Therapy For Gay Men

Michael Pezzullo
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Therapy for Gay Men is a psychology and relationship podcast hosted by Michael Pezzullo, licensed therapist and coach specializing in the mental health and relational experiences of gay men. Each episode explores the hidden psychological patterns shaping attraction, intimacy, sexuality, self-worth, masculinity, dating, relationships, emotional regulation, and identity. New episodes weekly. Work with Michael: www.michaelpezzullo.com/links

  1. 3d ago

    Why Were We Lied to About Marsha P. Johnson?

    A few months ago, I stumbled across a reel on Instagram that caught my attention because it was a gay man saying something he apparently wasn’t supposed to say: Marsha P. Johnson didn’t throw the first brick at Stonewall.That opened a much bigger conversation. Why did that story become so widely repeated? Why is challenging it treated as taboo? And what does that tell us about who gets to shape gay history and LGBT culture?Daniel-Ryan Spaulding and I talk about Stonewall, Pride, gay male identity, ideological conformity, and what happens when gay men question the approved narrative.One criticism I keep hearing is: “We need to stand together. Don’t be divisive.” I reject that. I think truth is what unites us—not lies.Enjoy.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Daniel and His Work01:56 Revisiting LGBTQ+ History and Marsha P. Johnson06:30 Cultural Shifts and the Decline of Traditional Values12:42 The Evolution of LGBTQ+ Activism18:30 Personal Experiences and Observations on Pride23:30 Anti-Semitism and the LGBTQ+ Community26:36 The Role of Culture in Political Change28:43 The Bullying Tactics of Ideological Groups31:27 The Toxic Environment of the Gay Community34:11 Radicalization and the Loss of Individuality39:20 The Role of Gay Men in Society44:35 Navigating Modern Gay Identity49:25 Conclusion and Future Directions👉 Work With Me: https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/work-with-me 👉 Follow Daniel on Substack: https://substack.com/@danielryanspaulding#GayMen #GayHistory #Stonewall #LGBTCulture #GayRights

  2. 4d ago

    Why Gay Men Go to Extremes to Feel Connected | Johann Hari

    Why do some gay men go to such extreme lengths to feel connected?I sat down with bestselling author Johann Hari to talk about loneliness, addiction, shame, sex, validation, social media, appearance culture, and the deeper psychological needs that drive destructive behavior. We explore why people can chase connection through sex, success, attention, substances, and external approval—and still end up feeling more alone.We also talk about authenticity, the difference between being seen and truly being known, why shame and humiliation rarely create change, and what real connection may actually require. 👉 Get Johann's Books: https://www.johannhari.com👉 Work With Me: https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/work-with-me 0:00 Intro2:00 Johann’s Viral TED Talk13:42 Why the Opposite of Addiction Is Connection30:04 Why Shame Is So Toxic for Gay Men38:02 Are We Glorifying Unhealthy Sex?50:13 Shocking Statistics About Loneliness1:01:21 Finding Your Intrinsic Motivation & Values#GayMen #JohannHari #Loneliness #MentalHealth #GayMensMentalHealth

  3. Aug 30

    Matthew Vines Reveals Why More Gay Men Are Rejecting "Queer"

    A few weeks ago, Matthew Vines and I were complete strangers. Then we both found ourselves in the middle of the same controversy for saying something pretty simple: we prefer to be called gay—not queer. What interested me most wasn’t the label itself. It was what happened when we challenged a narrative that people assumed we were supposed to accept. The public reaction was intense. The private reaction was very different. That raised a bigger question for me: How much room do we actually give people to disagree within their own communities? Matthew comes from a very different background than I do, and we don’t agree on everything. But that’s part of why I wanted to have the conversation. We talked about gay identity, Christianity, queer theory, gay rights, and what it means to think for yourself without walking away from the people you care about.

  4. Aug 19

    Can You Be Gay and Asexual? Understanding Arousal, Attraction & Sexuality

    Can you be gay and asexual? In this episode, I break down what it can actually mean to be both. Asexuality doesn’t necessarily mean having no arousal, no fantasies, or no sexual life. For some people, arousal may show up more through fantasy or solo sexuality, without the same drive to direct that sexual energy toward another person. We’ll also explore why someone can still clearly experience their sexuality as gay: their fantasies, romantic attraction, intimacy, and erotic world may still be centered around men. I also talk about the confusion that can come from trying to understand yourself in a gay culture where sex can feel central—and how to distinguish asexuality from low libido, anxiety, or simply avoiding sex you actually want. If you’ve ever wondered why you feel gay but don’t relate to the way other gay men describe sexual attraction, this episode may help you make more sense of your experience. 👉 Work With Me: https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/work-with-me

  5. Aug 13

    Should Gay Men Be “Normal” About P***y?

    Are gay men allowed to define our own sexuality? I react to a provocative article about gay male attraction and discuss why its framing taps into longstanding stereotypes about gay men. Gay men have spent decades fighting the idea that there’s something wrong, dirty, or deviant about our sexuality. In this video, I explain why gay men should be able to challenge those stereotypes wherever they appear. 👉 Work With Me: https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/work-with-me

  6. Aug 9

    I'm Gay -- not "Queer." Here's Why.

    My “gay, not queer” post sparked a much bigger reaction than I expected. But this episode isn’t about rehashing the argument. Instead, I’m talking about what the backlash got me thinking about: why so many gay men struggle to use their voice. We’re often taught early to stay agreeable, avoid rejection, and be the “best little boy in the world.” But what happens when that follows us into adulthood—and even into our own community? In this episode, I talk about owning your identity, tolerating disagreement, having the courage to be different, keeping your sense of humor, and refusing to put yourself into another closet just because your opinion isn’t popular. You don’t have to agree with me. But you should be able to speak for yourself. Interested in therapy or coaching? Work with me:https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/work-with-me

  7. Aug 3

    4 Hidden Reasons Gay Men Struggle to Stay Hard

    Why do so many gay men struggle to stay hard—even when they’re attracted to the person they’re with? In this episode, gay men’s therapist Michael Pezzullo breaks down four overlooked psychological causes of erection difficulties and performance anxiety, including the impact of past sexual experiences, pressure to “perform,” overstimulation, and avoidance. Losing an erection does not automatically mean something is physically wrong—or that you are not attracted enough. Often, the fear of it happening again becomes the very thing that keeps the cycle going. Learn more or work with Michael:www.michaelpezzullo.com This episode is educational and is not a substitute for individualized medical or mental health care.

  8. Jul 26

    5 Reasons So Many Gay Men Think They’re Bad at Sex

    Why do so many gay men walk away from sex convinced they performed badly—even when nothing actually went wrong? In this episode, therapist Michael Pezzullo explores five reasons gay men often mistake anxiety, insecurity, and unrealistic expectations for being “bad at sex.” From getting stuck on negative experiences to comparison and performance pressure, these patterns can turn sex into an evaluation instead of an experience. You’ll learn why sexual confidence is not about performing perfectly, how anxiety pulls you out of the moment, and what it takes to build a more relaxed, secure relationship with your body and sexuality. To learn more about therapy and coaching with Michael, visit:https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/work-with-me

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Therapy for Gay Men is a psychology and relationship podcast hosted by Michael Pezzullo, licensed therapist and coach specializing in the mental health and relational experiences of gay men. Each episode explores the hidden psychological patterns shaping attraction, intimacy, sexuality, self-worth, masculinity, dating, relationships, emotional regulation, and identity. New episodes weekly. Work with Michael: www.michaelpezzullo.com/links

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Pezzullo
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Michael Pezzullo
  • Show Website
    Therapy For Gay Men

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