🎙️ Episode 39 – When God Feels Silent: The Dark Night of the Soul

Have you ever prayed and felt absolutely nothing? Have you been hit with doubts, spiritual confusion, or the terrifying sense that God has gone silent? In this raw and honest episode, Mark Odland shares his personal story of walking through the “dark night of the soul”—a season where faith felt distant, prayer felt empty, and life’s pain stripped away every illusion of certainty.

Whether you’re a Christian man battling burnout, grief, doubt, or emotional numbness, this episode will help you understand what the dark night truly is, why it happens, and how God uses it to refine you into a stronger, more grounded man.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the “dark night of the soul” actually is—and what it isn’t
• Why even faithful Christian men can feel spiritual numbness or silence
• How grief, trauma, burnout, and father wounds can distort your view of God
• Why wrestling with God is biblical, masculine, and necessary
• How lament, honesty, and intellectual humility can strengthen your faith
• Tools for reconnecting with God when prayer feels empty
• Why doubt does not mean you’re losing your faith—and may mean you’re growing
• How God can use your darkest season to reveal purpose, calling, and strength

📘 FREE BOOK for Christian Men

Get my book “Escape the Cage: A Path of Deep Healing for Men” FREE →
https://escapethecagenow.com/subscribe/

🎧 Prefer Audio-Only? Listen Here:

https://escapethecagenow.com/podcast

📚 Mark’s Books

Explore Mark’s trauma-focused and faith-integrated books →
https://escapethecagenow.com/books

🛒 Lion Counseling Merch

Get Lion Counseling shirts, hoodies, and more →
https://escapethecagenow.com/merch

📞 Book a Free Consult

If you’re a high-achieving Christian man ready to break cycles of anxiety, doubt, trauma, or burnout, book a free consult:
https://escapethecagenow.com/call/

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

About the Lion Counseling Podcast

The Lion Counseling Podcast is dedicated to helping Christian men break free, heal deep, and become the lions God created them to be. Hosted by Mark Odland, LMFT and certified EMDR therapist, each episode blends biblical wisdom, psychological insight, and real-life tools to build stronger men, stronger families, and stronger faith. New episodes drop every Tuesday.

🎙️ Episode 38 – The 3 Types of Men: Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs

In this short but powerful episode, Mark and Zack break down a timeless framework for understanding masculinity — and challenge you to examine what kind of man you really are.

Are you a sheep who avoids conflict and responsibility? A wolf who uses strength for selfish gain? Or a sheepdog, dangerous but disciplined — a protector, provider, and man of virtue?

Drawing from movies, stories, and real client experiences, we explore how men move through these three stages and what it takes to step into your calling as a virtuous man.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
• The 3 levels of masculinity and what defines each one
• How culture confuses strength with virtue
• Why being “nice” isn’t the same as being good
• What every man must face to become who he’s meant to be
• How to take the first step on your own hero’s journey

FREE BOOK
If today’s episode hit home, I want to give you something special.
My new book "Escape the Cage” is now live, and I’m giving away a free digital copy of the first 3 chapters.
👉 Get your free copy here: https://escapethecagenow.com/subscribe/

🎧 Prefer audio-only? Listen here:
https://escapethecagenow.com/podcast

📘 Mark’s Books
https://escapethecagenow.com/books/

👕 Lion Counseling Merch
https://ttw5i6-0j.myshopify.com

📞 Book a Free Consult
https://escapethecagenow.com/call/

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

🎙️ Episode 37 – The EMDR Gauntlet: 3 Days That Can Change Your Life

What if you could complete 3 months of deep trauma therapy in just 3 days? This short episode is different. It’s not just another interview or conversation—it's a direct invitation... an invitation from the world-leader in helping high-achieving Christian men heal from trauma.

In this rare, 5-minute solo episode, Mark Odland (Certified EMDR Therapist and founder of Lion Counseling) introduces a powerful new service

The EMDR Gauntlet, a life-altering 3-day intensive for high-performing men who are ready to finally deal with what’s holding them back.

If you're a successful man—an executive, athlete, entrepreneur, or elite professional—who’s done everything right but still feels the burnout, anxiety, or disconnection creeping in, this episode is for you.

