boy meets therapy
Hosted by therapist Dustin Oliver, MHC-LP, boy meets therapy blends clinical research with real conversations about vulnerability, relationships, friendship, identity, and culture with an emphasis on the LGBTQ+ community. Episodes feature solo insights and in-depth interviews with licensed professionals who share both their expertise and their humanity. Perfect for queer listeners, allies, and mental health aficionados seeking affirming, research-informed discussions about therapy and life.
Episodes

2 hours ago
2 hours ago
43 min
Why are gay men so successful, and is there actually research behind the stereotype? Studies have found that gay men have unusually high levels of educational achievement, including significantly higher rates of bachelor’s and advanced degrees than straight men.
In this episode, we explore the psychology of gay men, success, and achievement. We look at the “Best Little Boy in the World” hypothesis, research on gay men and education, masculinity, perfectionism, competition, appearance, and contingent self-worth. We also explore why some gay men may become overachievers, why success can sometimes fail to feel like enough, and what happens when achievement becomes tied to how we measure our value.
Check out the blog post (link below) for the research studies used in this episode!
Connect with boy meets therapy:
Instagram: @boymeetstherapy
TikTok: @boymeetstherapy
Website with Free Resources: boymeetstherapy.com
Blog: www.boymeetstherapy.com/blog
Work with Me: www.boymeetstherapy.com/work-with-me
Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver

5 days ago
5 days ago
11 min
NYC therapist and host of boy meets therapy podcast Dustin answers questions from viewers submitted via Instagram.
This week, we talk about why gays many fall for unavailable men and we answer the "Where can I meet people in person?" question.
Submit a question via email (boymeetstherapy@gmail.com) or Instagram (@boymeetstherapy).
*Note that these episodes are for entertainment purposes only. Answering a submitted question does not establish a therapist-client relationship.
Connect with boy meets therapy:
Instagram: @boymeetstherapy
TikTok: @boymeetstherapy
Website with Free Resources: boymeetstherapy.com
Blog: www.boymeetstherapy.com/blog
Work with Me: www.boymeetstherapy.com/work-with-me
Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver

Aug 31, 2026
Aug 31, 2026
35 min
Eating disorders are often associated with women, but disordered eating can be easy to miss in men, especially when it looks like fitness, dieting, or discipline.
In this episode, we look at eating disorders and body image among gay men. We include why gay men may be particularly vulnerable to body dissatisfaction, the pursuit of leanness and muscularity, and the point at which seemingly ordinary fitness behaviors may become rigid or disruptive. We also discuss different forms of disordered eating, muscularity-oriented eating, compulsive exercise, and “food noise,” or the persistent mental preoccupation with food, calories, macros, and eating.
*Note that this episode is not intended to diagnose or suggest you have any type of eating disorder. I invite you to take what you need and leave the rest.
Connect with boy meets therapy:
Instagram: @boymeetstherapy
TikTok: @boymeetstherapy
Website with Free Resources: boymeetstherapy.com
Blog: www.boymeetstherapy.com/blog
Work with Me: www.boymeetstherapy.com/work-with-me
Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver

Aug 27, 2026
Aug 27, 2026
18 min
NYC therapist and host of boy meets therapy podcast Dustin answers questions from viewers submitted via Instagram.
This week, we talk about dating while not having any friends and getting hung up on our first crushes.
Submit a question via email (boymeetstherapy@gmail.com) or Instagram (@boymeetstherapy).
*Note that these episodes are for entertainment purposes only. Answering a submitted question does not establish a therapist-client relationship.
Connect with boy meets therapy:
Instagram: @boymeetstherapy
TikTok: @boymeetstherapy
Website with Free Resources: boymeetstherapy.com
Blog: www.boymeetstherapy.com/blog
Work with Me: www.boymeetstherapy.com/work-with-me
Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver

Aug 24, 2026
Aug 24, 2026
31 min
HIV is still a scary term for many LGBTQ people today. The goal of this episode is to explain HIV in a practical, easy-to-understand way without being overly scientific.
HIV has changed dramatically over the past few decades, but many of the beliefs and fears surrounding it haven't changed at the same pace.
In this episode, we break down what the science actually says about HIV today. We cover the difference between HIV and AIDS, modern HIV treatment, viral suppression and U=U, how effective PrEP is, and what to know about PEP after a potential exposure. We also look at the psychology of HIV stigma, including how it shows up in dating and why outdated ideas about HIV can persist even when the actual risk has changed.
Connect with boy meets therapy:
Instagram: @boymeetstherapy
TikTok: @boymeetstherapy
Website with Free Resources: boymeetstherapy.com
Blog: www.boymeetstherapy.com/blog
Work with Me: www.boymeetstherapy.com/work-with-me
Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver

Aug 20, 2026
Aug 20, 2026
18 min
NYC therapist and host of boy meets therapy podcast Dustin answers questions from viewers submitted via Instagram.
This week, we talk about crushes on our straight friends and accepting that you may not be a match with someone after dating for two weeks.
Submit a question via email (boymeetstherapy@gmail.com) or Instagram (@boymeetstherapy).
*Note that these episodes are for entertainment purposes only. Answering a submitted question does not establish a therapist-client relationship.
Connect with boy meets therapy:
Instagram: @boymeetstherapy
TikTok: @boymeetstherapy
Website with Free Resources: boymeetstherapy.com
Blog: www.boymeetstherapy.com/blog
Work with Me: www.boymeetstherapy.com/work-with-me
Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver

Aug 17, 2026
Aug 17, 2026
37 min
Why do some gay men “sound gay”? And can people actually tell someone’s sexuality just by hearing their voice?
In this episode, we look at the psychology and science of the “gay voice,” from auditory gaydar and the vocal characteristics researchers have studied to where these speech patterns might come from. We also explore what happens when your voice can reveal something about you before you’re ready to say it yourself, why some gay men learn to monitor the way they speak, why “you don’t sound gay” can feel like a compliment, and what research says about voice and attraction.
We also look at why your voice might sound different around other gay people, and how something you once tried to hide can eventually become a way of expressing identity and belonging.
Connect with boy meets therapy:
Instagram: @boymeetstherapy
TikTok: @boymeetstherapy
Website with Free Resources: boymeetstherapy.com
Blog: www.boymeetstherapy.com/blog
Work with Me: www.boymeetstherapy.com/work-with-me
Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver

Aug 13, 2026
Aug 13, 2026
14 min
NYC therapist and host of boy meets therapy podcast Dustin answers questions from viewers submitted via Instagram.
This week, we look at the romanticization of someone who doesn't feel the same way and what happens when we want to say "I love you" after one week of dating.
Submit a question via email (boymeetstherapy@gmail.com) or Instagram (@boymeetstherapy).
*Note that these episodes are for entertainment purposes only. Answering a submitted question does not establish a therapist-client relationship.
Connect with boy meets therapy:
Instagram: @boymeetstherapy
TikTok: @boymeetstherapy
Website with Free Resources: boymeetstherapy.com
Blog: www.boymeetstherapy.com/blog
Work with Me: www.boymeetstherapy.com/work-with-me
Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver

Aug 10, 2026
Aug 10, 2026
46 min
Hookup culture is one of the most visible, debated, and misunderstood parts of gay male culture, but what does psychology actually tell us about it?
In this episode, we explore the psychology of gay hookup culture, including how it developed, why gay male hookup culture is unique, and the psychological processes that can shape our experiences with casual sex. We look at sexual motivation, dopamine and novelty, reinforcement learning, attachment, minority stress, and the lasting influence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
We also separate popular assumptions from what the research actually says: Are hookups bad for your mental health? Does casual sex make relationships harder? Are people hooking up because they're afraid of commitment? And is everyone really having as much sex as it seems?
Rather than deciding whether hookup culture is good or bad, this episode takes a research-informed look at why it exists, how it works, and why the same experience can mean something very different from one person to another.
Connect with boy meets therapy:
Instagram: @boymeetstherapy
TikTok: @boymeetstherapy
Website with Free Resources: boymeetstherapy.com
Blog: www.boymeetstherapy.com/blog
Work with Me: www.boymeetstherapy.com/work-with-me
Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver

Aug 6, 2026
Aug 6, 2026
18 min
NYC therapist and host of boy meets therapy podcast Dustin answers questions from viewers submitted via Instagram.
This week, we explore the frustrations of not being able to connect with other gays in a plutonic way. We also explore someone who claims that they want a relationship but can't find time in their busy schedule to accommodate one.
Submit a question via email (boymeetstherapy@gmail.com) or Instagram (@boymeetstherapy).
Connect with boy meets therapy:
Instagram: @boymeetstherapy
TikTok: @boymeetstherapy
Website with Free Resources: boymeetstherapy.com
Blog: www.boymeetstherapy.com/blog
Work with Me: www.boymeetstherapy.com/work-with-me
Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver




