🎙️ Episode 26 – Should You Tell Your Wife About Your Secret Struggle?

If you’re stuck in a cycle of secrecy and guilt—and wondering whether to open up to your wife—this episode is for you.

Zach Carter and Mark Odland explore the deeper emotional and relational impact of hidden struggles, especially screen-based habits that damage trust and intimacy. They unpack when (and how) to have the hard conversation—and how truth, grace, and strategy can lead to real healing.

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

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The hidden costs of private digital behaviors
• Whether (and how) to open up to your spouse
• What honesty looks like without shame-dumping or retraumatizing
• Why your wife should NOT be your accountability partner
• When to seek outside support—and how we can help

📢 Whether you're married, dating, or single—this episode speaks directly to men who want to break free, rebuild trust, and walk in integrity.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

About the Show:

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 Zach Carter, Counselor & Coach, we tackle real issues—masculinity, identity, relationships, purpose, and faith—with honesty and courage.

🎙️ Episode 25 – Tactical Parenting for Dads: How Whole-Brain Discipline Builds Strong Kids

Are you a dad trying to raise strong, resilient kids—but sometimes feel lost when it comes to handling your child’s emotions, meltdowns, or mood swings?

In this episode of The Lion Counseling Podcast, Mark Odland, Certified EMDR Therapist, and Zack Carter, Counselor & Coach, break down the practical, brain-based parenting tools that every dad needs to know.

Inspired by the work of Dr. Daniel Siegel, this conversation explores how to engage your child's full brain—left and right, upstairs and downstairs—to foster emotional regulation, resilience, and strong father-child connection. Whether you’re dealing with tantrums, sibling fights, or just want to be more intentional as a parent, this episode will equip you with a step-by-step framework to help your kids thrive.

👉 Want to take it further? SCHEDULE A FREE 30-MINUTE CONSULT with Mark or Zack at: https://escapethecagenow.com/call/
to explore counseling or coaching.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The Whole-Brain Parenting model: left vs. right brain, upstairs vs. downstairs brain
• Why dads default to logic—and why that often backfires
• The simple phrase that changes everything: “Connect, then redirect”
• How to use storytelling to help kids process emotions and build resilience
• Why ignoring emotions can lead to addiction and trauma later in life
• Tools to raise kids who are emotionally strong, not emotionally shut down
• How YOU can model emotional intelligence and executive functioning as a father

Whether you're raising toddlers or teens, this episode will help you become the kind of dad your kids need: emotionally present, logically wise, and spiritually grounded.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

About the Show:
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 and Zack Carter, we tackle real issues—masculinity, trauma, faith, leadership, marriage, addiction, and parenting—with honesty, clarity, and courage.

👉 Learn more or get help: https://escapethecagenow.com

🎙️ Episode 24 – How to Reduce Screen Time (Without Hating Your Life)

👉 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.

In this episode of The Lion Counseling Podcast, Mark Odland (Certified EMDR Therapist) and Zack Carter (Counselor & Coach) explore how to take back your time and attention from endless scrolling, dopamine overload, and screen addiction. Using humor, real talk, and the 8 Dimensions of Wellness, they break down how to replace screen time with purpose-driven habits that actually make your life better.

This isn’t about guilt-tripping you for binging YouTube. It’s about giving you a simple, realistic path out of mental fog and into a life that feels energized, focused, and meaningful.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why just saying “I need to use my phone less” never works
• How billion-dollar algorithms are hacking your mind—and what to do about it
• What the Wellness Wheel is (and how to use it like a man)
• Why your life feels stuck—and how 15 minutes outside might fix it
• How David Goggins would probably redesign the Wellness Wheel (blood, cussing, and all)
• How to identify the area of your life most out of balance—and where to start rebuilding
• Why tiny wins matter more than big plans
• A ridiculously simple strategy to reset your habits (even if you're exhausted)

Whether you’re crushing it at work but feel off at home, or you’re tired of living behind a screen and want to get your edge back, this episode will give you the tools and motivation to move forward—without shame, without fluff, and without wasting your time.

💥 Your first step? Identify the easiest wellness domain to improve (physical, financial, emotional, spiritual, etc.), and start with the smallest win you can commit to this week.

🎯 Small wins. Daily reps. Long-term growth. That’s how lions are built.

About the Show:

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, anxiety, relationships, purpose, faith, and personal development—with honesty, clarity, and courage.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

👉 Ready for change? Visit www.escapethecagenow.com to schedule a free consultation for coaching or counseling.

➡️ Which area of the wellness wheel are YOU working on first?

🎙️ Episode 23 – Why You Know What to Do, But Still Don’t Do It: The Real Reason Men Stay Stuck with Food and Fitness

If you've ever told yourself, "I know what to do... I just don’t do it", this episode is for you.

In this brutally honest and practical episode of The Lion Counseling Podcast, Mark Odland (Certified EMDR Therapist) and Zack Carter (Counselor & Coach) go beyond nutrition advice and fitness hacks. They explore the emotional and psychological barriers that sabotage your efforts to eat better, work out consistently, and stay disciplined.

