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Are you married? Do you have a girlfriend? Do you have a boyfriend? Do you have any kind of significant other? Even if you don't, at the very least you have a relationship with yourself.

Heck, I'd argue that's the most important relationship in your life. If you can't truly love you and take care of you, then how can you expect to truly love and take care of someone else?

Life is all about relationships. We humans are built to bond, to connect, to cooperate, to help each other out, to support one another, to be there for one another whenever the time comes.

But, even though life is all about relationships, sometimes those relationships can be difficult to maintain. Sometimes, even the best of us who seem to have everything figure out and seem to know each other through and through, even those relationships go through their trials and tribulations.

Such was the case for one of Hollywood's most adored couples recently, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. You might have heard about Jada's "entanglement" with R&B singer August Alsina on her Red Table Talk show on Facebook. Jada brought Will to the Red Table to open up not just to Will, but to open up publicly about some of the rumors that seem to be flying around regarding this situation.

You might think this was some kind of publicity stunt, and I understand why you may feel that way, but the fact that they were willing to open up publicly about such a deep wound and such a tough time in their marriage says a lot about how well they communicate, respect each other, understand each other, talk things out and are willing to be vulnerable, be open, be honest and lay their true emotions and feelings all out on the line in order to work through this pain and struggle and heal their marriage.

Join me in this episode as I watch the Red Table Talk with Will & Jada (with the audio edited out) and I share my thoughts and opinions and how some of it relates to my own marriage and relationship with my wife.

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Are you enough? Smart enough? Tall enough? Good-looking enough? Thin enough? Strong enough? Tough enough? Good enough?

What does it even mean to be enough? Is their some strict marker you need to hit before you consider yourself enough? Is that strict marker determined by you? By your parents? By your coaches? By God? By your friends? By society? By the media?

One of my deepest and most limiting beliefs that I have struggled with and had to work hard--and continue to work hard--to overcome, is the belief that I'm not good enough. That belief stems from many things in my life, but mostly from losing my identity as a baseball player and considering my career as an athlete a failure.

Join me for this deep, enlightening conversation with J Stamatelos on what it means and feels like to be enough, and what it feels like when you're not.

J is a writer, researcher, and a coach who specializes in working with high-achievers who feel like they're chronically "not enough". He is a man who knows firsthand the effects of this feeling, as it almost cost him his life in his mid-20s.

J began his career in the workforce in counter-terrorism and emergency response... but he soon discovered that his own internal struggles were shared by practically everyone around him. He viewed this as a far bigger problem than terrorism. So he decided to dedicate himself to discovering why so many of us feel this way and what we can do about it.

After years of personal experimentation, working with clients, and digging into the research and behind-the-scenes issues, he has complied his findings in a book succinctly titled "Enough". Spanning everything from how we were raised to economic changes in our society, he outlines why recent generations have experienced a surge in what he calls "anxious insecurity". More importantly, he also outlines what changes we can make to break these cycles in our own lives.

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What does connection mean to you? What does it mean to connect with another human being?

Is it eye contact? A simple hello? A handshake? A hug? A kiss? A deep conversation? Sexual intimacy?

Connection can mean something to you and something totally different to me, or it can mean the same thing to us both. But, there is one thing that is certain without a doubt: us humans NEED connection. It's how we're wired and how we're built.

That's why we formed tribes and communities and we didn't evolve alone. This whole notion of "lone wolf" and "self-made" is such BS. Every single one of us has had some help from some one at some point in our lives. Every. Single. One.

No one ever has and no one ever will get through this alone. No one.

Join me for this fascinating conversation with Rob Lawless aka "Rob's 10K Friends" that's all about one of our deepest needs: connecting with other human beings.

Rob is a man on a mission--a mission to spend 1 hour, 1-on-1, with 10,000 different people (what a mission!) all in an effort to learn about their lives and see what comes of opening doors for no particular reason... other than to let someone in.

Since starting his project in November of 2015, he's met over 3,500 people from across 30 different states and 60 different countries, and he's documented all his their stories on his Instagram page.

His work has been featured in some very notable TV and radio shows and publications including the Kelly Clarkson Show, Now This, ABC World News Now, The New York Post, ad Ryan Seacrest's nationally syndicated show "On Air with Ryan Seacrest."

Going forward, he plans to physically travel for his project internationally, he intends to begin speaking about his work, and ultimately he hopes to teach a freshman seminar on human connection at a local college or university.

