In this episode the tables turn as guest Chris Brown steps into the interviewer’s seat to ask me the hard-hitting questions about life, purpose, and leadership.

Kicking off with a powerful opener, Chris asks: “How do you stay strong and resilient in today’s world while staying true to yourself?”

From there, we explore what it means to live authentically as men in a world full of expectations. I reveal the pivotal moments in my life, my personal battles, and how redefining my purpose brought me closer to a fulfilling, intentional life.

Introduction:

• Chris Brown returns to the podcast, this time taking the reins as he interviews me about my journey and philosophy.

Resilience and Staying True to Oneself:

• I respond to Chris’s opening question on resilience, sharing how he has managed to stay grounded amidst life’s pressures.
• Insights into my personal story of growth and the milestones that shaped my outlook on life and masculinity.

Redefining Leadership and Purpose:

• The conversation moves into my take on authentic leadership and what it means to lead with purpose.
• We discuss the importance of moving away from external validation and focusing on what truly matters.

Balancing Vulnerability and Strength:

• I open up about the balance between vulnerability and strength in personal and professional relationships.
• How my experiences helped him redefine my approach to connection and leadership.

Creating Authentic Connections and Brotherhood:

• The role of male friendships and the significance of support networks in fostering personal growth and resilience.
• Tips on how to build authentic connections with other men who share similar values.

I sit down with Pat Divilly, an author, speaker, and expert in breathwork and shadow work. Together, we dive deep into what it means to navigate change in today's world and the importance of embracing your shadow self. From personal struggles to professional transformations, Pat shares his journey of moving beyond limiting beliefs, stepping out of societal boxes, and learning to live with authenticity and freedom. We explore themes of fear, vulnerability, and what it takes for men to truly grow.

Show Notes:

• Navigating Change:
  • Pat shares his thoughts on the inevitability of change and how it's a constant part of life.
  • The importance of balancing the desire for stability with the need for growth.
• Authenticity and Shadow Work:
  • Pat explains the concept of shadow work: acknowledging the parts of ourselves we hide or suppress.
  • How embracing your shadow can lead to more authentic living and deeper self-awareness.
• Personal Growth and Transformation:
  • Pat reflects on his journey from personal trainer to breathwork facilitator and author.
  • He shares how overcoming his own insecurities and internal struggles helped him embrace his true self.
• Tools for Change:
  • The importance of having anchors in life, such as supportive people, environments, and healthy habits.
  • How the hero’s journey metaphor can help frame personal transformation.
• Fear and Vulnerability:
  • Pat discusses how fear is often a catalyst for change and why embracing it is key to growth.
  • He shares the story of a client who faced his fear and transformed both in life and love.
• Final Thoughts:
  • Pat encourages listeners to embrace discomfort and uncertainty as part of their personal evolution.
  • Craig and Pat close the episode with a reflection on the importance of self-inquiry and support in navigating change.

Follow and Subscribe: Make sure to follow the Dare to Be Different podcast for more thought-provoking conversations. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to support the show.

I interview Dr. Robert Masters, an acclaimed integral psychotherapist, psycho-spiritual guide, and author. Together, we explore the path to emotional embodiment and what it means to truly embrace all parts of ourselves, including the shadowy aspects we often avoid. Dr. Robert brings decades of experience to a conversation rich with insights about emotional intimacy, shadow work, the role of anger in masculinity, and the journey toward self-acceptance. From the warrior archetype to addiction, intimacy, and spirituality, this episode is a deep dive into becoming fully intimate with all that we are.

Show Notes:

Facing Early Life Conditioning and Personal Struggles:

• • Dr. Masters reflects on his personal experiences with shame, anger, and the emotional wounds that shaped his early life.
  • Craig and Robert discuss how facing these shadow aspects is key to understanding one’s true self and emotional landscape.
• The Power of Emotional Intimacy:
  • Dr. Masters emphasizes the importance of becoming intimate with not just others but with all parts of ourselves—our joys, pains, and fears.
  • He shares techniques for approaching our emotional worlds with openness and compassion, stressing the need for men to embrace vulnerability.
• The Warrior Archetype and Healthy Anger:
  • The conversation explores the difference between healthy anger and destructive aggression.
  • Dr. Masters delves into the warrior archetype and how connecting with this energy allows men to set healthy boundaries while remaining emotionally attuned.
• Addiction, Pornography, and Emotional Pain:
  • Dr. Masters talks about addiction, particularly around pornography, and how it often stems from unresolved emotional wounds and a lack of true intimacy.
  • Practical advice is offered for men seeking to break free from compulsive behaviors and move towards deeper emotional connection.
• Developing Emotional Literacy:
  • Craig and Robert discuss the importance of men becoming more emotionally literate—learning to understand and express their emotions constructively.
  • They explore how emotional literacy can improve relationships, especially intimate ones, and lead to more fulfilling lives.
• Spirituality and Embracing the Shadow:
  • Dr. Masters shares the value of spirituality that embraces all aspects of the human experience, including our darker, shadowy parts.
  • They discuss spiritual bypassing and the need for grounded, embodied spiritual practices that help us stay connected to our full selves.
• Final Thoughts and Upcoming Work:
  • Dr. Masters previews his future projects, including work focused on elderhood and ongoing men’s emotional development.
  • Craig and Robert wrap up with reflections on the ongoing journey of self-awareness, emotional intimacy, and shadow integration.

