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What if recovery isn’t just about quitting—but about rebuilding your masculinity through real accountability, mentorship, and community?

Full show notes + all sources: www.americanmasculinity.com

In this episode, licensed addiction counselor Kevin Peterson shares how 12-step recovery changed his understanding of masculinity—and how men can move from isolation and control to connection, community, and personal growth.

We dig into why healthy masculinity means showing up, not doing it alone—and why mentorship and accountability change everything for men in recovery. Whether you're in the process, supporting someone who is, or just reflecting on your own masculinity, this conversation brings hard-won insights and honest truth.

For more about Kevin's work visit: www.chronichope.us

🎧 Subscribe for more honest conversations about masculinity, recovery, and mental health.

Chapters:
00:00 — Why Masculinity and Recovery Need Each Other
09:00 — The “Fixer Trap” and How It Fuels Codependency
16:00 — 12-Step Mentorship and the Power of Community
26:00 — Your Family Can’t (and Shouldn’t) Meet Every Need
35:00 — Finding the Right 12-Step Meeting for You
42:00 — From Helping to Controlling: The Hard Line for Men
44:54 — Kevin’s Personal Reflections on Masculinity

If you want, I can plug in your actual show notes link and tweak the CTA based on Spotify vs Apple style.

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The American Masculinity Podcast™ is hosted by Timothy Wienecke — licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, and men’s advocate.
Real conversations about masculinity, mental health, growth, and how men can show up better — as partners, leaders, and friends.
We focus on grounded tools, not yelling or clichés. If you have questions or want a tool for something you're wrestling with, leave a comment or send a message — your feedback shapes what we build next.
Note: While this doesn’t replace therapy, it might help you notice something worth exploring.

Send us a text

Most men don’t see themselves as abuse survivors. DV advocate Jenn Doe explains why this silence is deadly.

🔗 Full show notes, resources, and transcript: www.americanmasculinity.com

Men are taught to be strong and never show weakness. But what happens when these expectations trap them in cycles of abuse they can’t even name? In this powerful episode, licensed psychotherapist and veteran Tim Wienecke is joined by Jenn Doe – a seasoned domestic violence advocate and educator specializing in supporting male and female survivors.

Together, they dive deep into the hidden reality of male abuse survivors, how traditional masculinity norms create dangerous silence, and why so many men don’t recognize what’s happening to them. Jenn shares her expertise working directly with survivors and systems, offering nuanced insights and recognition tools to identify abuse beyond just physical violence – including emotional manipulation, coercive control, financial abuse, and psychological warfare.

👉 Subscribe for honest conversations about masculinity, mental health, and being a man in America.

⏰ Chapters

00:00 – Intro: The Cost of Silence
04:12 – Masculinity and Why Men Don’t Recognize Abuse
12:45 – Control, Escalation, and Abuse Patterns
23:30 – Beyond Physical Violence: Emotional and Psychological Abuse
35:10 – The Hidden Psychological Costs for Men
46:55 – Frameworks for Recognizing Abuse Dynamics
54:20 – Closing Validation and Next Steps

If you’re a man questioning your experiences, someone supporting a male survivor, or a professional working with men, this episode offers crucial insights and hope.

📞 Resources:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

The American Masculinity Podcast™ is hosted by Timothy Wienecke — licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, and men’s advocate.
Real conversations about masculinity, mental health, growth, and how men can show up better — as partners, leaders, and friends.
We focus on grounded tools, not yelling or clichés. If you have questions or want a tool for something you're wrestling with, leave a comment or send a message — your feedback shapes what we build next.
Note: While this doesn’t replace therapy, it might help you notice something worth exploring.

Send us a text

In this episode, couples therapist LaTrease Nwunye breaks down why “sacrifice” often breeds resentment and how reframing it as a conscious choice can transform your relationship.

Full show notes and book list: https://empoweredchangece.com/staff/episode-10

We dive into the hidden costs of the nice guy mindset, why leadership isn’t about control, and practical ways men can communicate needs without guilt. If you’re tired of feeling like you’re giving everything and getting nothing back, this conversation will give you tools to change that dynamic today.

🔔 Subscribe to the American Masculinity Podcast for honest conversations, expert insights, and tools to help men become the men they want to be.

The American Masculinity Podcast™ is hosted by Timothy Wienecke — licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, and men’s advocate.
Real conversations about masculinity, mental health, growth, and how men can show up better — as partners, leaders, and friends.
We focus on grounded tools, not yelling or clichés. If you have questions or want a tool for something you're wrestling with, leave a comment or send a message — your feedback shapes what we build next.
Note: While this doesn’t replace therapy, it might help you notice something worth exploring.

