Basecamp for Men E317: Masculinity and Healing Division

E317: Masculinity and Healing Division w Special Guest Timothy Weineke

 

E317 Introduction

I have the treat today of interviewing a psychotherapist who’s focus is on men and first-responders. AND he’s got a podcast geared towards men. AND he has different political views as yours truly…..and we didn‘t scream and yell and call each other names. Gasp.

With all seriousness, we cover a wide range of topics. From the different between authenticity and vulnerability and why men are attracted to one and flat-out run from the other. We chat about shame and its often central role in the inner lives of men and how to reframe it.

My guest also brings up an interesting insight. How politics in this country (because we can’t agree on the basic facts) boils down to something similar to the Yankees vs the Red Sox. It is just about which team you are on as opposed to having genuine dialogue.

All of this is reinforced by social media and the infinite number of AI bots sending out stuff to trigger one side or the other. I think both sides are tired of the division and I don’t know about you but I miss some of my old friends. Almost everyone I know has experienced a loss of friends and family because viewpoints or values no longer aligned.

This particular healing road is still a work-in-progress. And I will continue to share insights and any and all good news that comes my way.

Today’s interview is a good one. Let’t get to it. Enjoy. 

Timothy Weineke Bio

My guest today is Timothy Weineke. Timothy is a veteran and a psychotherapist and counselor whose practice specializes in helping men, veterans, and first responders gain the skills and knowledge to build connected and purposeful lives. He is also the creator and host of the American Masculinity podcast. Here is my interview with Timothy Weineke. 

E317 Final Thoughts

Go have a listen to Timothy’s excellent podcast The American Masculinity podcast. He really zeroes in on the inner lives of men and how to find a healing road.

I think one of the most impactful things we talked about is how political issues that divide us (whether it is Trump or guns or climate or country vs globalism) … that the most truthful and humble thing we can express is a simple “It’s complicated”. To which I can only respond with Aho! Maybe the ONLY common ground we can start with in this journey to heal the human tribe is to acknowledge that our differences are a bit complicated.

Thank you for listening Basecampers and we’ll see you around the fire next week.

Basecamp for Men E315: Courage and the Warrior’s Path

E315: Courage and the Warrior’s Path with Special Guest Roman Simon

 

E315 Introduction

Hello Basecampers, I hope you are all doing well!

Today’s episode is far-ranging one. My guest and I talk about men and masculinity, how to live more courageously, the war against those that want to keep us enslaved, and we talk about Bitcoin. Literally, if I were to build a campfire and invite you over to my house, these are the very topics that would likely emerge as we relax and let the fire enchant us. You can tell I am embracing this idea of my guest and I along with you my dear listeners, all sitting around the fire, sipping our favorite beverages, and talking about our collective future. For me, it’s my favorite thing to do. It’s almost as if God asked me to do this with the second half of my life (wink, wink).

A couple of quotes that seem relevant to today’s conversation. The first is by author Stephen Nachmanovitch (who was a guest on the show all the way back in season #2). Stephen says, “A creative life is risky business. To follow your own course, not patterned on parents, peers, or institutions, involves a delicate balance of sticking to your guns and remaining open to change.”

And the other is from the great author Kurt Vonnegut who says “I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things that you can’t see from the center.” Oh, a man after my heart.

Today I have the pleasure of sitting around the campfire with a like-minded man from the other side of the planet. I looked back and most of my guests are naturally from the States or from Canada. I have also had guests on from Australia, Thailand, and even Dubai. Today’s guest is an Armenian who lives in the country of Georgia and what a delight it was to dialogue with him. Today’s conversation is one of my favorites in recent episodes and I hope you have my guest on again to further and deepen our discussion. Enjoy the conversation.

Roman Simon Bio

My guest today is Roman Simon. Roman is a creative explorer and free-thinking businessman who loves freedom and is building an interesting men’s training, which is something we talk about today. Here is my interview with Roman Simon.

