Inspire Change with Gunter

Bonfire Cinema
  • 3.6 (5)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

MASTHEAD Inspire Change with Gunter is recorded in our Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia studio and produced in Los Angeles by Bonfire Cinema. Thank you for listening! Network: iHeartMedia/Spreaker Originals Production Company: Bonfire Cinema Sponsored by: Distil Union, Everything you need in one place. Executive Producer/Showrunner: Miranda Spigener-Sapon Executive Producer/Creator/Host: Gunter Swoboda Co-Executive Producer/Gratitude Announcer: DeVonna Prinzi Showrunner's Assistant: Emilia Osborne Intro/Outtro Announcer: Grayson Arndt Composer/Original Theme Music: Irad Eshel About the Podcast International Psychologist, Author, Speaker and Producer Gunter Swoboda continues to Inspire Change and enlighten and educate on Masculinities and Male Empowerment. After 40 years of working with adolescent boys and men, Gunter founded Making Good Men Great. It focuses on helping men recognize how to evolve as a Man in all the spheres of his life. We continue with our regular of broadcasts of 20-30 minute episodes hosted by Gunter every week and then we will have special guests lined up during each season for special 50-1 hour episodes. We also will take requests from past guests or friends of the podcasts to fill in as a guest host. About Gunter, The Short Story……Gunter is a psychologist, speaker, author, mentor, coach and facilitator with over 30 years experience in counseling and organizational development. SPEAKER After more than 40 years experience Gunter’s passionate perspectives on what makes human beings thrive makes him a very insightful commentator and speaker. His aim is to stimulate your mind, touch your heart, and inspire your soul. Gunter is a psychologist, speaker, author, mentor, coach and facilitator with over 30 years experience in counseling and organizational development. Gunter has given keynotes all over Australia, NYC and Los Angeles as well as being a TEDx Speaker. Author We all have a story. Stories that touch us the most are about that moment when we make the choice to be real, to drop any pretense of pride, power and position. In that telling moment we step into a new space where our ability to overcome fear allows us to be truly authentic in our relationship to the world. In that moment we become fully human. Gunter has authored a novel Mountains of Sea published by Winterwolf Press and he self-published the non-fiction, Making Good Men Great: Surfing the New Wave of Masculinity. Both books are available at all major and independent retailers globally. The Making Good Men Great Movement also made Oprah’s #MustWatch list in 2018. Mentor In both the personal and professional sphere, Gunter has successfully worn many hats. Added to his education, experience and eloquence it allows him to develop a relationship with someone that ignites their aspirations. Coach In today’s world, the challenge to be ‘perfect’ is a constant source of stress. Gunter firmly believes that each person has to find their ‘own bliss’. His part in that journey is to engage with the person he is working with to unlock their aspirations, align them to their vision and to help keep them inspired. Facilitator Gunter is exceptional in facilitating outcomes in learning, productivity, and communication by providing a safe environment with unobtrusive assistance and guidance wherein participants experience the flow between content and context. His skill in utilizing philosophical and psychological methods enhances the participants experience in the process. To purchase Gunter's books, they are available at all retailers and online shops or check out: The Bookstore or direct from: Bonfire Cinema Publishing. To watch the Venice TV Award nominated documentary created by Gunter and directed by Miranda Spigener-Sapon you can rent or buy on Amazon Prime Alternative therapy options, try BetterHelp: betterhelp.com/GUNTER and get on your way to being your best self.” Get started today and enjoy 10% off your first mo

