The Secret Lives of Men

An episode dedicated to man’s best friend. We are joined by Cheri Barton Ross MA, CT, author of “Pet Loss and Human Emotion: A Guide to Recovery” and “Pet Loss and Children.” On today’s program we discuss the important link between pet ownership and psychological health and well being. Likewise issues of bereavement are addressed when this powerful link is broken. Contact info forCheri Barton Ross MA, CT,: cheribross@aol.com

A growing phenomenon among American families: fathers who cut back on paid work to focus on raising children. But what happens when dads stay home? What do stay-at-home fathers struggle with—and what do they rejoice in? How does taking up the mother’s traditional role affect a father’s relationship with his partner, children, and extended family? And what does stay-at-home fatherhood mean for the larger society? In chapters that alternate between large-scale analysis and intimate portraits of men and their families, journalist Jeremy Adam Smith traces the complications, myths, psychology, sociology, and history of a new set of social relationships with far-reaching implications.

Andrew Smiler, PhD. "Young Men's Sexual Lives." When we think about the sex lives of teenage boys and young men, we expect them to be promiscuous and to be willing to do just about anything to have sex. Yet research into the sexual behavior and desires of teenage boys and young men shows us that few teenage boys and young men fit this pattern. Contrary to the stereotype, most boys are monogamous and want to establish an emotional connection to their partners. Andrew Smiler PhD., joins us to discuss his research. Dr. Smiler is a visiting assistant professor of psychology at Wake Forest University; prior to that, an assistant professor of psychology at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego. http://andrewsmiler.wordpress.com/

Heroes of the Blue Sky Rebellion Do you have a son, a brother, a nephew you love? Maybe a young male friend or student you care about? Does he feel he has to act a certain way simply because he's male - a way that might not be best for him? The central idea of this book is that boys and young men are being harmed by cultural assumptions about masculinity that devalue and disregard both a boy’s inner and outer world. We adults need to address sexism against young men. The book is a quick and easy boy-friendly read. Jack Kammer, MSW, MBA is the director of the Center for Men and Boys in Social Policy, a public interest consultancy in Baltimore, Maryland USA.

Loss is a universal human experience. With that said, many men have difficulty working through and accepting the various forms of losses that occur over the course of a life time. This difficulty can be traced in part to how men are taught to approach grief related issues by using restrictive emotionality and control issues, both of which can inhibit working through process. We will explore how men can take painful loss experiences and transform them into meaningful life events. Our guest is Dr. Jim O’Neil, a pioneer in the area of the psychology of men.

"Shifting Gears: Finding Intimacy in Men's Friendships" is a photo-narrative project by Dr. Robert Heasley and Neal Wecker; photography by Deborah Halpern. This exhibit portrays close and intimate relationships between male friends. Because such relationships are rarely portrayed in popular culture and run counter to many common images of “being a man,” there is little opportunity for men to find models for these friendships or to experience the value they offer. Sadly most people do not know that such relationships exist, or are possible. "Shifting Gears" displays friendships that seem to transcend these barriers - friendships between two men; the exhibit attempted to capture these relationships through a combination of photographs and narratives. http://www.mensfriendships.org/index.html Robert Heasley is the current President of the American Men's Studies Association

Michael E. Addis, Ph.D., joins us to discuss his book, "Overcoming Depression One Step at a Time: New Behavioral Activation Approach to Getting Your Life Back." "Overcoming Depression One Step at a Time" offers self-activation techniques to: become more engaged with life, enjoy daily activities, feel more able to face challenges, and stop avoiding social situations. The aim of the book is to conquer the obstacles that keep depression going that making decisions based on moods and instead get back on track with life goals. The book offers the reader the ability to recognize the habits and patterns that fuel depression.

New York Times bestselling author, Garth Stein joins us to discuss his book "THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN." This episode highlights a bit of the "man's best friend" for a program about "The secret lives of men." Garth will read excerpts and discuss the background of his book.

