The State of Men

Mike & Aydian discuss in this podcast our dreams and how we have been limiting ourselves in our life.  We evaluate how impactful we are being with this project, The State of Men. We are explaining why this project or podcast isn’t the right project for us at the moment.  We both want to be doing something that is empowering for both of us and we explain what this means for us.

Thank you so much for being with us along the journey.  We are very grateful for your time and for helping make this community something special.   

• What to do when you and your partner are in a heated discussion? 
• Why is it so hard for men to dream? 
• How to dream bigger instead of being stuck in the ‘how’ of our dreams? 
• How Aydian is creating something that is bigger than him to have a greater impact on the trans community?
• Mike explains how he hasn’t been all in with himself for his business projects
• How we both had the same feeling around the Christmas break but didn’t talk about it.

Jason Rosario is Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at BBDO Worldwide. Today, Aydian and Mike talk with Jason about the power of Vulnerability, what it means to have outlets for our emotions, and why sometimes you need to step away in order to truly step up. Listen to hear more of Jason’s personal journey of how he got to be the man he is today, and why he knew he needed to give men a guiding light on their journey to healthier masculinity.

Top Take-Aways: 

• Have you ever tried journaling as an outlet for your emotions? 
• Social Media wreaks havoc on our in-person relationships.
• Sometimes you have to step away to focus on doing the work.
• If vulnerability is our superpower, why are men so hesitant to share what it’s really like for them?

Summary

In today’s episode, Mike & Aydian interview Larry D Moore about crypto and its future. He explains how he transitioned into full-time trading after entering the crypto rabbit hole. He also dives into the complete shift that is happening inside of our financial systems. We also covered the importance of having access to things. 

- We define what crypto &  blockchain is and how we will use this technology in the future.
- What decentralized currency means and how the technology works
- How the bitcoin network and how that 
- Why this technology is going to be the gamechanger for the smaller countries around the world
- Is bitcoin more valuable because of the scarcity of availability? 
- Why bitcoins market cap will exceed Apple & Gold, and how that will happen
- Why the financial system isn’t working for everyone

Today, Aydian and Mike talk with Mike’s Mom, Michelle Watts. In this episode, we get some more details on how Mike grew up. Michelle raised her three kids, while her husband traveled for work, and after moving many times ended up long-term in Indiana. We get some insights on what it was like as a Mid-West Mom, raising a firecracker like Mike, and how much things have changed with raising kids since she was a full-time Mother. 

Top Take-Aways: 

• Do you ever talk to your Mom about what it was like for her, raising you? Maybe you’re missing out on some critical information by hearing her experience.
• Have times really changed? Can you recall what it’s like when you were growing up compared to how kids grow up now? Do you think it’s better or worse?
• Did your parents shelter you? Was that impactful in how you expressed yourself or tried to find answers to things you didn’t know about?
• Was there ever a time you wished someone had asked you if you needed help? 
• Do you think parents are more protective of their daughters vs their sons?

Summary: 

Today, Aydian and Mike talk with a scientist, educator, lawyer, and founder of “Be More with Anu” - Anu Gupta. Anu and the men discuss growing as men in a society that is starved for compassion.  Anu discusses his work with different races and cultures - helping individuals break implicit biases and navigate from a place of compassion and love.   

Top Take-Aways: 

• Do you often find yourself struggling to build meaningful, healthy friendships with other men?
• Does being a man make you innately better than the opposite gender? Do you see toxic masculine traits within yourself?
• Are we always looking for external validation when it comes to our healing - instead of defining our own healing in our own time?
• Are men getting better as we move forward in society? Are we learning to navigate from a place of compassion?

Summary: 

Today, Aydian and Mike talk about their own journeys with money, while they break down the “breadwinner” mentality.  Aydian unpacks how his early interactions with money ultimately shaped his perception of monetary success as an adult.  While Mike brings his experience of overcoming self-inflicted financing obstacles and understanding his new role as a financial contributor to his family. 

Top Take-Aways: 

• Is it the amount of money in our bank accounts that really makes us feel secure or is it the feeling of having money that provides security?
• How did watching our parents handle money during our childhood influence how we handle money now as adults?
• Where did we learn this concept that the male figure in the home is the one who should be responsible for making all the money?
• Is money a place of peace in your life or does money cause a great deal of anxiety and stress?
• Do you have illusions when it comes to money?

Summary: 

Today, Aydian and Mike discuss the fears that often follow men having daughters.  As parents themselves, Mike and Aydian offer a unique perspective on this topic and discuss every aspect from societal expectations to the transference of masculine toxicity to ultimately changing the narrative.  

Top Take-Aways: 

• Why are men more afraid of having daughters than sons? Are we groomed to prefer one gender over the other?
• Why do we societally romanticize the father and son bond and relationship to such a high degree? 
• Why do men fear raising a daughter in a world where other men exist?
• Why do we stereotype the role of a father with their daughter?

Summary: 

Today, Aydian and Mike interview Dr. Juliana Hauser, the doctor who jumps in those hard conversations as she helps people rethink and reimagine sex, sexuality, and relationships. Dr. Juliana tackles the hard questions about finding and honing your agency.  Dr. Juliana, Mike, and Aydian discuss bringing men to the table regarding sex, sexuality, and body positivity in a safe environment.         

Top Take-Aways: 

• What is the difference between empowerment and agency?
• Is it possible to have agency in some aspects of your life, but not in others?
• How do men fit in the world of sex and sexuality?
• How do men navigate the shame and guilt that is often associated with the feeling or perception of incompetence?

Summary: 

Today Mike and Aydian talk about the elusive work/life balance. The discussion continues on the State of Men as we discover if the true work/life balance exists. Our hosts unpack the pressures placed on having a true work-life balance when your work is anything but conventional.      

Top Take-Aways: 

• Have you ever felt like there are enough hours in the day? Where do you find time for yourself?
• Where do the idea and constant push to have an even work-life balance come from?
• What determines the value of your time?
• How do you measure if your work and life are balanced to suit your needs?