The Akkeri

Brian Recker is a former Marine Officer, the son of a Baptist preacher, and an alum of the fundamentalist Bob Jones University. Brian spent eight years as an evangelical pastor before deconstructing his faith to find a more inclusive spirituality. He now speaks about following Jesus without the fear of hell, and has written about this in his new book, HellBent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love.

We talk about why he deconstructed his faith and what spirituality looks like to him now. He shares why he believes that hell isn’t real and that love should be radically inclusive, as demonstrated through the life and teachings of Jesus. The conversation also covers why men need an authentic spirituality, why the Western world has “an empathy problem”, why a spirituality of hell creates a divided self, and why the Sears catalogue made him question his faith as a teenager.

As someone who also grew up in an evangelical church and used to be a pastor, I found this conversation–and Brian’s book, HellBent–to be a very refreshing and liberating take on what true spirituality is and what’s really important in this life, not just as a man, but as a society.

Website: https://www.brianrecker.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berecker

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@berecker87

Website: TheAkkeri.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/theakkeri

Instagram: Instagram.com/the.akkeri

YouTube: YouTube.com/theakkeri

Brent Beshara spent 24 years in the Canadian military, mainly as a special forces Navy bomb disposal diver. In his words, when he retired on a Friday it was all “pats on the back” and “we’ll get together,” but when Monday came “it was tumbleweeds”.

He had a great career, but the highly stressful and traumatic experiences had left a mark and now his mission was to heal.

Through mindfulness, breath-work, and cold exposure - what he learned through his Wim Hof instructor training - he was able to heal himself; mind and body, and now focuses on passing on what he’s learned to others.

Brent shares how his newfound routine enabled him to reverse his pre-diabetes condition, heal from what he calls a “mental meltdown”, and ultimately save his life. We talk about the physical impacts of this work and the potential societal impacts, which is what he is focused on now through HeadStart - a 2-minute breath-work program for students and staff - that is launching in several Canadian schools this Fall, 2025.

Website: https://besh.ca

HeadStart: https://besh.ca/headstart

Newfoundland Winter Crew: https://www.facebook.com/groups/324829538112496/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@diverbrent

Website: TheAkkeri.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/theakkeri

Instagram: Instagram.com/the.akkeri

YouTube: YouTube.com/theakkeri

Finding a vocation (not a job) is one of the most important tasks for any man.

We want work that makes us feel alive, provides for a strong financial foundation, and has a significant positive impact on the world.

And we find that by pursuing our passions, practicing the discipline required to perfect our craft, and sharing that work with the world.

Jack Aldous–my friend and solo artist–is doing that work right now as he has recently released his debut album, ‘Inertia’, under the artist name White Cricket.

In this episode, Jack shares how he discovered his passion for music production and what producing his debut album, Inertia, has demanded of him. Jack talks about the vulnerability required for any creative endeavour and how he manages the self-doubt and self-criticism that often arise when we put something we’ve made out into the world. He also shares the story behind his choice of artist name, and it makes a lot of sense once you listen to his music.

Jack’s music draws inspiration from artists such as Tycho, Com Truise, and Jon Hopkins, pairing psychedelic elements with warm, lush soundscapes that evoke a sense of calm as well as excitement.

If you’re a musician or someone who wants to devote more time to a creative endeavour–or just someone who feels like you need to spend more time doing what lights you up–then this episode is for you.

Like Jack, we all need to find those things that make us feel alive. In doing so, we learn about ourselves, we grow, and we make a positive contribution to the world. This is about having a vocation, not a job, and it’s one of the most important things for a man to figure out.

Bandcamp: https://whitecricketmusic.bandcamp.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitecricketmusic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitecricketmusic

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0SciCwxk3brPpESFw8bJ8A?si=dAlgOX0YR56eqy_jYoENEA

Website: TheAkkeri.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/theakkeri

Instagram: Instagram.com/the.akkeri

YouTube: YouTube.com/theakkeri

This episode is a conversation with podcaster, coach, and author Larry Hagner. Over the past 10 years, Larry has spoken with hundreds of experts and worked with thousands of men through his podcast and programs at The Dad Edge. Now, he has distilled the essence of what makes legendary fathers different in his new book, The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood.

We talk about how most men have a deep desire to show up intentionally in their lives but often find themselves subtly checking out as they realize that their expectations aren’t being met; a process that he calls ‘The Drift’. Larry talks about the symptoms of the drift, how men can navigate this experience and ultimately learn the skills needed to find their way out.

Our conversation also covers the 3 things that women need from us and how we can build better relationships with them; why being better men is all about skills that any man can learn; how to practice those skills and envision a better life; and why an uncrusted peanut butter sandwich in the bathroom makes a great snack.

