I found out something about myself alone talking to a chatbot. Not because the AI was brilliant. Not because it said something a therapist couldn’t. But because it was safe. No face on the other end. No one who’d see me at work the next morning. No risk. I could finally say the thing out loud — even if “out loud” just … Read more
You know the version of you that shows up to work? The one that’s got it together, handles problems, doesn’t sweat the small stuff? Yeah. That guy’s exhausting to be around. I’ve been that guy. For years, honestly. The one in the room who reads the situation and adjusts — cracks a joke when things … Read more
It wasn’t what you’d expect (but is it ever really?). It wasn’t a quiet song at the end of a long day. It wasn’t something slow and sad that snuck up on me while I was making dinner. It wasn’t the kind of moment that a release is supposed to look like. It was “Custer” … Read more
I woke up this morning to a gut punch I didn’t see coming. The kind that makes you want to brick up every wall you’ve spent years tearing down. The kind that whispers “see, this is why you don’t open up” while you’re still processing what just happened. For 57 years, I’ve heard the same … Read more
Most men do not say they are struggling. They say they are tired. Or busy. Or fine. I said fine for a long time. From the outside, things looked normal. I worked. I showed up. I handled what needed to be handled. I did what men are supposed to do. I kept things moving. Inside, … Read more