Toxic Masculinity Is a Lie. Here’s the Truth No One Wants to Say.

Today’s conversation is not a soft, feel-good talk. It’s a debate, a breakdown, and a challenge to the entire narrative around masculinity in 2025.

We brought back Eric Spears (Army, Navy, corrections, competitive shooter) because he has lived, witnessed, and survived nearly every form of masculine culture you can imagine.

In this episode, we confront the hard questions:

• Is masculinity actually toxic or is society scapegoating it?

• Are men being taught fragility instead of strength?

• Why do modern influencers profit off fear, insecurity, and “alpha male” fantasies?

• How do we reclaim masculinity AND embrace our feminine traits without shame?

This is a conversation men, women, parents, leaders, and young adults need right now. Through mental health, Buddhism, military experience, and Dragon Ball Z references (shout-out to Ken Black @BlackJazzMan, whose Vegeta video inspired a key section), we look at masculinity as a tool, not a weapon, something that can heal instead of harm.

Masculinity isn’t the enemy. Fragility is.Balance is strength. Vulnerability is power. And society is overdue for a reset.

🎙️ Things You’ll Find in This Episode

• Why “toxic masculinity” became a blanket term

• The difference between healthy, toxic, and fragile masculinity

• The role of mentorship and how society lost it

• Emotional vulnerability, male friendships, and why men are lonely

• Martial arts, Buddhism, balance, and nervous system regulation

• What Dragon Ball Z can teach us about true masculinity (Vegeta shattering the “alpha male”)

• How social media distorts masculine identity

• Why kindness, boundaries, and protection are masculine virtues

• How to talk to young men without creating shame

💬 Special ThanksMassive shout-out to Ken Black (@BlackJazzMan) on YouTube for his incredible video on Vegeta destroying the Alpha Male archetype — one of the most important cultural breakdowns of modern masculinity.

Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riIZMce6Y70

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 — Intro: What Does Masculinity Mean in 2025?

05:12 — Healthy, Toxic & Fragile Masculinity Explained

17:58 — Emotional Vulnerability, Friendship & the Male Loneliness Crisis

29:49 — Sponsor: At Ready LLC (Dr. Ben Green)

30:00 — Mentorship, Balance, Dragon Ball Z & Rewriting Masculinity

49:38 - Outro

🎧 Watch or Listen Now

➡️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/ySYEFx3Mjys

➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR

➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast

🌐 Website: https://nostreetlights.org

💛 Support the MissionHelp us fight stigma through real stories, real people, and real conversations.

Join our Patreon community:👉 https://patreon.com/NoStreetLights

🧠 Need Someone to Talk To?

If you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out.

📞 Call 988 for immediate mental health support.

For ongoing professional help:

👉 betterhelp.com/NSLP (gets you 10% off your first month)

✨ Our Message to You

Be good to yourselves and each other.

We love you, and you are worthy of that love.

Be your own light.

#toxicmasculinity #masculinity #mensmentalhealth #mentalhealthpodcast #selfgrowthjourney #alphaMaleMyth #Vegeta #dragonballzphilosophy #genderroles #emotionalintelligence #healthyrelationships #vulnerabilityisstrength #nostreetlightspodcast #nslp #beourownlight

