As I say at the end of my coaching and therapy sessions, “we’ll have to stop here.”  Join me for this final episode as I wrap up the podcast.  Tune in to hear about my decision, what’s next and how I hope to stay in touch. You may even hear some inspiration on approaching endings and new beginnings in your own life. To stay in touch with me and be notified of future offerings from Gay Men’s Life Lab, please join my email list by visiting www.buckdodson.com.  Even though there won’t be new episodes, I encourage you to ‘gay it forward’ by sharing any episode you think would help someone in your life.  To gay superpowers! Buck

In this episode, I talk with sought-after coach, speaker, professor, and author, Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown about his new book, The Souls of Queer Folk.  Join me as I talk with Joel about:What it means for leaders to be “Queer-minded”  How growing up LGBTQ teaches us to be leaders in lifeQueer culture as a wisdom tradition with value for all people, especially organizational and business leadersThe 9 values that express the beauty of LGBTQ+ people Get your copy of Joel’s book, The Souls of Queer Folk and learn more about Dr. Joel A Davis Brown at:LinkedinPneumosStay subscribed or start following to be notified when new episodes come out.  You can also join my email list by visiting www.buckdodson.com.  If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps more folks like you find Gay Men’s Life Lab!Thanks!Buck

In this episode, I talk with trauma and recovery coach, spiritual companion, and queer elder, Hunter Flournoy. We dive deep into what it means to heal as gay, bi and queer men & how compassionate community and spirituality are key to embrace ourselves and each other. Join me as I talk with Hunter about:The importance of LGBTQ Heart Circles for gay men and queer people to see & feel seenHow and why Hunter helps men to accept and embrace ourselves by coming home to our bodies and breathRelationships as a spiritual practice so we can be our true selves and be with othersCreating queer community to recover from our individual and collective trauma so we find safety with other LGBTQ people and beyondThe retreats and spiritual journeys he offers for GBTQ men to find our truth and our depth through Learn more about Hunter Flournoy and how you can work with him at  spiritjourneys.com and hunterflournoy.com.Stay subscribed or start following to be notified when new episodes come out.  You can also join my email list by visiting www.buckdodson.com.   If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps more folks like you find Gay Men’s Life Lab! Thanks!Buck

In this episode, I talk with psychotherapists and founders of Calm Counseling, Dr. Vanessa Scaringi and Kate Garland, LCSW about the role of attachment styles and relationships in recovering from eating disorders, body dysmorphia and excessive exercise.Join me as I talk with Kate and Vanessa about:Why disordered eating, body image and exercise issues “work” to address chronic loneliness and disconnection How the search for sameness and conformity are risk factors for disordered eating and exerciseThe importance and challenge of being messy and imperfect in relationshipsHow anxious, avoidant and disorganized attachment styles show up in eating and body imageWays to begin identifying feelings and needs and speaking up about them to safe peopleLearn more about Kate and Vanessa and their psychotherapy practice, Calm Counseling, at www.keepcalmatx.com  and @calmcounselingpllc and follow them on Instagram.Stay subscribed or start following to be notified when new episodes come out.  You can also join my email list by visiting www.buckdodson.com.  If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps more folks like you find Gay Men’s Life Lab!Thanks!Buck

A “Gays On” episode featuring Burak Yilmaz on healing and self-discovery In this episode, I talk with Burak Yilmaz about his remarkable path to freedom as a gay man which he chronicles in his upcoming book, If My Mother Never Left. Join me as I talk with Burak about:Being tortured for speaking out as a gay man in IslamLearning to survive alone on the streets of Turkey and New York CityOvercoming shame and recovering from depression How writing has helped him heal and live as his true selfHis work to support and guide younger generations Get your copy of Burak’s new book, If My Mother Never Left and follow him at https://burak212.com and on Instagram. The “Gays On’ Series presents the voices of men who are on their journey of living openly and authentically. Not necessarily the perspective of therapists or coaches, these are the lived experiences and wisdom of gay, bi and queer man on what it’s like to heal through love. Stay subscribed or start following to be notified when new episodes come out.  You can also join my email list by visiting www.buckdodson.com.   If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps more folks like you find Gay Men’s Life Lab! Thanks!Buck

