Show Notes
Many men grow up receiving the same messages: be strong, stay tough, don’t show too much emotion. But what actually happens when vulnerability, creativity, or sensitivity start to feel like things that need to be hidden?
In this episode, host and therapist Sreela Roy-Greene sits down with author and podcast host Cory Allen, as well as writer and poet James McCrae for a deeply personal conversation about masculinity, emotional suppression, and learning how to reconnect with themselves. As a child, James felt he had to hide his love of poetry, while Cory was raised by a father he calls a “Texas Tony Soprano.” Together with Sreela, they each explore how vulnerability ultimately became a path toward deeper connection and understanding their childhood traumas.
Later in the episode, BetterHelp therapist David Yadush joins Sreela to unpack the psychology behind emotional literacy, affect labeling, and why so many men struggle to express what they’re feeling.
00:00 The Challenge of Emotional Expression for Men 01:42 Cory Allen on Childhood, Safety, and Emotional Development 05:35 Why Vulnerability Feels Risky 10:16 Masculinity, Trauma, and Cultural Expectations 12:34 A Practical Framework for Understanding Emotions 16:51 Emotional Armor and Its Impact on Relationships 20:00 Rethinking Strength and Healthy Masculinity 24:42 How Vulnerability Creates Connection 30:57 What Cory and James Wish You Knew About Emotional Expression 32:45 Why Many Men Struggle to Express Their Feelings 33:31 Expert Perspective: Shame, Self-Protection, and Emotional Openness 40:53 Movement, Mental Health, and Emotional Processing 44:54 Recognizing Emotional Safety in Relationships 54:07 Closing Reflections and Key Takeaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from Mind If We Talk?
What does it take to lead at the highest level when everyone has an opinion about how you should do it?
What makes us happy is often misunderstood. And in the age of AI, it's easier than ever to seek quick and easy answers to some of life’s biggest questions.
We all want to help the people we love, but when someone is struggling, knowing what to say or do isn’t always easy.
Menopause isn’t just a physical experience; it’s a mental one, too. In this episode, host and therapist Sreela Roy-Greene sits down with the mother-daughter duo Dr. Amy Shah and her mother, Rekha, to explore the mental shifts that accompany this change and why the conversation around menopause can be so hard to start. In her midlife, Rekha’s anxiety began to feel unbearable. It wasn’t until years later that she and her daughter Amy realized that this and other symptoms were due to menopause. Later in the episode, Dr. Natalie Crawford, a reproductive endocrinologist, author, and a leading voice in women’s hormone health, joins Sreela to dive further into the science of menopause. Dr. Crawford unpacks the hormonal shifts, the connection between the brain and the ovaries, how to optimize your health before perimenopause, and how to advocate for yourself when you are not getting the support you need.
How does bullying shape the way we see ourselves, connect with others, and move through the world? In this episode, host Sreela Roy-Greene sits down with trailblazing comedian Margaret Cho and her younger comedian friend, Dylan Adler. Together, they reflect on their distinct journeys with queer identity, childhood bullying, and finding acceptance as adults. Plus, they reflect on a key mechanism of using humor to transform pain and shame. Later, Sreela is joined by organizer, author, and activist Hope Giselle. Hope breaks down the profound psychological impact of positive representation, how bullying shapes the nervous system, and how to start healing from the things we were taught to never talk about.If you or someone you love is struggling with bullying, sexual assault, or suicidal ideation, you can find resources at https://www.betterhelp.com/gethelpnow/.