  1. 1d ago

    8-349 | Boys Aren’t Less Emotional—They’re Taught What Not to Show

    Are boys actually less emotional than girls—or do they simply learn very early which emotions they're allowed to show?In this episode of Inspire Change with Gunter, psychologist Gunter Swoboda examines how boys learn to manage, conceal and communicate their emotions from childhood—and how family, peers and the adults around them can shape that development long before boys have the language to explain what's happening.Research into children's emotional expression reveals an important distinction: what a child feels and what a child displays are not necessarily the same thing.Boys learn to adjust emotional expression depending on who is watching, what response they expect and what displaying vulnerability may cost them socially. As Gunter asks:“Are boys less emotional than girls? That's the wrong question.”The episode explores the early architecture of emotional suppression and what Gunter describes as the development of the masculine introject—the internalized expectations through which boys begin learning what being male is supposed to look like.Peer culture can narrow that emotional vocabulary even further. Fear, sadness, tenderness and vulnerability may carry social consequences, particularly as boys grow older and become increasingly conscious of their standing among other boys. “Fear costs a boy his standing among his mates.”  Gunter also examines the role adults play in this process. How parents and caregivers respond when a boy is frightened, hurt or distressed can influence how he eventually learns to regulate—and whether he feels safe expressing—those emotions.The episode also looks at the decline of rough-and-tumble play, not simply as physical activity but as an informal emotional curriculum through which children can learn boundaries, regulation, trust, negotiation and how to read one another.Ultimately, this isn't about making boys more emotional.They already are emotional.It's about creating environments in which boys can develop a broader emotional vocabulary without learning that connection, intimacy or vulnerability threatens their identity. Because, as Gunter puts it: “Boys' capacity for intimacy is trained out early.” And if it can be trained out, perhaps we can become much more intentional about helping boys preserve it. Chapter HighlightsIntroduction and Episode OverviewAre Boys Really Less Emotional?What Research Reveals About Children's Emotional DisplaysThe Early Architecture of Emotional SuppressionPeer Culture and the Narrowing of Emotional ExpressionHow Early Relational Skills Become RestrictedThe Crisis of Connection in Adolescent BoysAdult Responses and Meta-Emotional PhilosophyRough-and-Tumble Play as an Emotional CurriculumStrategies for Fostering Emotional Openness in Boys Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspire-change-with-gunter--3633478/support. Patreon If this episode resonates with you and you’d like to go deeper into practical exercises and guided reflection, Gunter offers extended self-development resources and exercises through our Patreon community: www.patreon.com/inspirechange Sponsor Distil UnionThis episode of Inspire Change with Gunter is brought to you by Distil Union, creators of beautifully designed, functional everyday carry accessories that help bring organization, simplicity, and intention into your daily life.Distil Union blends craftsmanship with thoughtful design to help you carry what matters most — without the clutter.👉 Explore their products and receive your exclusive listener discount by visiting: www.DistilUnion.com/discount/inspirechange Reach Out If you are interested in guest appearances, guest hosting opportunities, or suggesting topics, please contact Emilia Osborne, Showrunner’s Assistant: Emilia.Osborne@bonfirecinema.com To purchase Gunter's books, they are available at all retailers and online shops or check out: The Bookstore

    8-349 | Boys Aren’t Less Emotional—They’re Taught What Not to Show

  2. Sep 9

    8-348 | The Songs That Made Us: Dolly Partons Coat of Many Colors & The Psychology of Shame

    What if one of the most beloved songs in American music is also a remarkably precise psychological portrait of childhood shame? For the closing chapter of The Songs That Made Us, Gunter turns to Dolly Parton's deeply personal “Coat of Many Colors”—a song born from poverty, childhood humiliation, a mother's love and one little girl's attempt to understand why something she treasured became a reason for others to ridicule her.At its heart is a powerful psychological distinction:The coat wasn't what created the shame. The schoolyard did.Through Dolly's childhood story, Gunter explores the social psychology of humiliation, attachment, memory and what happens when children begin seeing themselves through the judgments of others.But Dolly's story contains something else.Before she ever enters that schoolyard, her mother gives the coat meaning.Through storytelling, love and reassurance, something created from material deprivation becomes an object of pride. Psychologically, that act resembles reappraisal and co-regulation—a parent helping a child interpret an experience in a way that can protect their developing sense of self.It doesn't prevent the humiliation that follows.But it gives Dolly another story about who she is.The episode examines the important separation between poverty and shame. Material deprivation is one experience. Being taught by other people that your circumstances make you less worthy is another.And childhood shame can linger precisely because it is social. We learn something about ourselves by watching how other people respond to us.Yet Coat of Many Colors ultimately demonstrates another extraordinary human ability:We can retell the story.Dolly transformed an experience of childhood humiliation into music. The music became recognition for millions of people. And a deeply personal memory became part of a much larger cultural legacy. Perhaps that is one reason the song has endured.It doesn't simply tell us what happened to Dolly Parton. It gives language to something many people have lived themselves. Key TopicsDolly Parton and the story behind Coat of Many ColorsChildhood poverty, shame and humiliationWhy deprivation and shame are different psychological injuriesAttachment and the protective role of parental reassuranceReappraisal and co-regulationThe social psychology of the schoolyardThe “looking-glass self” and how children internalize others' judgmentsChildhood experiences and adult identityStorytelling as a way of transforming painful memoriesHow personal experience becomes cultural legacyWhy recognition gives certain songs extraordinary staying powerChapter HighlightsIntroduction: Coat of Many Colors and Its SignificanceThe Song's History and Original RecordingDolly Parton's Childhood and the Story Behind the CoatChildhood Shame, Attachment and IdentityHumiliation and the Looking-Glass SelfReappraisal, Co-Regulation and Emotional ResilienceTransforming Personal Stories into Cultural LegacyWhy Coat of Many Colors Continues to EndureObjects, Shame and Changing the NarrativeClosing Reflections and Mental HealthGratitude We want to extend a huge thank you to our listeners in Denver for bringing Colorado up to #10 on the Top 10 USA listeners list. And to our Global Listeners, we extend our gratitude to our listeners in Beirut for bringing Lebanon to #20 for the very first time! And to our listeners in Modena for pushing Italy to #19! CONGRATULATIONS!! you made the Top Listeners List. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspire-change-with-gunter--3633478/support. Patreon If this episode resonates with you and you’d like to go deeper into practical exercises and guided reflection, Gunter offers extended self-development resources and exercises through our Patreon community: www.patreon.com/inspirechange Sponsor Distil UnionThis episode of Inspire Change with Gunter is brought to you by Distil Union, creators of beautifully designed, functional everyday carry accessories that help bring organization, simplicity, and intention into your daily life.Distil Union blends craftsmanship with thoughtful design to help you carry what matters most — without the clutter.👉 Explore their products and receive your exclusive listener discount by visiting: www.DistilUnion.com/discount/inspirechange Reach Out If you are interested in guest appearances, guest hosting opportunities, or suggesting topics, please contact Emilia Osborne, Showrunner’s Assistant: Emilia.Osborne@bonfirecinema.com To purchase Gunter's books, they are available at all retailers and online shops or check out: The Bookstore

