"Becoming Better Men" is a conversational catalyst for a new way to think about masculinity – a new way to answer the question, “What does it mean to ‘be a man’?”

These are “teaching” conversations, the kind you might share with a young professional, a new parent, a first-time leader - someone beginning to ask the important questions about who they want to be and how they want to show up… for their families, their teams and in communities that are hungry for meaningful change.

Along the way, I have learned that they are also conversations for anyone who is alive with curiosity about this question: How do I become the best version of myself?

This week's episode is Part 2 of our season-ending compilation, “Five Questions.”

I made a decision with the very first episode to ask each of my guests the same set of 5 questions at the conclusion of our conversations:

*What's a book or movie that has changed you?

*What's a quality you wish you had more of?

*What's a quality you wish you had less of?

*What advice would you give to your younger self?

*What's something you are looking forward to?

And, in the order they appear, the voices you will hear belong to:

*Greg Knotts – Professor of Elementary Education

*Cathy Earley – Executive Coach

*Danny Hernandez – Quarterback Coach & Mentor

*Renee Smith – Founder & CEO, A Human Workplace

*Allen Carter – English teacher in training

*Jeff Shuck – Founder & Co-CEO, Plenty Consulting

*Bill Proudman – Co-founder & CEO, White Men As Full Diversity Partners

*G Cody QJ Goldberg – Founder & Executive Director, Harpers Playground

*Evan Singer – Founder, Human Speek

*Tim Russell – HR Executive & Keynote Speaker

ABOUT BECOMING BETTER MEN


David Berry, a longtime advisor to organizational leaders and the VP of People & Culture at MUNICIPAL, hosts a series of conversations about the promise of a new vision for masculinity in a world that really needs it.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2L3epws

Subscribe on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/70MS450BNc3…jQQ7qpieMe1YmSvQ

As we prepare to bring Season 1 to a close, there’s a lot to be grateful for, especially the 22 guests who agreed to join me in conversation about a new way to define what it means to be a man in a world that needs it as much if not more than it ever has.

I made a decision with the very first episode to ask each of my guests the same set of five questions at the conclusion of our conversations. I had an eye towards one day publishing a compilation of those responses and that day has finally arrived. Today, the first of two episodes featuring the concluding minutes of each conversation.

The 5 questions I ask are these:

Whats a book or movie that has changed you?

Whats a quality you wish you had more of?

Whats a quality you wish you had less of?

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Whats something you are looking forward to?

And, in the order they appear, the voices you will hear belong to:

*Dave Canales – Passing Game Coach, Seattle Seahawks

*Jarod Middleton – Captain, San Jose Fire Department

*Damien Faughnan – CEO Advisor

*Joe Richardson – Racial & Economic Justice Practice Group Leader, McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP

*Ray Watts – Assoc. VP for Development, Claremont McKenna College

*Kevin Nickerson – Chaplain, Los Angeles Rams

*Tim Fiala – My summer camp counselor from 1984 (!)

*Elliot Powell – Former Director, White House Situation Room (and my daughter's middle school history teacher!)

*Dane Anthony – Spiritual Director

*Harry Arnett – Municipal Co-Founder and CEO

*Frank Shushok – VP for Student Affairs at Virginia Tech

*Zach Hoopes – Avid Outdoorsman and Long-distance Hiker

ABOUT BECOMING BETTER MEN


David Berry, a longtime advisor to organizational leaders and the VP of People & Culture at MUNICIPAL, hosts a series of conversations about the promise of a new vision for masculinity in a world that really needs it.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2L3epws

Subscribe on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/70MS450BNc3…jQQ7qpieMe1YmSvQ

This week on the podcast, friend and fellow leadership development executive, Tim Russell.

The big idea I take away from our conversation is a reminder of the reciprocity of disclosure, the truth that sits at the core of every dynamic and lasting relationship. When we have the courage to share ourselves in real ways – especially with our colleagues – we create the conditions for others to do the same. In doing so we are reminded that regardless of role or title or appearance we are all, as Harry Stack Sullivan once remarked: “more human than otherwise.”

