Authenticity. 
Empathy.
Vulnerability. 

At the kickoff Zoom meetup for “Gay Men’s Collective,” an online platform I was launching for gay men desiring authentic friendship and connection, nine men showed up hoping for an experience different than what they had experienced on the apps and in the bars.  

 

But their faces said it all.  

 

These guys were emotionally EXHAUSTED. 

 

Suspicious.

 

Even downright cynical. 

 

(Not at all unlike the faces I often encounter in the corporate sector.) 

 

All I could think was, “How on earth am I going to allow these guys to feel safe enough to let down their guards?” 

 

But over the course of the next few months, it began to happen. I watched as these men, many of whom entered this community beat down, jaded, and with decades of therapy under their belts, slowly started to come back to life. 

 

As it turns out, what they needed wasn’t more therapy, self-help books, or behavioral modification.  

 

What they needed was CONNECTION. 

 

A safe, structured place to practice being REAL in a way that was entirely new to them.  

 

For the past two decades, I’ve partnered with teams from Fortune 500 companies and non-profits, equipping them with practical tools to cultivate deep, meaningful connections—recognized by research as a key driver of both happiness and productivity. My approach goes beyond theory—empowering individuals to actively apply these principles in both their personal and professional lives, enabling them to not only succeed but truly thrive.

 

While many of us today understand what authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy are, it's the 'how' that often eludes us. Through engaging keynotes and interactive group coaching, I guide individuals in mastering the 'how'—helping them integrate these concepts into their daily lives.

 

To inquire about bringing my offerings to your organization, email me at matt@matt-moran.com.