“What if the secret to surviving life… is the same secret that made Goku unstoppable?”This week, Tim and Aaron dive deep into one of the wildest, most unexpectedly profound conversations we’ve ever had, blending Dragon Ball Z, Sisyphus, Buddhism, holiday survival, and the philosophy behind doing the work worth doing.Inspired by Tim’s recent Kung Fu journey and Aaron’s reflections on legacy, karma, and persistence, we explore why so many of us feel “behind,” how rest becomes a spiritual discipline, and why Smiling Sisyphus might be the mindset that pulls you out of depression and back into your own life. If you’ve ever felt like you’re pushing a boulder uphill, through the holidays, through anxiety, through the pressure of being a “better” person, this episode will flip your entire understanding of purpose, growth, and resilience.And yes… the DBZ references are insane.🧠 What You’ll Find in This Episode- How Goku’s four life lessons (“work hard, study well, eat and sleep plenty”) secretly form a mental-health blueprint- Why Vegeta’s obsession with catching up mirrors our modern burnout culture- The Smiling Sisyphus Philosophy, letting the struggle itself fill your heart- How “chop wood, carry water” becomes spiritual, practical, and deeply healing- Why rest isn’t weakness, it’s strategy- How Tim’s Kung Fu training reframed persistence- Using holiday companionship to survive seasonal stress- Letting go of ego, embracing neighbors, and making life feel less heavy- Turning anxiety, grief, and fear into forward momentum- Why “if you’re not having fun, it’d be a lot cooler if you were” may be the most Buddhist thing ever- DBZ, Buddhism, kung fu, Halloween Resurrection, WTFRiley, and an Albert Camus quote that will punch you in the chest- And whether Aaron is actually Vegeta🧩 Referenced in This Episode- Ryan Higginson – “What do you take with you when you go?” (a concept that reframes the whole episode) - Lauren McNeese – holiday survival strategies, “snacky snacks,” and gentle grounding practices- Gordon Ramsay – enlightenment via chopping vegetables- Buddhist philosophy – suffering, joy, letting go, living lightly- Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus – “The struggle itself is enough to fill a man’s heart.”- Ken Black, https://www.youtube.com/@BlackJazzMan🎧 Watch or Listen Now➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast-real-stories-on-mental-health/id1696321025🌐 Website: https://nostreetlights.org💡 Support the MissionJoin our Patreon to help us keep making life-changing content, one conversation at a time.Get behind-the-scenes access, bonus content, merch perks, and more.👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nostreetlights🆘 Need Support?If you’re in crisis, please call 911 or 988 for immediate help.This show is not a substitute for professional medical care, but we hope it reminds you that you’re worthy of help, love, and healing.00:00 – The Struggle We All Feel04:18 – Smiling Sisyphus Philosophy14:00 – Joy, Suffering & Personal Growth28:49 – Sponsor: At Ready LLC29:56 – Goku vs. Vegeta & Applying the Philosophy#MentalHealthPodcast #DragonBallZPhilosophy #GokuMindset #VegetaArc #SisyphusMyth #ChopWoodCarryWater #HolidayMentalHealth #AnxietySupport #DepressionSupport #VeteranVoices #NoStreetLightsPodcast #NSLP #SelfImprovementJourney #MindfulnessPractice #DBZFans #AnimePhilosophy

In Episode 123, Aaron and Tim sit down to share the biggest transformation No Street Lights has ever undergone. New schedule. New livestreams. New energy. And a renewed commitment to serving you with honesty, integrity, depth, and vulnerability.

Over the past two years, NSLP has grown, shifted, struggled, healed, and evolved, right alongside the people who listen. As Aaron and Tim explain, “the only constant is change,” and this new season of the podcast is built to honor that truth.

Today we talk about:

-Why NSLP is moving to bi-weekly major episodes

-What “Subscribe for Less” really means

-The launch of weekly livestreams on off-weeks

-The complete rebuild of the NSL merch shop

-How burnout, depression, and real-life struggles shaped this new direction

-A vulnerable discussion of mental lows, martial arts breakthroughs, identity struggles, and rediscovering purpose

-Community involvement: What YOU want more of

-Future projects, collaborations, nonprofit goals, and content experiments

-And why this next chapter matters more than any before

This episode blends humor, honesty, philosophy, and emotional transparency, from kung fu breakdowns to Sisyphean purpose, from creative burnout to community love.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for walking with us. And thank you for helping shape the future of No Street Lights. Let’s step into the new year together.

🌟 Things You’ll Find in This Episode

-A major shift in NSLP’s release schedule

-What “Subscribe for Less” actually means

-Details on weekly livestreams

-The future of NSL merch

-Honest talk about depression, burnout, and dark nights of the soul-Updates on NSL nonprofit goals

-Community shoutouts & Patreon highlights

-Reflections on favorite NSLP moments

-Sisyphean philosophy, martial arts wisdom, and creative resilience

-How you can help shape the future of the show

🎧 Watch or Listen Now

➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast

➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR

➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast-real-stories-on-mental-health/id1696321025

🌐 Website: https://nostreetlights.org

✨ Join the NSLP Community

➡️ Patreon (Free & Paid Tiers): https://www.patreon.com/NoStreetLights

➡️ Discord: https://discord.gg/PdYNqXgn

➡️ Need help now? Get 10% off your first month of therapy with BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/nslp

‼️ Want to support No Street Lights Inc. and help us continue serving our community through mental health advocacy and storytelling?

