Basecamp for Men E51: The Happiness Index

E51: The Happiness Index with Special Guest Nic Marks

 

E51 Introduction

Happiness is something that I have had a keen interest in for a long time. I have enjoyed looking at this topic and experimenting in my own life as to what makes a happy person. I have even created a presentation that I deliver to groups called How To Create Happiness, which I will talk about in an upcoming episode.

What I love about my guest today is that he has studied happiness in countries and workplaces using statistics as a guide. Which is something that you don‘t see every day. What does this data tell us about what makes a happy country or happy workplace? And most importantly, how do we create more happiness, satisfaction, and well-being in the world while treading lightly on our beloved planet? Here is a conversation about this very issue.

Nic Marks Bio– My guest today is Nic Marks and he was once describe as a “statistician with a soul” due to his unusual combination of hard statistical  and soft people skills. He has been working in the field of happiness, wellbeing and quality of life for over 25 years with a particular emphasis on measurement and how to create positive change.

In 2010, he gave a TED talk on his work in public policy, which has now been watched over 2 million times.

Nic as ben applying his creative thinking to the world of work since 2012. He is the founder of Friday Pulse and has worked with over 1000 organizations and teams measuring and improving their happiness at work. Here is my interview with Nic Marks.

 

Basecamp for Men E49: Men’s Health and Virility

E49: Men’s Health and Virility with Special Guest

Dr. Myles Spar

 

E49 Introduction

With a pandemic afoot and all the stress generated by the media, it seems a good time to look at some common sense things that we can focus on that will actually make a difference for us men. Our health is one such area. And with all the talk about viruses and immune systems, what better time to take a look at health and how to optimize for this for yourself.

I have gone into our social conditioning many times on this show. How we have been taught to more or less ignore our health unless something terrible starts to happen to us. Rarely do men, especially middle-aged men, take an active approach to their vitality and well-being. We tend to coast along.  Why is that? Is “good enough” REALLY good enough for us?

It is my hope that you come to see your health and self-care as an essential foundation for yourself. One that you can quietly build on over time and that, by taking better care of yourself, you’ll feel better, be a better version of yourself. Vibrant good health and healthy habits are not just for women. They are very much for us men. I hope today’s conversation will help show you this.

My guest today is Dr Myles Spar and  he is a thought leader and expert in the area of men’s health. Join us as we talk about building healthy habits, testosterone, and how to optimize your vitality and your virility.

 

Basecamp for Men E48: The One You Feed

E48: The One You Feed with Special Guest Eric Zimmer

 

E48 Introduction

I love speaking with people who have risen out of personal challenges. We all do this at different chapters in our Hero’s Journey. I think it’s naturally inspiring for us to hear redemption stories. There is something human and real about somebody who spirals downwards but recognizes their descent before

it’s too late for more courageous choices. We are imperfect people, learning at each choice point, and then sharing what we learned with our tribe. That is the very essence of the Hero’s Journey.

We have been so cultured to cover up our flaws or our mistakes or our character defects, as if we are the only ones that have them. It never occurs to us that by revealing more of ourselves to the world, we draw others in. Being authentic with others is like building a campfire. People want to come over and pull up a seat and listen in. It‘s human nature.

Personally, my life got 10 times better and more interesting when I dropped the pretense that I had it all figured out and started to share my faults, blind spots, and fears and doubts.  I hope these conversations help you in some small way. For we are fellow travellers in the middle of an epic story.

Eric Zimmer Bio-

My guest today is someone who exemplifies the authentic road. Eric Zimmer is a behavior coach, podcast host and author. At the age of 24, Eric was homeless, struggling with drug addiction, and facing jail time. In the years since, he not only found a way to overcome these obstacles to create a life worth living, he now helps others do the same.

Eric is the creator and host of the award-winning podcast, The One You Feed, which is based on the old parable about two wolves at battle within us. With over 300 episodes and over 15 million downloads, the show features conversations with experts across many fields of study about how to create a life worth living.

