Young men are lonelier than any generation ever recorded—and most are hiding behind a single word: fine.In this conversation, Yehuda and Baruch HaLevi (author of The Guy in the Glass) sit down to examine the deeper roots of the male loneliness epidemic—not just through statistics, but through lived experience. Phones replacing presence. P*rn replacing intimacy. Education systems that don’t fit boys. The collapse of mentorship, apprenticeship, and real brotherhood.At the center of it all is a question most men avoid:What happens when you finally stop saying “I’m fine” and face the guy in the glass?In this episode we explore...Why “fine” is emotional avoidance—and why it’s so dangerousWhat modern men have lost: mentorship, initiation, and brotherhoodWhat is in your control when the world feels stacked against youIf this stirred something uncomfortable, don’t numb it.Share this episode with one man you trust—and start facing the guy in the glass.Learn more at: www.menspeergroups.com

In this solo episode of Shells & Shadows, Yehuda reflects on Hanukkah beyond the surface — beyond the songs, the food, and even the childhood version of the miracle of the oil.This is an episode about light itself.Drawing from Jewish mysticism, Chassidut, and Kabbalistic teachings, Yehuda explores the ancient metaphor of the flame and the wick:The flame as the soul — always reaching upward, longing to return to its sourceThe wick as the body — imperfect, resistant, grounded, and necessaryIn Kabbalah, the soul longs to ascend. But God does not want disembodied holiness. God wants light in the world. And so the soul is given a wick — friction, resistance, struggle — not to extinguish the flame, but to hold it.Through this lens, Hanukkah is no longer a story about light replacing darkness.It is a story about light being born from darkness.The Greeks were not trying to destroy the Jewish people — they were trying to remove the wick. To preserve form without soul. Culture without holiness. Spirituality without embodiment. And the true miracle of Hanukkah is not only that the oil burned for eight days, but that a small light refused to go out in a world that tried to suffocate it.This episode is for anyone who:Feels worn down, frayed, or spiritually dimThinks they are too flawed to carry lightIs tired of chasing transcendence while avoiding embodimentNeeds permission to show up imperfectly and still matterHanukkah teaches that holiness is not escape.It is presence.It is willingness.It is staying with the burn.You don’t need a lot of light to break darkness.You need one flame that refuses to go out.

In this episode, Ben Duffy and I dive straight into the inner architecture of fear, ego, story, and the strange ways reality becomes “real” only when we grip against it. This is a conversation about the mechanics beneath our lives — the places where psychology, spirituality, and personal myth overlap — and how darkness, when met directly, becomes fuel for growth and creation.

Ben breaks down emptiness in plain language: how your fear, your ego, and even your “self” are built out of stories — and why that’s not nihilistic, it’s liberating.
We talk about nonduality, resistance, and why reality only feels “real” when we’re clenching against it.

From there we dive into ideas like “ein od milvado” (there is nothing but God) and the shattering of the vessels as inner metaphors, mapping them onto emptiness, shadow work, and existential liberation.

We talk ocean metaphors, the “suffering artist,” summoning your own tigers, and why your darkness is often the raw material for your best art, love, and service.

• 🌑 How fear builds the sense of a “solid” self

• 🌊 The ocean-and-wave metaphor for identity

• 🐅 Summoning your own tigers (and why your soul does it)

• 🌀 The collapse of old stories and what’s beneath them

• 🎨 Darkness as creative fuel — poetry, art, expression

• 🔥 Why surrender makes your reality more flexible

• ✨ How language, story, and metaphor shape our inner world

Ben: “Reality isn’t real — not because nothing matters, but because everything is more fluid than you think.”

You: “My darkness isn’t a curse. It’s the raw material for the art I’m here to make.”

If this conversation sparked something in you, share the episode with someone who’s rewriting their own story.
And if you want more conversations like this, follow the show, leave a review, and connect with me on Instagram @yudahalevi — it helps these ideas reach more people who need them.

Connect with Ben: @duffdaddy100

Tune into the Spiritual Fxckboy podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritualFxckboy

#rewriteyourstory #spiritualpodcast #shadowwork #innertransformation #nonduality #emptiness #spiritualgrowth #consciousnessjourney #shellsandshadows #beneduffy #mentalclarity #innerwork

This episode digs into what it means to return to nature—not as a getaway, but as a way of remembering who we are beneath the layers of routine, separation, and modern structure.A barefoot walk in the woods, a brief plunge into cold water, or simply coexisting in silence with the plants in my home became unlikely catalysts for remembering a truth often obscured by the systems we live within: that we are not outside of nature, but expressions of it.What if the mountains we look at each day are not just scenery, but extensions of the same material we are made of? What if plants, stillness, and raw elements are not accessories to our healing, but teachers? This conversation invites us to reconsider division, identity, and the quiet intelligence embedded in the natural world🎙️ In this episode we explore• Nature as a co-therapist in our healing and remembering• The self-imposed barrier between us and the natural world• Integration vs retreat — bringing nature into daily life• Plants as living reminders: guardians, sages, and givers• Expanding identity beyond body and schedule• Acting on moments of reconnection before they fade📩 If this resonates and you’re in Boulder/Denver, reach out — I’d love to have more of these conversations on Shells & Shadows.#NatureBasedHealing#Ecopsychology#InnerReturn#ConsciousLiving#BeyondTheSelf#RootedInPresence#HealingInNature#PhilosophyAndHealing#ModernMystic#ShellsAndShadows

In this season opener of Shells & Shadows, I sit down in Boulder, Colorado with performance coach and facilitator John O’Connor to explore what it truly means to build a life around calling — not certainty.At 23, I often struggle with how to turn what lights my heart into something the world recognizes as valuable. John (now in his 50's) reminds us that our path is not a straight line — it’s a quiet unfolding, a series of experiments led by curiosity, not clarity.This episode is not instruction. It’s invitation.To move one step.To listen.To see every obstacle as an activator.To remember that even a whisper can become the way.🔥 What We Explore📌 Why not knowing is not a weakness — it’s the doorway📌 How to separate identity from behavior📌 Moving from “what should I do?” → “what is whispering beneath?”📌 Why “hell yes or no” doesn’t always serve growth📌 Using nature, listening, and courage as compass points📌 Seeing obstacles as activators, not blocks📌 Why the future belongs to those who can feel, not just perform📌 “If I set an intention, I create it” — the power of identity through actionIf this conversation shifted something in you — even by one degree — share it with someone who’s standing at the crossroads.Leave a review, follow the show, or message me with your reflection.Your stories are what breathe life into this space.Shells crack. Shadows reveal. The path unfolds.

In this powerful episode, AJ takes us on a profound journey of self-discovery, from his troubled teen years to his spiritual awakening in Judaism. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, AJ was sent to a troubled teen program that sparked his first real introspection. Despite the personal growth, the dysfunction in his family remained, leading him to explore new paths for self-improvement.

In college, AJ dove deep into a journey of purification, removing harmful substances from his life one by one, including alcohol, cigarettes, and synthetic drugs. His shift toward healthier living eventually led him to adopt a more natural, holistic lifestyle. But it was his encounter with veganism that truly set the course for his spiritual journey.

After living in Ecuador with a dream of self-sustainability, AJ's path took another significant turn when a fraternity brother’s untimely death led him to explore Shabbat and reconnect with his Jewish roots. This profound loss opened a doorway to a deeper connection with his heritage, leading him on a spiritual journey to Israel, where he found not only his family but his place within the Jewish community.

Join us as AJ shares his life-altering experiences, from a fraternity bro to a man fully aligned with his spiritual journey, seeking a deeper connection with the world around him. He talks about the mystical beauty of Jewish tradition, how he found his home in the teachings of Judaism, and the impactful moment when his spiritual journey aligned with his roots. A story of growth, transformation, and finding purpose against all odds.

Key Topics:

• AJ's early struggles in a troubled teen program and the realization of family dysfunction

• The shift to a healthier lifestyle, purging alcohol, cigarettes, and synthetic drugs

• Veganism and aligning personal ethics with spirituality

• Moving to Ecuador with a dream of self-sustainability and reconnection with family

• The pivotal moment of spiritual awakening through Shabbat and a fraternity brother’s passing

• AJ's journey to Israel and the mystical pull of Jewish tradition

• Finding personal peace and purpose in aligning with one’s roots

In this deeply reflective episode, we explore the journey of self-discovery and authentic living through the eyes of two profoundly different yet remarkably similar men. We dive into the life lessons of a former cannabis entrepreneur turned peer support specialist, whose path led him from high-stakes hustle to heartfelt service, helping others find meaning in their struggles.

