The Mythic Masculine

My guest today is my good friend Tad Hargrave.Tad is the founder of Marketing for Hippies with a mission to restore the beauty of the marketplace. He teaches folks who have a desire to do good, but hate marketing, how to articulate their work with elegance and effectiveness.Tad has spent years learning his ancestral language of Scottish Gaelic in Nova Scotia and on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. As well, for over a decade we have both attended the Orphan Wisdom School with Stephen Jenkinson in Ontario, where we have many fond memories in the teaching hall. In recent years, he’s turned towards studying ancient history, comparative mythology and Indo-European folklore.In our conversation today, Tad has turned towards the fairy tale Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty) and what it might have to stay about the indigenous memory of Europe. Chances are, you’ve seen the Disney version of the story, though I would highly recommend you pause this episode and read the original Grimm’s tale before continuing.Read the Grimm’s version hereTad and I focus in on a particular moment, when after a 100 years of enchanted sleep, the prince approaches the briar hedge that encircles the castle and the Beauty lying within. We explore themes of seduction versus courtship and degradation of trust between men and women. We speak about the historical role of the Court and the tragedy of extracting too much from Nature’s innate abundance.And finally, we explore how folk tales can hold practical wisdom for modern masculinity and how to sustain the mutual life between humans and the holy.The Mythic Masculine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.DON’T MISS Tad and his collaborator Kakisimow Iskwew have a number of deeper dives into the story of Briar Rose:* Briar Rose - 6 Week Online Program Begins Jan 5th* All details on Briar Rose OfferingsMORE LINKS* Tad’s website Marketing for Hippies* Tad’s Substack ‘On Culture Making’SHOW NOTES 03:46 Welcoming Tad Hargrave 04:43 The Origin of Marketing for Hippies 05:47 Exploring the Fairy Tale of Briar Rose 06:56 The Symbolism of Briar Rose 11:50 The Dangers of Seduction and Coercion 14:11 The Pickup Artist Experience 25:14 The Concept of Courtship 25:33 The Etymology of Courtship 31:19 The Modern Mimicry of Courtship 39:19 The King's Riddle and Nature's Abundance 40:40 Indigenous Wisdom and Sustainable Harvesting 41:39 The Consequences of Mistrust and Overextraction 43:56 The Art of Courtship in Different Cultures 45:48 The Tale of the Tree of Life 50:22 Mentorship and the Importance of Timing 58:07 The Beauty of Courtship and True Love 01:08:29 The Wisdom in Stories and EldersThe Mythic Masculine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

An engaging invitation opens the door to an online men's circle dedicated to mythopoetics and healthy masculinity. The host reflects on a transformative journey that began with exploring feminine archetypes. He emphasizes the importance of reclaiming erotic energy within a supportive community. Listeners are encouraged to dive deep into the realms of mythology and masculinity, fostering connections that enrich understanding and self-discovery. It's a call to explore the depths of myth and the sacred aspects of being a man.

