What happens when a young boy grows up split between desire and fear—
between what his body feels and what his culture tells him is dangerous?

In this episode of the global anonymous series, I interview a man from Turkey who grew up immersed in Islamic culture and social pressure, carrying a deep internal conflict around intimacy, identity, and belonging.

From an early age, desire felt risky. Fear of punishment, fear of hell, fear of being seen as “bad” lived right alongside curiosity and longing.

He shares openly about:

🇹🇷 Growing up in Turkey under intense cultural and religious pressure
⚖️ Living split between desire and fear — wanting closeness while fearing consequences
😨 A first exposure to explicit content that was frightening and left a lasting imprint
🧠 The long-term nervous system impact of early exposure without guidance
🗣️ Learning about self-touch from peers instead of trusted adults
🏫 Watching classmates pay for experiences in high school — and feeling torn between values and belonging
🚫 Growing up where homosexuality was heavily stigmatized
💔 Seeing women treated poorly and carrying guilt simply for being male
🎭 The pressure to perform, prove manhood, and not fall behind

This episode is raw, complex, and deeply human.

It shows how culture, religion, peer dynamics, and silence shape a man’s inner world—and how many men grow up feeling ashamed of their desires before they ever understand them.

This global series exists to widen our perspective.
To remind us that while cultures differ, the struggles, confusion, and longing for connection are often the same.

These conversations are rare.
They are needed.
And they help us see ourselves—and each other—more clearly.

🎧 Listen now to this powerful, eye-opening episode.

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Men Rising is my private community where we explore embodiment, desire, nervous system training, intimacy, leadership, and the path of becoming a truly well-rounded man — together.

Inside you’ll get:
• Monthly trainings & live calls
• Tools for grounding, presence & emotional clarity
• Practices for becoming stronger in and out of the bedroom
• A supportive circle of men walking the same path

Join us here:
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