Basecamp for Men E77: Why the World Will ALWAYS Need Men

E77: Why the World Will ALWAYS Need Men

with Special Guest Nicky Billou

 

E77 Introduction-

I believe that we still need masculine men. Men who know who they are, who are comfortable in their own skin. I believe we will always need the rock solid strength that men bring to the world.

Look, not everyone is going to be transgender or androgynous, despite what the MSM or pop culture is telling us. I do not believe it is best for our nation to have a world full of overly sensitive, politically correct soy boys. Do you?

The world has always and will always need men. After all, who will defend our nation? Who will protect our women and children? Who will father our future generations? Where will humanity derive its strength, which is inherent in men.

The eroding impact of cultural Marxism has temporarily put good men on their heels. Masculinity is under attack. This is not the cry of a victim here. I am just noticing.

There is a concerted effort to emasculate men. To turn us into something that we aren’t.   Boys are being educated to sit down and shut up and are often shamed simply for being of “the aggressive gender”.

I had the experience recently of finishing up a 9-year stint on the Board of Directors for a NYC not-for-profit. Overall, it was a wonderful experience.  However, as I was finishing up my tenure, our Board happened to schedule a day-long training in Critical Race Theory. I politely declined to participate.

According to Critical Race Theory, the fact that I declined to participate automatically makes me a racist. It doesn’t take much these days.

Yet, the truth is I didn’t want to waste 6 precious hours talking about how best to treat people, which I feel I do pretty well.  As a man, I’ve been trained to guard my boundaries well and I am just am not interested nor available to be shamed, confused, and isolated by trained cultural Marxists.  It seems that shaming, dividing, and confusing people is what they do best.

Political correctness has brought us a long ways from something so common sense as this: have respect and kindness for everyone you meet. This seems to me a much simpler approach to all the hand wringing, angst, and finger-pointing that we see today.

In these issues, I am really clear about a couple of things. One, I refuse to let others tell me what my experience is within the human tribe. I trust myself and I see us all as brothers and sisters on an epic Hero’s Journey. If that is not good enough for cultural Marxists and their followers, fuck ’em I say.

And I am also really clear that we will continue to need good men to help anchor strength in the human tribe. Men are needed now more than ever. If the men of our human tribe don’t claim and honor their inner strength, the part of them that is essentially masculine, then what do we do when the world once again needs the clarity and presence and strength of good men?

Let’s go talk to my guest today about some of these very issues.

 

Nicky Billou Bio-

Nicky Billou is the International Best Selling Author of the book: Finish Line Thinking: How to Think and Win Like a Champion.He is an in-demand and highly inspirational speaker and an advisor and confidante to some of the most successful and dynamic entrepreneurs in Canada. He is the co-founder of eCircle Academy (www.eCircleAcademy.com) where he runs a yearlong Mastermind & Educational program working with Coaches, Consultants, and Corporate Trainers.

Nicky is the host of the podcast The Thought Leader Revolution where he has interviewed over 200 of the world’s top thought leaders. Here is my interview with Nicky Billou.

E77 Final Thoughts-

I hope you enjoyed our conversation with Nicky as much as I did. As we were finishing our call, Nicky wanted me to pass along an offer for you. Anyone who wants a free 45-minute coaching session with him, just go to www.eCircleAcademy.comand go book a success call. This is a really generous offer to all of you entrepreneurs out there to get some free insights from a man who knows how to guide thought leaders and others towards success.

Basecamp for Men E10: Inside the Men’s Circle

E10: Inside the Men’s Circle

 

E10 Introduction

One of my intentions in creating BASECAMP FOR MEN is to give the listeners a sense of what the conversations are like inside of men’s wisdom circles.  I thought that if I could shed a light on the types of conversations that happen inside these groups, that more men would get curious and start to look for one near them.

Men inevitably find these groups inspiring, authentic, and uplifting. And they really are for everyone!

This episode addresses this intention and marks the introduction of a segment that I am calling The Warrior Dog Council. This means that each time we do this segment, we will have a small group of men on to answer questions, have a dialogue, etc.

This will give fresh perspectives to our Basecamp listeners, adding more voices on these important topics. We will be adding a Q & A segment to the show where listeners can email in their questions and The Warrior Dog Council will address them. That way the listener will hear multiple insights about a particular challenge that is brought to light.

