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.

 

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 E40: Optimizing Your Health

E40: Optimizing Your Health with Mary Purdy

 

E40 Introduction

One of our sub-topics here on Basecamp is health and wellness for men. Many men I know are rethinking health, self-care, and diet. It used to be that men didn’t give these things too much thought. It was actually considered unmanly to speak of taking better care of yourself, of getting proper rest, of having a body that is flexible and feeling, of eating better food. Athletes would consider these because they are more tuned into how they feel. However, everyday men would often skip over these important topics.

With the release of the pro-plant based diet documentary The Game Changers, men are starting to have serious conversations about diet. Especially the pros and cons of a plant-based diet. And I am committed to continue to co-create the narrative with you on men and self-care here on Basecamp for Men.

My hope is that by listening to the show, you gain new perspectives and come away with a few new resources every show. If you are finding new tools that uplift and improve your life and your energy, then I’m serving my mission. Thank you men.

 Mary Purdy Bio-

My guest today is a friend and a nutrition and health expert.

Mary Purdy holds a Master’s Degree from Bastyr University where she is currently a member of the adjunct faculty. She has given over 100 nutrition workshops, speaks regularly at health and nutrition conferences and was the keynote speaker at Bastyr University’s Commencement Ceremony 2019. Additionally, she hosts the podcast THE Nutrition Show (formerly “Mary’s Nutrition Show”) and is author of the book “Serving the Broccoli Gods.”

Here is my interview with Mary Purdy.

 

 

Basecamp for Men E38: Mentoring Our Boys

E38: Mentoring Our Boys with author Earl Hipp

 

E38 Introduction

The topic of guiding adolescent boys into manhood seems to me an extremely relevant one right now. As a society, we have not created the initiatory structures that enable our young people to come into manhood as a celebration. We almost dread it when a boy is creeping towards manhood, as if that is a terrible thing. What sort of message does that send our boys? Is being a man really that awful? Do men not have anything to offer? Or is it the cultural conditioning that is in dire need of being upgraded? How come boys aren’t properly celebrated as they enter the tribe of men?

There has been a movement to create rites-of-passage trainings for boys but we need more. We need more imperfect men stepping up to mentor adolescent boys.

My guest today exemplifies being committed to helping our boys arrive at manhood as a celebration and with the support of caring, appropriate elders.

Earl Hipp Bio-

Earl Hipp is an author, speaker, adviser to mentoring groups, and community consultant. Since 1982, Earl has been involved with organizations that focus on men’s issues and development. He speaks at national conferences and delivers workshops across the country, teaching organizations how to call men to mentoring.

Since 2005, Earl has published the Man-Making Blog, discussing manhood, male culture, mentoring, and men’s rites of passage. His mission is to help men discover and use their innate man-making gifts, so fewer boys (and men) are left to wander alone in the dangerous never-never land between boyhood and manhood.

Lastly, here is a quote from Meladona Some, an African spiritual teacher, “When a civilization lacks rites of passage, its soul is sick. The evidence for this sickness is threefold: first, there are no elders; second, the young are violent; and third, the adults are bewildered.”