Ep 4 When Men Shut Down: Understanding Relationship Stress feat. Besa Aliti

Do you find yourself avoiding difficult conversations with your partner to "keep the peace"? Turns out, this common male coping strategy might be causing more harm than good. 

Systemic therapist Bessa pulls back the curtain on one of the most destructive relationship myths affecting men today—that conflict leads to disconnection. 

With over a decade of experience working with couples, she reveals how conflict avoidance actually breeds resentment, creates emotional distance, and prevents genuine intimacy from developing.

The conversation explores why men struggle to recognize and express their needs, often believing that having needs at all is a sign of weakness. Besa illuminates the common relationship dynamics that create stress—from the push-pull pattern where one partner seeks connection while the other withdraws, to the fundamental misunderstanding of each other's emotional requirements.

Perhaps most powerfully, Besa addresses men's complicated relationship with vulnerability. She explains why vulnerability feels so threatening (associated with shame, weakness, and potential rejection) while simultaneously being the essential ingredient for building true connection. 

When men finally break through their protective barriers in therapy sessions, the results are often transformative, creating deeper bonds rather than the rejection they fear.

This episode offers practical guidance for men seeking to improve their relationships, including how to validate your partner's experience without becoming defensive, identifying your true feelings beneath surface reactions, and communicating needs effectively. 

Whether you're in a relationship struggling with communication breakdowns or simply want to develop healthier patterns for the future, this conversation provides valuable insights into building stronger connections through authentic expression.

Connect with Besa via www.besaaliti.com and to book a 20-minute discovery call; or on Instagram here

To access Well Resourced Man exclusive content on the anonymous Whatsapp channel (not a group!) click here

Or Follow us on Instagram

FOR 20% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER AT BRITISH SUPPLEMENTS - CLICK HERE