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Are LGBTQ Rights Under Attack?

In 2025, LGBTQ rights are facing renewed challenges- from the rise of far-right populism to legislative rollbacks and the rise of hate sweeping across the globe. But how serious is the threat? And if the fight is back on… are we ready? This week, Michael is joined by author and longtime activist, Tim McCaskell, who’s been on the front lines of LGBTQ+ resistance for over five decades. From the bathhouse raids to the fight for AIDS treatment and beyond, Tim brings deep historical context and lived experience to the conversation. Together, they explore what activism looks like in 2025, whether we’ve grown too comfortable, how activism has changed over the decades, and most importantly, what we need to do to show up and fight for our future. Today’s Guest: Tim McCaskell Today’s Host: Michael DiIorio Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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Dating as a Demisexual

Matt Landsiedel

In this episode, Matt speaks with a panel of demisexual gay men about their experiences dating as demisexuals. What we want you to get out of this episode is greater awareness of yourself if you are demisexual, and to know you are not alone. We want to share our own experiences in the hope that you can learn ways to thrive as a demisexual. If you are not demisexual, this episode will offer you a greater understanding of demisexual men you might come across in dating. We also share helpful, practical dating advice, so stick with us until the end of the episode. The concepts and questions we explore in this episode are: Related Episode: Today’s Guests: Andre-Lee Wills Ron Fisher Kasey Cromer Today’s Host: Matt Landsiedel Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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Why Are Gay Friendships So Hard?

Michael DiIorio

For many gay men, friendship is complicated, performative, and sometimes downright painful. We crave genuine connection but end up navigating cliques, comparison, and quiet loneliness. In this episode, Michael and Pepper are doing an exposé on gay friendships to unpack what’s really going on beneath the surface and why so many gay friendships fall short of the depth and safety we actually want. We’re breaking it down in three parts: This episode is your invitation to shift from followers to friendship, and from competition to collaboration—and start building real connection. Related Episodes: Today’s Guest: Pepper Rojas Today’s Host: Michael DiIorio Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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How to Not Lose Yourself in Your Relationships

Matt Landsiedel

In this episode, Matt speaks with therapist and author, Tom Bruett, about how to avoid losing yourself in your relationships. By balancing connection and autonomy in our relationships, we can foster more secure relationships that allow us to maintain our sense of self while allowing our partner to do the same. If you easily lose yourself in your relationships or you’re having a hard time establishing intimacy, this episode will offer a refreshing perspective and tangible takeaways to help you improve your relationship with yourself and others. The concepts and questions we explore in this episode are: Book by Tom Bruett: The Go-To Relationship Guide for Gay Men: From Honeymoon to LastingCommitment Today’s Guest: Tom Bruett Today’s Host: Matt Landsiedel Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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Why Gay Men Love Divas

Michael DiIorio

From Madonna to Mariah, Beyoncé to Barbra— throughout the generations, gay men have been obsessed with divas. But why? In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, we’re diving into the deep connection between gay men and our beloved divas, exploring: This isn’t just about pop culture—it’s a conversation about power, identity, and how divas have given generations of gay men comfort and strength. Today’s Hosts: Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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People Pleasing, Boundaries, and Fear of Conflict

Michael DiIorio

Do you find yourself putting other people’s needs ahead of your own? Struggle to set boundaries? Feel responsible for keeping the peace even when it costs you your authenticity? In this episode, gay therapist Michael Pezzullo joins Michael to go deeper into the roots of people pleasing—especially why so many gay men fall into this pattern. We’ll explore how people pleasing shows up in everyday life, why it’s so hard to stop, and how the fear of conflict and rejection keeps us from showing up fully in our relationships. We’ll also discuss: If you’re ready to stop performing for approval and start living with more authenticity, this episode is for you. Today’s Guest: Michael Pezzullo Today’s Host: Michael DiIorio Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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Eroticizing Shame – Turning Pain Into Pleasure

Matt Landsiedel

In this episode, Matt speaks with Psychotherapist, Merle Yost, about how shame may influence sexual desire and arousal by eroticizing shame as a way of coping with it. Merle shares his story about being sexually molested by his father and the impact this had on his sexual development. Join us for this interesting topic that is often not talked about but deeply impacts many of us. The concepts and questions we explore in this episode are: Today’s Guest: Merle Yost Today’s Host: Matt Landsiedel Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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DIY Sex Education for Gay Men

Michael DiIorio

They didn’t teach us about gay sex in school… so we had to teach ourselves. From porn to awkward trial-and-error hookups, most of us pieced together our own “education”—for better or worse. In this episode, Michael is joined by porn star turned sex educator, Patrick Marano, to talk about the sex ed we should have had, how we’ve had to create it for ourselves, and why stigma and censorship still keep gay men in the dark. Some of the topics covered in this episode: 🔹 How conventional sex education fails gay men🔹 How porn, hookups, and our peers became our teachers (for better or worse)🔹 How silence and secrecy fuel sexual shame🔹 What we’re still learning today🔹 How censorship and misinformation prevent us from getting the info we need🔹 How to take control of your own sex education Plus: Our favourite resources, communities, and channels for the sex education we actually deserve. Join Michael’s Sexual Empowerment Men’s Group 🎟 Use code GMGD to get 25% off! Today’s Guest: Patrick Marano Today’s Host: Michael DiIorio Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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Why Can’t I Stay Hard? Diving into the Psychology of Erectile Dysfunction

Matt Landsiedel

In this episode, Matt speaks with men’s coach Shay Doran about the psychology and mindset of erectile dysfunction. Did you know that some research indicates that gay men experience a higher rate of erection problems compared to straight men? This episode unpacks the reasons gay men experience erection problems and how to overcome them. If you struggle with erection issues or performance anxiety and feel ashamed and alone, then this episode can help you feel less alone and see a way out of the suffering. The concepts and questions we explore in this episode are: Related Links: Shay Matt Today’s Guest: Shay Doran Today’s Host: Matt Landsiedel Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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Empowered Bottoms

Michael DiIorio

Bottoming is more than just a position. It’s time to flip the script on the old, tired narrative that bottoms are the passive or submissive partners. In this episode we’re celebrating all things bottom and introducing the concept of the Empowered Bottom—someone who owns their pleasure, sets boundaries, and takes charge of the experience, whether they’re submissive, bossy, or anywhere in between. We’ll be talking about: Join us for an episode that challenges sexual norms and subverts stereotypes within gay culture. Related Link: Sexual Empowerment 101 Men’s Group (starting April 3) Today’s Guest: Pepper Rojas Today’s Host: Michael DiIorio Support the Show – viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes – CONNECT WITH US – – LEARN WITH US –

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