Guys Dealings with Feelings

Aaron
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

For men who say "I'm fine" when they're not. Guys Dealings With Feelings is a podcast about what men actually carry — anger, grief, shutdown, the things they don't say out loud. Aaron Gray, who lost his infant son Joel in 2012, hosts with his childhood friend Jason, a therapist with 18 years of clinical experience. One of them has lived it. The other knows the language. Together they talk about identity, trauma, presence, being a man, and what it takes to feel anything again — without judgment or performative toughness. Also searchable as Guys Dealing With Feelings.

  1. Why You Can't Let Go (And the Mindset That Finally Sets You Free)

    19h ago

    Why You Can't Let Go (And the Mindset That Finally Sets You Free)

    What if forgiveness has nothing to do with the person who hurt you? Most of us think forgiveness means excusing someone's behavior, pretending it didn't hurt, or allowing them back into our lives. It doesn't. In this episode, we challenge that belief and explore a different perspective: Forgiveness isn't about setting them free—it's about setting yourself free. Aaron shares how years of resentment, trauma, and the loss of his son shaped his understanding of forgiveness, while Jason explains why our nervous system keeps replaying old wounds and why letting go is less about thinking differently and more about learning to release what we're carrying. We discuss: • Why resentment feels like protection—but becomes a prison  • The difference between forgiveness, reconciliation, and healthy boundaries  • Why your nervous system keeps replaying painful memories  • How gratitude can help transform even life's hardest experiences  • Why "letting go" is a skill—not a personality trait  • The hidden emotional cost of carrying old pain  • How to stop reliving the past without pretending it never happened If you've been holding onto anger, betrayal, guilt, or regret, this conversation isn't asking you to excuse what happened. It's inviting you to stop carrying it. Because sometimes the greatest act of courage isn't getting even. It's deciding your peace matters more than your resentment. If this episode resonates with you, please Like, Subscribe, and Share. Every share helps us reach another man who may be silently carrying more than anyone realizes. Stay in the fight. The world is a better place with you in it. #GuysDealingsWithFeelings #MensMentalHealth #Forgiveness #Healing #TraumaRecovery #EmotionalHealth #Resentment #LettingGo #MentalHealth #SelfGrowth #Mindset #EmotionalAwareness #PersonalDevelopment #InnerPeace #Podcast

    37 min
  2. Self-Sabotage Isn't Real: Why You Keep Getting in Your Own Way

    Jun 24

    Self-Sabotage Isn't Real: Why You Keep Getting in Your Own Way

    You keep getting in your own way. You know what you should do. You can even picture yourself doing it. But when the moment comes — the cold call, the hard conversation, the next step on the thing you actually want — something stops you. And then you spend the rest of the day calling yourself self-sabotaging, undisciplined, or lazy. In this episode, Jason (a licensed therapist with over 18 years of experience) and Aaron unpack why "self-sabotage" is the wrong word for what's actually happening — and why using it keeps you stuck. What you'll learn: Why calling it "self-sabotage" is a form of gaslighting yourself — and what's really happening underneathThe difference between dodging a person, a task, or a conversation, versus what you're actually dodging: a sensation in your body you don't have capacity for yetWhy procrastination isn't laziness — it's a nervous system that's overwhelmed and can't take one more thingWhy "rejection" isn't real — and why naming it that way keeps you afraid of feelings instead of building capacity for themAaron opens up about his own block around cold sales: why he can walk into a vulnerable conversation with anyone but freezes at the basic askThe paradox at the heart of moving forward — the fastest way to act is to sit down firstWhy discipline isn't about willpower — it's about the capacity to be uncomfortable and move anywayPractical entry points: how to sit with sensation, when to use the breath, and how this rebuilds your nervous system's capacity over timeIf you've been treating your stuck-ness like a character flaw, this is the episode that names it as something else entirely — and shows you the actual mechanism for changing it.  #SelfSabotage #MensMentalHealth #Procrastination #NervousSystem #EmotionalRegulation #MensWellness #Avoidance #PersonalGrowth #SelfAwareness #SomaticHealing #InnerWork #EmotionalIntelligence #Discipline #FearOfFailure #VagusNerve #BodyMind #MensPodcast #MentalHealthPodcast #PodcastForMen #GuysDealingsWithFeelings

