Learn what it means to be a man in 2025, as ideas around masculinity, emotional intelligence, and personal growth continue to evolve in today’s world. In this episode of the Men’s Therapy Podcast, host Marc Azoulay sits down with Brett Zachman to explore these shifts in depth. Zachman is the founder of BeMen. It is a Colorado-based nonprofit dedicated to men’s wellness, personal growth, and brotherhood. Zachman is not a therapist by trade. But his work comes from real life, especially after divorce, emotional breakdown, and searching for meaning.
Zachman says his journey starts with pain. “Out of pain comes purpose,” he shares. After divorce, career changes, and feeling alone, he asks a key question. Many men carry it silently: What happens when life falls apart? He finds a sad truth. Men often turn inward. Or they have nowhere to go.
“Most men don’t talk about what they’re going through, we isolate, we bury it, we try to muscle through.” Zachman explains. That silence, he notes, often leads to anxiety, broken relationships, and disconnection from self and others.
From this, BeMen is born. It’s not a business. It’s a brotherhood. Men can speak honestly here. They grow emotionally. They healthily redefine masculinity. Through summits, gatherings, and talks, Zachman helps men learn how to be a man today. No shame, no ego, no old expectations.
A major theme of the conversation is how modern masculinity is evolving. Zachman challenges the outdated notion that masculinity means stoicism, dominance, or emotional suppression.
“For decades, men were taught to perform, not to feel,” he explains. “But performance without awareness leads to burnout, anger, and isolation.”
Instead, masculinity today requires emotional intelligence, the ability to understand, regulate, and communicate emotions effectively. Zachman emphasizes that emotional awareness isn’t a weakness; it’s a skill set that allows men to lead healthier lives and relationships.
Marc highlights how many men come into therapy after major life disruptions. These include divorce, job loss, or emotional collapse. Zachman agrees, noting that divorce often becomes the entry point for self-reflection. “It’s not just losing a relationship,” he says. “It’s losing identity, routine, and purpose all at once.”
One of the core pillars of BeMen is brotherhood. Zachman explains that men often lack spaces where they can be honest without judgment.
“Most men don’t have anyone they can really talk to,” he says. “We talk about sports, work, surface-level stuff, but not what’s actually going on inside.”
BeMen creates those spaces intentionally. Through community events, support circles, and its annual Men’s Summit, men are encouraged to connect, listen, and grow together. Zachman stresses that brotherhood isn’t about fixing each other; it’s about being seen and supported.
This sense of connection also directly impacts men’s mental health. Isolation, he notes, is one of the biggest contributors to depression, anxiety, and suicide among men. Community becomes both prevention and healing.
A major takeaway from the episode is the importance of emotional intelligence. Zachman admits that earlier in life, he avoided emotions entirely. “I thought ignoring it was strength,” he says. “It wasn’t, it was avoidance.”
Therapy, men’s groups, and reflection changed that. He learned to spot emotional patterns and faced his ago. Then, he built better ways to handle stress.
“Men are taught to power through,” he explains. “But growth actually starts when you slow down and take an honest look at yourself.”
This emotional work, he says, is what allows men to become better partners, fathers, and leaders.
Divorce is a recurring theme in the discussion, not as a failure, but as a turning point. Zachman emphasizes that while divorce is painful, it can also be transformative.
“For a lot of men, divorce is the moment everything stops working, but it’s also the moment you finally start asking the right questions.”
Through BeMen, men learn how to rebuild, emotionally, mentally, and practically. They learn how to move forward with intention instead of resentment, and how to rebuild confidence without ego.
So, what is masculinity in today’s world? According to Zachman, it’s responsibility, self-awareness, consistency, and integrity. It’s the ability to protect, not through dominance, but through presence. It’s showing up for family, community, and self. “Being a man isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being accountable,” he says.
Through BeMen’s five pillars, men are given a framework for sustainable growth. These pillars cover emotional, mental, physical, financial, and spiritual wellness. Not overnight success, but lifelong development.
This episode offers a grounded, honest look at masculinity in the modern world. Through Brett Zachman’s journey and the mission of BeMen, listeners are reminded that growth is possible at any stage of life. Masculinity isn’t about dominance or silence; it’s about courage, emotional intelligence, and connection. And most importantly, it’s about showing up. For men seeking clarity, direction, or a sense of brotherhood, this conversation offers a powerful starting point.
Brett Zachman founded BeMen. It’s a nonprofit helping men grow through connection, accountability, and self-awareness. His work stems from real challenges. These include divorce, burnout, and seeing men lack support. He skips clinical talk. Zachman brings real insight to modern masculinity and men’s wellness.
BeMen lets men explore emotional intelligence. They redefine masculinity. They build brotherhood. The Men’s Summit and events focus on full growth. Mental, emotional, physical, spiritual. His mission serves, not profits. Zachman leads men to show up with integrity and purpose.
Men’s Therapy Online is a revolutionary platform. It is dedicated to addressing the specific mental health issues faced by men. It is hosted by Marc Azoulay, a certified men’s mental health coach. The podcast addresses a wide range of critical topics. These include grief, career transitions, emotional resilience, and personal growth. Every episode will offer insightful conversations and useful coping mechanisms to guide you through life. Join the community and start your journey towards becoming a better man!
https://menstherapy.online/mens-therapy-podcast/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mens-therapy-podcast/id1559292153
https://www.youtube.com/@menstherapyonline
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