Send us a text

Most men don’t talk about suicide—until it’s too late. This episode breaks that silence.

Interview with Khara Croswaite Brindle, TEDx Speaker & Suicide Prevention Expert

Full show notes + transcript: https://empoweredchangece.com/american-masculinity-podcast

Booklist https://bookshop.org/lists/amp-9-not-weak-just-worn-down-masculinity-suicide-and-what-actually-helps

Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for men in their late 20s and early 30s. Most of us were never taught how to ask for help—or even name what hurts.

In this episode, we sit down with Khara Croswaite, a TEDx speaker and suicide prevention expert who’s worked with men in crisis for over 20 years. Together, we explore what actually helps men who are struggling, how masculinity interacts with isolation and emotional suppression, and what signs we often miss when men are in danger.

This one’s for anyone who’s ever thought, “I should be able to handle this on my own.”

🎧 Subscribe for more grounded, honest conversations about masculinity and mental health.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Cold Open: Why This Conversation Matters
05:23 – What the Data Misses About Men and Suicide
13:02 – Why “He Didn’t Seem Like the Type” Is a Dangerous Myth
24:11 – Emotional Repression, Masculinity, and Warning Signs
36:00 – Internal Competence vs. Self-Sufficiency
47:28 – What Actually Helps: Practical Suicide Prevention
56:55 – The Role of Connection and Language in Recovery
01:06:40 – Cold Close + Crisis Resources

Tags: masculinity, suicide, mental health, men and therapy, depression, emotional health, Khara Croswaite, TEDx speaker, American Masculinity Podcast, Tim Wienecke

The American Masculinity Podcast™ is hosted by Timothy Wienecke — licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, and men’s advocate.
Real conversations about masculinity, mental health, growth, and how men can show up better — as partners, leaders, and friends.
We focus on grounded tools, not yelling or clichés. If you have questions or want a tool for something you're wrestling with, leave a comment or send a message — your feedback shapes what we build next.
Note: While this doesn’t replace therapy, it might help you notice something worth exploring.

Send us a text

CBT gives men structure and tools—not just talk.
🎧 Show notes: www.americanmasculinity.com
📚 Books: bookshop.org/shop/americanmasculinity

Therapist Bryce Jennings joins us to break down how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps men move from overthinking to action. We cover what actually happens in a session, why “vibe fit” matters as much as modality, and what to do if therapy hasn’t worked for you before.

If you're therapy-curious, skeptical, or searching for tools that work—this one’s for you.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on masculinity, mental health, and personal growth.

⏱️ Chapters
00:00:00 – Introduction and Why CBT Resonates with Men
00:07:21 – What CBT Looks Like in Session
00:13:05 – The Thought-Feeling-Behavior Loop Explained
00:20:45 – Masculinity, Emotions, and Getting Unstuck
00:27:58 – The “Vibe Fit” Concept: Therapist Compatibility
00:36:40 – Why Therapy Doesn’t Always Work
00:46:20 – Practical Tools and the Limits of Self-Help
00:49:07 – How to Find the Right Therapist
01:02:03 – Masculinity and Financial Stress
01:07:43 – When Masculinity Empowers: A Personal Reflection
01:14:00 – Final Fact Checks and Clarifications

The American Masculinity Podcast™ is hosted by Timothy Wienecke — licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, and men’s advocate.
Real conversations about masculinity, mental health, growth, and how men can show up better — as partners, leaders, and friends.
We focus on grounded tools, not yelling or clichés. If you have questions or want a tool for something you're wrestling with, leave a comment or send a message — your feedback shapes what we build next.
Note: While this doesn’t replace therapy, it might help you notice something worth exploring.

Send us a text

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, Tim welcomes Ari H., a therapist and educator who grew up immersed in Modern Orthodox Judaism. Together, they explore how masculinity is shaped by faith, tradition, and the pressures and gifts of communal life.

For full show notes, fact checks, and additional information go to: www.americanmasculinity.com

Ari shares raw reflections on grief, ego, and how Orthodox norms around prayer, education, and ritual shape men from a young age. With honesty, humor, and depth, this conversation reveals how Jewish masculinity is formed not just through texts and rules, but through relationships, responsibilities, and the courage to show up imperfectly.

