Bridging Connections with Bryan Reeves

Bryan Reeves & Tait Arend
  • 5.0 (149)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Welcome to Bridging Connections, formerly known as "Men This Way." Join your host Bryan Reeves —former U.S. Air Force captain, renowned author and professional coach to men, women, and couples; along with his lifelong best friend and leadership coach, Tait Arend. Together, they tackle the essential, raw conversations we all need to engage in about relationships, purpose, health, spirituality, and more. Dive deep into discussions that matter and explore the connections that bind us all. 

  1. 160. When a Dream Dies: Healing Through Major Life Changes and Invisible Loss

    1D AGO

    160. When a Dream Dies: Healing Through Major Life Changes and Invisible Loss

    Have you ever grieved something difficult to explain to others ... or to yourself? A dream you never got to live, a world you left behind after moving, a home you never got to call home, a relationship that never got off the ground? In this powerful solo return, Bryan Reeves explores the deep emotional terrain of ambiguous loss: grief without closure, headlines, or a clear reason. From the loss of a dream wedding and the promise of parenthood to the emotional cost of eight moves in five years, Bryan shares personal stories and hard-earned insights on how to grieve the invisible, hold space for uncertainty, and honor your experience without needing it to make sense to anyone else. If you're carrying sadness you can't fully name or explain, this episode will help you feel seen, and invite you to start healing. ⏱️ Highlights00:00 – Why I Took a Break 01:32 – The Ireland Retreat That Changed Everything 03:20 – The Weight of Eight Moves in Five Years 04:45 – What Is Ambiguous Loss? 06:30 – Invisible Grief: Our Lost Wedding & Parenthood Dreams 08:15 – The House We Couldn't Live In 10:00 – Guilt, Grief, and Comparing Pain 12:05 – Grieving the End of a Day: A Malibu Story 14:00 – Why Some Grief Is Hard to Explain 15:25 – The Loneliness of Loss Without Witness 17:10 – Wisdom from Francis Weller on Communal Grief 19:40 – Moving In, Letting Go: A Nervous System Exhale 21:10 – Lessons From a Decade-Long Relationship 23:00 – Life Has Seasons—And That’s Okay 25:15 – Tiny Green Shoots: Signs of Spring After Long Winter 27:05 – New Beginnings: Retreats, Books, and Rebuilding 29:15 – Closing Reflection: You’re Not Broken for Feeling This 30:45 – Name Your Grief, Honor Its Place 📬 Connect with Bryan:🌐 Join the newsletter & explore Bryan's coaching & retreats: https://bryanreeves.com 📸 Instagram📺 Youtube

    17 min

  2. AUG 28

    159. Healing the Emotionally Unavailable Man

    Bryan Reeves sits down with renowned relationship coach and therapist Jayson Gaddis. Together they dive into the origins of men’s emotional unavailability, how childhood experiences shape intimacy in adulthood, and what it takes to build secure, nourishing partnerships. From personal stories of shame and armor to raising emotionally present sons, Jayson offers vulnerable insights and hard-won wisdom. This is a must-listen conversation for anyone who wants to understand why men struggle with intimacy—and how they can finally come home to their hearts. ⏱️ Highlights 00:00 – Welcome 02:45 – Bryan recalls Silvy's admiration for Jayson’s practical relationship wisdom 06:10 – The sixth-grade fight that taught Jayson to hide his sensitivity 12:25 – How shame around crying created lifelong armor 16:20 – From childhood wounds to emotional unavailability in adult relationships 21:15 – Teaching relationship skills to high schoolers: challenges & breakthroughs 26:30 – The greatest gift men can offer: emotional presence 32:40 – Navigating discipline, boundaries, and presence as a father and partner 38:00 – Mission Impossible vs. real life: balancing work, purpose, and family 43:20 – The foundation of intimacy: emotional security and safety 50:15 – Facing blind spots: learning to stop blaming and start owning feelings 56:45 – One foot in, one foot out: the cost of not being fully committed 01:04:00 – Why men chase “greener grass” fantasies—and the painful wake-up call 01:10:25 – Growth-oriented partnership: why your partner won’t stay if you stop growing 01:17:15 – Do men really want sex—or do they want intimacy and belonging? 01:23:00 – The Five Key Takeaways Finale: insight, mentor, resource, investment, practice 01:37:20 – Where to find Jayson Gaddis and his work 📬 Contact Guest – Jayson Gaddis Website: https://relationshipschool.comPodcast: The Smart Couple (available on major platforms) Host – Bryan Reeves Website: https://bryanreeves.comInstagram: @bryanreevesinsightMen’s Coaching Program: https://bryanreeves.com/elevate

