Many Men Feel Emotionally Detached—How We Can Begin to Heal?

"How are you?" might be the hardest question some men face.

It seems simple. But for many men, this question strikes at the core of a lifelong disconnect—from their emotions, their pain, and even their sense of self. In this episode of the Authentic Connections podcast, Jeff Singer, Nic Milani, and Dr. Richard Gabel unpack why so many men feel emotionally detached—and what we can do to change that.

🔍 The Silent Epidemic: Emotional Disconnection in Men

From an early age, boys are often taught to value control, strength, and logic—while emotions like sadness, fear, and vulnerability are dismissed or shamed. This emotional training doesn’t disappear in adulthood. Instead, it becomes deeply internalized, shaping how men show up in relationships, careers, and fatherhood. Whether it’s the pressure to “man up,” the fear of appearing weak, or the lack of emotional vocabulary, the result is often the same: emotional suppression.

“When men are disconnected from their sadness,” he explains, “they’re also disconnected from their joy. You can’t selectively numb emotions.”

💬 Real Guys - Real Talk

Jeff Singer and Nic Milani share personal stories of what emotional detachment has looked like in their own lives—missed opportunities for connection, an inability to cry, or the awkward silence that follows when someone asks, “What are you feeling right now?”

These stories aren’t uncommon. In fact, they’re deeply relatable for many men and those who care for and worry about them.

🧠 What’s Really Happening Underneath

Dr. Gabel offers a clinical perspective on how trauma, social conditioning, and outdated ideals of masculinity create emotional barriers. He explains how the brain adapts to chronic emotional shutdown, reinforcing patterns of numbness or avoidance.

💔 The Cost of Staying Disconnected

The consequences of emotional detachment ripple outwards:

• Shallow or strained relationships

• Difficulty navigating conflict

• A sense of isolation—even in close partnerships

• Mental health struggles like depression, anger, or burnout

  
  

Many men don’t realize they're carrying unresolved grief, shame, or unmet needs until a crisis forces them to face it.

🌱 What Healing Can Look Like

The guys explore what it means to create emotionally safe spaces for men and how vulnerability, far from being weak, is a gateway to authentic strength and connection.

Key steps discussed:

✔ Reframing vulnerability as courage

✔ Developing an emotional vocabulary

✔ Normalizing men’s mental health support

✔ Building trust in male friendships

✔ Unlearning the myth that men must carry everything alone

🔗 Connect and Share

Join the conversation on social media. Share your takeaways using #AuthenticConnectionsPodcast and tag someone who needs to hear this episode.

📘 Facebook | 📸 Instagram | 💼 LinkedIn

🎙️ Listen wherever you get your podcasts.