ManTalks Podcast

This week’s mini-ep is just me thinking out loud on what desire really means. It seems like our culture has built a massive framework around desire, or more accurately, built it to imply your lack of something, and therefore need to “get it”. But the big secret is the final source of contentment--the satisfaction we’ve been outsourcing for years--is only found within. To be clear, I’m not denying external hardships--particularly for people who have been oppressed by that same framework that always leaves us wanting more. What I’m saying is: whether it’s a million dollars, retweets, likes, sex partners, or [insert desire here], it’s not going to “solve” desire. Only self-compassion, silence, and awareness can do that. I hope this resonates with you. If it does, let me know on Instagram @mantalks, or better yet, leave me a rating or review! Are you looking to find your purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today.  Check out our Facebook Page or the Men's community. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter    Did you enjoy the podcast? If so please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. It helps our podcast get into the ears of new listeners, which expands the ManTalks Community Editing & Mixing by: Aaron The TechSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we understand each other, especially when we disagree? This week, I sat down with one of the leaders in nonviolent communication, or NVC, Oren Jay Sofer. If you're unsure of what nonviolent communication actually is, you'll have a solid grasp after this! For Oren, language runs deep. It’s intimately connected to universal, fundamental human drives, social structures, and even our physicality. We chat about the basic framework of mindful and nonviolent communication, our current “attack based” online culture, and some of Oren’s personal journey and defining moments. Oren was an incredible guest. The word that came up for me was “sincere”. He’s incredibly well-read, intelligent, honest, and his desire to create a world where everyone is respected and in harmony rings clear in everything we spoke about that. Oren Jay Sofer teaches Buddhist meditation, mindfulness, and Nonviolent Communication nationally. A member of the Spirit Rock Teachers Council, he holds a degree in Comparative Religion from Columbia University, is the author of Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication, and co-author of Teaching Mindfulness to Empower Adolescents. Oren is co-founder of Mindful Healthcare and the founder of Next Step Dharma, an innovative online program that helps meditators integrate their retreat experiences into daily life. Find him on social media @Orenjaysofer.   Connect with Oren Website: www.orenjaysofer.com Latest books: Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication Instagram: @orenjaysofer Facebook: facebook.com/orenjaysofer Twitter: twitter.com/orenjaysofer Are you looking to find your purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today.  Check out our Facebook Page or the Men's community. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter    Did you enjoy the podcast? If so please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. It helps our podcast get into the ears of new listeners, which expands the ManTalks Community Editing & Mixing by: Aaron The TechSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s mini-episode is a personal one, and about one of the most ancient and powerful rituals we as humans can practice: memento mori--being mindful of the inevitability of death. I dive into how memento mori works as a contemplative practice, its history, and why it’s more than just some personal development tool. Modern culture works hard to avoid even the idea of death, to the point where we water down some our most compelling stories and ideas. Tons of time is spent on practically forcing light and joy and life. But death helps inform us of how we are living--right here, right now.  As always, let me know your take. Leave a rating or review and help us reach more people like you. Are you looking to find your purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today.  Check out our Facebook Page or the Men's community. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter    Did you enjoy the podcast? If so please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. It helps our podcast get into the ears of new listeners, which expands the ManTalks Community Editing & Mixing by: Aaron The TechSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This was a powerful interview, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to listen to Reggie’s peace-oriented mindset and his perspective on a highly divisive period in American history. We dove into understanding the origins of modern activism and activist groups, Black Lives Matter, why discussions fall apart, and how we might repair them. Listen in for an honest, real conversation, and if it resonates, please share! Help us reach more people like you. Reggie Hubbard has held many senior strategic and logistical roles across a variety of fields, ranging from global marketing, digital and community organizing, government relations, international education to Presidential