Ep 194 - Breaking The Stigma Around Men's Mental Health

What does healing look like when men are finally allowed to speak?

In this powerful episode, we bring together four incredible voices—Leo Xia, Michael Huynh, Jackson Xia, and Noel Garcia, who are each reshaping the conversation around men’s mental health, identity, and healing within Asian and Asian American communities.

Through stories of pain, resilience, and community, this episode sheds light on how mental health challenges have shaped their identities, not just as individuals, but as men breaking generational silence.

We also discuss what the future could look like if more safe spaces existed for men to connect, express, and heal. Whether you're personally navigating your journey or looking to support others, this conversation offers hope, guidance, and a powerful reminder: you are not alone.

About the guests:

Leo Xia is a men’s group leader and facilitator focused on supporting Asian men. Through over six years of work and 500+ conversations, he’s explored themes such as masculinity, identity, and culture. He leads JinShan Men’s Community under his company, JinShan Collective, and facilitates Proud Asian Men with the nonprofit Asian Mental Health Project.

→ Leo Xia https://www.instagram.com/lowhiofficial/

→ Proud Asian Men Bay Area Retreat 2025 https://lu.ma/2hlvr42p 

Michael Huynh is a mental health researcher completing his PhD in Public Health at UC Irvine. He studies the impact of social relationships on mental health within Asian American communities.

→ Michael Huynh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mphuynh/

Jackson Xia is a dancer and facilitator who brings people together through joyful movement. With 15 years of street dance experience, he’s taught youth across 20+ schools and led sessions for groups like Homeboy Industries and the Sierra Club. He also founded Soulful Sundays, a free dance picnic in Echo Park that supports mental health through movement in nature.

→ Jackson Xia: https://www.instagram.com/jackson.inabox/

→ Soulful Sundays: https://www.instagram.com/soulfulsundaysla

Noel Garcia is a Filipino American artist and founder of Genbu Daiko, with nearly 30 years of experience in Taiko drumming. His work blends rhythm, story, and soul to create spaces for healing, reflection, and connection.

→ Noel Garcia: https://www.instagram.com/taikonoel/

→ Genbu Daiko of San Diego https://www.instagram.com/genbudaiko/

 

Useful Links:

National Suicide and Mental Health Lifeline:→ https://988lifeline.org/

Teen Line:→ https://www.teenline.org/

How to Support Loved Ones:

→ https://www.suicideisdifferent.org/

→ https://www.suicideispreventable.org/ 

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