Website: thedadedge.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/thedadedge

Larry's Book: 'The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood: Break Old Patterns & Create an Epic Legacy as a Father & Husband: thedadedge.com/legendary-fatherhood-book/

Website: TheAkkeri.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/theakkeri

Instagram: Instagram.com/the.akkeri

YouTube: YouTube.com/theakkeri

This episode is a conversation with content creator and fellow Newfoundlander, Scott Matchim. Since late 2023, Scott’s been creating short-form videos that showcase the many socio-cultural quirks that are distinct to Newfoundland and its people.

Scott is a proud Newfoundlander with a knack for storytelling, a sharp sense of humour, and a deep love for the people and culture that shaped him, and through his videos, he shares his honest takes on life, poking fun at himself, or shining a light on what it means to come from the rock.

We discuss his experience of sharing Newfoundland culture through video, what it's been like as a Newfoundlander living away, and he’s kind enough to provide a little interpretation of some Newfanese for the uninitiated.

Facebook: Facebook.com/scott.matchim

Instagram: Instagram.com/s.matchim

TikTok: TikTok.com/@scottieshow

Website: TheAkkeri.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/theakkeri

Instagram: Instagram.com/the.akkeri

YouTube: YouTube.com/theakkeri

My guest for this episode is Mitch Webb, a nervous system coach and holistic healing guide who helps people heal from chronic stress and trauma by reconnecting with their bodies. He blends science, somatics, and personal experience to help others feel safe, grounded, and alive.

The conversation centres around the importance of being connected to your physical and emotional experience as a man, the benefits of that connection and how we can do that, as well as the negative impacts on our overall health when we try to force the more traditional, stoic approach of pushing through the pain and pushing down the emotions. There is no denying that our physical health is intricately connected to our mental and spiritual health, and this episode will introduce you to several ideas and practical steps for renewing that connection and working towards a more holistic approach to overall health.

Website: mitchwebb.com

Facebook: facebook.com/mitch.webb.503

Instagram: instagram.com/kmitchwebb/

Website: TheAkkeri.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/theakkeri

Instagram: Instagram.com/the.akkeri

YouTube: YouTube.com/theakkeri

In this episode, I’m speaking with Art Aronson, a communications professional with the provincial government of British Columbia. Art shares his story of being adopted from Thailand by his American parents and raised in Canada, on Vancouver Island. We talk about work-life satisfaction and the challenges he faces as a public servant. We also discuss the societal pressures to be or do certain things and how they influence our decisions.

If you enjoy the episode, do us a favour and subscribe, write a review, or share the show with a friend.

Website: TheAkkeri.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/theakkeri

Instagram: Instagram.com/the.akkeri

YouTube: YouTube.com/theakkeri

Dr. Dermell Brunson is a dedicated leader in youth development, mental health advocacy, and the arts. As the founder of Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Centre, he has spent years empowering young people through education, creativity, and leadership training.

Dermell and I talk about the importance of mentoring and how to connect with, build relationships, and support younger people. We also talk about how exposure to the arts can help adolescents and young adults learn about themselves, express themselves, and grow into their full potential.

If you enjoy this conversation, do us a favour and share it with a friend or write a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Website: https://www.ltyc.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LTYCArts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltycarts

Website: TheAkkeri.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/theakkeri

Instagram: Instagram.com/the.akkeri

YouTube: YouTube.com/theakkeri

If you are interested in entrepreneurship, travel, or you are simply a man who sets the bar high for himself, this episode is for you…why? Because my guest in this episode is Peter Collins, one of the most interesting people I’ve had the privilege of getting to know.

Peter is a serial entrepreneur, former British army commando, and professional photographer. He has been a high-level athlete - competing in marathons, ultra-marathons, and nearly made the Olympics in ski racing - and he has lived and travelled all over the world. Peter’s story is one of failure, never giving up, and always finding ways to pair creativity with business opportunities. I hope you enjoy and are inspired by the conversation.

Website: TheAkkeri.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/theakkeri

Instagram: Instagram.com/the.akkeri

YouTube: YouTube.com/theakkeri

His Current Business: Ship To Shore Designs: https://shiptoshoredesigns.co.uk/

His Photography Instagram: Peter Collins Photo: https://www.instagram.com/petercollinsphoto/

Have you ever lived abroad or considered spending an extended period in another country? I have, but my guest has done it a lot more.

Ruben Vazquez is a martial arts and English teacher I met while living in Vietnam. I asked Ruben to come on the show because we have had similar and different experiences with travel, but we both know how important it is to get outside of your comfort zone and experience other ways of life.

We talk about our experiences in Vietnam, how we both got into teaching English in the first place, the challenges and benefits of extended travel abroad, and a few stories about avoiding being ticketed by the Vietnamese police. Ruben also shares a few tips and ideas for those considering teaching English or travelling abroad for the first time.

If you enjoy the podcast, please share it on social media or leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Website: TheAkkeri.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/theakkeri

Instagram: Instagram.com/the.akkeri

YouTube: YouTube.com/theakkeri