Bridging Connections with Bryan Reeves

Welcome to Bridging Connections, formerly known as "Men This Way." Join your host Bryan Reeves —former U.S. Air Force captain, renowned author and professional coach to men, women, and couples; along with his lifelong best friend and leadership coach, Tait Arend. Together, they tackle the essential, raw conversations we all need to engage in about relationships, purpose, health, spirituality, and more. Dive deep into discussions that matter and explore the connections that bind us all. 

In this episode, we have a big announcement. We're changing the podcast name from 'Men This Way' to 'Bridging Connections.'00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates03:03 Reflecting on the Podcast Journey05:58 Key Conversations and Insights08:57 The Evolution of the Podcast11:56 Bridging Connections: The New Direction14:46 The Importance of Vulnerability and Connection17:54 Future Plans and Audience EngagementConnect with BryanOfficial WebsiteInstagramYoutube

"Once it starts to become empty and it doesn't work, that's when it's time to rethink our strategies and find what truly fulfills us." Tripp LanierToday on Men, This Way:00:01 Introductions02:34 Announcement of Last Episode and Transition of Show's Name03:23 Reflections on the Past and Initiating the Main Discussion05:08 Introduction of Tripp Lanier and His Work07:24 Tripp's Personal Journey and Path to Coaching09:01 Introduction to Men's Work and Personal Growth12:01 The Shift in Men's Conversations Over Time13:45 The Role of Media and Privacy in Personal Development15:10 The Challenge of Admitting the Need for Help16:32 Exploration of New Beginnings and Reflections on Personal Growth18:00 Shifts in Personal Interests and Professional Evolution19:28 The Ongoing Journey of Personal and Spiritual Development21:18 The Modern Challenges and Evolutions Facing Men22:46 Reflections on Personal Satisfaction and Life's Deeper Questions24:11 Discussion of Future Plans and Podcast Rebranding25:43 Reflections on Ambition and Life Stages27:03 Personal Insights on Marriage and Family29:26 Discussing the Awareness of Mortality and Its Impact30:12 Philosophical Reflections on Life and Aging31:30 Grief and Learning from Life's Challenges33:36 Engaging Men in Meaningful Conversations and Facing Grief34:03 How to Encourage Men to Stay Present and Engaged in Growth36:04 Addressing Personal Struggles and Embracing New Beginnings38:04 Listening and Understanding as Tools for Helping Others39:20 The Power of Empathy in Men's Development40:10 The Relief of Discovering One Is Not Alone in Their Struggles41:38 Humor's Role in Healing and Personal Growth42:57 Tripp's Views on Success and Personal Fulfillment44:45 Helping Men Identify and Pursue Their True Desires46:50 Discussion on the Nature of Desire and Internal Conflicts48:42 The Importance of Play and Joy in Personal Development50:42 The Role of Safety and Threat Perception in Playfulness52:24 The Challenges of Maintaining Joy During Difficult Times54:47 Wrapping Up the Podcast and Reflections on the Journey58:15 Maintaining Deep Connections and Embracing New Learning Opportunities59:55 Closing Thoughts and AcknowledgmentsTakeaways of this episode:Tripp Lanier shares personal stories, including his past struggles, the death of his mother, and how these events have shaped his personal growth and professional life. The importance of men’s work, creating spaces for men to explore their vulnerabilities, and the impact of community and belonging. Maintaining a balance between playfulness and the seriousness of life, how staying connected to a sense of play can be crucial for mental health and relationship dynamics.The definition of success, the ongoing process of personal growth, and the existential aspects of life and death.The podcast episode serves as a closing of one era and the beginning of another.Connect with Tripp:Website: tripplinear.comInstagram: @tripplanierOrder: This Book Will Make You Dangerous: The Irreverent Guide for Men Who Refuse to SettleListen to: The New Man with Tripp LanierConnect with Bryan & Tait:Website: bryanreeves.com Instagram: @bryanreevesinsight / @taitarend08Email: bryan@menthisway.com / tait@menthisway.com

