What if staying in a relationship without fully choosing your partner causes more harm than leaving?
In this episode of Men Talking Mindfulness, Will Schneider and Jon Macaskill sit down with Bryan Withrow Reeves—former Air Force captain, men’s coach, and author of Choose Her Every Day or Leave Her—to unpack one of the most uncomfortable truths men face in modern relationships.
Bryan speaks candidly about emotional absence, masculine shutdown, and the quiet ways men betray intimacy—not through infidelity or abandonment, but through disengagement. He shares his own story of staying in a relationship while no longer choosing it, and the damage that caused both partners.
Together, they explore how mindfulness, nervous system awareness, and men’s work help men develop the capacity to stay present during conflict, repair after rupture, and lead relationships with honesty rather than avoidance.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
• Why staying without choosing is more damaging than leaving
• How shame and fear drive men to emotionally withdraw
• Why presence is not the same as proximity
• How mindfulness creates the pause required for repair
• When leaving is actually the most loving choice
• Why men need other men to do this work well
• How to begin choosing your partner—or choosing truth—today

If you’re a man in a relationship, coming out of one, or trying to understand why intimacy feels harder than it should, this conversation offers clarity without judgment—and responsibility without shame.
You’ll walk away with:
✅ Language for emotional presence and honest leadership
✅ A framework for conscious commitment
✅ Tools to interrupt shutdown and avoidance
✅ Encouragement to do relationship work with courage and integrity

Sponsor:
Peptides for Health by Mark L. Gordon, M.D. is a new two-volume series exploring the science and clinical application of therapeutic peptides.
Release Dates
Medical Edition Vol. 1: December 22, 2025
Consumer Edition Vol. 1: January 20, 2026
Discount Code: PFH25
Offer Windows
Medical Edition: Dec 20, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
Consumer Edition: Jan 20 – Feb 20, 2026
Proceeds support the development of the Children of Veterans Program.
Preview both editions: https://tbihelpnow.org/biohack-yourself

Links & Resources
More episodes & resources: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com
Mental fitness & coaching with Will: https://willnotfear.com
Book Jon to speak with your organization: https://jonmacaskill.com
If this episode resonates, follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share it with one man who needs to hear it.

This episode was co-produced by Robert Lopez of https://www.cratesaudio.com/

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