We need our gay superpower now more than ever. Our communities, especially our members who are trans, gender non-binary and/or drag artists, are being subjected to assaults on our identities and human rights. Let’s double down on who we are and in this episode, why we’re here. Tune in to this ‘Quick Buck’ solo episode as I dive into the powers of camp and drag. I explore:What are gay and queer superpowers?How camp and campiness speaks to queerness and helps us feel seenThe role of drag in cultivating joy, confidence, freedom and gay spiritThe power of drag to artfully evoke thought and create social change Drag as an invitation to expand with your own expression of the feminineStay subscribed or start following to be notified when new episodes come out.  You can also join my email list by visiting www.buckdodson.com.   If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps more folks like you find Gay Men’s Life Lab! Thanks!Buck

Let’s talk about sex. Healthy, pleasurable and healing sex that is. In this episode, I talk with Certified Sex Therapist, coach and clinical social worker, Dr. Israel Martinez, about helping gay bring sex into the light in order to have more enjoyable, enthusiastic and shame-free sex. Join me as I talk with Dr. Martinez about:The distinct challenges gay, bi and queer men face in having healthy sexWhat the 5 senses have to be with having pleasurable sexThe difference between ‘spontaneous arousal’ and ‘responsive arousal’Expanding the definition of what sex actually is to you and your partner(s)Exploring more of your body during masturbation and self-pleasureTips on using sex apps to find partners for the good sex you deserveUsing www.fetlife.com and other sex-positive communities to find partnersLearn more about Dr. Israel Martinez at http://www.lgbttherapynj.com and get notified of the release of his forthcoming book on gay men’s sex and pleasure. In the meantime, you can purchase his first book Helping Gay Men Find Love.Stay subscribed or start following to be notified when new episodes come out.  You can also join my email list by visiting www.buckdodson.com.   If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps more folks like you find Gay Men’s Life Lab! Thanks!Buck

Gregory Elsasser-Chavez on the high costs & high rewards of coming out Part of the ‘Gays On’ Series featuring the voices and stories of gay, bi and queer men.Welcome to a new season of Gay Men’s Life! In this episode, I talk with Gregory Elsasser-Chavez about his remarkable path to freedom as a gay man which he chronicles in his upcoming book, Terms of Estrangement. Join me as I talk with Gregory about:The impact of realizing he could be a gay dad or a dead dadFinding the will to leave the Evangelical Christian churchThe torment of “ex-gay” reparative and aversion therapiesComing out and ending a marriage to his wifeHis steadfast commitment to parenting his sons through painful resistanceYou can follow Gregory on Twitter at GregoryElsasser and find his soon-to-published memoir, Terms of Estrangement on Kindle.  The “Gays On’ Series presents the voices of men who are on their journey of living openly and authentically. Not necessarily the perspective of therapists or coaches, these are the lived experiences and wisdom of gay, bi and queer man on their path to self love. Stay subscribed or start following to be notified when new episodes come out.  You can also join my email list by visiting www.buckdodson.com.   If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps more folks like you find Gay Men’s Life Lab!Thanks!Buck

And we’re back! I’ve missed you all so I’m happy to bring this episode to close out 2022 and preview what’s to come when Season 3 launches next month. Clearly, I extended my “summer” sabbatical through Fall so I go into what I’ve been going through and how this impacted my return to the podcast. I invite you to tune in to hear some of my story and to reflect with me on what it’s like to come out as your most authentic self. Some of the topics I cover are:Moving through seismic transformations that rock you at your coreComing out as a metaphor for showing up as who we are todayThe “necessary relinquishing” we must face to growWhat I’m learning through radical surrender with my body Stay subscribed or start following to be notified when Season 3 episodes start next month.  You can also join my email list by visiting www.buckdodson.com.  I’m looking so forward to being back in this conversation with you all. If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps more folks like you find Gay Men’s Life Lab! Happy new year!Buck

I’m sorry for the podcast silence last month, especially since it was Pride Month. Although Gay Men’s Life Lab celebrates LGBTQ+ pride every month.  In this episode, I share about my decision to take a few months off from the podcast so I can spend the summer soaking up some extra self, relationship and business care. I hope you’ll tune in to join me for this relatively brief conversation about my decision. It involves filling my well, learning to set limits and listening to my inner creative. As always, I hope this might inspire you to double down on self care this summer or on whatever care your life is needing right now. Stay subscribed or start following to be notified when new episodes are on their way.  You can also join my email list by visiting www.buckdodson.com.  I’ll be in touch with podcast updates as well as new blogs, coaching programs and more. As always, I love hearing from you so feel free to share your thoughts, episode ideas or just say hello by leaving a message on our Phone Line at 512.808.0849. If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps more gay men find Gay Men’s Life Lab! Thanks and talk with you all in September!Buck