🔗 Donate: https://fundly.com/light-the-way-support-mental-health-community-growth

📩 Share your story or collaborate: [email protected]

🎵 Music by Hyland Markle — @hylandmarkle

#NoStreetLightsPodcast #MentalHealthPodcast #NewYearNewMe #ChannelUpdate #MentalHealthMatters #VeteranOwned #PodcastCommunity #ContentCreatorLife #SubscribeForLess #NSLP #SelfImprovement #BurnoutRecovery #AnxietySupport #DepressionSupport #AuthenticCreators #LivestreamPodcast

When winter hits the Mid-Ohio Valley, it hits all of us, but not all of us have a warm place to go. Tonight, mothers, fathers, veterans, and neighbors we know by name will try to survive freezing temperatures with nowhere safe to sleep.

In this special episode, we sit down with two community voices on the front lines of the crisis:

• Steve Belisky, veteran and returning NSLP guest

• Pastor Mel, serving our unhoused neighbors every single day

Together, we break down what’s happening right now, why so many people are falling through the cracks during the cold weather emergency, and how every person in our community can help keep someone alive this winter.

We are about people. Our neighbors. Our community.Human beings who deserve dignity, warmth, and a chance to make it through the night.

🧭 What You’ll Find in This Episode

• The real scope of the cold-weather crisis in the Mid-Ohio Valley

• How we can support shelters and churches in our area (and where to start)

• What resources actually save lives during freezing temperatures

• Why community action matters more than ever

• Personal stories from local leaders serving people on the streets

• Ways you can help today

💛 Support Local Cold-Weather Efforts

• The Gathering Church: https://www.pkbthegathering.com/

• House to Home: https://www.housetohomepkb.com/

• The Good Shepherd Church: https://www.goodshepherdwv.org/

• South Parkersburg Baptist Church: https://www.spbcwv.org/

• PHAC Volunteer Corp: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1306539637104521

IMMEDIATE NEEDS:

1. Shoes/Boots (Mens sz 8-12 / Women size 5 - 9)

2. Men’s pants sizes 30-36

3. Jackets/Coats/Hoodies

4. Blankets

5. Pop-top soup cans (and other non-perishable foods)

6. Batteries

7. RATED** sleeping bags/tents/Camping Gear

8. Socks

9. Cold weather gear (Ponchos, hand warmers, etc.)

10. Hygiene Items (Feminine items ESPECIALLY)

11. Laundry supplies (Tide pods, etc)

12. Pet Food

🎧 Watch or Listen Now

➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast

➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR

➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast-real-stories-on-mental-health/id1696321025

🌐 Website: https://nostreetlights.org

✨ Join the NSLP Community

➡️ Patreon (Free & Paid Tiers): https://www.patreon.com/NoStreetLights

➡️ Discord: https://discord.gg/PdYNqXgn

➡️ Need help now? Get 10% off your first month of therapy with BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/nslp

‼️ Want to support No Street Lights Inc. and help amplify voices fighting for dignity and survival in our community?

🔗 Donate here: https://fundly.com/light-the-way-support-mental-health-community-growth

📩 Share your story or get involved: [email protected]

🎵 Intro music by Hyland Markle — follow on Instagram: @hylandmarkle

#ColdWeatherCrisis #UnhousedNeighbors #HomelessnessAwareness #MidOhioValley #CommunityCare #SupportYourNeighbors #WinterShelter #EndingHomelessness #NoStreetLightsPodcast #NSLP #MentalHealthMatters #VeteransHelpingVeterans #LocalChurches #CommunityAction #HelpTheUnhoused

The holidays are here, but for millions of people, this isn’t the most wonderful time of the year.

If you’re struggling with family pressure, grief, seasonal depression (SAD), boundaries, addiction recovery, or eating disorder triggers, this special episode is for you.

Today we welcome back Lauren McNeese, author of The Orange Scarf and one of the NSLP community’s most loved guests, to break down practical, compassionate tools for surviving the holiday season. Even when you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or alone.

Together, we explore:

-How to set boundaries with family, and enforce them

-Why cutting off toxic family isn’t selfish (and how to handle guilt)

-Holiday coping strategies for anxiety, depression, and seasonal affective disorder

-Navigating food, social gatherings, and body comments while in eating disorder recovery

-Alcohol-free holidays & how to respond when people push drinks on you

-The power of “glimmers,” routines, and accountability buddies

-How to care for yourself if you’re estranged from family

-Finding safe people, safe spaces, and safe traditions

-The mindset shift that turns survival into strength

This episode is warm, honest, emotional, and deeply validating for anyone who finds the holidays to be a challenge rather than a celebration.

If you’re struggling, you are not broken. You’re human. And you’re not alone.

