In this powerful and honest conversation, Rebecca Gruggan is joined by Warren Cutajar to explore a topic that is rarely spoken about with depth or nuance: why so many men feel lost…emotionally, relationally, and internally.

This episode isn’t about blaming men or romanticising masculinity. It’s about understanding the context men are growing up in, the expectations placed on them, and the silent cost of emotional suppression, disconnection, and identity confusion. Together, Rebecca and Warren unpack how modern masculinity has been shaped by survival, performance, and emotional isolation, and why many men don’t have the language, safety, or permission to feel.

They discuss how men are taught to disconnect from themselves, how this impacts relationships, intimacy, and purpose, and why the absence of healthy masculine role models leaves many men unsure of who they are or how to be. This is a conversation about responsibility, identity, nervous system safety, and what real strength actually looks like.

If you’ve ever struggled to understand the men in your life, or yourself, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a deeper lens through which to view masculinity, without judgment or oversimplification.

Timestamps

0:00  Why Men Are Feeling Lost Today

00:24 Why VULNERABILITY Is The REAL Fight

06:41 Masculine vs Feminine Energy: Find Your Balance

12:05 What Women REALLY Want in Relationships

13:10 How to stand up for yourself

14:07 How to channel anger

20:07 Redefining Masculinity

21:08 Raising Strong Sons

24:04 Raising white boys

27:40 War's Trauma

29:31 How to prevent external forces from defining us.

33:50 Rejecting labels while creating personas

26:23 Why We Do What We Do

39:12 What does healthy masculinity look like

40:08 How to break generational patterns in fatherhood.

43:50 Debunking Masculinity Myths

48:19 Why Are We All So Disconnected?

53:32 The evolution of wealth 

If you want to take this work further, the next step is self-discovery, not self-judgment.

The I AM Profile Assessment is a private, secure tool designed to help you understand how you’re wired to connect, relate, and move through the world across eight core dimensions that shape identity and behaviour.

👉 Start your I AM Profile Assessment here:

🔗 https://blueprint-lb8.replit.app/

Stay Connected

If you found value in this conversation, continue the journey:

• Follow me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rebeccagrugan/

• Follow me on Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.grugan

• Visit the website → https://lifebyeight.com/

We spend more time together than ever before, yet so many people feel deeply disconnected.

In this episode, we explore what real connection actually is, why quality matters more than proximity, and how unspoken expectations, resentment, and unclosed loops quietly erode our relationships. This is an honest, nuanced conversation about connection — with others, with yourself, and with the deeper parts of your identity that are often ignored.

We unpack why you can live with someone and still feel alone, why always being “the one who reaches out” can create resentment, and how avoiding truth in relationships keeps people stuck in emotional loops. This episode is especially for anyone who has ever felt unloved, unseen, or unsure where they stand.

This is not surface-level advice. It’s a grounded conversation about responsibility, depth, vulnerability, and learning how to connect in ways that actually nourish you, instead of draining you.

Timestamps

• 00:00 — What Connection Really Means

Why people spend time together but still feel disconnected

• 02:17 — The Three Flavours of Connection

Depth, fun, and group harmony, and which one you’re craving

• 03:26 — When You’re Doing Everything ‘Right’ But Still Feel Flat

Why routines, health, and growth don’t replace connection

• 03:59 — Living Together Without Being Connected

How relationships drift even when proximity stays the same

• 05:36 — Online vs In-Person Connection

Taking responsibility for meeting your connection needs

• 07:01 — “Why Am I Always the One Reaching Out?”

Reciprocity, resentment, and emotional exhaustion

• 08:06 — Feeling Unloved & The Stories We Tell Ourselves

How unspoken beliefs shape connection patterns

• 10:38 — When Is a Connection Complete?

