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.

Basecamp for Men E41: Conversations with Men

E41: Conversations with Men featuring Chris Beatie

 

E41 Introduction

One of the many things that we talk about in men’s circles is to how to have a more open mind. Being curious about things brings a kind of magic to your life. I have discovered that when you adopt a growth-mindset, all sorts of things begin to open up.

With this in mind,I like to bring on writers and thought-leaders as guests to bring new perspectives to you. I also like to talk with friends, as I did many times in season one. My guest today is my good friend Chris.

Sometimes we can find great value in hearing two friends talking honestly about the challenges they’ve faced and what constitutes “the edge” of their learning. My hope with these conversations is that you the listener will feel that you are sitting in our circle, drawing inspiration and finding new terrain for your own personal development.

Chris Beatie Bio

Chris Beatie has been a computer engineer for the last 25 years.  Finding that the stress and rigors of 12+ hour work days was taking a toll on his health,  Chris decided to apply his engineering skills to improve his life, becoming a biohacker of sorts.  Books, podcasts, doctors, medications, eastern medicine, Chris has explored and experimented far and wide.  His personal mission passion is to help others find their most enlightened, capable, healthy and happy version of themselves.

Basecamp for Men E39: The Law of One with Ziad Masri

E39: The Law of One with Ziad Masri

 

E39 Introduction

Some of the episodes I do will feel like I’m taking you out of your philosophical comfort zone and I‘m ok with that. It would not serve you if I held back and I would feel like I‘m betraying myself and my mission. My hope is that I can present challenging content that I know is valuable in a way that is accessible and inviting to you.

My aim is to strike a balance between men’s work and the  practical resources that we know helps men, and the more philosophical and mythical themes that I am drawn to explore and find expression for. It‘s a balancing act between creating a more uplifting narrative, using myth and stories, and giving you practical tools that you can use for the challenges you face as a man.

None of my more mystical leanings exclude any particular philosophy. Not really anyways. You can be a Christian or a Buddhist or an atheist or just about anything and draw from the spiritual wellspring. That is what it is there for.

The Hero’s Journey inevitably takes you on a faint trail. So when you find fellow travellers that have found a useful map or an approach to a particular challenge you will face, my instinct is to share the map, share the gold and let you see how it aligns with the inner work that you are undertaking.

If you are just beginning to enter into a phase that feels more scary and, perhaps, more heroic, I welcome you. Inside these conversations will be metaphorical flashlights for the dark night that every Hero and Heroine inevitably face.

“I always knew that I would take this road but yesterday, I did not know it would be today.”

                                                                                               Narithra, poet 

Ziad Masri Bio- 

My guest today has been a fellow seeker and student of consciousness.

Ziad is the author of the #1 best selling book, Reality Unveiled, which is I consider to be one of the more transformative books in recent times. He is also a highly successful online entrepreneur in multiple arenas. Following nearly two decades of spiritual seeking, he experienced a series of very powerful spiritual awakenings which have led him to dedicate his life to helping people transcend their limited sense of self and awaken to their true, limitless nature.

Basecamp for Men E37: Season One Finale

E37: Season One Finale-Best of 2019

 

E37 Introduction

Well my dear listeners, we’ve come to the end of season one. I hope you enjoyed the show and picked up some new resources and perspectives for the next chapters of your life‘s journey.

Season two will pick up in March or April. We will be continuing with some great guests and seeking to balance the tried and true resources for men that we know and love with all the new tools that we try out and find valuable. My commitment is to continue to find our edge together and to share as authentically as possible, where you and I get stuck and how to proceed powerfully and to live as courageously as possible.

Until then, please go to basecampformen.com and sign up for our quarterly newsletter.

I only send this out 4 times a year and it will have valuable and sometimes free stuff in it. I will be posting updates on the show from this email list so be sure I have your email address.

I would like to thank my team! Sound editors extraordinaire Chris Rodd and Tahu Parkinson. Thank you, men, for making the show sound so professional. And I would like to thank my producer Tabitha Smiles for all of her hard work and for putting up with my periodic freak-outs as we worked to make the show all it could be. Thanks, Tabitha.

Now for the best of Season One. I’ll first give you the most listened to episodes and then share the listener’s favorites. The three most listened to episodes were:

  • At number three was Ep #14 The Porn Trap with Wendy Maltz.
  • Coming in at number two was EP #13 The Hero Within with Carol Pearson
  • and the #1 most listened to the episode, drum roll please, was E10 Inside the Men’s Circle which was the first one we did with the Warrior Dogs.  All right Warrior Dogs!

Now for the listener’s choice of Best of Season One. We got votes for E7 How to Raise a Boy with Michael Reichert and E11 Building Boys with Nicky Wilks, both excellent episodes if you haven’t heard them. The two episodes I did with Ben Seaman, #4 The Secret Lives of Men and E23 Men and Depression also received plenty of love. Go listen to those if you haven’t. But the two top shows according to you were E29 Into the Mystic with Paul Dunion and E14 The Porn Trap with Wendy Maltz. You have excellent taste as those are two really great episodes, in my opinion. But I can only run one and I choose E14 The Porn Trap. Only because we just aired E29 a few short weeks ago and E14 feels like a looooong time ago!

So, here is your favorite episode of Season One. Enjoy and we’ll see you back here in the spring for season two of Basecamp for Men! Thank you, listeners, and have a great start to 2020!

Best,

Tony