My guest today is Gabriel Meyer Halevy is a "radical flexitarian minstrel," musician, poet, and spiritual activist, born and raised in Argentina.I first met Gabriel at the Tamera research project in Portugal, where we both attended the Global Love School. We stayed in touch over the years, and this past fall, I hosted Gabriel for a few shows in the Pacific Northwest where he brought this ‘prayerformance’ to the people.During our time, we sat together to record this conversation that delves into Gabriel's personal journey, highlighting his wild adventures as youth, to his life as a poet and musician, to his interfaith reconciliation efforts in Israel and Palestine.We also touch on Gabriel's creative process, including his his forthcoming book ‘On The Verge of The Verb’ that blends mythic fiction with true stories, and his belief that resilient peace involves recognizing the diverse ‘medicines' of different cultures and individuals.One more thing: he is an active core member of the global alliance of spiritual activists "Defend the Sacred," which was inspired by Standing Rock.The Mythic Masculine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.LINKS * Pre-Order “On The Verge of the Verb” - Bookshop or Amazon* Gabriel’s Music on Bandcamp* Gabriel on Facebook & InstagramSHOW NOTES01:39 Introducing Gabriel Meyer02:12 Gabrielle's Early Life and Influences04:01 First Encounters with Tamera06:49 Gabrielle's Activism and Personal Struggles16:17 Journey to Greece and Self-Discovery24:17 Life in Sinai and the Path to Sacred Activism32:43 Return to Israel and the Rainbow Family35:49 Interfaith Connections and Cultural Exchange36:21 The Celestial Wedding and Global Artistic Collaboration36:57 Rekindling Jewish Rituals and Interfacing with Native Cultures37:47 The Second Intifada and Palestinian-Israeli Relations39:33 Sulha: Reconciliation and Peacebuilding Efforts42:24 The Role of Creativity and Compassion in Peacebuilding45:09 Sacred Activism and Global Solidarity50:13 The Power of Music and Storytelling in Healing58:36 Writing and Prophecy: Blending Truth and Vision01:10:31 The Spiritual Stance of the Peacemaker01:16:44 Concluding Thoughts on Peace and Unity This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

Matt Sturm, a transformational coach and author of "The Organic Masculine," dives deep into the evolving landscape of men's work. He shares insights from the recent 'Eating the Shadow' gathering, emphasizing the power of collaboration over competition in redefining masculinity. The conversation highlights the importance of safety, trust, and intimacy in transformational spaces. Sturm also discusses crafting environments that foster genuine connections and explores the role of archetypes and ritual, advocating for a holistic approach to personal growth among men.

Gregory Ganymedes, a passionate advocate for queer mythology and Jungian psychology, dives into the transformative significance of the Ganymede myth. He highlights Ganymede's unique narrative of joyous love and acceptance, contrasting it with typical tragic stories in queer media. The discussion also explores archetypes like Apollo and Dionysus and their relevance in shaping queer identities. Gregory emphasizes the importance of dream analysis for personal growth and the Ganymede Project's efforts to foster community and uplifting narratives for modern queer men.

My guest today is Ned Abenroth, a creative entrepreneur and wilderness guide who has spent much of his adult life tending to transformational spaces.For the last 10 years, he’s worked with Illuman, a global spiritual community that was birthed out of Richard Rohr’s work with male spirituality and rites of passage. In this episode, we explore the distinction between merely growing older and becoming an elder, as well as the cultural gap that has left many adrift without guidance in traversing this threshold. Ned reflect on his personal experiences with grief and illness, having survived an encounter with cancer that reoriented death as a teacher.And finally, he shares insights from creating the Illuman Elder Rites of Passage program, and the role of myth in orienting elderhood not a solitary journey, but one rooted in community, relationality, and service to future generations.The Mythic Masculine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.LINKS * Ned’s Official Website* Illuman Elder Rites of PassageSHOW NOTES* Defining Elderhood: Exploration of the distinction between merely aging and truly becoming an elder, with elderhood seen as a relational and community-rooted journey, not simply a function of age.* Rites of Passage for Elders: Discussion on the Elder Rites of Passage program, emphasizing the process of transition from adulthood to elderhood through rituals, ceremony, and community support.* Cultural Gaps in Elderhood: Reflection on the modern cultural gap that has left many adrift without guidance in the transition to elderhood, especially in Western societies that often lack healthy rites of passage.* Elder as a Verb, Not a Noun: Insight into the idea that eldering is not just an identity, but a function—an ongoing role of service, wisdom, and presence that must be actively embodied.* Grief and Illness as Teachers: Ned shares personal experiences with grief and surviving cancer, which reoriented his relationship to death and positioned it as a profound teacher.* Death and Diminishment: The role of death work in elderhood, helping elders embrace physical diminishment as a sacred process, and learning to hallow one's aging body.* Myth and Elderhood: The importance of myth, particularly the story of Elijah, as a guiding narrative for elders, symbolizing the journey into the unknown, surrender, and transformation.* Impact of Elders on Community: How the presence of true elders strengthens communities, bringing a sense of wisdom, calm, and relational leadership to younger generations.* Ritual Spaces and Eldering: How the role of elders in ritual spaces creates a sense of safety and presence, often serving as the ballast during moments of collective vulnerability.* Elders as Truth Tellers: Elders not only offer comfort and grace but are also responsible for being prophetic voices, unafraid to speak hard truths to their communities.* The Future Vision for Elders: Ned discusses the broader vision of creating rites of passage and eldering programs across diverse communities to reclaim the essential role of elders in modern society. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