Subscribe to the Dare to Be Different podcast on your preferred platform for more deep-dive conversations, and if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review.

I sit down with Dr. Keith Witt, a licensed psychologist, teacher, and author with over 75,000 therapy sessions and eight published books. Dr. Witt, an expert in love, relationships, and personal development, unpacks what it means to be a man in today’s world. The discussion delves into self-love, the hero’s journey, and the transformative power of intimate relationships. Dr. Witt weaves together neuroscience, Integral theory, and wisdom from various forms of psychotherapy to offer practical insights and profound truths about the modern man’s path to emotional and psychological fulfillment. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about masculinity, emotional intelligence, and the importance of leading with an open heart.

Show Notes

Craig White introduces Dr. Keith Witt, emphasising his deep experience as a psychologist, teacher, and author of books like Loving Completely and Shadow Light.

Defining Modern Masculinity:

• Dr. Witt explores the changing definition of what it means to be a man in today's world.
• The conversation touches on societal expectations versus the inner emotional world of men.

The Hero’s Journey:

• Dr. Witt explains how the hero’s journey is relevant to the emotional and personal development of men.
• He emphasizes the importance of self-discovery and personal transformation as core components of this journey.

Self-Love as a Foundation for Success:

• The discussion moves to self-love, highlighting how vital it is for men to cultivate a strong, loving relationship with themselves.
• Dr. Witt discusses how self-love influences leadership and personal relationships.

The Power of Intimate Relationships:

• Dr. Witt explains how intimacy is a key area where men can experience profound transformation.
• He shares stories and insights on how being in deep, meaningful relationships helps men to grow emotionally and spiritually.

Embracing Emotional Range:

• Dr. Witt and Craig talk about the importance of embracing a broad emotional range, from vulnerability to strength.
• They share insights on how men can better navigate their emotions to lead fulfilling lives.

Shame and Growth:

• Dr. Witt dives into the role of shame in personal growth, explaining how confronting it leads to deeper understanding and healing.

Building Lasting Connections:

• The episode discusses practical tools men can use to foster strong, intimate connections with others.
• Dr. Witt emphasizes the importance of being present in relationships, both with loved ones and within the self.

Follow and Subscribe:

• Don’t forget to follow the Dare to Be Different podcast for more insightful discussions on personal growth.
• Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to support the show.

I sit down with Rugby League icon Sean Long to talk about his incredible journey from signing with Wigan at just 15 years old to becoming one of the most respected players in the game.

But his path wasn't always smooth. Sean opens up about the intense highs of winning championships and the crushing lows of injuries, struggles with mental health, and the challenges he faced post-retirement.

This is a raw and honest conversation about resilience, authenticity, and the power of staying true to oneself, no matter the obstacles.

In this episode, I sit down with Antonio Vizintin, one of the 16 survivors of the 1972 Andes plane crash.

Antonio, also known as "Tintin," shares his harrowing journey of survival over 72 days in one of the world’s most unforgiving environments. From being a 19-year-old rugby player on a flight to Chile to enduring unimaginable conditions in the Andes, Antonio’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and teamwork.

He discusses the critical role rugby played in his survival, the tough decisions the group had to make, and how the ordeal shaped his life and perspective. Antonio’s reflections offer a powerful lesson in human endurance, the strength of unity, and the will to live.

