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There are seasons where life feels like quicksand—like you’re trying to move forward, but you can’t. In this episode of Next Third Best Third, I sit down with my friend Ezra Stanton to talk about what it actually looks like to get unstuck when you’ve done “all the right things” and still feel hopeless. Ezra shares the real story behind a nightmare stretch of pressure, loss, rejection, and the emotional fallout that followed—plus the moment he realized the fire in his life felt like it was going out.

What hit me most is how practical this conversation gets. We talk about taking back your thought life—because your mind is either being led or it’s being dominated. Ezra breaks down the tools that helped him climb out: capturing thoughts, daily declarations, practicing gratitude (especially in small moments), and learning how to encourage yourself instead of letting your inner voice become your enemy. If you’ve been rehearsing worst-case scenarios, negative self-talk, or “stinking thinking,” this episode gives you a way to interrupt that cycle.

We also go straight at the thing most men avoid: vulnerability. We talk about why isolation is deadly, why courage often looks like opening up to a few trusted guys, and how real brotherhood becomes a turning point—not a nice add-on. Ezra also shares what he’s building through “Greater Than the Grind,” and why being present matters more than just providing. If you’re stuck, exhausted, or quietly carrying more than you’re admitting—this one is for you.

More from Ezra on his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamezra/

Chapters:
00:00 — When Life Feels Like Quicksand
01:14 — The Season That Broke Me: Pressure, Conflict, and Burnout
03:12 — Tragedy Piled Up: Grief, Loss, and Rejection
04:22 — The Dark Place After the Pandemic
05:49 — “I Felt Hopeless”: When Nothing Works
06:38 — The Firewood Moment: “Lord, This Is My Life”
07:28 — Take Back Your Mind: Capturing Every Thought
10:01 — Declarations + Gratitude: The Practices That Shifted Everything
16:44 — Vulnerability Is a Superpower (And Isolation Will Kill a Man)
22:01 — Greater Than the Grind: The Message Men Need Now

Welcome to Next Third Best Third! Join us for the inaugural episode of the Next Third Best Third podcast! Host David Fenwick, founder, author, and life coach, introduces the mission to inspire men over 40 to thrive in the next stage of life. Discover how to conquer life's challenges across physical, mental, relational, spiritual, and emotional dimensions. In this episode, David shares insights on:

- Physical Health: Strategies for maintaining fitness and vitality as you age.
- Mental Resilience: Techniques to stay mentally sharp and manage stress.
- Relational Growth: Building and nurturing meaningful relationships.
- Spiritual Fulfillment: Finding purpose and deeper spiritual connections.
- Emotional Well-being: Managing emotions and fostering a positive outlook.

Don't miss out on this journey towards making the next third of your life the best third!

Website: (https://www.nextthirdbestthird.com/)