    49 min
  3. 158. Adrian Grenier on Fame, Fatherhood & Finding the True Man Within

    AUG 14

    158. Adrian Grenier on Fame, Fatherhood & Finding the True Man Within

    In this raw and heartfelt rebroadcast, actor and environmental activist Adrian Grenier (Entourage, The Devil Wears Prada) joins host Bryan Reeves for a soul-baring conversation about his transformation from Hollywood heartthrob to grounded father and conscious community builder. They dive into the emotional challenges of shedding ego-driven fame, the sacred importance of modern brotherhood, and how fatherhood and marriage are awakening to his deepest purpose. Adrian reflects on old-paradigm masculinity, spiritual confusion, and why meaningful connection with men saved his life. ⏱️ Highlights [00:00] Welcome & Summer Break Setup [01:29] Who Is Adrian Grenier Now? [03:46] "I needed to get low to the ground" – Leaving Hollywood behind [06:48] The sacred discomfort of men's work [09:57] What success didn’t solve for Adrian [13:36] “Why did I come here?” — The spiritual reckoning [17:45] The illusion of media masculinity [24:32] Reframing brotherhood: Entourage vs real men’s work [30:14] Navigating differences: “I believe in the direction of our love” [41:03] What men miss without committed brotherhood [45:56] Breaking generational patterns as fathers and husbands [50:49] Becoming a father: “It’s the greatest call to action” [57:06] Healing through fatherhood: “I’m not going anywhere” [58:18] Closing: Grief, gratitude, and Barton Springs 👤 Adrian GrenierInstagramEarth Speed YouTube – His docuseries on regenerative living👨‍🏫 Bryan Reeveshttps://bryanreeves.com Elevate 2026 for MenInstagram

    59 min
  4. 157. [FEISTY WIFE EPISODE] Stop Wanting Your Partner To Be More Like You w/ Silvy Khoucasian LMFT

    JUL 31

    157. [FEISTY WIFE EPISODE] Stop Wanting Your Partner To Be More Like You w/ Silvy Khoucasian LMFT

    What happens when a precision-timed therapist and a free-spirited adventurer fall in love? In this candid, spicy, and surprisingly hilarious conversation, Bryan Reeves and Silvy Khoucasian pull back the curtain on their own relationship to explore what it really takes to embrace differences—and not just survive them, but grow because of them. From cultural clashes to conflicting travel styles, sexual pacing to social preferences, they reveal the real stories behind the highlight reel—and how they've learned to navigate those gaps without losing themselves (or each other). Whether you’re navigating a new relationship or decades into one, this episode is your permission slip to stop fixing, start witnessing, and love without needing sameness. ⏱️ Episode Highlights:00:00 – Silvy calls Bryan out. 02:00 – Introducing Silvy: “This is my unmasked version” 03:30 – Speaking alongside The Gottmans at the Real Love Ready Conference 05:00 – Time: Is being late disrespect—or just different wiring? 08:00 – Ireland trip flashback: how they travel at totally different speeds 10:30 – “You’re fast. I’m slow.” – Processing pace in life and relationship 13:00 – Cultural differences: Armenian-Arabic collectivism vs. American individualism 16:00 – Privacy vs. openness: Who gets to tell the story? 18:30 – Affection gaps, erotic blueprints, and the golden retriever dynamic 21:00 – The wounds we bring: neglect, protection, and projection 25:00 – “Willing to disappoint—and to be disappointed” 27:00 – Grieving expectations: Letting go of the fantasy version of your partner 30:00 – Creating clear agreements vs. quiet resentment 33:00 – The dance of individuality and support 35:00 – Navigating transitions and identity shifts over 10 years 38:00 – Why difference isn’t the enemy—it’s the initiation 40:00 – Wrap-up and a preview of more episodes to come 🧠 Notable Quotes: “The problem isn’t our differences—it’s making them wrong that causes problems.” – Silvy “Your wound is holding hands with mine.” – Bryan “I grieve my expectations of you so that I may discover your love yet again.” – Silvy “You’re in my story now. It’s not just mine anymore.” – Bryan “When it’s hysterical, it’s historical.” – Silvy and Bryan “Respect can still be late.” – Silvy “Resentment dies in the land of clear agreements.” – Bryan 💌 Connect with Bryan & Silvy: Bryan Reeves → https://bryanreeves.com Silvy Khoucasian → www.silvykhoucasian.com

