Skip to content

Written by Online therapist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

Podcast: From Math to Psychology and Why Men Struggle With Emotions

From Math to Psychology and Why Men Struggle With Emotions

In this week’s podcast episode, Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst joins Amita Ghosh on Shrinks Who Drink to explore how personal history shapes emotional development, especially in men. The conversation blends warmth, insight, and practical tools for reflection and healing.

Good to see you,

Have you ever found yourself on one path, only to hit a wall that changed everything? That is how my journey into psychology began. I loved math and dreamed of becoming a teacher, but one Calculus II class derailed my plans and unexpectedly led me toward a lifelong passion for understanding people, their histories, and the ways our earliest experiences shape who we are.

This week, I joined Amita Ghosh on Shrinks Who Drink, a podcast that explores mental health with warmth, insight, and a good cup of tea. Together, we dove into the threads that connect our personal histories to our present lives, and how reflecting on the past can free us to grow.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • How I moved from math to psychology and found a calling in exploring people’s histories
  • Why your brain carries every experience you have ever had, and how those memories show up in daily life
  • Gentle ways to reflect on your past, including the power of journaling
  • Why men today often feel lonely and struggle with intimacy
  • Surprising research on boys being born with a wider emotional range than girls, and how culture narrows it over time

If you have ever wondered how your past shapes your present, or why men and boys face such unique struggles with emotional expression, this conversation will offer both fresh insight and practical ways to begin healing.

👉 Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts

If you’re reflecting on emotional development, gender roles, or personal growth, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support healing, insight, and connection.

related blog post by Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

Read more of my stories and reflections

Cozy night setting during ice storm after sledding, symbolizing nighttime safety with snowflakes outside, vulnerability, and emotional impact in Maryland and DC.

Sledding

Snow, Speed, Sledding, and the Memories That Stay With Us Winter has a way of pulling us back into childhood. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection celebrates the thrill of sledding, the joy of shared moments, and the timeless magic of snow‑covered hills. “Rosebud.” Does that ring a
Read My Post
relationship on Valentine's Day celebrating fatherhood after virtual relationship counseling in Washington, DC and Maryland with Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst

Podcast: Navigating the Challenges of Fatherhood

Fatherhood today carries both profound longing and quiet fear. Fatherhood today carries both profound longing and quiet fear. For many men, the desire to raise emotionally healthy children collides with the reality that they were never taught how to understand or express their own emotions. Hello, Fatherhood today carries both
Read My Post
Woman researching Fragmentation while listening to music and staying cool near the Potomac, symbolizing humidity and emotional discomfort in Maryland and DC.

I Refuse Myself

I REFUSE MYSELF Memory, Fragmentation, and the Courage to Reclaim What’s Hidden To refuse oneself is not rejection—it’s a call to reconciliation. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores how early trauma, sensory memory, and emotional fragmentation shape our sense of self, and why healing begins with acceptance.
Read My Post
A woman finding happiness by reading a calendar joke about New Year's Resolutions, symbolizing rest and emotional renewal in Maryland and DC.

Podcast: Finding Happiness After Loneliness and Trauma

Healing, Connection, and the Courage to Grow Loneliness and trauma leave deep marks, but they do not define the rest of your story. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores how emotional awareness, connection, and intentional healing can open the door to a happier, more grounded life. Hi
Read My Post