074: Why Men Don’t Talk: How REAL Brotherhood Can Save Lives & The Danger of Being the Strong Silent Type

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In this episode of Next Third Best Third, Taylor and I blow up the old idea of the “strong, silent type” and talk honestly about why so many men stay quiet when their world is falling apart. We unpack a fresh story from Taylor about a close friend who went through major loss and separation without telling anyone, and how common that pattern is for men. From cultural conditioning to family of origin to the pressure to “provide,” we look at how silence gets baked into our definition of strength.

I share openly about my own story of divorce, shame, and how close I came to disappearing into isolation, as well as what actually helped me heal: other men who refused to let me stay silent. We talk about fathers who modeled humor and anger but not vulnerability, the way money and provision are tied to our identity, and why so many husbands and leaders feel like failures even when they’re doing a lot right. We also hit on athletes, pastors, and everyday guys who look successful on the outside but are falling apart on the inside.

Most importantly, we get practical. We talk about emotional vocabulary, how to find trustworthy men, what “iron sharpening iron” really looks like, and how to take your first courageous step if you’ve never opened up before. Whether you’re the guy who’s struggling in silence or the friend who needs to lean in and ask better questions, my hope is that this conversation helps you make your next third your best third. If this resonates, like, comment, subscribe, and share this with a man who needs to know he’s not alone.

Chapters:
00:00 The “Strong Silent Type” Myth
02:55 Why My Friend Hid His Separation
05:20 How Our Fathers Shaped Our Silence
09:45 Provision, Money, Stress and Male Anger
14:40 Fear of Judgment, Weakness and Being Seen
18:40 How Other Men Helped Me Survive Divorce
22:55 Athletes, Suicide and Suffering in Silence
27:10 Two Types of Men: Strugglers and Safe Friends
31:30 Iron Sharpens Iron: Calling Brothers Up
36:00 First Steps to Stop Suffering in Silence

Welcome to Next Third Best Third! Join us for the inaugural episode of the Next Third Best Third podcast! Host David Fenwick, founder, author, and life coach, introduces the mission to inspire men over 40 to thrive in the next stage of life. Discover how to conquer life's challenges across physical, mental, relational, spiritual, and emotional dimensions. In this episode, David shares insights on:

- Physical Health: Strategies for maintaining fitness and vitality as you age.
- Mental Resilience: Techniques to stay mentally sharp and manage stress.
- Relational Growth: Building and nurturing meaningful relationships.
- Spiritual Fulfillment: Finding purpose and deeper spiritual connections.
- Emotional Well-being: Managing emotions and fostering a positive outlook.

Don't miss out on this journey towards making the next third of your life the best third!

Website: (https://www.nextthirdbestthird.com/)