Hosts Soroosh and Dennis celebrate the 50th episode and reflect on their two-year journey of podcasting.
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They discuss personal growth, the importance of vulnerability, and the lessons learned through their conversations about men's health and emotional well-being. Soroosh shares his journey of self-discovery, the challenges he faced, and how podcasting has helped him become more vocal about his feelings.
The episode emphasizes the power of connection and the significance of embracing one's emotions. In this conversation, Soroosh and Dennis explore themes of loneliness, self-connection, and personal growth through crises. They discuss the importance of embracing emotions, the power of shared experiences, and reflect on their podcast journey, highlighting memorable episodes and the impact of their work on listeners.
In this conversation, Soroosh and Dennis explore themes of self-love, mindfulness, and the evolving definition of masculinity. They discuss the importance of being present in daily life, the rituals that help maintain mindfulness, and the need for empathy in relationships.
The dialogue emphasizes the significance of self-acceptance and the journey towards emotional intelligence, highlighting that both men and women play crucial roles in fostering healthy relationships and personal growth.
Chapters
00:00 Welcome Back: A New Chapter Begins
05:19 Journey of Self-Discovery
08:51 Reflections on Two Years of Podcasting
11:50 Lessons Learned Through Podcasting
15:14 The Power of Vulnerability
17:39 Growth and Change Over Two Years
19:44 Embracing Loneliness and Self-Connection
27:24 Navigating Crises and Personal Growth
30:15 The Power of Shared Experiences
37:00 Reflecting on Memorable Episodes
40:44 The Ritual of Recording and Connection
43:36 The Importance of Being Present
44:05 Rituals for Mindfulness and Connection
47:42 Defining a Healthy Man
52:33 Breaking Stereotypes of Masculinity
56:07 Empathy and Understanding in Relationships
59:24 Self-Acceptance and Love
Takeaways
Podcasting has helped Soroosh become more vocal about his feelings.
Soroosh discusses the importance of vulnerability in forming genuine connections.
Soroosh feels more comfortable sitting with difficult emotions now. Loneliness can be addressed by connecting with oneself.
Meditation and self-reflection can help in understanding childhood emotions.
The mind often creates problems that it cannot solve.
Emotional awareness is crucial in navigating life's challenges.
Crisis situations can lead to personal growth and self-discovery.
Shared experiences create a sense of community and connection.
Feedback from listeners can be incredibly rewarding and motivating.
Life's challenges can be viewed as a mosaic of experiences.
Connecting with oneself is key to overcoming difficulties.
Reflecting on past experiences can lead to deeper understanding and growth.
Being present is essential for meaningful interactions.
Mindfulness rituals can enhance daily life.
Defining a healthy man involves breaking stereotypes.
Empathy is crucial in understanding men's struggles.
Self-acceptance is a key to personal growth.
Emotional intelligence allows for better processing of feelings.
Healthy relationships require effort from both partners.
Rituals can help maintain mindfulness throughout the day.
The journey of self-discovery is ongoing and shared.
🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more personal stories and expert-backed men's health insights.
Want to talk or get involved? DM us via our Instagram @hearts_wide_open_podcast, or visit our website to find out how: heartswideopenpodcast.com
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In this episode of Hearts Wide Open, hosts Dennis and Tamara delve into the complexities of relationships, particularly focusing on the dynamics of living together.
They explore the importance of communication, understanding emotional triggers, and maintaining individuality while navigating the challenges that come with cohabitation.
The conversation highlights the significance of conflict resolution, the evolution of attraction, and the cultural perspectives surrounding living together before marriage.
Through personal anecdotes and insights, they provide valuable advice for couples looking to strengthen their bond and grow together.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Hearts Wide Open Podcast
06:04 The Role of Triggers in Relationships
15:34 Reflections on Moving In Together
20:57 The Importance of Communication in Relationships
27:20 Addressing Fears of Moving In
38:22 Communicating Needs Without Conflict
48:23 Communicating Boundaries and Preferences
Takeaways
It's important to communicate openly about relationship dynamics.
Understanding triggers can help in managing emotional responses.
Living together can bring new challenges and opportunities for growth.
Maintaining individuality is crucial in a relationship.
Space and independence can enhance attraction and intimacy.
Conflict resolution requires patience and understanding from both partners.
Cultural perspectives can influence decisions about living together.
The spark in a relationship can evolve over time.
New experiences together can reignite attraction.
It's essential to support each other's growth and needs.
You can find Tamara here:
Instagram: @tamararuhinside
🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more personal stories and expert-backed men's health insights.
