045 - Men & Emotions

Hi, friends. This episode was recorded a few weeks ago, before certain current events unfolded. We hope to be in actual Spring now, though it is still snowing in some places. Heaven help us, with roofs collapsing and flooding . . . we’ll just stick to the Bunny slope.

 

We talk a bit about Robin Williams, an American comedian who both Lexy and Mary adored.. He died by suicide in 2014, and we hope to open up a little more conversation about the mental health of men we love. We talk about how men often have big emotions, but are unable to, or are discouraged from expressing them, so they show up as arrogance, illnesses (like the man-cold) or avoiding the conversation and deflecting with anger or humor.

 

We reference a few quotes and resources from our queen Brené Brown.

• List of emotions, or “places we go when . . .”
• Atlas Hub (all things Atlas of the Heart)
• Atlas of the Heart Special on HBO Max

 

And this quote:

“Show me a woman who can hold space for a man in real fear and vulnerability, and I’ll show you a woman who’s learned to embrace her own vulnerability and who doesn’t derive her power or status from that man. Show me a man who can sit with a woman in real fear and vulnerability and just hear her struggle without trying to fix it or give advice, and I’ll show you a man who’s comfortable with his own vulnerability and doesn’t derive his power from being Oz, the all-knowing and all-powerful” (― Brené Brown, Rising Strong: The Reckoning. The Rumble. The Revolution).

We talk about the “Silent Crisis” and how it all comes down to being heard. We reference an incredible podcast episode from Ed Mylett published in November 2022, with guest Kevin Hines. We believe that much of the work of suicide prevention can be done by identifying our emotions, and providing a non-judgemental listening ear to those who are struggling. Using Brené’s list of emotions, or a wheel of emotions like this may help in this process.

 

Our Better Betty Challenge for today is to check-in with at least one of the men in your life. Don’t always try to solve their problems, and be a safe space for them, like the Diamond Dogs are for Roy Kent (language warning!).

 

Please get in touch! You can message us or shoot us an email at thebettyspodcast@gmail.com. Please follow us on Instagram @thebettyspodcast, on Facebook as The Bettys Podcast, and on Twitter @bettys_podcast. 

 

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Wherever you may find yourself on that wheel, or whatever kind of aircraft you may think you are (Mary is a private jet, and Lexy is a stunt helicopter), we believe that more patience, grace and love in this world can only make things better–especially with the men in our lives.

We’re so grateful for you, Bettys and Jacks. And remember that we love you more.