In this episode I dive into the hidden roots of nice guy syndrome along with my Heart of Shadow co-facilitator Dr. Luke Adler. We explore how being a "nice guy" is actually one of six primitive nervous system survival responses rooted in fear of losing connection. Luke and I share vulnerable stories about how this shows up and why shadow work is the real pathway out.

We break down why cognitive strategies aren't enough and how the consistent presence of loving masculine energy through men's groups becomes the medicine that allows nice guys to drop the people-pleasing patterns and reclaim their authentic power.

• Break free from your nice guy syndrome and join the Heart of Shadow Men's Group and Retreat (https://heartofshadow.com)
• Like the Podcast? Join the Discussion Community (https://evolutionary.men/discuss)

In this episode I break down the three types of disconnection that are crushing men right now and leading to depression, stuckness, and a sense that something's just off in life. I walk through what each of these disconnections looks like, why they're so common, and most importantly, what men can actually do to reconnect and start feeling alive again.

If you're feeling stuck, depressed, or like you're just going through the motions, this episode will help you figure out what's really going on and give you a clear path forward.

• Get Connected to self, other, and nature at the Evolutionary Men Labor Day Retreat (https://evolutionary.men/retreat/)
• Join the Heart of Shadow Men's Group and Retreat (https://heartofshadow.com)
• Join the virtual Men's Group Experience 12 week men's group (https://mens.group)
• Like the Podcast? Join the Discussion Community (https://evolutionary.men/discuss)

In this episode I chat with naturalist and poet Roy Arthur Blodgett to face what men inherit: numbness, isolation, and a grim overculture of masculinity. We get into men and land, how the wild helped Roy feel most himself, and what shifts when we stop spectating and start participating. We talk land literacy, seeing patterns of succession, the fear of causing harm that keeps men frozen, and the power of choosing responsibility anyway.

Follow Roy at www.royarthurblodgett.com

Join me and Roy and get your hands dirty with some land work at the next Evolutionary Men Labor Day Retreat at https://evolutionary.men/retreat/

Then face the shadows of your lineage in the next Heart of Shadow Men's Group & Retreat at https://evolutionary.men/heartofshadow/

In this episode, I get personal and share about my top 16 moments that I've gotten to experience that's to men's work, all stemming from men's groups, retreats, and community (and in no particular order).

These are all experiences that have enriched my life beyond measure, and were all possible because of the depth of connection I've cultivated with incredible men in my life.

Start building your band of brothers and come to the Evolutionary Men Labor Day Retreat at https://evolutionary.men/retreat

Then go even deeper with the Heart of Shadow Men's Group & Retreat at https://evolutionary.men/heartofshadow

In this episode, Luke and I explore the complex narratives surrounding masculinity, particularly the idea of victimhood among men. We dig into the cultural reflections of masculinity, the evolution of men's roles, and the importance of shadow work in reclaiming agency and responsibility from the oh so alluring victim masculinity being sold these days.

Join the Heart of Shadow Men's Group & Retreat at heartofshadow.com

Attend the Evolutionary Men Labor Day Retreat at evolutionary.men/retreat

In this episode, I dive into what I believe is the new standard for powerful men: taking responsibility for our pain. Whether it’s personal, ancestral, or collective, owning our wounds is what separates conscious men from those stuck in blame or avoidance. I explore how trauma lives in the nervous system, how patterns are passed down through generations, and why the work of healing, though uncomfortable, is ultimately the path to true power, presence, and leadership. 

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime brother and mentor Ted Riter for a conversation that goes straight into the heart of sacred masculinity, grief, and transformation. Ted is a former rabbi turned spiritual guide and relationship coach who brings over 30 years of wisdom into the space of men’s work, intimacy, and embodiment.

We explore how a collapse in his life led him to the very work he now teaches—how grief, shame, and mistrust of men became gateways into deeper integrity, love, and purpose. Ted shares how his lineage ultimately became a foundation for the spiritual and relational depth he offers today. We also chat about the sacredness of men’s circles, the difference between nice and loving challenge, and why decentralization and shared responsibility are the future of men’s groups.

Connect with Ted:

Website: tedriter.com

Instagram: @tedridertalks

GET INVOLVED WITH EVOLUTIONARY MEN

• Join our LIVE retreat: August 28th – September 1st in Northern California. You’ll walk away deeply embodied in your power, more connected to other men, and nourished by great food and inspiring nature. Head over ​to book your spot now​.
• Want support starting or deepening your own men’s group journey? Checkout ​Men’s Group Experience​ or ​The Heart of Shadow​
• Learn the foundations of masculine presence and remove your blocks to polarity via our ​Pillars of Presence​ program
• Like the Podcast? Join the Discussion Community at ​here

In this episode I unpack why mastering sexy hacks like alpha-drops and breath orgasms is just the tip of the iceberg. I explore how childhood attachment wounds, body neglect, and unprocessed relational pain set the real limits on your erotic charge, and I explain why the hard, unsexy healing work—therapy, men’s groups, shadow work, and nervous-system rehab—is the game-changer for lasting safety, trust, and deep connection.

• Join our LIVE retreat: August 28th – September 1st in Northern California. You’ll walk away deeply embodied in your power, more connected to other men, and nourished by great food and inspiring nature. Head over ​to book your spot now​.
• Learn the foundations of masculine presence and remove your blocks to polarity via our ​Pillars of Presence​ program
• Want support starting or deepening your own men’s group journey? Checkout ​Men’s Group Experience​ or ​The Heart of Shadow​
• Like the Podcast? Join the Discussion Community at ​here

In this episode, I explore four core capacities every man needs to start cultivating to stay vital and grounded in an AI-powered world. This isn’t science fiction—AI is already shaping how we live, relate, and make choices. I talk about the rising influence of automation, and four essential tools for thriving as a man in the world that is now here. If you want to stay human, creative, and trustworthy in a culture increasingly driven by AI, listen in now.

Get offline and the build these capacities at the Evolutionary Men Labor Day Retreat.

August 28th - September 1st in Northern California. You'll walk away deeply embodied in your power, more connected to other men, and nourished by great food and inspiring nature. Head over to https://evolutionary.men/retreat to book your spot now.

Shame isn’t something to get rid of—it’s something to work with. And when we do, it can become one of the most powerful tools for growth, integrity, and connection in a man’s life.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Keith Witt—psychologist, author, and one of the most seasoned men I’ve had the privilege of learning from—to unpack the deeper function of shame and how it shapes our values, our relationships, and the kind of men we become. We explore how shame, when related to consciously, actually guides us back to our wholeness.

But we don’t stop there.

We also dive into the developmental arc of the masculine—from boyhood, to acolyte, to warrior, to man of wisdom—and why so many men get stuck along the way. We talk about the power of men’s groups, what creates true ownership and leadership, and why decentralization might just be the key to building lasting brotherhood.

• Join the next cohort of the Men's Group Experience at https://mens.group
• Join the Heart of Shadow Men's Group & Retreat at https://heartofshadow.com
• Join the Evolutionary Men Labor Day retreat at https://evolutionary.men/retreat

ABOUT DR. KEITH WITT

Learn more about Dr. Keith Witt (and get all his books for free!) at https://drkeithwitt.com/