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We unpack why abuse is a learned choice rooted in fear, control, and missing emotional skills, and we map a path toward accountability and healthier leadership. We share the “button” concept, name nonphysical abuse, and end with three reflection questions to drive change.

• the myth of losing control and the truth about choice
• fear of losing control and the pursuit of order
• the button metaphor for triggers and responses
• nonphysical abuse: verbal, emotional, financial, isolation, threats
• male privilege versus partnership and communication
• emotional literacy as a missing skill and a learned practice
• extreme ownership and accountability over ego protection
• identity untangled from power, status, and dominance
• reflection questions for honest self-assessment

Share this episode and sit down with the reflection questions in front of a mirror. Because growth starts with truth. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. For daily, motivational, and up-to-date content, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at ExcellenceAbove Talent. Keep moving forward. Never give up, and you are never alone in this battle.

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The hardest part isn’t admitting what happened; it’s admitting why. We open up about how abuse forms long before it turns physical, in the quiet moments where insecurity, fear, and ego go unchallenged and entitlement takes the wheel. 

You’ll hear why reactions are still choices, how the victim mindset keeps men stuck, and why “she made me mad” is a lie that blocks growth. We talk frankly about the early signals we ignore, especially with boys learning to posture instead of communicate, and how schools and families can teach emotional literacy, boundary-setting, and accountability without shame. This isn’t about labeling men as monsters; it’s about giving men a process to become stronger, safer, and more honest—starting with the mirror and moving outward to the people we love.

Along the way, Aaron shares the cost of unowned behavior, what rebuilding trust actually looks like, and three reflection questions that can jump-start change today. If you’ve ever wondered how to stop the cycle—whether in yourself, your classroom, or your home—you’ll leave with a clear framework: pause, name the feeling, choose by values, repair with action, and stay accountable. Growth won’t come from comfort. It will come from courage, practice, and a community that tells you the truth.

If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and answer one reflection question honestly. Your next decision can be different—what will you choose?

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Men often fight battles in silence, not because no one cares but because they've been conditioned to suppress vulnerability and avoid appearing weak. The pressure to maintain a facade of strength creates a dangerous cycle where unaddressed struggles transform into destructive behaviors, broken relationships, and sometimes tragic outcomes.

• Cultural conditioning teaches men that showing emotion equals weakness
• Shame and fear of judgment prevent men from seeking help when needed
• Silent battles often become addictions, anger issues, or worse
• Pressure builds until men explode, usually hurting those closest to them
• Society rewards the appearance of having it together, even when men are falling apart
• Breaking silence requires self-accountability and daily check-ins
• True strength is found in admitting weakness, not hiding it
• Men need community and tribes where vulnerability is accepted
• Start small by admitting stress to someone trusted
• Evaluate relationships - if you can't be vulnerable with someone, they may not be good for you

If no one has told you today that they love you, let me be the first to say I love you. You're awesome, you're amazing. You deserve the best that this world has to offer. Do not give up, do not quit. The world does not get easier, but you will get stronger.

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Aaron Thomas shares his powerful journey from contemplating suicide ten years ago to finding purpose in speaking openly about men's mental health. Breaking the silence surrounding men's struggles, he emphasizes how isolation breeds dangerous thoughts and how authentic conversations can save lives.

• The dangers of chasing money without finding meaning or making an impact
• How men's silence about mental health struggles reinforces isolation
• The frustration of putting in authentic work while watching others gain recognition
• Learning to value the people who already see you versus chasing public validation
• Finding peace by being grounded in your purpose rather than performing for approval

Keep moving forward, never give up, and remember you are never alone in this battle. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Excellence Above Talent for daily motivational content.

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We're halfway through 2025, and it's time for a brutal reality check about whether we're becoming the men we promised to be or just recycling excuses while our lives remain unchanged.

• Six months gone that we can never get back
• Every day offers a chance to change our story and bring order to chaos
• Comparison is the thief of joy, especially when we lose focus on our higher purpose
• Drifting doesn't make you a bad man, but an unfocused one
• Write down what you said you'd accomplish, what you've actually done, and what excuses you're making
• You cannot fix what you won't face or defeat what you won't define
• When you don't live intentionally, life chooses for you—and rarely chooses success
• People are watching you settle for less than your potential
• You cannot lead others if you cannot first lead yourself
• Four areas to finish strong: spiritual connection, mental discipline, physical movement, financial organization
• Try one improvement in each area for 30 days and you won't recognize yourself by September
• Write down three things to accomplish by August 31st and share them for accountability

Remember, excellence is a choice. We all have talents, but to truly exceed in life, you have to make it daily. If anyone hasn't told you today that they love you, let me be the first to say I love you. You're awesome. You're amazing. You deserve the best this world has to offer. Do not give up, do not quit. The world doesn't get easier, but you get stronger.

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Confronting the lies we tell ourselves requires recognizing the deceptive voice in our heads and actively replacing falsehoods with truth to renew our minds and find inner peace.

