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

A woman writing a seasonal essay about her month to month passions and inner life transformation with grit next to a steaming mug, symbolizing introspection and emotional clarity in Maryland and DC.

Blog or Essay?

BLOG OR ESSAY? Structure, Freedom, and the Joy of Going Nuts Blogs wander. Essays march. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores how blogs and essays differ in purpose, structure, and emotional tone—and why both have a place in the writer’s toolkit. Are these two things the same?
Read My Post
Confidential session of PTSD therapy also talking about Choosing the Right School in Maryland and Washingtons with Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst.

COLLEGE – Choosing the Right School

Choosing the Right School, What Maryland and DC Students Should Consider Did you have the college experience, or are you having it now as an adult? Spring is when many students begin searching for the right college. It’s a season of campus visits, exploring new places, and finding a school
Read My Post
Woman after unplugging, searching for a biscuit and gravy recipe on a tablet with batteries nearby after asking what's on your plate, symbolizing memory and emotional reflection in Maryland and DC.

What Is on Your Plate?

Capacity, Culture, and the Metaphor of a Meal What Is on Your Plate? Isn’t this the question? Do you ever wonder how this reference got started? Or consider the recent GEICO commercial, where the little green guy is offered a tiny plate of food. “Who comes up with these things?”
Read My Post
A man sitting on the water near a bridge after divorce, gazing at the sky after experiencing overstimulation, symbolizing Emotional Shutdown in Boys in Maryland and DC.

Playing Bridge

PLAYING BRIDGE Strategy, Sociability, and the Drama of the Deal Bridge isn’t just a game—it’s a microcosm of human interaction. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores how bridge blends logic, emotion, and partnership into a rich tapestry of competition and connection. Do you indulge in this popular
Read My Post