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Dean Abbott - The Secret Emotional War
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Dean Abbott - The Secret Emotional War

My conversation with writer and pastoral counselor Dean Abbott on healthy marriages, dealing with shame and loving outside of the parameters of the sex wars

Today, I sit down with Dean Abbott to tackle the uncomfortable truths beneath modern relationships. In an era dominated by gender wars, red-pill narratives, and rising divorce statistics, Dean’s extensive counseling experience sheds rare clarity on what's really undermining marriages: toxic shame, unspoken desires, and the emotional stagnation silently sabotaging both men and women. Our conversation dives deep into the hidden forces fueling resentment, victimhood, and mutual contempt and explores why authentic emotional development isn't weakness; it's freedom. If you're tired of superficial dating discourse and ready to confront what truly makes relationships flourish or fail, this one's for you.

Dean Abbott is a certified pastoral counselor and coach, a communication expert, a theologian, and an author. He is on X at DeanAbbott and on Substack

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Modern Relationships

07:07 The Impact of Shame on Men

11:59 Dynamics of Marriage and Emotional Disconnect

15:58 Men's Perception of Women and Marriage

20:08 The Role of Masculinity in Relationships

26:11 The Influence of Online Culture on Men

32:05 Education and the Development of Boys

38:07 The Effects of Pornography on Young Men

42:07 The Impact of Pornography on Gender Identity

45:08 Decentralized Identity in Modern Relationships

46:11 Women and Relationship Dynamics

52:10 Resentment and Martyrdom in Relationships

01:00:34 Communication Breakdown in Marriage

01:04:25 Masculinity and Emotional Development

01:09:55 The Changing Landscape of Masculinity

01:16:39 Recommended Thinkers and Resources

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