In part two of my pro-dating, pro-relationship guide, I dive further into energizing your dating and relationship life. I cover the key topics my clients and I work on and offer practical ways you can beef up your relational dating skills. Check out the episode to hear…How to approach pacing in dating so you can stay “sober” in the early stages of loveMy suggestion for approaching sex The communication styles and skills you need for dating and relationship successHow to work with unfinished business before you start dating or when you’re datingWhy we don’t find Mr. Right, we create Mr. RightResources:Check out Wired for Dating by Dr. Stan Tatkin for more detail on secure functioning dating. Want to share your thoughts? Have ideas for episodes? Leave a message on the Phone Line at 512.808.0849 .Learn more about me and how I help gay, bi and queer men – and allies too - live, love and lead powerfully by visiting www.buckdodson.com and Gay Men’s Life Lab on Facebook. If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps more gay men find Gay Men’s Life Lab! Thanks!Buck

In the first of this two-parter, I invite you into a conversation about becoming or rediscovering hope and eagerness about dating. Join me for this deep dive into how becoming “pro dating” and a pro at dating means could radically shift your perspective on dating and creating long term relationships. Tune in to hear…What it means to be Pro-Relationship rather than Pro-SelfHow to approach dating like you would in a relationshipThe 5 characteristics of “Secure Functioning Dating”Developing a Pre and Pro-Dating MindsetIdeas for meeting dating partners IRL rather than relying solely on appsResourcesCheck out Wired for Dating by Dr. Stan Tatkin for more detail on secure functioning dating. Want to share your thoughts? Have ideas for episodes? Leave a message on the Phone Line at 512.808.0849 .Learn more about me and how I help gay, bi and queer men – and allies too - live, love and lead powerfully by visiting www.buckdodson.com and Gay Men’s Life Lab on Facebook. If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps more gay men find Gay Men’s Life Lab! Thanks!Buck

Join me for this engaging and important conversation about porn, sex, masturbation, and most importantly, pleasure. I’m talking with Don Shewey, a psychotherapist, pleasure activist and author of The Paradox of Porn: Notes on Gay Male Sexual Culture.Tune in to hear Don and I discuss:His journey to being a pleasure activist and Sacred IntimateThe integral yet complex role pornography plays in gay men’s self-discoveryHow porn both helps and hinders our views of our bodies, sexuality, and relationshipsLearning to distinguish sex, porn and masturbationThe role of pleasure and desire in addressing issues with pornRESOURCES:Learn more about Don Shewey at http://bodyandsoulwork.com.Purchase your copy of The Paradox of Porn here.Gay Men’s Life Lab Phone Line – 512.808.0849What do you think about this episode? I’d love to hear your thoughts about the role of porn in your life and in gay make sexual culture. Drop us a line at 512.808.0849 .About Buck Dodson, HostLearn more about how I help leading edge gay, bi and queer men and allies find joy, deep connection and gay superpower by visiting www.buckdodson.com and following Buck Dodson Coaching on Instagram.If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps Gay Men’s Life Lab reach more men like you! Thanks!Buck

Join me for this enriching conversation with licensed psychotherapist, Brian Torres, on what it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person and how embracing this part of your nature can help you create a more optimal lifestyle.  Some of the topics Brian and I discuss:The core traits of highly sensitive peopleWhat D.O.E.S. - Depth, Over-Arousal, Emotional Responsiveness, and Sensitivity to Subtleties – has to do with high sensitivityMisconceptions that high sensitivity isn’t backed by science, is the same as introversion or is a mental health diagnosisThe parallels of living with high sensitivity and living as LGBTQ individualsThe “Five to Thrive” tenets of self-care for Highly Sensitive peopleRESOURCES:Learn more about Brian Torres and his work with HSPs at www.briantorrestherapy.com. Read about HSPs in Dr. Elaine Aron’s book, The Highly Sensitive Person. Check out Dr. Aron’s documentary, Sensitive: The Untold Story featuring HSP, Alanis Morissette Gay Men’s Life Lab Phone Line – 512.808.0849What do you think about this episode? I’d love to hear your thoughts about Highly Sensitive People. Drop us a line at 512.808.0849 .About Buck Dodson, HostLearn more about how I help leading edge gay, bi and queer men and allies find joy, deep connection and gay superpower by visiting www.buckdodson.com and following Buck Dodson Coaching on Instagram.If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps Gay Men’s Life Lab reach more men like you! Thanks!Buck

You won’t want to miss this enlivening conversation about tapping into your erotic energy as a pathway to healing, aliveness and joy. Join me and my guest, Craig Cullinane from The New Body Electric School as we dive deep celebrating our erotic potential. Some of the topics Craig and I discuss:The role of “conscious eroticism” in self and collective healingHis own journey from body shame to celebrationThe intersection of pleasure, desire, power, and unmet needsThe foundational tool that superpowers inner growth Healing that happens when erotic exploration is not limited by physical attractionThe dance of shame and pleasure that builds intimacy with ourselves and our bodiesHow Body Electric courses help GBQT write new stories about our lives through erotic liberation practicesLearning more about Body Electric and other resources discussed in this episode:The New Body Electric SchoolEaston MountainHealing Body Shame Online Course Gay Men’s Life Lab Phone Line – 512.808.0849Want to share your thoughts on your conscious eroticism, self healing and body transformation? Drop us a line at 512.808.0849 .About Buck Dodson, HostLearn more about how I help leading edge gay, bi and queer men and allies find joy, deep connection and gay superpower by visiting www.buckdodson.com and following Buck Dodson Coaching on Instagram.If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps Gay Men’s Life Lab reach more men like you! Thanks!Buck

In this episode, I unpack codependence, developmental trauma and love addiction with Jodi White, a psychotherapist, sober recovering love addict and host of “Journals of a Love Addict.” Jodi and talk about:The 5 core symptoms of codependenceHow dysfunctional families set the stage for being over or anti-dependentWhat love addiction is and how it’s different from codependencyDeveloping a Functional Adult Self to care for our “inner woundeds”How experiential learning bypasses the ‘thinking brain’ to heal traumaJodi White, LPCLearn how you can work with Jodi White, LPC at www.jodiwhitelpc.comSubscribe to Jodi’s podcast Journals of a Love Addict. Follow Jodi on Instagram. Read Pia Mellody’s books on Codependency, Love Addiction and Intimacy. Gay Men’s Life Lab Phone Line – 512.808.0849Want to share your thoughts on codependence or love addiction? Have ideas for episodes? Leave a message on the Phone Line at 512.808.0849 .Have you had experience with codependent relationships or love addiction? Let us know your thoughts about this episode or any other topics by leaving a message on the Phone Line. About Buck Dodson, HostLearn more about how I help leading edge gay, bi and queer men and allies find joy, deep connection and gay superpower by visiting www.buckdodson.com and following Buck Dodson Coaching on Instagram.If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps Gay Men’s Life Lab reach more men like you! Thanks!Buck

Gay Men's Life Lab is all about trying things out, and since we have a lot of new listeners in the last year, we’re experimenting with a new Relationship Replay Series which features some of our earliest episodes on all things relationships such as…How to handle conflictCommunicating your feelings Navigating relationship dynamicsHow to identify your needs and get them met If there’s one thing I’ve learned on my own relationship journey and in those of my clients, it’s that we’re always learning and we can all use a refresher now and then. So even if you’ve already heard these episodes, you might discover something new if you take another listen.We'll feature Relationship Replay episodes from time to time, but we'll also continue to have fresh content and new episodes for you every two weeks, so if you haven’t already, make sure you subscribe.Now, let’s go to Relationship School. - - -Episode 8 Replay"Get Closer" with Jeff Chernin, PhDHey guys! This episode is all about improving communication patterns and dynamics in your relationships. I dive deep with L.A.-based psychotherapist and author, Dr. Jeff Chernin, about his must-read book, “Get Closer: A Gay Men’s Guide to Intimacy and Relationships.”  If you’re in a relationship, you want to be in one or you’re learning from one that just ended, this episode is for you. Tune in to hear Dr. Chernin and I talk about…What to do when you and you’re man are in a “Pursuer-Withdrawer” patternHow to balance out differences in power that show up around money, statusTaking responsibility for our part in unhealthy dynamics including infidelitySetting your partner up for success to meet your needsIdentifying your “hidden goals” and “secondary gains” that block your intimacyWhat contribution you’re making to your “not enoughness”The benefits and advantages of being gay couplesHow gay, bi and queer men are leaders of negotiating healthy sexual lives togetherLearn more about Jeff Chernin’s work, his books and articles at jeffreychernin.com and on Facebook.Get your copy of Get Closer here and start learning how to have healthy relationships and more intimacy with your man. Learn more about me and how I help gay, bi and queer men – and allies too - live, love and lead powerfully by visiting www.buckdodson.com and following me on Instagram and Facebook. If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps more gay men find Gay Men’s Life Lab! Thanks!Buck

Gay Men's Life Lab is all about trying things out, and since we have a lot of new listeners in the last year, we’re experimenting with a new Relationship Replay Series which features some of our earliest episodes on all things relationships such as…How to handle conflictCommunicating your feelings Navigating relationship dynamicsHow to identify your needs and get them met If there’s one thing I’ve learned on my own relationship journey and in those of my clients, it’s that we’re always learning and we can all use a refresher now and then. So even if you’ve already heard these episodes, you might discover something new if you take another listen. We'll feature Relationship Replay episodes from time to time, but we'll also continue to have fresh content and new episodes for you every two weeks, so if you haven’t already, make sure you subscribe.Now, let’s go to Relationship School.  - - -Episode 1 ReplayRupture and Repair: How to Handle Conflict in Your RelationshipsStop avoiding conflict and repair your relationship wounds. Conflict sucks. Nobody likes it, and we’d all avoid it if we could. But when we face it head on, conflict is healthy and helps us build trust. Since most of us were never taught how to handle conflict, this episode I'm talking about what to do if you keep arguing about the same issues in your relationships. I’m chatting about some of the skills you need to resolve conflicts: stop playing the blame game; take responsibility for your part; own your feelings; and get curious about what the other person feels.  Check out this episode for practical ideas to move you guys out of rupture and into repair.Learn more about me and how I help gay, bi and queer men – and allies too - live, love and lead powerfully by visiting www.buckdodson.com and following me on Instagram and Facebook. If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps more gay men find Gay Men’s Life Lab! Thanks!Buck

We’re going to mindset school. In this solo episode, I’m riffing on how our attitudes, perspectives and beliefs—our mindsets—make the difference between creating the life we want or staying stuck.  Tune in to hear…Buck’s update on his ‘Filling my Well’ commitmentHow being a ‘design thinker’ can help solve problems and achieve goalsThe core mindsets you need to move you toward personal and relationship growthHow to be curious, try stuff, shift your beliefs, and trust the process The secret sauce mindset to accelerate your vision  Want to share your thoughts? Have ideas for episodes? Leave a message on the Phone Line at 512.808.0849 .Start planning your 2022 commitments and goals by downloading a free Core Life Dimensions Guide. Check out Designing your Life for more guidance on how to use design thinking in your life. Learn more about me and how I help gay, bi and queer men – and allies too - live, love and lead powerfully by visiting www.buckdodson.com and following me Instagram and Facebook. If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps more gay men find Gay Men’s Life Lab! Thanks!Buck

This week, I dive into a misunderstood topic that we don’t talk about enough – Adult ADHD. Tune in as I talk with ADHD Coach and Founder of Queer ADHD, Sarah Dopp, about what it does and does not mean to live with ADHD. Even if you don’t have ADHD, I encourage you to check out this episode because someone in your life does and may be struggling alone. Sarah and I talk about:Misconceptions about Adult ADHDHow coming out with ADHD mirrors coming out as LGBTQThe connection between fear of rejection, perfectionism and ADHDWhy people with ADHD need to play BEFORE work not afterHow ‘body doubling’ and community increase productivity Learn all about Queer ADHD and follow them at:TikTokInstagramLinks discussed in the episode:noisli.com - sound generatorfocusmate.com - free virtual coworkingStay up to date on all Gay Men’s Life Lab events and programs on Facebook and Instagram. About Buck Dodson, HostLearn more about how I help leading edge gay, bi and queer men and allies find joy, deep connection and gay superpower by visiting www.buckdodson.com and following Buck Dodson Coaching on Instagram.If you found this episode helpful, please ‘gay it forward’ by subscribing and leaving a quick review and rating. This helps Gay Men’s Life Lab reach more men like you! Thanks!Buck