It wasn’t long after my entry into “mythopoetic masculinity” back in 2015 that I came across the Minnesota Men’s Gathering, a yearly event that began in 1984 by Robert Bly, author of Iron John.The organization has released a trove of stories & lectures on their Youtube channel from celebrated teachers such as Bly, Lewis Hyde, Martin Prechtel, Martin Shaw, Daniel Deardorff, Malidome Some and many more. I have been tracking their yearly conference with a desire to attend - and when I heard it was the 40th anniversary, I heeded the call. I reached out and confirmed I my attendance, with the aim to produce a podcast episode afterward to share my experience.You’re also welcome to join me at the Minnesota Men’s Conference Oct 1-6, 2024. Get full details on their website.From the official announcement:The conferences were built around the notion that the souls of men were atrophying in a culture that was essentially in the process of colonizing its own people and of de-animating the living world. As an antidote to a culture of emptiness, of shallowness, and of disconnection from the web of being, men came together to work with mythic story, with images, with poetry, We placed ourselves into the mythic, into stories that contain traces of the old pathways to becoming a fully developed human being. The work has continued for 40 years. At this conference, we will look at what has been done, where we have failed, where there have been sweet deepenings, and where the trail may lead. In my pre-gathering podcast conversation today, I speak with conference organizers & storytellers Walton Stanley and Ben Dennis to discuss this moment of legacy and renewal. Both guests share their experiences from the conference, noting its evolution from a focus on Jungian psychology to including broader elements like ritual and influences from indigenous wisdom. They address cultural shifts, the importance of multi-generational participation, and the necessity of a greater narrative for men in today's world.More about my guests:Ben Dennis is a mythologist and writer with a love of story, myth, psychology, psychodrama, and storytelling. His mythic interests include Greek mythology, Native American story, European fairy tale, and Hindu epic literature. Ben holds his PhD in Mythological Studies with an Emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Ben retired from the Seattle Fire Department after 28 years as a fire fighter and training coordinator for the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and Peer Support Team. He leads retreats for Veterans and First Responders, and has been adjunct faculty at Antioch University Seattle.Walton Stanley is a writer and storyteller. He has held a life-long interest in myth, story, and in the power of story to transform the paradigms and frames in which we live. Walton is currently working, with Ben Dennis, on an anthology of selected tales and myths that have been shared in the past 40 years of the Minnesota Men’s Conference He has also completed a book, Following the Wrong God Home, Gilgamesh: The Foundational Myth of Civilization and the Roots of Ecological Collapse exploring th mythic roots of human exceptionalism, and our disconnection from the web of being as expressed in one of humankind’s oldest extant written stories, Gilgamesh.I’d love to hear your comments. Please share below! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

