If you put shame in a petri dish, it needs three ingredients to grow exponentially: secrecy, silence, and judgment. If you put the same amount of shame in the petri dish and douse it with empathy, it can't survive.

We are hardwired to connect with others, it's what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering.

Men walk this tightrope where any sign of weakness illicits shame, and so they're afraid to make themselves vulnerable for fear of looking weak.

The truth is, rarely can a response make something better - what makes something better is connection.

Vulnerability is not weakness.

I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.

The universe is not short on wake-up calls. We’re just quick to hit the snooze button.