<p>Many men grow up receiving the same messages: be strong, stay tough, don’t show too much emotion. But what actually happens when vulnerability, creativity, or sensitivity start to feel like things that need to be hidden?</p><br><p>In this episode, host and therapist Sreela Roy-Greene sits down with author and podcast host Cory Allen, as well as writer and poet James McCrae for a deeply personal conversation about masculinity, emotional suppression, and learning how to reconnect with themselves. As a child, James felt he had to hide his love of poetry, while Cory was raised by a father he calls a “Texas Tony Soprano.” Together with Sreela, they each explore how vulnerability ultimately became a path toward deeper connection and understanding their childhood traumas.</p><br><p>Later in the episode, BetterHelp therapist David Yadush joins Sreela to unpack the psychology behind emotional literacy, affect labeling, and why so many men struggle to express what they’re feeling.</p><br><p>00:00 The Challenge of Emotional Expression for Men</p><p>01:42 Cory Allen on Childhood, Safety, and Emotional Development</p><p>05:35 Why Vulnerability Feels Risky</p><p>10:16 Masculinity, Trauma, and Cultural Expectations</p><p>12:34 A Practical Framework for Understanding Emotions</p><p>16:51 Emotional Armor and Its Impact on Relationships</p><p>20:00 Rethinking Strength and Healthy Masculinity</p><p>24:42 How Vulnerability Creates Connection</p><p>30:57 What Cory and James Wish You Knew About Emotional Expression</p><p>32:45 Why Many Men Struggle to Express Their Feelings</p><p>33:31 Expert Perspective: Shame, Self-Protection, and Emotional Openness</p><p>40:53 Movement, Mental Health, and Emotional Processing</p><p>44:54 Recognizing Emotional Safety in Relationships</p><p>54:07 Closing Reflections and Key Takeaways</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>