In this insightful episode, Dylan Stein shares his personal journey from a traditional career to dedicating his life to mental health advocacy and community outreach. He talks about the challenges men face when it comes to emotional vulnerability, the damaging effects of hypermasculinity, and the societal pressures that shape how men express their feelings. Dylan also explores the complexities of consent in relationships, and why it's essential to have open, honest conversations about emotional needs. Throughout the discussion, he highlights the work of Building Hope, a nonprofit focused on improving mental health services in Summit County, Colorado and shares his experience creating a men’s group to provide a supportive space for guys to talk openly about their struggles. This episode dives into the evolving conversation around masculinity, mental health, and the importance of breaking down harmful gender norms.

Takeaways from the conversation include the impact of societal pressures on men’s mental health, the need for vulnerability in relationships, and the importance of creating spaces where men can openly express themselves. Dylan emphasizes that being vulnerable isn’t a weakness, but a strength, and that men need to challenge traditional ideas of masculinity in order to build healthier relationships with themselves and others.

Help us make an impact! During the month of March 2025, we are supporting the non-profit we mentioned in this episode: Building Hope. Building Hope Summit County is a community-wide initiative designed to create a more coordinated, effective and responsive mental health system that promotes emotional health, reduces stigma and improves access to care and support for everyone in Summit County.

Please rate, review, and subscribe to Are We Happy Yet? as this helps us reach more listeners and help provide financial support for important causes like Building Hope! We are able to donate $5 for each 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and $10 for each 5 star review on Apple Podcasts that we gain this month!

To connect with Dylan or to learn more about Building Hope: https://buildinghopesummit.org

To learn more about Dylan’s men's group, visit: https://www.arewehappyyetpodcast.com/episodes

Learn more about the podcast, and the hosts Jane + Hannah:

More information about the upcoming couples psychedelic retreat: ⁠alchemytherapyandwellness.com/2025retreat⁠

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