**What You’ll Learn:**

· How Orthodox Jewish traditions shape male identity and responsibility

· Why debate and argument are central to Jewish male education

· How grief, ego, and ritual affect men’s emotional growth

· The role of hierarchy, prayer, and showing up in Orthodox masculinity

· Ways Jewish culture balances vulnerability and structure in shaping men

Ari discusses how growing up in a Modern Orthodox community meant a deep immersion into structured masculinity: thrice-daily prayers, ritual bathing (mikvah), and a strong sense of communal obligation. He reflects on his time in yeshiva, where intellectual sparring and questioning authority weren’t acts of rebellion, but signs of engagement and strength. This culture of argument—steeped in Talmudic tradition—not only sharpened minds but shaped masculine roles around leadership and accountability.

Tim and Ari explore how these structures, while sometimes confining, also offer clarity and grounding. Ari opens up about the loss of his father, and how grief exposed the tension between control and vulnerability. Through laughter and deep honesty, they talk about how Orthodox norms around gender, hierarchy, and ritual aren’t just religious—they’re deeply human. The conversation also touches on Ari’s current work with men and couples, his military experience, and the surprising intimacy of sacred practices like the mikvah.

Listeners of all backgrounds will walk away with a richer understanding of how cultural and spiritual frameworks shape masculinity, and what it means to navigate those with both reverence and realism.

**Chapters & Timestamps:**

· 00:00 – Ari’s move to Israel and cultural adjustment

· 03:00 – Jewish community life: Claustrophobia and support

· 10:00 – Masculine responsibility in Orthodox practice

· 18:00 – The power of argument in Jewish education

· 25:00 – Family hierarchy, fatherhood, and structure

· 33:00 – Grief, vulnerability, and masculine ego

· 45:00 – Therapy and masculinity in couple's work

· 52:00 – Ritual and intimacy: The mikvah experience

· 59:00 – End-of-life reflections and reclaiming identity

Fact-Checked Claims and References

1. Orthodox Jewish men are halachically obligated to pray three times daily. Women’s prayer obligations are more flexible. (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 106:1; [Jewish Wom

The American Masculinity Podcast™ is hosted by Timothy Wienecke — licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, and men’s advocate.
Real conversations about masculinity, mental health, growth, and how men can show up better — as partners, leaders, and friends.
We focus on grounded tools, not yelling or clichés. If you have questions or want a tool for something you're wrestling with, leave a comment or send a message — your feedback shapes what we build next.
Note: While this doesn’t replace therapy, it might help you notice something worth exploring.

Send us a text

What do kink, masculinity, and healing have to do with each other?

In this episode, licensed psychotherapist Amanda Earle joins us to unpack what kink actually is—and what it gets wrong in mainstream portrayals. We dig into the relationship between masculinity and power, how submission can be deeply affirming for men, and why kink spaces can be both liberating and intimidating for cishet men looking to explore more of themselves.

Amanda brings nearly a decade of clinical experience working with kink-identified clients, and her approach blends deep compassion, strong boundaries, and lived knowledge of kink culture. Whether you’re someone exploring your own identity or trying to support a man you care about, Amanda breaks down what matters most: consent, safety, and self-knowledge.

👉 Full transcript, fact-check, and vetted resources available at:
https://www.americanmasculinity.com/episodes/kink-and-masculinity

What We Cover in This Episode:

🧠 What Kink Actually Is (and Isn’t)
Amanda explains the difference between kink and BDSM, and why kink isn't inherently sexual. She discusses the emotional, performative, and even therapeutic elements of kink spaces—and why they’re often misunderstood.

⚖️ Power Dynamics and Masculinity
We look at how traditional masculine traits like dominance, control, or discipline show up in kink—and how those same spaces allow men to explore submission, play, and vulnerability. Amanda also names a pattern she sees clinically: high-achieving men seeking safe ways to let go.

🎭 Exploring Identity Through Play
Cross-dressing, age play, service tops, and furries come up—not to sensationalize, but to demystify. Amanda talks about kink as a vehicle for gender exploration and authenticity, especially for men struggling to reconcile “being good” with their need for release, touch, or power exchange.

🛠️ How to Explore Safely (Not Just on the Internet)
We talk about dungeons, tastings, munches, kink orientations, and dungeon monitors. Amanda outlines where cishet men are welcome, where they may feel unsure, and how to avoid the “creep” label by doing the personal work first. Key resources like the Kink Aware Professionals Directory and vetted educators are also highlighted.

