Basecamp for Men E55: The Measure of Men

E55: The Measure of Men with Jeff Perera

 

E55 Introduction

What is the current measure of a man? We have all grown up with all sorts of cultural imprints around this. The macho tough guy. The stud athlete. The alpha male and high-achiever and blah, blah, blah. I’m so bored with these guys.

And to a certain extent, we have all been asked to accept that the measure of a man is about his status and how much money he brings in. What sort of house he lives in or what kind of family he comes from. Everything is meant to put you in some sort of imaginary pecking order.

But things are changing. The conversations that men are having ABOUT men is taking how we measure ourselves into a new arena. One with more heart and soul and more breathing room for all of us. The new measure doesn’t exclude the high-status former alpha male. It’s just requiring him to right-size his ego and stop making everything about him and his image.

We have outgrown the old measure. This much is clear. The new measure will show that men are capable of a lot more than just being status ponies.

I’m excited to talk to my guest today as he is an expert on the inner lives of men and is helping to create this new measure that I am speaking of.

Jeff Perera Bio-


Jeff Perera has been speaking for over 12 years to audiences and teams across North America about men helping end gender-based violence, modelling healthy ideas of manhood, and empathy-building. Jeff started HigherUnlearning.com to explore how ideas of manhood impact all of us. Jeff has delivered two TEDx talks and contributes opinion pieces for Huffington Post.

 

Basecamp for Men E50: Navigating Change

E50: Navigating Change with Special Guest Sharon Weil

 

E50 Introduction

We are in the midst of great change. It would be hard to argue against this observation. There are enormous changes afoot in society. Changes in how we work; in how we educate our children; in our relationship with others,  and in how we interact with the planet. And consciousness is evolving and expanding, as many of you are noticing.

How do we navigate the suddenly stormy waters we have found ourselves in? What can we depend on that will help us through these transitions? How, as creative humans, do we continue to create with alignment and heart, in the midst of such uncertainty and stress? Today’s conversation is about this very topic.

My guest today is Sharon Weil. 

     Sharon Weil has long been engaged in the conversation about courage and change as an author, activist, award-winning filmmaker, and somatic educator.She is the author of ChangeAbility, How Artists, Activists, and Awakeners Navigate Change, which draws upon the collective wisdom of twenty-five change-innovators across many fields. She is also the host of Passing 4 Normal Podcast (iTunes), conversations about change.   For the past twenty-one years, Sharon has been a  somatic movement educator and Continuum teacher.

Here is my interview with Sharon Weil.

Basecamp for Men E47: The Five-Minute Mystic

Person walking in forest

E47 Firestarters for Men: The Five-Minute Mystic   E47 Introduction Collectively, we are at the point in the Hero’s Journey where the audience is on the edge of their seats and going “Oh shit, this…

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 E43: Creating Your Future Self

E43: Creating Your Future Self with Special Guest

Dr. Benjamin Hardy

 

E43 Introduction

The topic of how we actualize our potential has long been a fascinating one to me. What habits do we need to examine and, perhaps, let go of to be a better version of ourselves? What builds courage in our lives?

My guest today is Dr. Benjamin Hardy and he is someone who has been exemplary at putting his principles to the test. He has evolved himself into a prolific writer and thought leader with content that continually has you think and examine yourself and the results that you produce. This is not just about productivity. He examines the psychology and inner workings of what creates your results and gives you new tools to set a different course for yourself.

Dr. Benjamin Hardy Bio

Dr. Benjamin Hardy is an organizational psychologist and the bestselling author of Willpower Doesn’t Work. From 2015-2018, he was the #1 writer in the world on Medium.com. His blogs are read by millions every month. Ben and his wife Lauren adopted 3 children from the foster system in Febuary 2018 and one month later Lauren got pregnant with twins who were born in Dec. of 2018.

Here is my interview with Dr. Benjamin Hardy.

And go pick up a copy of his great new book Personality Isn’t Permanent.  When you do, if you go to www.benjaminhardy.com and give them your purchase code, Ben and his team has some great free resources for you.