Dr. John Delony's Strategy in Discussing Uncomfortable Subjects Strikes a Chord with Millions of Listeners
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With a backdrop of electric guitar, a man in a black shirt and tattoos, Dr. John Delony, turns to the camera, ready to share ten things he'd love for his partner to do. Intriguingly, he invites his listeners to do the same, creating a unique bond with his audience.
Dr. Delony is a seasoned mental health expert, hosting his show on the conservative financial powerhouse, Dave Ramsey's network, Ramsey Solutions. His episodes tackle a myriad of tough topics, from mending broken marriages after infidelity to addressing opposing views on sensitive subjects like abortion. Many of his callers begin their stories with, "I've never told anyone this before."
With over 1.2 million subscribers on YouTube and 1.5 million followers on Instagram, Dr. Delony's candid approach appears to be resonating with a broad audience. His listeners come from all walks of life—men, women, conservative Christians, truck drivers, veterans, police officers, and farmers—often struggling with mental health stigma, vulnerability, and the need for help.
Dr. David Kessler, a death and grieving expert, author, and one-time guest on Delony's show, explains the unique appeal, "He doesn't fit the stereotype of a mental health counselor... Delony presents as both the credentialed professional and the good buddy who just wants to hear you out."
According to health officials, the United States is in the midst of a mental health crisis, and in 2023, nearly one in four adults worldwide reported feeling lonely.*
While podcasts are not a replacement for professional therapy, they can offer valuable insights, noted Dr. Frank Sileo, a psychologist based in Ridgewood, New Jersey. "Podcasts like Delony's can provide a wonderful forum for people to learn about all things mental health."
Despite his success, Dr. Delony maintains that accruing followers wasn't his goal. Hejoined Ramsey's company in 2020 after an executive discovered him during a talk to parents of incoming college students. At that point, he had no social media accounts, making his journey into the public eye both surprising and intimidating.
During their Money and Relationships tour, Dr. Delony and Dave Ramsey met with an audience member, Rachel from California, who shared how Delony's shows had helped her, even though her stories could sometimes be quite different from those of the callers. Her success with financial management, thanks to Dave Ramsey's advice, allowed her to afford multiple tour stops.
Many of the audience members spoke about trusting Delony because of his connection to Ramsey and his Christian-based teachings. They also valued his authenticity and directness, seeing him as someone who had been through the struggles himself.
Dr. Delony's unique blend of traditional masculinity and openness, coupled with his doctorate in counselor education and supervision, might be an essential step towards connecting people seeking help with resources for better well-being.*
Moving Beyond Politics
At a Q&A in Atlanta's Fox Theater, Rachel Guerrero, a single mom from California, spoke of her strong connection to Dr. Delony and Ramsey. Despite their political differences, she felt that both experts could offer valuable insights that transcended political ideologies.
Politics have not been a focus for Dr. Delony, who described his political views as ever-changing. "I guess the best way you could sum me up is the first time I went deer hunting, I had to put a gigantic buck in the back of my Prius," he said.
Emphasizing empathy for people in distress rather than political divisions is essential, according to Dr. Delony. It's easier to demonize those with different political beliefs in theory, but it's harder to do so when you have to be there for your friend or loved one who is impacted by an issue you feel strongly against.
Dr. Delony aims to prioritize empathy in his show, meeting people where they are and sitting with them during their most difficult moments. By doing so, he hopes to create a space where people can feel heard and understood, regardless of their political beliefs.*
The Campus to the Studio Transition
Growing up in Texas, Dr. Delony was influenced by his father, a homicide detective who provided guidance for people within their church community. Sleepless nights spent listening to his father's phone conversations revealed the struggles some church-goers faced with mental health issues and legal troubles, sparking an interest in Dr. Delony.
In college, Dr. Delony majored in psychology and humanities and earned a master's degree in higher education administration. He went on to complete two doctorates, one in counselor education and supervision, and the other in higher education administration.
Much of his career has been in higher education, where he oversaw student services like residence life and counseling support services. His work in higher education also included crisis response. His personal experiences with mental health issues played a significant role in shaping his approach.*
Building Connection
Dr. Delony credits his wife, Sheila, with helping him learn essential relationship skills, leading to their successful marriage of over 20 years. Recognizing the need for connection goes beyond romantic relationships, as many people may find themselves struggling with a lack of meaningful connections with friends and family.
For men, connection has traditionally been built through shared activities. However, in today's digital age, many of those opportunities have been replaced by apps and screens. Dr. Delony encourages intentional efforts to reestablish those connections shoulder-to-shoulder, be it by organizing joint tasks or creating opportunities for deeper conversations.
From his childhood experiences to his professional journey, Dr. John Delony has become a beacon of hope for those grappling with mental health challenges, offering empathy, practical advice, and a space where people can feel heard and understood.
- Dr. John Delony, with his unique blend of traditional masculinity and openness, not only addresses mental health issues on his show but also encourages his listeners to share their own experiences, creating a bond with his audience that transcends political ideologies.
- Beyond politics, Dr. Delony emphasizes empathy for people in distress, acknowledging that it's easier to demonize those with different political beliefs in theory, but harder in practice when you have to be there for someone you care about who is impacted by a contentious issue.
- In the realm of education and self-development, Dr. Delony's journey from a college major in psychology and humanities to earning two doctorates in counselor education and supervision, and higher education administration, has equipped him with the skills to connect with people seeking help for mental health issues.
- Advocating for personal growth and connections, Dr. Delony encourages men to intentionally reestablish traditional forms of connection, be it through shared activities or deeper conversations, in a digital age where such relationships have often been replaced by apps and screens.