Outgrowing relationships without blame or shame

• 11:37 — Speaking the Truth Without Guilt-Tripping

Healthy language, responsibility, and emotional maturity

• 14:10 — Open Loops, Energy Leaks & Resentment

Why avoidance keeps people stuck

• 16:36 — The Hidden Cost of Being “The Connector”

Why connectors are undervalued and often depleted

• 17:34 — Individualism vs Real Community

Why connection can’t be outsourced to social media

• 34:30 — Depth, Vulnerability & Secure Attachment

What true depth in relationships actually looks like

• 35:50 — If You’re Feeling Disconnected Right Now

One simple, courageous step you can take today

Discover Your I AM Profile

If this conversation resonated, it’s likely because connection isn’t just relational, it’s deeply tied to identity.

The I AM Profile is a private, secure self-discovery assessment designed to help you understand how you connect, communicate, learn, and relate across eight key dimensions.

This tool deepens everything discussed in this episode and helps you move from awareness into alignment — with yourself and with others.

👉 Begin your I AM Profile Assessment here:

https://blueprint-lb8.replit.app

Stay Connected

If you found value in this conversation, continue the journey:

• Follow me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rebeccagrugan/

• Follow me on Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.grugan

• Visit the website → https://lifebyeight.com/
  

🎧 Listen until the end, the final reflection may shift how you approach connection entirely.

Connection changes when understanding deepens.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing “all the right things” but still feel stuck, disconnected, or like something about you needs fixing, this episode is for you.

In this conversation, we unpack why so many personal development tools fail not because you failed, but because they were never designed for who you actually are. This episode explores the difference between personality and identity, how your lived experiences shape your sense of self, and why true change only happens when you stop trying to fit into a system that was never built for you.This is a grounded, honest exploration of identity work, not as another self-improvement trend, but as a way of understanding yourself with more compassion, clarity, and agency. You’ll walk away with language for experiences you’ve felt but couldn’t explain, and a deeper understanding of why alignment, not fixing, is the real work.

What We Explore in This Episode

• Why feeling “broken” is often a sign of misalignment, not failure

• The critical difference between personality (how you adapt) and identity (who you are)

• How lived experience, beliefs, and values shape your identity over time

• Why one-size-fits-all healing and coaching models don’t work

• The power of the words “I am” and how they unconsciously define your life

• Why embodiment matters more than positive thinking or surface-level affirmations.
  

Timestamps

[00:00:27] — What Identity Actually Is

[00:00:37] — Identity vs Personality

[00:01:51] — How You Take Data In

[00:02:12] — Why Life Makes Sense When You Understand Yourself

[00:03:44] — Why One-Size-Fits-All Doesn’t Work

[00:04:18] — The Problem With the Personal Development Industry

[00:08:40] — Why Toxic Positivity Doesn’t Work[00:08:58] — Embodiment Is the Work
If this episode resonated, the next step is self-understanding, not self-judgment.

🧭 Take the I AM Profile Assessment

A powerful self-discovery tool designed to help you understand your identity across multiple dimensions, including how you connect, learn, make decisions, and experience the world. It deepens the insights from this episode and helps you move from awareness into alignment.

👉 Take the assessment here:https://blueprint-lb8.replit.app/

🎧 Listen until the end for practical reflection prompts that help you integrate what you’ve heard, not just understand it intellectually.

📲 Follow along for more conversations like this:

• Instagram

• Facebook

• Website
  

This work doesn’t end with an episode.It starts with understanding who you are, and choosing to live from that place.

In this episode, Rebecca Grugan sits down with Rossco, founder of A Player Brains, for a deep conversation about neurodiversity, identity, artificial intelligence, and the future of human intelligence.

They explore why the idea of “neurotypical” never truly existed, how labels can either create understanding or quietly keep people stuck, and why emotional intelligence is becoming the next level of wealth in a rapidly changing world.

This conversation also dives into how AI can either make us smarter or more dependent, why most people are trapped in thinking and feeling loops, and how creation, discernment, and responsibility are the real way out.

