Why is it so hard for gay men to make close friends? In this episode, host Dustin explores the friendship crisis many queer men face and offers practical, research-backed strategies to build deeper, more meaningful connections.

Learn the difference between romantic and friendship attraction, how emotional safety shapes queer friendships, and why vulnerability is key to connection. Dustin also shares actionable tips for overcoming defensiveness, initiating low-pressure social rituals, and building community beyond dating and hookup culture.

Whether you’re feeling lonely, craving real friendships, or simply trying to understand why queer connection can feel so complicated, this episode offers clarity, validation, and hope.

Connect with boy meets therapy:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website with Free Resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠boymeetstherapy.com⁠⁠

Episode Guide & Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Topic

03:18 Understanding Queer Loneliness

11:43 The Importance of Queer Friendships

18:23 Navigating Vulnerability in Queer Friendships

18:35 Navigating Attraction and Friendship Among Gay Men

21:26 Understanding Vulnerability in Queer Friendships

24:13 Tools for Building Connections

27:23 Creating Consistent Rituals for Friendship

30:14 Practicing Patience and Grace in Friendships

33:09 The Importance of Authenticity and Vulnerability

Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver

In this episode of boy meets therapy, Dr. Luke Wilson shares his firsthand experience with conversion therapy, from enrolling at Liberty University to facing the emotional and psychological toll of trying to change his identity. Dr. Wilson opens up about the deep shame, religious pressure, and inner conflict he experienced, and how he ultimately found healing and self-acceptance. This honest conversation explores the dangers of conversion practices, the intersection of faith and sexuality, and the resilience it takes to reclaim your truth. Whether you are a survivor, an ally, or seeking to understand, this episode offers insight, compassion, and hope.

Dr. Wilson's book of conversion therapy survivors' stories Shame-Sex Attraction is available for pre-order now.

Connect with Luke Wilson, PhD:

Instagram: @lukeslamdunkwilson

Academic Papers: utschools.academia.edu/LucasWilson

Pre-order Shame-Sex Attraction (USA): link here

Connect with boy meets therapy:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website with Free Resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠boymeetstherapy.com⁠⁠⁠

Episode Guide & Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Academic Credentials

03:06 Exploring Identity and Sexuality

06:00 Liberty University: A Conservative Christian Institution

08:47 The Journey into Evangelicalism

12:07 Conversion Therapy: Understanding the Context

14:52 Personal Experiences with Conversion Therapy

17:41 Navigating Queerness in a Conservative Environment

26:06 The Journey into Conversion Therapy

32:26 The Impact of Conversion Therapy on Identity

43:48 Shame and Its Role in Conversion Therapy

48:37 Reflections on Personal Growth and Projection

Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver

In this episode of boy meets therapy, host Dustin Oliver is joined by therapist Liz Rhea for an honest and deeply moving conversation about religious trauma and queer identity. Together, they unpack how adverse religious experiences can shape self-worth, relationships, and mental health, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals. Liz shares her clinical insights on the effects of sermons and church environments, while exploring the power of deconstruction, inner child work, and grief processing in healing. This episode offers both personal and therapeutic perspectives on what it means to navigate religious trauma and find safety, self-acceptance, and liberation in therapy.

Whether you're deconstructing your faith, supporting a loved one, or working through your own trauma, this conversation is a must-listen.

Connect with Liz Rhea:

Instagram: ⁠@lizrheatherapy⁠

Website: ⁠www.lizrheatherapy.com⁠

Connect with boy meets therapy:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website with Free Resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠boymeetstherapy.com⁠⁠

Episode Guide & Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:09 Understanding Religious Trauma

06:13 The Impact of Environment on Trauma

09:07 Experiences of Religious Trauma

12:08 Personal Stories and Reflections

15:10 Navigating Identity and Faith

17:46 Exploring Queer Identity and Community

19:12 The Process of Deconstruction

23:07 Reclaiming Identity and Rituals

24:47 The Impact of Religious Trauma

28:04 Understanding Sin and Identity

31:39 Creating Safe Spaces in Therapy

36:02 Inner Child Work for Queer Individuals

37:12 The Framework of Grief in Healing

Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver