You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist

In recent years, surrogacy has become a staple in the medical field with little regard or thought of the impact surrogacy has on the human reproductive and evolutionary process. This week, I am joined by Registered Nurse Jennifer Lahl in a conversation about the lesser known tribulations that surrogate mothers face in contemporary society including health risks, contractual exploitation, and family breakage. Jennifer Lahl has been studying surrogacy for over 15 years and has assisted in the production of nearly as many films surrounding this highly contentious topic. Join us in our exploration of what surrogacy’s greater impacts are on the human race’s reproductive and evolutionary process.Jennifer Lahl, MA, BSN, RN is founder and president of The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network. Lahl couples her 25 years of experience as a pediatric critical care nurse, a hospital administrator, and a senior-level nursing manager with a deep passion to speak for those who have no voice. Lahl’s writings have appeared in various publications including Cambridge University Press, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Dallas Morning News, and the American Journal of Bioethics. As a field expert, she is routinely interviewed on radio and television including ABC, CBS, PBS, and NPR. She is also called upon to speak alongside lawmakers and members of the scientific community, even being invited to speak to members of the European Parliament in Brussels to address issues of egg trafficking; she has three times addressed the United Nations during the Commission on the Status of Women on egg and womb trafficking.In 2009, Lahl was associate producer of the documentary film Lines That Divide: The Great Stem Cell Debate, which was an official selection of the 2010 California Independent Film Festival. In 2010, she made her writing and directing debut producing the documentary film Eggsploitation, which has been awarded Best Documentary by the California Independent Film Festival and has sold in more than 30 countries. An updated and expanded version of Eggsploitation was released in the fall of 2013. She is also Director, Executive Producer, and co-writer of Anonymous Father’s Day (2011), a documentary film exploring the stories of women and men who were created by anonymous sperm donation. In 2014 she completed what is now a trilogy of films on the ethics of third-party reproduction with Breeders: A Subclass of Women?, which focuses on surrogacy. In July 2015, she released a documentary short Maggie's Story, which follows one woman’s egg donation journey. Compassion and Choice: Denied (2016) is a short documentary on physician assisted suicide. Lahl’s next feature film, #BigFertility was released in the fall of 2018. Her most recent film, Trans Mission: What’s the Rush to Reassign Gender? was just released in June of 2021. Always using film as a way to communicate and educate, her forthcoming film,  The Detransition Diaries: Saving Our Sisters, is set to release Fall 2022. All of her films are available for FREE streaming on The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network's YouTube channel. You can follow Jennifer and her work on Twitter @jenniferlahl or on the Center for Bioethics and Culture Network website, here.In this episode, I mentioned previously aired episodes with Amy Sousa:9. Amy Sousa Emotional Empowerment Through Embodied Awareness  I also mentioned Jonathan Haidt’s Book, The Righteous Mind and Jennifer Lahl’s recent book, Broken Bonds: Surrogate Mothers Speak Out,which you can find by following these Amazon affiliate links or in my bookshop. Either way, your purchase supports the show. Thank you!Join Jennifer and I in person for a showing of both Affirmation Generation and The Detransition Diaries in Austin Texas on April 21, following a conference hosted by Partners for Ethical Care April 20! Please visit the Partners for Ethical Care event page here for more information. To register for the free film showing on April 21, register to affirmationdocumentary@gmail.com. To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Does woke ideology in psychotherapy education damage the field of professional counseling? Therapists are being evaluated more and more on the fundamental axioms that underlay critical social justice theory instead of the traditional principles that empower counselors to effectively and respectfully treat their patients. In this week's episode, I am joined by Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Christine Sefein to discuss her experiences in higher education that led her to a deep questioning of critical social justice and its anti-human sentiment.Christine is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in grief and trauma work.  She has worked most extensively with grieving adults and children in a variety of communities and settings including dual-diagnosis residential facilities, intensive outpatient treatment, homeless shelters and in private practice.  