is protection 6:36 Practical support steps 7:46 Key takeaway 8:43 72-hour challenge 11:03 Closing message

    13 min

  8. 4 JAN

    Episode #22 - Am I Tough Enough?

    Is the relentless pursuit of physical toughness a barrier to men's mental health? This podcast episode from the Better Humans Project challenges the narrative that equates strength with silence and suffering. It questions why men's mental health conversations often revolve around physical hardship, pointing out the dangers of using physical endurance as a way to avoid emotional complexity. The episode encourages men to redefine strength, build emotional skills, and challenge the cultural conditioning that equates vulnerability with weakness. It ends with a 3-step challenge to help men identify what they're avoiding, name what they're carrying alone, and take one small act of emotional strength. 00:00:00 - Toughness, wealth, and men's health 00:00:42 - Pushing through pain: Speaker's story 00:01:08 - Role models: Athletes and entrepreneurs 00:01:38 - Podcast intro: Mental health hardship 00:02:18 - Physical challenges raise mental health awareness 00:02:57 - Younger men's environment and gym culture 00:03:22 - Strength first, feelings later aesthetic 00:05:22 - Endurance as emotional complexity workaround 00:11:04 - Mental health struggles are not weakness 00:16:49 - Strength requires self-awareness and support Please share this podcast with anyone you feel would benefit. It helps the podcast grow! Like and comment below, I love to hear your thoughts! For material mentioned in the podcast, email me at contact@thebetterhumansproject.com

    18 min
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About

A series of Podcasts that look at practical aspects of how your can make a transformation in your life and become a better human.

Information

  • Creator
    Gregory Pfeiffer
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Better Humans Project