In this episode of Raising Men, host Shaun Dawson sits down with Christopher Veal — author of The Whole Man: Evolving Masculinity, Marine veteran, and host of The Vulnerable Man Podcast — to explore what it really means to be a “whole man.” Together, they unpack the myths of masculine strength, the courage behind vulnerability, and how fathers can model emotional integrity for their kids.

Key Takeaways

1. True strength isn’t in the walls we build.  Masculinity isn’t about armor or control — it’s about creating space where life and connection can thrive.
2. Healthy masculinity lives in the ‘both/and.’  Real manhood blends courage and compassion. It’s not dominance or softness — it’s the balance of both.
3. Vulnerability is leadership.  Showing emotion or admitting mistakes doesn’t weaken fathers — it builds trust and emotional safety for sons.
4. Fathers shape emotional literacy. Boys learn more from what we model than what we say. Our responses to fear, love, and failure teach manhood.
5. Legacy is wholeness, not perfection. The “whole man” integrates every side of himself — strong yet open, firm yet kind. That’s what our sons remember.

Pull Quotes

“We’ve built castles so strong no one can break in — but nothing can grow inside either.” — Shaun Dawson

“Vulnerability isn’t weakness. It’s the courage to be seen, especially by the ones who look up to us.” — Christopher Veal

“Our sons don’t need one version of masculinity — they need the full spectrum of what being human looks like.” — Shaun Dawson

Timestamps / Chapter Markers
00:00 – 02:45 – Intro: male vulnerability & authentic friendships
02:45 – 05:30 – Masculinity & societal pressures
05:30 – 08:10 – Vulnerability and strength in high-pressure environments
08:10 – 11:05 – Fatherhood: teaching through action
11:05 – 14:00 – Self-awareness, ego, and confidence vs. arrogance
14:00 – 17:20 – Excellence vs. perfection
17:20 – 20:05 – Learning from failure & embracing mistakes
20:05 – 22:50 – Connecting emotionally with other men
22:50 – 25:00 – Going second: showing openness to build trust
25:01 – 28:15 – Father figures & cross-cultural influences
28:16 – 31:45 – Grace in parenting & male friendships
31:46 – 34:30 – Confronting flaws & modeling honesty
34:31 – 37:50 – Navigating polarized cultural narratives
37:51 – 41:00 – Fostering meaningful male connections
41:01 – 44:15 – Practical advice: self-awareness & intentionality
44:16 – 47:30 – Key takeaways & lessons learned
47:31 – End – Closing remarks & final encouragement

🔗 Supporting Content & Resources

Book: The Whole Man: Evolving Masculinity by Christopher Veal Explores how men can integrate vulnerability and emotional intelligence into leadership and fatherhood.
Podcast: The Vulnerable Man Podcast Christopher’s ongoing conversations with men about courage, leadership, and emotional truth.

Further Reading Mentioned:

• Daring Greatly by Brené Brown — Understanding vulnerability as the birthplace of courage and connection.
• The Mask of Masculinity by Lewis Howes — On breaking emotional armor and redefining male strength.
• The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida — Classic work on balancing masculine energy with openness.