    8-348 | The Songs That Made Us: Dolly Partons Coat of Many Colors & The Psychology of Shame

  3. Sep 2

    8-347 | The Songs That Made Us CCR’s Fortunate Son & The Psychology of Unfairness

    What happens when sacrifice is demanded from everyone—but the consequences aren't shared equally?This week on The Songs That Made Us, Gunter explores Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son,” one of the most enduring songs associated with the Vietnam era and a furious examination of class, privilege, fairness and who ultimately pays the price when societies go to war. At the center of the song isn't simply opposition to war.It is resentment toward unequal sacrifice.Through the story of John Fogerty and the origins of Fortunate Son, Gunter examines the social divisions surrounding the Vietnam War and the psychological consequences that can emerge when people believe the rules apply differently depending upon wealth, status or family connections.The episode explores relative deprivation, resentment and moral injury—and why perceived betrayal can sometimes leave wounds that extend far beyond the original event. “Resentment is a justice detector.” - Gunter Swoboda The episode also examines the extraordinary economy of the song itself. Fortunate Son doesn't slowly build its case. Its structure, performance and emotional force immediately place the listener inside its anger. More than half a century later, the song continues to appear throughout American culture—sometimes in contexts that seem strikingly disconnected from what the song is actually saying.And perhaps that endurance reveals something important.As long as people believe that sacrifice is being demanded unequally, the emotional machinery behind Fortunate Sonremains recognizable. Key TopicsThe origins of CCR’s Fortunate SonJohn Fogerty and the historical context behind the songThe Vietnam War, the draft and class divisionsPrivilege and unequal sacrificeRelative deprivation and perceived unfairnessResentment as a response to injusticeMoral injury and the psychological consequences of betrayalHow the song's structure amplifies its emotional forceProtest music as a vehicle for collective frustrationThe song's political and cultural legacyHow Fortunate Son has been misunderstood and reinterpretedWhy its central message continues to resonateChapter HighlightsIntroduction: Fortunate Son and Its Cultural SignificanceJohn Fogerty and the Origins of the SongClass, Privilege and Social JusticeRelative Deprivation and Moral InjuryThe Structure and Emotional Power of Fortunate SonVietnam, the Draft and America's Class DividePolitical and Cultural LegacyMisinterpretation and Enduring RelevanceReflections and Questions for ListenersGratitude We want to extend a huge thank you to our listeners in Newark for bringing Delaware up to #7 on the Top 10 USA listeners list. And to our Global Listeners, we extend our gratitude to our listeners in Prijidor for bringing Bosnia and Herzegovina to #15! And to our listeners in Pointe Noire for moving the Congo Republic to #18! CONGRATULATIONS!! you made the Top Listeners List. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspire-change-with-gunter--3633478/support. Patreon If this episode resonates with you and you’d like to go deeper into practical exercises and guided reflection, Gunter offers extended self-development resources and exercises through our Patreon community: www.patreon.com/inspirechange Sponsor Distil UnionThis episode of Inspire Change with Gunter is brought to you by Distil Union, creators of beautifully designed, functional everyday carry accessories that help bring organization, simplicity, and intention into your daily life.Distil Union blends craftsmanship with thoughtful design to help you carry what matters most — without the clutter.👉 Explore their products and receive your exclusive listener discount by visiting: www.DistilUnion.com/discount/inspirechange Reach Out If you are interested in guest appearances, guest hosting opportunities, or suggesting topics, please contact Emilia Osborne, Showrunner’s Assistant: Emilia.Osborne@bonfirecinema.com To purchase Gunter's books, they are available at all retailers and online shops or check out: The Bookstore

