As men, we are conditioned to push down our emotions. For a sensitive kid like Henry Johnstone, the pain and anger of denying his feelings led to substance abuse and self-harm. So, how do we learn to overcome this cultural conditioning and find the courage to express our emotions?

Henry is the founder of Henry Johnstone Coaching and the host of The Inner Warrior podcast. As a coach, mentor and speaker, Henry is committed to helping men communicate with themselves and in their relationships. He believes that men can discover their vulnerability and overcome the destructive, outdated roles dictated by masculinity, redefining themselves as who they want to be.

Today, Henry joins Emerald to describe how pushing down his feelings caused catastrophic damage to his heart and share the struggle with addiction and self-harm that followed. He explains how he eventually overcame his fear of abandonment, discussing his simple practice for generating the courage to express his emotions. Henry also offers insight on the creative power that came from learning to convey his feelings and how he coaches couples to communicate more effectively. Listen in to understand how Henry navigates imposter syndrome and self-doubt, reframing the uncertainty as an opportunity for self-reflection.

**Emerald’s team is aware of the loss of sound quality on this episode, and we are working on a solution to bring our sound quality back up to the standard you have come to expect as listeners.

What You Will Learn

How pushing down his feelings damaged Henry’s heart

Henry’s resulting struggle with addiction and self-harm

How Henry overcame the fear of abandonment

Henry’s simple practice for generating courage

1. Question worst-case scenario
2. Seek out safe space (friend, therapist)
3. Externalize through dialogue

How expressing his emotions ignited Henry’s creativity

How Henry coaches men and couples to communicate

How Henry navigates his ongoing battle with self-doubt

How to reframe depression as something that serves you

Connect with Henry Johnstone

Henry’s Website

The Inner Warrior Podcast

Resources

Brian Cardoza

Jim Carrey on ‘Deep Rest’

Connect with Emerald GreenForest

Creative Age Consulting Group

Emerald’s Website

Emerald on LinkedIn

Emerald on Twitter

Email: [email protected]

This episode is sponsored by the Creative Age Consulting Group. Men - Is it time NOW for you to make your mark? Visit timetomakeyourmark.com to apply for an invitation-only consultation.