Gay Men Going Deeper

Gay Men Going Deeper

Gay Men Going Deeper is a weekly podcast that showcases raw and real conversations about personal development, mental health, and sexuality - from an unapologetically gay perspective. Hosted by Matt Landsiedel and Michael DiIorio, and featuring a wide range of special guests, you can expect to be inspired, entertained, and even a little triggered from time to time. This provocative podcast is for anyone who craves deeper conversations on topics ranging from spirituality to sexuality - and everything in between. Visit us at www.GayMenGoingDeeper.com Support the show: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LT55M79CMH5FN

Episodes

October 9, 2025 47 mins

Joy isn’t just fireworks and big milestones; it’s in the ordinary, everyday moments we often overlook. Yet for many of us, joy feels slippery and hard to find. 

In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we’re diving into what joy really feels like, how it shifts as we evolve and age, and why it’s less about chasing highs and more about cultivating presence.

We’ll explore:

  • The difference betwe...
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You know the type — ambitious, perfectionistic, and always striving to do more and be more… yet secretly fuelled by pressure, anxiety, and fear.  

In this episode, Michael is joined by special guest Scott Stirrett as they share their own stories of hustling for achievement and how they’ve learned to stay ambitious without destroying themselves in the process. Together, they unpack how perfectionism, internalized shame,...

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September 25, 2025 34 mins

In this final installment of our 4-part series on grief, we explore the powerful practice of Radical Acceptance—what it means, why it’s so difficult, and how it becomes the turning point in your healing journey.

Whether you're grieving the person you used to be, mourning a friendship that faded, or facing the slow heartbreak of watching your parents age, grief often leaves us wrestling with reality. Radical acceptance is what al...

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September 18, 2025 46 mins

As our parents get older, many of us are faced with a new kind of grief- the quiet, ongoing loss that comes not from death, but from watching the people who once raised us begin to slow down and need us in ways they never did before.

In this deeply personal episode, we open up about the emotional complexity of witnessing our parents age. From role reversals and unresolved wounds, to meaningful moments and surprising lessons, we ...

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September 11, 2025 49 mins

Not all grief is about death. Sometimes, the hardest losses are the people (or pets) who are still alive—but no longer in our lives.

In this episode, we’re talking about the heartbreak of losing relationships: romantic breakups, friendship fallouts, and the deep sadness that comes with saying goodbye to a beloved pet. We explore how grief shows up emotionally, mentally, and even physically—and the unique challenges of letting go...

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September 4, 2025 39 mins

Grief isn’t just about death—it’s also about the quiet losses we carry as we grow and evolve. In this episode, we’re kicking off a 4-part series on grief by exploring what it means to grieve your past.

Whether it’s a version of yourself that felt more confident, more desirable, or more socially “relevant,” we often feel a deep emotional pull toward who we used to be. From aging and identity shifts to the grief of letting go of o...

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August 28, 2025 56 mins

Most of us want to be seen, heard, and understood, but the fear of judgment can stop us from doing so. Whether it’s being more social, speaking your feelings, or sharing creative work, putting yourself out there can feel risky, especially when we’ve been conditioned to play it safe due to past hurt or rejection. 

In this episode, we’re sharing: 👉 Our personal journeys from shy and self-conscious to being more visible 👉 Th...

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August 21, 2025 35 mins

We all know self-love is important, but what happens when it goes too far in the wrong direction?

In this episode, Michael DiIorio is joined by therapist Michael Pezzullo for an honest conversation about the shadow side of self-love. Together, they explore:

  • The difference between self-comforting and self-coddling
  • How emotional sensitivity can become emotional fragility
  • Why self-bulldozing is j...
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August 14, 2025 49 mins

Some of us didn’t choose to become lone wolves—we were shaped into them. Many gay men have learned to rely only on themselves, and while that self-sufficiency can feel empowering, it often comes at the cost of connection and intimacy.

In this personal and vulnerable episode, Michael and Matt open up about their own lone wolf energy—where it comes from, how it’s served them, and the moments when it became more isolating than empo...