My guess is that after listening to Tim’s stories about the origins of his core values, you’ll be inclined to do that work yourself. And that you might even decide to make them the lead feature of your LinkedIn profile, a choice that Tim makes to send a clear and compelling message about the forces that guide his life.

Finally, before you get yourself convinced that Tim’s another one of those guys whose “got it all figured out” you need to know that the through-line of this conversation is his 10 years of sobriety and his resolve to apply his values in service of both his family and his community - after all, what better place to start then right where you live?

As we cautiously and hopefully emerge from the shadow of the pandemic, this affirming conversation about personal recovery and humility is exactly what I need right now and I trust that will be true for you as well.

ABOUT BECOMING BETTER MEN


David Berry, a longtime advisor to organizational leaders and the VP of People & Culture at MUNICIPAL, hosts a series of conversations about the promise of a new vision for masculinity in a world that really needs it.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2L3epws

Subscribe on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/70MS450BNc3…jQQ7qpieMe1YmSvQ

Evan Singer is the founder of Human Speek, a marketing consultancy through which he also provides training in stress management. He is also the co-founder and host of The Par Train, a podcast that focuses on the game of golf as a catalyst for human development and learning.

Evan lives his life at the intersection of spirituality, mindset and growth so it is no surprise that he is so passionate about helping others to incorporate those disciplines into their lives as well. He makes a powerful argument for how each of those commitments is integral to high performance.

I see our conversation as just right for this moment as we all anticipate brighter days ahead and have turned our attention to both who and how we will choose to be as we emerge from this pandemic year.

ABOUT BECOMING BETTER MEN


David Berry, a longtime advisor to organizational leaders and the VP of People & Culture at MUNICIPAL, hosts a series of conversations about the promise of a new vision for masculinity in a world that really needs it.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2L3epws

Subscribe on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/70MS450BNc3…jQQ7qpieMe1YmSvQ

This week, G Cody QJ Goldberg talks through the origin story of his organization, Harper's Playground, and why he has dedicated his life to creating playgrounds that are both totally inclusive and completely engaging. Cody’s daughter, Harper was born with significant physical limitations, making the traditional playground experience an impossible one for her to navigate. So, he decided to do something about it.

This is a conversation about the power of conviction, the intersection of personal passion and a vision that rallies other’s to join a movement for real change. It is also about Cody’s commitment to presence and the act of listening…to be the husband and father he wants to be, first of all, and to also be a leader who is both willing and able to honor what other’s need while building the consensus necessary to make amazing things happen.

To learn more, go to harpersplayground.org.

ABOUT BECOMING BETTER MEN


David Berry, a longtime advisor to organizational leaders and the VP of People & Culture at MUNICIPAL, hosts a series of conversations about the promise of a new vision for masculinity in a world that really needs it.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2L3epws

Subscribe on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/70MS450BNc3…jQQ7qpieMe1YmSvQ

This week on the podcast: Bill Proudman, co-founder and CEO of the firm, White Men as Full Diversity Partners.

It's a powerful conversation about Bill’s passionate commitment to stick with the difficult questions and conversations that are his life’s work. These are questions about the responsibilities of privilege, the choice we all have to lead with more curiosity and empathy, the power of learning to say “I don’t know,” and the commitment to sticking with hard things especially when it doesn’t feel like anything is changing.

With practical guidance and encouragement, Bill makes the case for jumping into the deep end of the pool, especially when we feel like we have no business being there. If the goal is to become a better man…to become the best version of ourselves, what other choice do we have?

To learn more about White Men as Full Diversity Partners, please visit https://wmfdp.com/

Please give it a listen and add your reviews on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or DM us on Instagram @municipal.