Want to talk or get involved? DM us via our Instagram @hearts_wide_open_podcast, or visit our website to find out how: heartswideopenpodcast.com
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.
Moving in together sounds like a dream—but for many men, it can also be an emotional rollercoaster. In this episode of Hearts Wide Open, Dennis opens up about the mental and emotional shift of going from long-distance dating to sharing a home.
From unexpected doubts to communication struggles and moments of real growth, we explore the messy and beautiful side of learning how to really live together.
This is a raw, honest take on men’s mental health in relationships, and how living together can challenge you—but also bring you closer than ever.
💬 Been through something similar? Share your story at heartswideopenpodcast.com
🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more personal stories and expert-backed men's health insights.
Want to talk or get involved? DM us via our Instagram @hearts_wide_open_podcast, or visit our website to find out how: heartswideopenpodcast.com
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.
Reiss talks about how he quit drinking for the first time.
On this episode of Hearts Wide Open, The Men's Health Podcast, Dennis sat down with Reiss Silva, personal trainer and coach to world champions, medalists and world record holders and regular men just like you!
Reiss opens up about the journey of quitting drinking, giving up alcohol for the first time and offers valuable thoughts as he tells his inspiring, not so easy story.
The two share personal stories as they dive into the most important factors for a long and fulfilled life, Reiss' formula to success, growth and transformation as well as the darker topics from Reiss' life, like his anxiety and the difficulty of remaining friends when all you connect with each other over is a drink.
You can find Reiss here:Instagram: @reiss_silva11
LinkedIn: @weightlossandfitness
🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more personal stories and expert-backed men's health insights.
Want to talk or get involved? DM us via our Instagram @hearts_wide_open_podcast, or visit our website to find out how: heartswideopenpodcast.com
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.
Men’s mental health and aging as a man—what a combo. In this special birthday episode, Dennis turns 33 and dives headfirst into what it really feels like to be a man in his 30s, reflecting on life not quite going as planned, the weird pressure to "have it all figured out," and the little existential crisis that can sneak up with every passing year.
Turning 30 used to feel like the beginning of adulthood… now 33 feels like a weird milestone no one warned us about. From the nostalgia of our early 20s to the new aches in our backs, this episode explores how aging as a man often brings more questions than answers—and why that’s totally okay.
If you’ve ever found yourself looking back at your younger self wondering “what happened to the plan?”, this one’s for you.
🎂 Featuring personal stories, honest reflection, and a few laughs, this episode is a reminder that getting older doesn’t mean your life is over—it just means you're human.
🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more personal stories and expert-backed men's health insights.
Want to talk or get involved? DM us via our Instagram @hearts_wide_open_podcast, or visit our website to find out how: heartswideopenpodcast.com
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.
Most men ignore their heart health—until it’s too late. Don’t be one of them. Discover the secrets to heart health for men and learn heart disease prevention strategies that could save your life.
In this episode of Hearts Wide Open, the Men's Health Podcast, host Dennis sits down with Michelle Routhenstein, a leading cardiology dietitian and preventive cardiology nutritionist from EntrielyNourished.com. They dive deep into the biggest risk factors for heart disease prevention, how gut health impacts heart health, and the crucial role of mental health in heart health.
You’ll learn:
✅ How to naturally lower blood pressure✅ The best heart-healthy diet for men✅ The overlooked connection between gut health and heart health✅ Proactive steps every man should take to protect his heart
Don't wait for a wake-up call—Men start taking control of your heart health today!
🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more expert-backed health insights.
You can find Michelle onInstagram: @heart.health.nutritionist LinkedIn: @michellerouthensteinWebsite: entirelynourished.com
Want to talk or get involved? DM us via our Instagram @hearts_wide_open_podcast, or visit our website to find out how: heartswideopenpodcast.com
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.
Going home as an adult can feel like stepping back in time. No matter how much we’ve grown, family dynamics and personal growth often clash, making us feel like a younger, outdated version of ourselves. In this episode, I share my experience of visiting home while staying in a BnB instead of my childhood home—and how it completely changed my relationship with myself and my family.Why does going home as an adult sometimes feel like going backwards? How do family dynamics and personal growth shape our identity? And most importantly, how can we set boundaries with family while still strengthening our connection with them?Tune in as we unpack why this happens, how I finally broke the cycle, and what you can do to maintain your sense of self on your next visit home. If you’ve ever struggled with balancing personal growth and family expectations, this episode is for you.
Want to talk or get involved? DM us via our Instagram @hearts_wide_open_podcast , or visit our website to find out how: heartswideopenpodcast.com
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.
Resilience isn’t something we’re born with. Resilience can be developed. How? That’s exactly what we talked about with Paul Doughty!
