Michael DiIorio

Being a Dad

Being a dad can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a man’s life. Historically, gay men have not had adequate opportunities to be parents, but the tide is turning.  In this episode, Joseph Tito of The Dad Diaries stops by to talk to Michael about his journey from surrogacy to fatherhood, including:  Whether you’re a dad yourself or have ever considered what it’s like to be one, this episode is for you.  Today’s Guest: Joseph Tito of The Dad Diaries Your Host Resources Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection Healing Your Shame course Building Better Relationships course Take the Attachment Style Quiz! Connect With Us Join the Facebook community and monthly Group Zoom call You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok Support the Show

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Healing Shame

Shame is that terrible feeling that arises when you get the sense that something is fundamentally wrong about you. It is often accompanied by inadequacy and self-doubt. Shame convinces you that you are not enough.   Like it or not, shame plays a key role in the gay man’s life. Born into a straight world, we must contend with the fact that we are different. While we all have a unique way of dealing with shame, healing it is necessary if we want to develop an authentic sense of self and truly connect in our most intimate relationships.  We’ll be exploring 3 key questions: Take today’s episode to the next level: Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection Healing Your Shame course Your Hosts Resources Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection Healing Your Shame course Building Better Relationships course Take the Attachment Style Quiz! Connect With Us Join the Facebook community and monthly Group Zoom call You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok Support the Show

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External and Internal Validation (Part 1)

Having a healthy sense of self-worth means balancing both external and internal validation. External validation is when you derive your self-worth from sources outside of yourself while Internal validation is when your self-worth comes from within.  Unfortunately, many people rely on the external at the expense of the internal, thereby creating a situation where you are hustling to prove yourself to others and are over-sensitive to their criticism.   In this special two-part series, we’re welcoming back to the show, Reno Johnston, to discuss how we can develop a more secure sense of self-worth using both external and internal validation.  In part 1, we’ll be focusing on the external by discussing things like: Watch this episode on YouTube Your Hosts Resources Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection Building Better Relationships course Healing Your Shame course Take the Attachment Style Quiz! Connect With Us Join the Facebook community and monthly Group Zoom call You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok Support the Show

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Purity Culture 2.0

Whether you are aware of it or not, Purity Culture has influenced social norms around sex and relationships for centuries by attempting to repress sexual expression and label it as ‘sinful.’  Even though society has evolved, so too as Purity Culture. It continues to have a harmful impact on the queer community by influencing policy and feeding into stigmatizing attitudes. In this episode, Michael DiIorio invites Jon Carl Lewis of Sex and the Queer Christian to have a discussion about Purity Culture 2.0. They’ll be discussing topics such as: Join in for this revealing conversation about discovering your unique sexual values.  Today’s Guest: Jon Carl Lewis Watch this episode on YouTube Resources Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection Building Better Relationships course Healing Your Shame course Take the Attachment Style Quiz! Connect With Us Join the Facebook community and monthly Group Zoom call You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok Support the Show

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Sex and Intimacy (part 1)

Do you want sex or do you want intimacy? Or both? Sometimes our attempts to connect with guys gets thwarted by the confusion between these desires. This can lead to frustration and over time, loneliness.  In part 1 of this 2-part episode, Michael and Matt are going deeper into sex, intimacy, and sexual intimacy including…  Join us for this informative episode full of helpful tidbits that you can use to increase intimacy in your relationships. Michael’s Sexual Empowerment 101 Group Workshops Watch this episode on YouTube Resources Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection Building Better Relationships course Healing Your Shame course Take the Attachment Style Quiz! Connect With Us Join the Facebook community and monthly Group Zoom call You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok Support the Show