💡 Topics Covered:

• The art of finding purpose in service to others

• The transformative power of community and peer support

• How suffering can be a gateway to growth and connection

• Embracing the present moment and living a life of intention

• Stories of profound wisdom from unexpected sources

Join us as we discuss the humbling insights gained from being present with others in their most vulnerable moments and the deep fulfillment that comes from living a life rooted in compassion and connection.

In this insightful episode, we dive deep into the importance of emotional awareness, the journey of personal growth, and the transformative power of real friendships. Our guest, Daniel, shares his experiences from therapy, the role of jiu-jitsu in his life, and the value of surrounding yourself with people who challenge you to be better.

Key Topics Covered:

• Facing Reality for True Change: Daniel reflects on his early experiences in a Utah youth program, emphasizing that lasting transformation requires the willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.

• The Power of Vulnerability in Male Friendships: How open dialogue and genuine confrontation can strengthen bonds and foster emotional growth.

• Learning to Manage Emotions: Moving from temper tantrums to emotional maturity, Daniel shares how therapy helped him identify and control his triggers.

• Supporting the Next Generation: Insights on guiding younger siblings and friends through the challenges of adolescence.

• Building a Circle of Growth: The importance of having multiple mentors for different aspects of life, from finances to physical fitness.

• Lessons from Martial Arts: How jiu-jitsu teaches resilience, discipline, and the value of learning from failure.

• Words that Change Lives: The impact of timely advice and how a single sentence can alter your life path.

Memorable Quotes:

• "The right words can change your life. You just never know what's going to resonate and change your direction."

• "No man should die without knowing the full potential of their body."

• "Therapy isn't just about unpacking pain, it's about discovering potential."

Join us as we explore the intersections of physical strength, emotional intelligence, and lifelong learning with Daniel in this raw, motivating conversation.

Bob opens his heart about the mystery of love, the depth of grief, and the enduring hope for life after death. From his 70-year marriage and the pain of losing his wife to reflections on prayer, belief, and the Jewish experience, Bob shares raw truths that many are too afraid to say out loud. Judah and Bob explore what it means to live with questions, not answers—and why that might be the most faithful act of all.In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Bob reflects on love that lasts a lifetime, the sharp grief of loss, and the search for spiritual meaning in the face of mortality. Judah and Bob wrestle with big questions—What happens after we die? How does love evolve over decades? What does it mean to live a Jewish life if you’re unsure what you believe?As Bob says, “If I’m wrong, God will forgive me. If I’m right, look at all the time I saved.” With honesty, humor, and vulnerability, he shares memories of his beloved wife, the friendships that shaped his later years, and his evolving relationship with prayer, faith, and community.This episode is not about answers—it’s about the beauty of the questions and the courage to ask them.

In this deeply personal episode, we explore faith, identity, and resilience through a powerful conversation between two brothers navigating college, spirituality, and Jewish pride in a post-October 7th world. From wrestling with antisemitism and the visible signs of Jewish identity to the significance of conversion and the strength of internal faith, this episode dives into what it means to be proudly Jewish in today's social climate.The brothers reflect on generational legacy, the challenges of staying grounded in college, and the powerful role that supportive community plays in staying motivated and connected. Whether you’re Jewish or not, this is a conversation about authenticity, courage, and choosing light over fear.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The emotional toll of questioning someone’s Jewish authenticityWhy Jewish converts often bring a unique fire and purpose to the faithHow fear-based narratives around antisemitism impact Jewish expressionNavigating college life while staying connected to purpose and passionThe importance of surrounding yourself with driven, supportive peopleNotable Quotes:"If someone optionally wants to be a Jew—welcome to the club.""Being Jewish doesn’t always mean you have to look it.""You’ve never not finished your assignment—so don’t let anxiety steal your joy.""Surround yourself with the kind of people you’d want to share your success with."Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction & opening thoughts(34:00) The pain of being called a "fake Jew"(35:30) Why converts often carry more passion than born Jews(37:00) Wearing Jewish identity visibly vs. internally(41:00) Fear, visibility, and the cost of being proud(45:00) From collective trauma to spiritual strength(47:00) College advice: mental health, community, and personal growthConnect with Us:If this episode moved you or sparked a new thought, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out, share your story, and let’s continue the conversation.