gay relationships

How to Elevate Your Hookups

Hookups get a bad rap as shallow, transactional, or disconnected. But what if they could actually become a space for growth, awareness, and real connection? In this episode, we’re advocating for shift from default, unconscious hookups  to something more intentional, honest, and grounded. We explore how hookup culture can either reinforce negative patterns or become a powerful mirror for your patterns, desires, boundaries, and capacity for intimacy. We talk about: This isn’t about judging hookup culture or pretending it should be something it’s not. It’s about raising the standard of how you show up—so even casual encounters can feel aligned, present, and real. 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 Daddy Issue: Our Relationships With Our Dads

For many gay men, our relationship with our dad is one of the most defining- and least talked about. In this episode, we explore the nuances of our relationships with our fathers through three core questions: From there, we go deeper into family dynamics, cultural expectations, and the different expressions of love and acceptance between fathers and their gay sons. We get into physical affection between fathers and sons, how much access we give them into our lives, and the boundaries we set as adults. We also explore how these early relationships can shape the kinds of men we’re attracted to… and the patterns we carry into dating and relationships. This is a grounded, honest conversation about the often complex and layered relationship between fathers and sons.  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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“I Don’t Need Anyone”: Why Gay Men Struggle to Let Someone In

A lot of gay men take pride in being independent, self-sufficient and in control. But is there a shadow side? When the time comes to let someone in, ask for support, or even rely on others—it feels uncomfortable, exposing, even threatening. In this episode, we explore the spectrum between dependence, co-dependence, independence, hyper-independence, and interdependence—and why so many gay men get stuck at the far end of doing life alone. We talk about:  This isn’t about becoming dependent. It’s about learning how to find a happy middle ground where you can let someone in without losing yourself or pulling further away.  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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Let’s Play! When Did Life Stop Being Fun?

At what point did life stop being fun? As kids, play came naturally. We were curious, spontaneous, and fully present. But for many adults, especially gay men who grew up navigating shame and self-consciousness, play slowly disappears. Responsibility takes over. Image matters more. We try to be cool. And somewhere along the way, joy gets replaced with pressure, performance, and productivity. In this episode, we explore why so many adults lose their playful side and why reconnecting with it can be one of the most powerful ways to reclaim joy, authenticity, and connection. Some of the things we cover in this conversation are: If life has started to feel heavy, serious, or overly effortful, this episode is a reminder that play is not childish. It may be one of the most important ingredients in a meaningful life. 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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Flakey Gays: Why is Follow-Through So Hard?

The guy who constantly cancels plans, keeps things vague, or disappears when something better comes along — that’s flakiness: a pattern of not following through. In a culture of endless options and shifting feelings, has unreliability quietly become normal? And what does that actually say about us? In this off-the-cuff episode, we talk about: This isn’t just about the inconvenience of canceled plans. It’s about self-trust, stronger relationships, and the kind of man you’re practicing becoming. 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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Is Romance Dead in Gay Culture?

In a world of swipes, situationships, and high-intensity connections, romance can start to feel obsolete — replaced by sexual energy, emotional guardedness, or the safety of detachment. And yet many of us still long for thoughtfulness, depth, being chosen and choosing in return. In this episode, we explore why that part of us often gets buried under performance, fear of rejection, and modern dating norms — and what it actually takes to lead with romance instead of intensity. We talk about: This conversation is both a reality check and an ode to the intentional, courageous, thoughtful part of ourselves that still believes in romance. 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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Libido

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Libido, or sex drive, is our natural instinctual inclination for sexual activity. Libido varies person to person and fluctuates over time.  It’s not uncommon for men to put a high value on their sex drive, especially if they associate it with their masculinity and self-esteem.  In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, Michael welcomes Dr. Hector Rodriguez to answer your questions about libido.  Some of the topics they’ll be covering are: Join us for this informative episode that begins to de-mystify many of the question we have – but are too afraid to ask.  Connect with Dr. Hector: Today’s Host: Michael DiIorio Other episodes featuring Dr. Hector: Take the Attachment Style Quiz! Watch this ep on YouTube – Connect with us – Join the private Facebook community including access to monthly group Zoom calls Take our “Building Better Relationships” course Take our “Healing Your Shame” course Coaching Collection – Our 2 courses + 45 coaching videos, and 2 workshop series Follow us on Instagram GayMenGoingDeeper.com Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes

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Manifesting Your Ideal Partner

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Attracting a romantic relationship is as much about energy as it is about the practical steps. Directing your thoughts and emotions towards finding love adds an energetic boost to any tangible action steps you’re taking. In this episode, we’re sharing our experiences with attracting love including: Watch this episode on YouTube Want more? Gay Men Going Deeper: The Coaching Collection Take the Attachment Style Quiz – Connect with us – Join the private Facebook community Take our “Building Better Relationships” course Take our “Healing Your Shame” course Instagram GayMenGoingDeeper.com Support the Show

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Friends with Benefits

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Friends with benefits (FWB) is a type of relationship where you can enjoy the sexual benefits of a relationship without the expectation of long-term commitment.  Navigating the blurred lines between friendship and sexual intimacy is a complex and potentially risky endeavour.  In this episode, Michael DiIorio and Pepper of The Gay Good discuss the nuances of having Friends With Benefits. They’ll discuss topics such as: Join in for this revealing discussion that will give you greater clarity and understanding of this common relationship structure.  Watch this episode on YouTube Find us on Instagram: Resources Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection Building Better Relationships course Healing Your Shame course Take the Attachment Style Quiz! Connect With Us Join the Facebook community and monthly Group Zoom call You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok Support the Show

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Sex and Intimacy (part 2)

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Do you want sex or do you want intimacy? Or both? Sometimes our attempts to connect with guys gets thwarted by the confusion between these desires. This can lead to frustration and over time, loneliness.  In part 2 of this 2-part episode, Michael and Matt are going deeper into the topic of intimacy by talking about… If you want to increase your capacity for greater intimacy in your relationships, this episode is for you.  Michael’s Sexual Empowerment 101 Group Workshops Watch this episode on YouTube Resources Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection Building Better Relationships course Healing Your Shame course Take the Attachment Style Quiz! Connect With Us Join the Facebook community and monthly Group Zoom call You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok Support the Show

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