The Authentic Man Podcast with David Chambers

Alison Armstrong is a leading relationship expert and teacher who has spent over 35 years studying how men and women think, communicate, and relate. She is the author of The Queen's Code and the founder of PAX Programs, through which she has helped millions of people transform their relationships by understanding the instincts that drive human behavior. Alison's work is known for its depth, clarity, and practical insights that foster respect, connection, and lasting partnership. Key Topics: ⭐ Why Men Are So Often Misunderstood By Women ⭐ The Long Journey Of Studying Men Since 1991 ⭐ From "Unhealthy Men" To Healthy Misinterpretations ⭐ A Cave That Kept Getting Bigger: Understanding Male Complexity ⭐ Blind Spots That Prevent Women From Seeing Men Clearly ⭐ Mission-Driven Activism And Its Link To Gender Dynamics ⭐ Protection As An Instinct, Not A Character Flaw ⭐ Energy, Time, And Resources As Male Priorities ⭐ Procreate, Protect, Provide: The Hierarchy Of Male Instincts ⭐ Concealment, Threat Perception, And Emotional Safety ⭐ How Justification Leads To Diminishing Others ⭐ The Ever-Presence Of Death Shaping Men's Lives Connect With David - The Authentic Man:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theauthenticman_/  Website: https://www.theauthenticman.net/  For Coaching: [email protected]  Newsletter: https://www.theauthenticman.net/home-subscribe  Connect With Alison Armstrong: https://www.instagram.com/thealisonarmstrong/ https://www.alisonarmstrong.com/    

From trying desperately to be a "good man"… to realizing that avoiding discomfort is what slowly destroys intimacy — this solo episode breaks down why so many men avoid hard conversations and how that pattern quietly sabotages relationships. Instead of blaming "sensitive partners," conflict, or thinking you're just bad at communication, David reveals the real issue: 👉 Most avoidant and nice-guy men were conditioned to believe that upsetting a woman makes them a bad man — and that belief keeps them silent, disconnected, and resentful. If you shut down, avoid asking for space, stay quiet about sex or unmet needs, or leave relationships without ever saying what was wrong, this episode gives you the roadmap for building emotional capacity, self-trust, and mature leadership in relationships. 📌 Topics Covered in This Episode Why Men Avoid Speaking the Truth in Relationships ✅ The "good man" conditioning that teaches men to avoid upsetting women ✅ Why fearing her reaction leads to emotional shutdown and resentment ✅ How shame — not kindness — drives silence and people-pleasing ✅ The hidden cost of avoiding conflict: erosion of intimacy and self-trust ✅ Why avoiding hard conversations slowly kills relationships ✅ How unspoken needs turn into disengagement and eventual breakup ✅ The myth that "not hurting her" makes you a good partner ✅ Why leadership requires emotional courage, not passivity How to Break the Pattern & Communicate Without Destroying the Relationship ✅ Why you must be willing to upset, disappoint, or be disliked ✅ Separating cruelty from necessary truth-telling ✅ How to ask for space without abandoning connection ✅ Speaking about sex, needs, and boundaries without shame ✅ Building emotional capacity to stay present with her reactions ✅ Why her upset is not a verdict on your worth ✅ Trusting repair instead of fearing disconnection ✅ Becoming a grounded man who can lead difficult conversations 🔥 What to Do Next 👇 Comment below: Where have you been avoiding speaking up — space, sex, needs, or boundaries? ➡️ Join the Waitlist for David's Men's Program "Relate" https://forms.gle/2AXhmyNweasETaso7 🔥 Work With David Email: [email protected] https://www.theauthenticman.net/ Follow / Connect Instagram: @theauthenticman_ Newsletter: https://www.theauthenticman.net/home-... LIKE. SHARE. SUBSCRIBE. Give this video a thumbs up if you enjoyed watching 👍 #relationships #men #communication #avoidantattachment #niceguy #dating

