Episodes

Doug Fleener on Sobriety, Self-Trust, and the “What If” Rule: Pause, Question, Go On Real Men Feel, Andy Grant talks with Doug Fleener, author of Start with What If, about how asking better questions can spark practical change. Doug shares how addiction and bankrupting his family business led to a pivotal interruption—“What if today you just went today without drink or drug?”—launching nearly four decades of sobriety. They discuss why men often wait for “rock bottom,” how shame thrives in isolat...

Emotional Alchemy, Shame, and Healthy Masculinity Host Andy Grant welcomes back holistic life and relationship coach Markus Kasunich to discuss “emotional alchemy,” shame, and how men may self-emasculate in reaction to toxic masculinity. Markus defines emotional alchemy as a three-part process—emotional awareness (visceral sensing), emotional intelligence (real-time articulation), and processing through feeling—arguing the emotional body can clear old material efficiently. They explore how men c...

From Marine to Somatic Intimacy Guide: Andre Lazarus on Presence Over Performance Host Andy Grant interviews Andre Lazarus, a former US Marine turned somatic intimacy guide and surrogate partner therapist featured on the UK series Virgin Island. Andre describes serving in Afghanistan, leading others, and later being drawn into intimacy work after partners reflected its therapeutic impact, alongside unlearning rigid ideas of masculinity. He critiques the manosphere as often dangerous but notes it...

From Busy Brain to Loving Heart: Howard Steinberg on Trauma, Achievement, and Authentic Masculinity Host Andy Grant interviews Howard Steinberg, author of Confessions of a Problem Seeker, about how compulsive hyperthinking and achievement masked inherited trauma from being raised by Holocaust survivors, plus the fear and isolation shaped by a childhood type 1 diabetes diagnosis and a likely undiagnosed ADHD. Steinberg describes building an outwardly successful identity as an entrepreneur while l...

Men, Masks, and Meaning: Sean Hegarty on Being “Fine,” Identity, and Men Forge Forward Host Andy Grant talks with Sean Hegarty, founder of Men Forge Forward, about how many men hide stress behind the mask of being “fine,” shaped by pressure, responsibility, and fear of appearing weak. Drawing on years as a paramedic and healthcare manager, Sean describes seeing men buckle under hidden load—especially during COVID when support networks vanished—and shares his own “dark time” after being diagnosed...

Emotional Fitness: Redefining Strength Through Self-Love and Vulnerability Host Andy Grant welcomes Shaun Zetlin—master fitness trainer, motivational speaker, and author of Emotional Fitness—who defines “emotional fitness” as empowering yourself emotionally through exercise and releasing emotions stored in the body. Shaun shares how being born with club feet, being picked last, and a humiliating kickball incident where a camp counselor yelled, “What a loser,” led him to survive on shame and fuel...

Reinvention, Grief, and Identity After Corporate Life On Real Men Feel, host Andy Grant talks with reinvention coach Shelley McIntyre about why workplace change triggers resistance rooted in grief and fear of loss, explained through self-determination theory’s three needs: autonomy, competence, and connection. McIntyre distinguishes reinvention coaching from career coaching by focusing on identity questions—when high achievers feel they’ve “masked” themselves with competence, status, and titles,...

From Burnout to Boundaries: Clarity, Values, and Life Reboot Host Andy Grant interviews coach Loren Silverman, who helps overwhelmed high performers set healthier boundaries, clarify values, and rebuild steadier lives, including through his gamified 12-week “Life Reboot Nerd Edition” (a Dungeons & Dragons-style framework where clients “level up” real-life skills like boundaries and energy mastery). Silverman shares his own burnout and how the 2022 Ukraine invasion—impacting his Ukrainian dev tea...

Episode 400: The Invisible Scorecard Host Andy Grant marks Real Men Feel’s 400th episode and 10-year anniversary with returning guest Vanessa Cardenas, a relationship reset expert, to examine how men constantly measure themselves through an “invisible scorecard” of success, money, status, age, and relationship milestones. They discuss how comparison “pulls a man out of his life and puts him onto someone else’s timeline,” eroding confidence and intimacy, especially when men fill gaps with imagine...

Betrayal, Shame & Rebuilding Trust: The Therapy Brothers on Real Recovery On Real Men Feel, host Andy Grant talks with licensed clinicians Brannon Patrick and Tyler Patrick (the Therapy Brothers) about betrayal, shame, trust, and recovery after relationship rupture. They share what drew them into trauma, addiction, infidelity, and betrayal work, why men often seek help only after disclosure or rock bottom, and how fear of rejection and “unlovability” drives hiding, overperforming, and defensiven...

Success, Intuition, and Purpose: Paul Davis on Unlocking Your Genius Host Andy Grant interviews business growth consultant and intuitive advisor Paul Davis about aligning business success with purpose, meaning, and self-care. Davis explains that financial turnarounds don’t last if the owner’s mindset, beliefs, and unresolved childhood trauma aren’t addressed, citing ACE scores and how fear, shame, and guilt can escalate depression and suicidal ideation. He shares his own lifelong suicidal though...

Rebuilding After Betrayal, Divorce, and the Dead Bedroom: Ralph Brewer on Men, Shame, and Support Host Andy Grant interviews men’s coach Ralph Brewer about rebuilding after infidelity, divorce, and relationship collapse. Ralph shares his own experience of being divorced within 60 days after his spouse’s infidelity and becoming a single father of three, including how he blamed himself for years and later learned he couldn’t control another person’s choices. He explains how therapy and connecting ...