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In this episode, Matt speaks with queer relationship coach Lonay Halloum about why we attract unavailable men. This episode will provide you with a deeper understanding of your relationship patterns and why you might be attracting unavailable men. This episode was inspired by a deep desire to help you heal the subconscious programs that lead to self-abandonment so you can end this exhausting cycle and finally attract available men....

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July 31, 2025 60 mins

Why do so many gay men struggle with deep fears of rejection—whether in dating, friendships, or even at work? In this episode, we’re unpacking rejection sensitivity: where it comes from, how it shows up in everyday life, and why it can feel so intense for us.

Some of the topics we cover:

  • The early roots of rejection sensitivity (hint: it starts young)
  • How social norms, internalized homophobia, an...
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How would you, your life, and your experience be if you were free from uncertainty, instability, and insecurity?

While it can’t be promised you won’t have to experience these again, in this special solo episode, Reno shares personal experiences, perspectives, anecdotes, and practices to help you relate to them in ways that do create more freedom, creativity, resourcefulness, resilience, discernment, enthusiasm and lightness in ...

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July 17, 2025 53 mins

We may be adults, but a lot of us are still living in emotional childhood—blaming others for how we feel and how we act. When you give other people control over your emotions, you give away your power.

In this episode, we're breaking down what it means to take responsibility for your emotions and why it is fundamental if you want true freedom, stronger relationships, and genuine self-confidence. We’ll share personal stories of w...

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July 10, 2025 65 mins

In this episode, Matt speaks with author and love advocate, Scott Stabile. Together, they break down the psycho-spiritual aspects of the inner critic and how to best work with it from a place of love. If you are someone who is hard on yourself and has a tough time finding self-love and self-compassion, this episode will help you develop greater awareness of your inner critic, where self-judgment originates, and how you can start pr...

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    July 3, 2025 60 mins

    What happens when we avoid feeling our emotions? In this episode, we explore the importance of emotional awareness: tuning in instead of checking out. We share what happens when we suppress our feelings, and how to navigate the tough ones with compassion and care.

    We also explore:

    • The link between emotional avoidance and things like addiction, depression, and burnout
    • What blocks us from feeling o...
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    June 26, 2025 46 mins

    It’s Pride Month, and with everything going on in the world right now, it feels especially important to pause and reflect.

    In this special panel discussion episode, Reno Johnston is joined by three incredible guests—Mark Fleming, Keone Wales, and Jordan Layne—for a candid panel discussion on the meaning of Pride: where it began, how it’s evolved, and what it means to each of us today. Together, they explore questions like:

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    June 19, 2025 49 mins

    In 2025, LGBTQ rights are facing renewed challenges- from the rise of far-right populism to legislative rollbacks and the rise of hate sweeping across the globe. But how serious is the threat? And if the fight is back on… are we ready?

    This week, Michael is joined by author and longtime activist, Tim McCaskell, who’s been on the front lines of LGBTQ+ resistance for over five decades. From the bathhouse raids to the fight for AID...

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    June 12, 2025 49 mins

    In today’s episode, we’re diving into a question many in our community have been quietly (or loudly) asking: Has Pride lost its meaning?

    In this wide-ranging conversation, we reflect on how Pride has evolved from its radical roots in activism to its present-day celebratory scene shaped by media, politics, and corporate sponsorships. We talk about what’s been gained, what’s been lost, and what still needs to be reclaimed.

    Some...

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    June 5, 2025 73 mins

    In this episode, Matt speaks with a panel of demisexual gay men about their experiences dating as demisexuals. What we want you to get out of this episode is greater awareness of yourself if you are demisexual, and to know you are not alone. We want to share our own experiences in the hope that you can learn ways to thrive as a demisexual.  If you are not demisexual, this episode will offer you a greater understanding of demis...

  • May 29, 2025 53 mins

    For many gay men, friendship is complicated, performative, and sometimes downright painful. We crave genuine connection but end up navigating cliques, comparison, and quiet loneliness. 

    In this episode, Michael and Pepper are doing an exposé on gay friendships to unpack what’s really going on beneath the surface and why so many gay friendships fall short of the depth and safety we actually want.

    We’re breaking it down in...

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