Christine has held positions such as Clinical Director of OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center, Clinical Supervisor of the Interpersonal Violence programs at California Lutheran University, and grief specialist. Christine Sefein is also Professor of Clinical Psychology, and most recently taught at Antioch University Los Angeles, in the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Program. Christine is currently co-hosting a podcast for Critical Therapy Antidote which will premiere soon, coinciding with the release of the book, Cynical Therapies: Perspectives on the AntiTherapeutic Nature of Critical Social Justice, which features an essay she authored. You can find this book in my bookshop or via this Amazon affiliate link; either way, your purchase supports the show. Thank you!As a public speaker and formal educator, Christine dedicates her time to educating others on the harms of Critical Social Justice in the field of Psychology. You can contact Christine at csefein@christinesefeinmft.com.In this episode, I mentioned previously aired episodes with Amy Gallagher, Leslie Elliot, James Esses, and Andrew Hartz. Those can be found below: 50. The Battle Against Discrimination in Psychotherapy with Amy Gallagher33. Therapists or Activists? The Ideological Capture of Counseling Education, with Leslie Elliott 23. Gender Updates Across the Pond with James Esses24. Counseling in a Cluster B Culture with Andrew Hartz, PhD To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Is Christianity responsible for racism? According to Amy Gallagher in her fight against the UK’s NHS, the answer is no. Two years ago, Amy Gallagher was told she was unfit to engage with her patients since she disagrees with Orwellian principles foundational to woke ideology that view white people as the “problem of our time.” Today, I am joined by Amy Gallagher to discuss the shortcomings of this subtly vicious ideology with inherently detrimental impacts on psychotherapy as a profession along with the unparalleled negative outcomes for patients who are subjected to it. Amy Gallagher is a Mental Health Nurse who has been working in the UK National Health Service (NHS) for seven years. She has worked with adolescents and adults with a range of issues such as eating disorders, personality disorders, anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Amy has a postgraduate diploma in psychodynamic psychotherapy and is currently suing the NHS for suspending the final part of her training to become a psychotherapist because she disagreed with Critical Race Theory. You can follow Amy Gallagher’s work on Twitter @standuptowoke and can donate to fund her legal fees and application for judicial review in her Travistock discrimination lawsuit on GoFundMe, here.In this episode we discuss how the death of religion on a social scale has created an environment rife with discrimination against thought diversity in therapeutic treatment. Amy argues that psychotherapy as a profession has been hijacked by an ideologically-driven oppression of viewpoint divergence, threatening the professional development of therapists, and as in Amy’s case, open discrimination against Christian counselors and their patients. Amy sheds light on how the profession of psychotherapy suffers as a result of ideological principles lacking in an evidence base being taught as fact, and we discuss the negative effects and experiences patients endure as a result. Amy’s case presents a unique point in time where people of certain demographics  are discriminated against by progressive puritanicals who believe that simplistic and divisive narratives are the only answer to the complexities of the human condition. In this episode, I mentioned previously aired episodes with Leslie Elliot, James Esses, and Andrew Hartz. Those can be found below: 33. Therapists or Activists? The Ideological Capture of Counseling Education, with Leslie Elliott 23. Gender Updates Across the Pond with James Esses 24. Counseling in a Cluster B Culture with Andrew Hartz, PhD To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Canada is front and center of the growing controversy around its expansion of the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) policy as heated debates on the euthanization of children, trans identifying people and the mentally ill have swept its legislative bodies. I am joined by writer and host of the podcast Our Canadian Journey Darshan Maharaja, who is sounding the alarm on the increasingly contentious nature of Canada’s MAiD program. In this episode, we discuss Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) policy expansion efforts and how they impact those seeking state-sanctioned suicide in Canada. Darshan explains how expansion of this program is creating controversy in the otherwise supported position that terminally ill patients suffering from excessive pain deserve dignity in death. Mr. Maharaja is seeking to call attention to the harm that expansion of this policy is creating for all Canadians from mothers, to disaffected youth, and even infants. As of the enactment of this law in 2016, the rate of those seeking assistance