This Triggers Me

Dr Audra Horney and Dr Brendan K Hartman
  • 5.0 (10)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This is not a safe space, it’s a real one. Hosted by Dr Audra Horney a licensed psychologist and sociologist Dr. Brendan K Hartman, this conversation driven podcast explores masculinity, gender, and emotional development by leaning into charger or triggering topics. Each episode blends psychological insight, sociological perspective, and real dialogue to unpack some of the most polarizing conversations around men today. If you’re tired of surface level takes and ready for conversations that challenge you, stretch you, and actually move you forward, this is where that work begins

Episodes

  1. 1D AGO

    Ep.8- What's Underneath the Men vs. Women Suffering Contest?

    What if men and women stopped arguing about who suffers more and started trying to understand each other instead? In this episode of This Triggers Me, Dr Audra Horney (a therapist for men) and Dr. Brendan K. Hartman (a sociologist who researches the emotional well being of boys) take on “suffering contests” and the growing divide in conversations around gender. Through a role reversal exercise, they each advocate for the other gender’s experience, exploring the pain, pressure, loneliness, fear and emotional labor that often go unseen. Instead of debating who has it worse, this conversation focuses on empathy, nuance and what both men and women wish the other truly understood about men’s mental health, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Key takeaways: What “suffering contests” are and how they fuel polarization around genderThe difference between acknowledging pain and weaponizing “what about…” argumentsWhy many men crave emotional intimacy, affection, and closeness beyond sexThe impact of touch starvation, shame, and fear of being a burden on men’s mental healthHow boys and men are often negatively reinforced for emotional vulnerabilityWhy many men are trying to grow despite limited emotional socializationThe invisible emotional labor many women carry in relationships and daily lifeHow safety vigilance and threats to bodily autonomy shape women’s experiencesWhy “not all men” conversations often miss the emotional point being madeHow role reversal and empty chair exercises can build empathy and understandingWhy emotionally honest dialogue matters for healthier relationships, men’s wellbeing and connectionConnect with us Email- thistriggersmepodcast@gmail.com Social media- https://www.instagram.com/dr.audra.horney/ https://www.instagram.com/re.masculine/ https://www.instagram.com/thistriggersmepod/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thistriggersmepod Find a Therapist for Men: www.draudra.com Podcast post-production: Stacy Blackburn

    1h 1m

  2. MAY 18

    Ep.7- Why Are Dad’s So Triggering?

    Why do conversations about fathers bring up so much emotion, shame, and defensiveness, especially for men? In this episode of This Triggers Me, Dr Audra Horney (a therapist for men) and Dr. Brendan K. Hartman (a sociologist who researches the emotional well being of boys) unpack the complicated role fathers play in shaping men’s mental health, identity and emotional development. From father wounds to modern parenting expectations, they explore why dads are often seen as either sacred or suspect and how both extremes miss the nuance. This conversation dives into generational shifts in fatherhood, emotional connection, shame, repair and the impact fathers have on boys and men’s wellbeing. Key takeaways: Why fathers are such a triggering topic in conversations about masculinity and men’s mental healthThe tension between over praising dads for “bare minimum” parenting while also under crediting involved fathersHow modern fatherhood has shifted across generationsCommon father wounds and why many men struggle to honestly reflect on their relationship with their dadThe impact of emotional connection (or lack of it) on boys’ emotional development and men’s wellbeingDifferent father archetypes: the tyrant, the absent/workaholic father, and the teacherWhy repair after mistakes matters more than perfection in parentingResearch on fatherhood, bonding, hormones and paternity leaveThe loneliness and isolation many involved fathers experienceWhy men in caregiving roles are often treated with suspicionHow therapy for men can help unpack shame, resentment, grief and emotional patterns tied to fatherhoodConnect with us Email- thistriggersmepodcast@gmail.com Social media- https://www.instagram.com/dr.audra.horney/ https://www.instagram.com/re.masculine/ https://www.instagram.com/thistriggersmepod/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thistriggersmepod Find a Therapist for Men: www.draudra.com Podcast post-production: Stacy Blackburn

    49 min

  3. MAY 11

    Ep.6- Is Vulnerability A Weakness?