Whether your weakness is midnight cheese and crackers, weekend binges, or post-stress drive-thru rituals—there’s likely something deeper going on. And it's not just about willpower.

You’ll discover:

Why food is emotionally fused with comfort, control, and celebration
The real reason David Goggins-style motivation often backfires
How your early life experiences secretly shape your eating habits today
The role of thoughts like “I deserve this” and “I need this” in keeping you stuck
How CBT and EMDR-informed strategies can break the shame-spiral
The difference between healthy goals and toxic perfectionism
Why stewardship of your body can be a powerful act of faith

💡 Stick around to the end for a practical mindset shift and journaling exercise to finally escape the all-or-nothing trap and build real, lasting change.

👉 Ready to stop self-sabotaging and start showing up for your body, mind, and faith? SCHEDULE A FREE, 30-MINUTE CONSULT with Mark or Zack at: https://escapethecagenow.com/call/

About the Show:
The Lion Counseling Podcast helps men escape the cages that hold them back and become the lions they were created to be. We tackle real issues—masculinity, trauma, addiction, identity, marriage, purpose, and faith—with clarity, courage, and zero fluff.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

🎙️ Episode 22 – How to Break the Cycle of Low Motivation and Negative Thinking

This is a Lion Tactics episode — short, practical, and actionable content to help men heal and grow.

👉 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.

In this episode of The Lion Counseling Podcast, Mark Odland (Certified EMDR Therapist) and Zack Carter (Counselor & Coach) break down the 3 destructive thought patterns that fuel depression in men — and how to overcome them.

Whether you're feeling stuck, emotionally numb, or you're watching someone you care about spiral, this episode offers real hope and a path forward. They explain how depression distorts how we see ourselves, our lives, and the world around us—and how small mindset shifts can lead to big breakthroughs.

🧠 You’ll Learn:

• Why people with depression have a “selection bias” toward negative thinking
• How overgeneralization keeps you stuck in self-defeating narratives like “I always fail”
• How to stop interpreting neutral events (like a coworker ignoring you) as proof that something’s wrong with you
• Why traditional advice like “just snap out of it” fails—and what actually works
• A powerful visual tool to reframe your thinking and move from stuck to strong
• How small, consistent mindset shifts can transform your mental health

💡 If you’ve ever felt hopeless, numb, or like you’ve lost your fire — you're not broken. Depression is real, but it is also treatable. And at Lion Counseling, we don’t pathologize you. We listen, equip you, and help you move from where you are to where you want to be—without needing to slap a diagnosis on it.

👊 You don’t need to stay stuck. Start today with a single small step.

About the Show:
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.

👉 Ready for change? Visit www.escapethecagenow.com to schedule a free consultation for coaching or counseling.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

🎙️ Episode 21 – Jordan Peterson, Burnout, and the Power of Radical Ownership

This is a Lion Reflection – a personal monologue where I share the hard-earned lessons, challenges, and insights that have shaped my journey as a therapist, leader, and man of faith.

👉 Want support from a therapist who gets it? SCHEDULE A FREE, 30-MINUTE CONSULT at: https://escapethecagenow.com/call/

In this episode, I share the powerful story of meeting Dr. Jordan Peterson—a man whose work has impacted millions, including many of you. I’ll walk you through what I learned in our private conversation about burnout, resentment, pride, and how radical personal responsibility might be the key to becoming the man God created you to be.

Whether you're a therapist, entrepreneur, leader, or just trying to hold everything together as a husband and father, the lessons in this episode will challenge and equip you to take ownership of your life, set healthy boundaries, and protect your integrity.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• How my face-to-face conversation with Dr. Peterson challenged my thinking
• The trap of taking too much credit—or too much blame—for others' outcomes
• How resentment is a signal that your boundaries are being violated
• Why radical ownership isn’t just wise—it’s spiritually essential
• How Jesus modeled true responsibility—and what that means for us as men
• A 4-step challenge you can use this week to detox your heart from bitterness

📖 Plus: I close the episode by reading my original poem, “Crossing the Jordan,” written in honor of Dr. Peterson’s work.

🔥 This reflection isn’t about fandom. It’s about formation. Take what’s useful and put it into practice.

—

👉 Ready to make a change? Visit www.escapethecagenow.com to schedule your free consultation for coaching or counseling.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

🎙️ Episode 20 – Shipwreck, Survival, and Second Chances: The Story of Nick Rahn

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

👉 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.

In this gripping episode of The Lion Counseling Podcast, Mark Odland sits down with Air Force veteran, adventurer, and mental health advocate Nick Rahn, founder of Warrior’s Next Adventure. From a near-death moment in the Boundary Waters to being shipwrecked in the Atlantic Ocean, Nick's journey is one of raw pain, gritty survival, and unexpected redemption.

Nick shares how a misfire changed the direction of his life, opening the door to purpose, brotherhood, and global adventure. He opens up about childhood trauma, military stress, relational breakdowns, and what it really takes to rebuild from the bottom.

