Men Talking Mindfulness

Today we are going to speak about something called: Masculinity Contest Culture. Here’s a little taste of what we are going to dive into:

“At work, this pressure to prove “I have what it takes” shifts the focus from accomplishing the organization’s mission to proving one’s masculinity. The result: endless “mine’s bigger than yours” contests, such as taking on and bragging about heavy workloads or long hours, cutting corners to out-earn others, and taking unreasonable risks either physically (in blue-collar jobs) or in decision-making (e.g., rogue traders in finance). The competition breeds unspoken anxiety (because admitting anxiety is seen as weak) and defensiveness (e.g., blaming subordinates for any failure), undermining cooperation, psychological safety, trust in coworkers, and the ability to admit uncertainty or mistakes. Together this creates miserable, counterproductive work environments that increase stress, burnout, and turnover.”

The source of this quote is from a Harvard Business Review article entitled: “How Masculinity Contests Undermine Organizations, and What to Do About It” by Jennifer L. Berdahl, Peter Glick, and Marianne Cooper.  (https://hbr.org/2018/11/how-masculinity-contests-undermine-organizations-and-what-to-do-about-it )

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01:00 Masculinity Contest Culture

05:30 Jon leads Opening Grounding Practice (~4 min)

09:30 In the time before Will was a hippie…

14:00 What contest culture is doing to companies

16:30 What exactly is Masculinity Contest Culture?

19:00 MCC in the Navy

22:00 Can we use competition in a healthy way?

27:30 Using competition to better ourselves

34:30 No one likes a bully

40:00 Everyone carries masculine and feminine energy

43:30 Jon and Will have their first disagreement

48:00 Will learns a new word

51:00 Learning to say sorry

55:00 Quote about Thomas Hobbes

1:00:30 Will leads Closing Grounding Practice (~2 min)

Our Hosts: Will is excited to teach you how to develop self-mastery. From teaching and practicing for the last 19 years, he feels it's a joy to work with long-time practitioners and students that have never tried these practices before or have only dabbled.   Email: [email protected]

Jon is a Navy SEAL Commander turned mindfulness and meditation teacher. Since ending his 24-year military career in June 2020, Jon is now dedicated to spreading the practices of meditation and mindfulness to help others live happier and more fulfilling lives.   Email: [email protected]

Opening and closing Music: Malecon by Soyb & Amine Maxwell https://soundcloud.com/soybmusic https://soundcloud.com/aminemaxwell Creative Commons —   Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/al-malecon Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/xbWzYbtMgIE

Check out our Awareness-to-action Self Mastery COURSE & COMMUNITY:

12 modules on attention, presence & performance. Work at your own pace plus a community built for Inspiration and connection.

1.  www.focusnowtraining.com/a2a-Course

JOIN US IN PERSON — Future Events and Retreats.

1.  Live in-person event: Warrior Defined.
We will be in Charlotte, NC, September 25, 2026 more info HERE: 

Or mentalkingmindfulness.com

GET MORE FROM MTM:

Text MTM to 33777 — free weekly newsletter

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Produced by Robert Lopez | https://www.cratesaudio.com/

The second episode in our Masculinity 2.0 Sub-series.  Tune in to learn how to deal with being offended more appropriately.  

01:00 Dealing with Being Offended with Dr. Clark Chilson

02:00 How do we react to being offended?

05:00 The STEA Process

07:30 The programming of hypermasculinity vs the sensitivity of men

11:00 Short-circuiting the natural reaction of anger

13:00 Anger as the glorified choice

16:30 Discipline requires practice

20:00 Anger is natural - that doesn't make violence ok

23:00 Offensive people aren't thinking about you

26:00 A Primitive Brain in a Modern World

29:00 Our brains evolved to keep us alive - not happy.