    8-347 | The Songs That Made Us CCR’s Fortunate Son & The Psychology of Unfairness

  4. Aug 26

    8-346 | The Songs That Made Us: Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now & The Psychology of Wisdom

    How can the same words mean something entirely different when sung by the same person decades later? This week on The Songs That Made Us, Gunter explores Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” and the extraordinary transformation of a song written by a young woman in the 1960s and revisited by the artist more than three decades later. The lyrics hadn't fundamentally changed.Joni had. Through the evolution of Both Sides Now, Gunter examines the psychology of aging, wisdom, autobiographical memory and life review—and why something that can sound precocious when expressed in youth may sound profoundly wise after it has been lived.  The episode explores the song's movement through clouds, love and life, each viewed first through enchantment and then through experience and uncertainty. Rather than resolving those contradictions, Mitchell leaves them standing beside one another.Psychologically, that matters.The ability to hold seemingly contradictory emotions—to recognize beauty alongside disappointment, love alongside loss and certainty alongside doubt—can represent something deeper than simply becoming older.It can represent wisdom.The episode also explores reminiscence and life review, the relationship between music and autobiographical memory, and the fascinating idea that revisiting a song decades later can become something resembling a longitudinal study of the self.And Both Sides Now offers another remarkable possibility: music can encode autobiographical memory twice.We remember who we were when a song first mattered to us. Then, years later, we discover what that same song means to the person we've become. In This EpisodeThe evolution of Both Sides Now from the 1960s to 2000How age and experience change our perception of the same wordsJoni Mitchell's changing voice and perspectiveClouds, love and life: the song's three-part structureReminiscence and psychological life reviewHow music becomes connected to autobiographical memoryHolding positive and negative emotions simultaneouslyWhy uncertainty can represent wisdom rather than defeatThe cultural and gender significance of the songHow listeners complete the meaning Mitchell deliberately leaves unresolvedHearing our younger and older selves through the same piece of musicChapter HighlightsIntroduction: Both Sides Now and the Meaning of TimeJoni Mitchell's Changing Voice and PerspectiveThe Song's Biographical and Psychological OriginsCultural Impact in the 1960sClouds, Love and Life: From Enchantment to DisenchantmentReminiscence, Life Review and Psychological DevelopmentHolding Contradictory FeelingsWhen “I Don't Know” Becomes Wisdom1968 and the Song's Cultural MomentGender and the Song's Cultural AfterlifeWhy Mitchell Leaves the Song UnfinishedMusic as a Longitudinal Study of the SelfAging, Memory and UncertaintyReflections for the ListenerGratitude We want to extend a huge thank you to our listeners in Pittsburg and Philadelphia for bringing Pennsylvania up to #3 on the Top 10 USA listeners list. And to our Global Listeners, we extend our gratitude to our listeners in Pristina (preesh-tee-nuh) for bringing Kosovo (koh-soh-vah) to #20 for the first time! And to our listeners in Reykjavik (ray-kya-veek) for moving Iceland up to #18! CONGRATULATIONS!! you made the Top Listeners List. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspire-change-with-gunter--3633478/support. Patreon If this episode resonates with you and you’d like to go deeper into practical exercises and guided reflection, Gunter offers extended self-development resources and exercises through our Patreon community: www.patreon.com/inspirechange Sponsor Distil UnionThis episode of Inspire Change with Gunter is brought to you by Distil Union, creators of beautifully designed, functional everyday carry accessories that help bring organization, simplicity, and intention into your daily life.Distil Union blends craftsmanship with thoughtful design to help you carry what matters most — without the clutter.👉 Explore their products and receive your exclusive listener discount by visiting: www.DistilUnion.com/discount/inspirechange Reach Out If you are interested in guest appearances, guest hosting opportunities, or suggesting topics, please contact Emilia Osborne, Showrunner’s Assistant: Emilia.Osborne@bonfirecinema.com To purchase Gunter's books, they are available at all retailers and online shops or check out: The Bookstore

    8-346 | The Songs That Made Us: Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now & The Psychology of Wisdom

  5. Aug 19

    8-345 | The Songs That Made Us_ John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero” & The Psychology of Class