Thank you for listening and enjoy E10: INSIDE THE MEN’S CIRCLE.

Basecamp for Men E8. The Power of Men’s Groups

E8: The Power of Men’s Groups with Special Guest

Dave Klaus

E8 Introduction

All around the world, every single day, men are gathering in circles. Known as men’s groups, men’s work, or men’s wisdom circles, these groups provide an essential resource to the men who are open enough to seek them out. One of the great gifts of men’s groups is creating environments where men can set their feet on their best path. Men’s groups act as a “basecamp” for the uncertain Hero’s Journey.

What lessons might YOU learn by participating in these circles? You‘ll have your own list. Here are my top five lessons I have learned by growing up inside the men’s movement:
  1. MEN ARE COURAGEOUS. This is something that is important for men to know about themselves. Too many men live their lives in routine and comfort. It can just suck the life out of you. One reason we do men’s work is to access the Hero within to live our most courageous lives.
  2. WHEN IT MATTERS MOST, MEN CAN BE TRUSTED. The more I learn about the real, authentic you, the more I can relate and trust you. When you drop the b.s. and be real with other men, they’ll have your back. I’ve seen it over and over again. Men are incredible!
  3. COLLECTIVE MALE WISDOM IS ALIVE AND WELL. Men have met in circles and counsels since the dawn of man. It‘s in our DNA. When men gather in groups, insights and possibilities arise that simply don‘t surface when men choose to go it alone.
  4. YOU CAN HANDLE HONEST FEEDBACK FROM MEN YOU TRUST. In men’s circles, we learn to give and receive clean feedback that accelerates growth. When feedback is given from the heart, men can hear it and work with it.
  5. LIFE GETS BETTER. When men gather to create powerful groups, life seems to move in a good way. These groups act like a compass for men. It gives you a community that knows you, understands the challenges of manhood, and gives you many opportunities to grow your leadership. Challenges that were depleting your energy are transmuted inside of a masculine circle. The collective feel of the group is that this is making a big difference for me. 

Join Tony and special guest Dave Klaus, editor and writer for On Purpose newsletter, as they talk about the state of masculinity, the value of men’s groups, and share with the listener’s what men‘s groups feel like by doing a traditional “check-in” round for the listeners. Enjoy!

Dave Klaus Bio

Dave is a speaker, writer, community leader, and criminal defense trial lawyer.  He is a skilled facilitator of large and small groups, and has honed these skills in his work with the ManKind Project, and in nearly forty jury trials.  He is an ordained priest with the Hollow Bones Zen Order with a daily meditation and qi gung practice.  His passion is to empower others to find their way to a path of clarity, flexibility, open-hearted connection, and flow in the present moment, so they they may share their gold with the world and effect real change.

E8 Final Thoughts

I really loved speaking with Dave. I feel like him and I could be good friends. It was the first time we did a check-in like we do in the men’s groups and the whole interview had a men’s group sort of feel to it, which is really appropriate for this episode.

I love what Dave said that one of the things he’d like to see from more men is this willingness to be uncomfortable. I agree. If men are willing to step into new environments for learning, such as the men’s weekend and these groups, it grows their capacity to sit  and be present with what is uncomfortable in life. This will always lead to growth and new insights.

And go subscribe to On Purpose Newsletter at https://mkpusa.org/onpurposenews/. Dave is a really good writer and if these topics interest you, you will find this newsletter refreshing in its authenticity.

Basecamp for Men E7: How to Raise a Boy

E7: How to Raise a Boy with Special Guest

Dr. Michael Reichert

 

E7 Introduction

We certainly live in perilous times for boys. As restrictive as the man box is for men, the pressures that boys feel to conform and measure up is relentless. Boys experience performative pressures from parents and teachers and pressures to conform to the standards of other boys version of masculinity which often entails a clear pecking order, bullying and ridicule to enforce the pecking order, and no place for kids that are outsiders or slightly different or even if they are introverted, which many boys are.

And school curriculum is not constructed with boys in mind. If it was, you would see a lot more projects that take the boys outside and into the world. And you would see more creative offerings in the curriculum. Has any school ever asked the boys what THEY want to learn or what’s important to THEM? I doubt it.

