The Evolving Man Podcast

Nick Solaczek is a relationship coach and a men’s work leader who inspires men to find the things that are missing in their lives, and reintegrate them. He joined me to discuss men’s alchemy, integration, how men can find their personal power in the current times. In this episode we discuss: Why Nick is involved in Men’s work. What is men’s work? Samurai Brotherhood and upcoming events. Integrity and integration. Group accountability. Online groups vs in person groups. Why is men’s work so important? Lighting a fire, and healthy challenges.  Creating safe spaces for men. Past, present, and future focused work in men’s groups.  The importance of consistency.  Men’s work as a mirror.  Drawing on the power of myth.  The Mythopoetic men’s movement.  Aligned books and courses (linked below). Archetypes in men’s work.  Defining your own masculinity.  The “Masculine core”.  Childhood wounding.  Parallels of Alcoholics Anonymous and Men’s Work Brotherhoods.  The 14 Point Code of the Conscious Warrior.  Rejection and ownership of anger.  The Warrior archetype.  Shadow expressions.  Alchemy - what is it? Honesty and inner-truth.  True Personal Growth.  Inclusivity in the Samurai Brotherhood.Links: Nick’s Website  Nick’s Instagram  Nick’s Facebook Nick’s Previous Evolving Man Episode 1 Nick’s Previous Evolving Man Episode 2  Samurai Brotherhood's Upcoming Workshop Book - Iron John by Robert Bly Book - King, Warrior, Magician, Lover by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette  Book - The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida Book - The Way of the Conscious Warrior by P.T. Mistlberger  The Integrated Man Course  Connor Beaton's Shadow Work Course  Jordan Peterson Self Authoring Course P.T. Mistlberger's Evolving Man Episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stefanos Sifandos is a relational alchemist who works with people to dissolve fear, find their power, and uncover their blocks to intimacy. He has also been working with men’s circles for years, with Sacred Sons and currently the MPowered Brotherhood in Austin, Texas. Stef joined me to talk about how people can heal their nervous systems using simple practices, ‘safe’ containers, and trauma-informed techniques. In this episode we discuss: Maximizing human potential.  Clearing the clutter of the past. Putting on metaphorical masks. Are we making decisions from places of hurt? Unconscious responses in conflict. Challenging internalized beliefs. Environmental conditioning. Physiological habits. Feeling safe in chaos. Exploring the unknown. Mirroring in relationships. Self-regulation of the nervous system. Pendulation vs. Flooding. Therapeutic experiences in men’s group work. What spaces can help heal our nervous systems? The personal responsibility of doing inner work.  Self-soothing outcomes of psychedelics. Avoiding silence. Stef’s and Ben’s initiation experiences. Connecting with nature.  Simple practices to connect to our true selves. Getting comfortable in discomfort. Challenging ourselves in day-to-day life. Developing resilience through movement.  Links Stef’s Website  Stef’s Instagram Stef’s Twitter Stef’s Facebook 1 on 1 Coaching with Stef Be The Queen Program Stef’s YouTube The MPowered BrotherhoodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Scott Lyons is a Clinical Psychologist, Osteopath, and Mind-Body Medicine practitioner. His list of qualifications is extensive, and he joined me to discuss the power of somatic work to heal trauma and reconnect people to their bodies. If you are curious about somatic therapy, this episode is a must-listen.Most importantly we discuss Scott’s upcoming training for practitioners to learn about Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy. We need more people doing this work! In this episode we dig in to:  Trauma work. The definition of somatic therapy. Embodiment: working with the body to heal trauma.  Learning disabilities, and medication. Dance as a form of medicine. Scott’s journey to somatic therapy.  The Wisdom of Trauma.  How somatic therapy works and how it differs from other therapeutic practices. The first universal languages: sensation and breath.  The importance of touch, movement, and sound.  Education systems that disconnect us from our bodies.  Top/down vs. bottom/up healing approaches. Childhood experiences impacting adulthood behavior.  Building up “somatic resources”. Diagnosed PTSD and the potential to heal. Common somatic practices. Conflict resolution.  Ancestral medicine. Trauma sensitive yoga.  Childhood depression is linked to screen time.  