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Vulnerability is everywhere!

It’s on social media, in self-help books, on Ted talks, discussed in countless therapy rooms.

Vulnerability can be extremely confusing, especially for us blokes!

In this episode Howard and Ryan unpack it all for you.

• What does vulnerability really mean?
• Why is it often mistaken for weakness?
• How it can actually be a source of strength.?
• Can vulnerability be transformative?
• How does it make a difference to your mental health and relationship?
• When does it simply not work?

If you’ve ever wondered whether opening up is worth the risk, or is vulnerability really all that necessary this conversation is for you.

If this episode raises a need to get some counselling support Howard is available for consultations.

Check out his private practice:

Men and Relationships Counselling

Book An Appointment Here

Or reach out to a professional in your area.

Do you want to learn more ways to improve your relationship skills?

Check out our Online Mini Course:

'From Shut Down to Communication - 4 Relationship Boosting Strategies for Men'

Follow us + Join the Conversation

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www.menandrelationships.com.au

Contact us - howard@menandrelationships.com.au

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In this episode, Howard shares his personal journey from a stoic British upbringing to becoming a therapist who specialises in men's emotional health.

He reflects on:

• His early emotional struggles
• The impact of cultural norms on his mental health
• His path to self-discovery and emotional wellbeing

Howard delves into his therapeutic practices and how they helped him become more authentic and self-compassionate.

The conversation also explores:

• The importance of finding a therapist who resonates on a human level
• How therapy can serve as a safe space for emotional exploration and growth

This episode is a candid and insightful look into the personal and professional journey of a therapist, offering a compelling case for the transformative power of therapy.

If this episode raises a need to get some counselling support Howard is available for consultations.

Check out his private practice:

Men and Relationships Counselling

Book An Appointment Here

Or reach out to a professional in your area.

Do you want to learn more ways to improve your relationship skills?

Check out our Online Mini Course:

'From Shut Down to Communication - 4 Relationship Boosting Strategies for Men'

Follow us + Join the Conversation

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

www.menandrelationships.com.au

Contact us - howard@menandrelationships.com.au

Download Your Free Guide - Better Conversations for Blokes - Quick and Simple Ways to Communicate With Your Partner

Send us a text

Is true friendship a cornerstone of emotional wellbeing?

Friendships that offers support, belonging and genuine connection.

If so:

Why are so many men in Australia and beyond quietly battling loneliness and isolation?

• How do male friendships change over time?
• What does it takes to move past surface-level banter and build friendships that matter?

You are invited join Ryan and I in conversation as we unpack the power of authentic male friendships.

If this episode raises a need to get some counselling support Howard is available for consultations in Australia.

Check out his private practice:

Men and Relationships Counselling

Or reach out to a professional in your area.

Do you want to learn more ways to improve your relationship skills?

Check out our Online Mini Course:

'From Shut Down to Communication - 4 Relationship Boosting Strategies for Men'

Follow us + Join the Conversation

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

www.menandrelationships.com.au

Contact us - howard@menandrelationships.com.au

TRANSCRIPT

Speaker A: Is true friendship a cornerstone of emotional well being? You know, friendships that offer support,
belonging and a genuine connection? And if so, why are so many blokes in Australia and in fact around the world quietly battling loneliness and isolation?
How do male friendships change over time? And what does it take to move past that surface level banter and build friendships that matter?
You are invited to join Ryan and I in conversation as we unpack the power of authentic male friendships. Welcome to Man Talk, a podcast of real conversations about life, your life,
our life, the emotional well being of men. My name is Howard Todd Collins. I'm the director of Men and Relationships Counseling, a private counseling practice here in sunny Melbourne, Australia.
Thank you for being here. Sit back and relax and join me and my very good friend Ryan for this latest episode of Men Talk.
Today we're, we're talking about friendship and men.
I did a bit of research on what Beyond Blue has been talking about in terms of the statistics for blokes around friendship. According to BeyondBlue, 25% of Aussie blokes have nobody outside of their family or their partner that they can call upon or rely upon.
And in the same research, some of the men who do have lots of friends,
97% agree that having mates is a good thing, it's essential.
And out of that,
87% of men in that context struggle with to actually make the time to catch up with mates.
And it's a theme that comes up in my conversations with men about feeling isolated and lonely and realizing that maybe their priorities of making friendships or staying connected with mates somehow gets dismissed or pushed down the priority list and it leads to all sorts of problems for blokes, the isolation of men,
depression, anxiety and so on. That's part of the research.
But I guess in some way I wonder a bit about what is it about men and friendships that you know about in your life that are useful for us to be thinking about and feeling our way through.
In the conversation today,
what do you reckon?

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