“Resistance always shows up at the threshold of your transformation.” — Bryan ReevesIn this episode, we dive deep into the transformative process of personal growth and change, exploring the five stages of change. We discuss the resistance men often face when stepping into new challenges and the power of embracing the unknown to create a life of fulfillment and meaning. Through candid stories, actionable insights, and heartfelt reflections, we reveal how we can break through barriers, reconnect with our true selves, and build lives that deeply matter—not just for us, but for the people we care about most. Whether you're on the edge of change or seeking clarity on your next step, this episode will inspire you to take action and cross the threshold into transformation.HIGHLIGHTS:00:00 - Reflecting on five years of transformative work.01:14 - Who this episode is for: Men ready for deep transformational work.04:51 - The importance of a supportive brotherhood: “Who has your back?”07:35 - The cost of carrying burdens alone: Impact on men and their families.09:12 - Recognizing dissatisfaction as the first step to change.11:46 - The crisis of fulfillment: "I have everything I wanted. Now what?"13:30 - The five stages of change.18:43 - Facing resistance: Why stepping forward is so challenging.20:14 - Sting’s wisdom: “The greater risk is not jumping off the cliff.”25:12 - Confronting the shadow: The necessity of descending before elevating.28:02 - Addressing resistance: How cynicism and isolation hold men back.30:15 - True accountability: How men’s groups challenge you to grow.32:39 - A wife’s gratitude: The ripple effects of men’s transformation.36:41 - Final encouragement: Step into the threshold and elevate your life.MEN: ELEVATE 2025 👉 https://bryanreeves.com/elevate

“This reveals that both reality and our personal identities extend beyond the obvious, and the various levels of our consciousness hold significant practical value”.- Douglas GilletteToday on Men, This Way:00:00 Welcoming Douglas M. Gillette01:01 Discussion on "King, Warrior, Magician, Lover"01:29 Background of Douglas Gillette02:00 Douglas' Pastoral Background and Interfaith Work03:01 Family Dinners and Personal Introductions04:01 Discussion on Douglas' New Book and Life Experiences06:00 Upcoming Book Discussions on Zoom07:04 The Role of a Guru in Learning07:42 Importance of Masculine Archetypes14:06 Deep Dive into Archetypal Work in Men's Groups16:05 Experiences from a Men's Workshop17:10 Exploring the Shadows of Masculine Archetypes20:20 Discussion on Shadow Work and Personal Wholeness21:06 Explanation of Collective Shadow23:48 Carl Jung's Contributions to Psychology30:02 Integration of Imagination in Personal Development33:06 Discussion on Modern Relevance of Douglas' Book37:40 The Lack of Elders and the Need for Maps41:17 Integrating the Whole Man48:08 Embracing the Paradox of the Spiritual Path56:57 Reflections on Personal Life and Legacy67:18 Final Message from Douglas GilletteTakeaways of this episode:The significance of the archetypes and their profound resonance with the male psyche. Men's work that focuses on exploring and integrating the shadow aspects of the archetypes.The importance of shadow work—engaging with the parts of oneself that are typically hidden or suppressed.Science and spirituality both can contribute to a deeper understanding of the self and the universe.The future of men's studies, and the importance of continuing personal and collective growth. Connect with Douglas:Order: Soul Making: The Realization of the Mystical Life & King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature MasculineEmail: gilletted@sbcglobal.netConnect with Bryan & Tait:Website: bryanreeves.com Instagram: @bryanreevesinsight / @taitarend08Email: bryan@menthisway.com / tait@menthisway.com 

Why do men often have to hit bottom before we’re able to make meaningful changes in our lives?Could our cultural obsession with the individual self be serving to propel us towards our collective doom?Could learning how to properly grieve be key to our vitality, to living a rich, soul-centered life?Well, in this very special episode, my guest Francis Weller, and I mine these questions and more for useful insights to make a meaningful difference in your life. And this is a very special episode. For about the last year, I’ve been diving down the Francis Weller rabbit hole, and if you haven’t yet, I’m telling you, you need to. Humanity needs you to. This man is a medicine carrier for humanity. I first discovered him a year ago when a good friend of mine turned me onto his book, The Wild Edge of Sorrow. That book is the one of the most beautiful, poignant, rich and instructive books I’ve ever read. Now, it’s not merely a book about grieving in the way we traditionally think of grieving in our western culture, as if grieving is something that only happens when we experience a major and obvious loss in our lives – which by the way, we don’t even do that well in our culture – but Francis’ book is about ways of creating soul renewal by recasting grieving in our culture as essential routine practice to ensure not just our individual health and well-being, but the health and well-being of our entire community, and of the planet itself.Francis’ work is immense. In a world of many olders but too few elders, particularly elder men, Francis Weller is a true wise elder. And he’s super easy to talk with. For more than 30 years he’s been a psychotherapist, a writer, and soul-activist. He is a master of synthesizing diverse streams of thought, from psychology, anthropology, mythology, alchemy, indigenous cultures, and poetic traditions. The core of his work is creating pathways to reclaiming our indigenous soul, what psychologist Carl Jung called the “unforgotten wisdom” that resides in the heart of the psyche. He’s the founder of WisdomBridge, an organization that offers educational programs that seek to integrate the wisdom from traditional cultures with the insights and knowledge gathered from Western Cultures. I’m so excited for you to hear our conversation.👉 https://www.francisweller.net/ELEVATE 2025, my year-long coaching journey for men committed to thriving, has just 5 spots left as of this recording. We begin in January, right around the corner. So, if you’re a man interested in stepping into a powerful brotherhood of men, alongside me and 10 other like-hearted men, please apply now @ https://bryanreeves.com/elevateELEVATE 2025 includes personal coaching with me throughout the entire year, and alongside a select group of solid men, your soon-to-be brothers, we’ll go on a deep-dive into the insights, distinctions, and practices that allow you to step into your deepest life purpose, create and support a thriving intimate relationship, tap into real, authentic heart-centered power to truly serve your loved ones, your aspirations, your community. We’ll also meet in person for an epic 5-day retreat in a beautiful nature location in North Carolina.Through this experience these men, and I, will become your brothers for life, and you will be challenged to go beyond your comfort zone. Because you surely know by now that if you’re going to touch the heart of what matters most to you in life, you ain’t gonna get there by staying comfortable.This isn’t for everyone.But if you have an inkling it might be for you … apply now @ https://bryanreeves.com/elevate ... Just take the next step. This could be the one of the greatest gifts you ever give yourself. The gift of brotherhood with extraordinary men.bryanreeves.com/elevate

"Historically speaking, when we heard criticism, it was from a potential enemy, so it was biologically natural to get up our defenses.That was really functional for survival. It's just dysfunctional for love”.- Dr. Warren FarrellToday on Men, This Way:00:00 Introduction of Dr. Warren Farrell00:50 Dr. Farrell's background and contribution to understanding modern men's struggles.01:28 Dr. Farrell's reception and personal experience in the field.03:49 Discussing the role of criticism in personal and relational development.04:18 The impact of workshops on handling criticism and personal growth.05:23 Importance of non-defensive communication in relationships.06:07 Defensiveness and its effects on relationship dynamics.07:16 Discussion on defensiveness and its ubiquity across different types of relationships.07:48 Gender dynamics in criticism and defensiveness.10:08 Exploration of gender dynamics, respect, and protection in relationships.10:45 Link between boy crisis and absence of father figures12:08 Comprehensive discussion on the causes and effects of the boy crisis.14:46 Role of communication in relationships and its impact on children.16:00 Detailed statistics on the boy crisis and its societal implications.18:33 Connection between dad deprivation and various social issues.20:00 Broader implications of declining male societal contributions.22:38 Dr. Farrell's shift from feminism to focusing on boys' and men's issues.29:22 Personal reflections on fatherhood and its impact on personal success.34:27 Comprehensive discussion on dad deprivation and its various forms.37:39 The importance of dad-style parenting and its specific strategies.41:55 Discussion on the importance of balanced parenting and its challenges.47:33 Discussion on boundary setting and enforcement in parenting.50:22 The evolving role of fathers in modern family units.53:29 Challenges and strategies for checks and balance parenting58:16 Strategies for single parents to incorporate balanced parenting styles.01:01:12 Closing thoughts on the importance of father figures and balanced parenting.Takeaways from this episode:The shift from traditional roles towards a deeper, more emotionally connected partnership. The societal and psychological challenges men encounter today.How to overcome defensiveness to maintain healthy relationships.Different impacts of "dad-style" and "mom-style" parenting.The role fathers play in the psychological development of children, especially boys. Societal issues like the "boy crisis," which includes higher suicide rates among boys and young men.Connect with Dr. Farrell:Website: warrenfarrell.com Order: The Boy Crisis & The Role Mate to Soul MateResources: Warren Farrell’s Resources Twitter: @drwarrenfarrellConnect with Bryan & Tait:Website: bryanreeves.com Instagram: @bryanreevesinsight / @taitarend08Email: bryan@menthisway.com / tait@menthisway.com 

