Breaking the Cycle of Hopium: Taking Action in Life and Relationships
Episode #1002 If you've been telling yourself “now’s not the right time,” it might be time to take a closer look at what that’s really costing you. In this episode, Doug Holt and Coach Mark Smith dive into the common trap a lot of men fall into—waiting, hoping, and putting off action in their relationships, health, and personal growth. This isn’t about hype or motivation. It’s about being honest with yourself, owning where you’re at, and recognizing that hope alone doesn’t create change—leadership does. Doug and Mark share real stories from men they’ve coached, what happens when guys delay action, and how taking even the smallest step can shift everything. If you’ve been stuck in your head, waiting for a better time, this episode is your call to stop hoping and start doing. No fluff—just real talk, practical insight, and a challenge to lead your life, not wait your way through it. 👉 Ready to stop waiting and start taking real action? Watch the free training now at fixmarriage.thepowerfulman.com/scales. It’ll walk you through exactly what’s not working—and how to turn it around. No fluff, just clarity. Hungry for more? Head over to our Bonus page for special access to some of the deeper tactics and techniques we've developed at The Powerful Man.
--------
42:48
--------
42:48
Revisit: The Hidden Harm of Invalidation: Building a Safe Space for Your Wife
Episode #1001 Most guys have good intentions. You want to be supportive. You want to lift her up. But what if the way you respond is actually doing the opposite of what you think? In this episode, Doug sits down with Brad Holt to talk about something subtle but powerful: invalidation. It’s one of the biggest blind spots men have in relationships—especially when it comes to trying to help, fix, or reassure. From phrases like “You look great” to trying to talk her out of what she’s feeling, you might be accidentally sending the message that you don’t really hear her. And when that happens often enough, she stops opening up. They break down how this plays out, how to spot it in real time, and what to do when you realize you've already said the wrong thing. This one’s a wake-up call—and it’s all about showing up with more awareness, not perfection. If you want a stronger connection with your wife, this is where to start. Not sure how you're showing up in your relationship? If you want to know where things really stand—and where you're unintentionally missing the mark—take the free Married Businessman Assessment. It only takes a few minutes, and it’ll give you clear insight on how your actions are landing with your wife… and what to do next. 👉 Start the free assessment here This is your first step to building a safer, more connected relationship. Don’t guess. Get clear. Then take action. Hungry for more? Head over to our Bonus page for special access to some of the deeper tactics and techniques we've developed at The Powerful Man.
--------
14:18
--------
14:18
1000 Episodes Later: Top Relationship Questions Answered
Episode #1000 After 1,000 episodes, we’re still getting the same core questions from men: “Why won’t my wife forgive me?”, “Why doesn’t she feel safe?”, and “Why is nothing I do ever enough?” In this episode, we’re cutting the fluff and giving you direct, honest answers. Doug and Tim reflect on what’s really going on in your relationship—and how to start fixing it without trying harder or doing more of the wrong things. Whether your marriage feels stuck, your wife feels distant, or you're just tired of trying to guess what she needs, this episode is for you. It’s not about chasing her approval. It’s about learning to lead again—from a place of calm, grounded strength. Grab a beer (we did), press play, and let’s talk man-to-man about what actually works. Want to know where things really stand in your marriage—and what to do about it? Start with a quick gut check: take the free Married Businessman Assessment to get clear on what’s working, what’s not, and what to do next. 👉 Take the free assessment here Then, if you're ready to dive deeper, grab the book that’s helped thousands of men turn things around—without begging, over-explaining, or trying harder. 👉 Get your free copy of the book here Just cover shipping. No fluff—just real tools that work. Hungry for more? Head over to our Bonus page for special access to some of the deeper tactics and techniques we've developed at The Powerful Man.
--------
1:16:20
--------
1:16:20
Breaking Through: From Surviving to Thriving in Life and Marriage
Episode #999 Ever feel like you’re just surviving—barely making it through the day, disconnected from your partner, and exhausted from trying to hold it all together? In this episode, Doug sits down with Jason, a husband, father, and business owner who shares the raw truth of how he went from emotional shutdown, chronic pain, and near-divorce to rebuilding connection, purpose, and real partnership. They talk honestly about what most men won’t admit: the emotional weight we carry, the struggle to show up at home after long days, and how easy it is to slip into resentment. But Jason’s story isn’t just about hitting bottom—it’s about doing the work to rise from it. He walks through the small but powerful shifts he made that helped him reconnect with his wife, become the dad he wanted to be, and find strength in vulnerability. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is this all there is?”—this conversation is for you. No fluff, no hype. Just real talk and a roadmap out of the fog. Ready to stop surviving and actually fix what's broken? If this episode hit home and you're wondering where to start, check out this free training at fixmarriage.thepowerfulman.com/scales. It walks you through exactly why things feel off in your marriage—and what you can start doing right now to turn it around. No fluff, just a clear path forward. Hungry for more? Head over to our Bonus page for special access to some of the deeper tactics and techniques we've developed at The Powerful Man.
--------
1:00:28
--------
1:00:28
Revisit: From Conflict to Connection: Mastering the Art of Healthy Disagreements in Marriage
Episode #998 What if that argument about the dishes isn’t really about the dishes? Most guys fall into the same trap during conflict—we react. We defend ourselves, make excuses, try to explain things, or just shut down completely. I’ve been there, and I used to think being “right” would solve everything. It didn’t. It just made the fights last longer and left us both feeling more disconnected. In this episode, I’m bringing back a short but powerful conversation that can shift everything. I walk you through how I stopped blowing up arguments in my marriage and started turning those heated moments into connection. We dive into a simple technique I used when things were at their worst—counting to 10. Sounds basic, right? But that pause gave me just enough space to stop reacting and start listening. From there, I used what we call the Hidden Motives Technique to figure out what my wife was really trying to say underneath the complaints. In this revisit, I’ll show you how to shift the dynamic, so you're not just avoiding a blowup—you’re actually building more trust and intimacy. When your wife feels seen and heard, everything changes—including how she responds to you. This isn’t about walking on eggshells. It’s about learning to lead better during conflict. And it works. 👉 Want to know if you're showing up in DEER mode—or as the grounded, powerful man your wife actually wants to connect with? Take the free Marriage Scale Assessment and find out where you stand in just a few minutes: https://fixmarriage.thepowerfulman.com/scales You can't fix what you can't see. Start here. Hungry for more? Head over to our Bonus page for special access to some of the deeper tactics and techniques we've developed at The Powerful Man.
The Powerful Man is a show for married businessmen looking to improve their relationships, their health, their businesses, and themselves. Your hosts, Doug Holt and Tim Matthews have decades of experience helping married businessmen step into their power, live up to their potential, and live a life they love. The Powerful Man Show tackles conversations and topics designed to help men become better fathers, lovers, husbands, and leaders in their communities. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to subscribe and also head over to thepowerfulman.com for more information.
Ireland