Gratitude + Masculinity: A New Way Forward - Prof. Joel Wong

Joel Wong is a tenured Professor in the Counseling and Counseling Psychology Programs at Indiana University. His research interests are in positive psychology, Asian/Asian American mental health (especially suicide-related outcomes), and the psychology of men and masculinities.

To start the conversation Josh asks about Professor Wong's background and areas of study before Casey brings up his first area which is Gratitude. There, Casey and Professor Wong discuss his theory the Catalyst Model of Change which explains how you can improve your gratitude practices and the effect that could have on your well-being. Next, the guys discuss overall best practices for gratitude before Josh asks if gratitude was practiced more in the past.

Moving on Casey asks how practicing gratitude could improve your relationships with others before Josh asks how to gain perspective in order to increase your gratitude. Switching gears Casey brings up the Professor's second area of study which is Asian-American suicide where they discuss the potential causes of the issue.

Next, Josh asks about how big the stigma is of discussing mental health among men in the Asian-American community before asking about any advice the Professor has for Asian-American young men to improve their mental health, and the differences between Asian countries. Moving on to the final topic of masculinity Casey asks about the pressure men face to be masculine today before Josh asks how masculinity developed through evolution.

To wrap up the guys discuss the changes in masculinity through the past and what it may look like in the future before asking Professor Wong about what areas need more research in the world of masculinity.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:48 - Professor Wong's background
1:34 - The Catalyst Model of Change for Gratitude
3:35 - How to improve your gratitude practice
6:40 - Is gratitude a lost art?
9:28 - Can gratitude help your social life?
13:10 - How perspective affects gratitude
18:38 - Causes of Suicide in Asian-American young men
22:29 - Mental health stigma in Asian-American men
24:04 - Advice to Asian-American young men
27:00 - Differences between Asian countries
29:30 - The pressure to be masculine today
31:30 - How did masculinity develop?
35:30 - Do the Professor's students ask him for advice?
37:33 - How masculinity has changed in the last 50 years
40:38 - The future of masculinity
43:40 - What research do we need on masculinity

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Joel Wong's Links:
Gratitude Prompts:

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