The Love Drive with Shaun Galanos

Everything is ok

In this solo check-in, Shaun begins with a simple question that lands deeper than expected: how is your heart? From there, Shaun moves through a mix of life update, therapy reflection, sex question detour, and a deeper check-in on what it means to feel like you’re doing enough with your life. He talks about quitting nicotine, feeling more touched by life again, and replacing one habit with an alarming amount of gummy bears. He reflects on doomscrolling, discipline, and the small daily choices that can either ground you or pull you further away from yourself. At the center of the episode is a vulnerable therapy reflection on feeling unaccomplished at 43 and realizing that praise, money, and external validation can’t create self-worth for you. There’s also dating advice, some delightfully unhinged sex talk, and a sweet reminder that this podcast is meant to feel like a longer voice memo from a friend. If your sense of success has been tied to achievement and you’ve been feeling a little unmoored lately, this episode is for you. And if it speaks to you, share it with a male friend too. We’d love to have more men in these conversations. Timestamps: (02:54) Nicotine update and feeling more alive (05:23) Doomscrolling and wanting more discipline (07:01) These episodes as a voice note from a friend (07:27) Feeling unaccomplished at 43 (12:27) Can money make you feel successful? (15:14) Deep throating, sore throats, and bruising (18:54) Allergic to semen? (19:41) Reviews, voicemails, and how to send questions (20:55) Sweet listener message and why more men should listen (25:44) Dating question: should you ask for another date? (29:58) Travel update and weekly Thursday releases (31:29) Next week: Claire Perelman on sex and questions Send Shaun your questions at +1 (415) 494-9559 or email him at podcast@thelovedrive.com. Voicemails and voicememos are preferred, but texts/emails are OK too. To submit a guest, please do so here: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/ [https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/] If you’re listening on Spotify or watching on YouTube, please leave a comment. Shaun loves hearing from you. And leave a review wherever you listen. Connect with Shaun: ⁠Shaun's love camp⁠ [https://shaungalanos.substack.com/p/summer-camp-isnt-just-for-kids-love] Retreats and latest offerings: https://bit.ly/m/thelovedrive [https://bit.ly/m/thelovedrive] Read my blog: https://shaungalanos.substack.com [https://shaungalanos.substack.com] The Love Drive Podcast: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/ [https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/ [https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/] More About Shaun: https://shaungalanos.com/about/ [https://shaungalanos.com/about/] Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive [https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive]

Men, masculinity & the loneliness epidemic with Therapy Jeff

Therapy Jeff joins Shaun for a conversation about men, therapy, emotional depth, and why so many relationships struggle when people cannot say what is actually going on inside them. They talk about the myth that men are “simple,” why emotional shutdown creates distance, and why gym, status, and success are not substitutes for real emotional growth. They also get into Jeff’s critique of Scott Galloway’s message to men, and the difference between chasing shortcuts and actually doing the work of becoming more emotionally mature. They talk about modern dating, rejection, approach anxiety, and what respectful flirting can actually look like now. If you’ve ever wondered why some men struggle to open up, why dating can feel so high-stakes, or what emotional maturity actually looks like in practice, this episode is for you. Timestamps: (00:20) Meet Therapy Jeff (02:46) Funeral family tension (08:30) Managing anxiety in real time (11:25) Why men struggle emotionally (20:03) Getting straight men into therapy (28:43) Therapy apps and stigma (29:11) Why we need male therapists (30:20) Small town dating dilemmas (33:44) Rejection and approaching women (42:45) First kiss and consent (46:22) Where to find Therapy Jeff (47:16) What love means today Send Shaun your questions at +1 (415) 494-9559 or email him at podcast@thelovedrive.com. Voicemails and voicememos are preferred, but texts/emails are OK too. To submit a guest, please do so here: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/ [https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/] If you’re listening on Spotify or watching on YouTube, please leave a comment. Shaun loves hearing from you. And leave a review wherever you listen. Resources mentioned in this episode: Jeff’s response to Scott Galloway [https://www.instagram.com/p/DRhWnkHjST_/] Shaun’s guest appearance on Jeff’s Problem Solved podcast [https://pod.link/1728114280/episode/Z2lkOi8vYXJ0MTktZXBpc29kZS1sb2NhdG9yL1YwLzVPaFpaMS1Wd09DSUdaaV9zOW9rMFNDMi1Tel9leFhic3UtV2lfc0FseU0] Jeff’s podcast, Problem Solved [https://www.therapyjeff.com/podcast] Follow Jeff on Instagram and TikTok: @therapyjeff References: Notes on Being a Man by Scott Galloway Feeld app Nonviolent Communication (NVC) [https://www.cnvc.org/] Shaun’s love camp [https://shaungalanos.substack.com/p/summer-camp-isnt-just-for-kids-love] Connect with Shaun: Retreats and latest offerings: https://bit.ly/m/thelovedrive [https://bit.ly/m/thelovedrive] Read my blog: https://shaungalanos.substack.com [https://shaungalanos.substack.com] The Love Drive Podcast: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/ [https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/ [https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/] More About Shaun: https://shaungalanos.com/about/ [https://shaungalanos.com/about/] Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive [https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive]