    What happens when society teaches you who you are supposed to be before you've had the chance to decide for yourself? This week on The Songs That Made Us, Gunter explores John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero,” a stark examination of class, identity, social hierarchy and the psychological consequences of being shaped—or “processed”—into the roles society creates for us.At the center of the song is something deceptively powerful: Lennon speaks in the second person. Official Music Video: https://youtu.be/Ve-mANenpC4?si=p2aTdXZSB9bJGVRx Rather than simply recounting his own experience, he places the listener inside the machinery he is describing. The result transforms personal history into a broader confrontation with how class and social expectations become internalized.Gunter examines Lennon’s childhood and the contradictions within his own upbringing, including the difference between economic circumstances and the emotional experience of class. From there, the episode explores class injury, shame, contempt, social mobility, meritocracy and the ways hierarchy can become embedded in our sense of self.The discussion also considers Lennon’s experience with therapy and self-examination, and how that period of psychological exploration informed work that stripped away some of the mythology surrounding fame, success and status.More than half a century later, Working Class Hero continues to ask an uncomfortable question:How much of who we believe ourselves to be was actually chosen by us—and how much was assigned to us? Key Topics & TakeawaysWhy Lennon's use of the second person makes the song feel universalLennon's childhood and the idea of being socially “processed”How class and hierarchy influence identityThe psychology of class injuryWhy shame can transform into contemptThe emotional consequences of being taught inferiority—or superiorityTherapy, self-reflection and Lennon's examination of his own identitySocial mobility, meritocracy and structural barriersHow societal roles become psychologically internalizedWhy the song's isolation and lack of community matterThe continuing relevance of Lennon's critiqueChapter HighlightsIntroduction: Working Class Hero and Social CritiqueLennon’s Childhood and the Idea of Being “Processed”The Second-Person Voice: Putting the Listener Inside the SongClass, Identity and Social HierarchyUnderstanding Class InjuryWhen Shame Becomes ContemptTherapy, Self-Reflection and Lennon’s Personal HistorySocial Mobility and the Mythology of MeritocracyHow Society Becomes Part of the SelfIsolation, Community and the Structure of the SongWhy Working Class Hero Still MattersGratitude We want to extend a huge thank you to our listeners in Los Angeles, Van Nuys, Santa Monica, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, San Jose, Culver City, North Hollywood, and Folsom for bringing California up to #1 on the Top 10 USA listeners list. And to our Global Listeners, we extend our gratitude to two countries reaching our top 20 list for the very first time ever! First, our listeners in Hammamet (ha-muh-muht) for bringing Tunisia (too-nee-zhuh) to #20! And also to our listeners in Doha (dow-haa) for bringing Qatar (cuh-TAR) to #17! CONGRATULATIONS!! you made the Top Listeners List. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspire-change-with-gunter--3633478/support. Patreon If this episode resonates with you and you’d like to go deeper into practical exercises and guided reflection, Gunter offers extended self-development resources and exercises through our Patreon community: www.patreon.com/inspirechange Sponsor Distil UnionThis episode of Inspire Change with Gunter is brought to you by Distil Union, creators of beautifully designed, functional everyday carry accessories that help bring organization, simplicity, and intention into your daily life.Distil Union blends craftsmanship with thoughtful design to help you carry what matters most — without the clutter.👉 Explore their products and receive your exclusive listener discount by visiting: www.DistilUnion.com/discount/inspirechange Reach Out If you are interested in guest appearances, guest hosting opportunities, or suggesting topics, please contact Emilia Osborne, Showrunner’s Assistant: Emilia.Osborne@bonfirecinema.com To purchase Gunter's books, they are available at all retailers and online shops or check out: The Bookstore

    8-345 | The Songs That Made Us_ John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero” & The Psychology of Class

