Let’s Play! When Did Life Stop Being Fun?

At what point did life stop being fun?

As kids, play came naturally. We were curious, spontaneous, and fully present. But for many adults, especially gay men who grew up navigating shame and self-consciousness, play slowly disappears.

Responsibility takes over. Image matters more. We try to be cool. And somewhere along the way, joy gets replaced with pressure, performance, and productivity.

In this episode, we explore why so many adults lose their playful side and why reconnecting with it can be one of the most powerful ways to reclaim joy, authenticity, and connection.

Some of the things we cover in this conversation are:

How shame and self-consciousness disconnect us from play
The difference between authentic play and performative fun
How western culture slowly erodes our inner child
Why playfulness is connected to vulnerability and authenticity
The role of play in intimacy, connection, and great sex
How play can protect against burnout and bring us back to life
Why joy and appreciation are skills worth intentionally developing

If life has started to feel heavy, serious, or overly effortful, this episode is a reminder that play is not childish. It may be one of the most important ingredients in a meaningful life.

Today's Hosts:

Matt Landsiedel
Michael DiIorio - Take the 360° Self-Review for Gay Men
Reno Johnston

Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes

- CONNECT WITH US -

Watch podcast episodes on YouTube
Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community
Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls
Follow us on Instagram | TikTok
Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com

- LEARN WITH US -

Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others.
Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame.
Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop seri...

Chapters

(00:00:05) - Let's Play
(00:02:05) - Why Do Gay Men Stop Playing?
(00:04:19) - What Did You Play For As A Child?
(00:07:15) - When Did You Start Playing Solo?
(00:13:20) - What Would You Get Out Of Play?
(00:18:10) - How I Used To Play Both Girls And Boys
(00:21:05) - Gay Men Talk About Childhood Play
(00:23:32) - Have Your Relationships to Play Changed As You Get Older?
(00:29:03) - The Importance of Play
(00:31:01) - The Role of Play in Me
(00:36:39) - What Does Playing Bring Up For You?
(00:37:00) - What Are The Ways That You Play?
(00:40:02) - The Importance of Travel
(00:42:20) - Matt the Filmmaker on Play
(00:47:33) - Michael's Secret To Fun And Play
(00:50:39) - Play Will Save Your Life!

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(294)

From Validation-Seeking to Self-Trust

Seeking validation isn’t just about chasing likes. It’s the part of us that needs approval, wants to belong, and feel accepted. But does it come at a cost? In this episode, we unpack the subtle ways v...

6 Aug 48min

When Feeling Bad Is Good For You

Feeling bad is not a flaw in the human experience. It’s an essential life skill for anyone who wants a life of love, growth, satisfaction, and intimacy— all of it requires the capacity to feel discomf...

23 Jul 36min

Liked by Everyone, Chosen by No One: The Nice Guy Trap

A lot of gay men pride themselves on being “nice”— easygoing, agreeable, low-drama. But what if that’s exactly why you’re not getting what you want? In this episode, we break down the difference be...

9 Jul 49min

How to Elevate Your Hookups

Hookups get a bad rap as shallow, transactional, or disconnected. But what if they could actually become a space for growth, awareness, and real connection? In this episode, we’re advocating for sh...

25 Jun 31min

The Daddy Issue: Our Relationships With Our Dads

For many gay men, our relationship with our dad is one of the most defining- and least talked about. In this episode, we explore the nuances of our relationships with our fathers through three core qu...

11 Jun 52min

“I Don’t Need Anyone”: Why Gay Men Struggle to Let Someone In

A lot of gay men take pride in being independent, self-sufficient and in control. But is there a shadow side? When the time comes to let someone in, ask for support, or even rely on others—it feels un...

28 Mai 36min

Gay–Straight Bromance: Why We’re Drawn to Each Other

There’s something unique about friendships between gay and straight men. They often feel easy, natural, and unexpectedly intimate. In this episode, we explore the unique reasons why gay and straigh...

14 Mai 43min

How To Deal With Haters (Without Getting Defensive)

We’ve all dealt with them. And maybe we’ve probably been one too… In this episode, we unpack what’s really going on beneath hate. Not just online trolls or obvious critics, but the subtle ways judg...

30 Apr 31min