    After recording a more polished, intellectual episode about therapy for men (see Episode 5), Audra and Brendan returned to the studio for part 2 because part 1 didn’t feel personal enough. In this episode of This Triggers Me, Dr Audra Horney (a therapist for men) and Dr. Brendan K. Hartman (a sociologist who researches the emotional well being of boys) dig into the messy, uncomfortable side of vulnerability. They explore why some people (Audra) easily default to intellectual instead of emotional, how performing vulnerability can replace real connection, and how this relates to men’s mental health. Key takeaways: Why emotional safety is key to opening upThe difference between real vulnerability and performing vulnerabilityHow perfectionism and fear of judgment block emotional expressionWhy many men feel safer being the helper than receiving helpThe impact of emotional suppression on men’s mental healthHow sharing with the wrong people can feel worse than not sharing at allThe role of gender socialization on men expressing emotionHow overregulation, shame, and fear of “messing it up” limit connectionThe importance of rupture and repair in building emotional trustHow therapy for men can create space to reconnect with yourself and move beyond old patternsConnect with us Email- thistriggersmepodcast@gmail.com Social media- https://www.instagram.com/dr.audra.horney/ https://www.instagram.com/re.masculine/ https://www.instagram.com/thistriggersmepod/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thistriggersmepod Find a Therapist for Men: www.draudra.com Podcast post-production: Stacy Blackburn

    53 min

  4. MAY 4

    Ep.5- Is Therapy For Men Safe?

    What if therapy for men isn’t always the safe, supportive space it’s made out to be? About this episode: In this episode of This Triggers Me, a sociologist and a psychologist specializing in men’s therapy unpack why conversations about men’s mental health can feel so triggering and why many men feel let down by therapy itself. They explore the gap between cultural messaging (“men just need therapy”) and the real experiences of men who report feeling dismissed, misunderstood or judged. This conversation challenges assumptions while offering a more honest look at what actually supports men’s wellbeing. Key takeaways: Why men’s mental health and therapy for men can feel triggering or unsafe for some menCommon experiences of invalidation, minimization, and dismissal in therapyThe problem with blanket statements like “all men need therapy”How the perceived feminization of therapy can create resistanceThe impact of weaponized therapy language in relationships and cultureHow masculinity norms like self-reliance shape help-seeking behaviorWhy the therapeutic relationship not techniques is the strongest predictor of successA reframing of men’s therapy as collaborative, challenging, and accountability driven (not just venting)Structural barriers: cost, lack of choice, and gaps in training around men’s experiencesThe need for more accessible, nuanced support systems for men’s wellbeingConnect with us Email- thistriggersmepodcast@gmail.com Social media- https://www.instagram.com/dr.audra.horney/ https://www.instagram.com/re.masculine/ https://www.instagram.com/thistriggersmepod/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thistriggersmepod Dr Audra’s Directory of Therapists for Men: www.draudra.com Podcast post-production: Stacy Blackburn

    1h 4m

  5. APR 27

    Ep.4- Is There Truth in the Manosphere?

    What if the content shaping men online is helping them and hurting them at the same time? In this episode of This Triggers Me, a sociologist focused on masculinity and a psychologist specializing in therapy for men unpack the tension between growth and harm in male targeted spaces online. They explore the pull of the manosphere, why its messaging resonates with boys and men, and how it intersects with men’s mental health and men’s wellbeing. They also get personal, diving into the challenges of showing up imperfectly, people pleasing, and what it means to model more honest, grounded conversations. Key takeaways: How people pleasing and fear of imperfection can show up when talking about men’s mental healthWhat the manosphere is (and why it’s more nuanced than people think)The difference between “on ramp” content (fitness, discipline) and more rigid or harmful ideologiesHow algorithms expose boys and men to increasingly extreme content over timeWhy black and white advice and confidence are so appealing in masculinity spacesThe link between rigid “man box” norms and men’s poorer wellbeing, including higher suicide riskWhy purpose and optimism can increase even within restrictive frameworksThe need for better, healthier messaging around men’s therapy and emotional developmentA practical framework for modern masculinity: “build safety, show up, give a damn”How therapy for men can offer a grounded alternative to the noise and a space to build real emotional strengthConnect with us Email- thistriggersmepodcast@gmail.com Social media- https://www.instagram.com/dr.audra.horney/ https://www.instagram.com/re.masculine/ https://www.instagram.com/thistriggersmepod/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thistriggersmepod Dr Audra’s Directory of Therapists for Men: www.draudra.com Podcast post-production: Stacy Blackburn

    1h 1m

  6. APR 20

    Ep.1- This triggers me: Trigger warnings, trauma responses, and why we're leaning into discomfort

    What if the things that “trigger” us are actually the doorway to heal and connect? In this first episode of This Triggers Me, licensed psychologist Dr. Audra Horney (therapist for men) and Dr. Brendan K Hartman (sociologist focused on boys’ and men’s social emotional wellbeing), unpack why they’re creating a podcast that leans into discomfort instead of avoiding it. From the realities of modern masculinity to the resistance many men feel toward therapy, this conversation sets the tone for deeper, more honest dialogue. Key takeaways: Why avoiding triggers can actually make emotional reactions worse and what to do insteadThe current cultural polarization around masculinity and genderHow boys and men are often socialized into emotional restrictionThe role of loneliness in men’s mental health todayCommon barriers and misconceptions around men’s therapyWhy men may struggle to ask for guidance or supportFoundational concepts like the window of tolerance and stress responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn)How to approach difficult conversations with more curiosity and accountabilityConnect with us Email- thistriggersmepodcast@gmail.com Social media- https://www.instagram.com/dr.audra.horney/ https://www.instagram.com/re.masculine/ https://www.instagram.com/thistriggersmepod/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thistriggersmepod Podcast post-production credit to Stacy Blackburn

    59 min

  7. APR 20

    Ep.2-Is Empathy for Boys & Men Dangerous?