✨ Things You’ll Find in This Episode

• Tools for surviving holiday stress

• Boundary-setting scripts you can actually use

• Strategies for SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

• Addiction recovery tips for holiday gatherings

• Eating disorder tips for a safe holiday plans

• How trauma shapes holiday expectations

• How to build a chosen family

• Emotional resilience & self-compassion practices

• Personal stories from Lauren, Aaron, and Tim

• Validation, humor, and hope when you need it most

📚 Guest Resources

🔸 The Orange Scarf by Lauren McNeese:

https://www.amazon.com/Orange-Scarf-Testing-Residential-Treatment-ebook/dp/B0FP5VDW6G

🔸 Lauren’s Substack: Lauren McNeese (essays on healing, mental health, and recovery):

https://theorangescarf.substack.com/

If this episode helps you, please share it with someone who might need it.

The holiday season is tough, none of us should go through it alone.

🎧 Watch or Listen Now

➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast

➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR

➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast-real-stories-on-mental-health/id1696321025

🌐 Website: https://nostreetlights.org

✨ Join the NSLP Community

➡️ Patreon (Free & Paid Tiers): https://www.patreon.com/NoStreetLights

➡️ Discord: https://discord.gg/PdYNqXgn

➡️ BetterHelp (10% Off + Supports NSLP): https://betterhelp.com/nslp

‼️ Want to support our mission?

🔗 Donations: https://fundly.com/light-the-way-support-mental-health-community-growth

📩 Contact: [email protected]

🎵 Music by Hyland Markle – @hylandmarkle

#MentalHealth #HolidayStress #HolidayDepression #SeasonalAffectiveDisorder #SAD #AnxietySupport #DepressionSupport #TraumaHealing #FamilyTrauma #HolidaySurvivalGuide #Boundaries #AddictionRecovery #EatingDisorderRecovery #NoStreetLightsPodcast #LaurenMcNeese #MentalHealthTips #SurvivingTheHolidays #ChosenFamily

“I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death.”

– Professor Snape (…probably watching over this episode)

This Halloween, we’re doing something a little different.

We’re joined by an Appalachian folk practitioner, and great friend of the channel, who teaches us how to ward off evil, cleanse negativity, and brew our very own protection spray!

💧 This mystical concoction helps keep you safe while the ghosts and ghouls are out tonight, and doubles as an amazing bug deterrent!

So whether you’re a believer in the spiritual… or just tired of getting bit by mosquitoes in October, this episode’s for you.

🔮 Watch “With-Tok: Protection & Positivity” now!

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast

🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you stream.

#WithTok #NoStreetLightsPodcast #AppalachianMagic #FolkPractitioner #HalloweenSpecial #SpookySeason #ProtectionSpell #GoodVibesOnly #SpiritualTikTok #WitchTok #WitchyVibes #PodcastLaunch #Appalachia #Halloween2025 #FolkMagic #BeYourOwnLight

This week, Aaron sits down with Matthew Pickle for a special episode that’s equal parts chaos, comedy, and apocalypse survival. What begins as a discussion on ancient rituals and philosophy quickly spirals into a full-blown thought experiment:

What if the zombie apocalypse started tomorrow?

From choosing weapons and survival strategies to deciding who makes the “Top 5” in their post-apocalyptic squad, Aaron and Matt dive deep into logic, laughter, and life lessons that only No Street Lights could deliver.

This episode also marks the soft pilot of “Two Guys Walk Into…” — a new conversational series idea from the No Street Lights team, where two friends explore wild hypothetical worlds with heart and humor.

⚡ Things You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• The surprising biblical origins of “sending your sins away”

• Aaron’s long-term zombie survival plan (involves swords and kung fu)

• Pickle’s short-term chaos strategy at the Confederate cemetery

• Humor, horror, and humanity in the face of the apocalypse

• The “Two Guys” concept — where imagination meets philosophy

🎧 Watch or Listen Now:

➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast

➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR

➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast-real-stories-on-mental-health/id1696321025

🌐 Website: https://nostreetlights.org

✨ Join the NSL Community:

➡️ Patreon (Free & Paid Tiers): https://www.patreon.com/NoStreetLights

➡️ Discord: https://discord.gg/PdYNqXgn

➡️ Need help now? Get 10% off therapy with BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/nslp

‼️ Support No Street Lights Inc.