campaigning. He currently serves as a senior political strategist for MoveOn, managing their relationships, impact, and communications with Capitol Hill and among the broader progressive movement. Reggie is also a 500 hour certified yoga teacher and authored a thesis entitled, "Yoga and Spiritual Activism: Serving Humanity from a Sense of Devotion and Love." He has studied extensively with leading teachers such as Faith Hunter, Amy Ippolitti, Yogarupa Rod Stryker, Sri Dharma Mittra as well as many amazing teachers along the way. In July 2020, Reggie helped launch a grassroots campaign along with David Lipsius, Amy Ippoliti, Jack Kornfeld, and Tara Brach called Buddhists and Yogis United. This is an effort to share information and inspire teachers and their respective communities to encourage active civic participation in the upcoming election and beyond. Reggie has taught Members of Congress, Congressional Staff, leading progressive organizations and individuals, sharing techniques for growing peace and ease as a foundation, not an afterthought. The focus of his teaching practice is to bring more peace and balance to activists AND to guide the wellness community toward being more engaged, concerned citizens. Achieving this balance is how we catalyze transformative change.   Connect with Reggie Website: www.moveon.org, www.activepeaceyoga.com Instagram: @oreggieglobal Twitter: @oreggieglobal Facebook: oreggieglobal Are you looking to find your purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today.  Check out our Facebook Page or the Men's community. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter    Did you enjoy the podcast? If so please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. It helps our podcast get into the ears of new listeners, which expands the ManTalks CommunitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 2 of You Ask, I Answer is here! Some great questions came in and as always, it’s a pleasure to answer them. This week’s mini-ep covers setting and understanding boundaries with a partner, the “code of conflict”, how to know if it’s “the One”, and enhancing/perfecting long-distance relationships. If this episode resonates with you, let me know! Leave a rating or review, or send me your questions on Instagram @mantalks.  Are you looking to find your purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today.  Check out our Facebook Page or the Men's community. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter    Did you enjoy the podcast? If so please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. It helps our podcast get into the ears of new listeners, which expands the ManTalks Community  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I often tell clients, “say yes to the man you want to be”, and Lee Chambers is someone who decided to shout it! From running a seven-figure business to losing his ability to walk, he’s seen a lot. I was amazed by his struggles, but moreso by his deliberate, intentional reframing of them. Lee’s story is an incredibly powerful example of how mindset and action work together to define who you are and who you want to be. We cover a lot. Lee’s origin story, the big-picture ideas of environmental psychology, how to optimize your home office, and more. But the big takeaway in this episode is building a life that regenerates you and your environment.   Let me know your take on Insta @mantalks, or better yet, leave a rating or review. Help us help others! Connect with Lee Website: www.essentialise.co.uk, www.leechambers.org Instagram: @essentialisecoach Twitter: @essentialise LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-chambers-278a6518a/ Book (Upcoming): How to Conquer Anything  Are you looking to find your purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today.  Check out our Facebook Page or the Men's community. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter    Did you enjoy the podcast? If so please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. It helps our podcast get into the ears of new listeners, which expands the ManTalks CommunitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I genuinely enjoy getting questions from listeners, so this Q&A will be a two-parter! This week, I touch on three big questions: why some people crave the extreme, how to move on from a relationship full of love but doesn’t meet your needs, and when to walk away from a partner who is ambivalent about the relationship. If you know someone who can relate to these questions, share this with them! We’re all in this together. If you have any questions of your own, hit me up on Instagram (@mantalks). And as always, if any of this resonates, leave us a rating or review. It’ll help us reach more people (and answer more questions!) Are you looking to find your purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today.  Check out our Facebook Page or the Men's community. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter    Did you enjoy the podcast? If so please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. It helps our podcast get into the ears of new listeners, which expands the ManTalks Community Editing & Mixing by: Aaron The TechSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I like to occasionally feature a shadow-work session with someone I’ve never worked with before, and this one got powerful fast. My guest came to me wanting to work on the intersection of his sexuality and his religion; he feels fulfilled by being a leader in his community, but he also feels a clash between the pressure to “be religious” and be a sexual being at the same time. This expanded into a deep dive on the feeling of isolation and not belonging. This is a unique opportunity for you to listen to some real-time shadow work, where I guide a man through and into their shadow so they can get at what’s keeping them stuck or sabotaged. Are you looking to find your purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today.  Check out our Facebook Page or the Men's community. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter    Did you enjoy the podcast? If so please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. It helps our podcast get into the ears of new listeners, which expands the ManTalks Community Editing & Mixing by: Aaron The TechSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By the time you listen to this, my incredible wife Vienna and I will be on the road, heading into a new chapter of our lives. It seemed like the perfect time to talk about “moving” through crisis (see what I did there?). Because, like so many of our friends, clients, and listeners, the last several months threw a lot of plans into disarray. So we sat down together to discuss clinging to expectations, navigating “forced change”, and the lessons we’ve learned from transition points in our own lives. As we mentioned in the show, we’d like to do a part 2 to this mini-episode where we both take on your questions! Leave a rating or review, and hit us up on Instagram (@mantalks or @mindfulmft) with your questions about transition, change, and moving through crisis. Connect with Vienna Insta: @mindfulmft Twitter: @mindfulmft Website: http://www.newyorkcouplescounseling.com/about/vienna-pharaon/ Are you looking to find your purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today.  Check out our Facebook Page or the Men's community. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter    Did you enjoy the podcast? If so please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. It helps our podcast get into the ears of new listeners, which expands the ManTalks Community Editing & Mixing by: Aaron The TechSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’re going to want a comfy chair for this one. This week, my guest is Daoist Monk Yun Rou. Yun Rou is a brilliant interpreter of ancient ideas for a modern ear--if you’ve read his book The Mad Monk Manifesto you’ll know what I’m talking about. We got heavy into social media and how it affects us, why you might know more about Daoism than you think, and how Daoist philosophy can offer us a different, more holistic view of everything; from our own minds to the workings of the universe. If you consider yourself a seeker, this is the episode to listen to. Called the new Alan Watts for his teachings and the Zen Gabriel Garcia Marquez for his writings, Daoist Monk Yun Rou (formerly Arthur Rosenfeld) received his academic education at Yale, Cornell, and the University of California and was ordained a monk in an official ceremony at the Chun Yang Daoist Temple in Guangzhou, China. His work has appeared in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Parade, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, WebMD, Fox Business News, and numerous other websites and newspapers. His more than 20 award-winning non-fiction books and novels of magical realism focus on philosophy, history, compassion, and culture. From 2010 – 2013, he hosted the hit (reaching 60MM households) national public television show Longevity Tai Chi with Arthur Rosenfeld. The American Heart Association profiled Yun Rou as an inspirational resource in 2016. Monk Yun Rou began his formal martial arts training in 1980 and has studied with some of China’s top Chen-style tai chi grandmasters. In 2011 he was named Tai Chi Master of The Year at the World Congress on Qigong and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In July 2014, Yun Rou joined the heads of the five tai chi families on the dais, representing American tai chi, at the International Tai Chi Symposium in Louisville, Kentucky. He teaches in Southern Arizona, South Florida, and around the world.   Connect with Monk Yun Rou Website: https://www.monkyunrou.com/ Latest books: The Mad Monk Manifesto, Turtle Planet, Mistress Miao: https://tinyurl.com/y2t4nbw3 Instagram: @monkyunrou Facebook: facebook.com/monk.yun.rou Online Classes: via websiteTuesday 8pm EST, Daoist PhilosophyThursday 8pm EST, Daoist QigongSaturday 11am EST, Chen Tai Chi   Are you looking to find your purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today.  Check out our Facebook Page or the Men's community. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter    Did you enjoy the podcast? If so please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. It helps our podcast get into the ears of new listeners, which expands the ManTalks Community Editing & Mixing by: Aaron The TechSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices