Hearts Wide Open - The Men's Mental Health Podcast

In this episode we tried something new! If you're able to, definitely check out the video version of this episode on Spotify or YouTube, because we're PAINTING as we have this conversation about a variety of thought-provoking topics that we as young men are faced with. It helps us a lot, if you take a moment to let us know what you think about this new format.

This week Soroosh asked himself why he obsesses about the reasons why someone rejected him after a date. We're sure you can relate, if you ever asked yourself: Why am I not good enough for her? or why doesn’t she want me?

Why do we obsess about these questions? Why is this person able to make me question my entire being even though she may not even know me well enough to judge me.

Oftentimes this makes us feel left out and alone, without a good reason as to why. "I'm just not good enough for her." Does it actually matter, if we knew why we got rejected? What would it change, if the outcome (the rejection) is this the same? So do we need to find out why we got rejected

Does it make sense to want an answer so I can improve myself for the next person? Would it maybe help me save the relationship with this person? In dating: When is it helpful to know the reasons for rejection and when is it not?

As Soroosh and Dennis complete this freestyle painting, they share from their own personal experiences and impressions with this topic and end up also touching upon the relation with the topics of perfectionism and blaming ourselves. They're having a vibrant discussion on the pro's and con's of perfectionism and living a life with a perfectionist mindset while blaming ourselves for our numerous shortcomings in the eyes of everyone else.

Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon!

Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? Send us a voice message on Spotify, DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

Join us on our 10th episode!

What a milestone and what an opportunity to talk about the holiday that Dennis and Soroosh went on most recently.

They said it themselves:

• Let's go on an active holiday
• Let's limit social media and phone usage
• Let's connect with each other, but also connect with strangers like you would on a solo trip

Dennis and Soroosh are unpacking all this and much more in this very special episode!

They discuss the challenges they faced, the learnings they brought back home and share their biggest highlights and some beautiful moments that emerged from having goals for this holiday.

This episode is a strong recommendation for anyone who wants to go on a holiday in the future and especially, if you're thinking about surfing. Understand how surfer mentality can teach us a profound lesson about living in the present moment.

Tune in for a lively conversation that reminds us of the beauty of connection, spontaneity, and the power of the present. 🏄‍♂️🌴🌟

The Movember Campaign we mention on the Episode has ended, but you can check out our progress on our Movember page! With the support of our listeners, we were able to exceed our goal of raising 250 EUR for men's mental health! We also hosted a men's circle and ran 100km throughout November to raise awareness for men's health.

Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health?

Send us a voice message on Spotify (see below), DM us via our Instagram ⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠ or simply mail us at ⁠[email protected]⁠

If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

We talked to Daley who went from being unhappy as a strategy consultant to working at the zoo. He talks about the dark side of being a strategy consultant, how he discovered his passion for animals and how working at the zoo feels more aligned to his purpose, which ultimately makes him much happier.

Daley opens up about how being a "nice guy" worked against him and how he strives to become an "integrated male", embracing all his different components of self: Emotional, physical and psychological.

In his time off and when he's not taking breathtaking photos of animals with his camera, he has a steady running routine to support his physical and mental health. He is also a serial marathon runner and raises awareness and funds to help save the endangered painted dogs.

Follow Daley here:

⁠⁠@daleyvandesande.photography⁠⁠

⁠⁠@daley_running⁠⁠

Donate ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ to help save the painted dog

Finished this episode and not done yet? Listen to an episode where Soroosh talks about his longest run ever: ⁠⁠#11 Running And Mental Health - How I Experienced My Longest Run Ever Physically And Mentally⁠⁠

Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon!

Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? Send us a voice message on Spotify, DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

Dennis interviewed Juriaan, a Dutch man who is travelling around the globe by bicycle! You've heard right! By B-I-C-Y-C-L-E.

You probably know that Dutch people love to get from a to b by bicycle, but what makes a person want to do that around the entire planet?

This is exactly what we've asked Juriaan in this episode. He talks about his motivation behind doing this challenge, how it supports his own mental health and how he wants to make a difference for others too, by raising awareness and funds for Men's Mental Health.

Juriaan also talks about his own mental health struggles back at home in the Netherlands, before starting his adventure and mental health barriers he's encountered whilst on his bicycle.

Travelling through different places and regions, Juriaan also talks to locals he meets about mental health and shares some of the most inspiring stories he's heard so far.

You don't wanna sit this one out!

You can find Juriaan here: @thegreatchoochoo

Movember is coming! You can already donate and sign up to start your own campaign! ⁠Make sure to join the Hearts Wide Open team!⁠

Want to join our online men's circle? You can put yourself on the waiting list by getting in touch with us (see below). We're launching soon!

Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast, or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health?

DM us via our Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , or simply mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

This summer, Dennis went on a Men's Retreat. A Men's Retreat? WTF is that? Sounds weird? Why would you go there? This is not for me! Feeling triggered? Let's fill in the blanks together.

In this episode Soroosh interviews Dennis about his recent experience at the Reconnection Men's Retreat by Freedom Of Movement. Discover what a men's retreat is really about, how it can look like in terms of activities, discussions, and connections that can unfold at such a intimite gathering of men.

Join, as Dennis shares the valuable insights and transformative moments he took away from the retreat. Learn about the challenges he faced, the breakthroughs he experienced, and the shifts in his perspective.

This episode is an invitation to explore the power of immersive experiences and the deep connections that can emerge with yourself and others when men gather with vulnerability and authenticity.

Tune in to this captivating episode as we uncover the essence of a men's retreat, offering an intimate look into a personal journey of growth and self-discovery.

***Remember every retreat is different in terms of activities, but also in terms of every participants individual experience. This episode only shows a glimpse of the experience Dennis had. At the end of the day activities and agenda points are just there to facilitate the experience. It's more about what happens within the individual in these spaces then what it is on paper.***

Want to join a men's retreat yourself? DM us for suggestions or in case of questions! We're also looking into organising one of these ourselves in the future, message us to be added to the waitlist.

Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health?

Send us a voice message on Spotify, DM us via our Instagram ⁠@hearts_wide_open_podcast⁠ or simply mail us at ⁠[email protected]⁠

If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5 star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.

@reconnection.retreats 2023

@freedomofmovementofficial organized this men's retreat (also offer women and mixed retreats)