❤️ Belonging vs. Authenticity
One of Amanda’s most powerful insights is that many men in kink spaces struggle not with the acts, but with how they’re perceived. She discusses the tension between being authentic and being accepted—and how kink therapy often becomes a place to navigate that edge.

Quotes to Remember:
“If there isn’t consent, it’s not kink.”
“Privilege doesn’t protect you from pain—it just gives you more access to resources.”
“Many of the men I work with aren’t afraid of doing harm. They’re afraid of being seen as harmful.”

Referenced Resources:
- National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) – https://www.ncsfreedom.org
- FetLife.com – https://fetlife.com
- Planet Midori (Instagram) – kink educator
- FurScience.com – https://furscience.com

Fact Check & Source Citations:
- Newmahr, D. (2011). Playing on t

The American Masculinity Podcast™ is hosted by Timothy Wienecke — licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, and men’s advocate.
Real conversations about masculinity, mental health, growth, and how men can show up better — as partners, leaders, and friends.
We focus on grounded tools, not yelling or clichés. If you have questions or want a tool for something you're wrestling with, leave a comment or send a message — your feedback shapes what we build next.
Note: While this doesn’t replace therapy, it might help you notice something worth exploring.

Send us a text

Men often confuse trauma with everyday stress or pain—until it quietly reshapes their relationships, emotions, and identity. In this conversation, trauma therapist Eric Blommel breaks down how trauma actually works in men, why most of us miss the signs, and what real healing looks like.
👉 Fact Checking, Full citations, tools, and links here: https://www.americanmasculinity.com/2470364/episodes/17203093-05-understanding-male-pain-deep-insights-from-an-expert-trauma-therapist

🔍 What We Cover in This Episode

· Why trauma in men often goes unrecognized (and how it hides in plain sight)

· The difference between discomfort, pain, and trauma

· Why men tend to resist therapy—and what actually helps

· How trauma bonding forms in relationships (and why it’s so hard to break)

· The surprising neuroscience behind empathy vs. compassion

· What childhood has to do with adult shutdowns

· One book every man should read to understand himself better

🧠 Guest Bio: Eric Blommel, MA, LPC

Eric Blommel is a senior psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience helping men recover from trauma, addiction, and the hidden wounds of early life. His clinical work blends neuroscience, depth psychology, and a no-BS approach to healing.

📚 Books & Research Mentioned

Support Local Bookstores and the Podcast by shopping for them here:

https://bookshop.org/lists/amp-5-exploring-trauma-list

Citations with ISBNs and source links available below.

• *How Emotions Are Made* – Lisa Feldman Barrett

• *Trauma and Recovery* – Judith Herman

• *Tribe* – Sebastian Junger

• *The WEIRDest People in the World* – Joseph Henrich

• TED Talk: *How to Make Stress Your Friend* – Kelly McGonigal

• Research on empathy vs. compassion (Tania Singer)

• The Replication Crisis in Psychology

• Meta-analysis on telehealth efficacy

Fact Check:
The claim that "telehealth therapy is 80% as effective as in-person therapy" is an oversimplification. While some studies have found comparable outcomes between telehealth and in-person therapy—especially for conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD—the exact percentage of efficacy varies widely depending on the type of therapy, diagnosis, client population, and access to technology. Meta-analyses and clinical reviews support telehealth’s overall effectiveness, but no consensus places it precisely at 80%.

Citation:
Batastini, A. B., Paprzycki, P., Jones, A. C. T., & MacLean, N. (2021). Are videoconference psychological interventions equivalent to face-to-face? A meta-analysis of empirical literature. Clinical Psychology Review, 83, 101944. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101944

📌 Research and Citations

• Empathy vs. Compassion in the Brain

Claim: Empathy activates pain centers, while compassion activates reward centers in the brain.

Source: Singer, T., & Klimecki, O. M. (2014). Empathy and compassion. *Current Biology*, 24(18), R875–R878.

Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25247366/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

• Stress Mindset and Health Outcomes

Claim: Viewing stress as harmf

The American Masculinity Podcast™ is hosted by Timothy Wienecke — licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, and men’s advocate.
Real conversations about masculinity, mental health, growth, and how men can show up better — as partners, leaders, and friends.
We focus on grounded tools, not yelling or clichés. If you have questions or want a tool for something you're wrestling with, leave a comment or send a message — your feedback shapes what we build next.
Note: While this doesn’t replace therapy, it might help you notice something worth exploring.