Sex therapist Jessa Zimmerman welcomes Anthony Silard back to discuss research-based, average gender differences in relationships, community-building, and loneliness. Silard explains how women tend to have more robust “social convoys” than men, contributing to outcomes like higher male mortality after a spouse’s death, and describes stress responses such as “tend and befriend.” He outlines severe psychological and physical impacts of loneliness, cites rising loneliness rates across countries, and links male loneliness to shifting roles, work focus, and the “four PRs” (procreate, produce, provide, protect). Silard presents three unmet needs that drive loneliness—belonging, connection, and contribution—and offers practical reconnection strategies, including talking to strangers and the “one question rule” focused on feelings, plus compassionate communication to identify unmet needs in relationships.00:00 Show Intro00:44 Episode Setup01:33 Gender Research Caveats03:07 Widowhood and Social Convoys06:15 Mens Group vs Womens Network08:11 Tend and Befriend Stress Response10:50 Loneliness Harms and Health Costs14:46 Loneliness Crisis Worldwide17:34 Mens Roles and Four PRs19:44 Parenthood and the Work Gap23:09 Why Men Get Isolated25:13 Three Needs Behind Loneliness26:19 Belonging vs Connection Examples29:49 Contribution and Workplace Loneliness31:08 Sponsor Break and Relationship Pivot32:10 Lonely In Marriage32:37 Four PRs Mindset34:46 Screens And Male Isolation36:23 Midlife Identity Shifts37:08 Talk To Strangers38:47 Empathy Gap Hack42:54 Belong Connect Contribute44:24 One Question Rule48:43 Feeling On Your Feet57:24 Needs Based Communication01:00:05 Books And Resources01:02:16 Podcast Wrap UpWork with Jessa:
https://www.intimacywithease.com
Bio:Anthony Silard, Ph.D is a professor of leadership and the Director of the Center for Sustainable Leadership at Luiss Business School in Rome. Anthony has provided leadership development coaching and training to thousands of CEOs and senior executives of Fortune 100 companies, small businesses, and the world’s largest nonprofits, including GE, Disney, Nokia, Bank of America, IBM, CARE, Save the Children, and the American Red Cross. Anthony has also coached political leaders, including G-20 cabinet ministers. He has taught leadership at various universities around the world, including IESE Business School, Claremont McKenna College, the Monterrey Institute of Technology, INCAE Business School, California State University San Bernardino and the International University of Catalonia and has lectured on leadership at Harvard, Stanford, Georgetown, the University of California at Berkeley, George Washington University, Cal Poly Pomona, and ESADE Business School. Anthony has received numerous awards for his work, including Harvard’s Robert F. Kennedy Public Service Award, was named Visionary of the Year by the PBS series The Visionaries, and was featured at the Presidential Summit for America’s Future and America’s Promise. Anthony holds a PhD in leader- ship from IESE Business School, which he received with First-Class/Excellent Distinction, a Master’s in Public Policy focused on leadership from Harvard University, and a BA from the University of California at Berkeley. He also served in the Peace Corps in Kenya for two years. Anthony is CEO of the Global Leadership Institute and President of the Center for Social Leadership. He lives with his wife and two children in Rome.theartoflivingfree.org/freehappinessandfriendshipbooks
Want to learn more about my sponsored charity? Charity: Water is committed to providing clean water to every human on the planet, 100% of your contribution will be used directly for water projects around the globe. You can learn more at https://www.bettersexpodcast.com/water.More info and resources:Secret Podcast for the Higher Desire Partner: https://www.intimacywithease.com/hdppodcastSecret Podcast for the Lower Desire Partner: https://www.intimacywithease.com/ldppodcastHow Big a Problem is Your Sex Life? Quiz –
https://www.sexlifequiz.com
The Course – https://www.intimacywithease.com/iwecourseThe Book –
https://www.sexwithoutstress.com
Access the Free webinar: Intimacy Made Easy: 3 Secrets to Bridging Libido Differences: https://intimacywithease.com/masterclas
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