Zander Keig -  Bridge Building in a Divided World: Men, Mental Health, and Being Pro-Human - HMIO 324

In this thought-provoking episode of Hey Man; It’s Ok, Sky Bridges and licensed marriage and family therapist Ryan Heapy sit down with Zander Keig—a veteran, licensed social worker, author, and bridge-builder—to explore how men can protect their mental health in an increasingly polarized and divided world. Zander shares insights from his life growing up in a Mexican Catholic family in Los Angeles, his time working with veterans at the VA, and his work with organizations like Braver Angels and the Prohuman Foundation (http://www.prohumanfoundation.org/) . Together, the conversation digs into depolarization, empathy, identity, and why learning to see the human behind opposing beliefs is essential for personal wellbeing and societal healing. In this episode, we explore: Why polarization is destroying families, relationships, and mental health How men can engage in difficult conversations without losing themselves The difference between activism and bridge building Why social media amplifies division—and what happens when you step away How identity, belief systems, and lived experience shape conflict What it really means to be “pro-human” Why time, place, and language matter in hard conversations How prioritizing your own wellbeing makes you a better ally and leader Zander also talks about his book The Third Space: A Non-Conformist Guide to the Universe, his podcasts The Third Space and The Umbrella Hour, and leaves listeners with a powerful call to action: invest in your own mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing—because change starts with you. This episode is for men who: Feel exhausted by political and cultural conflict Want to stay connected without losing their values Are navigating family tension, identity, or burnout Believe empathy is strength—not weakness Because it’s ok to not be ok —and it’s okay to choose humanity over division.