    35 min
  3. You're Not Emotionless — You're Emotionally Disconnected

    Jun 17

    You're Not Emotionless — You're Emotionally Disconnected

    Have you ever looked at your life and wondered why you don't feel excited anymore? Why relationships seem distant, motivation is fading, or every day feels like you're just going through the motions? In this episode of Guys Dealings With Feelings, Aaron and Jason explore emotional numbness—not as a personality trait or weakness, but as a disconnection from ourselves that often develops over years of pushing emotions aside. Together they discuss: Why many men mistake thinking for feelingHow trauma and chronic stress disconnect us from our emotionsThe hidden cost of constantly living in our headsWhy purpose isn't found in a paycheck or external achievementHow reconnecting with our bodies and emotions can transform every area of lifeThe role of presence, nature, awareness, and honest self-reflection in healingThis conversation challenges the belief that we're simply "not emotional" and instead offers a different perspective: maybe we've just forgotten how to listen. If you've been feeling stuck, disconnected, isolated, or like you're surviving instead of living, this episode offers a path back toward yourself. #GuysDealingsWithFeelings #MensMentalHealth #EmotionalAwareness #EmotionalNumbness #TraumaRecovery #HealingJourney #MentalHealthPodcast #SelfAwareness #Presence #PersonalGrowth

    39 min
  4. How to Let Go of the Past Without Reliving It

    Jun 10

    How to Let Go of the Past Without Reliving It

    You've tried to "just let go" of the past. You've thought about it, journaled it, talked it out. And it's still there — still running you. In this episode, Jason and Aaron break down why the past doesn't live in your mind. It lives in your body. And why no amount of thinking, reframing, or analyzing will ever release it. What you'll learn: Why "letting go" isn't about erasing the past — it's about moving the energy it stored in your nervous systemHow the body contracts to hold unprocessed experiences in place, and what actually allows that contraction to releaseWhy men in particular get stuck "in their head" trying to think their way out — and what to do insteadHow modern life conditions us out of the body awareness we need to heal — and why the standard of living has gone up while our suffering has tooAaron's reflection on losing his son Joel, and what real letting go looked like for him after years of being stuckWhy integrating the past — not avoiding it — is the foundation of presence, intuition, and a calmer lifePractical entry points: sitting practice, breathing, somatic awareness, and when professional help is the right next stepIf you've felt like there's a backlog you can't get to, this is the episode that names what's actually in it — and shows you why your body has been quietly trying to help you all along. You don't have to wait for something catastrophic to start this work. The guy in the mirror is the one in control of how you feel. Once you really understand that, the work begins. — If this episode resonated, please like, follow, and share wherever you're listening or watching — it's how we reach other men who need this. Find us on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts as Guys Dealings With Feelings, and on socials at the same. As always, thanks for giving us your time. Stay in the fight. The world is a much better place with you in it.  #MensMentalHealth #LettingGo #SomaticHealing #Trauma #NervousSystem #EmotionalAwareness #HealingTrauma #MensWellness #PersonalGrowth #SelfAwareness #InnerWork #EmotionalIntelligence #VagusNerve #PresentMoment #Mindfulness #BodyMind #HealingJourney #MensPodcast #MentalHealthPodcast #PodcastForMen #GuysDealingsWithFeelings

    45 min
  5. Loneliness: Why We Feel So Alone (Even Around Other People)

    Jun 3

    Loneliness: Why We Feel So Alone (Even Around Other People)

    Loneliness isn't simply being by yourself. Some of the loneliest moments in life happen when we're surrounded by people, yet still feel unseen, disconnected, or misunderstood. In this episode of Guys Dealings With Feelings, Aaron and Jason explore the growing epidemic of loneliness affecting men today. We discuss why so many men struggle to build meaningful connections, how emotional walls are created over time, and why isolation often becomes a coping mechanism rather than a choice. We also examine the difference between solitude and loneliness, the impact of technology and social media on connection, and why vulnerability is often the missing piece in creating deeper relationships. If you've ever felt disconnected from your spouse, family, friends, coworkers, or even yourself, this conversation offers practical insights and tools to help you reconnect. In this episode:  The difference between loneliness and being alone  Why many men feel disconnected despite having relationships  How fear, shame, and past experiences create emotional isolation  The hidden cost of self-reliance  Why vulnerability is essential for meaningful connection  How social media can increase feelings of loneliness  Practical ways to build deeper relationships  The importance of community, purpose, and belonging Loneliness isn't a sign of weakness. It's a signal that something important is missing—and that connection is still possible. Subscribe for more conversations on men's mental health, emotional growth, resilience, relationships, and personal development. #GuysDealingsWithFeelings #MensMentalHealth #Loneliness #MentalHealthPodcast #EmotionalHealth #Relationships #Connection #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfImprovement #EmotionalIntelligence #MenSupportingMen #Healing #Purpose #Belonging