• The voice in your head that claims to know everything is often lying to you
• This internal voice was formed in childhood and shaped by experiences, education, and environment
• Most dangerous lies include thoughts like "I'm not enough," "I don't deserve good things," or "I'm not worthy"
• Spiritual warfare happens in our internal conversations, not just in our actions
• Taking captive every thought and making it obedient to Christ is our weapon against mental battles
• Process for defeating lies: spot it, cross-examine it, name the source, replace with truth, take new action
• Knowledge is a double-edged sword that can provide freedom but also breed arrogance
• Healing starts with honesty—you cannot hide and heal simultaneously
• Challenging the lies requires dragging them into the light and confessing them to someone you trust
• Replace lies with spiritual truths and repeat them daily to renew your mind

If anyone hasn't told you today that they love you, let me be the first to say I love you. You're awesome. You're amazing. You deserve the best that this world has to offer. Do not quit, do not give up. The world does not get easier, but you will get stronger.

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Have you ever felt trapped between the person you've been and the person you're meant to become? That uncomfortable space of transformation is exactly where Aaron Thomas finds himself.

Aaron opens his heart about the mental struggle he's been experiencing while trying to deepen his relationship with God. He describes the intense pressure that comes from trying to let go of an old identity while simultaneously resisting the birth of something new. "The old has gone, the new is here," he quotes from 2 Corinthians 5:17, but acknowledges that the space between old and new can be excruciating.

With remarkable honesty, Aaron shares how this resistance to transformation has led him back to old patterns like pornography, which then creates additional layers of shame, inadequacy, and isolation. He explores the irony of men demanding submission from others while refusing to submit themselves to anything higher. 

This episode serves as a powerful reminder that pressure will eventually find release—either through the birth of something new or the destructive bursting of pipes. Aaron challenges listeners to choose their battles wisely: fight to become your best self rather than fighting to impress others with a false image of masculinity. The world doesn't get easier, but you will get stronger.

If you're struggling with identity, purpose, or transformation, this episode offers both compassionate understanding and a clarion call to embrace the discomfort of growth. Subscribe now and join a community of men committed to becoming the best versions of themselves.

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We challenge the dangerous myth that men must sacrifice their mental health to care for their families. Sharing my own experience with suicidal thoughts from trying to be everyone's hero while neglecting myself, we explore how this common pattern leads men to silent suffering and self-destruction.

• Men often operate under a false hero complex, believing self-neglect equals strength
• Over 75% of US suicides are men, with approximately 100 men taking their lives daily
• Mental burnout and emotional emptiness make you less effective as a husband and father
• Children need your emotional presence more than just financial provision
• Self-care is not weakness but strategic preparation for leadership
• Setting boundaries creates order and helps crush chaos in your life
• True leadership is earned through actions that make you worth following
• Balance between sacrifice and self-care is essential for sustainable family leadership

If your wife and kids got 100% of who you are right now, would it be enough? Check in with yourself. Schedule therapy, journal, exercise, or take just 30 minutes daily to recharge. The world doesn't get easier, but you will get stronger.

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Aaron Thomas dives deep into three transformative quotes that have become guideposts in his journey toward authentic manhood. With refreshing honesty, he explores the struggle many men face—wanting to succeed independently while knowing deep down that meaningful achievement requires connection and vulnerability.

"Your ability to partner with others will largely determine your potential." Aaron unpacks how this truth challenges the lone wolf mentality prevalent among men. Through personal stories of building a mentorship program and facing his own resistance to asking for help, he illuminates the power of collaboration over isolation. Success isn't about conquering others but lifting them as you rise—a lesson Aaron learned through military teamwork that now shapes his vision for manhood.

The podcast takes a profound turn as Aaron examines what makes men "dangerous" in the best sense—not through domination but through personal growth and accountability. He shares raw insights about taking extreme ownership in relationships, differentiating between societal expectations and personal truth, and the transformative effect of men holding each other to higher standards. 

Whether you're struggling with asking for help, battling to break free from others' expectations, or searching for authentic male connections, this episode offers practical wisdom for your journey. Aaron concludes with powerful calls to action that will move you toward greater partnership, accountability, and self-discovery.

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Esmeralda shares her perspective on raising two teenage boys as a single mother and discusses her views on what makes a good man in today's world.

• Being a man comes with unique challenges like societal expectations to be the provider, to be tough, and to take on numerous responsibilities
• Men and women have different characteristics that should complement each other rather than compete
• Teaching boys practical skills like changing tires and using tools prepares them for manhood
• Being a "man of your word" and facing consequences for your choices are foundational values
• As boys get older, they need both nurturing and boundaries to develop into good men
• Communication is essential - talk to children in the car, at home, and create space for open conversation
• A mother can teach masculine values but also needs to acknowledge when male role models are missing
• Children need responsibilities without being forced to become "the man of the house" too early
• Setting boundaries, following through with consequences, and avoiding overindulgence helps boys develop character
• When disciplining children, "talk more to the king in them than to the fool" to bring out their best qualities

Remember, excellence isn't about perfection but about moving forward and never giving up. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Excellence Above Talent.

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