gay men going deeper podcast – Page 5

Pride Panel Discussion

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: This conversation isn’t a history lesson or a debate. It’s an open, honest sharing of lived experience. Whether you’re a seasoned activist or celebrating your first Pride, we invite you to reflect alongside us and consider what Pride means to you, not just this month, but all year round. Today’s Guests: Mark Fleming Keone Wales Jordan Layne Today’s Host: Reno Johnston Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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Are LGBTQ Rights Under Attack?

Michael DiIorio

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 AIDS treatment and beyond, Tim brings deep historical context and lived experience to the conversation. Together, they explore what activism looks like in 2025, whether we’ve grown too comfortable, how activism has changed over the decades, and most importantly, what we need to do to show up and fight for our future. Today’s Guest: Tim McCaskell Today’s Host: Michael DiIorio Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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Has Pride Lost Its Meaning?

Michael DiIorio

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 topics we explore: Whether you love Pride, feel disconnected from it, or land somewhere in between, this episode is an invitation to reflect, reimagine, and reconnect with what Pride means to you in 2025. Today’s Hosts: Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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Dating as a Demisexual

Matt Landsiedel

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 demisexual men you might come across in dating. We also share helpful, practical dating advice, so stick with us until the end of the episode. The concepts and questions we explore in this episode are: Related Episode: Today’s Guests: Andre-Lee Wills Ron Fisher Kasey Cromer Today’s Host: Matt Landsiedel Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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Why Are Gay Friendships So Hard?

Michael DiIorio

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 three parts: This episode is your invitation to shift from followers to friendship, and from competition to collaboration—and start building real connection. Related Episodes: Today’s Guest: Pepper Rojas Today’s Host: Michael DiIorio Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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The Reparenting Process

Matt Landsiedel

How do the unmet needs of our childhood shape who we are today? And more importantly, how do we learn to meet those needs for ourselves as adults? In this deeply personal and eye-opening episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we explore the re-parenting process—a therapeutic model that helps us heal old wounds, develop self-compassion, and rewrite the internal narratives we inherited from childhood. We’ll be getting personal as we reflect on on three powerful questions: 1️⃣ What needs went unmet for you as a child?2️⃣ How did you cope with these unmet needs?3️⃣ How have you learned to meet these needs for yourself as an adult? From loneliness and perfectionism to people-pleasing and self-expression, we dive into the real-life stories and coping strategies that shaped our past and the lessons we’ve learned to become the men we are today. Tune in for an honest, vulnerable, and inspiring discussion on how we can become the loving, supportive parents we always needed—for ourselves. Related Link: Inner Child Work Today’s Hosts: Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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How to Not Lose Yourself in Your Relationships

Matt Landsiedel

In this episode, Matt speaks with therapist and author, Tom Bruett, about how to avoid losing yourself in your relationships. By balancing connection and autonomy in our relationships, we can foster more secure relationships that allow us to maintain our sense of self while allowing our partner to do the same. If you easily lose yourself in your relationships or you’re having a hard time establishing intimacy, this episode will offer a refreshing perspective and tangible takeaways to help you improve your relationship with yourself and others. The concepts and questions we explore in this episode are: Book by Tom Bruett: The Go-To Relationship Guide for Gay Men: From Honeymoon to LastingCommitment Today’s Guest: Tom Bruett Today’s Host: Matt Landsiedel Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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Why Gay Men Love Divas

Michael DiIorio

From Madonna to Mariah, Beyoncé to Barbra— throughout the generations, gay men have been obsessed with divas. But why? In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we’re diving into the deep connection between gay men and our beloved divas, exploring: This isn’t just about pop culture—it’s a conversation about power, identity, and how divas have given generations of gay men comfort and strength. Today’s Hosts: Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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The Women in Our Lives

Matt Landsiedel

The women in our lives have influenced us in ways we don’t always recognize, but when we take a step back, their impact is undeniable. In this heartfelt episode, we’re celebrating the uniquely beautiful relationships gay men have with women—from mothers and grandmothers to besties, sisters, and beyond. We’re showing love to all the women who have supported us, shaped us, and often modeled the traits that helped us become who we are today. Some of the topics we’ll explore: Join us for a deep conversation about the power of women and how these relationships continue to shape us—today and always. Today’s Hosts: Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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People Pleasing, Boundaries, and Fear of Conflict

Michael DiIorio

Do you find yourself putting other people’s needs ahead of your own? Struggle to set boundaries? Feel responsible for keeping the peace even when it costs you your authenticity? In this episode, gay therapist Michael Pezzullo joins Michael to go deeper into the roots of people pleasing—especially why so many gay men fall into this pattern. We’ll explore how people pleasing shows up in everyday life, why it’s so hard to stop, and how the fear of conflict and rejection keeps us from showing up fully in our relationships. We’ll also discuss: If you’re ready to stop performing for approval and start living with more authenticity, this episode is for you. Today’s Guest: Michael Pezzullo Today’s Host: Michael DiIorio Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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