To contribute to Rob's project or become part of his community, check out his Patreon page.

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Have you ever been addicted to something--alcohol, drugs, food, sex, validation?

To addicts, it can feel like the substance they're addicted to is no big deal. Like they don't have an issue. Like it's just some harmless habit that they can kick at any time they want to... they just don't want to.

Usually, if not always, addiction is the sign of a much, much deeper wound and more than just a harmless habit. Sometimes addiction is a way to cope with a life that doesn't fulfill you, a life that doesn't make you happy, a way to cope with that person staring back at you in the mirror that you don't even recognize anymore, a person that disgusts you just to look at.

But, addiction doesn't have to define who you are, you don't have to be just an "addict" for the rest of your life. It is something you can overcome, something you can beat, but it's going to take a lot of hard work, a lot of pain and a lot of self awareness and self reflection.

Join me for this deep, vulnerable, tearful conversation with Daniel Diaz, a man who knows firsthand what it feels like to be in the death grip of addiction, overcome it, relapse, and finally beat it once and for all.

Daniel is a life and business coach who was once trapped in a long, vicious cycle of addictions, bad habits, poor relationships, and toxic environments. He was living a busy, painful, lonely, empty life. Then he found personal development and began to transform his life and business.

Seven years later he took a massive leap when he left his company to pursue his passion of helping others live their Peak Life Now. Daniel is now a speaker, a life mastery coach, and the CEO of Peak Life Now, a mission driven company delivering entrepreneurs and team leaders to their highest level of performance through a heart-centered transformation of mindset and habits.

Don't miss this conversation as Daniel shares his inspirational story of how he overcame his personal demons to believe in and love himself like no other.

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This episode was a tough one to record and publish.

Not because of any technical difficulties, but mostly because of fear, insecurities, hesitation, worry, doubt, unworthiness, not good enough, shame.... you know, all the stuff that has always held me back from being the best man I can be.

I've officially launched a Patreon page. This is an opportunity to finally begin to capitalize (monetarily) on the hard work and dedication I've been putting into this podcast and this work for the past year, and more.

This isn't just a way for me to make money, it's a way for you to get more out of this work as well. I'll be offering exclusive perks and access while the podcast episodes will still remain free--and they always will.

This a way for me to slowly begin transitioning from a 9-to-5 career, to making this my career and life's work. The less time I'm dedicating to a job that doesn't fulfill me, the more time I can dedicate to this work that does fulfill me and the better and more consistent I can make it, the better I can make myself, and the better I can make you.

Even if you just remain a loyal listener for years to come, I just want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

I love this work and I love the people that I've met and impacted because of it. Here's to many more years of doing it.

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You may have an idea of what it means to be a "masculine" man--although it can vary and be subjective depending on where you live, where you grew up, your culture, your religion or your sexual orientation.

But what does it mean to be masculine in your relationship? Is it being domineering and demanding? Is it yelling and intimidating? Is it being physical and violent? It showing your partner who the boss is? Is it being a leader? Is it being overly sexual?

Join me for this raw and intimate discussion with GS Youngblood as we discuss topics such as:

- Masculine leadership
-What makes relationships become toxic
-How men can deal with their partner's strong emotions
-Why a man's heart is so attractive
-Sexual leadership
-How men can deal with THEIR OWN emotions

... and many more.

GS is a former high executive who had a career in Sales and Marketing that spanned 16 years, including founding and selling a tech company. Using the leadership skills and practices he honed during his time in Silicon Valley, he now coaches men in relationships on masculine leadership.

He teaches clients how to live, love and lead from their masculine core and specializes in helping "nice guys" find their power. His new book "The Masculine in Relationship: A Blueprint for Inspiring Trust, Lust and Devotion of a Strong Woman" has gotten phenomenal reception from both men AND women.

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Vulnerability. Tenderness. Affection. Kindness. Compassion. Tears. Empathy. Homosexuality. Social worker. Single dad. Author of a children's book. Reality TV star. Queer eye.

Are these words and phrases you would use to describe a "man"? Well, all these words and phrases can be used to describe our guest, Karamo Brown... and he is a man!

Join me as I sit down for this energetic conversation with Karamo as we dive deep into his story about stepping into the man that he was born to be, the man that he truly is, despite what his community, family, society, religion, race and everyone else around him was telling him about what a real man is.