If you have ever felt overwhelmed by labels, confused by personal development advice, or unsure how to use modern tools without losing yourself, this episode offers a grounded and practical reframe.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Why neurodiversity is the norm, not the exception
• How labels can help or hinder growth depending on how they are used
• The difference between being rich and feeling wealthy
• Why emotional intelligence is the next major value shift
• How AI should be used as a tool, not a crutch
• Why guilt and shame keep people stuck
• How creation breaks emotional and mental loops
• A simple way to process feedback without self attack

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 - Neurodiversity as a fingerprint and why AI will make us smarter or dumber

00:05:05 - The death of neurotypical and how labels can trap or liberate you

00:07:30 - Using AI as a brain exoskeleton instead of outsourcing your thinking

00:09:32 - Battle testing decisions with AI, pre mortems, and inversion

00:12:27 - How AI becomes dangerous and why discernment matters

00:14:12 - The one person billion dollar company and emotional intelligence as the next wealth layer

00:18:38 - Wealth versus rich and the thinking feeling loop that keeps people stuck

00:21:42 - Why there is no emotional curriculum and most people only know three emotions

00:26:53 - Guilt, shame, and why creation is the way out

00:29:28 - Breaking self attack patterns

00:34:26 - A Player Brains as mental exoskeletons for faster embodiment

00:38:52 - The coming brain gap and why intelligence will matter more than money

00:41:31 - Why neurotypical never existed and systems are changing

00:51:34 - Bringing every part of you along when creating your wildest life

00:53:52 - Problems as resources and why scarcity is a lie

Ready to take the next step in your journey?

Discovery Call:https://scheduler.zoom.us/rebecca-grugan/clarity-call

Work with Bec:https://scheduler.zoom.us/rebecca-grugan/clarity-call

Learn more:https://lifebyeight.com/

Follow Rebecca Grugan:

🔹 Instagram: @rebeccagrugan

🔹 Facebook: Life by 8

🔹 Website: Life by 8

In this episode of Life by 8, Rebecca Grugan dives into the transformative shift from a victim mentality to an empowered perspective. With a deep understanding of the nervous system and the power of language, they guide listeners through the mindset shift from “life is happening to me” to “life is happening for me.” Designed for those on a journey of self-growth, Life by 8 provides practical tools and strategies to help individuals take control of their lives and unlock lasting change.

This episode unpacks the common trap of victimhood, explaining how it keeps people stuck and disempowered. Rebecca shares personal experiences and coaching insights, illustrating how reframing challenges can lead to personal breakthroughs. Listeners will learn how self-awareness, reframing techniques, and intentional language shifts can foster resilience and transformation. Whether you're feeling stuck or looking to deepen your personal growth, this episode offers a powerful reminder that true change starts with taking responsibility. Perfect for those ready to step into their power, this conversation is both challenging and inspiring.

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Welcome to Life by 8

[00:01:26] Life Happens To You vs. Life Happens For You

[00:03:46] How Your Energy and Frequency Shape Your Reality

[00:04:03] Shift your mindset: Awareness

[00:07:35] Shift your mindset: Gratitude

[00:09:13] Shift your mindset: Seek Support

[00:09:49] Who You Surround Yourself With Shapes Your Mindset

[00:13:16] Rebecca’s Story: Overcoming Trauma and Taking Back Power

[00:17:41] Why Coaching Can Create Breakthroughs Where Therapy Might Not

[00:21:53] Are You Really Taking Responsibility for Your Life?

[00:25:30] Final Thoughts: The Choice That Changes Everything

Are you ready to break free from the victim mindset and take back your power?

Discovery Call: Click here to book a free session

Work with Rebecca: Start your transformation here

Learn more: Explore Life by 8

Follow Rebecca Grugan:

🔹Instagram: @rebeccagrugan

🔹Facebook: Life by 8

🔹Website: Life by 8

Your next level is waiting. It’s time to take responsibility, shift your mindset, and create the life you deserve. Let’s make it happen! 

In this episode of Life by 8, Rebecca Grugan takes listeners on a deep dive into personal transformation through the Life by 8 coaching framework. She’s joined by Carly Orchard, a former client-turned-team member, who shares her raw and inspiring journey of growth, healing, and self-discovery. Carly’s story offers a firsthand look at what it’s like to navigate personal development, tackle deep-seated challenges, and create lasting change with the support of a coach.

