Dr. Bernadette Atanga’s book, Beneath the Armor: 8 Practical Strategies for Men to Embrace Vulnerability and Lead with Authentic Strength, invites men to redefine masculinity by revealing how unprocessed emotional pain fuels conflict in relationships, workplaces, and communities.
Through personal reflections, case studies, and actionable strategies, the book explores how societal expectations often force men to suppress emotions, leading to unresolved pain that manifests as anger, withdrawal, or destructive behaviors—all of which can escalate tensions at home and in leadership roles. Dr. Atanga provides practical conflict prevention strategies, helping men recognize their emotional wounds, break cycles of intergenerational trauma, and foster healthier communication. By embracing vulnerability, empathy, and emotional intelligence, men can transform their personal and professional relationships, reducing conflict and leading with authentic strength. This book is both a guide for personal healing and a framework for building peaceful, emotionally aware leadership in families, workplaces, and society at large.”
Book Reviews
Austin O. Agho, Ph.D, Professor of Public Health, Old Dominion University
Cultural and social environments shape how men view their roles in society, express their feelings, or resolve conflict in relationships. As an experienced physician and advocate for men’s health, Dr. Atanga provides practical insights and strategies for creating safe spaces for men to openly express their feelings, deal with unresolved pain or trauma, and seek professional help without judgement. Beneath the Armor should be a required reading for leaders, educators and mental health counselors who seek to learn more about the root causes of conflict and provide holistic conflict resolution strategies. This book provides a global understanding of the impacts of repressed emotional pain and trauma, and the intersection of culture, physical, mental, emotional health and conflict.
Sheila Kelly, MSW
Dr. Atanga’s book, “Beneath the Armor” gives all of us a “heads up” on the effects of unresolved trauma in the lives of men and those persons in their lives who suffer as a result. Dr. Atanga presents stories clearly demonstrating how unburied emotions from the past can erupt in the present, causing emotional pain and often trauma in their own lives and the lives of those who love them or work with them. The questions and exercises she offers at the end of each chapter provide guidance for those who wish to begin the healing process. Knowing the limitations of a book, Dr. Atanga strongly urges her readers to seek the help of a professional therapist.
Otrude N. Moyo, Professor, Indiana University School of Social Work-South Bend
A wonderful book raising awareness to the devastating and traumatic impact of unhealthy masculinities. By engaging lived experience stories, the reader is guided to ways to actively, unlearn through self- care, community care therefore, offering spaces of collective healing.