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 DAVID

David 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.