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.

 

Basecamp for Men E220: Growing Our Courage

E220: Growing Our Courage with Special Guest

Cliff Buenavista

 

E220 Introduction

Today was a fun interview for me. Why? Because it is with an very old friend of mine. Someone who I used to sit at the pub with and talk philosophy, existentialism, God and Spirit, along with more mundane topics like who was better the Seahawks or the 49ers.

You know how fond I am of the Hero’s Journey (both individually and collectively). Not all my old drinking buddies have taken a particularly courageous path. No judgment. Just like we mention in this interview, many will be called, most will stay back in the Shire, to use a Lord of the Rings reference. Without a clear picture of the battle or even what is at stake. But the more heroic will answer the call and do whatever they can to assist humanity. These are the times we live in.

One of the questions to ask is this: Who do we need to be as men in these times? What is our most courageous path? What do I need to do in my next chapter? What does humanity and God need from me next?

My guest today is an old friend who has answered the call. What a blessing it is to know these Warriors and I am fortunate to talk to more and more of them on this show. I like to give the vibe in these discussions as two friends sitting around the fire talking about what is REALLY going on. And it is easy when you have known each other as long as I have know my guest today. Enjoy!

Cliff Buenavista Bio

My guest today is my good friend Cliff Buenavista. Cliff is a Christian, a husband and father of 2 children and is a project manager at Nvidia. Cliff has maintained his sobriety for nearly 4 years, a true Hero’s Journey. Here is my interview with Cliff Buenavista.

E220 Final Thoughts

Well I hope you enjoyed our time with Cliff as much as I did. Like I said, him and I go WAAAAAY back and have both taken the road less travelled. I hope you heard something today that inspired you and gives you courage on YOUR Hero’s Journey. And go get some swag at Stand Up Now Apparel, they are offering all you Basecampers a great deal with 10 % off and free shipping by simply using the code “basecamp”.

Thank you Basecampers and we‘ll see you around the fire next week.