ManTalks Podcast

The Psychology Of The Man Child - Carl Jung and the Puer Aeternus

10 snips
Sep 18, 2025
Explore Carl Jung's intriguing concept of the Puer Aeternus, or the 'man-child.' Topics include how this archetype manifests as procrastination and a fear of responsibility. Myths like Icarus and Peter Pan illustrate the allure of perpetual youth, while also exposing its shadow side. Discover five actionable strategies for growth, such as accepting limitations and embracing the ordinary. Learn to honor your creative energy without being dominated by it, and the importance of seeking mentorship on the journey to becoming an integrated man.
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INSIGHT

Eternal Child Archetype Defined

  • The puer aeternus is a fixation on youth and potential that avoids responsibility and reality.
  • That avoidance traps people in nostalgia, procrastination, and wasted potential.
INSIGHT

Fantasy Over Commitment

  • The eternal boy prefers fantasy and possibility over committing to hard, ordinary work.
  • Living provisionally means experiences stay ghost-like and never realize into actual achievement.
ANECDOTE

Host’s Personal Example

  • Connor shares his own past of avoiding commitment to jobs and careers as an example of the puer.
  • He frames that personal history to show how the archetype keeps one a spectator in life.
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