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

Woman writing outside in in summer in an old notebook, symbolizing nostalgia and emotional connection in Maryland and DC.

Goodbye Summer | A Reflection on Warm Days

A Farewell to Warm Summer Days, Porch Swings, and the Season That Lets Us Breathe I know you are thinking the same thing. Summer is OVER! No more sleeping in. No more lazy nights. No more ice cream trucks. No more swimming pool. No more porch swing. No more lazy
Read My Post
summer friends, two boys discovering the power of playing games and speaking while a parent watches patiently, symbolizing raising Boys’ Emotional Development, of boys cry, and emotional disconnection in Maryland and DC.

Summer Friends | A Reflection on Camp Adventures and Short‑Term Bonds

The Magic of Summer Friends, the Camp, the Adventure of Youth, and the Sweetness of Short‑Term Bonds Remember camp? What an adventure! What was yours like? One version is rustic. The cabins are made of old logs, and you can write on the walls to your heart’s content. Each cabin
Read My Post
Participants engaged in active listening during mediation thinking about while change feels hard during childhood, illustrating brain wiring, Emotional Healing, and mediation skills in online therapy in Maryland and DC.

I Scream, You Scream | A Reflection on Ice Cream Memories and Summer Joy

I Scream – The Sweet Treat That Unlocks a Lifetime of Summer Memories Raise your hand if you recognize this! In 1927, this little ditty became a classic and a tongue-twister challenge. For me, it brings back great memories associated with this summer treat. My grandmother’s ice cream churn would
Read My Post
A woman studying on round table next to appliances which Influences Connection and Conversation , symbolizing compassion and the origins of civilization in Maryland and DC.

How Table Shape Influences Connection and Conversation

How the Shape of a Table Shapes the Way We Relate and Influence Connection and Conversation Have you ever paused to consider why some tables are round and others are rectangular? My parents grew up in farming communities where long rectangular tables were the norm — the kind you’d see
Read My Post