The Mythic Masculine

Dr. Stephen Faulkner, former medical doctor, delves into his spiritual journey, men's circles, and the influence of Robert Bly. He emphasizes inner spiritual work, connecting with nature, and mentoring younger men. Reflects on near-death experience and the tale of Gilgamesh & Endiku.

Trevor Yelich, an alternative therapist, discusses transformative life phases, Chiron return in astrology, psychedelic therapy, embodying masculine and feminine energies, and the Hakomi principle of organicity for personal and collective healing.

Access The Iron John course here.A few years ago, I was invited to steward an online offering for the Rowe Center, based in Massachusetts.With the passing of Robert Bly, esteemed poet, activist, and father of the mythopoetic men's movement, I opted to weave a 7 week journey revisiting his seminal book Iron John, inviting an array of special guests to join me. The roster includes Stephen Jenksinon, Sophie Strand, Ramon Parish, Michael Gay, Philip Folsom, Shay Au Lait & Stefanos Sifandos.The course was a big success, and since then, I’ve always wanted to re-release it for more folk of all genders to access the insights & experience.I’m pleased to announce the course is now available.A few more words about Robert Bly & the story:As named, he is perhaps most well known for his retelling of the classic German fairy tale, which illuminated the inner world of men in such a way that seemed long absent from modern Western culture. This longing to be gathered into the mysteries of men and manhood, of a mythic masculinity, drew much contention upon its release in the early 90's, and has reverberated to this day.It wasn't until I watched the documentary '1000 Years of Joy' that I grasped the larger portrait of a man who had already amassed a respectful body of work before he turned to culture and gender. My love for Mr. Bly grew tremendously, as a blazing example of what could lie ahead in the later half of life, a glimpse of elderhood to a troubled time.Note: I also interviewed the films director Hayden Reiss which I’ve included at the bottom. Whether or not you’ve seen the documentary, it’s delightful to hear his stories of meeting & collaborating with Bly.In 2022, the spiral has come around as a new generation discovers Iron John alongside an urgent crisis of masculinity. What might Iron John offer in the wake of #metoo, Artificial Intelligence, post-truth, multi-generational trauma, and biospheric breakdown?Despite some contemporary references that are dated, the book holds up as a vital to the conversation of manhood as it did in its day.At the time, Bly was criticized by some feminists for "blaming women" for men’s troubles - and yet, that has never been accurate. He writes "This doesn't mean that the women are doing something wrong: I think the problem is more that the older men are not really doing their job."That's not to say there aren't blindspots (there are), and thankfully a number of additional perspectives have added to the polyphony of emerging masculinities.Here’s my interview with Hadyn Reiss, the director of the Bly documentary 1000 Years of Joy. I highly recommend viewing the full film. 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

My guest today is Nicolas Canon.Nicolas is a seasoned relationship coach who has deeply intertwined his insights in love with walking the plant medicine path in his homeland of Colombia.Over the past decade, he has dedicated himself to helping individuals and couples not only deepen their relationships but also find greater self-awareness and spiritual alignment.  In this episode, he shares of his relocation as a youth to Toronto, Canada where he ran a tattoo shop and first worked as a coach - after many challenging & toxic relationships, he was guided to embark on a vision quest in the south of France. These experiences dramatically shaped his approach to life and work, including the crucible of marriage.Finally, Nicolas reveals his insights into "the language of men” and how women can enhance communication with their male partners, deepen emotional connection, and unlock the potential of evolutionary partnership.The Mythic Masculine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. http://themythicmasculine.substack.comLINKS* Nicolas Canon - Official Website*Nicolas on IGSHOW NOTES* Nicholas shares his recent return to Toronto after spending significant time in Colombia, reflecting on his emotional, spiritual, and physical journey.* He discusses the profound impact of his experiences with indigenous shamans and ayahuasca ceremonies in Colombia, emphasizing the importance of spiritual integration.* Reflecting on his past in Toronto, Nicholas discusses owning a tattoo shop and navigating a lifestyle marked by hedonism.* He opens up about a toxic relationship and personal crises that led him back to Colombia for recovery and family support.* Nicholas highlights the challenge of living between two worlds—the traditional wisdom of Colombia and the modern, bustling life in Toronto—emphasizing his role as a cultural bridge.* He shares insights from his ayahuasca ceremonies, including advice to pause and reflect on various aspects of life.* Nicholas reflects on his emotional grounding and support, particularly from his wife, amid his spiritual journey and transitions.* He explores the concept of balance and integration, seeking to merge spiritual insights with Western lifestyle and societal expectations.* The conversation delves into the complexity of personal growth and transformation, navigating between cultural identities and spiritual awakening.* Nicholas discusses his evolving perspective on relationships, emphasizing the importance of healthy dynamics, mutual respect, and emotional connection.* He shares insights into what makes a healthy relationship, highlighting communication, trust, shared values, and individual growth. 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

Andrea Villa, a scholar and mentor of men, discusses the profound realms of Eros, gender differences, and the practice of erotic discipline. He explores the spiritual, creative, and personal aspects of human experience, highlighting the importance of adoration and devotion in relationships. Villa introduces the concept of erotic discipline and references Dante's Divine Comedy as a model for transcendent love.

Jumana Sophia, creator of Her Mystery School, discusses gender dynamics, initiation processes, and the power of community in healing. The conversation delves into the intersections of masculinity and femininity, ancient wisdom, Beltane rituals, and the importance of personal growth journeys in relationships.

The podcast explores upcoming immersive men's weekend and online program focusing on awakening the wild erotic and deep masculine. Topics include healing sexual blocks, embodying the archetype of the Lover, exploring masculinity, human emotions, sexuality, and integrating masculine and feminine energies for personal growth and relationships.