Here is my interview with Eric Zimmer.

To find out more a about his programs or to listen to his excellent podcast, go to  www.theoneyoufeed.net.

Basecamp for Men E46: Wisdom for Uncertain Times

E46: Wisdom for Uncertain Times with

Special Guest Paul Dunion

 

E46 Introduction

Whenever we find ourselves in uncertain times, it’s important to listen for voices of wisdom. This has always been true. Hearing truths that resonate and touch the human heart is a very good way to navigate confusion. Whenever we find ourselves amongst old structures and narratives that are no longer vibrant and alive, the Soul is indicating that it is time initiation into something new.  Together, we are travelling the faint path, you and I.  Right now, there is no sure, safe way. This much, I think, is clear.

Sometimes one simple conversation can make a difference in your perspective and trajectory. It’s interactions that carry depth that reaffirm our humanity. These conversations can help us back onto our true path or hero’s journey. It is clear to me more now than ever that we are here to help one another in these challenging times. My guest today is one such voice of wisdom.

Paul Dunion Bio-

Paul Dunion is a co-founder of the Connecticut’s Mens’ Gathering, a biannual retreat for men that began in 1992. He is the founder of Boys To Men, a mentoring community for teenage boys. He’s been in private practice as a Psychotherapist for 37 years and is presently a faculty member for Mobius Executive Training. Paul is the author of several books including my favorite, Path of the Novice Mystic. His blogs can be accessed at the Hufington Post as well as Medium.com. 

E46 Final Thoughts

To find out more about Paul and his work and writing, go to www.pauldunion.com

I always enjoy talking with Paul. I come away feeling better, more connected to my truth and to what is REALLY happening, as opposed to what all the media noise is trying to convince me about what is happening.

I love what Paul said about when we are in a paradigm shift, as we so clearly are now, our willingness to get shamelessly lost is something that can serve us well. It’s an interesting notion and it runs completely counter to how we have been cultured as men.

And what he said about cultivating tenderness is so powerful. In mythic terms, this is activating and strengthening the archetypal Lover.

What if, as men, we take on being more tender and caring? Would this make us less manly? Would it make us less courageous? What if this was the direction that our collective courage was taking us right now?

 

 

Basecamp for Men E44: Change Your Life by Changing Your Story

E44: Change Your Life by Changing Your Story featuring Lori Gottlieb

 

E44 Introduction

“The nature of life is change and the nature of people is to resist change.”

There is so much wisdom in this simple little statement. The Hero or the protagonist of the story (which is you) must always be reconciling this dynamic. How do we get ourselves ready for the next chapters of our lives, knowing that loss and change and life itself will shake our very foundation? How do we keep our narratives flexible so as not to get too rigid in our interpretations of what has happened to us, of who we are, and of what is possible for us moving forward.

In many ways, we don’t see how we create our own limitations. Or how we will often use story to create inertia in our lives. We unconsciously block ourselves from the very things that we crave the most- love, vitality, forgiveness, and renewal. We want a fresh chapter but keep telling ourselves the same old stories about ourselves and our world.

My hope is that today’s conversation can help show how psychotherapy can be used as a powerful tool. One that can help us re-write the parts of our narrative that no longer serve our growth or our potential. As a champion and recipient of many hours of therapy, I can attest to the effectiveness of the tools you learn and the value of changing perspectives on a life situation. Therapists are often excellent guides in getting forward movement back into the protagonists story. The takeaway? That the story of your life is always open to a fresh interpretation.

Lori Gottlieb Bio

Lori Gottlieb is a psychotherapist and author of the New York Times bestseller Maybe You Should Talk to Someone which is being adapted as a television series.  In addition to her clinical practice, she writes The Atlantic’s “Dear Therapist” advice column and contributes regularly to The New York Times and many other publications. Her recent TED Talk is one of the top 10 most watched of the year. Her new iHeart Radio podcast, “Dear Therapists”, produced by Katie Couric, will premier later this year.