Mojo for the Modern Man

In this profound exchange, Matt  Thieleman and I delve into his formative years growing up near Detroit, Michigan, marked by a sense of spiritual curiosity that set him apart. Amid reminiscing about his fondness for reading and outdoor activities, Matt opens up about his unique journey seeking deeper meaning, even when met with some intense challenges. He candidly shares the impact of his father's struggles on his identity and relationships, revealing how his father's passing led to embracing his true self and navigating inner healing. Our dialogue underscores the importance of confronting complex emotions for genuine growth and self-acceptance, all within the backdrop of personal experiences and mentorship's guiding influence.From Matt: As a transformational coach, speaker, advisor, and visionary, I work with leaders and change-makers to help them live more fully into their purpose and share their masterpieces with the world.I educate and train coaches to be world-class in their fields and to help their own clients in reaching their maximum potential. I am passionate about helping others in realizing their dreams and making a positive difference in the world.As a transformational coach, speaker, advisor, and visionary, I work with leaders and change-makers to help them live more fully into their purpose and share their masterpieces with the world.I educate and train coaches to be world-class in their fields and to help their own clients in reaching their maximum potential. I am passionate about helping others in realizing their dreams and making a positive difference in the world.Website: https://goldenbristle.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/thieleman1LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattthielemanFaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/goldenbristleInstagram: http://instagram.com/thieleman1

Eldra Jackson III joins us once again, and we hit the ground running, diving into his life's most valuable lessons. Hailing from a challenging background, he spoke of the significance of self-worth and the often overlooked role of support, especially for men. His own journey highlighted the immeasurable power of authenticity and embracing one's past for personal growth. Before we wrap up Act 2, Eldra touches on the pivotal importance of self-acceptance, personal evolution, and propelling oneself ahead.A writer and sought after public speaker on the topics of at-risk youth advocacy, effective criminal justice rehabilitation and turning around ‘toxic’ masculinity, Eldra brings clarity of purpose, mission focus, and inspiration to his role at Inside Circle. He was an inmate at New Folsom Prison when he found Inside Circle and began the inner personal journey that eventually led to his release in 2014 and his current leadership role. A living example of successful rehabilitation and re-entry, Eldra has dedicated his free time on the outside to serving at-risk youth, acting as a facilitator, trainer, and mentor for organizations like Youth Empowerment and Goals Association, Shoulder to Shoulder, and the Alternatives to Violence Project.Website: https://insidecircle.org/

In this deeply insightful conversation, Eldra Jackson III fearlessly shared his life journey, from growing up as a military brat during the Cold War era to facing the consequences of his choices, leading to incarceration. He opened up about the constructs he created to protect himself and how they shaped his path, though despite the darkness, Eldra found strength in resilience and the importance of self-forgiveness, highlighting the significance of seeking support within a men's group. His transformation is a testament to the power of self-discovery, passion, and courage, reminding us that taking the first step paves the way forward.A writer and sought after public speaker on the topics of at-risk youth advocacy, effective criminal justice rehabilitation and turning around ‘toxic’ masculinity, Eldra brings clarity of purpose, mission focus, and inspiration to his role at Inside Circle. He was an inmate at New Folsom Prison when he found Inside Circle and began the inner personal journey that eventually led to his release in 2014 and his current leadership role. A living example of successful rehabilitation and re-entry, Eldra has dedicated his free time on the outside to serving at-risk youth, acting as a facilitator, trainer, and mentor for organizations like Youth Empowerment and Goals Association, Shoulder to Shoulder, and the Alternatives to Violence Project.Website: https://insidecircle.org/

Dustin Devries joins us once again and we hop right into a deep conversation about the impact of his parents’ divorce, and how despite that separation, Dustin strives to be as great a parent to his children as they are to him. Before wrapping up Act 2, Dustin shares some insights into his journey of healing from testicular cancer, how it has impacted him as a man, and how gratitude can change lives.Living and breathing software strategy and architecture, Dustin has been building software for over 20 years. He really enjoys working with clients to determine the right technology, whether it’s a web application framework like Django or NodeJS, or a simple CMS solution like WordPress. He received his BS in Computer Engineering from Texas A&M University.During his spare time, Dustin enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, playing guitar, running, and hanging out with his family.Website: https://caffeineinteractive.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinbdevries/Twitter: https://twitter.com/dustindevries

Dustin Devries, a born, raised, and proud citizen of Texas, begins our conversation with tales from his childhood, the lessons from being an only child, and how it was to grow up in the “post-pinball” era. Before we wrap up Act 1, Dustin shares some sage advice on tapping into the wisdom of our experiences, leaving us with some great advice for any man who is looking to begin a journey of healing his inner child. Living and breathing software strategy and architecture, Dustin has been building software for over 20 years. He really enjoys working with clients to determine the right technology, whether it’s a web application framework like Django or NodeJS, or a simple CMS solution like WordPress. He received his BS in Computer Engineering from Texas A&M University.During his spare time, Dustin enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, playing guitar, running, and hanging out with his family.Website: https://caffeineinteractive.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinbdevries/Twitter: https://twitter.com/dustindevries