Paul is a published author who’s just released his new book “Resilience My Ultimate Superpower: Empowering Young Lives to Overcome Challenges”.
We asked Paul what resilience means to him, what role resilience plays in his life and why he is helping young people specifically in becoming more resilient.
Paul has had a LIFE! From growing up with domestic violence to living on standby and just merely functioning. To getting therapy a divorce, beating alcohol addiction and Lyme disease. He opens up about it all and how therapy and specifically TMS therapy have saved his life more than once.Resilience My Ultimate Superpower: Empowering Young Lives to Overcome Challenges - Paul Doughty (our amazon affiliate link)
You can find Paul here:
@pdspeaks on Instagram
linkedin.com/in/paul-doughty-1022092/The book that Paul's mum gave him:101 Ways To Transform Your Life - Dr. Wayne W. Dyer (our amazon affiliate link)
Want to talk or get involved? DM us via our Instagram @hearts_wide_open_podcast , or visit our website to find out how:heartswideopenpodcast.com
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.
Franz tried to get therapy for the first time and got rejected on the phone. On this episode Franz opens up about his story and how he stayed on course to eventually get professional help.
He also talks about shame and shows us a new perspective, how shame is part of all of our life's in ways we sometimes cannot see. Today Franz changes the way we perceive shame and works with individuals like you and me to help "un-shame" them.
Make sure to give this one a listen! Franz even does a small guided meditation, so make sure not be driving during that part, or pause/skip it at that point.
You can find Franz on his Instagram@franz.unverschaemt
Want to talk or get involved? DM us via our Instagram @hearts_wide_open_podcast , or visit our website to find out how:heartswideopenpodcast.com
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.
How do you successfully build and maintain lasting friendships? And how can a friendship evolve when it's over a long physical distance? Is this even possible?
Dennis sat down with his longterm long-distance friend Ruan in Brazil to discuss friendship and more!
Did you know that 1 in 5 men say that they do not have a single friend?
His friends form Ruan's support system and he opens up about the time when they literally picked him up from a very dark place and saved his life.
Ruan also talks about how being a queer man has impacted his life and how growing up with a father that accepts nothing but excellence has shaped him.
This episode has it all!
You can find Ruan on his Instagram @ruansouzacaetano and on LinkedIn: @ruancaetano
Want to talk or get involved? DM us via our Instagram @hearts_wide_open_podcast , or visit our website to find out how: heartswideopenpodcast.com
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.
Soroosh sat down with Nikki from the Hearts Wide Open Family and discussed a variety of issues and topics related to relationships.
Nikki is a psychologist and somatic movement coach who's recently joined the Hearts Wide Open family and supports us in organizing events for our community online and offline in the Netherlands. Wanna join one of our events? Stay tuned on our Instagram and/or subscribe to our newsletter via our website!
On this episode Nikki opens up about growing up without a present father and how she had to learn to show and receive love from others as an adult. She also talks about how we often villainize & blame external circumstances or others for our struggle before looking inwards and why that is often the first step before starting to work on oneself.
They further touch on relationships that feel transactional, what that means and how it is different in eastern vs western culture or collectivist vs individualist societies. Learn with them how to take the best out of both worlds!
Towards the end they cover how the relationship with our parents can impact our relationships today and how we can work with our support system or partner to solve a problem rather than villainizing others and shifting blame outwards.
You can find Nikki via her Instagram @chez.niki
Want to talk or get involved? DM us via our Instagram @hearts_wide_open_podcast , or visit our website to find out how: heartswideopenpodcast.com
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 our end of year team call where we review the year, look back at a big Movember month and what we wish for ourselves and everyone else in 2025.
This one is a relaxed behind the scenes call where we go through some of these questions. We wanted to share this call with you to let you get to know the hearts wide open team behind the scenes.
We wish you all a good start to the next year and hope to see you back with Hearts Wide Open in 2025, no matter if it's going your way or not.
Want to talk or get involved? DM us via our Instagram @hearts_wide_open_podcast , or visit our website to find out how: heartswideopenpodcast.com
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.
Salsa teacher Cris unpacks his recent Ayahuasca experience with Dennis! Hear about how he got to taking the substance and what it ultimately did for him in healing the relationship with his parents. Note that this is Cris' personal experience and Ayahuasca can be different for every individual. When parents grew up with tough love and have a hard time receiving love, what can you do as a son or daughter to support and help their healing? Breaking generational cycles is hard work, but when successful it can lead to a happier and more fulfilled life. Cris talks about this and about being a supportive son without stepping on his parents' toes. We also discuss Cris' life being a salsa teacher and how masculine and feminine energies show in couples dance. Note: We do not advise anyone to take any mind-altering substances and recommend everyone to do their own research on possible outcomes, before going on such an experience. You can find Cris here: @andresgarzong
Want to talk or get involved? DM us via our Instagram @hearts_wide_open_podcast , or visit our website to find out how: heartswideopenpodcast.com
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.