You’ll learn:

• What the EMDR Gauntlet is (and isn’t)
• Why typical therapy doesn’t cut it for high performers
• How trauma, stress, and emotional blocks sabotage your work and relationships
• Why this in-person intensive in Duluth, MN could be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for

This is not executive coaching. This is not talk therapy. This is emotional surgery. And it might be exactly what you need.

🎧 Prefer audio only? Listen to the podcast here:
[Insert link to Spotify/Apple/etc.]

🧠 Book a free consult or apply for the EMDR Gauntlet:
https://escapethecagenow.com

📘 Read Mark’s Books:
https://escapethecagenow.com/books/

🦁 Explore Lion Counseling merch:
https://ttw5i6-0j.myshopify.com

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

About the Lion Counseling Podcast:
The Lion Counseling Podcast is for high-achieving Christian men ready to break free, heal deep, and become the lions they were created to be. Hosted by Mark Odland, LMFT and Certified EMDR Therapist, each episode blends psychology, faith, and bold truth to help men lead with clarity, courage, and connection. New episodes drop every Tuesday.

🎙️ If You Had One Year Left… Would You Still Work This Much?

In this episode, we explore how contemplating death can clarify your priorities and help you fix your work-life balance before it’s too late.
From young entrepreneurs to seasoned executives, most men struggle with knowing when to hustle and when to rest. This conversation blends humor, personal stories, and practical wisdom to help you redefine success, realign your values, and avoid burnout.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
• The biggest lie about “balance”
• How death contemplation can bring clarity
• Why your work ethic might be hiding fear
• What successful men regret the most
• 3 frameworks for living a life you won’t regret

📘 Mark’s Books
https://escapethecagenow.com/books/

👕 Lion Counseling Merch
https://ttw5i6-0j.myshopify.com

📞 Book a free consult
https://escapethecagenow.com

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

About the Lion Counseling Podcast
The Lion Counseling Podcast helps high-achieving Christian men break free, heal deep, and become the lions they were created to be. Hosted by Mark Odland (certified EMDR therapist) and Zach Carter (counselor + coach), this show blends faith, psychology, grit, and humor to help men win the battle within. New episodes drop every Tuesday.

🎙️ Episode 35 – Why Your Relationships Keep Falling Apart (Attachment Styles Explained)

Why do your relationships always seem to blow up or fizzle out? Why does closeness feel so hard—or even scary?

In this powerful episode of the Lion Counseling Podcast, Mark Odland and Zack Carter unpack how your attachment style shapes the way you love, fight, and even parent. Whether you're the one who always pulls away or the one who clings too tightly, there’s a reason—and there’s a path forward.

👉 Ready for the next step?
SCHEDULE A FREE, 30-MINUTE CONSULT with Mark or Zack at: https://escapethecagenow.com/call/

Space is limited, so don’t wait.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What your attachment style actually is (and how it was formed)
• Why avoidant men often feel emotionally shut down—and what to do about it
• How anxious attachment shows up in dating, marriage, parenting, and even sex
• The surprisingly boring truth about secure attachment—and why it works
• Real-life examples from pop culture and media (Batman, Donkey, John Wick, Superman!)
• How childhood wounds show up in adult relationships—and how to heal them
• 5 practical steps to move from avoidant or anxious to secure
• How to stop sabotaging connection and start building trust
• What therapy and coaching can do to rewire your pattern

📚 Read Mark’s Books:
https://escapethecagenow.com/books/

🦁 Lion Gear Merch Store:
https://ttw5i6-0j.myshopify.com

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

Hosted by Mark Odland, Certified EMDR Therapist, and Zack Carter, Counselor & Coach, the Lion Counseling Podcast helps men escape the cages that hold them back and become the lions they were created to be. We talk masculinity, trauma, identity, faith, relationships, and purpose—with humor, truth, and grit.

🆕 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

👍 Like • 💬 Comment • 🔔 Subscribe for more

🎙️ Episode 33 – Steel in the Soul: A Conversation with Stephen Mansfield

This is a Lion Legacy Conversation — a long-form interview highlighting the wisdom, resilience, and faith of remarkable men.