  6. Aug 12

    8-344 The Songs that Made Us: INXS ’ “The Stairs” & The Psychology of Loneliness

    Music Video for The Stairs: https://youtu.be/-9FOYTwxfcU?si=mFPQVDCKASBR1oFuLive from Wembley Stadium: https://youtu.be/N8CIBNJB2FM?si=sF_SoLZtDrzyaszv There’s a kind of loneliness that has nothing to do with being alone.You can live surrounded by hundreds—or thousands—of people, pass the same faces every day, share elevators, hallways, sidewalks and city blocks…and never truly know one another.  This week on The Songs That Made Us, Gunter explores INXS’ “The Stairs,” a haunting meditation on the anonymous lives unfolding around us and the strange human experience of being physically close while remaining emotionally separate.Through the song, Gunter examines the psychology of loneliness, our biological need for connection, the phenomenon of “familiar strangers,” and the surprising role architecture and urban design play in determining whether people simply pass one another—or actually meet.And more than three decades after The Stairs appeared on INXS’ X, its observations may be even more relevant in a digital world that gives us unprecedented proximity while often leaving genuine human connection painfully out of reach. In This EpisodeThe story and ideas behind INXS’ “The Stairs”Why loneliness can exist even when we're surrounded by peopleLoneliness as a biological signal rather than a personal failingThe evolutionary importance of human connectionThe psychology of the “familiar stranger”How urban environments can create proximity without interactionSocial infrastructure and the spaces where relationships formWhy cities designed primarily for movement can unintentionally discourage connectionPsychological overload and why we sometimes withdraw from people around usHow digital environments reproduce the same paradoxWhy The Stairs remains strikingly relevant todaySmall acts of recognition that can begin closing the distance between strangersChapter HighlightsIntroduction: The Stairs and the Loneliness of Being SurroundedINXS and the Album XThe Psychological Need to BelongSocial Overload in Urban EnvironmentsLoneliness as a Biological SignalWaiting, Recognition and the Structure of The StairsHow Urban Design Shapes Human ConnectionFrom Physical Cities to Digital LonelinessProximity Without ConnectionSmall Acts That Bridge the DistanceSharing Our Experiences of LonelinessKey Takeaways Loneliness is a signal. Like hunger or pain, it can alert us that an important human need isn't being met.Proximity isn't the same as connection. We can encounter the same people repeatedly without ever crossing the invisible boundary between stranger and acquaintance.Our environments matter. The spaces we build can either encourage spontaneous human contact or quietly discourage it.The digital world hasn't eliminated this paradox. In some ways, it has recreated the apartment building on a global scale: millions of people occupying the same space while remaining strangers.Connection can begin remarkably small. Recognition, conversation and simple acknowledgment can interrupt anonymity. Gratitude We want to extend a huge thank you to our listeners in Fairborn, Elyria (uh-lee-ree-uh), Columbus, Grafton, Northfield, Lorain, Ashland, and Cincinnati for keeping Ohio securely at the #2 spot on the Top 10 USA listeners list.And to our Global Listeners, we extend our gratitude to two countries reaching our top 20 list for the very first time ever! First, our listeners in Karachi (kr-aa-chee) for bringing Pakistan to #20! And also to our listeners in Jos (pronounced like loss with a J) Plateau State for bringing Nigeria to #18! CONGRATULATIONS!! you made the Top Listeners List. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspire-change-with-gunter--3633478/support. Patreon If this episode resonates with you and you’d like to go deeper into practical exercises and guided reflection, Gunter offers extended self-development resources and exercises through our Patreon community: www.patreon.com/inspirechange Sponsor Distil UnionThis episode of Inspire Change with Gunter is brought to you by Distil Union, creators of beautifully designed, functional everyday carry accessories that help bring organization, simplicity, and intention into your daily life.Distil Union blends craftsmanship with thoughtful design to help you carry what matters most — without the clutter.👉 Explore their products and receive your exclusive listener discount by visiting: www.DistilUnion.com/discount/inspirechange Reach Out If you are interested in guest appearances, guest hosting opportunities, or suggesting topics, please contact Emilia Osborne, Showrunner’s Assistant: Emilia.Osborne@bonfirecinema.com To purchase Gunter's books, they are available at all retailers and online shops or check out: The Bookstore

    8-344 The Songs that Made Us: INXS ’ “The Stairs” & The Psychology of Loneliness

  7. Aug 5

    8-343 | The Songs That Made Us_ Cat Stevens' Father and Son & The Psychology of Identity