If you've ever felt like you're not "man enough," questioned whether you're measuring up, or silently compared yourself to other men — this episode will hit home. David breaks down why so many men feel they're failing at their own definition of masculinity, how the "man box" silently shapes your self-worth, and why tying your value to providing, strength, or achievement leaves you anxious, disconnected, and stuck in a loop of never feeling enough. Drawing from 15 years of coaching and his personal journey from performance-driven masculinity to grounded, embodied confidence, David reveals the hidden wounds and outdated beliefs driving today's masculinity crisis. Most importantly, he lays out a clear, practical roadmap for shifting from performance masculinity to embodied masculinity — so you can build presence, emotional range, purpose, and deep relational leadership without losing your edge. Whether you're single, dating, or deep into a partnership, this episode is your guide to redefining masculinity on your own terms — and finally stepping into a version of manhood that strengthens your mental health, your relationships, and your life. Key Topics: ⭐ The masculinity crisis: why 63% of men feel they're not "man enough" ⭐ The provider mindset and why men tie their worth to money ⭐ The "man box" and how it silently controls male behavior ⭐ Masculinity as performance vs. masculinity as identity ⭐ Men's core wound: feeling "not enough" ⭐ Approval-based masculinity and external validation ⭐ The hidden link between masculinity and male depression ⭐ Why financial stress destroys men's mental health ⭐ Emotional suppression and its psychological cost ⭐ Healthy masculinity vs. toxic dominance ⭐ Emotional openness as a new masculine strength ⭐ Nervous system regulation and emotional self-control ⭐ Relational leadership instead of control and domination ⭐ Redefining "providing" beyond just money   Connect With David - The Authentic Man:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theauthenticman_/  Website: https://www.theauthenticman.net/  For Coaching: [email protected]  Newsletter: https://www.theauthenticman.net/home-subscribe   

Aly Bullock is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the founder of the popular social media account @RelationshipsWithAly. With years of experience in the therapy room and thousands of couples supported through her courses, talks, and viral content, Aly has a rare gift for making hard conversations feel approachable. She's especially known for helping partners bring more honesty, play, and pleasure into their sex lives - without falling into clichés or one-size-fits-all advice. Her work is grounded in science, shaped by real-life dynamics, and always focused on helping couples not just survive - but actually enjoy - each other again. As the Head of Relationships at Paired, the leading relationship app for couples with over 4 million users globally, Aly provides relatable, expert advice to millions each month. Aly is also a mom of 3 and proud wife to her husband, Sean. Key Topics:  ⭐ Early Influences Shaping A Career In Relationship Therapy ⭐ Why Relationship Skills Rarely Get Taught In Childhood ⭐ Defensiveness As A Natural Yet Problematic Protection Strategy ⭐ How Logic-Driven Thinking Complicates Emotional Conversations ⭐ The Many Faces Of Defensiveness Inside A Partnership ⭐ When Fact-Checking Becomes Emotional Avoidance ⭐ Two People, One Moment, And Completely Different Perceptions ⭐ Validation Without Agreement As A Couple's Superpower ⭐ The Fear Of Losing Yourself Inside A Long-Term Relationship ⭐ Loneliness Emerging Even In Committed Partnerships ⭐ Communication Tools That Diffuse Defensiveness And Deepen Bonding ⭐ Motivating A Reluctant Partner To Engage In Relationship Growth   Connect With David - The Authentic Man:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theauthenticman_/  Website: https://www.theauthenticman.net/  For Coaching: [email protected]  Newsletter: https://www.theauthenticman.net/home-subscribe  Connect With Ally Bullock: https://www.instagram.com/pairedapp/  

From fearing you'll end up in the wrong relationship to understanding how mature connection is actually built, this direct episode with David Chambers breaks down why men feel uncertain choosing partners — and the exact skills that create healthy, aligned relationships. Instead of relying on vibes, looks, or avoiding conflict, David explains the deeper issue: 👉 Most men aren't clear on what they want, don't communicate early, and haven't done the inner work that makes choosing easy and grounded. If you've repeated patterns, second-guessed yourself, or worried about "getting stuck," this episode gives you the practical roadmap you've been missing. 📌 Topics Covered in This Episode How to Stop Ending Up in the Wrong Relationship ✅ Getting clear on wants, needs & true non-negotiables ✅ Values vs superficial traits ✅ When "preferences" are really old wounds ✅ Why communication prevents misalignment ✅ The real inner work: shadow, stories, emotional patterns ✅ Becoming the partner you want to attract ✅ Why you can't do this work alone (blind spots) ✅ Agency: remembering you always have a choice   ➡️ Join the Waitlist for David's Men's Program "Relate" https://forms.gle/2AXhmyNweasETaso7 🔥 Work With David Email: [email protected] https://www.theauthenticman.net/ Follow / Connect Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theauthenticman_/ Newsletter: https://www.theauthenticman.net/home-subscribe