in death has skyrocketed from 1,000 patients to 10,000 annually. This astonishing increase brings up the utility of medical assistance in dying, government responses to such policies, and the larger societal harms associated with it. Growing up in India, Darshan witnessed the transitioning of that country’s economy from an avowedly socialist one, with the government owning outright certain sectors of the economy and excessively regulating what private enterprise existed, to a significantly much freer market economy. This experience has given Darshan some unusual insights into the role of the government in an economy, as also the consequences of government policy on the populace. On the political front, Darshan saw the evolution of Indian politics from the overwhelming dominance of one party to a splintering among many regional and ideological parties. The authoritarianism of the earlier decades was replaced by deal-making and compromises. This transition has had a profound impact on the exercise of political power. Darshan is of the opinion that his experiences on these two fronts are very relevant to the Canadian landscape of the 21st century. After becoming a Chartered Accountant, Darshan worked in India, Africa and the Middle East, with some exposure to Central Asia as well, before moving to Canada. The years of living in many different societies and cultures were of invaluable educational value that helped Darshan understand the nuances of integration as well as the points of divergence between diverse cultures. These two aspects are of immediate – and increasingly urgent – importance in today’s Canada. Darshan is not a member of any political party or any other social or ideological organization. You can follow Darshan Maharaja’s work on twitter @TheophanesRex, on his website, http://darshanmaharaja.ca or follow his podcast, “Our Canadian Journey,” here. In this episode, I mentioned a previously aired episode with Robin Atkins: 27. Robin Atkins, LMHC: Two Therapists Debate Abortion. To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In their desperation to protect their children from lifelong medicalization, parents of trans-identifying youth are often at risk of losing sleep, jobs, and even marriages. In this episode, I talk with life coach and ROGD parent, StoicMom, about how ROGD parents might save their sanity and develop pathways forward in support of healthy family dynamics. StoicMom presents solutions to parents outlined by her view of stoicism. She encourages parents to see trans-identifying children as life’s invitation for self assessment. She urges parents to present children with optional roadmaps to enter adulthood that provide alternative ways of being to mainstream cultural views. StoicMom encourages listeners to reclaim resilience in the face of struggle and restore deep meaning in life by motivating parents to model the best examples possible for their children. She inspires parents to detach from outcomes as children navigate the muddy, but normal, waters of individuation through adolescence. StoicMom reminds us that life is rich when we accept the invitation it offers us to provide emotional support to our loved ones as they embark on their journey of self discovery. StoicMom is a certified life coach using her daughter's trans ID as inspiration to become a better human. By adopting the Stoic principle of "the obstacle is the way," StoicMom transformed this incredibly destabilizing circumstance into an opportunity to create healing and discover wholeness. She now coaches other moms with trans-identified children who are looking to recover solid ground, create inner peace and restore quality of life. StoicMom also offers a private online learning community for growth-oriented, non-affirming parents of trans-identified humans. For more information, visit The StoicMom Project at stoicmom.substack.com In this episode, StoicMom mentioned two previous podcast episodes. The first was with Sasha Ayad and Stella O’Malley on their program, “Gender: A Wider Lens” where they discussed personal individuation called, “Using Her Child’s Trans Identity for Personal Individuation.” Additionally, on “The StoicMom Project” StoicMom was interviewed by Jessie Mannisto on an episode called, “Perceiving a Higher Path.” Those podcast episodes can be found here:Gender: A Wider Lens - “Using Her Child’s Trans Identity for Personal Individuation"Perceiving a Higher Path -Jessie Mannisto interviews StoicMomI also mentioned my interview with Jessie Mannisto: 13. Jessie Mannisto - Brains and Bravery: Turning Breakdowns into Breakthroughs. To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Bob Withers, an elder psychotherapist with over 35 years' experience, discusses transition regret and the complexities of transgender medicine. Topics include unconscious exploration, harms of gender transition treatments, challenges in therapy, and the controversies surrounding transgender organizations. The podcast also touches on the importance of self-care and the potential risks of medically treating young trans individuals without sufficient evidence.