My dirty little secret

In this solo episode, Shaun shares a personal confession that kicks off a real conversation about coping, cravings, and the oddly human ways we try to take the edge off. He also gets into self-soothing, emotional patterns, and what it means to actually give yourself what you need instead of just grabbing the nearest distraction. There’s also listener Q&A on sex, flirting, and gym crush energy, plus a few side roads that make this episode feel equal parts advice column, voice note, and comedy detour. If you like your relationship advice with heart, humor, and a little chaos, this episode is for you. Timestamps: (00:26) Welcome and teaser (00:59) What’s giving me chi (04:24) My dirty little secret (12:25) Inner child needs (16:46) Term: hobosexual (19:44) Sons Versus New Love (20:40) Engaged update reality check (22:56) Reviews, voicemails, and break (24:27) Sex curiosity and gym flirting (32:04) Taboo hookup and housekeeping Send Shaun your questions at +1 (415) 494-9559 or email him at podcast@thelovedrive.com. Voicemails and voicememos are preferred, but texts/emails are OK too. To submit a guest, please do so here: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/ [https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/] If you’re listening on Spotify or watching on YouTube, please leave a comment. Shaun loves hearing from you. And leave a review wherever you listen. Links: He moved in after 8 days reel [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTsypjSAiu1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D] The Feels — IRL singles events and mindful dating experiences [https://catchthefeels.co/] Yes/No/Maybe worksheet for talking about sex [https://www.autostraddle.com/you-need-help-here-is-a-worksheet-to-help-you-talk-to-partners-about-sex-237385/] Shaun's love camp [https://shaungalanos.substack.com/p/summer-camp-isnt-just-for-kids-love] Connect with Shaun: Retreats and latest offerings: https://bit.ly/m/thelovedrive [https://bit.ly/m/thelovedrive] Read my blog: https://shaungalanos.substack.com [https://shaungalanos.substack.com] The Love Drive Podcast: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/ [https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/ [https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/] More About Shaun: https://shaungalanos.com/about/ [https://shaungalanos.com/about/] Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive [https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive]