Our Hosts: Will is excited to teach you how to develop self-mastery. From teaching and practicing for the last 19 years, he feels it's a joy to work with long-time practitioners and students that have never tried these practices before or have only dabbled.   Email: [email protected]        

Jon is a Navy SEAL Commander turned mindfulness and meditation teacher. Since ending his 24-year military career in June 2020, Jon is now dedicated to spreading the practices of meditation and mindfulness to help others live happier and more fulfilling lives.   Email: [email protected]          

Opening and closing Music: Malecon by Soyb & Amine Maxwell https://soundcloud.com/soybmusic https://soundcloud.com/aminemaxwell Creative Commons —   Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/al-malecon Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/xbWzYbtMgIE

Check out our Awareness-to-action Self Mastery COURSE & COMMUNITY:

12 modules on attention, presence & performance. Work at your own pace plus a community built for Inspiration and connection.

1.  www.focusnowtraining.com/a2a-Course

JOIN US IN PERSON — Future Events and Retreats.

1.  Live in-person event: Warrior Defined.
We will be in Charlotte, NC, September 25, 2026 more info HERE: 

Or mentalkingmindfulness.com

GET MORE FROM MTM:

Text MTM to 33777 — free weekly newsletter

1.  Subscribe: mentalkingmindfulness.com

2.  FNT: focusnowtraining.com

BRING FNT TO YOUR TEAM:

1.  focusnowtraining.com/contact

Produced by Robert Lopez | https://www.cratesaudio.com/

To stay hydrated, one must drink eight 8oz glasses of water a day, right?  WELL... there's WAY more to it than that AND the benefits of staying hydrated are WAY more than you think!  Join Will and Jon as they interview Dr. Dana Cohen, co-Author of Quench to learn more!  

Dr. Dana Cohen has worked side by side with the late Dr. Robert Atkins, a true pioneer in the field of integrative medicine and now, in that same field, Dr. Cohen is a Well respected and beloved clinician.  She has helped thousands of patients find relief from a variety of health problems utilizing the principles of integrative and functional medicine focusing on nutrition and limiting her patients’ reliance on prescription medications by using diet, lifestyle changes and nutritional supplementation.     

She is a founding member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Organic and Natural Health Association and is on the scientific advisory board of Cure® Hydration and the Health and Wellness Advisor for Essentia® Water.   

Her first book “Quench” with coauthor Gina Bria has been published in six languages, has garnered rave reviews and has a cult following of devotees… which now includes Will and Jon.    

@drdanacohen- instagram and twitter; @danacohenmd-facebook https://www.drdanacohen.com  

01:00 Optimal Hydration with “Quench” Co-author Dr. Dana Cohen 

04:00 Introducing Dr. Dana Cohen 05:00 Will leads Opening Grounding Practice (~3 min) 

08:30 How Dr. Cohen became obsessed with hydration 

11:30 What makes hydration so difficult to study? 

15:00 You'd be surprised what is dehydrating you 

17:00 Simple.changes make big waves 

20:30 How do you know if you're dehydrated? 

22:30 What happens when you're dehydrated? 

27:30 Drinking water isn't always enough 

31:30 Eat your way to hydration 

36:00 Sports drinks are not the answer 

39:30 Mirco-movements are your friend 

50:30 Meditate to hydrate 

53:00 The Quench Program 

57:30 Jon leads some closing micro-movements 

Our Hosts: Will is excited to teach you how to develop self-mastery. From teaching and practicing for the last 19 years, he feels it's a joy to work with long-time practitioners and students that have never tried these practices before or have only dabbled.   Email: [email protected]        

Jon is a Navy SEAL Commander turned mindfulness and meditation teacher. Since ending his 24-year military career in June 2020, Jon is now dedicated to spreading the practices of meditation and mindfulness to help others live happier and more fulfilling lives.   Email: [email protected]           

Opening and closing Music: Malecon by Soyb & Amine Maxwell https://soundcloud.com/soybmusic https://soundcloud.com/aminemaxwell Creative Commons —   Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/al-malecon Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/xbWzYbtMgIE

Check out our Awareness-to-action Self Mastery COURSE & COMMUNITY:

12 modules on attention, presence & performance. Work at your own pace plus a community built for Inspiration and connection.

1.  www.focusnowtraining.com/a2a-Course

JOIN US IN PERSON — Future Events and Retreats.