Once upon a time, Jason loved his job facilitating social and emotional learning in public schools. Then, in 2017, a new ideological framework began to take root in school SEL programs that eroded the foundation of goodwill that his work was based upon. But instead of giving into nihilism or despair, Jason forged a new path. He developed a new philosophy rooted in his values of dignity, integrity, and humor. From that, Empowered Humanity Theory was born. In this episode, Jason and I explore values-based, ideologically and politically neutral alternatives to such contentious topics as Social and Emotional Learning, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion curriculums. Jason Littlefield is a lifelong learner and longtime educator. In 2021 he left public education after 21 years because his job (SEL Specialist) evolved to advance an ideology rather enhance the human experience and condition. He now promotes Empowered Humanity Theory to schools, workplaces & communities that seek to build empowering and dignified communities. He is a co-founder and board member of Free Black Thought; a Director and board member of The Institute For Liberal Values; and host of the Reformation Radio podcast. In this episode, I mentioned several other episodes: my conversations with Leslie Elliott, Jessie Mannisto, Mike Belcher, and Deb Fillman. I also mentioned books by Leonard Sax and Donna Hicks, which you can find in my bookshop. To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Pamela Garfield-Jaeger, aka The Truthful Therapist, empowers parents with the knowledge necessary to navigate the world of therapy infected by the deceptively-named so-called “social justice” lens. Working in the field for over twenty years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she understands the importance of choosing the right therapist, especially for vulnerable children. In this episode, we examine the current state of the institution and the potential consequences for families needing help. How is woke therapy promoting victim mentality? What should parents know before finding a therapist for their child? We also dive into the dangers of gender affirmation and what impact it can have on families. The creator of Parent’s Guide to Mental Health, Pamela provides invaluable insight into the state of the profession today. Therapy should be a healing process that is tailored to the needs of the individual, not as a collective intervention. Join us as we discuss how to find what you need in the mental health system. Pamela Garfield-Jaeger is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with over 20 years of experience. She has worked in a variety of settings including NY community-based agencies, residential programs for foster youth, schools and mental health clinics in California. She has been a clinical supervisor for up-and-coming therapists for 10 years. In 2017, she had to leave her profession due to a severe disability and when she returned, so much in the mental health profession had changed, particularly when it comes to treatment of gender dysphoric patients. In the teen clinic she was at in San Mateo County, California in 2021, 3 out of 10 kids identified as trans. Since she had been in the field with vulnerable youth for over 20 years, this was a drastic change.  Pamela has spoken to many therapists who agree that instant affirmation of young people with complex mental health conditions is inappropriate, however, they're being heavily silenced. Because Pam continues to cope with chronic pain and receives disability, she has been emboldened to speak out on these issues and build her own program.Pamela is taking her 20 years of experience and building a comprehensive online parents' guide to mental health with the tag line "therapy not indoctrination". Since so many families need mental health support, Pamela's vision is to provide information for parents so they are empowered to know what to expect, the questions to ask the therapist, understand what skilled therapy looks like, know how much they should be involved (answer: a lot!) and information on numerous current mental health topics. The program will include pre-recorded lessons, live workshops and she will be providing consultations for parents so they can ask personal questions about concerns about the therapy their child is receiving.You can find her on Instagram at @the.truthfultherapist, on Twitter @redpilledlcsw, and her website is www.thetruthfultherapist.org.  To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What impact does an identity-focused culture have on children with autism? Teva Johnstone is a licensed clinical social worker in California who works as a parenting coach for the respectful care of "spirited" and autistic youth. Teva believes all children are worthy of developing life skills that are not predetermined by an identity defined by a mental health diagnosis. In this conversation, we dive into how the characteristics of autism are presented differently in males and females. When and how is it recognized in children? Is autism over or under-diagnosed? And what role does school culture and social media play in forming their worldview? Teva explains children with autism have amazing qualities that flourish in ideal environments. She works with parents on creating a space of acceptance while appropriately challenging their children. She emphasizes how important it is for children to understand that building a character and understanding their identity is a lifelong process.Teva Johnstone is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California and a Children's Mental Health Consultant. Her areas of focus are autism, "spirited" kids, and supporting parents of gender-questioning youth. Teva is passionate about Unschool, free speech, and all things parental rights. Content creator on Instagram @rebel.parentsOnline Courses & Parent Community: tevajohnstone.com To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Conflict in intimate relationships is a problem as old as time. While men are often perceived as the more privileged of the sexes, their lifespans are actually getting shorter. When it comes to intimate relationships, men often feel at a disadvantage. And male behavior that might come across to their female partners as angry, cold, or dismissive, is driven by fear more often than we might guess. Joining us today is Dr. Avrum Weiss, psychotherapist and author of Hidden in Plain Sight: How Men’s Fears of Women Shape Their Intimate Relationships. Together, we explore: why is it important to understand men? What makes it hard to see male behavior in terms of fear and vulnerability? How do our perceptions and definitions of masculinity contribute to communication breakdowns? Dr. Weiss articulates men’s #1 complaint in relationships, their 7 fears of women, and his most tried-and-true psychotherapy interventions for rekindling intimacy.Dr. Weiss is a psychotherapist, an award-winning author, and speaker. His decade-long work on understanding the internal lives of men culminated with his recently published bestseller “Hidden in Plain Sight: How Men’s Fears of Women Shape Their Intimate Relationships.” Dr. Weiss is a regular contributor to the Psychology Today website and offers workshops nationally about psychotherapy with men and helping men and women understand each other. He practices psychotherapy online from his home on an island in Midcoast Maine, specializing in psychotherapy groups for men and psychotherapy consultation. For more information, visit AvrumWeissPhD.com. To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★