Tina Meyers joins us once again, and she opens up our conversation with advice on how to center oneself, slow down the world, and find your voice within. We discuss the importance of intuition, vulnerability, and the healing journey that Tina has embarked on as a leader. Before our conversation ends, we discuss how a person can strengthen their intuition, and just how much our lives stand to gain by attuning to that inner wisdom.After working as an environmental and social justice attorney and clean water advocate for several years, Tina was exhausted and felt like she was fighting to no avail, even when she won cases and received national awards. Knowing there must be something more, she switched paths and received her Master's degree in Spiritual Psychology and trained to become a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) with the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI) and a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coach Federation. In working individually and with groups of women leaders and advocates, Tina has successfully combined her advocacy and conflict resolution background with her natural passion and fire to help those who help others.  She founded Tina Meyers Intuitive Coaching in 2016, Women Advocates Rising in 2018 and WARRIOR SCHOOL for women leaders in 2020.Tina now leads women leaders through one-on-one intensive coaching, workshops, conflict resolution and mastermind programs. Both individual and group work empower women leaders to create a life where they feel more balanced, inspired, joyful and effective at fighting for their cause. Tina’s coaching supports women to get in touch with the answers they already have within themselves and move past any challenges or doubts they might face.Tina is also global faculty at CTI, where she leads transformational coach training courses.  She was also a manager for four years in CTI’s organizational department, where she brought powerful coaching and leadership development into organizations.  She loves hip hop dancing, is obsessed with personal growth, and lives in Knoxville, Tennessee with her two kitty babies, Hazel and Neka.Website: http://www.tinameyersintuitive.com/

Tina Meyers joins us today, and we dive right into stories about her time as a young girl in Buffalo, NY, and how her sensitive disposition contrasted those around her. A quiet and creative child who loved the water, Tina eventually became a lawyer, where she finally found her voice in the world. Before wrapping up Act 1, we converse about the power of stepping out of comfort zones, the importance of listening to the heart and finding the courage to look outside of ourselves in the pursuit of service. After working as an environmental and social justice attorney and clean water advocate for several years, Tina was exhausted and felt like she was fighting to no avail, even when she won cases and received national awards. Knowing there must be something more, she switched paths and received her Master's degree in Spiritual Psychology and trained to become a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) with the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI) and a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coach Federation. In working individually and with groups of women leaders and advocates, Tina has successfully combined her advocacy and conflict resolution background with her natural passion and fire to help those who help others.  She founded Tina Meyers Intuitive Coaching in 2016, Women Advocates Rising in 2018 and WARRIOR SCHOOL for women leaders in 2020. Tina now leads women leaders through one-on-one intensive coaching, workshops, conflict resolution and mastermind programs. Both individual and group work empower women leaders to create a life where they feel more balanced, inspired, joyful and effective at fighting for their cause. Tina’s coaching supports women to get in touch with the answers they already have within themselves and move past any challenges or doubts they might face. Tina is also global faculty at CTI, where she leads transformational coach training courses.  She was also a manager for four years in CTI’s organizational department, where she brought powerful coaching and leadership development into organizations.  She loves hip hop dancing, is obsessed with personal growth, and lives in Knoxville, Tennessee with her two kitty babies, Hazel and Neka.Website: http://www.tinameyersintuitive.com/

Christopher Maher continues our discussion with an enlightening conversation about the power in lowering the defenses of the ego, and really going toe to toe with the deepest parts of ourselves. He muses on the intelligence of the body, the wonders of our defense systems, and just how they might actually work to our detriment, transforming stress into trauma. Before wrapping, Christopher leaves us with powerful words on the importance of being vulnerable with ourselves - and how elevating our connection with the body and its interplay with our mind can help us navigate any challenge.At the age of 22, Christopher Lee Maher was a Navy SEAL, in his prime with a sleek 1.8% body fat and pound for pound, he was one of the fittest people on the planet. He was also completely unaware of the full impact that stress would eventually have on his physical, mental, energetic, and emotional wellbeing.He trained all day long, at a level on par with professional athletes. In fact, after the SEALs, he began focusing on his dream of making it to the US Olympic trials, in track and field. A lack of awareness of the impact of high stored stress loads kept him from ever manifesting his dream.Website: https://truebodyintelligence.com/FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/truebodyintelligenceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truebodyintelligence/about/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truebodyintelligence/

Christopher Maher, a former Navy SEAL, author, and practitioner of traditional medicine, shares his harrowing journey from a tumultuous youth to finding resilience. He reflects on the challenges of his home life, his time in Kinderhaus—a group home that provided fleeting stability—and the transformative power of emotional self-reliance. Before wrapping up Act 1, he shares a story about how a night in jail sparked a soul-searching conversation with a mirror, forever changing his life.At the age of 22, Christopher Lee Maher was a Navy SEAL, in his prime with a sleek 1.8% body fat and pound for pound, he was one of the fittest people on the planet. He was also completely unaware of the full impact that stress would eventually have on his physical, mental, energetic, and emotional wellbeing.He trained all day long, at a level on par with professional athletes. In fact, after the SEALs, he began focusing on his dream of making it to the US Olympic trials, in track and field. A lack of awareness of the impact of high stored stress loads kept him from ever manifesting his dream. Website: https://truebodyintelligence.com/FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/truebodyintelligenceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truebodyintelligence/about/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truebodyintelligence/

Dan Doty recounts a pivotal moment with mentor Jim in Ecuador, igniting his passion for adventure and self-discovery. They discuss embracing risk, founding a men's organization, navigating fatherhood, and the importance of solidarity among men. A thought-provoking glimpse into personal growth and community.