From feeling terrified to speak up… to finally understanding how to share emotions without shutdown or chaos — this solo episode breaks down why avoidant men struggle to express themselves and exactly how to change the pattern. Instead of blaming conflict, "overreacting partners," or thinking you're just bad at emotions, David reveals the real issue: 👉 Most avoidant men were conditioned to believe emotional expression leads to danger — shame, punishment, overwhelm, or chaos. If you shut down, overthink, avoid hard conversations, or feel misunderstood, this episode gives you the roadmap for building safety, emotional capacity, and mature communication. 📌 Topics Covered in This Episode Why Men Fear Speaking Up in Relationships ✅ How childhood conditioning creates emotional shutdown ✅ Punishment, mockery & misattunement — the roots of avoidant behavior ✅ Why imagined reactions feel REAL and overwhelming ✅ The shutdown loop: overthinking → fear → silence → resentment ✅ How anxious–avoidant dynamics escalate conflict ✅ Understanding emotional delay & why avoidant men need processing time ✅ Shame, fear of "ruining everything," and the belief of not being good enough ✅ Why emotional capacity — not logic — determines connection How to Break the Pattern & Communicate Clearly ✅ Separate what you want to say from your imagined reaction ✅ Scripts that reduce fear and open safe dialogue ✅ How to ask for space without triggering conflict ✅ Feeling your emotions vs thinking about them ✅ The power of pausing before responding ✅ Growing emotional capacity so you can stay steady during big reactions ✅ Why her reaction is not a verdict on your worth ✅ Regulating your nervous system so conversations don't feel like danger 🔥 What to Do Next ➡️ Join the Waitlist for David's Men's Program "Relate" https://forms.gle/2AXhmyNweasETaso7 🔥 Work With David Email: [email protected] https://www.theauthenticman.net/ Follow / Connect Instagram: www.instagram.com/theauthenticman_ Newsletter: https://www.theauthenticman.net/home-subscribe