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.

Basecamp for Men E274: Basecamp Classic

E274: Basecamp Classic w Paul Dunion

 

E274 Introduction

Today’s episode is a Basecamp Classic, meaning a replay of a top shelf episode from seasons past. I try to keep these to only 4 or 5 a year. I like to use them whenever we are a little low on content. I have a bunch of good interviews coming up but needed something this week. Plus for the new listeners, you may have missed a few gems from back in the day.

This episode is a really good one. It’s from all the way back to season two. The original title was E 46: Wisdom for Uncertain Times w Special Guest Paul Dunion. It is a fitting theme for today, the episode holds up well all these years later, and Paul has always been one of my favorite guests to interview. You genuinely feel you are sitting around the fire with a true master. Enjoy this Basecamp Classic.

Basecamp for Men E266: Humility and the Hero’s Journey

E266: Humility and the Hero‘s Journey w Special Guest Beth Martens

 

E266 Introduction

Every once in in awhile, I come across a guest with similar interests as myself. I am not talking about sports or Bitcoin or the dismantling of the Deep State. All things I am deeply fascinated with.

No, the interests I am talking about is my long-term fascination and study of myth, archetypes, and the Hero’s Journey. These tools have taught me so much in such a short period of time, that is if you consider 20 or 25 years to be a short period of time. In may ways these things have made me who I am today.

When you work with archetypes and myth, something seems to awaken in your Soul. A remembrance perhaps. And a wisdom emerges. That my life belongs to something deeper and bigger than just myself and my little ego.

There is a very noticeable and powerful impact that living this way has on oneself and those around you. You no longer live this life with so much struggle and angst. Quite the contrary. There is a lightness emerges that comes with right-sizing the ego. The Divine Light (Christ, God, Goddess, however you conceive this Divinity) can shine through and speak through you. The seeker of the Grail becomes a resonance for others to also seek the Soul within.

The more you do this, the more you trust it. I have seen it a thousand times in both myself and those around me.

Something is emerging in humanity right now. We seem to be in the midst of reclaiming something that most people aren’t even aware that we had lost. It is the most fascinating time to be alive.

I am always grateful to speak to a fellow traveler. A woman who has done the work to understand both her own Hero’s Journey but also helps others make sense of their life chapters using this same powerful lenses and tools. Enjoy the interview!

Beth Martens Bio

My guest today is Beth Martens. Beth is a mystic and teacher, a musician, an author and a podcaster. She is also a woman with a deep knowledge of archetypes and the Hero’s Journey. Here is my interview w Beth Martens.

E266 Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed that interview as much as I did. I have the privilege of coming onto Beth’s podcast the King Hero’s Journey podcast. That is perfect for the two of us. I will share details as we get there. Thank you Basecampers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basecamp for Men E265: The Courage to Face Addiction

E265: The Courage to Face Addiction with Special Guest Sathiya Sam

 

E265 Introduction

Addiction, the Hero’s Journey, Shadow Work, and Men’s Groups. These are all topics, frames, and narrative tools that I have worked with personally and witnessed countless men skillfully navigate the challenges they face.

Shadow work is funny. Men have a tendency to want to project a confident, flawless, high status and achievement oriented persona to face the world. And so often, the shadow (which we define as all the things we hide, repress, and deny about ourselves) lurks and grows stronger with each passing year. The addiction that we can’t seem to get a handle on. The wound that keeps festering.

The Hero’s Journey is nothing if not a mythical context to grow courage in ourselves. And every addict (myself included) who has ever wrestled with this shadowy material knows a delightful truth. That addressing your addiction, whether that is alcohol, drugs, pornography, or technology, has positive ramifications for not just the individual, but the whole family lineage and, indeed, the whole human tribe.

We are courageous by nature Basecampers. Our addictions and Hero’s Journey are a way to really KNOW this in our hearts and in our Soul. The Hero’s Journey always leads to someplace unexpected and valuable. The former addict becomes a mentor, helping others. The restless young man with no mission or positive direction finds clarity and his path in life once the shadow is seen and worked with.

I have seen it a bunch and so has my guest today. A wonderful teacher and testament to looking at the dragon that nobody wants to look at. And then building a bridge for the next man and then the next.

I enjoyed this conversation more than just about any in recent memory. And you can tell that his work is right in alignment with our values here at Basecamp. Enjoy the interview.

Sathiya Sam Bio

My guest today is Sathiya Sam. Sathiya is a father, husband, coach, international speaker, and author. A former university researcher, then a pastor, and now the creator of Deep Clean and Liberated Man programs born out of Sathiya’s 15 year addiction recovery and the life he’s built since. Here is my interview with Sathiya Sam.

E265 Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed that interview as much as I did. What a great mission Sathiya is on and what a great offering for men. There are addiction programs out there but I don’t see one that offers so many of the tools that we preach here on this show.

 

Basecamp for Men E252: The Way of the Soul

E252: The Way of the Soul with Special Guest Dr. James Hollis

 

E252 Introduction

Today‘s episode is a special one for me as I get to speak with someone so well versed in depth psychology and the way of the Soul. To me, these interviews have a timeless quality to them as my guest and I talk about life’s most important questions and how a brave and sensitive Soul might go about navigating these questions and finding a true path for oneself.

We seem to be in the midst of a profound collective identity crisis. And I believe it is a calling back to Soul itself that will most help humanity emerge with new perspectives, new life, and a renewed sense of vitality and purpose. Turbulent times seem to guide and prod us to find our deepest resources within.

Before we get to our excellent guest, I wanted to read you a passage from one of his 19 books.

“As children we suffer the wounds of too-muchness or not-enoughness, feeling overwhelmed or abandoned, and wind up adapting our Souls to protect our wounds.

What a difference it would make in the life of the child, and of the whole world, if the parent could repeatedly, sincerely, say ‘You are brought into life by nature having all you need. You have a great force, a great spirit, a great energy within.

Trust it, stay in contact with it, and it will always lead you towards what is right for you.”

Profound words from a very wise man. Enjoy the interview.

Dr. James Hollis Bio-

My guest today is renowned author and teacher Dr. James Hollis. Dr. Hollis is the author of nineteen books (soon to be 20) and is a Washington DC-based Jungian analyst and speaker. Here is my interview with Dr. James Hollis.