Men are good at talking about pain, but usually just the physical kind.

We’ll tell each other about the pulled hamstring, the sore shoulder, or the back that’s been tight since that one workout 10 years ago. And what we are doing about it to make it better. We’ll even wear that pain like a badge of honor.

But the other kind of pain, the one you can’t see, is often the hardest to talk about.

Emotional pain. Heartbreak. Loneliness. Regret. The quiet ache that comes from feeling stuck or unseen.

Here’s the thing: the brain doesn’t actually know the difference.
Emotional pain and physical pain light up the same neural pathways.
That’s why a broken heart or confusion hurts—not just metaphorically, but biologically.

If we can talk about the muscle we tore in the gym, we should also be able to talk about the loss, the fear, or the stress we’re carrying inside.

Real strength isn’t in ignoring pain, it’s in naming it.
Because what we name, we can face.
And what we face, we can heal.

This Week’s Practice

Call a friend or sit down with a family member and share one emotional pain you’ve been carrying.

It doesn’t have to be dramatic. You can start simple:
“I’ve actually been having a hard time with something lately. What about you?”

That’s it. One sentence can open the door.
You’ll be surprised how much lighter you feel when you speak it—and how it invites the other person to do the same.

A Workshop on Eudēmonia

For those who want to go deeper, we’ll be hosting a special EVRYMAN workshop at the Eudēmonia Summit, focused on building emotional fitness—the kind that makes you stronger from the inside out.

EVRYMAN members receive a discounted rate to attend. If you’ve been curious about reconnecting with your sense of purpose, brotherhood, and inner steadiness, this is a perfect space to do it.

Additional details are below and will also be shared in your member dashboard and community feed.

Pain is part of life, but it doesn’t have to be carried alone.
So reach out. Speak up.
And remember: healing starts with one honest conversation.

That’s brotherhood.
That’s EVRYMAN.

Take Action

Insights

Men, Masculinity, and Mental Health
Brown University’s School of Public Health looks at how self-reliance and “don’t show it” norms keep men from naming inner pain, and what helps men actually open up and get support. (7 min read)

The Lonely New Vices of American Life
The Atlantic argues that America’s newer habits—more solo cannabis use, more online gambling, more screen time—are pushing people toward lonelier nights and fewer real-life connections, which quietly amplifies emotional pain. (9 min read) 

Why I Run
Nicholas Thompson’s essay shows how movement can be a practical way to process stress and grief, using running as a simple, repeatable tool to steady the mind when life gets heavy. (10 min read)

He Spent Five Years Asking People If They’re Happy. Here’s What He Learned.
Filmmaker Atdhe Trepca crisscrossed the country asking strangers one question and found that happiness often comes from simple, everyday anchors like relationships, routines, and small pleasures. A grounded counterpoint to quiet emotional pain, with stories that feel human and useful. (9 min read)