Basecamp for Men E333: Men and Personal Growth

E333: Men and Personal Growth w Special Guest Joshua Aranda

 

E333 Introduction

There is something really sweet for me whenever I get to chat with a younger man who is doing and leading menswork and men’s groups. The conversation is always authentic and real and, even though we have gone over many of the themes that are central to the challenges that men face on this show, it always seems fresh and relevant and alive.

Today’s conversation is no exception. My guest and I tackle all sorts of things that are relevant to men and those that love them. We talk about the importance of getting out of your comfort zone (and what happens when you don’t). We cover male initiation and ask ourselves (and you dear listener): how do you know when life’s inevitable initiations are enough or when you need accelerated growth? And if you are looking for accelerated growth, what does that look like?

We also cover the perception that all men’s groups are weird, soft, or religious. Do men’s groups have to be these things? We talk about male loneliness and how widespread and important it is as a teacher. And lastly, we talk about male role models and how it takes more than just the father to teach a boy how to be a man. It requires the friends, uncles, elders, and community to help the young man fully arrive at manhood.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Two men sitting around the fire speaking truth about what men are really facing and how we support one another. Enjoy the episode!

Joshua Aranda Bio

My guest today is Joshua Aranda. Joshua is a father, an executive coach, and an ultra-endurance athlete. He is also the CEO and co-founder of Mission Matters Group, a consulting agency dedicated to transforming and optimizing operations for nonprofit organizations.

Basecamp for Men E298: Basecamp Classic

E298: Basecamp Classic

 

E298 Introduction

Well, with all sorts of things going on including getting over to our new house in central Washington and my beloved Seattle Mariners making the playoffs and scoring tickets, I just ran out of runway to get you something useful by Tues.

But do not fear Basecampers, we have our trusty Basecamp Classics where I take a real gem from our extensive back catalogue and offer it to you again. These are not random selections. I do my best to get you some of my best content and episodes that still feel really relevant to what is going on in the world and what might be going on with you personally.

This one is from back in season #4 with James Rapson titled Freeing Yourself from “Niceness”. It is perfect for all you people-pleasers out there and I used to be one of them. A healthy dose of menswork cured me of it and James and I talk all about it in the episode.

Also, I want to write a short episode on the storm that we are all facing. It seems the rapidly changing landscape is creating all sorts of inner chaos and turmoil as we all prepare for our black belt test in how fast can you integrate new inputs and a changing reality. Are you following me? I think I can write a juicy Firestarter in the next week or two.

For the time being, enjoy this Basecamp Classic with James Rapson.

Basecamp for Men E291: The Importance of Male Friendships

E291: The Importance of Male Friendships w Kim Eversen

 

E291 Introduction

There is something strange in our culture that tells its men (young and old) that you don‘t really need authentic, loving male friendships to live your best life. It is actually one of the most harmful beliefs that a man can internalize.

For far too long too many men have isolated and suffered, leading lives of quiet desperation when in fact, the deeper truth is that men long for authentic connections amongst the male tribe.

As many of you know, I have long been an advocate for men’s groups and soulful, deeper friendships amongst men. My bond with the male tribe is one of the most enduring gifts that I have ever been given. The names and faces have changed over the decades, but my love and respect and admiration for my male friends is a bedrock of my life.

It’s important that a man have a group where he can unpack life’s challenges and express his deeper truths. For these deeper truths, if left unexpressed, will eat away at a man, sapping his energy, leaving a cloud our pall over the man. Without healthy male friendships, a man will become a more repressed, shadowy version of himself.

Part of being free flowing in our joy and our feelings is being able to authentically express our inner life to other men. To talk about how things REALLY are with us. It is also important to hear from other men as another man may perfectly capture some shadowy truth about yourself that has been dormant for decades. I have seen this dozens, if not hundreds of times.

I don’t often get to connect with a younger man who is completely committed to championing male friendships. So much so that he has written two books about the topic and started an organization called Brothers to spread the word. Love it! Enjoy the interview.