E315 Final Thoughts 

I hope you enjoyed that conversation as much as I did. Maybe my favorite of the season so far. And I am looking forward to Roman’s rollout of the Warriors Path. It sounds like that will be a training and community where we can all learn something. Super cool. Thank you Basecampers and we’ll see you around the fire next week.

Basecamp for Men E306: Letting Go of Armor

E306: Letting Go of Armor with Special Guest Ryan Windsor

 

E306 Introduction

Hello Basecampers, I hope you are all doing well. Getting back into the swing of things at the start of Season #8. Like I mentioned before, I am likely to keep this coming out every Tuesday as opposed to every other week (which is something I have thought about). However,  I can see making more shorter-format Firestarter episodes with just yours truly as I unpack what is sure to be an epic year (no matter how you see things).

What is the edge for you this year Basecamper? Is it better self-care? More courage? A clearer vision of the next chapter in your Hero‘s Journey? What inner work are you committed to doing? Maybe it’s a better connection to God, Christ, or the Divine (however you conceive the Divine)? Maybe it’s carrying yourself with greater dignity and self-respect? Or maybe finding new levels and pockets of humility in yourself, recognizing that we are all deep inside of a mystery and none of us truly have all the answers.

My guest and I go into some of these today along with some other juicy topics. Before we get to the interview, I wanted to share a couple of quotes that I think are relevant.

“Anyone who isn’t embarrassed of who they were last year probably isn’t learning enough. “

Alain de Botton, British philosopher

“It does not matter how long you are spending on the earth, how much money you have gathered or how much attention you have received. It is the amount of positive vibration you have radiated in life that matters.”

Amit Ray

Now onto our sponsor and our guest. Enjoy the episode.

Ryan Windsor Bio 

My guest today is Ryan Windsor. Ryan is a father, an Integral Coach who works with men one-on-one and in groups, speaking on topics like anger, masculinity, communication, and intimacy. Here is my interview with Ryan Windsor.

E306 Final Thoughts

Well, I hope you enjoyed that conversation as much as I did with Ryan Windsor. We’ve got an interview with author Cindi McMenamin coming up next along with another solo Firestarter for you. Thank you Basecampers and we’ll see you around the fire next week.

 

Basecamp for Men E298: Basecamp Classic

E298: Basecamp Classic

 

E298 Introduction

Well, with all sorts of things going on including getting over to our new house in central Washington and my beloved Seattle Mariners making the playoffs and scoring tickets, I just ran out of runway to get you something useful by Tues.

But do not fear Basecampers, we have our trusty Basecamp Classics where I take a real gem from our extensive back catalogue and offer it to you again. These are not random selections. I do my best to get you some of my best content and episodes that still feel really relevant to what is going on in the world and what might be going on with you personally.

This one is from back in season #4 with James Rapson titled Freeing Yourself from “Niceness”. It is perfect for all you people-pleasers out there and I used to be one of them. A healthy dose of menswork cured me of it and James and I talk all about it in the episode.

Also, I want to write a short episode on the storm that we are all facing. It seems the rapidly changing landscape is creating all sorts of inner chaos and turmoil as we all prepare for our black belt test in how fast can you integrate new inputs and a changing reality. Are you following me? I think I can write a juicy Firestarter in the next week or two.

For the time being, enjoy this Basecamp Classic with James Rapson.

Basecamp for Men E293:Basecamp Classic

E293: Basecamp Classic

 

E293 Introduction

Well, I had an interview that fell through this past week and I’m travelling a bit. So I thought it would be a perfect time for a Basecamp Classic. These are top-shelf replays of episodes done in past seasons.

What I do is look over my list and then read over the notes for the top two or three and then select the best one. I thought this one was particularly interesting as we are talking about navigating the chaos and messiness of the times we’re living in using your own inner knowing as a compass. These themes hold up well, don’t they Basecampers?

The original title was Dealing with Ourselves with my old friend Ben. Enjoy this Classic and we’ll see you around the fire next week.