    47 min
  5. 156. Navigating The Death of Your Dream

    JUL 18

    156. Navigating The Death of Your Dream

    In this heartfelt solo episode of Bridging Connections, host Bryan Reeves delves into the profound journey of navigating life transitions and personal growth. Reflecting on his own experiences, Bryan shares the challenges and revelations that come with the death of a dream, the practice of grief, and the art of surrender. Join Bryan as he explores the importance of embracing change with grace, finding gratitude in unexpected places, and the enduring power of love and loss. Tune in for an introspective conversation that invites you to reflect on your own life transitions and how you can meet them with more ease and gratitude. 💡 Topics Covered: The paradox of being relational yet introvertedGrieving the dream of home ownership and fatherhoodMoving back to Los Angeles after the “great pandemic migration”Letting go of material things and the stories they holdThe practice of grief in a death-phobic, grief-illiterate cultureThe meaning behind Bryan’s tattoo: Command. Surrender. Breathe.The flowering of a crepe myrtle as a symbol of unexpected beauty in endingsA reflection on leaving behind gifts that may benefit others 🧠 Memorable Quotes: “It’s not the end of everything. It’s just the end of everything you know.” “A dream can’t die if you don’t dare to dream in the first place.” “Grief is the price we pay for love.” “We are like plants. We need the right soil to thrive.” “How might you meet the death of a dream with more grace, more ease, and perhaps even more gratitude?” 🌱 Closing Reflection:Bryan invites listeners to consider the dreams they may be quietly grieving or actively resisting. Rather than clinging to what was or what might have been, he offers a profound question: "What if the greatest act of courage isn't holding on—but letting go with love?" 📚 Books Mentioned in the Episode: Die Wise by Stephen JenkinsonThe Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis WellerIron John by Robert Bly🙏 Connect with Bryan: For more on Bryan’s coaching, writing, and future episodes, visit bryanreeves.com 🙏 Show Highlights: [00:02:15] - Introduction to the episode and the theme of life transitions. [00:05:30] - Brian shares his personal journey of moving across the country and the death of a dream. [00:12:45] - The importance of acknowledging and grieving the loss of dreams. [00:20:10] - Reflections on the practice of surrender and its role in personal growth. [00:28:00] - The story of planting a tree and its symbolic meaning in life transitions. [00:35:20] - Brian's insights on love, loss, and the enduring power of gratitude. [00:42:00] - Closing thoughts and an invitation to reflect on personal life transitions.

    37 min
  6. 155. Full Range Masculinity (When Men Come Alive)

    JUL 3

    155. Full Range Masculinity (When Men Come Alive)

    What does it mean to become fully alive as a man? In this powerful debrief, Bryan and Tait reflect on the transformative journey of Elevate 2025, a year-long men's journey that culminates in a life-changing retreat. From breaking emotional masks to finding real brotherhood and discovering true purpose—not as a destination, but as a way of being—this episode dives into what happens when men are finally given permission to feel it all and be it all. This isn’t just another “men’s retreat recap.” This is a raw, grounded look at the healing, aliveness, and lasting connection that unfolds when the right men gather in the right way. 💡 What You’ll Hear In This Episode:Why most men are stuck between anger and apathyWhat “being a full-range man” actually looks like in real lifeThe power of emotional safety in all-male spacesWhat happens when a man finally says, “I’m f*cked up” and gets met with real supportThe truth about purpose: It’s not out there—it’s right hereHow this retreat created friendships that will last a lifetimeWhy most men don't have people who would fly across the country for their funeral—and how that can changeThe 3 Promises of the Elevate journey: Fully Enlivened, Powerfully On Purpose, Deeply Supported EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS[03:00] – Why it’s so hard to describe the magic of a retreat [06:15] – The emotional wiring of boys—and how we shut it down [07:50] – Anger and apathy: the two emotions men are left with [10:30] – Real talk: “I’m not okay” and finding support [14:00] – Becoming a full-range man: Warrior and Lover archetypes [17:00] – Why purpose isn’t a future goal—it’s a daily choice [24:00] – Deep support: what real brotherhood looks like [28:45] – Who would fly to your funeral? The power of connection [30:45] – Living with men who will hold your grief and your greatness [32:00] – How to join the Elevate journey + what's next 🎧 Perfect For You If:You’re a man who feels like something’s missing—even if life looks “successful” on the outsideYou’ve been curious about men’s retreats but unsure if they’re for youYou’ve felt alone in your struggles and want genuine connectionYou’re a woman who loves a man who’s ready for more depth, purpose, and heart 🧠 Memorable Quotes:“Most men live lives full on paper—house, car, kids, career—and yet feel empty. That’s apathy. That’s what we’re here to change.” — Tait Arend “A man who puts everyone before himself? That’s not heroic. That’s a ticking time bomb.” — Bryan Reeves📣 Mentions & Resources:Elevate Men’s Journey → https://bryanreeves.comBook Mentioned: Real Boys by William PollackPast Retreats: Elevate 21, 24, and now Elevate 25/26Upcoming Podcast Series: SEX (Yep—we’re finally going there) 📲 Connect With Us: https://bryanreeves.com 🗣️ Call to Action:If you’re ready to explore what it means to be fully alive—and deeply supported—email Bryan at bryan@bryanreeves.com to get info about Elevate 2026. And if you know a man who needs this… send him this episode. It might just change everything.

