Breaking generational cycles, healing anxiety, and reshaping masculinity with Gunter Swaboda

Gunter grew up in a home filled with conflict and the strong influence of a mother who survived complex trauma and a gentle but wounded father, both from Vienna during the Russian invasion. As a teenager, he became fascinated by philosophy and Buddhism, which helped him realize that being a man involves intention and not just reacting to the world around him.

He struggled with performance anxiety and statistics during his psychology studies but found real progress through therapy, learning that feeling broken was not a permanent state.

Gunter’s journey took him from philosophy into psychology and therapy, helping him better understand both himself and others while continuing to explore what it means to be whole.

Working with Vietnam veterans and clients affected by trauma, he moved away from strictly cognitive therapies, focusing on real human experiences and the deep wounds that shape us.

With his wife as both partner and collaborator, Gunter became a leader in men’s well-being, writing fiction and non-fiction, consulting on scripts, and producing a top men’s psychology podcast. He is passionate about personal growth, cultural change, and empowering others to look inward and question traditional masculine values.

www.GoodMenGreat.com

Instagram: instagram.com/gswoboda

Twitter: x.com/gunterswoboda

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodmengreat/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/goodmengreat.bsky.social

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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

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Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

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Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at cbf.org.au.