    What happens when the voice you're arguing with belongs to someone you love—and eventually becomes part of your own?In this episode of The Songs That Made Us, Gunter explores Cat Stevens' timeless classic Father and Son, uncovering the remarkable psychological conversation hidden inside one of the most enduring songs ever written.Originally conceived for an abandoned musical project, Father and Son became something much larger: a dialogue between generations, identities, and ultimately, different versions of ourselves.Through psychology, culture, and music history, Gunter examines why the song continues to resonate more than fifty years later—and why its two voices may both live within us. In this episodeThe story behind Cat Stevens' Father and SonThe autobiographical myths surrounding the songSinging both father and son from a single voiceThe psychology of internal dialogueIdentity formation and individuationAttachment and separationFamily expectations across generationsMigration, culture, and belongingMasculinity and emotional languageWhy reconciliation sometimes takes decadesThe 2020 recording and what changed over fifty yearsChapter HighlightsIntroduction: The Power of a Solo PerformanceThe Song as a Conversation with OneselfWho Are We Really Arguing With?Cat Stevens' Early Life and Musical RootsPolitical and Personal InfluencesIllness, Recovery, and Creative TransformationFrom Rejected Song to Timeless ClassicSinging Both Father and SonThe Psychology of the Dialogic SelfIdentity, Individuation, and Growing UpAttachment, Separation, and Family BondsMasculinity and Emotional ExpressionMigration, Culture, and Generational ExpectationsRecognition, Transformation, and ReconciliationWhy Father and Son Still EnduresRevisiting the Song in 2020Reflection QuestionsClosing ThoughtsKey Takeaways Identity develops through dialogue. The conversations we have with parents often become the conversations we continue having with ourselves. Growing up isn't simply breaking away. Healthy independence balances autonomy with enduring connection.Internal voices shape our decisions. The father and son represent psychological perspectives many people carry throughout life.Reconciliation can arrive decades later. Time changes not only our understanding of others, but our understanding of ourselves.Great songs evolve because we evolve. The meaning of Father and Son changes as listeners move through different stages of life. Reflection Questions Which voice in the song feels closest to where you are today?When have you discovered your younger self and older self disagreeing?What family message still shapes the way you make important decisions?What advice have you rejected, only to understand years later?How do you remain connected without losing yourself?Gratitude We want to extend a huge thank you to our listeners in Tillamook (TILL-uh-muck) for bringing Oregon to #10 on the Top 10 USA listeners list! And to our Global Listeners, we extend our gratitude to our listeners in Zagazig (zah-gah-zeeg) for bringing Egypt to #11 on our Global listeners top 20 for the first time ever! CONGRATULATIONS!! you made the Top Listeners List. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspire-change-with-gunter--3633478/support. Patreon If this episode resonates with you and you’d like to go deeper into practical exercises and guided reflection, Gunter offers extended self-development resources and exercises through our Patreon community: www.patreon.com/inspirechange Sponsor Distil UnionThis episode of Inspire Change with Gunter is brought to you by Distil Union, creators of beautifully designed, functional everyday carry accessories that help bring organization, simplicity, and intention into your daily life.Distil Union blends craftsmanship with thoughtful design to help you carry what matters most — without the clutter.👉 Explore their products and receive your exclusive listener discount by visiting: www.DistilUnion.com/discount/inspirechange Reach Out If you are interested in guest appearances, guest hosting opportunities, or suggesting topics, please contact Emilia Osborne, Showrunner’s Assistant: Emilia.Osborne@bonfirecinema.com To purchase Gunter's books, they are available at all retailers and online shops or check out: The Bookstore

    8-343 | The Songs That Made Us_ Cat Stevens' Father and Son & The Psychology of Identity

  8. Jul 29

    8-342 | The Songs That Made Us_ Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” & The Psychology of Grief

    Music Video for Marvin Gaye's What's Going On? https://youtu.be/o5TmORitlKk?si=tp-xjNHA4yQ0CYpO What happens when we ask a question—not because we expect an answer, but because we need someone to remain with us inside the uncertainty?In this episode of The Songs That Made Us, Gunter explores Marvin Gaye’s landmark recording, What’s Going On, and the psychological power of a song that responds to violence, war, injustice, and collective grief without becoming hardened by them.Born from an act of violence witnessed during the People’s Park demonstrations and shaped by the experiences of returning Vietnam veterans, the song challenged both Marvin Gaye’s artistic identity and the limits Motown placed upon its artists.Rather than accusing, commanding, or offering easy answers, What’s Going On asks us to stay present with suffering long enough to feel it.Gunter examines how the song creates recognition, belonging, empathy, and reconciliation; how it reflects the moral distress carried by returning soldiers; and why its tenderness has allowed it to remain meaningful for more than fifty years.Sometimes the most honest response to pain is not an answer. Sometimes it is a question held open in the company of others. In this episode The story behind Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going OnHow violence at People’s Park helped inspire the songMarvin Gaye’s struggle to move beyond romantic popHis brother Frankie’s return from the Vietnam WarBarry Gordy’s resistance to releasing the recordHow overlapping vocals created an internal conversationThe psychological concept of moral injuryRecognition, belonging, reconciliation, and empathyWhy the song chooses grief rather than rageThe power of remaining present without rushing toward answersWhy some questions endure longer than accusationsKey takeaways A question can create connection. Unlike a statement, a question requires another person. It turns distress into relationship and invites the listener to feel alongside the speaker.Grief and rage are not interchangeable. Anger may restore agency, but sorrow can sometimes reveal the deeper truth of an experience.Uncertainty can be emotionally productive. The song refuses to resolve its central question, asking listeners to tolerate doubt instead of reaching too quickly for certainty.Tenderness is not weakness. Marvin Gaye confronts catastrophe without becoming contemptuous, allowing the song to remain open, humane, and widely accessible.People often feel pain before they can explain it. A song that remains at the level of the question can meet listeners in the wordless space before understanding arrives.“We return to the song not for answers, but for company.”— Gunter Swoboda Gratitude We want to extend a huge thank you to our listeners in Jackson for bringing Mississippi to #10 on the Top 10 USA listeners list and for the first time ever making it to our Top 20 Global Listener's list and securing their position, we celebrate our listeners in Hanoi and Ho Chi Mihn City for bringing Vietnam up to #11 as well as to our listeners in Lora del Rio for bringing Spain to #17!  Lastly a special congrats to Spain for their World Cup Win! CONGRATULATIONS!! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspire-change-with-gunter--3633478/support. Patreon If this episode resonates with you and you’d like to go deeper into practical exercises and guided reflection, Gunter offers extended self-development resources and exercises through our Patreon community: www.patreon.com/inspirechange Sponsor Distil UnionThis episode of Inspire Change with Gunter is brought to you by Distil Union, creators of beautifully designed, functional everyday carry accessories that help bring organization, simplicity, and intention into your daily life.Distil Union blends craftsmanship with thoughtful design to help you carry what matters most — without the clutter.👉 Explore their products and receive your exclusive listener discount by visiting: www.DistilUnion.com/discount/inspirechange Reach Out If you are interested in guest appearances, guest hosting opportunities, or suggesting topics, please contact Emilia Osborne, Showrunner’s Assistant: Emilia.Osborne@bonfirecinema.com To purchase Gunter's books, they are available at all retailers and online shops or check out: The Bookstore