We’re now a month out from our next cohort of The Deep Masculine, a 3 month online journey for men that weaves together mythology, somatics, ritual & brotherhood. I invited my collaborator Deus Fortier to reflect on our initial journey which we launched earlier this year and completed in June.At its core, The Deep Masculine seeks to repattern men's relationships with eros - the primal force of life. Drawing from the mythopoetic men's movement and texts like Robert Bly's "Iron John" and "King, Warrior, Magician, Lover" by Douglas Gillette and Robert Moore, we offer a framework to help men rediscover a more intimate sense of aliveness.In "Iron John," Bly speaks about the Wild Man, the undomesticated male energy that holds the key to a man's soul. This archetype is deeply connected to the wisdom of the earth. Reconnecting with this energy is a recurring theme in our work.It’s important to make a critical distinction between the "wild" and "savage" man. The former is deeply attuned and rightfully placed within the natural order, while the latter is dangerously disconnected. A savage man is willing to shoot up a shopping mall out of their own self-hatred poured forth as rage against others. This understanding is pivotal in redefining what it means to rewild in a positive, life-affirming way.Central to our inquiry is the archetype of The Lover. Modern men’s work often prizes the King and the Warrior while neglecting the Lover, whose sensitivity and emotional depth are essential for integrated masculinity. “The Lover keeps the other masculine energies humane, loving and related to each other.” - Robert Moore & Douglas GiletteShadow work is also a significant part of the journey. Often, aspects of ourselves deemed unacceptable are relegated to the shadow. By integrating these parts, men can reclaim lost vitality and unlock deeper wisdom. This process includes exploring sexual shadow, addiction, and infidelity, and forging a pathway for healthier relationships.In the words of indigenous grandmother Pat McCabe, our ultimate vision is to “realign masculinity with thriving life.” This means developing the Lover's qualities such as courtship and appreciative consciousness, and fostering solidarity among men. If you are drawn to these themes, we invite you to apply for the next cohort beginning in late September. The application process itself is a valuable reflective journey. We’re inviting a global brotherhood to gather around this fire. p.s. On Sept 4, I’m also hosting a free webinar An Introduction to Mythopoetic Masculinity. Open to all genders. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

I’ve had the good fortune to collaborate with Charles on numerous films, including Sacred Economics and The Revolution Is Love, as well as spent time at Tamera’s Love School and other gatherings.Our conversation for the Mythic Masculine (originally released as episode #8) touches on his own interview series on the “new story of masculinity” and what he learned along the way.The major theme, as named in the title, is the archetypal shift of seeing earth primarily as Mother to meeting her as a Lover.This perspective is influenced by the “ecosexual movement”, as Charles writes in his essay featured in the ecosexual anthology:If we have not received Earth’s gifts with gratitude, if we have become so used to them that we keep taking more, obliviously, perhaps we might excuse ourselves by saying that we didn’t know any better. There is a kind of innocence about the belief that Earth has no limit to what she can give. It is the innocence of a child, taking from its mother.[…] It is clear that we are finally hitting some limits. Our childlike innocence is coming, painfully, to an end, as we face the consequences of our despoliation of the earth and the necessity of no longer taking at will.The ecosexual awakening is a direct response to hitting these limits, the waning age of abundance and the ending of our civilization’s childlike relationship to the Earth. We face the necessity of treating Earth not as a mother – a boundless provider of all we need and want – but as a lover, with whom we give and receive in equal measure.This perspective has particular urgency for masculinity, as modern society (based in domination culture) has abandoned proper rites of passage & mentorship for men to cultivate the skills of the archetypal Lover.This is one reason my focus over the last year has been offering exactly this, through Awakening the Wild Erotic (AWE) and The Deep Masculine online cohort.By gathering together as men, my collaborator Deus and I invite men to expand their understanding of Eros - the primary life force of the world - and surrender to its deep intelligence.When attuned to a lover, we can understand their desires, longings, and pleasure pathways. We can co-create a tapestry of beauty beyond our individual efforts. And perhaps this is what Earth is waiting for…As Charles continues in his essay:Like it or not, resist it or not, we are already ecosexual and even cosmosexual beings. We are in life, and life is in us. We are in the universe, and the universe is in us.Enjoy this listen. And I’d love to hear your comments & reflections below. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

Terry Real, a renowned couple's therapist, reflects on what sex means to individuals in relationships. He discusses evolving dynamics in marriages, including non-monogamy and BDSM. The exploration extends to themes of love, liberation, and parenthood. Real also delves into the transformative power of love and trust in relationships.