The Christopher Linkenbach Podcast

The Lie Men Were Told About Strength (And What It's Costing You)

Most men were never taught that strength means not needing anything... and that lie is quietly running their lives. In this video, licensed therapist Christopher Linkenbach breaks down the hidden cost of emotional suppression, why men disconnect from their inner lives, and what it actually takes to reclaim depth, presence, and genuine strength. If you've ever found yourself: Exhausted from holding it together for everyone else Feeling numb, empty, or disconnected without knowing why Unable to ask for help even when you need it Succeeding on the outside but feeling hollow on the inside This video is for you. Drawing from Jungian depth psychology, the work of Robert Bly, Francis Weller, and James Hollis, and years of working with men in therapy and men's groups, Christopher explores the persona we build to survive — and the cost of forgetting there's a face underneath it. Topics covered: Why men confuse numbness with strength The Jungian concept of the persona and the mask men wear How emotional suppression affects relationships, friendship, and physical health The river of grief — and why damming it also dams joy What real strength actually looks like 📞 Schedule a free call to explore men's group or 1-on-1 therapy sessions: https://calendly.com/christopherlinkenbach_1/introductory-call?utm_source=youtube 📩 Join the Newsletter: https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/0b8ff579-2451-4a51-b487-c333f311044b?email={{email}} ⚠️ Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only. The information provided on this channel is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and does not constitute a therapist-client relationship. It is not intended to replace the services of a therapist, physician, or other qualified professional. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call local emergency services or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988.

Why Men Avoid Therapy — And What Finally Makes Them Go

Why do so many men avoid therapy… even when something clearly isn’t working? In this video, I break down why men instinctively avoid pain — and how that avoidance can quietly make life harder over time. Drawing from the Buddhist teaching of the two arrows and my work as a therapist for men, we explore the difference between unavoidable pain and the suffering we create through resistance, distraction, and escape. Modern life makes it incredibly easy to numb discomfort — through phones, constant stimulation, and staying busy. But over time, this pattern can leave men feeling stuck, restless, disconnected, and unsure why. We also dive into the idea of conscious suffering — and why learning to face discomfort directly is often a necessary part of growth, emotional strength, and masculine maturity. If you’ve ever found yourself: Avoiding difficult emotions Distracting yourself instead of facing what’s real Feeling stuck but unsure why Struggling to open up or ask for help This conversation is for you. Schedule a free call with Christopher here to explore men's group or 1-on-1 sessions: https://calendly.com/christopherlinkenbach_1/introductory-call?utm_source=youtube Join the Newsletter: https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/0b8ff579-2451-4a51-b487-c333f311044b?email={{email}} ⚠️ Disclaimer: My videos are for educational purposes only. Information provided on this channel is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is not intended to replace the services of a therapist, physician, or other qualified professional, nor does it constitute a therapist-client relationship. If you are, or someone you know is, in immediate danger, please call local emergency services or the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Men: Avoiding Pain Is Making Your Life Worse

Why many men instinctively try to avoid pain — and why that strategy often makes life harder in the long run. Drawing from the Buddhist teaching of the two arrows, along with my work as a therapist for men, I break down the difference between pain that is unavoidable and the suffering we create through resistance, distraction, and escape. We’ll talk about how modern life makes it incredibly easy to numb discomfort through phones, stimulation, and constant distraction — and how this pattern quietly keeps many men stuck, restless, and disconnected from themselves. I also explore the deeper idea of conscious suffering, and why learning to face discomfort is often a necessary part of psychological growth and masculine maturity. If you’ve ever found yourself trying to escape difficult emotions, avoid uncomfortable truths, or distract yourself from deeper questions about your life, this conversation is for you. Schedule a free call with Christopher here to explore men's group or 1-on-1 sessions: https://calendly.com/christopherlinkenbach_1/introductory-call?utm_source=youtube Join the Newsletter: https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/0b8ff579-2451-4a51-b487-c333f311044b?email={{email}} ⚠️ Disclaimer: My videos are for educational purposes only. Information provided on this channel is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is not intended to replace the services of a therapist, physician, or other qualified professional, nor does it constitute a therapist-client relationship. If you are, or someone you know is, in immediate danger, please call local emergency services or the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Owning Your Shadow: The Hidden Key to a Man’s Power

In this video, I explore the shadow — the hidden parts of ourselves we often try to deny — and why owning it is the key to a man’s real power. Drawing from Carl Jung, Robert Bly, and my work as a therapist for men, I’ll break down what the shadow is, why men struggle with it, and how confronting it can transform your life. We’ll talk about how unacknowledged anger, shame, and fear can sabotage relationships and purpose, and how the shadow also carries hidden gifts like creativity, vitality, and authenticity. If you’ve ever felt like part of you is missing or hidden away, this conversation is for you. Schedule a free 1-on-1 Call with Christopher here: https://calendly.com/christopherlinkenbach_1/introductory-call?utm_source=podcast Timestamps: 00:00 Understanding the Shadow 02:30 Why Men Struggle with the Shadow 05:40 The Cost of Ignoring the Shadow 08:55 The Hidden Key to a Man’s Power 12:20 How to Begin Owning Your Shadow ⚠️ Disclaimer: My videos are for educational purposes only. Information provided on this channel is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is not intended to replace the services of a therapist, physician, or other qualified professional, nor does it constitute a therapist-client relationship. If you are, or someone you know is, in immediate danger, please call local emergency services or the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Why Men Lose Themselves in Love | Father Wound Explained

I explore why so many men lose themselves in love and how this connects to the father wound. Drawing from depth psychology and my work as a therapist for men, I’ll explain the difference between physical and emotional abandonment, how these wounds show up in adult relationships, and why men often sacrifice their identity for approval. We’ll talk about shadow work, the role of the father in a boy’s development, and how to begin reclaiming your sense of self in relationships. If you’ve ever felt like you disappear in love, this conversation is for you. Schedule a free 1-on-1 Call with Christopher here: https://calendly.com/christopherlinkenbach_1/introductory-call?utm_source=podcast Timestamps: 00:00 Why Men Lose Themselves in Love 02:10 The Father Wound Explained 04:45 Physical vs Emotional Abandonment 07:32 How the Father Wound Impacts Relationships 10:20 Steps Toward Healing ⚠️ Disclaimer: My videos are for educational purposes only. Information provided on this channel is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is not intended to replace the services of a therapist, physician, or other qualified professional, nor does it constitute a therapist-client relationship. If you are, or someone you know is, in immediate danger, please call local emergency services or the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.