Human beings are nature. The ticket to wellness is embodiment.  How to find a somatic therapist. Balancing fire with water.   Links: Scott’s Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Training Program Scott’s Website Scott’s Instagram Scott’s Facebook The Wisdom of Trauma See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Jackson is the co-founder of The Sacred Sons, a mens’ community devoted to masculine alchemy. He joined me to talk about the unique way that his community is helping men connect to each other, and find conscious healing. In this episode we discuss: The history and mission of Sacred Sons. Masculine Alchemy. Diversity in men’s spaces. Embodiment - what is it? Healing from mental illness and addiction. Creating sacred, safe spaces. Confronting shadows, biases, and core beliefs to connect with others. Combating divisiveness created by the media. Resisting disconnection amidst COVID controversies. Outsourcing discernment to the media. Collective representation. What work is right in front of you? Self-sabotage. Learning to close relationships properly. The importance of gratitude and celebration. The Lover archetype and how the Sacred Sons conjure it. Brotherhood as medicine. MDMA and plant medicine. Using substances to open up vs. the “drugs” already inside of you. The lack of brotherhood spaces for teens. Mens’ personal responsibility to create connection and culture. Finding growth and space in fatherhood. The return of the Father archetype. Family is a spiritual practice. What is a Sacred Sons Embodied Masculine Experience (EMX).    Links  Sacred Sons Website Sacred Sons Podcast  Brothership App Sacred Sons Facebook Adam’s Instagram EMX Fall ‘21 Schedule Samurai Brotherhood WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Zach Bush is a multi-disciplinary physician of internal medicine, endocrinology, hospice care and an internationally recognized educator on the microbiome as it relates to human health, soil health, food systems, and a regenerative future.  Zach joined me to discuss the current state of health in the world and how living in a toxic environment exacerbates the spread of disease amongst humans. In this episode we discuss: The paradox of views surrounding COVID vaccines. How the immune system works. Flu vaccines increase coronavirus symptoms. GMO mechanisms. The definition of ‘vaccine’. Differences between the COVID vaccines. How spike proteins harm the body. Cas9: our bodies own vaccine cards. Will vaccines get rid of coronavirus? The history of coronaviruses. The flu vs. coronavirus. Myths about PCR and our relationship to coronaviruses. Personal responsibility over our immune systems. Genetic modification of food. What we can learn from the DDT ban. Creating a call to action for our future.  Is SARS Covid 2 a naturally occurring virus? A biological look on how the virus impacts each of our bodies. Histotoxic hypoxia, cyanide poisoning, and hospitalizations. The India outbreak. The importance of breath. Benefits of Vitamin D.  Racial and socioeconomic impacts on the pandemic.  The bottleneck of information on public health. The downsides to social distancing.  Response to critiques of Zach’s from the Conspirituality podcast. Changes in mortality rates and chronic diseases in children. Romanticization of nature. War-like mentality between nature and mankind.  Soil, water, and air systems collapsing modern society.  Intuitive knowing vs. science.  Macro and micro struggles during the pandemic.  Links: Neurohacker Collective Podcast Episode  Rich Roll Podcast Episode Luke Storey Podcast Episode  Mark Groves Podcast Episode  Dr. Doudna’s TED Talk  Zach’s Website Zach’s Twitter   Zach’s Facebook Zach’s Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica Cadoch is a researcher whose masters’ thesis focussed on building a bridge between the well established 12 step recovery approach for addiction recovery, and the emerging movement of psychedelic assisted therapy for trauma.Since addiction is often rooted in trauma, her question is an important one: “How can addicted people in abstinence-based recovery benefit from the healing that psychedelic therapy can provide, without it qualifying as a ‘relapse’?”. Jessica joined me on the show to discuss this topic and talk about solutions. In this episode we dive into: Jessica’s experience volunteering at the Montreal Psychedelic Society.  Psychedelic assisted therapy.  The groundwork of Jessica’s thesis in Medical Anthropology.  Ben’s journey of learning about psychedelics.  Double standards in 12-Step programs.  Community initiatives progressing the psychedelic revolution.  