In this episode of the Heart of Shadow podcast series, Luke Adler and I talk about the habit of men using ejaculation for self-regulation, and how a powerful alternative is to step more into our experience via checking in with a men's group.Join the Heart of Shadow waitlist at heartofshadow.com

In this episode, I explore the important difference between integrity and congruence, and how crucially important it is to understand the distinction for nice guys.

This episode is short and sweet and about the important reframe of focusing on a better, not easier life, and how connection and community are the most powerful ingredients for that to happen.

In this episode, I chat with my Heart of Shadow co-facilitator Luke Adler about the common experience of men wanting to understand everything and how that's often a way to resist feeling. We go deep into how this can lead to staying in the realm of the mind and avoiding emotional connection. We explore the power of moving from the head to the heart and body to come into our full power as men.

Inspired by one of my favorite Pearl Jam songs, in this episode I talk about what it means to "Do the Evolution", and its significance in personal growth and development. Drawing from developmental theory, I explore what it means to "do the work" through the lens of subject-object relations and how our awareness evolves allowing us to "see" more and more and thus make different choices in life. Video by Pearl Jam

Every intimate relationship will cross a critical, often make-or-break threshold moment in which the two foundational components of polarity and intimacy invert. Tune in to this episode to learn about this important milestone, what often goes wrong, and what tools can support your relationship in thriving beyond this moment.

In this episode, I'm excited to welcome friend and healer David Romero to delve into the healing potentials of psychedelic medicines. David shares his fascinating journey from the military to yoga, mental health, and psychedelic healing. He shares the importance of developing a relationship with the medicines, how they aren't a magical cure-all, the power of mindset and setting when working with psychedelics, and the many benefits of micro-dosing psilocybin.ABOUT DAVIDDavid Romero has walked a wonderfully rich life path, including serving a decade in the U.S. Air Force as an acquisitions program manager launching space assets, working in the heart of western medicine as a medical device sales with a focus on orthopedic spine and pain management, and becoming a certified yoga teacher with over 1000 hours of training. Romero's journey has seen him share his insights on grand stages like TEDx, foster mindfulness at prestigious institutions such as the University of Southern California, and lead transformative international yoga retreats. His commitment extends beyond the mat, with nearly a decade spent exploring plant medicines, positioning him as a wise guide toward heart-mind harmony and present-moment awareness.ig: @theyogidr

In this episode, I delve into the transformative power of shifting our mindset from 'moving away' to 'moving toward', a crucial pivot that can radically alter our lives. I shine a light on our common male tendency to dodge emotional discomfort and the profound healing that unfolds when we bravely face our feelings. I then explore the vital role of vision in guiding our life's trajectory and the unparalleled support men's groups offer us along the way. In short, this episode is a call for us to embrace our emotions, foster a clear vision for our future, and explore the supportive spaces that empower us men to heal, grow, and realize our full potential.

In this episode I explore a lesser-known aspect of the saying "If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you" that can be particularly hard for men!

In this episode, I explore the significance of having a safe place to return to after facing setbacks or feelings of shame in life, and how the power of a men's group and community can be the key to moving beyond our shame by giving us a place to consciously come back to relationship.

In this episode, I'm once again joined by Luke Adler to explore the sense of hurt and disconnection that many men are experiencing today, and how having the courage to feel is the medicine we desperately need as men to drop below all the surface-level forces that try to pull us away from our discomfort, whether it be relationally, politically, cultural, or from dopamine overloads. This is one of our widest-ranging discussions yet in the Heart of Shadow series and is a genuine call to all men in pain that there is a way forward.Find out more about the Heart of Shadow men's group and program at heartofshadow.com

In this episode, I delve into the topics of purpose and passion, two crucial aspects of a man's life. Contrary to a lot of the talk in the world of men's work, finding our purpose is often a lot less straightforward than we think, and not always as simple as "do what you love" or "follow your passion". Whether you love what you do or are yearning for something more when it comes to your purpose in the world, this episode will point the way toward cultivating more meaning and fulfillment in your work.