Pro public speaker Jelmer and Soroosh sat down to talk about his rocky path of becoming a public speaker!
Jelmer was interested in speaking as a kid then started doubting himself due to what other people believed, but eventually ended up going for it anyway years later.
In between, Jelmer went through a corporate career that almost made him burn out, overcoming self-doubt, experiencing therapy for the first time. All of this unpacked in this episode!
On top of that Jelmer shares his best tips for anyone who wants to become a better public speaker and develop their confidence on stage to conquer an audience: Techniques to storytelling, adapting to different audiences and more!
Jelmer's journey of transitioning between careers and discovering his passion for coaching others in the art of public speaking is truly inspirational. Stick around for practical tips that will help you improve your communication skills—essential for personal and professional success!
You can find Jelmer here:
Movember is here! Find out all about it and win cool prices via heartswideopenpodcast.com/movember OR movember.com/hearts-wide-open-the-men-s-health-podcast
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 contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com
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 sat down with Stijn Herpers from the Man-up club to talk about Stijns story, what shaped him, how he is dealing with moving out of his parents and more.
Stijn truly showed up for this one and opened up about sabotaging himself and his relationships, why he started the Man-up club and therapy at the age of 17.
This conversation is truly wholesome, Dennis and Stijn are talking about serious things with a smile on their faces and even go into the question "how to sit on a date?".
Join and listen for yourself!
You can find Stijn here: @stijnherpers
Movember is here! Find out all about it and win cool prices via heartswideopenpodcast.com/movember OR movember.com/hearts-wide-open-the-men-s-health-podcast
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 contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com
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 contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com
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 explore the hidden ways negativity can manifest in our lives and how we can recognize when someone’s negative attitude is a reflection of their own struggles or just a part of who they are.
Feeling Tense? It Might Be the People Around You.
Have you ever noticed tension in your body that seems to linger for days, weeks, or even months? Sometimes, stress and negativity from the people around us can creep into our lives unnoticed, leaving us feeling drained and overwhelmed. It could be the constant complaints, criticism, or pessimism from negative people that affect your mood and well-being.
We share strategies for managing these situations—setting healthy boundaries, protecting your mental space, and offering constructive help to those who need it. Whether it’s understanding how to navigate difficult conversations, reframing negative comments, or simply choosing to disengage, we’ve got practical tips to help you maintain your positivity and well-being. Tune in as we discuss how to deal with negativity and find peace, even when surrounded by negative energy.
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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 contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com
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 interviewed our yoga teacher about her philosophy, the PSOAS muscle and how it stores emotions that want to be released and how we can learn this.
Priscilla talks to us about the light and shadow, the yin and yang, why she loves working with men and what a healthy man is to her.
We discover why it’s so important to restore the balance and create a safe space for all genders to support connection with self and others.
We also dive into men and women healing by themselves vs. healing together and how healing could improve all of our relationships.
You can find Priscilla here: @yogazentrumnada
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 contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com
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.
Life moves in cycles and this episode is testament to that. Dennis has been through a transformational experience at the start of the month, which realigned him to his purpose and values, brought him back on track in terms of the direction he was taking in life and left him with clarity of what his north star is.
Dennis takes you on a journey throughout this experience: What happened to him at the start, how he was all of the sudden able to deal with topics he'd felt stuck with and how this enabled him to tackle all of life's challenges.
This episode is for everyone, sprinkled with learnings and wisdom from Dennis that you can apply directly into your life too!
Some of the things Dennis talks about are:
Here all the relevant links he mentioned in the right order:
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 contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com
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.
In this episode, we talk about attachment theory. Attachment theory talks about how we attach in romantic relationships with a partner and how it relates to the love and care we receive as a baby or child.
Our guest is Rita Bliven. Rita has a lot of experience in the field of attachment theory and opens up about her own personal story on attachment which starts with a child kidnapping. She also coaches Dennis and Soroosh on their past love relationships and how attachment styles played a role there. You don't want to miss this one!
Rita has written a book about her life story which has led her to become an expert in the field of attachment theory and attachment styles. Check out her upcoming book here.
There are 4 different types of attachment styles:
Learn how you can start to recognise different attachment styles in yourself and your partner and discover what this can mean for your relationship and how you can cope better with attachment?
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 contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com
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.