Throughout the conversation, Carly opens up about the pivotal moments that reshaped her life—how breathwork unlocked emotions she had suppressed for decades, how coaching helped her break free from anger and old patterns, and how embracing the Life by 8 framework gave her the tools to design a future she truly loves. Listeners will gain insight into the power of combining mindset work with somatic practices, the importance of accountability in personal growth, and the ripple effect that transformation can have on relationships, career, and overall wellbeing. Whether you’re at the beginning of your own journey or seeking deeper breakthroughs, this episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to step into their full potential.

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction: Carly’s Journey Begins

[00:01:03] Finding Life by 8

[00:02:06] Hitting Breaking Point

[00:04:05] Breathwork Changes Everything

[00:05:04] Facing the Past

[00:06:36] Why Coaching Worked

[00:07:35] Releasing Anger

[00:12:09] A Life-Changing Realisation

[00:12:32] Healing Relationships

[00:15:24] Designing a New Future

[00:17:41] Why Coaching Speeds Up Growth

[00:21:08] Taking the Leap

[01:10:00] Final Thoughts

Ready to create lasting change in your life?

Discovery Call: Click here to book a free session

Work with Rebecca: Start your transformation here

Learn more: Explore Life by 8

Follow Rebecca Grugan:

🔹 Instagram: @rebeccagrugan

🔹 Facebook: Life by 8

🔹 Website: Life by 8

Your transformation starts with a single decision. Join our community, take action, and start designing a life that truly fulfils you!

In this episode of Life by 8, Rebecca Grugan explores the powerful dynamics of masculine and feminine energies in relationships. She breaks down the differences between light and dark energies, revealing how they shape attraction, connection, and emotional intimacy. If you’ve ever felt exhausted from always taking the lead or wondered why your relationship feels stuck, this episode will help you understand why. 

Rebecca shares personal experiences, real-life examples, and practical strategies to help you identify your dominant energy, recognise unhealthy patterns, and shift into a more balanced, fulfilling dynamic. By understanding these energies, you can improve communication, deepen your connection, and create a relationship where both partners feel fully seen and supported. Whether you’re single or in a long-term partnership, this conversation will give you the tools to bring more passion, ease, and harmony into your love life. 

Timestamps

[00:00:00] Introduction – Why Understanding Masculine & Feminine Energy Matters

[00:00:15] The Importance of Polarity in Relationships

[00:01:03] Understanding Masculine & Feminine Energies

[00:02:12] The Four Energy Quadrants Explained

[00:06:50] Why Women Are Stuck in Their Masculine Energy

[00:09:50] How Energy Imbalances Affect Attraction & Polarity

[00:10:16] Why Shifting Energies is Key to a Healthy Relationship

[00:10:28] Rebecca’s Personal Journey from Dark Masculine to Feminine

[00:13:43] The Importance of Communication in Relationships

[00:17:02] Daily Practice: Using the Magnet System to Track Your Energy

[00:18:10] How Triggers Push You Into the Wrong Energy

[00:22:24] Shadow Work – Healing the Patterns Holding You Back

[00:24:48] How Coaching Helps Shift Masculine & Feminine Energies

[00:28:44] Taking Responsibility for Your Energy in a Relationship

[00:35:03] Closing Message – Free Resources & Next Steps

Ready to take the next step in your journey?

💬 Book a Free Discovery Call: [Click Here]

✨ Work with Rebecca: [Start Your Transformation Here]

🌿 Learn More About Life by 8: [Explore Life by 8]

Follow Rebecca Grugan for more insights and updates:

🔹 Instagram: @rebeccagrugan

🔹 Facebook: Life by 8

🔹 Website: Life by 8

In this insightful discussion, Rebecca Grugan and Paul Grugan explore the secret to building an extraordinary life using the "Life by 8" framework. If you’ve ever felt stuck in personal growth, struggled with communication, or wanted a more aligned life, this episode is exactly what you need. The discussion focuses on self-awareness, nervous system regulation, and communication skills, providing a step-by-step approach to personal transformation.

You’ll learn how to start with a strong foundation by understanding your nervous system and aligning it with your goals. Discover how to regulate your emotions, improve communication, and strengthen relationships through intentional actions. The conversation also highlights the importance of overcoming negative self-talk, managing social comparisons, and developing healthier attachment styles. This episode is packed with practical strategies to help you grow, stay focused on what truly matters, and build meaningful connections without burnout.

