815: Kristal DeSantis: Raising Boys Within a Model of Healthy Masculinity

Kristal DeSantis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with specializations in sex therapy, couples, and men's mental health issues. She is the creator of the STRONG Relationship Therapy Model of trauma-informed attachment-based couples therapy. She is joining us in the SMA today to talk about boys' mental health, the importance of healthy masculinity, and the impact of seeing healthy relationships on children's mental, emotional, and relational well-being. This was an incredibly powerful and critical conversation about teen boys and mental health. Please listen and share with the moms of boys in your life.   Listen in to hear Kristal share: How the socialization of male masculinity impacts boys’ mental health How our current tropes of masculinity are harmful to young boys Positive coping mechanisms for teen boys to reduce stress and build resilience The significance of validating your child as a human with inherent worth - not worth they have to earn The 4 Positions of Conversation that can positively impact parent/child communication Tips on how we can reduce the stigma around mental illness and help teen boys feel more comfortable talking about their struggles and seeking help Why we are seeing staggering rates to suicide in boys Links mentioned: Connect with Kristal: www.strong.love Get Kristal’s Book: STRONG: A Relationship Field Guide for the Modern Man Kristal on Twitter Kristal on IG Kristal on Threads Kristal on FB Kristal on TikTok We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Om Podcasten

Welcome to Shameless Leadership! This show is for women, transgender people, non-binary folks, and allies who are committed to advancing their leadership and the leadership of those around them. In this space, we believe everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, valued, and supported. Our mission is to help you foster these feelings within your own circles of influence to build trust, psychological safety, and a culture of belonging. In each episode, we dive into essential topics impacting women in leadership - everything from shutting down your inner critic and imposter syndrome to overcoming perfectionism to using your voice in new ways to advocate for yourself, your ideas, and other folks carrying marginalized identities. You'll hear practical tips, effective strategies, and inspiring stories that will not only enhance your leadership skills but also broaden your perspective to become a more confident, thoughtful, and empathetic leader. Our stories come from people carrying identities who are often underrepresented, underestimated, and excluded. By sharing their experiences, we aim to provide you with invaluable lessons that will transform your leadership journey. We are thrilled to have you join this community of Shameless Leaders who are actively creating a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can intentionally lead through a more curious, compassionate, and inclusive lens.