🎙️ Episode 6 – Why Am I So Angry? Understanding the Roots of Rage
In this episode of The Lion Counseling Podcast, Mark Odland (Certified EMDR Therapist & LMFT) and Zack Carter(Counselor & Coach for Men) dig deep into a question that haunts many high-functioning men:
"Why am I so angry?”

If you’ve ever found yourself snapping at your wife, yelling at coworkers, or boiling over in traffic—and then immediately wondering, “Where did that come from?”—this episode is for you.

With honesty, clinical insight, and personal stories, Mark and Zack break down the real reasons men experience anger, rage, and irritability, and how to finally address the root of the issue.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The surprising emotional roots beneath most male anger (hint: it's not just about being mad)
• Why anger often masks fear, disappointment, overwhelm, or guilt
• How your childhood wounds and unresolved beliefs drive adult reactions
• The difference between frustration vs. fury—and why it matters
• A powerful explanation of EMDR Therapy as “emotional surgery” to heal past trauma
• The fight/flight/freeze/fawn response and the biological role of anger
• How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps men rewire their thoughts and behaviors
• Practical strategies to manage anger before it boils over
• Why naming emotions (“name it to tame it”) reduces emotional intensity
• The importance of proactive self-care in managing stress and emotional outbursts
• Why many men are functional at work but falling apart at home

💬 You’re not broken—and you’re not alone. You just need tools and clarity. This episode will help you stop avoiding your anger and start mastering it.

About the Show:
The Lion Counseling Podcast exists to help men escape the cages that hold them back and become the lions they were created to be. Hosted by the team at Lion Counseling, we explore topics like mental health, faith, masculinity, marriage, trauma recovery, business, and self-mastery—all through a lens of truth, clarity, and courage.

👉 Need support? Visit www.escapethecagenow.com to schedule coaching or counseling with Mark or Zack.

📲 If you found this episode helpful, subscribe, like, and drop a comment below:

➡️ What emotion is usually hiding underneath your anger?

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#MensMentalHealth #AngerManagement #ChristianMen #EMDRTherapy #CBT #AngryHusband #FaithAndMentalHealth #FightFlightFreeze #EmotionalHealing #PodcastForMen #CognitiveDistortions #TraumaRecovery #AngerInMen #LionCounseling #EscapeTheCage

🎙️ Episode 5 – Why You Struggle to Make Friends (And How to Fix It)

In this episode of The Lion Counseling Podcast, Mark Odland (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified EMDR Therapist) and Zack Carter (Counselor & Coach for Men) tackle a silent epidemic many men face today: loneliness and the struggle to build lasting friendships.

If you've ever found yourself wondering why it's so hard to make friends as an adult—or why your relationships feel shallow or disconnected—this episode is for you. Using a practical and memorable acronym called the NICE Formula, Mark and Zack break down the core skills needed to create meaningful bonds in a world that often leaves men isolated.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why men struggle to form friendships in adulthood (and why it’s not your fault)
• The impact of technology and modern culture on real human connection
• The psychology behind why remembering someone’s name really matters
• How to be more intentional in connecting with people in everyday life
• The NICE Formula: A simple strategy to start, grow, and maintain friendships
• Tips from How to Win Friends and Influence People that still work today
• How to overcome social anxiety and become more confident in group settings
• Why deep friendships are essential to mental health, success, and purpose

💬 Mark and Zack share practical steps rooted in counseling, coaching, and real-life experience to help you build the kind of friendships that sharpen, support, and strengthen you.

About the Show:
The Lion Counseling Podcast is here to help men escape the cages that hold them back—whether emotional, relational, or spiritual—and become the lions they were created to be. Topics include mental health, masculinity, faith, relationships, purpose, and personal growth.

👉 Want to improve your relationships or get unstuck? Visit www.escapethecagenow.com to schedule counseling or life coaching with Mark or Zack.

📲 Make sure to subscribe, hit the bell, and give this video a like if you found it helpful.

💬 Drop a comment: What’s been your biggest challenge when it comes to making friends?

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#MensMentalHealth #MakingFriends #LonelinessInMen #FriendshipTips #ChristianMen #EmotionalHealth #SelfImprovementForMen #SocialSkills #HowToMakeFriends #PodcastForMen #LionCounseling #EscapeTheCage #HowToWinFriends #NICEFormula

🎙️ Episode 4 – “Why You Keep Fighting About Money, Intimacy, and Chores (and how to stop it)"

In this episode of The Lion Counseling Podcast, Mark Odland (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified EMDR Therapist) and Zack Carter (Counselor & Coach) tackle one of the most common issues couples face: relationship conflict.

Whether you’re married, dating, or engaged, this conversation dives into real-world strategies for improving communication, deescalating arguments, and building deeper emotional connection. From fights about sex, money, and chores, to everyday misunderstandings, Mark and Zack break down the patterns that keep couples stuck—and how to break free from them.

🔍 In This Episode:

• How to avoid the most common relationship fights before they start
• What your partner really needs when they’re upset (hint: not a solution)
• Why the emotion wheel is a game-changer for emotional awareness
• A simple method to de-escalate arguments using reflections of thought and emotion
• How to use the “slow startup” technique for difficult conversations
• The difference between criticism vs. expressing needs positively
• The power of empathy and validation in building connection
• Why timing and tone are just as important as the words you say
• How to ask open-ended questions that invite teamwork instead of conflict
• Faith-based insights on humility, self-awareness, and showing up well for your spouse or partner

💬 Zack and Mark share lessons from their work as therapists, coaches, and husbands—along with practical tips you can start using today to build stronger, more emotionally intelligent relationships.

About the Show:
The Lion Counseling Podcast helps men escape the cages that hold them back and become the lions they were created to be. Hosted by the team at Lion Counseling, we focus on mental health, marriage, masculinity, faith, and self-improvement from a grounded, real-world perspective.

👉 Want to strengthen your relationship? Visit www.escapethecagenow.com to schedule couples counseling or life coaching with Mark or Zack.

📲 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode.

💬 What’s one communication skill you’ve learned that’s helped your relationship? Let us know in the comments.

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Click here to view the episode transcript.

#RelationshipAdvice #MarriageHelp #ChristianMarriage #MensMentalHealth #CouplesTherapy #AvoidFights #BetterCommunication #EmotionalIntelligence #PodcastForMen #FaithAndRelationships #SlowStartup #ValidateEmotions #ConflictResolution #LionCounseling #EscapeTheCage