    34 min
  7. 154. Behind The Scenes of a Life-Changing Men's Retreat

    JUN 19

    154. Behind The Scenes of a Life-Changing Men's Retreat

    In this special on-the-road episode, Bryan and Tait reflect on five years of deep men’s work as they gear up for the Elevate 2025 Men's Retreat — a five-day, mountaintop experience in western North Carolina designed as a modern-day rite of passage. From sacred brotherhood to the storms that shape us this conversation is raw, real, and radically human. Episode Highlights: 00:01:44 – The Elevate Retreat: A modern-day rite of passage for men 00:03:12 – The first year’s tears: What vulnerability unlocked for men 00:06:28 – Creating sacred, no-demand space for transformation 00:08:25 – Who really has your back? Reframing masculine support 00:09:21 – Bryan’s past distrust of men—and the healing that followed 00:12:39 – The magic of presence, and Bryan’s role in creating breakthroughs 00:16:44 – Power without domination: Becoming Kings among Kings 00:17:56 – From deep conversation to competitive games: A full-spectrum retreat 00:21:16 – Three stages of the storm: Before, during, and after life's crises 00:26:24 – Why men don’t need fixing—just new patterns and community Connect with Bryan: 📧 bryan@bryanreeves.com 🌐 bryanreeves.com Join the Journey: 🚀 Early access to Elevate 2026 👉 bryan@bryanreeves.com 🌍 2 spots left for "Elevate Ireland 2025" Men’s Retreat! (email for details)

    28 min
  8. 153. What Repair Really Looks Like in a Healthy Relationship w/ Jayson Gaddis

    JUN 5

    153. What Repair Really Looks Like in a Healthy Relationship w/ Jayson Gaddis

    In this episode of Bridging Connections, we welcome Jayson Gaddis, psychotherapist, author, and founder of The Relationship School, to discuss the vital topic of conflict and repair in relationships. Highlighting the inevitability of conflict, we delve into effective repair processes encompassing ownership, empathy, and validation. Additionally, we explore themes of emotional safety, sensitivity in men, and the dynamics of partnership. Jayson shares insights from his book 'Getting to Zero' and offers practical advice for navigating and improving relational conflicts. The episode is a treasure trove of actionable strategies aimed at fostering deeper connection and understanding in long-term relationships. 00:00 The Importance of Repair in Relationships 00:20 Introduction to Bridging Connections Podcast 00:53 Meet Jayson Gaddis 03:46 Discussing Relationship Conflict 14:12 Understanding Sensitivity in Men 22:07 The Role of Emotional Safety 28:36 The Repair Process in Relationships 29:36 The Importance of Repair in Relationships 30:39 Steps to Effective Repair 31:09 Ownership, Empathy, and Validation 31:57 Challenges in Validation 32:37 Listening and Reflecting Back 33:30 Personal Experiences and Reflections 34:24 Handling Defensiveness 36:02 The Role of Humor in Relationships 37:08 Biggest Repair Maneuvers in Marriage 42:36 Avoiding Conflict vs. Speaking Up 45:55 Masculine Leadership and Conflict 47:55 Conflict and Repair in Parenting 48:47 Rapid Fire Relationship Questions 52:55 Final Thoughts and Resources Connect with Jayson: • Website: https://www.jaysongaddis.com/ Podcast: https://relationshipschool.com/ Connect with Bryan & Tait: • Website: bryanreeves.com  • Instagram: @bryanreevesinsight / @taitarend08

    55 min
See All (162)

Trailers

5
out of 5
149 Ratings

About

Welcome to Bridging Connections, formerly known as "Men This Way." Join your host Bryan Reeves —former U.S. Air Force captain, renowned author and professional coach to men, women, and couples; along with his lifelong best friend and leadership coach, Tait Arend. Together, they tackle the essential, raw conversations we all need to engage in about relationships, purpose, health, spirituality, and more. Dive deep into discussions that matter and explore the connections that bind us all. 

Information

You Might Also Like