Topic: Denial

The grieving process is broken down into six distinct stages based on the Kubler-Ross model and David Kessler’s 2019 addition. These stages include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance, and meaning. Understanding these stages helps men normalize the erratic emotional shifts they experience during a breakup, moving from the pain of loss to finding meaning in what the experience taught them about themselves.

The grieving process following a family breakdown typically follows the Kubler-Ross model, involving stages such as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Understanding these cycles allows men to recognize their emotional state as a natural reaction to losing their home and family structure. Jensen explains that while the process isn't a perfect linear cycle, identifying the stages prevents the grief from becoming a permanent state.

The conversation explores how couples often share the same reactive patterns, such as one person smothering and the other withdrawing. Boyle addresses the common habit of labeling partners as "narcissists" to numb one's own feelings and avoid vulnerability. She identifies denial and defensiveness as major barriers that often appear long before the honeymoon phase of a relationship ends.