Seeking validation isn’t just about chasing likes. It’s the part of us that needs approval, wants to belong, and feel accepted. In this episode, we unpack the subtle ways validation-seeking still shows up in our everyday lives, especially as gay men who learned early to scan, adapt, perform, and manage how we’re perceived. We talk about the difference between healthy feedback and outsourcing your self-worth, and what it actually looks like to build self-trust in real life.In this episode, we discuss:What validation-seeking actually looks likeThe difference between caring what people think and letting their opinion become a verdict on your worthWhy self-trust requires tolerating discomfort, disappointment, and disapprovalHow we’re each still learning to come back to ourselves in more honest, grounded waysSelf-trust doesn’t mean you stop caring what people think- it means their reaction no longer gets to decide who you are.Today's Hosts:Matt LandsiedelMichael DiIorio - Take the 360° Self-Review for Gay MenReno JohnstonSupport the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes- CONNECT WITH US -Watch podcast episodes on YouTubeJoin the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook communityGet on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com- LEARN WITH US -Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others.Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report.