ABOUT BECOMING BETTER MEN


David Berry, a longtime advisor to organizational leaders and the VP of People & Culture at MUNICIPAL, hosts a series of conversations about the promise of a new vision for masculinity in a world that really needs it.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2L3epws

Subscribe on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/70MS450BNc3…jQQ7qpieMe1YmSvQ

This week, David is in conversation with Jeff Shuck, the founder and Co-CEO of Plenty Consulting, a firm dedicated to the elevation of consciousness in organizational strategy and leadership. Also, he was David's best man, which means it's very much a conversation about the evolution of friendship. It's an energetic exploration of the ideas that brought them together - idealism, leadership, impact, self-discovery and purpose - and how those ideas have matured into new expressions through both lived experience and the passage of time.

Please give it a listen and add your reviews on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or DM us on Instagram @municipal.

ABOUT BECOMING BETTER MEN


David Berry, a longtime advisor to organizational leaders and the VP of People & Culture at MUNICIPAL, hosts a series of conversations about the promise of a new vision for masculinity in a world that really needs it.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2L3epws

Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/70MS450BNc3fhU8fXu0sA9?si=L_KqLzjQQ7qpieMe1YmSvQ

This week on the podcast, David talks with Allen Carter, a teacher in training who is working hard to bring together the big lessons learned from his most important role models. Their conversation is an exploration of how empathy, giving back, hard work and respect can come together to form the backbone of one man's pursuit to make an impact in other's lives. You will not think about your role models and mentors - or your opportunity to be one - in the same way after this powerful reminder of the importance of those relationships.

Please give it a listen and add your reviews on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or DM us on Instagram @municipal.

ABOUT BECOMING BETTER MEN:

David Berry, a longtime advisor to organizational leaders and the VP of People & Culture at MUNICIPAL, hosts a series of conversations about the promise of a new vision for masculinity in a world that really needs it.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2L3epws

Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/70MS450BNc3fhU8fXu0sA9?si=L_KqLzjQQ7qpieMe1YmSvQ

This week, David is joined by Renee Smith, the founder of A Human Workplace for a powerful discussion of her "joyful obligation" to reduce fear in the workplace and replace it with love. They dig into the reality that men have been taught and expected to use too few of their available resources, relying heavily on command, control and power to the exclusion of connection, empathy, vulnerability and curiosity. And that the most effective way to restore those tools to their necessary place in the toolbox is through relationship, one meaningful interaction at a time.

Please give it a listen and add your reviews on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or DM us on Instagram @municipal.

ABOUT BECOMING BETTER MEN


David Berry, a longtime advisor to organizational leaders and the VP of People & Culture at MUNICIPAL, hosts a series of conversations about the promise of a new vision for masculinity in a world that really needs it.

Please give it a listen and add your reviews on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or DM us on Instagram @municipal.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2L3epws

Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/70MS450BNc3fhU8fXu0sA9?si=L_KqLzjQQ7qpieMe1YmSvQ

Danny Hernandez is one of the premier quarterback mentors and coaches for high school football players in the country. But the fundamental position skills he teaches are secondary to preparing his students to become better men first.

He joins host David Berry (MUNICIPAL’s VP of People & Culture) to talk about his early influences, creating an environment for young people to succeed, why learning is just as important as teaching, how he absorbed his coaching philosophies, and the absolute key lessons he tries to teach his students.

Follow Danny on Instagram: @dannyh131

ABOUT BECOMING BETTER MEN

David Berry, a longtime coach and advisor to organizational leaders and the VP of people & culture at MUNICIPAL, hosts a series of conversations with men (and women) who are dedicated to learning, growth, and the belief that cultural norms of masculinity are painfully outdated and damaging. The idea is to inspire and encourage "better men" to both live and lead in wholehearted ways. The dialogue gets deep and candid as each guest shares stories about their origins, developing their values, careers, family, faith, decision-making, and failure. Look for new episodes on iTunes and Spotify at the beginning of every week.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2L3epws

Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/70MS450BNc3fhU8fXu0sA9?si=L_KqLzjQQ7qpieMe1YmSvQ