Healing Relationships and Redefining Masculinity with Dawn Wiggins – ep 252

You know I don’t normally bring on guests, but today, we had a treat. I sat down with Dawn Wiggins, a therapist and host of Dear Divorce Diary, and boy, did we dive deep into what it means to show up as a man in relationships and in life. If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or just plain confused about how to deal with the emotional side of things, this episode is going to give you some serious food for thought.

We kicked things off talking about conflict avoidance. Let’s face it—most of us guys would rather do almost anything than have a fight. Dawn really hit the nail on the head when she said that avoiding conflict isn’t just about not liking arguments; it’s about avoiding emotions altogether. We’ve all been taught to bury those feelings—whether it’s with work, TV, food, or even our phones. And the kicker? When we finally can’t hold it in anymore, those emotions explode, leaving us drained and our relationships in worse shape. Dawn offered some practical tools, like EFT tapping, but more importantly, she challenged us to take responsibility for our emotional health.

One of the big takeaways from our chat was about masculinity. Dawn and I talked about how we’ve drifted away from what it means to be strong—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Guys, we need to get back to using our bodies, living with purpose, and reconnecting with what makes us feel alive. Whether it’s chopping wood, working with our hands, or just getting outdoors, those activities aren’t just hobbies—they’re lifelines. And when you feel grounded in who you are, guess what? You fight better. And yeah, I know that sounds weird, but it’s true. Conflict becomes a way to connect instead of a war zone.

Speaking of connection, we tackled the idea of what it takes to rebuild intimacy with your partner. A lot of us feel like when we’re trying something new to connect, we’re met with skepticism. Dawn broke it down, saying that real connection starts with paying attention. Listen to the repetitive things your wife says—the complaints, the frustrations. Chances are, they’re pointing to something deeper. And stop taking everything so personally. The trash not being taken out isn’t about the trash; it’s about feeling valued and seen.

Another big theme was self-acceptance. You can’t expect your relationship to thrive if you’re carrying around shame or insecurities about yourself. Dawn put it perfectly when she said that marriage therapy isn’t about keeping score—it’s about learning to love and accept yourself so you can do the same for your partner. That really struck a chord with me because we’ve all been there—thinking that fixing the other person will solve the problem, when really, the work starts with us.

Now, I know some of you might raise an eyebrow at this, but we also got into some holistic approaches. Dawn shared how homeopathy and energy work have helped her and her husband. It’s about moving stuck energy—whether through tapping, breathwork, or even natural remedies. And while it might sound a little woo-woo at first, there’s something powerful about getting back to basics and trusting that our bodies and minds are designed to heal.

At the heart of this conversation, though, was the idea that we’re all looking for connection—real, vulnerable, meaningful connection. And yeah, it’s messy. You’re going to screw up. But if you’re willing to do the work, to show up for yourself and your partner, the rewards are incredible. As Dawn put it, when we embrace the conflict, when we resolve it together, that’s when intimacy grows. And let me tell you, that’s a game-changer.

So, gentlemen, if you’re feeling stuck or like you’re walking on eggshells in your relationship, take a listen to this episode. There’s so much gold here—tools you can use today and big-picture stuff that’ll make you think. Let’s get out there, step into the conflict, and start building relationships that are worth fighting for.”

Information on Our Guest

Dawn Wiggins Therapy

She specializes in EMDR, Tapping, Marriage therapy, and psychotherapy. WIth her offices based in Florida she does inperson and online sessions.

Dawn also is a divorce coach helping women learn to process their thoughts and emotions so that they are able to grow from their experiance.

Divorce Coaching – https://mycoachdawn.com/

Dawn Wiggins Therapy Website – https://www.dawnwigginstherapy.com/

Podcast: Dear Divorce Diary– https://mycoachdawn.com/divorce-podcast/

Dawns Social Media

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MyCoachDawn

X – https://x.com/dawn_wiggins

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/dawnwiggins/

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/@DawnWigginsLMFTBocaRaton

Threads – https://www.threads.net/@dawnwiggins