1.  Live in-person event: Warrior Defined.
We will be in Charlotte, NC, September 25, 2026 more info HERE: 

Or mentalkingmindfulness.com

GET MORE FROM MTM:

Text MTM to 33777 — free weekly newsletter

1.  Subscribe: mentalkingmindfulness.com

2.  FNT: focusnowtraining.com

BRING FNT TO YOUR TEAM:

1.  focusnowtraining.com/contact

Produced by Robert Lopez | https://www.cratesaudio.com/

How much pain is caused by holding grudges or never forgiving… not forgiving others AND not forgiving yourself!?  Let’s talk about the capacity to forgive!  Jon  and Will are joined by Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher John Abate to talk about letting go of these toxic grudges!  

John has lived through a tragic personal event that might leave most men forever bitter, angry and resentful. Instead through the power of forgiveness John transformed this event from a soul crushing experience into a life of peace and living on purpose.

Finding John: @johnjabate @mindfulfoundations101 https://www.mindfulfoundations.org

01:00 The Capacity to Forgive with Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MSBR) Teacher, John Abate

03:30 Introducing John Abate

05:00 Will leads Opening Grounding Practice (~3 min)

08:00 John’s journey to forgiveness

17:00 Justice vs. Forgiveness

19:00 Does forgiveness require contact?

24:00 The path of healing

27:00 The process is ongoing

34:00 What is MSBR?

39:00 Life without forgiveness

44:00 Forgiveness as an Act of Empathy

48:30 Personal Forgiveness

53:00 Vulnerability in Forgiveness

1:00:00 John Abate leads Closing Practice (-4 min)

Our Hosts: Will is excited to teach you how to develop self-mastery. From teaching and practicing for the last 19 years, he feels it's a joy to work with long-time practitioners and students that have never tried these practices before or have only dabbled.   Email: [email protected]       

Jon is a Navy SEAL Commander turned mindfulness and meditation teacher. Since ending his 24-year military career in June 2020, Jon is now dedicated to spreading the practices of meditation and mindfulness to help others live happier and more fulfilling lives.   Email: [email protected]

Opening and closing Music: Malecon by Soyb & Amine Maxwell https://soundcloud.com/soybmusic https://soundcloud.com/aminemaxwell Creative Commons —   Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/al-malecon Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/xbWzYbtMgIE

Check out our Awareness-to-action Self Mastery COURSE & COMMUNITY:

12 modules on attention, presence & performance. Work at your own pace plus a community built for Inspiration and connection.

1.  www.focusnowtraining.com/a2a-Course

JOIN US IN PERSON — Future Events and Retreats.

1.  Live in-person event: Warrior Defined.
We will be in Charlotte, NC, September 25, 2026 more info HERE: 

Or mentalkingmindfulness.com

GET MORE FROM MTM:

Text MTM to 33777 — free weekly newsletter

1.  Subscribe: mentalkingmindfulness.com

2.  FNT: focusnowtraining.com

BRING FNT TO YOUR TEAM:

1.  focusnowtraining.com/contact

Produced by Robert Lopez | https://www.cratesaudio.com/

Here's your preview for tomorrow's show... Jon and Will speak with John Abate, survivor of a tragic accident and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Instructor, all about Forgiveness.  Let's learn about it for our own sake and for others in our lives! 

Check out our Awareness-to-action Self Mastery COURSE & COMMUNITY:

12 modules on attention, presence & performance. Work at your own pace plus a community built for Inspiration and connection.

1.  www.focusnowtraining.com/a2a-Course

JOIN US IN PERSON — Future Events and Retreats.

1.  Live in-person event: Warrior Defined.
We will be in Charlotte, NC, September 25, 2026 more info HERE: 

Or mentalkingmindfulness.com

GET MORE FROM MTM:

Text MTM to 33777 — free weekly newsletter

1.  Subscribe: mentalkingmindfulness.com

2.  FNT: focusnowtraining.com

BRING FNT TO YOUR TEAM:

1.  focusnowtraining.com/contact

Produced by Robert Lopez | https://www.cratesaudio.com/

Check out our Awareness-to-action Self Mastery COURSE & COMMUNITY:

12 modules on attention, presence & performance. Work at your own pace plus a community built for Inspiration and connection.