Through MMA, mountain climbing, helping fellow veterans, and a high-seas rescue that can only be described as miraculous, Nick shows us that it’s possible to rewrite the ending—even after everything seems lost.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• What happened the moment Nick hit his breaking point—and the shocking twist that changed everything
• Why childhood wounds echo into adulthood, and how to start healing them
• How Nick survived alone in the wilderness—and later, in a life raft in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean
• What men can learn from radical honesty and emotional ownership
• The healing power of adrenaline, brotherhood, and storytelling
• Nick’s six principles for turning rock bottom into transformation

💥 If you’ve ever felt broken, stuck, or like the world would be better without you—this episode is your reminder that your story isn’t over.

Learn more about Nick’s nonprofit: https://warriorsnextadventure.com
Watch the PBS documentary: Defying Death on the Atlantic

About the Show:
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.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

👉 Ready for change? Visit www.escapethecagenow.com to schedule a free consultation for coaching or counseling.

🎙️ Episode 19 – The ABCs of Anxiety: How to Understand and Overcome Fear

What if your anxiety was actually trying to help you—but your brain just got stuck in the wrong loop?

In this episode of the Lion Counseling Podcast, Mark and Zack break down the ABCs of anxiety—Alarm, Belief, and Coping—and share how you can take back control from the chaos in your head. You’ll learn the real neuroscience behind stress, why your coping strategies might not be working, and what to do instead.

Oh, and yes—Zack tells a hilarious story about being so scared by a ghost movie that he threw his covers in the closet. 😂

Whether you’re stressed at work, overwhelmed at home, or stuck in your own head, this episode will give you the tools and perspective to face fear with courage and strategy.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What the “Alarm” in your brain is and why it’s trying to protect you
• How your beliefs (even irrational ones) can amplify anxiety
• The difference between healthy and unhealthy coping
• Why your brain loves to “catastrophize”—and how to fight back
• How to create a simple plan to feel more in control
• Stories about horror movies, skydiving, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (yes, really)
• A faith-based reminder that fear doesn’t have to have the final word

👉 Ready for the next step?
Schedule a FREE 30-MINUTE CONSULT with Mark or Zack to see if you’re a good fit to work together:
https://escapethecagenow.com/call/

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

🎙️ Episode 18 – 5 Mindsets That Are Killing Your Wealth (and How to Fix Them)

Are your money habits sabotaging your future? This episode is for high-performing men who are crushing it at work and at home—but quietly struggling with finances behind the scenes.

In this practical and honest conversation, Mark and Zack explore five toxic thought patterns that hold men back from building wealth—and what you can do to break free.

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

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why “it’s the economy’s fault” is a mindset trap—and what to do instead
• The hidden cost of saying “I’m just not good with money”
• How all-or-nothing thinking paralyzes your financial progress
• Why waiting to “make more money” before saving is a losing game
• How budgeting doesn’t have to kill your joy—and might even increase it
• The psychology behind self-sabotage, procrastination, and financial guilt
• How to take your first small, realistic step toward financial peace today

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

💡 Your Challenge This Week:
Identify the negative money belief holding you back—and write out the advice you’d give a close friend if he believed the same thing.

About the Show:
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, finances, marriage, purpose, and faith—with honesty, clarity, and courage.

🎙️ Episode 17 – Breakdancing, Brotherhood, and Becoming a Son: The Michael Swalley Story

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

👉 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.

In this compelling episode of The Lion Counseling Podcast, Mark Odland sits down with Michael Swalley — breakdancer, missionary, husband, father of four, and founder of Break Free Ministries. From small-town Minnesota to underground hip-hop communities across the globe, Michael’s journey is one of pain, purpose, and pursuit. With vulnerability and strength, he shares how fatherlessness, faith, and movement collided to spark a global ministry reaching men through creativity and community.

Whether you're a man haunted by the past or searching for deeper purpose, this episode will challenge how you see manhood — and sonship.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

Michael’s story of losing his father to suicide and finding his identity as a beloved son of God
Why men today are hungry to be seen, known, and mentored — even in unlikely places
How a Japanese exchange student named Ace was the first convert in a movement now spanning four continents
Why emotional honesty with your wife may be one of the most courageous steps a man can take
How movement, creativity, and brotherhood unlock healing in ways words can’t always reach
What breakdancing under a bridge in Hungary taught him about community and calling
A redefinition of masculinity that blends responsibility with tenderness, and sonship with strength
How the “check engine light” of your soul can become a roadmap to deep healing and purpose
Why legacy isn’t just about what you do — but about how deeply you receive the love of your Father in heaven
💥 If you’ve ever felt like you had to perform to be loved — or wondered if your story could really be redeemed — this episode will speak to your soul.

Learn more about Michael’s work at https://breakfree2024.com or follow @breakfreeministries on Instagram.

About the Show:
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.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.’

➡️ What part of Michael’s story resonated most with you?