In this powerful episode of Hey Man; It’s Ok, hosts Sky Bridges and licensed therapist Ryan Heapy sit down with Esther Perry, EMDR consultant and author of When Survival Is Killing You, to unpack what men are rarely taught about mental health, trauma, and emotional expression.

Esther helps explain the why behind common mental health tools — from EMDR and mindfulness to nervous system regulation — and why many men struggle to connect with approaches that don’t feel safe or practical. Together, they explore how trauma lives in the body, the overlooked “fight” response in fight-or-flight, and how cultural expectations around masculinity make vulnerability feel uncomfortable — or even threatening.

The conversation also dives into Esther’s unconventional path to  ...