Help us continue creating mental health content and unique collaborations like this one:

🔗 https://fundly.com/light-the-way-support-mental-health-community-growth

📩 Contact us: [email protected]

🎵 Music by Hyland Markle | @hylandmarkle

#ZombieApocalypse #HalloweenSpecial #NoStreetLightsPodcast #ThePickleShow #PodcastHumor #VeteranPodcasters #DarkComedy #ZombieSurvival #ApocalypseTalk #NSLP #AaronAsh #MatthewPickle #PhilosophyMeetsComedy #Halloween2025 #PodcastCommunit

In this heartfelt conversation, Aaron and Tim sit down with Star Joy, veteran, poet, and author of Poetry in a Year, to talk about creative healing, vulnerability, and how writing can illuminate life’s darkest moments.Star opens up about discovering poetry during her military service, how journaling helped her recognize depression before she even knew she was struggling, and why art became her path to freedom. She shares the courage it takes to publish raw emotion and offers a glimpse into her upcoming book, The Gemini Mind.✨ Things You’ll Hear in This Episode:• How writing every day became therapy• The link between creativity & mental health• Letting go of perfection to find authentic expression• Balancing duty, identity, and art• What’s next for Star Joy and her poetry📖 Read Star Joy’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Year-Star-Joy/dp/B0BLFWBVF3📸 Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_starjoy/🎧 Watch or Listen Now:➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast-real-stories-on-mental-health/id1696321025🌐 Website: https://nostreetlights.org💡 Support No Street Lights Inc.Help us fund mental-health projects and community outreach:🔗 https://fundly.com/light-the-way-support-mental-health-community-growth📩 Share your story or collaborate: [email protected]🎵 Music by Hyland Markle | @hylandmarkle

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This week on the No Street Lights Podcast, Aaron and Tim break down the myth of motivation and why waiting to “feel ready” keeps you stuck.

From stopping the car to pick up litter to starting Kung Fu at 32, they explore the power of just doing it, taking small, consistent actions that build purpose, confidence, and community.

Whether you’re fighting procrastination, struggling with self-doubt, or searching for meaning in daily life, this episode is your reminder: You don’t need permission to start, you just need to begin.

✨ Things You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• The difference between motivation and discipline

• How small actions lead to big change

• Why “waiting for the right time” is an illusion

• The D&D metaphor of leveling up your life

• Learning from failure and embracing new seasons

• How to stop analyzing and start acting

• Why helping others can reignite your purpose

🎧 Watch or Listen Now:

➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast

➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR

➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast-real-stories-on-mental-health/id1696321025

🌐 Website: https://nostreetlights.org

💡 Support No Street Lights Inc.

Help fund Kung Fu scholarships for kids and mental-health projects in our community:

🔗 https://fundly.com/light-the-way-support-mental-health-community-growth

📩 Contact us or share your story: [email protected]

🎵 Music by Hyland Markle | Follow on Instagram @hylandmarkle

motivation, self discipline, procrastination, just do it mindset, building habits, consistency, No Street Lights Podcast, Aaron Ash, Tim Brunicardi, veterans podcast, mental health, inspiration, how to get motivated, self improvement, overcoming procrastination, discipline over motivation, small steps big change, productivity mindset, personal growth, doing the work, life motivation, podcast about motivation, NSL podcast, motivational podcast 2025

In this urgent update, Aaron sits down with Middle East researcher Nick Brumfield to break down the ongoing crisis in Gaza. They discuss the Israeli assault on Gaza, the role of Iran, U.S. involvement, and the mounting evidence that the conflict has reached genocidal proportions. From biases in media coverage to the complex history behind this humanitarian disaster, Aaron and Nick expose the truths the mainstream isn’t telling you.

They also explore the importance ofgrassroots activism, community engagement, and what YOU can do to help addressthese atrocities.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction

• 01:20 Is this genocide?

• 07:45 The role of Iran

• 12:15 U.S. foreign policy andcomplicity

• 20:00 Media bias and shapingpublic opinion

• 28:40 What the future may hold

• 34:00 How grassroots activism canmake a difference

Key Takeaways:

• Scholars increasingly call thesituation in Gaza genocide.

• Iran’s involvement could furtherdestabilize the region.

• U.S. policy continues to play acontroversial role.

• Community action is key tocreating lasting change.

#Gaza #Israel #Iran #Genocide#WarCrimes #MiddleEast #USForeignPolicy #BreakingNews #EmergencyUpdate#HumanRights #Activism #Grassroots #CurrentEvents #GlobalConflict