E333: Men and Personal Growth w Special Guest Joshua Aranda
E333 Introduction
There is something really sweet for me whenever I get to chat with a younger man who is doing and leading menswork and men’s groups. The conversation is always authentic and real and, even though we have gone over many of the themes that are central to the challenges that men face on this show, it always seems fresh and relevant and alive.
Today’s conversation is no exception. My guest and I tackle all sorts of things that are relevant to men and those that love them. We talk about the importance of getting out of your comfort zone (and what happens when you don’t). We cover male initiation and ask ourselves (and you dear listener): how do you know when life’s inevitable initiations are enough or when you need accelerated growth? And if you are looking for accelerated growth, what does that look like?
We also cover the perception that all men’s groups are weird, soft, or religious. Do men’s groups have to be these things? We talk about male loneliness and how widespread and important it is as a teacher. And lastly, we talk about male role models and how it takes more than just the father to teach a boy how to be a man. It requires the friends, uncles, elders, and community to help the young man fully arrive at manhood.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Two men sitting around the fire speaking truth about what men are really facing and how we support one another. Enjoy the episode!
Joshua Aranda Bio
My guest today is Joshua Aranda. Joshua is a father, an executive coach, and an ultra-endurance athlete. He is also the CEO and co-founder of Mission Matters Group, a consulting agency dedicated to transforming and optimizing operations for nonprofit organizations.