Redefining Masculinity. How the HSP and LGBTQ+ Community Can Influence and Lead us With William Allen. Hosted by Willow McIntosh

William writes...“On many occasions, Dr. Elaine Aron has written that Highly Sensitive People were designed by nature to perform an evolutionary function. We are the wise counselors, the cautious advisors, and the thoughtful and empathetic souls who aid the human race. We are at an important juncture in human history. A form of exploitative and dominance-focused masculinity has been running the planet for millennia. The consequences of this form of masculinity are evidenced in the planet's current state. We as a planet are in a state of imbalance, as we allow this form of distorted masculinity to jeopardize our future. After getting a degree in Psychology with an eye on doing psychology research, he recalibrated for a career in Information Technology. He found himself in a thirty-year career as an Information Technology manager at Wells Fargo who enjoyed managing highly intelligent, often difficult staff, many of whom were highly sensitive. As we know it in the West, masculinity is not always inclusive, emotionally expressive, empathetic, intuitive, or nurturing – all qualities that HSPs come by naturally. As a result, HSP men have often been left out of this exclusive club, as have many others identifying as male. This must change not only for men's sake but also for the planet. It is important to understand that masculinity is by and large a cultural construct and is learned. We can reshape the construct to be less toxic for men, allowing men to become fully human in their ability to be authentic, loving, strong, empathetic, and constructive. Being a male is not the issue. It is about the cloak of masculinity that many men wear, which is hurtful and dangerous. I believe that HSP men and members of the LGBTQ+ community can serve as role models for this new form of masculinity. These two communities share a common goal of recognition and inclusion.” William Allen is an author with a writer’s heart and researcher’s mind. After getting a degree in Psychology with an eye on doing psychology research, he recalibrated for a career in Information Technology. He found himself in a thirty-year career as an Information Technology manager at Wells Fargo who enjoyed managing highly intelligent, often difficult staff, many of whom were highly sensitive. He retired early from his corporate job to start his Hypno-coaching and neurofeedback brain training business, BrainPilots, in Bend, Oregon. In late 2016, he began his blog, The Sensitive Man, about his experiences, as a highly sensitive man. The blog became the genesis of his first book, Confessions of a Sensitive Man. His new book, On Being a Sensitive Man, is the follow-up book, which focuses on how to live in the world as a sensitive man. He feels that HSP males need to take their keen insights and intuition and make them public. He would like to shed more light on highly sensitive males and the much-needed role they need to take in our society. www.thesensitiveman.com Explore more episodes on The HSP Podcast at HSPpodcast.com