    8-342 | The Songs That Made Us_ Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” & The Psychology of Grief
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About

MASTHEAD Inspire Change with Gunter is recorded in our Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia studio and produced in Los Angeles by Bonfire Cinema. Thank you for listening! Network: iHeartMedia/Spreaker Originals Production Company: Bonfire Cinema Sponsored by: Distil Union, Everything you need in one place. Executive Producer/Showrunner: Miranda Spigener-Sapon Executive Producer/Creator/Host: Gunter Swoboda Co-Executive Producer/Gratitude Announcer: DeVonna Prinzi Showrunner's Assistant: Emilia Osborne Intro/Outtro Announcer: Grayson Arndt Composer/Original Theme Music: Irad Eshel About the Podcast International Psychologist, Author, Speaker and Producer Gunter Swoboda continues to Inspire Change and enlighten and educate on Masculinities and Male Empowerment. After 40 years of working with adolescent boys and men, Gunter founded Making Good Men Great. It focuses on helping men recognize how to evolve as a Man in all the spheres of his life. We continue with our regular of broadcasts of 20-30 minute episodes hosted by Gunter every week and then we will have special guests lined up during each season for special 50-1 hour episodes. We also will take requests from past guests or friends of the podcasts to fill in as a guest host. About Gunter, The Short Story……Gunter is a psychologist, speaker, author, mentor, coach and facilitator with over 30 years experience in counseling and organizational development. SPEAKER After more than 40 years experience Gunter’s passionate perspectives on what makes human beings thrive makes him a very insightful commentator and speaker. His aim is to stimulate your mind, touch your heart, and inspire your soul. Gunter is a psychologist, speaker, author, mentor, coach and facilitator with over 30 years experience in counseling and organizational development. Gunter has given keynotes all over Australia, NYC and Los Angeles as well as being a TEDx Speaker. Author We all have a story. Stories that touch us the most are about that moment when we make the choice to be real, to drop any pretense of pride, power and position. In that telling moment we step into a new space where our ability to overcome fear allows us to be truly authentic in our relationship to the world. In that moment we become fully human. Gunter has authored a novel Mountains of Sea published by Winterwolf Press and he self-published the non-fiction, Making Good Men Great: Surfing the New Wave of Masculinity. Both books are available at all major and independent retailers globally. The Making Good Men Great Movement also made Oprah’s #MustWatch list in 2018. Mentor In both the personal and professional sphere, Gunter has successfully worn many hats. Added to his education, experience and eloquence it allows him to develop a relationship with someone that ignites their aspirations. Coach In today’s world, the challenge to be ‘perfect’ is a constant source of stress. Gunter firmly believes that each person has to find their ‘own bliss’. His part in that journey is to engage with the person he is working with to unlock their aspirations, align them to their vision and to help keep them inspired. Facilitator Gunter is exceptional in facilitating outcomes in learning, productivity, and communication by providing a safe environment with unobtrusive assistance and guidance wherein participants experience the flow between content and context. His skill in utilizing philosophical and psychological methods enhances the participants experience in the process. To purchase Gunter's books, they are available at all retailers and online shops or check out: The Bookstore or direct from: Bonfire Cinema Publishing. To watch the Venice TV Award nominated documentary created by Gunter and directed by Miranda Spigener-Sapon you can rent or buy on Amazon Prime Alternative therapy options, try BetterHelp: betterhelp.com/GUNTER and get on your way to being your best self.” Get started today and enjoy 10% off your first mo

Information

  • Creator
    Bonfire Cinema
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    350
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Making Good Men Great/Gunter Swoboda in association with Bonfire Cinema
  • Show Website
    Inspire Change with Gunter