You might know Karamo from his Emmy Award-winning Netflix series, Queer Eye, where he is the resident Culture Expert who helps make over the hearts and minds of individuals by helping them to confront and grow beyond internal and external issues.

Or you might know him as the first ever openly gay African American in reality television history when he was a housemate on MTV's hit reality series The Real World in 2004.

But, Karamo is so much more than that. He is a son of immigrant parents, he is a single father, he is a Christian, he is a real, strong, authentic, loving, openly gay, black man.

He is a man who's been lauded for his ease and natural comfort in relating to different types of people and strategically utilizes the strength of his numerous identities to achieve success, and teach others to do the same.

He is also a fellow podcaster where he hosts fantastic guests and deep, open, vulnerable conversations about a range of important topics. Check it out!

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What does confidence mean to you? How would you define it for yourself or in yourself?

Do you consider yourself confident? In what areas of your life are you confident? Are you more confident in some areas than others?

If you're like I used to be, you might believe confidence is something you're born with--you either have it or you don't. Wrong. I wasn't born a confident baseball player, I BECAME a confident baseball player through failure, resiliency and a belief in myself.

Sports was something I became very confident in, oftentimes believing that I was the best around. But what happened when that part of my life came to an end? My confidence disappeared along with it.

Listen in to find out how I've learned to not only regain my confidence in myself and my abilities, but also redefine what it means to be truly confident.

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Do you know a gay man? Are you a gay man? If so, do you believe that being a gay man makes one any less of a man than a straight, heterosexual man?

Shoot, I'd argue that gay men are some of the toughest, bravest, most resilient, most understanding men in the world. Considering all the hatred, vitriol, persecution, judgement, labeling, ridiculing and shaming they've endured for years and years--oftentimes from the people in their lives that are supposed to have their backs and love them unconditionally--they could probably teach a lot of us straight men a thing or two about being a man.

Would you ever take advice from a gay man on how to live life? Why not? Just because he's attracted to men doesn't mean you can't relate to him on so many other levels.

Join me as I sit down with Britt East for one of the most intimate, deep, vulnerable conversations yet on this podcast.

Britt East is an author & speaker who uses his experience, strength, and hope to challenge and inspire change-oriented gay men to get down to the business of improving their lives.
With over two decades of personal growth and development experience in a variety of modalities, such as the 12 Steps, Nonviolent Communication, yoga, meditation, talk therapy, and the Hoffman Process, Britt is committed to building a personal practice of self-discovery that he can then share with gay men everywhere.

In his new book, A Gay Man’s Guide to Life (available 6/30), he provides a resource for gay men who’ve experienced societal homophobia--at home, in school, in the workplace, and even within the gay community--to put in the work to live their best lives. This isn’t new-age mumbo jumbo or wishy-washy self-help jargon, but thoughtful dialogue that anyone in the LGBTQ+ community will find value in.

Heck, even if you aren't part of the LGBTQ+ community, you are bound to find some useful information and guidance in this book.

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What makes a good leader?

Is it sternness? Discipline? The amount followers they have? Their courage? Their success? Their lack of failure? Their professionalism? Their ability to get others to follow? Their ability to yell? Their "don't take no for an answer" attitude?

There's probably hundreds and thousands of different opinions and definitions of what it means to be a leader, and millions of examples of leaders in the world. Your opinion of a leader might be different than mine. A leader to one person might just be a bossy authoritarian to another. A follower to another person might be the best leader a company has ever seen.

When you think about a leader, do you think about someone who does things outside themselves? As merely the way someone interacts with the world and with others?

Do you ever think about how you lead the most important person in the world, the person that matters the most to you--yourself? What does it mean to lead yourself? Is that even possible? If so, what's the best possible way to do that?

Join me as I sit down with Travis Fox--psychologist, clinical hypnotherapist, entrepreneur, CEO, former athlete--as we discuss many of these questions and what it means to be a courageous and compassionate leader.

Travis Fox is the CEO and founder of The Architect of Being, where he and his team train and teach others his proprietary methodology of architecting sales, marketing, communication and branding. Utilizing his skills for personality profiling, effective listening, focused concentration and rapport building, Travis’ method has effectively helped improve corporations, entrepreneurs, and product messaging, guiding them to the heart of their message.

Travis has also been the "head" coach to several top professional players on the professional golf tours, as well as to those competing at the collegiate level. His Methodologies have also crossed over into his coaching of professional football, college basketball, and full contact fighting athletes.