The Hollow Man Syndrome: Redefining Success, Vulnerability, and the New Alpha Host Andy Grant interviews Kenyada Meadows, a Bank of America senior vice president and master certified executive coach, about “hollow man syndrome”—men who appear successful but feel empty and unfulfilled. Meadows explains the metaphor of a strong tree with decaying roots and describes how hollowing out can manifest as strained relationships, self-medicating, short tempers, or acting out. He contrasts traditional “al...

Men’s Health, Loneliness, and Real Masculinity Host Andy Grant opens by saying men need truth and connection, not shame or fake strength. After a guest postpones due to health news, Andy shares he has a colonoscopy scheduled and urges men to prioritize physical health: get annual checkups, know family history, ask doctors questions, and follow colorectal cancer screening guidance, noting rising deaths under 50 and citing Chadwick Boseman and James Van Der Beek. He then discusses an international...

Escaping the Success Trap: When Achievement Still Feels Empty Host Andy Grant discusses “the success trap,” where men achieve promotions, money, status, and accomplishments yet feel empty, disconnected, and numb. Citing a Forbes article, he explains the paradox that believing we’re successful can limit growth by creating fear of risking standing in others’ eyes, even when success lacks meaning. Drawing from his corporate experience and nearly 400 Real Men Feel episodes, he describes signs and ou...

Midlife Identity, Men Speaking Up, and Finding Fulfillment After 50 Andy Grant interviews UK-based Philip Briscoe, host of the Mid-life Men Podcast, about his midlife turning point at 50 after leaving a tech job where he felt undervalued and realizing he didn’t know who he was beyond work. Philip describes how stress and lack of fulfillment contributed to depression, anxiety, poor sleep, and lifestyle-related health issues including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and fatty liver,...

Real Men Feel: 10-Year Anniversary—From Blab to Authentic AF Andy Grant celebrates 10 years of Real Men Feel, which first went live on February 23, 2016 on Blab, and thanks co-founder Appio Hunter, past guests, and listeners for helping create a space where men can talk about the full range of emotions. The episode features audio from the very beginning of the first 2016 episode, a clip from episode 100 about two and a half years later reflecting on how the show grew from a planned monthly, 30-m...

Are You Being Real? In this episode of Real Men Feel, host Andy Grant addresses the skepticism surrounding authenticity, particularly among men. He explores how the term has been diluted and misused across contexts, reducing it to a mere buzzword. Andy revisits the core values of his show—authenticity, vulnerability, and compassion—while sharing personal experiences that illustrate the genuine meaning of being authentic. He emphasizes the importance of honesty, responsibility, and emotional open...

Unlocking the Real You: The Power of Animal Archetypes In this episode of Real Men Feel, host Andy Grant is joined by Eric Gee, a published author, life and writing coach, who shares his unique personality typing system based on animal archetypes. They discuss how this system provides deeper insights into oneself beyond superficial traits, helping individuals make better life choices across careers, relationships, and personal growth. Eric elaborates on common misconceptions in traditional perso...

Transformative Fatherhood with Jon Hord: From Reactive to Present In this episode of Real Men Feel, host Andy Grant speaks with Jon Hord, founder of the Engaged Father Project. Jon shares his journey from a stressed-out father to becoming an emotionally regulated, present parent. They discuss intentional parenting, emotional regulation, and redefining strong fatherhood. Jon explains the importance of self-awareness, vulnerability, and conscious choices in improving fatherhood. He also discusses ...

Overcoming Life's Inner Prisons In this compelling episode of Real Men Feel, host Andy Grant interviews Matt Melvin, author of 'Bullied Behind Bars.' Matt shares his harrowing experiences of incarceration, bullying, and isolation, focusing on the mental prison of blame and anger that lingered long after his physical release. The conversation delves into the challenges many men face, such as shame, fear, and past trauma, and discusses the importance of emotional survival, men's groups, and what i...

Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticity In this episode of Real Men Feel, host Andy Grant is joined by Tyler Foley, a keynote speaker and author of 'The Power to Speak Naked.' They delve into topics such as masculinity, leadership, vulnerability, and the complexities of jealousy and control for men. Tyler shares how his communication skills and diverse influences shape his masculinity and confidence. The conversation also explores relationship dynamics, including how to be supportive of a succe...

Overcoming Sexual Performance Anxiety In this episode of Real Men Feel, host Andy Grant discusses the often taboo topic of erectile dysfunction, sexual performance anxiety, and the fear of being broken with guest Shay Doran. Shay, a coach who helps men overcome these issues, shares his personal journey and insights on why ED is rarely just about the body but more about mindset. They discuss the societal pressures and beliefs that contribute to performance anxiety, the impact on relationships, an...

Navigating Grief with Gratitude: A Conversation with Steve Gamlin In this episode of Real Men Feel, host Andy Grant welcomes Steve Gamlin, known as the Motivational Firewood Guy. Steve shares his journey of grief and gratitude after losing his wife, Tina, in December 2024. The conversation delves deep into the process of living and creating with a broken heart, the power of visualization, and the impact of everyday kindness. Steve also discusses the importance of authentic expression and being h...