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction: Why nervous system regulation matters

[00:00:15] The Myth of Instant Success

[00:01:52] The Nervous System Explained

[00:05:44] Overcoming the Freeze State

[00:08:38] The Role of Social Media in Comparison

[00:09:38] How to Regulate the Nervous System

[00:17:08] The Link Between Communication & Nervous System

[00:16:59] Managing Conflict in Relationships

[00:22:00] Reframing Negative Self-Talk & Language Patterns

[00:27:44] How to Strengthen Relationships Through Communication

[00:32:17] Taking Full Responsibility for Growth

[00:34:41] Final Thoughts

Ready to take the next step in your journey?

Discovery Call:Click here to book a free session

Work with Rebecca:Start your transformation here

Learn more:Explore Life by 8

Follow Rebecca Grugan:

🔹 Instagram:@rebeccagrugan

🔹 Facebook:Life by 8

🔹 Website:Life by 8

Listen to this episode and join the conversation on social media. Your transformation starts today!

In this transformative episode, we reveal the secret to achieving more in less time: layering. If you’re constantly overwhelmed by your to-do list or struggling to stay on top of your priorities, this episode is exactly what you need. Layering is not about multitasking; it’s about intentionally designing your time to maximise productivity and create a life that aligns with your goals.

You’ll learn how to start with a strong foundation by identifying your main objectives and designing your schedule to reflect your true priorities. Discover how to maximise your allocated time, connect complementary tasks with intention, and shift from chaos to clarity. This episode also highlights the importance of celebrating your small wins, which keeps joy and momentum alive as you progress. Layering is the ultimate strategy to help you achieve exponential growth, focus on what truly matters, and enjoy life without burning out.

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction: Why layering beats multitasking

[00:02:11] What is layering, and why does it work?

[00:02:36] Core principle #1: Build your foundation first

[00:03:23] Core principle #2: Maximise allocated time

[00:03:45] Core principle #3: Focus on priorities with intention

[00:21:45] Core principle #4: Celebrate your small wins

[00:21:54] How layering helps you design your life intentionally

[00:23:34] Conclusion: Layering as your ultimate productivity hack

Ready to take the next step in your journey?

Goal Setting Workbook: Break down your goals

Discovery Call: Click here to book a free session

Work with Rebecca: Start your transformation here

Learn more: Explore Life by 8

Follow Rebecca Grugan:

🔹 Instagram: @rebeccagrugan

🔹 Facebook: Life by 8

🔹 Website: Life by 8

Listen to this episode and join the conversation on social media. Let’s design your life with purpose—start layering today!

Have you ever been told to "just stay positive" when facing real struggles? In this episode, Rebecca Grugan dives into the concept ofspiritual bypassing—how using spirituality to avoid emotional pain can hinder personal growth and healing. She breaks down common signs, from toxic positivity to premature forgiveness, and explains why true resilience comes from facing discomfort rather than escaping it.

Through insightful discussion and real-life examples, Rebecca shares strategies to identify and overcome spiritual bypassing, helping you embrace both light and shadow on your journey to self-discovery.

Timestamp:

[00:00:00] – Introduction: What is spiritual bypassing

[00:00:49] – The hidden dangers of toxic positivity

[00:03:33] – Premature forgiveness and avoiding real emotions

[00:04:22] – Detachment, spiritual jargon, and why "raising your vibration" isn't enough

[00:08:03] – Facing emotions vs. escaping them: How to break the cycle

[00:14:56] – Actionable strategies for deeper healing and growth

[00:30:59] – Closing thoughts: Embracing your whole self

Are you ready to move beyond surface-level healing?Discovery Call: Click here to book a free session

Work with Rebecca: Start your transformation here

Learn more: Explore Life by 8

Follow Rebecca Grugan:

🔹 Instagram: @rebeccagrugan

🔹 Facebook: Life by 8

🔹 Website: Life by 8

Listen to this episode and join the conversation on social media. Take the first step toward authentic healing today!