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Bathhouses and Cruising

Long before the days of Grindr and the internet, the gay scene was largely underground. Gay and bi men had to find creative ways to connect in discreet, yet relatively safe spaces.   For many, the locals baths – or bathhouses- were a sanctuary where you could be yourself and meet other guys who were interested in both sexual and friendly connection. Meanwhile, cruising spots were known public spaces where men met for casual encounters.  Yet for decades, the baths were routinely raided and became a battleground for the fight for queer rights and the gay liberation movement.  In today’s episode of #GayMenGoingDeeper, Michael is talking with long-time writer, activist, and educator Tim McCaskell about bathhouses and cruising. Together they’ll share personal stories while exploring topics such as: Whether you enjoy the bathhouse scene or not, this episode will shed light on the sociological and historical significance of these queer spaces from the perspective of two men of two different generations.  Today’s Guest Tim McCaskell is a long-time writer, activist and educator. In addition to being a collective member of The Body Politic from 1974 to 1986, he was a leader in the fight back against police raids on the gay baths in the 80s. He was also a member of AIDS ACTION NOW! where he fought for funding for AIDS treatment and medication. He has published two books: “Queer Progress” and “Race to Equity“. Today’s Host Michael DiIorio is a certified life and wellness coach specializing in self-confidence, sexuality, and relationships. You can find Michael at www.wellismo.com and at in the Sexual Empowerment Group. You can also follow him on Instagram @wellismo_coach. Read: 10 Tips for Making the Most of Your Bathhouse Experience Today’s episode is sponsored by The Silva Ultramind System Take the Attachment Style Quiz! Watch this ep on YouTube – Connect with us – Join the private Facebook community Take our “Building Better Relationships” course Take our “Healing Your Shame” course Instagram GayMenGoingDeeper.com Patreon

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Masturbation

Masturbation is a perfectly natural and healthy sexual activity that has many physical and mental benefits.  However, some question whether it is a harmful habit that leads to negative consequences in their personal life and relationships.  In this provocative and educational episode, Michael and Sex Coach, Craig Cassey answer your burning questions about masturbation, including topics such as: Join Michael and Craig as they share their own experiences and provide their best coaching tips for more mindful masturbation..  Today’s Guest Craig Cassey is a professional life, executive, and sex coach. You can find Craig at www.craigcassey.com or on Instagram @craigcasseyjr Today’s Host Michael DiIorio is a certified life and wellness coach. You can find Michael at www.wellismo.com or on Instagram @wellismo_coach. You can also join Michael’s Sexual Empowerment Group. The link between masturbation & risk of prostate cancer (2004 study) Take the Attachment Style Quiz! Watch this ep on YouTube – Connect with us – Join the private Facebook community Take our “Building Better Relationships” course Instagram GayMenGoingDeeper.com Patreon -— Join the Gay Men Going Deeper Membership coaching community

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The Dark Night of the Soul

Dark periods are an inevitable part of life that can happen at any moment and in any number of ways: But what is the spiritual and psychological significance of this pain? In this episode of Gay Men Going Deeper, Michael is joined by LGBTQ+ affirmative psychotherapist Justin Oberste to discuss the concept of the Dark Night of the Soul, including: The 4 Phases of a Dark Night of the Soul – blog post referenced in today’s episode Connect with Justin Today’s Host: Michael DiIorio Watch this ep on YouTube Take the Attachment Style Quiz! – Connect with us – Join the private Facebook community Take our “Building Better Relationships” course Instagram GayMenGoingDeeper.com Patreon -— Join the Gay Men Going Deeper Membership coaching community

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Spirituality

Spirituality is an umbrella term that means many different things to many people. In this episode, we’re revealing our own experience with spirituality and spiritual practices by exploring these questions:  What does spirituality mean to you? What in your life brought you to spirituality? What does your spiritual practice involve? Where can someone start if they want to develop a spiritual practice? Whether you’re spiritual or religious or neither, this episode will give you much to think about when it comes to nurturing that deeper connection to something greater. Watch this ep on YouTube – Connect with us – Toronto PRIDE EVENT Join the private Facebook community Take our “Building Better Relationships” course Instagram GayMenGoingDeeper.com Patreon -— Join the Gay Men Going Deeper Membership coaching community

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Toxic Positivity

Toxic positivity is the belief that people should maintain a positive mindset, no matter how challenging a situation may be.  This belief invalidates your authentic emotions and is a form of avoidance.  In this episode, we’re sharing our own experiences and understanding of toxic positivity and we’ll answer the questions: What are your thoughts on toxic positivity and the effects it has on silencing negative emotions and experiences? What’s been your experience with pushing away negative emotions and how did it affect your mental health? How have you learned to embrace all of your emotions and honour them in healthy ways? What tips or practices can someone try if they’re just learning to engage with their negative emotions? By the end of this episode, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how toxic positivity may be showing up in your own life, and what you can do about it. Watch this ep on YouTube – Connect with us – Toronto PRIDE EVENT Join the private Facebook community Take our “Building Better Relationships” course Instagram GayMenGoingDeeper.com Patreon -— Join the Gay Men Going Deeper Membership coaching community

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