Barbie is back in the news again. The Oscars race is on and the film was nominated for numerous awards including Best Picture. Ryan Gosling received the nod for Best Actor, while Margot Robbie & Greta Gerwig were passed over. Ironic snub, given the context of the film? Or just how it goes sometimes? Now before you roll your eyes and wonder ‘who cares?’ I’ve decided to do some of the mythic heavy lifting around why Barbie is a culturally significant film at this moment. And not just because it crossed a billion dollars at the box office and became a clear phenomenon. Last summer, colleague Alex Beiner wrote eloquently of the cultural complexities in his essay Castrated Utopias: What Barbie and Oppenheimer reveal about our sexual politics. He writes: Barbie is one of the most interesting films to come out of Hollywood in some time. It’s a strange phenomenon; a feminist initiation myth that critiques, sometimes with joyful nuance, capitalism and patriarchy, but which is paradoxically designed to sell a corporation’s product. Instead of a film we might read an ideology into, it’s a film woven around an existing ideology: feminism. However, the vision of the feminism it champions is what makes it particularly interesting.It’s fun, well structured and at times leans toward a kind of metamodern feminism that seems able to hold the complexity of both social construction and biological difference. At other times, it slipped into a more simplistic feminism, and I found myself shaking my head at its narrow depictions of men and masculinity. […] I had a strong feeling that the film wasn’t really made for me as a man. It wasn’t trying to actively exclude me, but it was speaking to lived experiences of women, so I tried to listen to the message on its own terms.I’ve finally decided to hoist my take into the ring, and I invited UK based writer, psychotherapist, and mythologist Carly Mountain to join me. I was previously on her podcast to speak about the descent of Inanna, and so it felt perfect to bring her on to explore Barbie through this lens.As well we touch on the arc of Ken and the advent of Patriarchy as borne from the rejection of the Feminine. Ken needs to go on his own quest to re-source the Feminine from within and meet the Great Goddess. (This is much of the recent men’s work that I’m collaborating with Deus Fortier on. Our next Awakening the Wild Erotic weekend is coming up in April). I hope you enjoy our conversation.Also stick around at the end of the episode for a little easter egg…P.S. you’re invited to check out Carly’s book “Descent & Rising: Women’s Stories & the Embodiment of the Inanna Myth”.P.P.S Here’s a few music videos from Barbie. I’ve love to hear your comments on our conversation below. What’s your take on Barbie? 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

“Every group and every single gathering is an opportunity to remake and re-story culture.” - Al JefferyMy guest today is Al Jeffery, an integrative psychotherapist, meditation guide and regenerative leadership practitioner. He is also a conscious explorer of queerness and masculinity. In this episode, Al shares his journey, unlocking the potential and power of queerness as an aspirational approach to love. He speaks of queerness as identity and as orientation, and how it intersects with living fully in oneself. We also touch upon what it means to create inclusive spaces for men to explore these topics, as well as the complexity of lust and attraction.  And finally, we explore how each moment carries the possibility of remaking a culture of possibility and the inherent risk in leaning into the mystery of being.LINKS* Al’s Official Website* Al’s Instagram* Cornerstone Melbourne* Al’s paper on Eros, The Evolution of Life and Mind, and Moving From Psychology Toward Soul-MakingSHOW NOTES- **Concept of queerness**: An extensive exploration of "Queerness" in the context of identity, understood from both philosophical and socio-political standpoints. - **Implicit transgressions and societal norms**: This topic investigates how "implicit transgressions" lead to the feelings of non-inclusion and marginalization within society.- **Al Jeffery's complex personal relationship with the identity of 'queer'**; functioning as both an attraction and a defense mechanism.- **Masculinity and societal expectations**: Discussion revolves around masculine societal norms, and the confusion that can result from a perceived need to strike a balance between strength and sensitivity. - **Relationships and sexual attraction in the face of societal expectations**: A review of how societal norms and expectations can complicate the navigation of relationships and sexual attraction.- **Queerness as a 'spiritual bypass'**: Al comments on the potential for queerness to be used as a spiritual bypass, avoiding confronting the vulnerability required when claiming gay identity. - **Queer Inquiry**: The aspect of living as a question is discussed in reference to being queer, asserting the need for a persistent state of exploration and uncertainty clouding one's identity.- **The role of eroticism and sensuality in sexuality exploration**: An insightful look into how eroticism and sensuality contribute to an individual's understanding of their own sexuality under the banner of queerness and how cultural norms impact this exploration.- **The impact of a lack of cultural distinctions**: This segment reviews how culture’s lack of distinction - such as between the concepts of sensuality and sexuality, contributes to confusion and indirectness concerning male sexuality.- **Al’s ongoing exploration of queerness**: The intrigues of Al Jeffery's ongoing exploration are highlighted as he questions his own identity labeling phenomenon, moving further into understanding himself and societal norms. 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

My guest today is Rabbi Zelig Golden, the co-founder of Wilderness Torah, an organization dedicated to supporting Jewish people to heal, learn, and grow together through reconnection to the earth. Zelig also holds a Masters in Jewish Studies and previously worked as an environmental lawyer protecting food and farms, and has long guided groups into the wilderness.In our conversation today, we speak about Zelig’s upbringing as a youth embedded in Jewish ritual yet missing the deeper connection to his ancestral roots. We discuss the mystic origins of Judaism and his own path to Rabbihood.  And of course, we speak of the war in Israel/Palestine and the sorrowful complexity that contributes to the ongoing horror. We also touch on a recent year-long program that Zelig co-created for initiating the lives of Jewish men. And finally, he offers insights into how to dwell in the darkness before seeking the light as we approach the threshold of winter solstice.LINKS* Wilderness Torah WebsiteFROM THE ARCHIVE: 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