In this episode of the Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno and Jesse French sit down with Bart Lillie to explore the legacy of fathering and how it has shaped their lives. Bart reflects on his father's journey from a Michigan farm to Chicago, where he worked at an orphanage and eventually helped launch Spring Hill Camps. He discusses how these stories, some of which were lost to time, have recently come to light, revealing deeper connections between his father’s life and his own work with Restoration Project. Bart also shares how his father’s example of intentionality and care for children foreshadowed his own heart for fathering.

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
  
  

Dive into the heart of fatherhood with the Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood – the ultimate guide for dads seeking to instill godly values in their sons. Experience the transformative journey of intentional fathering as you navigate modern rites of passage and empower your son to become a beacon of strength and kindness in society.

Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood available on Amazon.com.

In this episode of The Restorative Man Podcast, Jesse French and Chris Bruno sit down for a second conversation with Brayden Lans, a man deeply invested in his community through his coffee business and his ministry, Half Step Ministries. Brayden shares the origins of his calling, how he and his wife, Abby, built their outreach to high school students from the ground up, and the risks they've faced along the way. He reflects on the fear of responsibility that comes with success and how stepping into vulnerability has shaped his journey. This episode is a deep dive into the challenges and rewards of following a dream, and the importance of support from a close-knit community. 

Connect with Brayden Lans:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brayden.Lans
• Instagram: @sirlansalot
  
  

Get to know more about Half Step Ministries:

• Website: www.halfstepministries.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/halfstepministries
• Instagram: @halfstepministries
  
  

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
  
  

Dive into the heart of fatherhood with the Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood – the ultimate guide for dads seeking to instill godly values in their sons. Experience the transformative journey of intentional fathering as you navigate modern rites of passage and empower your son to become a beacon of strength and kindness in society.

Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood available on Amazon.com.

In this episode of The Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno and Jesse French dive into the importance of creating an intentional plan for the year ahead. Through personal stories of adventure and unexpected encounters in the wilderness, they explore how God shows up in surprising ways—whether it’s through a bear in the woods or a cooler of cold beers floating down a river. What’s your plan for the next year? Are you carving out time for meaningful experiences with your kids, or are you letting the year slip by? Join Chris and Jesse as they challenge us to think deeper about how we spend our time and why intentionality matters for the journey ahead.

Join our 2025 Experiences! Head to restorationproject.net/experiences for details and to secure your spot today!

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
  
  

Dive into the heart of fatherhood with the Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood – the ultimate guide for dads seeking to instill godly values in their sons. Experience the transformative journey of intentional fathering as you navigate modern rites of passage and empower your son to become a beacon of strength and kindness in society.

Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood available on Amazon.com.

In this episode of The Restorative Man Podcast, co-hosts Chris Bruno and Jesse French discuss the final stages of a man’s journey: “The Restored King” and “The Sage.” The "Restored King" emerges from his wounds, not by force or effort, but by finding inner peace and accepting his scars as part of his story. This stage is marked by wisdom, humility, and leadership that invites relief and trust from those around him. In the final stage, “The Sage,” a man divests from external importance and embraces a life of guidance and presence, offering wisdom without the need for recognition. Both stages reflect a man’s evolution from striving to embodying his true purpose.

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

Dive into the heart of fatherhood with the Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood – the ultimate guide for dads seeking to instill godly values in their sons. Experience the transformative journey of intentional fathering as you navigate modern rites of passage and empower your son to become a beacon of strength and kindness in society.

Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood available on Amazon.com.

In this continuation of the '’6 Seasons of a Man's Life’' series, Jesse French and Chris Bruno dive into the 'Zealous Warrior' stage in a man's life. Jesse kicks things off with a hilarious story from his college days, where he and a friend test the limits of a John Deere Gator by stacking hay bales far beyond capacity. This sets the stage for a deeper discussion on the Zealous Warrior phase—a time when young men feel the need to take responsibility, push boundaries, and conquer their battles. Chris explains why this stage is crucial for developing grit and purpose, and what happens when it's bypassed. They also tease the next episode, which will explore the often-overlooked 'Wounded Man' stage, adding layers to the journey of masculinity.

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
  
  

Dive into the heart of fatherhood with the Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood – the ultimate guide for dads seeking to instill godly values in their sons. Experience the transformative journey of intentional fathering as you navigate modern rites of passage and empower your son to become a beacon of strength and kindness in society.

Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood available on Amazon.com.

In this episode of the Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno and Jesse French dive into the first two of the "6 Seasons of a Man’s Life," starting with the Innocent Boy phase. They reflect on how this stage, marked by naivety and learning, shapes a man's identity and understanding of the world. Chris shares a story about Jesse's son, Case, to illustrate the pure focus and joy of childhood. They also discuss the transition into the next phase, the Phallic Man, where a boy starts becoming aware of his strength, sexuality, and relationships.

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
  
  

Dive into the heart of fatherhood with the Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood – the ultimate guide for dads seeking to instill godly values in their sons. Experience the transformative journey of intentional fathering as you navigate modern rites of passage and empower your son to become a beacon of strength and kindness in society.

Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood available on Amazon.com.

In this episode of the Restorative Man Podcast by Restoration Project, hosts Jesse French and Chris Bruno explore the idea of aiming lower to set realistic, human-sized expectations as we transition into fall. They recount a humorous yet insightful story about a child advising a teacher to "aim lower" and discuss how this philosophy can alleviate the pressures of performance and productivity. Reflecting on personal experiences and societal pressures, Jesse and Chris share strategies to prioritize presence and intentional living over busyness. 

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
  
  

Dive into the heart of fatherhood with the Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood – the ultimate guide for dads seeking to instill godly values in their sons. Experience the transformative journey of intentional fathering as you navigate modern rites of passage and empower your son to become a beacon of strength and kindness in society.

Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood available on Amazon.com.

In this episode of the Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno and Jesse French discuss the exciting launch of the Sage audiobook. Chris shares the unique challenges and joys of recording the audiobook, including the meticulous process of bringing the written word to life through his voice. They explore the deeper themes of the book, particularly the passage from manhood to becoming a sage, and the importance of intentionality in this journey. Chris also reflects on how revisiting the content of Sage through the recording process brought new insights and personal growth.

Get your copy of Sage: A Man's Guide Into His Second Passage today on Amazon: https://a.co/d/3hOtBXi.

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
  
  

Dive into the heart of fatherhood with the Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood – the ultimate guide for dads seeking to instill godly values in their sons. Experience the transformative journey of intentional fathering as you navigate modern rites of passage and empower your son to become a beacon of strength and kindness in society.

Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood available on Amazon.com.

In this episode of the Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno welcomes back Robin Erkkila to share his powerful journey with stage four prostate cancer. Robin recounts the emotional rollercoaster of his diagnosis, the aggressive treatment, and the unexpected remission that has brought hope and a renewed perspective on life. Through candid reflections and heartfelt conversations, Robin emphasizes the importance of early detection and the profound impact of support from loved ones and fellow survivors. Tune in to hear Robin's inspiring story and his message of resilience and faith amidst life's most challenging battles.

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
  
  

Dive into the heart of fatherhood with the Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood – the ultimate guide for dads seeking to instill godly values in their sons. Experience the transformative journey of intentional fathering as you navigate modern rites of passage and empower your son to become a beacon of strength and kindness in society.

Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood available on Amazon.com.

Jesse and Chris welcome back their good friend Drew Boa, founder of Husband Material, an organization dedicated to helping men engage with their sexuality and achieve greater levels of freedom. Drew shares his deeply personal journey of moving around North America, his formative years in Toronto, and the challenges he faced moving to Texas. He opens up about his struggles with identity, emotional awareness, and the pivotal moments that shaped his path towards redemption.

Discover more about Drew Boa and Husband Material! 

Connect with Drew Boa:

• Website: drewboa.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/drew.boa
• Instagram: @drew_boa
  
  

Explore Husband Material:

• Website: husbandmaterial.com
• Facebook: Husband Material Ministries
• Instagram: @husbandmaterialmen
• YouTube: Husband Material
• TikTok: @husbandmaterialmen
  
  

Don't miss out on the Husband Material Podcast, available on your favorite streaming platforms!

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
  
  

Dive into the heart of fatherhood with the Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood – the ultimate guide for dads seeking to instill godly values in their sons. Experience the transformative journey of intentional fathering as you navigate modern rites of passage and empower your son to become a beacon of strength and kindness in society.

Man Maker Project: A Father's Guide to Initiating His Son into Manhood available on Amazon.com.