1.  www.focusnowtraining.com/a2a-Course

JOIN US IN PERSON — Future Events and Retreats.

1.  Live in-person event: Warrior Defined.
We will be in Charlotte, NC, September 25, 2026 more info HERE: 

Or mentalkingmindfulness.com

GET MORE FROM MTM:

Text MTM to 33777 — free weekly newsletter

1.  Subscribe: mentalkingmindfulness.com

2.  FNT: focusnowtraining.com

BRING FNT TO YOUR TEAM:

1.  focusnowtraining.com/contact

Produced by Robert Lopez | https://www.cratesaudio.com/

You have to grind grind grind to be an entrepreneur!   Do you though?   How can one be both mindful and a successful and impactful entrepreneur.  Will and Jon join Rennie Curran, former NFL Linebacker turned successful mindful entrepreneur!  

Rennie was born in Atlanta, GA and is the son of Liberian immigrants, Rennie Curran is a former professional athlete and now CEO of Game Changer Coaching where he uses this platform to inspire students, athletes, and business professionals to reach their fullest potential.    As an athlete, Rennie has fulfilled his childhood dreams by becoming a 3-time Collegiate All American, Butkus Award Finalist, permanent team Captain at the University of Georgia and then in 2010 was drafted into the NFL by the Tennessee Titans.  

Rennie is a true Entrepreneur inspiring the business community with his keynote speeches and also as a personal development coach. He founded and runs a non-profit “The Game Changers Foundation”: HELPING ATHLETES BECOME LEADERS IN SPORTS, BUSINESS, AND LIFE  

And Last but not least Rennie is also the author of two books:  “Free Agent”: The Intangibles for Overcoming Adversity and Times of Transition. AND “What Does It Take to Be a Star” a children's book co-written with his 9-year-old daughter Eleana Curran.   

How to find Rennie: @renniecurran for everything except twitter - @renniecurran53 Personal business - renniecurran.com  as well as nonprofit - gamechangersfoundationga.org   

Our Hosts: Will is excited to teach you how to develop self-mastery. From teaching and practicing for the last 19 years, he feels it's a joy to work with long-time practitioners and students that have never tried these practices before or have only dabbled.   Email: [email protected]     

Jon is a Navy SEAL Commander turned mindfulness and meditation teacher. Since ending his 24-year military career in June 2020, Jon is now dedicated to spreading the practices of meditation and mindfulness to help others live happier and more fulfilling lives.    Email: [email protected]        

Opening and closing Music: Malecon by Soyb & Amine Maxwell https://soundcloud.com/soybmusic https://soundcloud.com/aminemaxwell Creative Commons —   Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/al-malecon Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/xbWzYbtMgIE

Check out our Awareness-to-action Self Mastery COURSE & COMMUNITY:

12 modules on attention, presence & performance. Work at your own pace plus a community built for Inspiration and connection.

1.  www.focusnowtraining.com/a2a-Course

JOIN US IN PERSON — Future Events and Retreats.

1.  Live in-person event: Warrior Defined.
We will be in Charlotte, NC, September 25, 2026 more info HERE: 

Or mentalkingmindfulness.com

GET MORE FROM MTM:

Text MTM to 33777 — free weekly newsletter

1.  Subscribe: mentalkingmindfulness.com

2.  FNT: focusnowtraining.com

BRING FNT TO YOUR TEAM:

1.  focusnowtraining.com/contact

Produced by Robert Lopez | https://www.cratesaudio.com/

Gold gold gold!  A quick taste of what tomorrow's episode with Rennie Curran.  So many good one liners - absolute gold!!

Check out our Awareness-to-action Self Mastery COURSE & COMMUNITY:

12 modules on attention, presence & performance. Work at your own pace plus a community built for Inspiration and connection.

1.  www.focusnowtraining.com/a2a-Course

JOIN US IN PERSON — Future Events and Retreats.