In this powerful episode, Mark Odland sits down with Stephen Mansfield, New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and founder of the Great Man movement. Together, they explore fatherhood, masculine identity, suffering, trauma, heritage, and the responsibility every man has to shape his own story — not through victimhood, but through agency, gratitude, and legacy.
Whether you were raised by mighty warriors or grew up without a father figure, this episode will challenge you to mine your valleys, reframe your memories, and rise up as the man you were created to be.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
Why "we choose how we remember our lives" might be the most powerful mental shift a man can make
How Stephen’s moment of being honored as a father in the Middle East changed his life
What it means to build a “Band of Brothers” in a culture of isolation
The danger of soft masculinity in an age of comfort and ease
How heritage, ancestry, and masculinity are deeply connected — and why you need to know your story
The rise of faith-driven manhood in the next generation — and why there’s hope
Why modern men are often deformed, not by trauma, but by comfort and passivity
How to lead your family, friends, and community with courage and character
What to do with the wounds of the past — and how to reclaim your strength from them
A hilarious challenge: What’s the manliest way to eat an Oreo?

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

📚 Explore Mark’s Books:
https://escapethecagenow.com/books/

🦁 Shop Lion Counseling Merch:
https://ttw5i6-0j.myshopify.com

💬 Drop a Comment Below:
What part of Stephen’s story inspired you most? How do you want to reshape your own?

About the Lion Counseling Podcast
The Lion Counseling Podcast helps men escape the cages that hold them back and become the lions they were created to be. Hosted by Mark Odland, Certified EMDR Therapist, and Zack Carter, Counselor & Coach, we tackle real issues—masculinity, trauma, addiction, identity, purpose, marriage, and faith—with honesty, clarity, and courage.

🎙️ New episodes drop every Tuesday.

🎙️ Episode 33 – Real Therapy Isn’t Comfortable: Why You Need to Face the Pain

What if the true path to healing isn’t found in comfort—but in courage?

In this powerful episode, Mark Odland and Zack Carter unpack what therapy is really about—and why the popularized version of “feel-good therapy” often misses the mark for men. Using imagery from samurai sword-forging and field-tested coaching insights, they challenge men to face emotional pain head-on—not to suffer, but to transform.

Whether you’re skeptical of therapy or already in it, this episode will reframe how you think about emotional growth, masculine strength, and healing that actually sticks.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why real therapy isn’t about comfort—it’s about change
• How emotional pain can be a forge, not a flaw
• The dangers of “therapeutic comfort culture” for men
• How to name your pain so you can face it
• Why pacing matters: avoiding overwhelm in healing
• The difference between sympathy, empathy, and accountability
• Why healing without challenge never lasts
• Biblical and symbolic metaphors for forging strength through pain
• How to find a therapist or coach who respects your values

🎧 Prefer to listen to the audio?
Check out the podcast here: https://lioncounselingpodcast.transistor.fm

👉 Ready for the next step?
SCHEDULE A FREE, 30-MINUTE CONSULT with Mark or Zack at: https://escapethecagenow.com/call/
to see if you’re a good fit to work with them one-on-one. Space is limited.

📚 Explore Mark’s Books:
https://escapethecagenow.com/books/

🛍️ Shop Lion Counseling Merch:
https://ttw5i6-0j.myshopify.com

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

About the Lion Counseling Podcast
Hosted by Certified EMDR Therapist Mark Odland and Counselor/Coach Zack Carter, The Lion Counseling Podcast helps men break free, heal deep, and become the lions they were created to be. We tackle real issues—masculinity, trauma, addiction, leadership, identity, marriage, and faith—with courage, clarity, and just enough humor to keep it honest. New episodes every Tuesday.

🎙️ Episode 32 – Should Men Be Skeptical of Therapy?

In this episode of the Lion Counseling Podcast, Certified EMDR Therapist Mark Odland takes a bold and honest look at a topic many men are quietly thinking about but rarely say out loud: Should men be skeptical of therapy?

The answer? Yes—and no.

Mark explores why discernment is essential when choosing a counselor or therapist—especially for men with traditional values, Christian faith, or a strong desire for personal responsibility and accountability.