In this episode I explore the themes of manhood and the significance of rites of passage in a man's life. I reflect on my personal experiences and my own lack of intentional initiation into manhood, which continues to haunt many men today. I dive into the importance of having wise elders to guide men through their journeys and the impact of not having these figures in our lives.ELEVATE 2025: https://bryanreeves.com/elevateTakeawaysMany men have never undergone a true rite of passage.The absence of initiation can lead to feelings of inadequacy.Rites of passage involve separation, threshold, and return.Men often seek validation from women, which is unsustainable.Elder support is crucial for personal growth and maturity.Pseudo initiations do not provide the same benefits as true rites of passage.Adolescence can persist into adulthood without proper guidance.Mature men take responsibility for their impact on others.Intimate relationships can become containers for ongoing initiation.The journey of manhood is often lonely without support.Chapters00:00 The Journey of Manhood and Initiation20:07 The Importance of Rites of Passage26:01 Seeking Support and Guidance in Manhood

"Many of us spin our wheels, blame others because we can't find our way out. But the work-this soul work-is about digging deep, finding that genius within." - Michael MeadToday on Men, This Way:00:02 Introduction and Welcome00:29 Michael Mead's Background and Expertise01:00 Insights on Storytelling and Mythology02:12 The Role of Early Stories in Personal Development02:50 Personal Impact of Mythology on Michael Mead04:09 The Importance of Myth in Understanding Chaos04:30 Misinterpretations of Myths in Modern Times07:16 Political Polarization and Mythical Understanding10:25 Myths of Chaos and Creation12:18 Viewing Social Issues Through Mythical Frameworks13:18 The Psychological and Societal Impact of Rites of Passage17:21 Crafting Effective Modern Rites of Passage21:34 Discovering Inner Genius and Personal Uniqueness24:04 Reflections on Solitary Confinement as an Unintended Rite of Passage27:59 The Role of Accidental Rites of Passage in Modern Society30:33 Implementing Vision Quests as Contemporary Initiations37:04 The Limitations of Parental Involvement in Children's Rites of Passage41:22 The Need for Societal Renewal Through Individual Awakening43:18 Perspectives on the Kali Yuga and the Challenges of Modern Times47:20 Finding Purpose and Calling Amidst Societal Chaos50:47 The Healing Potential of Myth and Community54:49 Sharing Personal Myths as a Way to Connect and Heal58:48 The Eternal Quest for Personal Destiny and Collective TransformationTakeaways:How mythology bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary issues.The crucial role of rites of passage and initiation in fostering maturity for life's challenges.Mythology as a tool for understanding personal and collective crises.How individual experiences can resonate with universal stories. Acknowledging personal and collective wounds is essential for true growth and healing.Connect with Michael:Website: mosaicvoices.orgListen to: Living Myth PodcastInstragram: @michaelmeade_mosaicvoices Check out: Holding the Thread of LifeConnect with Bryan & Tait:Website: bryanreeves.com Instagram: @bryanreevesinsight / @taitarend08Email: bryan@menthisway.com / tait@menthisway.com

“The mother wound is wanting to be saved by someone, some thing, some process outside yourself, and it's not going to happen.” - John LeeToday on Men, This Way:0:00 - Introduction & Overview0:38 - Global Context & Personal Impact 1:16 - Introducing the Mother Wound1:46 - Reflections on the Mother Wound2:11 - The Book 'He' and Its Impact 3:37 - Defining the Mother Wound 5:03 - Archetypes of the Mother Wound6:26 - Personal Stories of Mother Wounds10:13 - The Mother vs. Father Wound12:30 - Struggles with Self-Worth16:29 - No Saviors, Only Self-Reliance 18:27 - Facing Illusions in Relationships22:20 - The Role of Therapy in Self-Healing 24:41 - Self-Responsibility & Accountability 27:22 - Projections and the Feminine 30:42 - The Need for Soothing & Relief 35:18 - Relearning Trust and Soothe 42:09 - Self-Worth & External Validation 46:35 - Time as a Catalyst for Change46:59 - Conclusion & GratitudeTakeaways from this episode:Understanding the Mother Wound.The Impact of the Mother Wound on Relationships.How the Mother Wound Deeply Impacts One's Sense of Self-worth and Value.Healing from the Mother Wound Involves Self-reflection and Inner Work.Societal and Cultural Factors that Shape the Mother Wound.Connect with John:Website: johnleebooks.comOrder: Odd One Out: Radical Revelations on Relationships, Self-Help, and Personal GrowthBook: Private Sessionemail: john@johnleebooks.comConnect with Bryan & Tait:Website: bryanreeves.com Instagram: @bryanreevesinsight / @taitarend08Email: bryan@menthisway.com / tait@menthisway.com This show is produced by Synchro Social