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Eroticizing Shame – Turning Pain Into Pleasure

In this episode, Matt speaks with Psychotherapist, Merle Yost, about how shame may influence sexual desire and arousal by eroticizing shame as a way of coping with it. Merle shares his story about being sexually molested by his father and the impact this had on his sexual development. Join us for this interesting topic that is often not talked about but deeply impacts many of us. The concepts and questions we explore in this episode are: Today’s Guest: Merle Yost 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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DIY Sex Education for Gay Men

Michael DiIorio

They didn’t teach us about gay sex in school… so we had to teach ourselves. From porn to awkward trial-and-error hookups, most of us pieced together our own “education”—for better or worse. In this episode, Michael is joined by porn star turned sex educator, Patrick Marano, to talk about the sex ed we should have had, how we’ve had to create it for ourselves, and why stigma and censorship still keep gay men in the dark. Some of the topics covered in this episode: 🔹 How conventional sex education fails gay men🔹 How porn, hookups, and our peers became our teachers (for better or worse)🔹 How silence and secrecy fuel sexual shame🔹 What we’re still learning today🔹 How censorship and misinformation prevent us from getting the info we need🔹 How to take control of your own sex education Plus: Our favourite resources, communities, and channels for the sex education we actually deserve. Join Michael’s Sexual Empowerment Men’s Group 🎟 Use code GMGD to get 25% off! Today’s Guest: Patrick Marano 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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Why Can’t I Stay Hard? Diving into the Psychology of Erectile Dysfunction

Matt Landsiedel

In this episode, Matt speaks with men’s coach Shay Doran about the psychology and mindset of erectile dysfunction. Did you know that some research indicates that gay men experience a higher rate of erection problems compared to straight men? This episode unpacks the reasons gay men experience erection problems and how to overcome them. If you struggle with erection issues or performance anxiety and feel ashamed and alone, then this episode can help you feel less alone and see a way out of the suffering. The concepts and questions we explore in this episode are: Related Links: Shay Matt Today’s Guest: Shay Doran 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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Empowered Bottoms

Michael DiIorio

Bottoming is more than just a position. It’s time to flip the script on the old, tired narrative that bottoms are the passive or submissive partners. In this episode we’re celebrating all things bottom and introducing the concept of the Empowered Bottom—someone who owns their pleasure, sets boundaries, and takes charge of the experience, whether they’re submissive, bossy, or anywhere in between. We’ll be talking about: Join us for an episode that challenges sexual norms and subverts stereotypes within gay culture. Related Link: Sexual Empowerment 101 Men’s Group (starting April 3) 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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Why Gay Men Struggle in Romantic Relationships

Matt Landsiedel

In this episode, Matt speaks with therapist and author Tom Bruett about the struggles many gay men face with romantic relationships. Together they share decades of experience when it comes to understanding the relational challenges faced by gay men. From toxic shame to developmental trauma, they unpack what causes these challenges and how to start healing and empowering ourselves in our relationships. If you are someone who struggles in your romantic relationships with intimacy, vulnerability or codependency, this episode was created with you in mind. This is an excellent episode if you’re seeking guidance in relationship challenges, but it will also help you feel less alone in struggling with two of the most challenging things about being human; emotions and relationships. The questions explored in this episode: Related Link: 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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Friends with Intimacy

Matt Landsiedel

What happens when friendship and intimacy collide? In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we’re exploring the nuanced dynamics of friends with benefits (FWB) and friends with intimacy (FWI). But what happens when emotions sneak in, boundaries blur, or feelings start to change? We’ll discuss: As always, we’ll be sharing our personal experiences—yes, even the times it didn’t go as planned. Whether you’re navigating an FWB situation or just curious about relational dynamics, this episode offers valuable insights to help you build connection structures that work for you. 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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Healing the Trauma of Growing Up Gay

Matt Landsiedel

In this episode, Matt speaks with world-renowned trauma treatment expert, Harvard-trained psychiatrist, and psychotherapist Dr. Frank Anderson. Let’s be honest, trauma isn’t the most glamorous topic to talk about, but it significantly impacts us as gay men, and our community is in desperate need of healing from the trauma of growing up gay that we each likely experienced. This episode is a raw and real exploration of the impact growing up gay can have on us. Many of us had the pressure and stress of being a young boy and having to carry our big secret on our little shoulders. This pressure likely lasted for decades, and we had to deal with it alone, without support. Remember that you are not alone if you are struggling with this trauma or the dysfunctional behaviours unhealed trauma can cause us to engage in. Matt and Frank created this episode as a guide to understanding your trauma and how to begin the healing process. The concepts and questions we explore in this episode are: Related Link: Today’s Guest: Dr. Frank Anderson 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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Mom, I’m Gay

Michael DiIorio

Coming out to our families can be one of the most difficult experiences we navigate as queer folk. Sometimes it can be made even more difficult if the people we are opening up to are challenged by it, or don’t understand it. Other times, we may find ourselves in the company of people who do understand, or simply meet our openness with their own. Or, in this case, sometimes what we experience is a combination of both. This is a unique episode, because today our co-host Reno is sitting down with none other than HIS MOM to have a conversation about being different, growing up gay and queer, how she navigated his queerness as a parent, and how they both navigated his queerness as parent and child. Allison Johnston is a mother, grandmother, social worker, advocate, and sage. In this episode, we dive into… Today’s Guest: Allison Johnston 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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Penis Health Q & A

Matt Landsiedel

On this week’s episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, Matt interviews the “dick doctor” Urologist Dr. Joshua Gonzalez. They candidly explore some of the most taboo topics related to the penis. From erectile dysfunction to circumcision, increasing your size to foreskin, we got you covered. Topics we discuss in this episode: This episode is filled with tons of great information on the causes and treatments of sexual dysfunctions many of us struggle with, as well as how to take care of your penis to obtain optimal health. Our hope is this conversation helps you feel like you are not alone if you have sexual dysfunction or shame about your penis. It is important to have these conversations so we heal penis shame and learn to love the one and only penis we are given. Related Links: Today’s Guest: Dr. Joshua Gonzalez 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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Therapy or Coaching: Which is Right for You?

Michael DiIorio

Curious about whether therapy or coaching is the best fit for you? In this insightful episode, life coach Michael Diiorio and therapist Michael Pezzullo team up to break down the unique benefits of each approach, guiding you through the key differences, overlaps, and the powerful results each modality can help you achieve. Both Michaels bring their unique expertise in helping gay men navigate life’s challenges and find personal growth, and they’re here to answer the big question: What’s right for you? Join us as we explore: Whether you’re ready to tackle unresolved issues from the past or set inspiring new goals, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to choose your next step with confidence. Book a call with Michael Pezzullo (Therapist): Book a call with Michael Diiorio (Life Coach): Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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