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Is fear of rejection holding you back from asking for what you want in life? What if rejection could be a tool for growth, not just a barrier?
In this bonus episode of American Masculinity, I get real about what it’s like to re-enter the dating world at 45. After an incredible first date—flirty texts, excitement, and even a sleepless night—I woke up to the sting of a rejection text. I walk you through how much it hurt, how it hijacked my day, and how I used the very tools I teach to get through it.
This story connects directly to our grit series with Alan & Kevin from Next Level University. You simply can’t build real grit without learning to face rejection head-on.
What You’ll Learn:
Why rejection hurts so much (hint: it’s wired into our brains and masculinity culture)
Three tools to build rejection tolerance:
Progressive Exposure (Action): Practice small rejections to build your “rejection muscle”
Cognitive Reframing (Thought): Shift from self-blame to seeing rejection as data, not a verdict
Emotional Regulation & Grieving (Emotion): Let yourself feel it, but set boundaries so you don’t drown
How to turn pain into resilience—and why vulnerability is a form of masculine strength
Your Challenge This Week:
Ask for something you’d normally avoid because of fear of rejection. Notice what actually happens. Share your story in the comments—your experience might be the encouragement another guy needs!
Chapters:
00:00 – Why Talk About Rejection
00:40 – A Personal Story of Rejection
02:20 – Why Rejection Hurts So Much
04:00 – Tool 1: Build Reps of Rejection
05:40 – Tool 2: Reframe the Story
07:30 – Tool 3: Regulate & Grieve Without Wallowing
09:30 – Putting the Tools Into Practice
11:20 – The More You Can Handle Rejection…
12:10 – Call to Action
Subscribe for honest, nuanced conversations about men’s mental health, relationships, and building authentic masculinity.
#MensHealth #RejectionTolerance #DatingAdvice #

The American Masculinity Podcast™ is hosted by Timothy Wienecke — licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, and men’s advocate.
Real conversations about masculinity, mental health, growth, and how men can show up better — as partners, leaders, and friends.
We focus on grounded tools, not yelling or clichés. If you have questions or want a tool for something you're wrestling with, leave a comment or send a message — your feedback shapes what we build next.
Note: While this doesn’t replace therapy, it might help you notice something worth exploring.