Show Notes:

• The Crash and Initial Survival: Antonio recounts the chaos immediately following the crash and how the rugby captain’s leadership helped them focus and make critical decisions.
• The Role of Rugby Values: Antonio explains how the values learned from rugby, such as discipline, sacrifice, and teamwork, were key to their survival.
• Facing Hard Decisions: The group’s decision to resort to cannibalism and how they navigated the psychological and moral challenges of the situation.
• Surviving the Avalanche: Antonio shares the terrifying experience of an avalanche that buried the survivors and took more lives, forcing the group to reorganize leadership and survival strategies.
• Expeditions to Find Help: Details of the expeditions led by Antonio, Nando, and Roberto to find a way out, eventually leading to their rescue after an incredible 10-day journey.
• The Emotional Impact of Survival: Antonio reflects on how the experience changed his perspective on life, deepened his connections with loved ones, and taught him the importance of expressing emotions.
• Post-Rescue Reflections: The overwhelming global attention the survivors received and the life lessons Antonio took away from the experience.
• Antonio’s Message on Human Strength: How the tragedy revealed the incredible strength of the human spirit and the power of unity in the face of adversity.

Episode description

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Liam Hennessy, a pioneer in sports performance and coach education, and the founder of Setanta College. Liam shares his transformative journey through the highs and lows of life, including his influential role in the development of Irish rugby and his personal battle with cancer. We dive deep into the power of relationships, the art of transformation, and the profound lessons learned from life's challenges.

Show notes

Introduction:

• Craig White introduces Dr. Liam Hennessy, highlighting his contributions to sports performance and Irish rugby.

Career and Vision in Irish Rugby:

• Liam reflects on his long-term vision for Irish rugby and its evolution over the years.
• Discussion on the development pathways and the importance of investing in grassroots programs for sustained success.
• The challenges and successes of implementing a top-down, bottom-up approach in rugby development.

Personal Transformation through Illness:

• Liam opens up about his cancer diagnosis in 2009 and the subsequent journey of treatment and recovery.
• Insights into how this experience reshaped his outlook on life and his approach to personal and professional challenges.

Turning Pain into Purpose:

• Exploring the concept of turning crises into blessings and finding purpose through adversity.
• How Liam’s experiences with illness have deepened his understanding of life and strengthened his relationships.

The Role of Education and Coaching:

• The significance of education in sports and the creation of pathways for coaches and players.
• Liam's work with Setanta College and the impact of continuous learning and adaptation in coaching.

Movement Efficiency and Athletic Development:

• Discussion on the importance of movement efficiency in athletic performance.
• The link between foundational movement skills and long-term player development.

Spiritual Growth and Mindfulness:

• Liam shares how his journey with cancer has influenced his spiritual growth and connection to mindfulness.
• The importance of going with the flow and embracing the present moment.

Reflections on Life and Legacy:

• Liam’s thoughts on legacy, life after rugby, and the ongoing journey of self-discovery.
• The role of gratitude and positivity in navigating life’s challenges.

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Brown, a professional coach and devoted father. Chris shares his incredible journey of personal transformation and the deep impact it has had on his relationships. From overcoming the challenges of separation to redefining what it means to be a present and loving partner and father, Chris's story is a testament to the power of self-awareness, therapy, and the importance of male friendships. Tune in to explore themes of vulnerability, intimacy, and the continuous journey toward personal and relational growth.

Show notes

Introduction:

• Craig White introduces Chris Brown, highlighting his achievements and their shared history.

Early Challenges and Separation:

• Chris recounts the struggles he faced leading to his separation from his family.
• He reflects on his misplaced priorities, focusing too much on work and not enough on emotional presence.

Path to Transformation:

• Chris delves into his journey over the past four years, emphasising the importance of self-development.
• Key resources that helped Chris: "The Masculine in Relationship" by G.S. Youngblood, and "No More Mr. Nice Guy" by Robert Glover.

Therapeutic and Embodiment Practices:

• Chris discusses the transformative power of therapy and embodiment practices.
• He shares personal experiences from breathwork, men's retreats, and working with embodiment coaches like John Wineland.

Intimacy and Vulnerability:

• The conversation explores the concept of intimacy beyond sexuality.
• Chris emphasises the importance of presence and emotional attunement in relationships.

Lessons in Fatherhood:

• Chris talks about his journey as a father, balancing emotional openness with guiding his children's strength.
• He shares insights on nurturing emotional intelligence in his children.

Building Strong Male Relationships:

• The significance of male friendships and supportive men's groups in Chris's transformation.
• Practical advice for men seeking to create or join such groups to foster personal growth.

Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations:

• Chris reflects on his ongoing commitment to personal and relational growth.
• He shares his vision of continuing to help men through his evolving journey and experiences.

Conclusion:

• Craig and Chris wrap up the episode with reflections on the conversation and its broader implications.
• Craig thanks Chris for his honesty and courage in sharing his story, and they look forward to future discussions and continued growth.