I am raising a son who is now twelve years old and his mother and I are readying ourselves for the teen years that are upon us with all that entails. I am certainly no expert on raising a boy. Like most parents, my approach has been trial and error, heart on my sleeve as I do my best to track my son’s needs and changes. What is the right amount of support? What is too much? What does he seem ready for? These are the questions that parents constantly have in their minds and hearts and it all comes with a great deal of anxiety. Am I screwing him up?

I once heard a bit of wisdom about children and I don’t remember its source but it has stuck with me. That our children don‘t belong to us. They belong to the world.  Our job as parents and caretakers is to do our best to train them for the world. They have their own destiny and their own song to sing. If we can get our own expectations and our own childhood wounds out of the way and hear our sons and daughters unique song, we can help them find their best path in the world. Maybe that is the best we can do for them.

The whole process takes trust. As parents, I think we need to feel the freedom of not having the stakes so high. Mistakes will be made, feelings will get hurt. I think the best thing I can give my son is belief in him. Not necessarily a belief that he will achieve a certain outcome but belief that he has the resources to follow his heart, to be true to himself.

My guest today is an expert on parenting and the needs of boys in particular.

Dr. Michael Reichert Bio

Dr. Michael Reichert is a psychologist, the founding director of the Center for the Study of Boys and Girls Lives at the University of Pennsylvania, and a clinical practitioner specializing in boys and men who has also conducted extensive research globally.

Visit Dr. Reichart at https://www.michaelcreichert.com/publications

E7 Final Thoughts

I hope you got some valuable insights from our time with Dr. Reichert. I know I certainly did. I highly recommend his book How to Raise a Boy: The Power of Connection to Build Good Men. It’s available at all the usual places. The book has very relevant information and stories in it and Michael is a very good writer. Anyone raising a son will benefit from having it on their book shelf.

I immediately took Michael’s advice with my son. When I was tucking him in last night I said that I would like to make a weekly time with him. One to two hours where we get to do whatever HE wants to do: play Fortnite, go take pictures somewhere, go to the sporting good store or play golf or catch, whatever HE wants to do. His reaction? He beamed at me and said “Really?, that sounds awesome” And then he said, “ I sometimes feel that I don’t get enough one-on-one time with you.” I`m very grateful for Dr. Reichert for suggesting this.

This seems like a great approach to our sons, no matter what their age is. Make time with them, let them lead, and like Dr. Reichert says, delight in their presence and imagination. Go have fun with that all you Dads have a Happy Father’s Day and we’ll see you next week.

 

Basecamp for Men E6: Raise Your Energy

E6: Raise Your Energy with

Special Guest David Carico

 

E6 Introduction

As men, we are measured by society’s old narrative by how much we DO. And we have become really good at DOING THINGS but we have not been taught the value of slowing down. The old narrative says if we slow down, we might fall behind. Is this really true? As men with inner power, do we really not have time for ourselves? It‘s an interesting assumption, isn’t it?

Almost every man I know, myself included, could benefit from more slow time or Soul time. I have three favorite ways of slowing down and I share them with you in this episode. All three of these approaches has a deeply restorative effect on my mind, body, and spirit.

I know some men who use fishing or nature hikes as a way to enter this space. The point is for you to find yours. Sometimes men will decompress by fiddling with their phones or watching TV. I would counsel you to take a look at some other, more mindful approaches. Doing so will bring your energy and self-care up several notches. Try it out for yourself and see and, as usual, I will leave resources for you at the end of the show.

David Carico Bio

David Carico has been practicing Continuum for more than twenty years. He has been a long-time pupil of master Continuum teacher Beth Pettingill-Riley, a good friend of mine. David has been a facilitator and small group leader within the Breaththrough Men’s Community for many years helping men to examine issues of childhood trauma, gender conditioning, and social oppression.   David is a lawyer, handling appeals in civil and criminal cases for 35 years, a father of two successful adult women and a recent grandfather.

E6 Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed my conversation with David and I hope you found it valuable as well. I appreciate the insights and thoughtfulness that David brings to important issues for men. And he really embodies the wisdom that comes from finding time to slow down.

So, the end of show resources for you men are as follows: Meditation, you can find a million and one You Tube videos on meditation. You can sit in silence, use mantra or sound, walk through a guided meditation.  There really is a treasure there waiting for you to discover.

If the conversation about SOMATIC MOVEMENT interests you, go to www.ismeta.orgto find a class or teacher near you.  I highly recommend it.