    Is empathy for men dangerous or is the real danger what happens when empathy is withheld? In this episode of This Triggers Me, a psychologist specialized in therapy for men and a sociologist focused on men and boy’s wellbeing take on one of the most polarizing questions about gender dynamics. They explore the tension between empathy and accountability, challenge the fear that supporting men’s mental health enables harm, and unpack how dehumanization fuels division. Through real life examples and psychological frameworks, they examine what it actually looks like to hold both compassion and responsibility at the same time. Key takeaways: Why empathy for men is often seen as controversialThe difference between empathy and excusing harmful behaviorHow dehumanization (not empathy) is what drives anger and divisionThe “trauma triangle” (victim, villain, hero) and how it shows up in conflictHow triggers and shame keep people stuck in reactive rolesThe impact of polarization in conversations around the male loneliness epidemic and men’s mental healthCommon themes in men’s therapy, including self loathing and difficulty with self compassionWhy many men deeply want emotional closeness but struggle to access itHow validating and witnessing pain can reduce defensiveness, anger, and disconnectionConnect with us Email- thistriggersmepodcast@gmail.com Social media- https://www.instagram.com/dr.audra.horney/ Looking for a therapist for men? Visit Dr. Audra's global directory: www.draudra.com" https://www.instagram.com/re.masculine/ https://www.instagram.com/thistriggersmepod/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thistriggersmepod Podcast post-production credit to Stacy Blackburn

    1 hr

  8. APR 20

    Ep.3- Is Masculinity Toxic?

    Why has the phrase “toxic masculinity” become so triggering? In this episode of This Triggers Me, Dr Audra Horney (a therapist for men) and Dr. Brendan K. Hartman (a sociologist who researches the emotional well being of boys) unpack why “toxic masculinity” is such a loaded and often counterproductive term. They explore how masculinity itself isn’t the problem, but how restrictive, rigid expectations can negatively impact men’s wellbeing, relationships, and emotional lives. Through cultural, psychological, and relational lenses, they reframe masculinity as something complex capable of both harm and growth. Key takeaways: Why the term “toxic masculinity” often triggers defensiveness and derails meaningful dialogueThe difference between masculinity and restrictive masculinityHow emotional suppression, hyper-independence, and dominance impact men’s mental healthThree lenses of masculinity: biological, social, and spiritualHow cultural definitions of masculinity evolve over time (e.g., cowboys, provider/protector roles)The concept of “threatened masculinity” and how men respond when identity feels challengedHow emotional intelligence (like RULER skills) can help menThe importance of community, connection, and a healthier relationship with powerHow masculinity can be both empowering and harmful and why owning that complexity mattersConnect with us Email- thistriggersmepodcast@gmail.com Social media- https://www.instagram.com/dr.audra.horney/ Looking for a therapist for men? Visit Dr. Audra's global directory: www.draudra.com" https://www.instagram.com/re.masculine/ https://www.instagram.com/thistriggersmepod/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thistriggersmepod Podcast post-production credit to Stacy Blackburn

    1h 7m

  9. APR 15

    Introducing.. This Triggers Me podcast

    Welcome to the This Triggers Me podcast.Hosted by Dr Audra Horney a licensed psychologist and sociologist Dr. Brendan Hartman, this conversation driven podcast explores masculinity, gender, and emotional development by leaning into charger or triggering topics.Each episode blends psychological insight, sociological perspective, and real dialogue to unpack some of the most polarizing conversations around men today. If you’re tired of surface level takes and ready for conversations that challenge you, stretch you, and actually move you forward, this is where that work begins

    2 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

This is not a safe space, it’s a real one. Hosted by Dr Audra Horney a licensed psychologist and sociologist Dr. Brendan K Hartman, this conversation driven podcast explores masculinity, gender, and emotional development by leaning into charger or triggering topics. Each episode blends psychological insight, sociological perspective, and real dialogue to unpack some of the most polarizing conversations around men today. If you’re tired of surface level takes and ready for conversations that challenge you, stretch you, and actually move you forward, this is where that work begins

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Audra Horney and Dr Brendan K Hartman
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dr Audra Horney and Dr Brendan K Hartman
  • Show Website
    This Triggers Me

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