Tough Love For Men

This week on Tough Love for Men, we’re sharing a special episode from Reclaiming the Gentle Man, hosted by men’s work facilitator and relationship coach Dave Lishansky.

Ryan joins Dave as a guest to explore reparenting your inner child and how early emotional conditioning continues to shape adult relationships. Dave also reflects on Ryan’s influence as a teacher and mentor in his own journey.

Together, they discuss ...

In this interview edition of Tough Love for Men, Ryan sits down with certified Nonviolent Communication trainer Mary Goyer to explore what changes when couples stop trying to win conflict and start listening for what matters underneath it.

Nonviolent Communication, or NVC, is a practical framework for tense or awkward conversations. Rather than leading with blame, judgment, or “you always” and “y...

In this episode of Tough Love for Men, Ryan Ginn and Luke Adler begin a new series exploring the male archetypes of defense: the protective patterns men fall into when vulnerability, conflict, or relational pain feels too difficult to hold.

The first archetype is The Defender.

The Defender hears an unmet need as an accusation. When his partner says, “I feel alone,” “That hurt me,&rdqu...

In this interview edition of Tough Love for Men, Ryan sits down with men’s relational health coach Bri Hofmann to explore a pattern many men live inside without realizing it: somewhere along the way, being a man became something they had to perform.

Bri’s work is shaped by years spent in high-stakes spaces, including emergency medical work in Denver and coaching as a doula. After her husband died by su...

Why Her Decision Feels Sudden to You

A woman tells her husband she wants to leave. He is stunned.

He thought they were going through a hard season. He knew she was unhappy about a few things, but every relationship has problems. He assumed they would work it out eventually.

For her, the decision may have been forming for years.

She asked for more help. She asked him to ...

In this episode of Tough Love for Men, Ryan and Luke explore spiritual bypassing: using spiritual beliefs, language, practices, or elevated states of consciousness to avoid the anxiety, grief, anger, desire, shame, and relational pain that still need our attention.

Spiritual practice can offer real relief. Meditation, prayer, nature, sacred music, breathwork, and time with a trusted tradition may soothe a nervous ...

In this episode of Tough Love for Men, we explore one of the hardest moments to navigate in a relationship: when your partner falls into shame and starts believing that something is fundamentally wrong with them.

You may hear them say they are failing as a parent, a partner, a friend, or simply as a person. Because you love them, your first instinct may be to correct the story, remind them of everything they are d...

In this episode of Tough Love for Men, we explore a relationship dynamic that can quietly create distance, resentment, and disconnection: the one-up / one-down pattern.

This happens when one partner takes the role of the knower, leader, teacher, fixer, or emotionally “more evolved” person in the relationship. At first, it may look like support or guidance. But over time, it can push the other partner i...

In this episode of Tough Love for Men, we explore one of the most common expectations people bring into relationships: the belief that love should eventually become easy.

While every relationship has moments of joy, connection, and play, long-term commitment also activates deeper layers of attachment, identity, and emotional growth. The very challenges many people interpret as signs that something is wrong may act...

In this episode, we explore one of the fastest ways a hard conversation with your partner can go sideways.

It often starts with a sentence that feels unfair. Something like, “You don’t listen,” or “You don’t care.” Your instinct might be to correct the record, explain what really happened, or defend your intentions.

But what if the moment is asking something differen...

We’re so excited to bring you our 50th Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of relationships and how they serve as a powerful avenue for spiritual growth and personal evolution.

Episode Takeaways:

• Relationships are not just about comfort and pleasure; they are a profound spiritual practice that challenges us to grow and love better.
• Embracing the pain and disco...

What would make the biggest difference in the quality of your life right now? Discover how asking the right questions can transform your relationship dynamics. In this episode, we break down a few things you can do today to reconnect with your partner. No therapy required, just practical steps that work in real life.

We cover:

• Why problem-solving can push your partner further away

• The...

Luke's back this week and we’re diving deep into the actions that truly make a difference in relationships.

We explore the common strategies that many of us unconsciously employ when faced with relationship challenges. We break down the ineffective tactics that often lead to disconnection and frustration, and we highlight the top three strategies that can foster greater connection, peace, and satisfaction in...

On this episode of Tough Love for Men, we sat down with Mike Elliott, a relationship transformation expert and men’s work mentor who helps leaders build stronger partnerships and thrive in connection rather than isolation.

About Our Guest

Mike Elliott specializes in relational growth and leadership, guiding men to break unhealthy patterns, heal past wounds, and become more present pa...

In this episode, we explore the challenges modern culture creates for connection in relationships. I’m joined by my friend Ryan Ginn to discuss how individualism, achievement, and societal pressure can lead to burnout, loneliness, and disconnection—especially for men navigating shame, ambition, and identity.

Together, we unpack how these cultural forces shape our relationships and share practical ways to recognize patter...

In this episode, we explore how smartphones and social media are quietly eroding presence, intimacy, and connection in modern relationships. While technology offers convenience and entertainment, excessive use often leaves us emotionally disconnected and less available to the people who matter most.

Through personal stories and real-life examples, we unpack how screens can replace meaningful interaction—at h...

In this episode of the Tough Love Podcast, we break down the three most common behaviors men bring into relationships that can quietly undermine—and eventually destroy—connection in marriage. While we’ve touched on these patterns before, this conversation goes straight to the heart of what’s actually happening and how to change it.

Throughout the episode, we challenge traditional ideas of stoicism, naming how...

In this episode of the Tough Love podcast, we explore the inner critic and its powerful influence on our relationships and sense of self. We discuss how this critical voice is shaped by early experiences with caregivers and rooted in a primal need for safety and belonging. When left unchecked, the inner critic can become harsh and shaming, fueling self-doubt, chronic inadequacy, and even depression.

Ryan and Luke emphasize that over...

In this episode of the Tough Love podcast, we explore reactivity in relationships—why it’s a natural part of being human and how it can impact connection if left unexamined. We discuss how our primitive brain and conditioning shape instinctual responses like fighting, shutting down, or withdrawing, and why normalizing reactivity is an important first step.

Through personal stories—including a humorous moment with m...