The Mythic Masculine

Stephanie McKay, an educator and mentor in earth-based skills, discusses her study with Martín Prechtel and the importance of looking at stories beyond a psychological lens. She explores an animist retelling of Iron John, the mythopoetic men's movement, and the preservation of indigenous wisdom in storytelling traditions.

This is a bonus conversation and a special invitation to attend the forthcoming Calling All Men Summit, of which I’m a featured speaker among many other men. Watch the trailer for the event:An overview:Over 7 days you’ll meet and learn from 50 men who are experienced with the multitude of crises we face. These men are fathers, leaders, mentors and elders with unique experiences and deep wisdom to share.My conversation today is with the summit host & creator Michael Skye, whom I met quite a few years ago through my transformational media work. It was delightful to reconnect around this important conversation and event. My own pre-recorded conversation on “In Search of Mythic Masculinity” with Michael is streaming on Day 2, December 5th. We cover: * The underworld: home of the greatest dragon every young man must face * The plight of fatherless boys yearning to become men* Reviving male initiationThe Summit is free to register.Consider attending and sharing with other folks who may benefit. 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 Christopher Ryan, an acclaimed author and speaker who has led a diverse and unconventional life, from working odd jobs around the world to earning a Ph.D. in Psychology and being a self-proclaimed “vanthropologist.”He is the host of the podcast Tangentially Speaking, as well as the author of “Civilized to Death” and the co-author of “Sex At Dawn”, which columnist Dan Savage has called “The single most important book on human sexuality since Alfred Kinsey’s Sexual Behavior in the Human Male.”When I read “Sex At Dawn” over a decade ago, it had a significant influence on my life path and approach to relationships, as you’ll hear in this episode. As well, we cover Chris’ own journey that inspired him to reach into the pre-history of humanity and find fresh insights into modern relationships, sexuality, and how remarkably similar we are to bonobos. We discuss the complex challenges for men & masculinity today, we touch on his observations about the radical peace project of Tamera, and finally, he shares his best (and only) advice on how to live into the future of relationships.LINKS* Christopher Ryan - Official Website* Christopher Ryan on InstagramSHOW NOTES* Crestone is a unique spiritual community at 8,000 feet with open-air cremations, Tibetan stupas, and diverse spiritual centers.* Historical Origins: Crestone's history involves visionary landowners and prophecies of harmonious coexistence among different religious traditions, leading to the creation of spiritual centers.* Chris's Journey: Chris's exploration of cultures and alternative lifestyles began in his youth and eventually led him to Crestone.* Understanding the Human Condition: Chris's career focuses on understanding human behavior and challenging cultural norms.* "Sex at Dawn": The book challenges traditional monogamy notions, examining evolutionary psychology, anthropology, and bonobo behavior.* Controversy and Conversation: "Sex at Dawn" sparked debates and opposition by questioning conventional beliefs about monogamy.* Career Evolution: Chris shifted from literature to psychology and faced backlash from the academic community.* Cultural Biases in Science: The discussion highlights how cultural biases influence scientific disciplines like anthropology.* Exploring Masculinity: Masculinity encompasses risk-taking, humor, and courageous conversations, not limited to stereotypical traits.* Challenges in Modern Masculinity: Contemporary culture presents complexities, with concerns about toxic masculinity and limited career opportunities for young men.* Impact of Toxic Messages: Toxic ideologies exploit the challenges faced by young men and promote disrespect toward women.* Rediscovering Cooperation: The future presents a choice between eroding traditional gender roles and rediscovering human cooperation, which may necessitate shared resources and mutual support.FROM THE ARCHIVEYou may also enjoy these episodes: 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 Kai Cheng Thom, a certified somatic sex educator, qualified mediator, clinical hypnotherapist, and poet based in Toronto. She's the author of six award winning books in various genres, including the Stonewall Honor Book award winning essay collection, I Hope We Choose Love.Kai Cheng's work focuses on the intersection of social justice, pleasure activism, and the transformative approaches to healing conflict. A noted speaker and practitioner of somatic wellness, healing, and group process facilitation, Kai Cheng supports individuals and groups who are seeking to repair relationships and to make transformative change.Her latest book, Falling Back in Love with Being Human: Love Letters to Lost Souls, was released in August. This particular interview was inspired by an essay that was recently published called “The Village And The Woods.” Our conversation was recorded live as one of the Solar Sessions held within The School of Mythopoetics.  