    34 min
  6. Fear Is Running More of Your Life Than You Think

    May 27

    Fear Is Running More of Your Life Than You Think

    Fear doesn’t always show up as panic or anxiety.  Sometimes it shows up as procrastination, control, anger, perfectionism, isolation, or staying stuck in a life we’ve outgrown. In this episode of Guys Dealings With Feelings, Aaron and Jason break down how fear quietly shapes our decisions, relationships, identity, and future — often without us even realizing it. We talk about the fear of failure, rejection, judgment, loss, vulnerability, success, and change… and why so many men spend years building their lives around avoiding pain instead of pursuing fulfillment. This conversation isn’t about pretending fear disappears. It’s about understanding it, confronting it, and learning how to move forward anyway. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, emotionally guarded, or trapped between comfort and growth, this episode is for you. In this episode:  How fear disguises itself in everyday life  Why avoidance creates long-term suffering  The connection between fear and control  How fear impacts relationships and communication  Why many men struggle to take emotional risks  The difference between caution and living defensively  How growth often requires discomfort and uncertainty  Practical ways to stop letting fear make your decisions Fear may be part of being human… but it doesn’t have to be in charge. #GuysDealingsWithFeelings #MensMentalHealth #Fear #SelfAwareness #EmotionalHealth #MentalHealthPodcast #PersonalGrowth #Healing #Mindset #Anxiety #SelfImprovement #EmotionalIntelligence #Trauma #Growth #MentalHealthAwareness

    44 min
  7. Control: Why You Try to Control Everything (And Why It Backfires)

    May 20

    Control: Why You Try to Control Everything (And Why It Backfires)

    Most people think control is a strength. But for a lot of men, the need for control is actually rooted in fear, anxiety, and emotional discomfort. In this episode of Guys Dealings With Feelings, we break down why so many people try to control everything around them—outcomes, relationships, conversations, timing—and why it slowly creates more stress, frustration, and disconnection instead of peace. Control can feel safe in the moment, but over time, it becomes exhausting. In this conversation, we cover:  What the need for control really comes from  Why uncertainty creates so much anxiety  The connection between control and fear  How control damages relationships and increases stress  The difference between control and responsibility  Practical ways to let go without losing direction If you constantly feel tense, frustrated, overwhelmed, or like things have to go your way for you to feel okay—this episode will help you understand what’s really driving that mindset and how to break out of it. Real strength isn’t controlling everything around you. It’s learning how to handle what you can’t control. Subscribe for real conversations on men’s mental health, emotional awareness, and personal growth. Hashtags #GuysDealingsWithFeelings #MensMentalHealth #Control #SelfAwareness #Anxiety #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalAwareness

    40 min
  8. Resentment Is Quietly Destroying Your Relationships (Here’s Why)

    May 13

    Resentment Is Quietly Destroying Your Relationships (Here’s Why)

    Resentment doesn’t show up all at once—it builds over time. In this episode of Guys Dealings With Feelings, we break down why resentment forms, why so many men carry it without realizing it, and how it slowly damages relationships, communication, and your overall mindset. It usually starts small—something you didn’t say, something you let slide, something you told yourself wasn’t a big deal. But over time, those moments stack up, and what was once frustration turns into distance, irritation, and disconnection. Most people think resentment is caused by others. But in reality, it’s often built by what we don’t communicate. In this conversation, we cover:  What resentment actually is (and why it’s more than just anger)  How unspoken expectations and lack of boundaries create it  Why men tend to avoid speaking up  The emotional and relational damage resentment causes over time  How to address issues early before they build  A simple way to communicate without creating conflict If you’ve ever felt frustrated with people in your life but couldn’t quite explain why—or found yourself pulling away instead of speaking up—this episode will help you understand what’s really going on and what to do about it. Resentment isn’t just something you feel.  It’s something you build. Subscribe for real conversations on men’s mental health, emotional awareness, and personal growth. #GuysDealingsWithFeelings #MensMentalHealth #Resentment #Communication #EmotionalAwareness #PersonalGrowth #SelfAwareness

    35 min
See All (64)

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

For men who say "I'm fine" when they're not. Guys Dealings With Feelings is a podcast about what men actually carry — anger, grief, shutdown, the things they don't say out loud. Aaron Gray, who lost his infant son Joel in 2012, hosts with his childhood friend Jason, a therapist with 18 years of clinical experience. One of them has lived it. The other knows the language. Together they talk about identity, trauma, presence, being a man, and what it takes to feel anything again — without judgment or performative toughness. Also searchable as Guys Dealing With Feelings.

Information

  • Creator
    Aaron
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Guys Dealings with Feelings
  • Show Website
    Guys Dealings with Feelings