🧠 Topics Covered:
Why many therapists are unknowingly biased against men
The problem with compassion without challenge
How systems theory can minimize personal agency
When secular counseling contradicts your faith
The difference between feminizing therapy and honoring male strengths
What good therapy looks like for high-achieving men
How to find a therapist who actually gets you
If you've ever felt frustrated by therapy, this episode will help you reframe the experience—and equip you to find the right guide for your journey.

👉 SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION with Mark or a Lion Counseling team member:
https://escapethecagenow.com/call/

📚 Check out Mark’s books for deeper healing and growth:
https://escapethecagenow.com/books/

🛡️ Shop Lion-themed merch designed to inspire and represent the values of strength, courage, and healing:
https://ttw5i6-0j.myshopify.com

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

🎙️ Episode 31 – How to Create a Career (Even If You’re Stuck)

Forget “finding your dream job.” What if your dream career doesn't exist yet… because you're meant to build it?

In this episode of the Lion Counseling Podcast, Mark and Zack explore what it means to create meaningful work in a world that often pressures men to “figure it all out” by 25. They break down the difference between a job and a career, how to reframe all-or-nothing thinking, and why your past experiences (even the weird ones) might be more connected than you think.

Whether you're 22 or 42, stuck or starting over, this conversation will help you think differently about your future. You’ll learn:

✅ How to map out a career from scratch
✅ Why your skills and passions matter (even if they seem unrelated)
✅ Why you should stop waiting and start experimenting
✅ What to do when your plan doesn’t go according to plan
✅ The 3-step method to clarify your next move
✅ How to align your work with your values, family, and faith

This is practical, encouraging guidance for men who want to lead their lives with purpose — not just chase the next paycheck.

🔗 Need help mapping your next step?
Book a free consult with us: https://escapethecagenow.com

📚 Check out Mark’s Books:
https://escapethecagenow.com/books/

👕 Shop Lion Counseling Merch:
https://ttw5i6-0j.myshopify.com

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

🎧 About the Lion Counseling Podcast
Hosted by therapist Mark Odland and counselor-coach Zack Carter, the Lion Counseling Podcast helps high-achieving Christian men break free, heal deep, and become the lions they were created to be. We combine evidence-based strategies from EMDR, CBT, and neuroscience with timeless wisdom from faith, family, and masculine leadership. Each week we tackle the topics men care about most — from anxiety and purpose to marriage, legacy, and resilience — all with clarity, compassion, and zero fluff.

New episodes every Tuesday.

🎙️ Episode 30 – What I Learned from Dr. John Deloney (and How It Can Help You Build a Non-Anxious Life)

👉 Ready for the next step? SCHEDULE A FREE, 30-MINUTE CONSULT with Mark or Zack at: https://escapethecagenow.com/call/

In this solo episode of The Lion Counseling Podcast, Mark Odland shares the unexpected story of meeting Dr. John Deloney at a Texas cattle ranch during the EntreLeadership Summit—and how that brief but powerful encounter inspired a deeper reflection on anxiety, integrity, and the daily choices that shape our emotional resilience.

But this isn’t just a story—it’s a practical guide for any man who feels overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck. Using Deloney’s “6 Daily Choices” framework, Mark breaks down how to move from anxiety to action, from fear to freedom—layering his own experience as a certified EMDR therapist and coach for high-performing Christian men.

🔥 Whether you’re a fan of Deloney, battling burnout, or just trying to find your footing again—this episode will challenge and equip you to build a life of peace, purpose, and presence.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why anxiety isn’t the fire—it’s the alarm
The 6 Daily Choices that shape a non-anxious life
How to make these choices tactical and actionable
Why vulnerability (done wisely) builds trust, not weakness
How Christian faith, CBT, EMDR, and nervous system science all align
Why mindfulness isn’t “soft”—it’s strategic
How to get to the root of anxiety instead of just managing symptoms

✍️ “You don’t have to feel fearless to act like a lion. Just choose one small, courageous step today.”

📖 Resources Mentioned:
Building a Non-Anxious Life by Dr. John Deloney
Mark’s coaching and counseling: https://escapethecagenow.com

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’