We don't spend much time thinking about how we listen.

​But if you've ever felt misunderstood or struggled to connect with someone, you've probably felt its impact.

Today, I'm joined by David Joseph, MD, a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst with more than fifty years of experience listening to people at a very deep level. He's devoted his career to something most of us struggle with: actually understanding what someone is trying to say.

​And for many men, especially in retirement or approaching it, this becomes more important than ever. When the structure of work falls away and relationships shift, we're left with more space to connect, or feel disconnected.

We covered:

• Why listening is more than just hearing words
• What we miss when we focus only on what's being said
• Why most of us aren't as good at listening as we think
• How learning to listen to yourself changes everything
• What gets in the way of deeper conversations
• Why relationships can feel harder after leaving work
• What it means to really understand another person
  

--

Resources:

Listening for a Life: The Artful Science of Psychotherapy

We like to think we're making choices about how we live. But most of the time, we're just repeating patterns we've been running for years.

In this episode, I'm joined by Marcy Axelrod, who shares why those patterns are so hard to break and what it actually takes to start showing up differently in this next chapter.

Marcy's work explores how we show up in the world. Today, she introduces a 3-part framework for understanding how we operate—and why most of us are only partially present in our lives.

In this episode, we covered:

• Why most people are operating on patterns they don't even realize

• How decades of routine shape the way we see ourselves

• The difference between "just showing up" and being fully present

• Why stress and fear keep us stuck in old ways of thinking

• The idea that we're always playing multiple roles (not just one identity)

• A simple exercise to rethink who you are beyond your career

Resources

Website: www.ChooseToShowUp.com

Instagram: @MarcyAxelrodArt

Instagram: @MarcyAxelrod

For a lot of men, their social life is their job. So what happens when that job goes away?

In this conversation, Anthony Silard shares what he's learned studying loneliness and relationships—and why so many reach this stage of life without the connections they actually need.

He introduces the "four PRs" framework and how those roles shape identity for decades. The problem is, they leave very little room for friendships outside of work and family.

Once that structure disappears, many men find themselves starting from scratch.

You'll hear about:

-The moment a retired executive tried to go back to the office… and couldn't get in

-Why work relationships often don't carry over after retirement

-The "four PRs" that shape identity (and what they leave out)

-Why men often rely on their partner as their entire social network

-A striking stat on what happens to men vs. women after losing a spouse

-Why some of the loneliest people are surrounded by others

-What leaders do that builds real connection (and why it has nothing to do with confidence)

Resources

Download Anthony's free books: theartoflivingfree.org/freehappinessandfriendshipbooks

Available on Amazon: Love and Suffering: Break the Emotional Chains that Prevent You from Experiencing Love