Johnās Breaking Point: Why Some Men Stay in Miserable Marriages
In todayās Dear DSO episode, I read a letter from a guy Iāll call John. Heās reached the end of his rope. His wife drinks heavily, refuses therapy, hasnāt been intimate with him in years, and contributes nothing to the family or household. Meanwhile, Johnās doing it all ā cooking, cleaning, parenting, working full-time ā and heās still trying to āmake it work.āIf youāve ever found yourself trapped in a relationship like this, wondering whatās wrong with you for staying⦠this oneās going to hit home. I talk about why so many men hang on to something thatās clearly dead, the psychological trap that keeps them stuck, and why the real work isnāt about fixing her ā itās about fixing yourself.I also share what I told John privately about the importance of therapy, male friendships, and finding a group of men who will call you out and help you rebuild your life.š Join the Brotherhood: helpformen.com/join š Get early access to my upcoming book REBUILD ā The Complete Guide to Starting Over as a Man: helpformen.com/rebuild
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11:23
When Chaos at Home Turns You Into Someone You Donāt Recognize
In this episode, I share a powerful story from a listener who has lived through 17 years of marital chaos. On paper, heās a hardworking, successful manāa career in medicine, a thriving real estate business, and five kids. But behind the scenes, his marriage has been a war zone: false accusations, secret fertility treatments, volatility, and finally his wife moving three hours away with the children.In the middle of all this, he admits he lost himselfāturning to affairs and even escortingābecoming a man he barely recognizes. Now, with his teenage daughter reaching out about her motherās abuse, heās finally facing the truth and taking steps to fight for custody.This is a raw reminder that living in dysfunction doesnāt make you strongerāit makes you weaker. If youāre in chaos, you need to draw the line before you lose everything, including yourself.Submit your own story: deardso.comJoin the HFM Brotherhood today!
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10:49
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10:49
When She Denies the Affair and Calls You āInsecureā
In this episode, I respond to a listener email from a man who caught his wife sneaking around with ājust a friend.ā Even when confronted, she flips it on him and calls him insecure. Why do cheaters deny and gaslight instead of owning up? I break it all downāand talk about what men need to do in this situation.Submit your own story to Dear DSO.Join the HFM Brotherhood today!
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9:49
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9:49
When a Wife Walks Away After 30 Years: Midlife Crisis, Perimenopause, or Something Else?
In this episode, I respond to a listener email from a man whose wife left him after 33 years of marriage. She had an affair, moved 2,000 miles away, and says sheās finally living for herself. Is this midlife crisis? Perimenopause? Or just long-simmering resentment finally boiling over? I break it all downāand more importantly, talk about what men can do when blindsided like this.Submit your own story to Deardso.comJoin The HFM Brotherhood!
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16:09
ā30 Years Married⦠But Now Just Roommatesā
A man wrote in after 30+ years of marriage. Three kids, a successful career, a busy and interesting lifeāheās fit, adventurous, and still chasing growth at 61 years old.The problem? His wife has completely checked out sexually. No intimacy, no affection, not even a kiss on the cheek. Even hormone therapy hasnāt changed anything. He loves her, doesnāt want divorce, but heās dying inside.
Welcome to the Dad Starting Over podcast! "Starting Over" means different things to different people. It could be that you're newly divorced and starting over fresh with a new life. It could be that you're still married and wanting to hit the reset button and finally do things right within your marriage. Whatever your story may be, you're in the right place.
I'm Ralph, a.k.a DSO, the author of books called "The Dead Bedroom Fix", "Divorce Panic", "Real Talk" and "Red Flags". You can learn more about me, my books, one-on-one coaching, and the member-only part of my site called the Brotherhood at https://helpformen.com