A lot of men blame their struggles on lack of discipline, weak faith, bad habits, or not being “man enough.” I used to think that too — until I discovered some craaaazy stuff from a craaaaazy book which made some convincing claims about the real reason I lived most of my life miserable, anxious, exhausted, and hiding from the world. 

In this episode, you will be shocked to hear how I went from a fearful boy standing in a puddle of his own pee to a confident (and exceedingly charming and attractive) man running heavy equipment, changing careers, providing for a big family, and actually feeling steady inside for the first time.

I gab a whole bunch about the book “Depressions Free, Naturally: 7 Weeks to Eliminating Anxiety, Despair, Fatigue, and Anger from Your Life” by Joan Matthews Larson. NOTE: In the Podcast, I kept calling it “Depression Free in 7 Weeks.” Here is a link to the book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/id6443O 

I think you should read the book. 

I’m not a doctor, therapist, counselor, clinician, or medical professional of any kind. I’m a husband, father, carpenter, cartoonist, and a man sharing his personal experiences, opinions, and the things I’ve learned from books, research, and life. Nothing in this podcast is medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

If something I share sounds helpful, take it as a starting point for your own curiosity — not a prescription. Always talk to a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, or mental health care.

My goal is to encourage men, spark thought, tell honest stories, and point toward stewardship of the body and soul — not to replace professional guidance or make claims about what you should do.

Use wisdom. Use discernment. Use your noodle. Get help when you need it.

You’re responsible for your own decisions, and nothing in this podcast should ever override or replace medical advice from a licensed professional.

You’re not stupid—you just have the wrong mental map! Mindset talk for traditional men, Biblical wisdom, perception, and personal development for Christian men — that’s what today’s episode is all about. If you’ve ever wondered why two people can live the same life and walk away with completely different realities, this one’s for you.

In this episode, I’ll give it to you straight: “the map is probably lying to you.” Jesus, the Church Fathers, and even modern psychology all agree!

Your inner lens determines your personal life experience AND your inner map just AIN’T the final word and how life works!

We’re gonna talk about:

• Why normal fellas misread people and situations

• How your “mental map” creates unnecessary stress, conflict, and loneliness

• Jesus’ warning about having a “clear or evil eye” (Matthew 6:22–23)

• What Saint John Chrysostom said about mental maps

• Why most people aren’t malicious — they’re just tired, stressed, scared, or hungry

• How a screwed-up paradigm can rain on your marriage, friendships, and faith

• And how an easy-peasy shift in perception can change your whole life

Along the way you’ll hear lots of lame attempts at humor and disjointed rambling about manhood, livestock problems, and late-90s board-short shame. Think what you want, laugh all you want. All I care about is that you walk away knowing this:

Your map is not the geography — and fixing your map fixes your life.

If you want to check out the Udemy course mentioned in this episode, the affiliate link is below (yes—I am a capitalist and no, I’m not ashamed of it):

It’s called Professional Life Coach Certification & Guide (Accredited)

 Here’s the link: https://www.udemy.com/share/101WFI/ (It’s actually not an affiliate link after all….)

Christian men: are you striving to lead your family, live with purpose, and maintain balance in a chaotic world? In this episode, we explore the story of two acrobats to reveal why caring for your body, mind, and spirit is essential—not selfish—for faith, strength, and leadership. Learn timeless wisdom from St. Basil the Great, St. Bernard, and the desert fathers about self-discipline, rest, and balance. Discover practical strategies to thrive physically, mentally, and spiritually while fulfilling your role as a husband, father, and protector. Tune in to start keeping your balance and leading with confidence today.

I’m not a doctor, therapist, counselor, clinician, or medical professional of any kind. I’m a husband, father, carpenter, cartoonist, and a man sharing his personal experiences, opinions, and the things I’ve learned from books, research, and life. Nothing in this podcast is medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

If something I share sounds helpful, take it as a starting point for your own curiosity — not a prescription. Always talk to a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, or mental health care.

My goal is to encourage men, spark thought, tell honest stories, and point toward stewardship of the body and soul — not to replace professional guidance or make claims about what you should do.

Use wisdom. Use discernment. Use your noodle. Get help when you need it.

You’re responsible for your own decisions, and nothing in this podcast should ever override or replace medical advice from a licensed professional.

Why do you feel depressed even when you’re trying to live a faithful, purposeful life? In this episode, Reuben introduces four key reasons men experience sadness and low energy: physical exhaustion, chemical imbalances, blocked energy flow, and mindset traps. Using surprising stories from Winnie the Pooh, the Bible, and his own life as a husband and father, Reuben shares practical, faith-based strategies to restore your body, mind, and spirit. Learn how rest, nutrition, movement, and mindset shifts can lift your mood, increase energy, and help you lead your family with strength and confidence. Start mastering your emotions and reclaiming joy today.

I’m not a doctor, therapist, counselor, clinician, or medical professional of any kind. I’m a husband, father, carpenter, cartoonist, and a man sharing his personal experiences, opinions, and the things I’ve learned from books, research, and life. Nothing in this podcast is medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

If something I share sounds helpful, take it as a starting point for your own curiosity — not a prescription. Always talk to a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, or mental health care.

My goal is to encourage men, spark thought, tell honest stories, and point toward stewardship of the body and soul — not to replace professional guidance or make claims about what you should do.

Use wisdom. Use discernment. Use your noodle. Get help when you need it.

You’re responsible for your own decisions, and nothing in this podcast should ever override or replace medical advice from a licensed professional.

Feeling out of step with the world despite living by the book? You’re not alone. In this first episode, Reuben—husband, father of seven, carpenter, and children’s book author—shares stories from history, philosophy, and Scripture to show how quirks, “useless” skills, and overlooked qualities can yield real value in life.

From Zhuangzi’s useless tree and Bi Shen’s pre-Gutenberg inventions to Irish monks preserving ancient knowledge, discover why being the odd duck is sometimes your greatest strength. This podcast is for traditional men of faith and vision who want practical wisdom to navigate Monday’s problems when Sunday’s sermon just isn’t enough.

I’m not a doctor, therapist, counselor, clinician, or medical professional of any kind. I’m a husband, father, carpenter, cartoonist, and a man sharing his personal experiences, opinions, and the things I’ve learned from books, research, and life. Nothing in this podcast is medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

If something I share sounds helpful, take it as a starting point for your own curiosity — not a prescription. Always talk to a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, or mental health care.

My goal is to encourage men, spark thought, tell honest stories, and point toward stewardship of the body and soul — not to replace professional guidance or make claims about what you should do.

Use wisdom. Use discernment. Use your noodle. Get help when you need it.

You’re responsible for your own decisions, and nothing in this podcast should ever override or replace medical advice from a licensed professional.