Emotional Constant w/ Chris Blazina


You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the other podcast platforms. New episodes post on Tuesdays.


Looking At The Psychology Behind “Man’s Best Friend”


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About The Episode

After being a professor and researcher for 20 years, Dr. Chris Blazina realized he wanted to pivot to focus on studying the psychology of male clients. There’s a lot to unpack with any given person – from their upbringing to how they try to navigate the world of “masculinity” (which, unfortunately, can often be toxic), and the types of relationships men have with other humans.

With men and dogs, however, the bond can be unique – and for some, crucial. There’s a reason why the phrase “Man’s Best Friend” exists (although, of course, it’s not exclusive to a gender).

For around 15 years now, Chris has been thinking about the question of why dogs are so important to men. Part of his insight comes from his own experience. Growing up, he had a dog with whom he had a deep connection with and of whom he learned to communicate with and be a listener in a special way that only dogs can teach us.

As he got older, and with the more clients he spoke to, it all tied together with one key aspect. When other people in a man’s life can be unreliable or disappointing, dogs are a stable and reliable part of one’s life. They are an emotional constant. You know what to predict with their behavior and responses. This can be very grounding, making a key difference in maintaining a stable foundation.


About The Guest - Dr. Chris Blazina

Dr. Chris Blazina is a licensed psychologist, retired professor, and award-winning author. He has been in practice for nearly 25 years, focusing in particular on men and their depression, anxiety, life transitions, grief & loss, relationship problems, and pet bereavement. In his work, Chris has found dogs to be an important companion and part of a male’s life that is not able to be found in the same way as with any human.


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