A smarter way to date with Jennie Young

Jennie Young, creator of the Burned Haystack dating method, joins Shaun to talk about how to stop wasting time on the wrong people and date with way more intention. They get into dating app red flags, boundary testing, bad first dates, manosphere code words, and why filtering harder might actually lead you to the right person faster. Jennie also reviews Shaun’s dating profile live and shares what it felt like to finally meet her own needle. And then, in a bonus post-recording tangent, Jennie has a message for Dan Savage: too many men are misusing “GGG” and “sex positive” to pressure women, and she is absolutely not having it. Timestamps: (00:00) The hidden red flags in dating profiles (00:24) The dating app problem no one admits (03:50) Why Burned Haystack dating took off (07:40) Dating in a small town without settling (17:55) The first boundary test tells you everything (41:35) The first date money debate (42:01) Jenny reviews Shaun’s dating profile live (43:05) The small profile changes that matter (48:28) Your photos might be hurting you (54:19) The manosphere language women should notice (59:32) Charm, banter, or just sexual pressure? (01:01:03) Jenny’s work and where to follow her (01:02:29) Why healthy chemistry can feel boring (01:05:07) Finding love later than you planned (01:05:49) Jennie has a question for Dan Savage about GGG (01:10:23) Wrap up, links, and final takeaways Links: Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/9116647515019601/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/9116647515019601/] Substack: https://burnedhaystack.substack.com [https://burnedhaystack.substack.com] IG: https://www.instagram.com/word_case_scenario/ [https://www.instagram.com/word_case_scenario/] Order the book: https://www.jennieyoung.com/burn-the-haystack-book [https://www.jennieyoung.com/burn-the-haystack-book] Referenced: How to Not Die Alone by Logan Ury Love Camp: https://shaungalanos.substack.com/p/summer-camp-isnt-just-for-kids-love [https://shaungalanos.substack.com/p/summer-camp-isnt-just-for-kids-love] Connect with Shaun: Retreats and latest offerings: https://bit.ly/m/thelovedrive [https://bit.ly/m/thelovedrive] Read my blog: https://shaungalanos.substack.com [https://shaungalanos.substack.com] The Love Drive Podcast: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/ [https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/ [https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/] More About Shaun: https://shaungalanos.com/about/ [https://shaungalanos.com/about/] Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive [https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive]

When shit hits the fan

In this solo episode, Shaun shares what life has looked like over the last several months and why this season has felt especially hard. He talks about grief, heartbreak, instability, and what it has been like to live without a fixed home while still trying to keep moving forward. In this episode, Shaun opens up about the death of his father, losing his dog Roger, a romance that stirred up old wounds, and the strange discomfort of living in transition. He reflects on self-doubt, feeling untethered, and the pressure to be doing better when life feels messy and unresolved. He also answers listener questions about regretting the end of a good relationship, the difference between grief and self-forgiveness, fear, freezing, and how to speak honestly about hard things. This one is tender, funny, raw, and deeply human. Timestamps: (00:24) Welcome Back And Name Story (01:08) Recording On The Move (03:21) Episode Roadmap And Pep Talk (06:11) Heartbreak Grief And Losing Roger (14:02) Self Doubt And Finding Home (21:14) Build A Life Proud Of (23:06) Sweet Voicemail And Self Doubt (26:20) Stop Negative Self Talk (28:13) Breakup Regret And Hope (33:58) Crisis Hotline Lessons And Wrap Send Shaun your questions at +1 (415) 494-9559 or email him at podcast@thelovedrive.com [podcast@thelovedrive.com]. Voicemails and voicememos are preferred, but texts/emails are OK too.  To submit a guest, please do so here: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/ [https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/] If you’re listening on Spotify or watching on YouTube, please leave a comment. Shaun loves hearing from you. And leave a review wherever you listen. Links & Resources: Farewell, Roger Substack post [https://shaungalanos.substack.com/p/farewell-roger] Bay Area Women Against Rape (BAWAR [https://bawar.org/index.html]) Dan Savage episode [https://youtu.be/IeiACE2rGmg?si=pXTcM3B9Qm7NDaEf] Upcoming Summer Retreat - Love Camp. June 5 -7 at Kripalu Yoga Wellness Center in Western Massachusetts. Learn more and join: https://shaungalanos.substack.com/p/summer-camp-isnt-just-for-kids-love [https://shaungalanos.substack.com/p/summer-camp-isnt-just-for-kids-love] Connect with Shaun: Retreats and latest offerings: https://bit.ly/m/thelovedrive [https://bit.ly/m/thelovedrive] Read my blog: https://shaungalanos.substack.com [https://shaungalanos.substack.com] The Love Drive Podcast: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/ [https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/ [https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/] More About Shaun: https://shaungalanos.com/about/ [https://shaungalanos.com/about/] Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive [https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive]