Causeway Conversations

About Causeway Conversations

Causeway Conversations is a podcast about young men navigating the in-between—when motivation drops, direction blurs, and the next step feels uncertain. Hosted by Vince Benevento, LPC, the show features honest, grounded conversations about what young men are really facing: identity, pressure, failure, purpose, and quiet fears that may be running their lives behind the scenes. Each episode offers insight and practical guidance for parents, family members, educators, and professionals who want to support young men without losing connection.

Publisher

Vince Benevento

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Jan 2026

Latest episode

18 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

8 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   18 Aug 2026

   Causeway Conversations Episode #7: Gentle Strength

   What if strength doesn’t always have to look hard, stoic, or traditionally masculine? In this episode of Causeway Conversations, Vince sits down with Dr. Nicole O’Brien, Causeway’s COO and Director of Family Therapy, to explore the idea of gentle strength—and how balancing strength with warmth can create greater safety, trust, and leadership in our relationships. Vince reflects on how parenting challenged his own understanding of what it means to be strong. Together, he and Nicole discuss what happens when we’re under stress, why our leadership style can change in difficult moments, and how learning to respond with both authority and warmth can transform the way we connect with others. Gentleness isn’t the absence of strength. It’s strength under control. For guys: Practice gentleness and take time to reflect on how you show up when things get difficult. Strength doesn’t always mean pushing harder. For parents: Balance authority with warmth. When you get it wrong, repair quickly. And remember that trust isn’t created in a single moment—it’s built over time. Whether you’re a parent, partner, mentor, or leader, this conversation is an invitation to rethink what strength can look like. #CausewayConversations #GentleStrength #Parenting #Leadership #MensMentalHealth #HealthyMasculinity #Relationships #Fatherhood #EmotionalHealth

2. 

   11 Aug 2026

   Causeway Conversations Episode #6: Iron Sharpens Iron

   What does real friendship between men look like—and why can it be so hard to build? In this episode of Causeway Conversations, Vince sits down with his best friend, Ty, for an honest conversation about men, friendship, vulnerability, and the relationships that help carry us through life. Men are often taught that vulnerability is weakness. The result can be friendships that stay on the surface and men who find themselves increasingly isolated when life gets difficult. Vince and Ty explore a different path: relationships built through shared experience, patience, accountability, and the willingness to keep showing up for one another. Vince also shares how male friendship became an anchor during a personal crisis and reflects on the importance of maintaining connection during seasons of isolation. For guys: Be patient with each other. Expect mistakes. Seek accountability. Give your friendships the time and honesty they need to deepen. For parents: Model meaningful relationships. Create space for your kids to connect with others. And welcome trusted mentors who can become another positive voice in their lives. Strong relationships don’t happen by accident. They’re built—and they matter. Join Vince and Ty for a conversation about friendship, connection, and why men need other men in their corner. #CausewayConversations #MensMentalHealth #MaleFriendship #MensRelationships #Vulnerability #Friendship #Connection #Mentorship

3. 

   18 May 2026

   Causeway Conversations #5: Never Tap Out

   In this episode of Causeway Conversations, Vince sits down with Stephan Genovese for a conversation about perseverance, relational repair, parenting, and the uncomfortable truth that meaningful change almost always requires staying in the work longer than we want to. Together, they explore how our culture has normalized quitting, why growth depends on delayed gratification, and what it really means for men to take ownership in relationships instead of waiting for things to magically improve. Vince also shares the deeply personal story of his marriage breakdown and the long road of rebuilding trust, connection, and himself. This episode is about grit. About effort. About refusing to believe that people are beyond repair. Key takeaways: Perseverance often matters more than talent. Effort changes people. Grit is built by staying. Safety must come first in parenting. Your child is never too far gone. Change remains possible as long as effort continues.

4. 

   4 May 2026

   Causeway Conversations #4: Find Your Inner Wild

   What does it mean for a man to truly feel alive — and what happens when that spark goes missing? In this episode, host Vince Benevento, LPC sits down with his longtime friend and colleague Justin Carotti, LCSW, LADC — licensed psychotherapist, mental performance coach, and founder of Valiant Counseling and Coaching — for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about what it looks like when men lose themselves in the grind of everyday life. Together, Vince and Justin unpack Chapter 4 of Vince's book Boys Will Be Men, "Finding Your Wild" — exploring why so many men today feel stuck, muted, and disconnected from any real sense of purpose or adventure. Drawing on over a decade of shared clinical experience, they trace the dramatic shift they've witnessed in the young men walking through their doors: from the chaotic, externalized energy of a generation ago to the quiet apathy and isolation that defines so many young men today. They dig into the forces driving this change — the rise of social media, the collapse of in-person dating and community, learned helplessness, and the trap of measuring yourself against impossible external standards. Most importantly, they talk about what it actually takes to find your way back: stepping into the unknown, chasing intrinsic purpose over external validation, and having the courage to try something new — even if you've never picked up a lacrosse stick in your life. In this episode: Why so many men feel like they've "lost their soul" somewhere between the carpool line and bedtime The clinical shift from oppositional, externalized young men to disengaged, isolated ones — and what's driving it How online dating and social comparison have created a "failure before you even start" dynamic for men The difference between extrinsic and intrinsic goals — and why it changes everything What "wild" actually means, and why community, novelty, and brave first steps are the path back to it If any part of this conversation hit close to home — whether you're a man who's been running on empty, a father trying to model something real for his kids, or someone who works with young men every day — this episode is your reminder that finding your wild doesn't require a dramatic life overhaul. It starts with a single brave step toward something new. Subscribe to Causeway Conversations wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode resonated with you, share it with a man in your life who needs to hear it. Where you can find Vince: Website: https://causewaycollaborative.com/ (https://causewaycollaborative.com/) IG:  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/⁠causewaycollaborative (⁠https://www.instagram.com/⁠causewaycollaborative) YT: https://www.youtube.com/@causewaycollaborative (https://www.youtube.com/@causewaycollaborative) Where you can find Justin: Website: https://valiancecounseling.com/ (https://valiancecounseling.com/) Newsletter: https://one-percent-better.kit.com/thanks-for-listening (https://one-percent-better.kit.com/thanks-for-listening) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justincarotti/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/justincarotti/) IG: https://www.instagram.com/valiancecounseling/ (https://www.instagram.com/valiancecounseling/) YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaPQ1Z7mOABEaYGHEj30H1Q (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaPQ1Z7mOABEaYGHEj30H1Q)

5. 

   6 Apr 2026

   Causeway Conversations #3: : Provision is not a Substitute for Presence

   What does it really mean to show up for your family? In this episode of Causeway Conversations, Vince sits down with Nick Fernandes, LCSW, to explore why providing isn’t the same as being present. They discuss how modern life and career demands can quietly pull fathers away from home — and the lasting impact that absence can have on family connection. Vince shares his own experience of prioritizing work over relationships, and how a pivotal moment during Leo’s illness shifted his perspective on what truly matters. In this episode, Vince & Nick discuss: Why presence shapes family health more than provision How career success can create unintended distance at home The importance of mentorship, modeling, and repair For men: Time is your most valuable currency Mentorship matters Offer grace For parents: Guard work boundaries Be intentional at home Repair is always possible A clear, honest conversation about choosing presence — and the impact it has on the people who matter most.

6. 

   23 Mar 2026

   Causeway Conversations #2: Name It to Tame It

   What happens when we stop running from the labels in our lives — and start using them as a roadmap for growth? In this episode of Causeway Conversations, Vince sits down with Michael Mello, LCSW, to talk about why naming our struggles can be one of the most powerful steps toward healing. Together, they explore how it is difficult for men to articulate emotions, how naming the emotion can help young men navigate its impact, and how you can support the young men in your life to move through this. Vince also shares his personal journey of accepting both a mental health diagnosis and addiction recovery as essential turning points in his path forward. The conversation highlights the importance of honest self-reflection, courage in facing discomfort, and trusting the bigger story as growth unfolds. In this episode, we discuss: • Why labels can create direction for growth • The emotional challenges many men face in naming their struggles • Acceptance as the foundation for real progress • Expecting discomfort as part of self-discovery For parents: • Growth is rarely linear • Patience and empathy matter • Supporting change means tolerating discomfort A direct and thoughtful conversation about identity, responsibility, and what it takes to move toward lasting change.

7. 

   9 Mar 2026

   Causeway Conversations #1: Brick by Brick

   The premiere episode of this season’s Causeway Conversations begins with Chapter 1 of Vince’s Book, Boys Will Be Men: 8 Lessons for the Lost American Male, “Brick by Brick.” Vince sits down with Johnny Markette, LPC to explore why real growth — in growing up, fatherhood, relationships, career, strength, and character — is built one small decision at a time. They discuss how: Any problem can be solved brick by brick. Mistakes are teachers. Your mess can become your gift. Parental over-intervention can rob young men of growth and belief in themselves. This episode challenges the myth of overnight transformation and argues for a long-game mindset: step by step, day by day, brick by brick.

8. 

   22 Jan 2026

   Causeway Conversations Trailer

   Causeway Conversations is a podcast about young men navigating the in-between—when motivation drops, direction feels unclear, and purpose is hard to find. Hosted by Vince Benevento, LPC, the show explores men’s mental health, masculinity, identity, and personal development through honest, grounded conversations. Each episode offers insight into the challenges facing young men, including confidence, resilience, emotional intelligence, and finding direction in adulthood. This podcast is for young men seeking clarity and growth, and for parents, educators, and professionals looking to better support boys and young men without pushing or fixing.

Contact Causeway Conversations

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.