In this episode of the Heart of Shadow series, Luke Adler and I discuss the impact of shadow work on long-term relationships. We share our own experiences of how shadow work has transformed our marriages and how important the work has been to maintain vitality and prevent stagnation. We explore the need for personal responsibility and owning one's pain and wounding in order to avoid projecting it onto our intimate relationship. In short, having a place to explore our shadow in the safety of a group of men is a potent way to keep our intimate relationship alive and healthy.Learn more about the Heart of Shadow men's group and retreat at https://heartofshadow.com

Anger and aggression are NOT the same thing, and the most dangerous men are aggressive men who aren't aware of their anger.  In this episode I break down the all-important difference between anger and aggression, and talk about the three keys to embodying healthy anger in the world, and why our planet needs a whole lot more men doing it.Want a safe container to explore your anger in? Check out the Heart of Shadow men's group and retreat.

In this episode, my co-host Luke Adler and I talk about why us men can be so hard on themselves. We delve into the roots of this harshness and scrutinize its impact on overall health and happiness. Drawing from personal experiences and knowledge gained from our work with men, we provide viable strategies to navigate through the maze of self-criticism and work towards a healthier self-perception. We talk about the strength that lies in vulnerability and the transformative magic of shadow work, and how truly healing a powerful group can be.Learn more about the Heart of Shadow men's group and join our next cohort at evolutionary.men/heartofshadow[00:00:38] Being hard on ourselves.[00:03:26] Men's culture and criticism.[00:08:14] Self-deprecation and its impacts.[00:10:49] Our slow-to-update self-concept.[00:15:41] The importance of group continuity.[00:19:57] Celebrating vulnerability and self-deprecation.[00:22:32] The power of vulnerability.[00:25:31] Feedback and self-talk.[00:27:50] Fear of being a failure.[00:31:35] Rewiring the inner critic.[00:38:07] Healing the inner critic.

In this episode, I explore 'Nice Guy Syndrome', its origins, and how to overcome it. Using Dr. Gabor Mate's idea of two primary human needs: attachment and authenticity, I explore how men often suppress their authentic selves to secure attachment, leading to Nice Guy Syndrome. I then discuss how reclaiming authenticity is one of the most powerful uses of men's groups, and how doing so can lead to healthier relationships and improved wellbeing all around for men.Join the Heart of Shadow men's group now to reclaim your authenticity and power.

In this episode, Luke Adler joins me once more to explore an issue many men experience - stagnation, or feeling stuck. Men in particular often suffer from emotional stagnation, manifesting as feelings of despair, depression, or emotional numbness - all of which can have serious physical and spiritual consequences. Luke enlightens us with his knowledge of Chinese medicine, explaining how emotional stagnation can disrupt bodily systems, promoting inflammation and potential loss of function. We also consider the societal construct of masculinity and the unique challenge men face in redefining their roles. Our shared goal is to shape a new cultural norm where men can connect, support each other, and break free of outdated masculine norms like "the macho man" or "the nice guy."Experience the masculine vortex by joining our next Heart of Shadow cohort at evolutionary.men/heartofshadow

Discover the key to shifting your patterns and attracting better intimate partners and deeper connections through the power of inner work.Join The Heart of Shadow men's group now at heartofshadow.com

In this episode, I discuss two important concepts related to men and masculinity: precarious manhood and the man box. The first refers to the sociocultural belief that manhood is a fragile status that needs to be constantly defended, while the latter is a societal construct that dictates norms and expectations for men. These concepts contribute to systemic issues that create many challenges for men. Replacing these implicit and unconscious expectations with more helpful ones is part of the work of the men's work movement right now.00:31 Understanding Precarious Manhood01:52 Exploring the Tenets of Precarious Manhood07:42 The Man Box: A Societal Construct09:07 The Impact of the Man Box on Men's Mental Health11:56 The Role of Men's Groups and Rituals in Breaking Free from the Man BoxWant to blow up the limitations of the manbox and co-create definitions with other men? Join The Heart of Shadow men's group and retreat.

In this episode, I once again explore loneliness among men and highlight the detrimental health risks associated with lacking meaningful connections. Then I break down the difference between loneliness and social isolation, the importance of the quality of our connections over the quantity, and how men's groups can provide the depth of connection so many men are missing.Register for the Heart of Shadow men's group now.