The Restorative Man Podcast

In this episode, Jesse French and Greg Ehlert share a heartfelt conversation sparked by Greg’s interview with John Ortberg on spiritual disciplines. They unpack how practices meant to bring us closer to God can easily slip into performance and self-evaluation, leaving us striving instead of resting in grace. With insights from Dallas Willard and vivid metaphors like sailing and surfing, they reflect on how spiritual practices are less about achieving and more about opening ourselves to God’s love. The discussion also explores how living in this posture of receptivity reshapes not only our relationship with God but also the way we show up with our families and communities. It’s an honest and freeing reminder that disciplines are not about shoulds or striving, but about connection and trust.

Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!

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.

Cathy Loerzel says the world needs men in their most redeemed form—men who don’t apologize for their manhood but offer it as strength, not power. In this teaser for her interview in the upcoming Restorative Manhood Digital Summit, Chris and Cody unpack the tension so many men feel between being “too much” and “not enough,” and how those messages often start in childhood. They share how fear of hurting others can cause men to pull back, creating a “masculine famine” in relationships and communities. The conversation explores the difference between power that wounds and strength that creates safety, as well as how repair after rupture can be one of the truest signs of maturity. Vulnerability, confidence, and the willingness to show up as the man you were made to be all take center stage.

Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!

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.

Ever feel like life didn’t turn out the way you hoped, and you’re left holding the pieces of what you thought would be? In this episode, Cody and Jesse sit down to talk about disillusionment—how it shows up in our faith, families, and even our own growth, and why it might not be the enemy we think it is. With a powerful snippet from Dan Allender (part of our upcoming Restorative Manhood Digital Summit), they reflect on the quiet invitations hidden inside our disappointments. What if disillusionment isn’t something to avoid, but something that clears space for something deeper, truer, and more lasting?

Want to hear more voices like Dan Allender’s? Join us for the Restorative Manhood Digital Summit, happening September 25–28. It’s a free, four-day online event featuring conversations with pastors, psychologists, scientists, and spiritual leaders—offering a hopeful, honest vision of masculinity.

Register now at restorationproject.net/rmdsummit

Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!

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.

 In this episode, Jesse French and Cody Buriff explore what truly defines adventure—not just epic outdoor experiences, but everyday moments that challenge and shape us. They identify four essential aspects of adventure: wilderness (the unknown), risk (the possibility of loss), struggle (both internal and external), and glory (the beauty or transformation that follows). Through stories ranging from backcountry hailstorms to backyard sprinkler repairs, they show how adventure invites growth and soul-deep change. They challenge the idea that adventure is only for the bold or athletic, and instead frame it as essential for every man’s formation. Real adventure, they argue, happens whenever we step into the unknown with courage and openness.

Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!

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 do a plague of locusts and our inner world have in common? In this vivid and surprisingly relatable conversation, Cody and Jesse unpack how a scarcity mindset can transform us—just like grasshoppers turning into swarming locusts when the environment shifts. Through stories from childhood, garden failures, and even reality TV survival shows, they explore how fear of “not enough” can quietly dictate our decisions and relationships. But they also name the quiet miracle of abundance: people who live open-handed, present, and generous even in the face of limitations. This episode holds up a mirror to our everyday stress and invites us to imagine a different way of being—one rooted in trust, freedom, and enoughness.

Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!

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.

Summer’s in full swing, but what if now is the perfect time to look ahead? In this episode, Chris and Jesse invite us to lift our eyes from the daily grind and glimpse something on the horizon—The Grove. They share the heart behind this unique gathering of men, where connection and equipping go hand in hand. From its humble beginnings in a Wyoming basement to a movement rooted in the metaphor of the Aspen Grove, the conversation explores why men need each other now more than ever. And what if the way forward isn’t through doing more… but becoming more?

Join the Grove Experiences:
The Grove: Colorado (October 2-5, 2025) - https://www.restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/grove-colorado
The Grove: Northwest (October 16-19, 2025) - https://www.restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/grove-northwest
The Grove: East Coast (2026) - https://www.restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/grove-east-coast

Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!

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.

Summer can feel like a juggling act, between work, kids, house projects, and the pressure to make every moment Instagram-worthy. In this episode, Chris and Jesse reflect on how they’re navigating two very different family rhythms during the summer months. They explore the myth of summer being a “slower” season for adults and challenge the idea that it has to be filled with big plans to be meaningful. Instead, they highlight the power of small moments, five-minute connections that carry more weight than any epic vacation. With honesty and humor, they remind us that sometimes aiming lower might actually help us connect more deeply.

Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!

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.

A quick drive to a summer basketball camp turns into an unexpected heart-stirring moment for Jesse when he runs into the coaches who once shaped his teenage years. In this episode, he and Chris unpack how affirmation, especially from people who matter, can echo across decades and still touch something deep inside. They talk about the difference between being affirmed for your performance versus being affirmed for simply who you are. Along the way, they explore how remembered goodness can be just as powerful as present affirmation. If you've ever longed to hear “you matter” from someone important, this conversation will meet you right there.

Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!

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 do fish and chips, flying french fries, and a rowdy Scottish pub have to do with becoming a Sage? In this episode, Chris and Jesse reflect on their recent trip to Scotland with a group of men exploring what it means to step into midlife with intention. From the tremors of transition to questions of identity, legacy, and regret, they share the kinds of conversations that shape a man’s decades ahead. If this kind of journey sounds like something your soul is craving, consider joining one of our upcoming Sage Experiences.  Spots are open now for:

Sage Experience: Scotland 2026 - https://www.restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/sagescotland
Sage Experience: Ireland 2026 - https://www.restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/sageireland

Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!

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 really mean to launch your kids well? In this episode, Chris and Jesse unpack the transition from fathering children to walking alongside them as young adults—with all the joy, grief, and humility it requires. They share powerful moments from Trek: Kenya, a father-teen expedition that invites dads into raw conversations and real growth. From the weight of past mistakes to the wonder of seeing your child’s glory up close, this is about launching hearts, not just moving boxes. And somewhere between wildebeest stampedes and safari trucks, a deeper kind of beauty emerges: the honor of being a dad.

Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!

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.