Robert Stern, former television executive and author of “For Certain I’m Hurtin" Stern recounts his search for a lasting relationship at the end of his third marriage, as a well-weathered bachelor. Stern is a full time author and the father of three adult children. He has spent more than 30 years as an executive in the entertainment industry, working for companies such as 20th Century Fox Television, New World Entertainment and a Beverly Hills literary talent agency. Stern is currently writing his third book, “Microman USA.”

Dr. Eric Klein: The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Prostate Cancer;Expert medical advice from one of the nation’s top-ranked hospitals for urology and cancer care. This year, more than 230,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, while 1 in 6 men will fight prostate cancer in their lives. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men over age 50. In The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Prostate Cancer, Dr. Eric A. Klein, ranked one of America’s best doctors, offers men the substantive information they need to prevent, treat, and even live well with prostate cancer. This excellent resource gives readers the trusted medical guidance Dr. Klein offers his patients, including: * The best diagnostic tests, new therapies, and medications currently being tested in clinical trials * Insight into the treatments that have been shown to be the most successful * Specific information about how to take charge of their health and live a healthier lifestyle * Personal stories of those who have triumphed over prostate cancer * Plus, advice on how they can treat this disease without losing their quality of life.

Ronald F. Levant, EdD, ABPP. MBA, is the former President of the American Psychological Association and current Editor of the journal, “Psychology of Men and Masculinity.” Dr Levant joins us to discuss his unique insights on men’s reluctance to seek help. Dr. Levant is the author of numerous books including “A New Psychology of Men,” a book that has reshaped the field. Questioning the traditional norms of the male role (such as the emphasis on aggression, competition, status, and emotional stoicism), “A New Psychology of Men,” shows how some male problems (such as violence, homophobia, devaluation of women, detached fathering, and neglect of health needs) are unfortunate by-products of the current process by which males are socialized. Dr. Levant is the Dean and a Professor of Psychology, Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Akron.

Mark Kiselica Ph.D. discusses his book, "Counseling Troubled Boys: A Guidebook for Professionals." Dr. Kiselica provides clear, helpful information about the process of understanding and engaging a wide array of boys and adolescent males. This volume provides practitioners with case examples and shows consideration for race, ethnicity, religion, and other cultural factors for boys. The book creates a bridge between young men and professional helpers by providing school and mental health practitioners with a practical book on understanding and responding to the developmental and special issues of boys and male adolescent males.

An interview with Psychologist David Wexler Ph.D. discussing his new book, Men in Therapy."Dr. David Wexler presents an honest and valuable overview of the ways in which cultural norms and assumptions color the male experience of psychotherapy. He explains how the traditional notions of masculinity (the “Guy Code”) keep men away from the therapist’s office and inhibit men trying to benefit from counseling and therapy. In this ground-breaking book, therapists are offered a rich understanding of these issues and even richer set of guidelines and strategies for engaging men in new and creative ways.David B. Wexler, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of the Relationship Training Institute.

Rick Belden - Iron Man Family Outing Poems about Transition into a More Conscious Manhood. The author embarks upon an healing odyssey regarding the father-son relationship. Iron Man Family Outing is widely used in the United States and internationally by therapists, counselors, and men's groups as an aid in the exploration of masculine psychology and men's issues, and as a resource for men who grew up in dysfunctional, abusive, or neglectful family systems. It has been ranked in the top 20 poetry books and the top 35 books on father-son relationships at Amazon.com, based on reader reviews. We aslo discuss rick’s new book, Scapegoat's Cross: Poems about Finding and Reclaiming the Lost Man Within

This book is a man's guide to recovering from divorce and starting a new life. The emphasis of this book is not on winning money battles, but on helping men manage the emotional issues inherent in a divorce. Written by two psychologists who have been working with men for the past 30 years, the book uses a question and answer format to give guys straight advice on how to minimize conflict, reduce harm to children, face secret fears, and start new relationships. The authors give extensive coaching to men in how to begin dating again, the nature of sexuality post-divorce, and making choices that can lead to a successful future marriage. Sam J. Buser, Ph.D., has worked directly with men and men's issue for the past 25 years. Glenn F. Sternes, Ph.D. is an expert in the field of human sexuality.