Building a bridge between 12-Step programs and psychedelic assisted therapy. Spiritual awakenings vs. spiritual experiences.  Changing existing medical models.  Examining phrases and ideologies in 12-Step programs. Original definition of “recreational.” Stigma of psychedelic use in the recovering addicts community.  The importance of intent when using drugs.  Spreading the conversation of psychedelics outside of medical clinics.  The role of demographics in drug use and treatment.  Dr. Carl Hart’s idea of “no bad drugs.” Addiction as a result of systemic issues. How psychedelics could aid society’s current downfalls.  Missing statistical data in the psychedelic movement.  The Maya App: measurement based software for psychedelic therapists and coaches.  Psychedelics: assisted process vs. self-directed process.  How can individuals support the psychedelic movement?  Normalizing conversations about taboo subjects.  Links  Jessica's Instagram - @_jaz.ie Montreal Psychedelic Society Dosed Movie Evolving Man & Dosed Podcast Episode 1 Evolving Man & Dosed Podcast Episode 2 Danielle Negrin Instagram The San Francisco Psychedelic Society Kevin Franciotti Website Carl Hart’s Website Maya Health Psychsem.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashanti Branch has been mentoring young men and women for 19 years in California. He is the founder of The Ever Forward Club, with a mission of changing the way students relate to learning. He is also the host of the Taking Off The Mask Podcast.Ashanti joined me on the show to talk about how to build emotionally intelligent, resilient, and powerful humans.  In this episode we dive into: Ashanti’s role in the film: The Mask You Live In. Creating a safe space for teenage boys. Talking about feelings vs. writing them down. The origin of “the mask” movement.  Myths about anger. Emotional literacy. Breaking the cycles perpetuated by older generations.  Making money vs. following your purpose. Ashanti’s journey from engineering to teaching.  What it looks like to run Ever Forward and host men’s groups.  Expectations of men in society: repressing feelings that have nowhere to go. The nature of emotions.  Conscious leadership.  Grief co-existing with anger. How to hold space for men experiencing anger.   Emotional expectations of women vs. men.  Examples of Ashanti’s work with boys in schools.  Ashanti’s life-changing path to creating men’s groups. Overcoming the lone wolf narrative: the importance of asking for help.  The magic of appreciation, recognition, and compliments in men sharing’s circles.  The “no homo” phase and what it was pointing to.  Younger generations: open minds and determination.  Gender and sexuality.  COVID vaccines and the divisiveness we are seeing.  Confirmation bias and the news.  Advocating for men to have support teams.  Taking Off the Mask podcast. Links Ashanti’s Instagram Ashanti’s Twitter Ashanti’s Facebook Ashanti’s Website Ever Forward Club Instagram Ever Forward Club Website Mask Challenge  Brad Leslie on The Evolving Man Podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Traver Boehm is the author of Today I Rise, and Man UNcivilized. He’s a men’s coach and the founder of the UNcivilized Men’s Movement. Traver wants to redefine the way men experience their masculinity, by blending the primal elements of manhood with massive doses of consciousness. In this episode, Traver joins me to discuss the challenges men are facing today: from mass depression and suicidality, to mass shootings, to fatherlessness and the lack of men’s initiation culture. Please share this episode with men who you think might need it. In this episode we talk about: What’s going on with men and humanity as a whole. Mass shootings in the US and Canada.  The lockdown’s impact on outwardly expressing violence.  Addressing grief in men.  Appropriate anger towards men vs. men needing compassion. Finding roots of behavior in adulthood linked to childhood.  Free will vs. life choices.  Privilege and the lack of understanding for those who struggle.  Social media: a double edged sword.  Shadows, wounding, and trauma.  Turning inward: looking at pain and grief.  Finding the root of a problem vs. attacking the branches.  Suicide vs. homicide & mental illness vs. addiction.  How do we deal with men feeling collectively lost?  Redefining the role of men in society.  Intentional men’s groups: support, accountability, and healing.  Pros and cons of finding like minded connections.  The magic of being seen.  The masculine’s desire to be challenged.  Confronting fears.  