KIM EVERSEN BIO

 My guest today is Kim Eversen. Kim is an author, a leader, and the founder of Brothers, an organization that champions the importance of male friendship. Here is my interview with Kim Eversen. Enjoy!

 

Basecamp for Men E290: Men and Authenticity

E290: Men and Authenticity

 

E290 Introduction

Man, I have been loving these conversations with men who are committed to the Hero’s Journey and the soulful conversations that are a natural extension of the initiatory path. Whenever I find myself in these circles and conversations, it is a bit like a homecoming.

As a man who has engaged in these topics many times in many different settings, I find the depth to be reassuring and supportive of my own choices moving forward. Small talk is fine for a bit but the Soul longs to hear what is REALLY happening and it is our duty as men to provide the road signs for the men who will follow in our footsteps. It is important to leave footprints along the faint trail for otherwise how will our sons and nephews and grandsons know where to find sturdy footing in an unsure world. Myth will continue to be our guiding light, if only we let it in and receive the messages.

For those that are attuned to the new frequency, it is our sacred duty (is it not) to do our best to hold the flame of Divine Truth or the light of the Christ or the Universal heartbeat in ourselves as a lighthouse for what is unfolding. I can think of no higher purpose than this.

My guest today is a new friend of mine and someone that I have really enjoyed getting to know. Enjoy the interview.

John Owensby Bio

 My guest today is John Owensby. John is a Neurolinguistic Programming facilitator and a relationship coach who has been deeply influenced by the Mankind Project and the mens personal development movement. Something we both share. Here is my interview w John Owensby.

E290 Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed that conversation as much as I did with my friend John Owensby. These are the kinds of dialogue that all men need to be a part of…deeper conversations about Shadow and Light, the Soul’s Journey and how men can support and assist one another in the upcoming important chapters that we all face.

 

Basecamp for Men E280: The Circle of Men

E280: The Circle of Men with Special Guest Jimmie Allen

 

E280 Introduction

As many of you know, this show was originally conceived years ago as a show to assist men in their personal development and living in a more authentic and courageous fashion. Front and center to my philosophy is the central and essential role of men’s groups and retreats to awaken and accelerate the Hero on his most authentic path.

The benefits of this approach for men has yielded some of the best men that I know and I know a lot of men. The truth is that men (and women) admire men who live with a lot of heart. For to live with a lot of heart means you need to peel back some of the shadow and trauma and armor that has kept the heart from leading the man.

I have seen this so many times in men’s retreats and circles. It can seem daunting at first to the uninitiated. The good news? You aren’t in it alone. In fact, you absolutely need other men in your corner, fighting for you and modeling truth and authenticity where there was previously denial and repression.

The whole thing takes on a sort of mythical theme as we witness one another build skills that will take us to new heights as men. Some of these skills like greater emotional intelligence and clarity of purpose, act almost like super-powers for men as you do the work.

You find that your ego attachment starts to loosen as you let go of patterns that no longer serve your higher purpose, cooperation with the male tribe begins to replace reflexive competitiveness, you start to stand a little taller as you realize that all of us men share common themes and common wounds.

Let’s go talk about all this and more with my friend Jimmie, who is putting together a great retreat and I have the honor to co-create and co-lead. Enjoy the episode.

Jimmie Allen Bio

My guest today is Jimmie Allen. Jimmie is a friend, a father, a leader in men’s personal development, and a fitness and personal trainer. Here is my interview with Jimmie Allen. 

E280 Final Thoughts 

Hope you enjoyed listening in on a couple of friends talking about men and masculinity. Come join us at the Duckabush Men’s Retreat on July 25th, 26th, and 27th. I promise you that will come out of it feeling blessed and better connected to yourself and to the men all around you. You can reach out to Jimmie or myself to get yourself registered. Jimmie mentioned his website at jallenedeavors.com and my best email for this would be tonyrezac05@gmail.com. Either will do the trick.