The Restorative Man Podcast

A clean garage can feel a whole lot easier to deal with than a messy heart. In this episode, Cody Buriff and Jesse French unpack why men often turn to productivity, work, busyness, and getting things done when fear, shame, conflict, or uncertainty starts stirring underneath. What looks like motivation on the outside can sometimes be a way of avoiding our emotions, especially when being useful gives us a clearer sense of worth and control. They talk about identity, Sabbath, and what it means to discover that our value is not measured by how much we accomplish, but by who we are apart from what we do. This is an honest conversation about emotional health, spiritual growth, and learning to slow down enough to notice what is really happening inside us.

If you want to grow alongside other intentional men, you can jump into the Grove Collective at 

https://www.restorationproject.net/grovecollective

Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/

To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:

• Website: www.restorationproject.net
• Instagram: @restorationprojectco
• Facebook: Restoration Project
• LinkedIn: Restoration Project

Ready to create unforgettable memories? Join one of Restoration Project's adventures this 2027 for fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, or men-only experiences, where outdoor challenges meet deep, meaningful conversations. Early bird registration is open from October 1st to 31st—don’t miss your chance to save! Space is limited. Secure your spot today and step into a life-changing adventure! Visit restorationproject.net/experiences for more info.

Porn recovery is about more than stopping a behavior, it can mean learning how to understand your emotions, your story, and the ways you relate to the people you love. In this conversation, Chris Bruno sits down with Jake Kastleman, a Porn Recovery Coach who specializes in emotional mindfulness, neuroscience, healthy masculinity, and lifestyle transformation, and who has helped hundreds of men break free from porn through 1-on-1 and group coaching.  After overcoming multiple addictions himself, Jake shares how his own recovery journey has shaped the way he fathers his sons, especially when it comes to emotions, sexuality, shame, and openness. They also talk about how creating space for difficult emotions can help children develop a healthier relationship with their bodies and sexuality, while giving dads a chance to model the openness they may not have experienced themselves.  Jake also opens up about how recovery has changed his marriage, helping him move from fixing and defending toward listening, compassion, sacrifice, and taking ownership of his part.

If you found this conversation helpful, be sure to check out Jake Kastleman’s podcast, No More Desire, where he explores porn recovery, emotional mindfulness, neuroscience, healthy masculinity, and lasting lifestyle transformation.

🎙️ Listen to No More Desire Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-more-desire-porn-addiction-recovery/id1658847468

If you want to grow alongside other intentional men, you can jump into the Grove Collective at 

https://www.restorationproject.net/grovecollective

Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/

To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:

• Website: www.restorationproject.net
• Instagram: @restorationprojectco
• Facebook: Restoration Project
• LinkedIn: Restoration Project

Ready to create unforgettable memories? Join one of Restoration Project's adventures this 2027 for fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, or men-only experiences, where outdoor challenges meet deep, meaningful conversations. Early bird registration is open from October 1st to 31st—don’t miss your chance to save! Space is limited. Secure your spot today and step into a life-changing adventure! Visit restorationproject.net/experiences for more info.

What does it actually look like to show up well as a dad in the middle of everyday life? Jesse French and Adam Benjamin talk about four often-overlooked ways dads can connect deeply with their kids: focused time, generosity, creativity, and levity. From putting the phone away and giving your child your full attention to sharing your own stories, mistakes, and experiences, these moments communicate something powerful: “You matter, and you’re worth my time.” They also explore why creativity and play give kids room to discover who they are, while a little laughter and lightness can help the pressures of the world feel a little less heavy. The best part is that none of this requires a perfect dad or some grand adventure, because the small, consistent ways we engage with our kids can shape the relationship for years to come.

If you want to grow alongside other intentional men, you can jump into the Grove Collective at 

https://www.restorationproject.net/grovecollective

Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/

To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:

• Website: www.restorationproject.net
• Instagram: @restorationprojectco
• Facebook: Restoration Project
• LinkedIn: Restoration Project

Ready to create unforgettable memories? Join one of Restoration Project's adventures this 2027 for fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, or men-only experiences, where outdoor challenges meet deep, meaningful conversations. Early bird registration is open from October 1st to 31st—don’t miss your chance to save! Space is limited. Secure your spot today and step into a life-changing adventure! Visit restorationproject.net/experiences for more info.

Sometimes it’s the words we say in ordinary moments that stay with our kids for years. In this episode of The Restorative Man Podcast, we talk honestly about the weight of a father’s words, from the ones that wound to the ones we leave unsaid. We explore cursing, silence, and blessing, and what each one can communicate to our children about who they are and whether they belong. We also unpack what it looks like to truly see our kids, speak identity over them, and let them know we genuinely enjoy who they are, not just what they accomplish. Because our kids don’t need perfect dads, but they do need fathers who are willing to use their words to bring life.

If you want to grow alongside other intentional men, you can jump into the Grove Collective at 

https://www.restorationproject.net/grovecollective

Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/

To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:

• Website: www.restorationproject.net
• Instagram: @restorationprojectco
• Facebook: Restoration Project
• LinkedIn: Restoration Project

Ready to create unforgettable memories? Join one of Restoration Project's adventures this 2027 for fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, or men-only experiences, where outdoor challenges meet deep, meaningful conversations. Early bird registration is open from October 1st to 31st—don’t miss your chance to save! Space is limited. Secure your spot today and step into a life-changing adventure! Visit restorationproject.net/experiences for more info.

When dads think about providing for their kids, it's easy to focus on paychecks, packed schedules, and making sure every need is met. But what if the thing your children are longing for most is simply you? In this episode, Chris Bruno and Cody Buriff unpack why a father's presence, attunement, attention, and intention shape a child's heart far more than anything money can buy. They also explore how understanding your own father story can help you become the dad your children need today, no matter how old they are. If you're looking for practical wisdom on fatherhood, emotional connection, and raising confident, secure kids, this conversation will give you a fresh vision for what truly matters.

If you want to grow alongside other intentional men, you can jump into the Grove Collective at 

https://www.restorationproject.net/grovecollective

Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/

To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:

• Website: www.restorationproject.net
• Instagram: @restorationprojectco
• Facebook: Restoration Project
• LinkedIn: Restoration Project

Ready to create unforgettable memories? Join one of Restoration Project's adventures this 2027 for fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, or men-only experiences, where outdoor challenges meet deep, meaningful conversations. Early bird registration is open from October 1st to 31st—don’t miss your chance to save! Space is limited. Secure your spot today and step into a life-changing adventure! Visit restorationproject.net/experiences for more info.

Brotherhood isn't about avoiding conflict. It's about choosing not to run when it finds you. In this episode, Jesse and Cody unpack how conflict, forgiveness, and honest conversations shape healthy friendships and stronger relationships between men. Real brotherhood isn't about getting everything right. It's about learning how to repair what's been broken, rebuild trust, and keep moving toward restoration together. The strongest friendships aren't the ones that never experience conflict. They're the ones willing to do the hard work of repair. 

If you want to grow alongside other intentional men, you can jump into the Grove Collective at 

https://www.restorationproject.net/grovecollective

Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/

To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:

• Website: www.restorationproject.net
• Instagram: @restorationprojectco
• Facebook: Restoration Project
• LinkedIn: Restoration Project

Ready to create unforgettable memories? Join one of Restoration Project's adventures this 2027 for fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, or men-only experiences, where outdoor challenges meet deep, meaningful conversations. Early bird registration is open from October 1st to 31st—don’t miss your chance to save! Space is limited. Secure your spot today and step into a life-changing adventure! Visit restorationproject.net/experiences for more info.

What if accountability has been aimed at the wrong thing all along? This conversation explores why behavior-focused accountability often leaves men trapped in shame instead of leading them toward healing. Chris and Cody unpack what it looks like to stop keeping score and start reminding each other of the deeper story God is telling. Because maybe the question isn't, "What did you do?" but, "Who have you forgotten you are?" Brotherhood begins to look very different when that's where the conversation starts. 

If you want to grow alongside other intentional men, you can jump into the Grove Collective at 

https://www.restorationproject.net/grovecollective

Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/

To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:

• Website: www.restorationproject.net
• Instagram: @restorationprojectco
• Facebook: Restoration Project
• LinkedIn: Restoration Project

Ready to create unforgettable memories? Join one of Restoration Project's adventures this 2027 for fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, or men-only experiences, where outdoor challenges meet deep, meaningful conversations. Early bird registration is open from October 1st to 31st—don’t miss your chance to save! Space is limited. Secure your spot today and step into a life-changing adventure! Visit restorationproject.net/experiences for more info.

What does it take to move from having guys around you to having true brothers beside you? In this deeply personal conversation, Jake Kissack shares how growing up on a Wyoming cattle ranch shaped his longing for connection, belonging, and the kind of friendship that goes far beyond shared activities. Together, Jake and Jesse explore why story is often the missing ingredient in male relationships and how curiosity can uncover the gold God has placed in each man's life. From ranch memories and hard-earned lessons to the brotherhood that helped carry him through grief and into a new season of life, Jake offers a hopeful vision for what authentic friendship can become. If you've ever felt like there's more to friendship than what you've experienced so far, this episode puts words to that longing. 

If you want to grow alongside other intentional men, you can jump into the Grove Collective at 

https://www.restorationproject.net/grovecollective

Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/

To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:

• Website: www.restorationproject.net
• Instagram: @restorationprojectco
• Facebook: Restoration Project
• LinkedIn: Restoration Project

Ready to create unforgettable memories? Join one of Restoration Project's adventures this 2027 for fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, or men-only experiences, where outdoor challenges meet deep, meaningful conversations. Early bird registration is open from October 1st to 31st—don’t miss your chance to save! Space is limited. Secure your spot today and step into a life-changing adventure! Visit restorationproject.net/experiences for more info.

Most men have people they spend time with, but very few have someone who actually knows them. In this episode, Cody and Jesse talk about the difference between having buddies and having brothers, and why so many men still feel lonely even when they’re constantly around others. They get honest about the risk of being known, the fear of rejection, and why surface-level friendships can only carry us so far. There’s also a surprisingly grounded conversation about what real brotherhood actually looks like in everyday life, not just in theory. Somewhere in this conversation, you might recognize your own name in it. 

If you want to grow alongside other intentional men, you can jump into the Grove Collective at 

https://www.restorationproject.net/grovecollective

Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/

To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:

• Website: www.restorationproject.net
• Instagram: @restorationprojectco
• Facebook: Restoration Project
• LinkedIn: Restoration Project

Ready to create unforgettable memories? Join one of Restoration Project's adventures this 2027 for fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, or men-only experiences, where outdoor challenges meet deep, meaningful conversations. Early bird registration is open from October 1st to 31st—don’t miss your chance to save! Space is limited. Secure your spot today and step into a life-changing adventure! Visit restorationproject.net/experiences for more info.

We sat down with Trevor Olson thinking we’d talk about surfing, but the conversation took us somewhere much deeper. What started as a story about chasing waves became an honest look at how easily we start chasing control instead of connection. Trevor shared how the surfers getting the most out of the ocean aren’t the ones catching the most waves, but the ones who’ve learned to be present in it. There’s something here about living with open hands instead of clenched fists, about receiving instead of fighting for more. By the end, it feels less like a conversation about surfing and more like an invitation to rediscover joy, not by striving harder, but by paying attention to where God is already meeting us.

If you want to grow alongside other intentional men, you can jump into the Grove Collective at 

https://www.restorationproject.net/grovecollective

Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/

To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:

• Website: www.restorationproject.net
• Instagram: @restorationprojectco
• Facebook: Restoration Project
• LinkedIn: Restoration Project

Ready to create unforgettable memories? Join one of Restoration Project's adventures this 2027 for fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, or men-only experiences, where outdoor challenges meet deep, meaningful conversations. Early bird registration is open from October 1st to 31st—don’t miss your chance to save! Space is limited. Secure your spot today and step into a life-changing adventure! Visit restorationproject.net/experiences for more info.