The lack of humanity in society.  The #MeToo movement and #NotAllMen. Men and women doing “the work.”  What’s behind Traver’s mantra, “Let others be safer as I walk among them”? Living by a code.  3 things men can do today to turn inward and start healing wounds.  The fulfillment of doing “the work.” The challenges of being a policeman today. Shout out to the protectors. Find and Follow Traver at the below links: Website  Instagram  YouTube Podcast  Book See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shawn Stevenson is the author of the USA Today National bestseller Eat Smarter and the international bestselling book Sleep Smarter. He’s also creator of The Model Health Show, featured as the number #1 health podcast in the U.S. As a graduate of the University of Missouri–St. Louis, Shawn studied business, biology, and nutritional science and became the cofounder of Advanced Integrative Health Alliance. He joins me on the show to discuss how to follow scientific studies to manage your health and your mindset, and how WE can use science help humanity through the current crisis. In this episode, we discuss: How real education is education is up to you. Unsuccessful (and some damaging) approaches in current medicine practice.  What most people who have lost their life to COVID have in common.  The extreme politicization of COVID.  The number one cause of chronic disease. Diet and how it influences the immune system.  A cardiologist’s perspective on why our healthcare systems fail us.  How long it takes to destroy our immune systems. Most important factors to staying healthy: movement and sleep.  Somatic effects of COVID.  Empowering people to understand their health better. Understanding and supporting scientific evidence.  COVID vs. birthing process. Hive mind - the good and the bad.  Shawn’s book, “Eat Smarter.” The current epidemic of suicide and attempted suicide.  Natural killer cells - what are they? How will the COVID lockdown impact our children?  Analyzing COVID data through an epidemiologist lens. Masks: are they helpful or harmful?  Cognitive biases and their impact on relaying COVID information.  Studies on COVID and masks found on Shawn’s website.  Top 3 pre-existing conditions tied to COVID deaths.  The next novel virus.  How we can change a system that was not designed to help us.  What can actually help strengthen our immune systems. Shawn’s Links: Website  Podcast  Instagram Facebook  Twitter YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Wolynn is a trauma specialist who understands how to resolve trauma that has been passed down through generations. He wrote a book called It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle. At a time where the world is waking up to our individual and collective wounding, Mark is a perfect guest for listeners who want to understand more about what trauma is, how it occurs, and how to heal it.Mark joined me for a fascinating discussion that took us into the depths of the healing arts. We talked about early life trauma, ancestral trauma, and particular insights on men’s relationships with their mothers and fathers which shape them in adulthood. For my male listeners, this will be truly fascinating. In this episode we discuss:  What is inherited family trauma? Mark’s focus on “what isn’t remembered in the mind”, but what is remembered in the body.  Trauma: expanding our understanding and its misconceptions.  Ben’s story of addiction and how it ties to his mom.  Attunement - now we know its importance. Why it’s useful to dig into our pasts.  Verbal and non-verbal trauma language. Trauma as the window to our ancestors.  The importance of doing trauma work with others.  Focusing on father/son relationships in men’s groups.  How to do this work without spiritual bypassing. Avoiding and re-creating pain.  “The Work”: leaning in and creating space. The unconscious connection to our parents that we all need to recognize.  4 ways we can merge with our parents that creates pain.  Common dynamics with men and their mothers, and their fathers.  Why men’s groups are so important.  The lost art of initiation processes. Positive experiences that can physically change the brain.  DNA expression and how we can shape it in the healing process. The power of visualization for healing.  Ben’s experience of re-connecting with his brother.  The importance of knowing your family history. Links Mark’s Website: https://markwolynn.com/ Mark’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkWolynn  Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkWolynnSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.