I was so delighted by the richness of our time that I’ve decided to publish the episode here as well.Please consider becoming a Paid Subscriber. I don’t accept advertising, and your support funds this effort. Also - I have a few spots available for 1 on 1 Mythic Mentorship for Men. Reach out directly if you’re interested to contact@ianmack.com Links: * Kai Cheng Thom’s Official Website* Kai Cheng Thom on Instagram* The Village and the Woods full essayShow Notes: * Village represents the known, ordered aspects.* Woods symbolize the unknown and tempting.* People are drawn to the woods but fear it.* Fire symbolizes our attempt to understand the unknown.* Excessive focus on fire leads to zealotry.* Metaphor explores the interplay of known and unknown.* "Monster" as a metaphor for suppressed desires and fears.* Emergence of archetypes like priest, zealot, monster, and victim.* Reactionary responses can lead to violence and exclusion.* Both Left and Right exhibit reactive behaviors.* Vasilisa and Baba Yaga story underscores the need for integration.* The witch archetype bridges the gap between light and dark aspects of self.* Discussion on the crone archetype and its contrast with patriarchal norms.* Exploring alternative social structures and the concept of emergence.* Importance of a "sacred pause" to break reactive patterns.* Suggestion to write love letters to personal "monsters" as a practice. 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’m pleased to release this conversation with my friend and longtime collaborator Deus Fortier as we discuss our recent MXM immersion for men.The detailed show notes are below.As well, we’ve announced new dates for our next MXM - Nov 17-19. You can find all the details & apply to join here.Note: I’m very excited to release more new episodes of the podcast that I’ve been trying to polish all summer, but somehow, haven’t been able to do it yet. I promise! They’re coming soon.Lastly, I very much appreciated all the folks who came up to me at Imagine Festival on Orcas Island offering gratitude for the podcast. And hattip to Brandon at Farm to Ferry for a lovely meal & Pixie Mead for the gift of a bottle of Odherir mead. I shall certainly craft an occasion for poetry and companionship when I crack the bottle.SHOW NOTES* Collaboration on MXM Retreat: Deus and Ian discuss their collaboration on the MXM (Masculinity, Sex, and Myth) retreat, focusing on masculinity, sexuality, and mythology.* Exploration of Masculinity: They reflect on their personal journeys and interests in exploring masculinity, including the role of archetypes such as the King, Warrior, Magician, and Lover.* Importance of Ritual Space: They emphasize the importance of creating a ritual space for transformation, where participants can explore their sexuality and masculinity in a safe and focused environment.* Role of the Lover Archetype: Deus and Ian highlight the significance of the Lover archetype in their work, describing it as a unifying force that fosters a deeper connection with oneself and the world.* Impact of Societal Expectations: They discuss how societal expectations often lead men to suppress their eroticism and how this suppression can have consequences, such as the Me Too movement.* Exploration of Erotic Fantasies: They mention the exploration of erotic fantasies as a way to understand one's primary wounds and how they connect to one's sexual desires and behaviors.* Acknowledging Trauma and Exploration: The discussion explores how acknowledging trauma, especially related to sexuality and masculinity, can be transformative for men and how exploring these areas collectively in a safe space can lead to healing.* The Role of Ritual Space: The importance of creating ritual spaces for transformation, where men can openly discuss their feelings, desires, and experiences, is emphasized as a healing and transformative experience.* Exploring Masculinity and Eroticism: The conversation delves into the exploration of masculinity, eroticism, and archetypes such as the Lover, and how societal expectations often suppress these aspects of a man's identity.* The Power of Transparency: Transparent and honest communication among men is highlighted as a crucial aspect of healing and transformation, allowing them to bring their inner experiences and desires into the light.* The Sensual Connection to Nature: The discussion touches on the idea of developing a sensual relationship with the natural world and how it can help individuals reconnect with life and find joy and purpose. 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

As lovers, can we move beyond the need to get it right - and instead be absolutely captivated with the desire to be real with each other? My guest today is Melissa Maya, a writer & artist who works as a feminine leadership and somatic intimacy guide. She is devoted to midwifing a culture that is rooted in the resurgence & remembrance of feminine intelligence & intuition, and in her own words, “in service to women becoming obedient to their true nature.” This conversation was sparked by a post from Melissa where she shared about her former experience as a domina - a female dominatrix - and what she discovered was most effective in inviting her male clients into a deeper surrender.I hear her story, as well as her explorations of isogeny - the capacity to shift between an integrated masculine and feminine polarity, as well as the intimacy that can develop through the path of radical transparency in relationship.  LINKS:* Melissa Maya on IG* Wildly Devotional WebsiteALSO RECOMMENDED: 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

The ability to slow down and self-regulate is a very important act of self-love and self-care that is accessible to anyone. - Robin ClementsMy guest today is Robin Clements, an international leader in the field of conscious connected breathing. He is the founder of Breathwave, as well as a surfer, yogi and father.Robin also happens to be my neighbour.  As well, my partner has trained with Robin for many years and so it was inevitable that one day that I would dive deeper into breathwork. This episode was recorded during Robin’s introductory 7 day training, in the beautiful Highlands area on Vancouver Island. Each day we gathered in circle to connect with each other, learn the science and way of breath, and dive deep into our practice.In our conversation, Robin shares his own journey into breathwork, the foundational capacity to self-regulate one’s nervous system, and what patterns he often recognizes in men.  We touch on partnership and fatherhood, and how his own relationship to breath has evolved over the years. We begin this episode with a 10 minute breathwave journey for you.  Feel free to listen on high quality headphones, find a comfortable place, and surrender to the breath of life.LINKS* Robin Clements on IG* Breathwave Official Website 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

Dear listeners, My guest today is Muhammad Ali Sardar, aka The Alichemist, a satirist who speaks to the themes of money, power, sex, race and religion. In particular, he caught my eye through his various Instagram reels that depict a wry critique of men’s work tropes, blind spots, and the dangers of spiritual materialism. Our conversation today is a hybrid experience. First, we open with his alter ego Patrick Dragon Lotus Flying Jaguar, where he speaks to his path of becoming a sacred men’s work facilitator, and how to succeed in this burgeoning industry.From there, we shift gears and release the character -  and I speak with Ali about his personal journey through transformational spaces, as well as the power of satire to bring a sacred mirror and upend dogma wherever it manifests.LINKS* The Alichemist on Instagram 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

Greetings friends, Happy to share this recent interview with my pal Eamon Armstrong where he interviews me on his podcast exploring mythopoetic masculinity. The conversation also highlights my active curated series Restorying Masculinity. You’re welcome to join now and receive the recording from last week to get up to speed. Use the code MYTHICrm20 and get 20% off when you register here.From the show notes: “Our conversation begins with a history of the Mythopoetic Men's Movement and its splinter, Men’s Rights activism. We talk about how mainstream culture is really an anti-culture that eats culture, including mens work. Ian shares the value of myth vs fact in exploring truth and some of the lessons from three years of interviews about masculinity on his podcast. Ian also shares the story of his four year cycle of fasting in the wilderness for a four day “sit.”Enjoy our conversation!IM 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

Welcome to The Mythic Masculine, now hosted on Substack! You’re welcome to continue connected as a free subscriber, or please consider upgrading to a paid subscriber to support all the effort that goes into this show. “The way you treat and view women represents the way you treat your own feminine qualities and unconscious mind.” - Connor BeatonMy guest today is Connor Beaton, a writer, speaker, and founder of Mantalks, a platform dedicated to offering healing and brotherhood to men around the world. Using a combination of Jungian psychology, somatic therapy, transformative breathwork and meditative practices, Connor has produced an effective approach to working with shadow and integrating the hidden parts of the self.In our conversation today, we speak about fatherhood and the release of his new book Men’s Work. In particular, we focus on the relationship between men and women, including a tactical guide to navigating conflict.  He shares why the cliche of “happy wife, happy life” is a trap, and why it’s better to seek to understand than be right. Connor shares how infidelity and porn can lead to surprising revelations, and finally, we both respond with our own perspective on the age-old question “what might men really want?” LINKS* ManTalks Official Website* Relationship Mastery Course* Men’s Work - The Book 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