Episode 50: Strong on the Outside, Starving on the Inside - A Powerful Conversation with Pastor Ray Taylor

We talk a lot about men’s strength—their work, their leadership, their roles, their physical presence. But rarely do we talk about their souls (the essence of who they are as human beings).

In this conversation with my friend Ray Taylor (aka “Raymond James” if you catch me slipping into his nickname), we get real about what men are actually hungry for in this season of life—and why so many don’t know how to ask for it.

Ray brings the unique perspective of a pastor, a husband, a father, and someone who has walked the road of wrestling with his own mental and emotional health. We go deep into the quiet longings of men’s souls: the need to be loved, to be seen, to be heard, to belong. We also shine a light on the painful truth—men are dying by suicide at four times the rate of women, often suffering in silence, unseen and unsupported.

This episode isn’t about fixing men. It’s about acknowledging a reality we too often overlook: if we want thriving families, thriving workplaces, thriving communities, then we can’t ignore men’s mental, emotional, and soul health. We need to create space for vulnerability, healing, and connection.

Whether you identify as a man, love a man, or are raising one—the questions and stories we unpack here will challenge the way you think about masculinity, mental health, and what it really means to be strong.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Connect with Ray on LinkedIn
• Learn more at National Alliance on Mental Illness - Men's Mental Health

Connect with Katie on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also get free resources to help you on your purpose journey at www.katiesandoe.com.