1.  Live in-person event: Warrior Defined.
We will be in Charlotte, NC, September 25, 2026 more info HERE: 

Or mentalkingmindfulness.com

GET MORE FROM MTM:

Text MTM to 33777 — free weekly newsletter

1.  Subscribe: mentalkingmindfulness.com

2.  FNT: focusnowtraining.com

BRING FNT TO YOUR TEAM:

1.  focusnowtraining.com/contact

Produced by Robert Lopez | https://www.cratesaudio.com/

Check out our Awareness-to-action Self Mastery COURSE & COMMUNITY:

12 modules on attention, presence & performance. Work at your own pace plus a community built for Inspiration and connection.

1.  www.focusnowtraining.com/a2a-Course

JOIN US IN PERSON — Future Events and Retreats.

1.  Live in-person event: Warrior Defined.
We will be in Charlotte, NC, September 25, 2026 more info HERE: 

Or mentalkingmindfulness.com

GET MORE FROM MTM:

Text MTM to 33777 — free weekly newsletter

1.  Subscribe: mentalkingmindfulness.com

2.  FNT: focusnowtraining.com

BRING FNT TO YOUR TEAM:

1.  focusnowtraining.com/contact

Produced by Robert Lopez | https://www.cratesaudio.com/

We did an episode on Fatherhood in season 2... we owed this episode to all the mothers out there - we finally got it done and we're so glad we did!  An amazing, touching, heart string tugging conversation about Motherhood with our good friend and business partner, Dr. Theresa Larson. (Men need to understand this topic too - as husbands, as fathers, as sons!)

Dr. Larson is a Marine Veteran, former professional softball player turned doctor of physical therapy…  But today, we are here to talk to her as a mom.  She is a mother of two young boys and she is constantly working to bring mindfulness into her home.  

Learn more about "Dr. T" here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtheresalarson/

Mindfulness and Movement Experience:  www.movement-rx.com/mtm

Our Hosts:

Will is excited to teach you how to develop self-mastery. From teaching and practicing for the last 19 years, he feels it's a joy to work with long-time practitioners and students that have never tried these practices before or have only dabbled.  

Email: [email protected]   

Jon is a Navy SEAL Commander turned mindfulness and meditation teacher. Since ending his 24-year military career in June 2020, Jon is now dedicated to spreading the practices of meditation and mindfulness to help others live happier and more fulfilling lives.  

Email: [email protected]      

Timestamps:

01:00 Motherhood and Mindfulness with Dr. Theresa Larson

01:30 Will and Theresa are in Colorado with Jon!

04:00 Introducing Theresa

04:30 Opening Grounding Practice with Will (~4 min)

09:00 Theresa defines what motherhood means to her

13:30 Deciding to be a parent

15:30 The experience of getting and being pregnant

18:00 Mindfulness throughout pregnancy

27:00 Theresa’s memories of her own mother

31:00 The challenges of being a mom

37:00 Theresa’s Second Pregnancy

43:00 How Mindfulness helps Theresa be a better mother

48:30 Children crave attention and a sense of belonging

51:00 The rewards of being a mother

56:00 Jon’s memories of his mother

1:00:00 Will’s memories of his mother

1:03:00 Theresa’s Dad playing the role of Mom

1:07:00 Closing Grounding Practice with Jon (~3 min)

Opening and closing Music: Malecon by Soyb & Amine Maxwell https://soundcloud.com/soybmusic https://soundcloud.com/aminemaxwell Creative Commons —   Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/al-malecon Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/xbWzYbtMgIE

Check out our Awareness-to-action Self Mastery COURSE & COMMUNITY:

12 modules on attention, presence & performance. Work at your own pace plus a community built for Inspiration and connection.

1.  www.focusnowtraining.com/a2a-Course

JOIN US IN PERSON — Future Events and Retreats.

1.  Live in-person event: Warrior Defined.
We will be in Charlotte, NC, September 25, 2026 more info HERE: 

Or mentalkingmindfulness.com

GET MORE FROM MTM:

Text MTM to 33777 — free weekly newsletter

1.  Subscribe: mentalkingmindfulness.com

2.  FNT: focusnowtraining.com

BRING FNT TO YOUR TEAM:

1.  focusnowtraining.com/contact

Produced by Robert Lopez | https://www.cratesaudio.com/