Authentic Connections

Authentic Connections

Men are dying at unprecedented rates (from suicide, drugs, and alcohol) and millions of others walk through life in pain. There’s an epidemic that no one is talking about – male despair. You feel disconnected from your friends and family, your work and community. You may appear happy, but inside you feel empty, lost, and lonely. You don’t dare complain because you’re a man and men aren’t allowed to. You’re not alone. Co-hosts and friends Jeff Singer and Nic Milani engage in extemporaneous conversation as they openly and authentically talk about the real underlying issues that drive isolation and loneliness. Having battled trauma, anxiety, and depression, they are living happier, more fulfilling, and meaningful lives through the power of connections and community. Season 2 welcomes a Distinguished Life Fellow with the American Psychiatric Association, Richard Gable, adding his professional perspective.

Episodes

May 20, 2025 25 mins

They guys talk about a trip to India that provided perspective and deeply impacted concepts of family, community, and individual purpose. 

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Men don’t reach out to share what they’re going through or to check in on others. We all want and need that connection, so why do we live solitary lives? 

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May 6, 2025 23 mins

Men often don’t express their feelings because they are not connected to their own emotions, and it’s no joke. It leads to loneliness, depression, and even violence. 

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April 29, 2025 23 mins

Trust is the foundation of every strong relationship—whether personal or professional. Yet, many men struggle with building and maintaining trust with others

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Dive into the age-old question: Are happy people naturally more social, or does being socially engaged lead to happiness?

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April 15, 2025 19 mins

A fascinating discussion about attachment styles and how they shape our relationships! Men make up the majority of those with an Avoidant attachment style, which means they often disassociate with those closest to them for fear of reprisal. No wonder men are more isolated and lonelier.

READ: Attached by Amir Levine, M.D. and Rachel S.F. Heller, M.A.

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April 8, 2025 29 mins

Studies show that people who attend religious services tend to be happier, with those practicing Eastern religions/philosophies reporting the highest levels of happiness.

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April 1, 2025 24 mins
Popular collaborative video games that once provided a sense of community and connection have shifted away from voice chat to anonymous modes - mirroring a wider trend of driving isolation and loneliness.   READ: Silent but Deadly by Luke Winkie
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March 25, 2025 28 mins

This experiment challenges our traditional notions of happiness, suggesting that happiness is possible even amid life’s challenges.

READ: Can “micro-acts” of joy make you happier? By Emma Beddington

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March 18, 2025 23 mins

Research shows our attempts to fight boredom through endless scrolling and streaming often leave us feeling more disconnected. The guys talk about how to how to avoid languishing and bringing your best self to everything and everyone in your life.

READ: Fast Forward - How Switching Behavior on Digital Media Makes People More Bored by Dr. Katie Tam

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March 11, 2025 19 mins

Explore modern addiction where we constantly seek something (money, status, objects, substances) outside ourselves to curb an insatiable yearning for relief or fulfillment.

READ: In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts - Close Encounters with Addiction by Gabor Mate

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March 4, 2025 23 mins

Is ignorance truly bliss? This thought-provoking discussion delves into the relationship between awareness and mental well-being.

 

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February 25, 2025 21 mins

Explore how the myth of American exceptionalism not only shapes our national identity but also impacts how we judge others and our sense of self.

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February 18, 2025 25 mins

Traditional structures that once provided this sense of belonging - from workplaces to social clubs - are rapidly devolving or disappearing in our digital age.

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February 11, 2025 20 mins

While the holiday season brings joy for many, it can also be a complex time of mixed emotions and unrealized expectations. Today we explore the anxious side of holiday experiences with special guest Dr. Richard Gable.

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September 11, 2024 19 mins

The backstory of Authentic Connections, the guys who started it, and the journey that brought them together. This episode was recorded at the end of the first season to provide context for our efforts to break the cycle of silence, which is harming men at alarming rates.

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August 28, 2024 12 mins

Tribes can be supportive, provide a sense of belonging and purpose. However, in a competitive environment or when resources are scarce, tribalism can also be divisive. Capitalism is a free-market philosophy based on competition. We are all potential competitors for scarce resources, such as schools, jobs, scholarships, and internships. Counterintuitively, higher socio-economic groups have a higher rate of substance abuse and suicid...

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August 28, 2024 27 mins

Men used to be providers and protectors, but not now. What are "masculine" traits? What is men's role? Women joke that men are obsolete. Men internalize that. Men feel lost, without purpose. Read: Epidemic of Male Loneliness

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August 27, 2024 27 mins

Like any positive traits, independence and self-sufficiency can be taken to a toxic extreme. Too many people cannot ask for or accept help. This leads to loneliness, isolation, and even suicide. Read more: Red Flags You're Actually Too Independent...by Emily Laurence

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August 27, 2024 17 mins

We are told to never be content or satisfied. But contentment may be a source of happiness and fulfillment. Maybe the key is to hold onto two thoughts at the same time: gratitude for what you have, while working to improve.

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