Welcome to Hearts Wide Open, a podcast created by two friends Dennis and Soroosh who are passionate about men's health and specifically men's mental health. Dennis and Soroosh regularly sit down to talk about what's going on in their lives and discuss their own mental health, traumas, life experiences and personal growth topics with each other. During one of these conversations, the two friends realized that what they're doing is special and far from the norm. Talking to other men, they realized that a majority of men do not have another person to talk openly to. Many men feel lonely and that they do not have a support system other than themselves. Stigma still teaches men that they should be "strong", "find solutions themselves", "figure it out", "get their shi* together" and the list goes on. You've probably heard these yourself at some point. While all of the above do describe characteristics which we can define as masculine qualities, men are not limited to these. Every man to a certain degree also has female qualities like "showing vulnerability", "expressing feelings & emotions", the list goes on. This podcast serves as a platform for men where they can be their true authentic selves with all of their masculine and feminine aspects. It's okay to be you. Don't feel like you have a support system to fall back on? Start using this podcast as a support system and listen to #08 You Don't Have To Be So Strong - How To Find, Define & Utilise Support Systems And Turn Them Into Safe Spaces to get started building yours. In this welcome episode, Dennis and Soroosh extend a warm welcome and offer an exciting sneak peek into the transformative journey that lies ahead for Hearts Wide Open. They touch upon topics such as anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, the importance of support systems, and the weight of expectations placed on ourselves by others and by society. This podcast was created with a simple yet profound purpose: to provide a safe space where stories can be shared, where struggles are acknowledged, and where a supportive community can come together. You're not alone on your journey. And that's just the beginning. In the upcoming episodes, we dive even deeper, exploring personal experiences, offering practical insights, and engaging in thought-provoking discussions. Join us on this heartfelt expedition as we unravel the layers of men's mental health and foster a community of understanding, compassion, and growth. Let's embark on this journey together and discover the strength within ourselves and in each other. Have a question, a guest in mind who should be on our podcast or a topic that you think we should cover related to men's mental health? Send us a voice message on Spotify, DM us via our Instagram @hearts_wide_open_podcast or simply mail us at contact@heartswideopenpodcast.com If you're enjoying the podcast, your 5-star review really helps us amplify the voice for men's health and motivates us to lead by example in showing that men can open up space where it's okay to be vulnerable and authentic.