The Meaning Project

The University of Michigan just won the National Championship in football behind their start quarterback, JJ McCarthy. JJ is a great football player in a world of great football players - 100's of them playing in the NCAA. But what set him apart recently, was his focus and ritual - a ritual where he sits an meditates on the field of play, in front of all the tv cameras and fans, unapologetically.

He credits this ritual, among others, with helping him along the path to winning.

So why don't MORE of us men have spiritual or meditative practices? They have been in existence for thousands of years, and are proven to work in helping one to "win" at life. Yet, many of us don't or won't. Dr. Baruch "B" HaLevi and I discuss this, and provide tips for beginning your own practice in this episode of the podcast.

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com or email me directly at [email protected]

To find out more about what we have going on over at The Meaning Academy, go to: https://www.themeaningacademy.com/

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

I've been reading a lot lately about the history of alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs - like the psychedelics ergot, psylocibin, & LSD - and their impact on the formation of modern civilization and the religions of today. Interesting, but heavy stuff. But not so heavy, that it doesn't impact the meaning of the moment in modern times.

Alcohol continues to be a problem for many - and many others are working on a "Dry January". Marijuana laws continue to be complex and perplexing. AND we are looking at several psychedelic substances coming online, FDA approved, for the treatment of many mental health concerns. What is one to think with all these changes!?

In this episode, B. and I sort through the potential meaning of these changes, and how you might choose to approach them. Enjoy!

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com or email me directly at [email protected]

To find out more about what we have going on over at The Meaning Academy, go to: https://www.themeaningacademy.com/

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

Happy New Year!!

New Year, NEW YOU, Right?!?!

WRONG!!! You know we don't subscribe to that nonsense here at The Meaning Project or at The Viktor Frankl Meaning Academy.

What about, new year, TRUE YOU? Or, there are a multitude of ways to use the beginning of a new year as a launch pad for self improvement. Not that you have to wait for 1.1.24; and you certainly aren't "too late", if you go past 1.1.24. But it seems our culture does take the beginning of a new year as an imperative to start working on self-improvement. So what are you going to do about it?

I have a few ideas and some suggestions in the podcast. Enjoy!

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com or email me directly at [email protected]

To find out more about what we have going on over at The Meaning Academy, go to: https://www.themeaningacademy.com/

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

I was thinking about this the other day - what if we took "Merry Christmas" with us into the new year? What if we saw people's genuine kindness and well-wishing in those words, rather than being offended they did not know our exact preference? What if we had more GRACE for each other in 2024. I walk my way through these ideas and more in this podcast.

And, if you are listening to it on the day it is released - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

In fact, if you AREN'T listening to it on the day it is released (December 25th), MERRY CHRISTMAS anyway!

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com or email me directly at [email protected]

To find out more about what we have going on over at The Meaning Academy, go to: https://www.themeaningacademy.com/

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

Why do we do what we do during the holiday season? How do we choose where to spend our time and energy - what do we do with the resources we are given?

Dr. Frankl wrote on the idea of 'traditions' - suggesting that traditions are diminishing and leaving us to feel meaningless. In this episode, Dr. B. and I discuss the importance of holiday traditions, and how to discern which ones are important, and which ones might need to change. Enjoy!

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com or email me directly at [email protected]

To find out more about what we have going on over at The Meaning Academy, go to: https://www.themeaningacademy.com/

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

What is the Meaning behind different celebrations during this time of year? Why do we celebrate different Christmas or Chanukkah traditions? What about other spiritual or cultural traditions today, or throughout history?

In this episode, my good friend Dr. Baruch "B" HaLevi and I explore the Meaning of The Season - and what you can do to enjoy this "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" meaningfully. Enjoy!

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com or email me directly at [email protected]

To find out more about what we have going on over at The Meaning Academy, go to: https://www.themeaningacademy.com/

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

Your Search for Meaning is the flagship course from The Viktor Frankl Meaning Academy scheduled to start in January 2024. This will be a 6-month program, working with the team of logo-philosophers from The Meaning Academy, to work through your personal journey to discover meaning in your life. In this episode, B. and I take a deep dive into the program, what it will look like, what the different components are, and why we think it will be an awesome journey for YOU to invest in youself.

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com or email me directly at [email protected]

To find out more about what we have going on over at The Meaning Academy, go to: https://www.themeaningacademy.com/

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

For the past 10-15 years, every year that I have been in private practice; I have written or recorded a "Holiday Gift Guide" on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Back when I started, I don't even think it was called "Cyber Monday" yet. In the beginning, it was a few ideas of what I thought people would find helpful in their lives, or maybe what I had been reading. Then, as Amazon began to take over the world, I would include "affiliate links" that would pay me a shiny nickel each time a person bought that item or a related item. But now, as I am sure you are well aware, it is all about MEANING for me. Those shiny nickels don't matter as much. But what does matter, is how we make our choices in being present and giving presents to one another during this holiday season. I hope you enjoy the podcast, and, more importantly, I hope you enjoy a wonderful, meaningful, blessed holiday season! - Dan

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com or email me directly at [email protected]

To find out more about what we have going on over at The Meaning Academy, go to: https://www.themeaningacademy.com/

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

This was definitely not a topic I ever intended to cover. However, when a good friend calls and says he needs your opinion for a paper he is writing - well, I decided to hit the record button to see where it went. And, in my opinion, it went pretty well.

In this podcast, my good friend, Retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Joseph O. Paul and I discuss the mental health industry's responsibility in gun control and gun violence, and my personal/professional opinions on what we can and should do. Of course, like any conversation with a good friend, we meander through solving quite a few of the world's problems, if more people would just listen to us...

Enjoy!

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com or email me directly at [email protected]

To find out more about what we have going on over at The Meaning Academy, go to: https://www.themeaningacademy.com/

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

The 12-Step industry says FEAR is "False Emotion Appearing Real". However, for many of us FEAR, and the related emotion ANXIETY, can feel VERY REAL. Sometimes, they can be debilitating. In this episode of the podacst, Dr. B. and I discuss the modern manifestion of fear and anxiety, and what you can do to turn them into motivating emotions.

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com or email me directly at [email protected]

To find out more about what we have going on over at The Meaning Academy, go to: https://www.themeaningacademy.com/

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast