40 Plus: Gay Men. Gay Talk. - 310: Overcoming Trauma with Mindfulness – Dr. Jason Durant

310: Overcoming Trauma with Mindfulness – Dr. Jason Durant

01/03/25 • 42 min

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In this episode, we explore Boy From the North Country, the powerful self-help memoir by Dr. Durant. With the intensity of a car chase, Dr. Durant shares his journey from the volatile backroads of rural Northern New York to the vibrant but challenging world of gay San Francisco. Part memoir, part psychological insight, this story unpacks how trauma shapes us, how mindfulness can aid in healing, and how even the Grateful Dead played a role in his survival. Key lessons you'll learn:

All research is me-search.
We are who we are because of our trauma.
And yes, a boy from rural NY can grow up to be an amazing gay man

Join us as we uncover this tale of resilience, wisdom, and finding hope against all odds.

About Jason

Dr. Jason Durant is a gay man, psychologist, and author living in Manhattan and Hillsdale, NY. Dr. Durant’s life experience growing up as a gay kid on a farm in rural New York State provided fodder for both laughter and tears. His progression through life and his work as a psychotherapist offer him a unique perspective on life as gay man learning to live with the trauma of growing up as an isolated queer kid.

His adventures in San Francisco’s bohemian enclaves of the Castro, the Mission District and in the hills of Northern California’s golden triangle bend the narrative of the traditional healing story into a winding tale built on learning self acceptance through self exploration, music, and even psychedelics. Taken together, this unique and inspiring story was lived by only one person, just as all lives are and this is why he is the man best situated to tell this story.

Connect With Jason

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Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you’re going to do, but never do? Then it’s time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

All research is me-search.
We are who we are because of our trauma.
And yes, a boy from rural NY can grow up to be an amazing gay man

Join us as we uncover this tale of resilience, wisdom, and finding hope against all odds.

About Jason

Connect With Jason

Website Instagram Facebook

Hey Guys, Check This Out!

Previous Episode

309: Mindful Aging For Gay Man – Theresa Skaar

Mindfulness, meditation, self-mastery - all buzz, buzz, buzz worthy words these days. However, they are more then buzz words. They are are practices that as we ease out of the craziness of the holidays and 2024, can support all of us as gay men to embrace life through a new lens and settle into the daily chaos that can drive us crazy. From dating and relationships, to careers and the pursuit of purpose, mindfulness as we age should be top priority, just like going to the gym. Joining me today is Dr. Theresa Skoor - Dr. T - who doles out some powerful wisdom on how age mindully with joy, happiness, and fun. During this provocative episode you learn:

How to release the baggage of aging with mindfulness
Learn how to simply be present, from the bedroom to the board room
Why mindfulness is a pleasure activator, even when pleasuring yourself

About Theresa

Dr. Theresa B. Skaar, also known as Dr. T, is an educator and facilitator dedicated to empowering individuals to meet life's challenges with more curiosity, ease, and joy. With a PhD in social psychology, certification in Mind-Body Medicine, and extensive Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction facilitator training, she is uniquely qualified to help people achieve their personal and professional growth goals. Dr. T's workshops and speaking engagements cover critical topics such as managing burnout, cultivating self-awareness, navigating grief, and aging mindfully. Her expertise in evidence-based practices makes it easy for learners of all levels to understand and apply these tools in their lives. With her engaging demeanor, Dr. T brings humor, compassion, and relatable experiences to her presentations, making them informative and enjoyable. Participants leave her workshops and talks with actionable insights and tools that they can confidently apply to their daily lives. Dr. T loves to explore her creative side through watercolor and acrylic painting. She also enjoys reading, walks in nature, and knitting. She lives with her husband and their two dogs and deeply values her connections with friends and family.

For Listeners of 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Podcast Join Theresa for A Complimentary: Everyday Mindfulness: A Live Guided Session

[video width="640" height="480" mp4="https://rickclemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/202412241359.mp4"][/video] Discover how mindfulness and meditation can bring more calm and clarity to your daily life. In this interactive one-hour session, you’ll learn practical ways mindfulness can support you, participate in a guided mindfulness practice, and have the opportunity to ask questions. Whether you're new to mindfulness or looking to deepen your practice, this live session offers a welcoming space to explore and connect. Join us and take a mindful pause for yourself! These sessions are being offered on January 22, 2025, for free at the following times: 3 pm ET | 2 pm CT | 12 PT 5 pm ET | 4 pm CT | 2 PT 7 pm ET | 6 pm CT | 4 PT 8:30 pm ET | 7:30 pm CT | 5:30 PT CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP! DON'T MISS OUT!

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Next Episode

311: Connecting Deeper with Bodily Pleasure As Gay Men – Court Vox

Sex, intimacy, and connection—beyond the labels and limits. Society teaches us, as gay men, to define sexuality by where it happens, but what if it’s really about how we connect with ourselves and other gay men? Whether it’s a hookup or a long-term partnership, intimacy and liberation are possible everywhere. It’s all about unlocking your body’s wisdom as a gay man and embracing the full spectrum of erotic energy - without shame. Join Court Vox, Certified Sex & Intimacy Coach and host Rick Clemons, as we explore the deep, playful, and sacred sides of sexuality. We're getting mentally naked with what it means to fully embody pleasure—solo or with a partner. Key lessons you'll learn:

How to remove the shame away from being an erotic being
Learn how to access your deeper emotions and desires as a gay man
Discover how to call the erotic self into all aspects of your life

Join us as we invite vulnerability to be our friend, and then join us at Court's Event - Connect, March 6 - 9, 2025 and enter 40PLUS at check out and receive a $100 discount.

About Court

Court Vox is a Certified Sex & Intimacy Coach, based in Los Angeles CA . He is Founder of The Bodyvox. Through his courses, workshops, retreats, and private immersions, clients cultivate toys to unlock limitations and shame, to embrace a deeper sense of intimacy with their whole self. Traditional forms of therapy are done solely through talk, while the work of a somatic coach is to further this form of work via body-based exercises, experiential learning, and touch, in comfortable, judgment-free, and caring environments. Body acceptance, exploration of sensation and desires (and learning how to ask for what you want), boundary-setting and intimacy work are some of the many reasons clients seek this form of learning. Vox is a sex educator experienced working with clients of all sexualities and genders and has been featured in AskMen.com, Cosmopolitan, and Well & Good magazines. He offers workshops and retreats across the globe for GBTQ men, and is also part of an elite team of sex educators that create the celebrated program for women, Back to the Body. His online course and community, Invitations to Intimacy, offers foundations in embodiment suited for the eroticerotic, as well as a community of like-minded individuals to support one another on their journey.