Talking points: masculinity, culture, mythopoetics, Robert Bly, Iron John

Maybe you've heard it said that there are lots of "olders", but barely any elders. John Lee is one of the latter, in my opinion. A critical player in men's movements of the 90s and close friends with Robert Bly, John is a wealth of knowledge, insight, and honest talk—and no stranger to deep work. Listen in, team.

(00:00:00) - Intro, and what brought John to where he is today

(00:06:23) - The impact Robert Bly had on the mythopoetic men’s movement, and what that was

(00:20:36) - Why Iron John is still relevant

(00:31:41) - Are men struggling with different things now compared to the start of the mythopoetic men’s movement?

(00:38:58) - The dark father archetype, and the difference between Robert Bly and Jordan Peterson

(00:43:20) - What can the study of myth do for the average man, and how the manosphere falls short

John Lee is a pioneer in the fields of self-help, anger, codependency, creativity, recovery, relationships, and men’s issues. In the mental health field, he is considered the therapist’s therapist and regularly trains and mentors therapists on how to work with clients and how to work on themselves. He has taught his techniques and theories to thousands of individuals, couples, families, groups, corporations, and therapists all over the world. After 35 years of touring nationally and internationally, John Lee calls Austin, Texas his home.

Connect with John

-Website: https://johnleebooks.com/

-Seminar; From Hero To Elder: https://wakingheartschoolofwisdom.com/events/from_hero_to_elder/

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Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Heard about attachment but don’t know where to start? Try the FREE Ultimate Guide To Attachment

Check out some other free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your Relationship

Build brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from around the world. Check out The Alliance.

Enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the tools and training they’re looking for. And don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts |

Talking points: relationships

We all know how a couple handles conflict can be the difference between love that’s thriving and resilient and something that is…well, the exact opposite: leading through conflict. Listen in for five aspects of the that don’t get talked about often enough, in my opinion.

(00:00:00) - Intro, and a practical definition of conflict

(00:03:14) - Address your conflict kryptonite

(00:05:59) - Ownership over blame

(00:07:57) - Stop seeing conflict as a path to disconnection, and have conflict “agreements”

(00:10:44) - Breathe, ground, assess

(00:13:30) - The best question to ask

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Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Heard about attachment but don’t know where to start? Try the FREE Ultimate Guide To Attachment

Check out some other free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your Relationship

Build brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from around the world. Check out The Alliance.

Enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the tools and training they’re looking for. And don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

For more episodes, visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Talking points: mindset, purpose, military, masculinity

A sincere honor to chat with J.R., and I’m blown away by his perspective and honesty on the hardship he’s faced—and overcome. We cover a lot of ground: the importance of male friendship, the struggles veterans can go through, the importance of vulnerability AND accountability. Throughout it all, J.R.’s outlook shines through. Listen in, team.

(00:00:00) - JR’s defining moment

(00:11:45) - What happened to JR during his deployment

(00:23:58) - How men and veterans get stripped of purpose and identity, what contributes to that, and how we can do better

(00:38:04) - What JR would say to men who see the state of things and retreat into isolation, and the importance of building emotional for yourself

(00:55:50) - What JR would teach the next generation of men

J.R. Martinez’s life story is one of resilience and transformation. A Louisiana-born Army veteran and Iraq War survivor, Martinez faced tragedy early in his military service when a roadside bomb explosion left him with severe burns covering over a third of his body. His recovery included 34 months of treatment and 33 surgeries, a challenging journey that revealed his strength and inspired a new purpose.

Martinez began sharing his story, quickly becoming a sought-after speaker, captivating audiences at military bases and for major organizations like Delta and Wells Fargo. His personal mantra, “Adapt & Overcome,” resonated deeply, embodying his commitment to resilience and gratitude. He’s also become an advocate for organizations like the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors and Glasswing International, earning awards like the Ivy Award and the National Red Cross Spirit Award.

In 2008, Martinez ventured into acting with a role on All My Children, which opened doors in entertainment. He won the 2011 season of Dancing with the Stars, capturing audiences nationwide. His memoir, Full of Heart, became a New York Times bestseller, and he later pursued higher education, a milestone for his family. Today, Martinez continues to inspire through speaking engagements, acting, and advocacy, sharing his journey of strength and hope with audiences worldwide while balancing family life with his wife, Diana, and their children.

Connect with JR

-Website: https://jrmartinez.com/

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjrmartinez

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamjrmartinez

-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jradapt/

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Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Check out some free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your Relationship

Build brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from around the world. Check out The Alliance.

Enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the tools and training they’re looking for. And don't forget to subscribe on

Talking points: attachment, psychology, relationships

Men tend to underestimate how important the feeling of safety is for their partners. Not a dig, just something I’ve seen time and time again. And if you’re partner has an avoidant or anxious attachment style, your part in creating a sense of safety in the relationship can be complicated. Listen in for some straightforward tips.

(00:00:00) - Intro, and why women sometimes “test” you

(00:03:45) - Here’s what changes when she has an avoidant or anxious attachment style

(00:06:39) - And here’s what to do if she’s anxious

(00:10:14) - Tactics if she’s avoidant

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Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Check out some free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your Relationship

Build brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from around the world. Check out The Alliance.

Enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the tools and training they’re looking for. And don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

For more episodes, visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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Talking points: mindset, psychology, meditation, spirituality

Meditation and mindfulness get a lot of air time these days, especially on the more “crunchy” side of wellness spectrum. But is it all it’s cracked up to be? I sat down with Shai to really dig into this, from the wildly esoteric and spiritual side of the question to the more practical, tactical side. Because what’s the point of enlightenment if it doesn’t make things, well, a little lighter?

(00:00:00) - Shai’s feeling of being “outside” the usual human experience, the difference between detachment and dissociation, and using things like meditation to avoid life

(00:09:52) - What IS consciousness, and the West’s obsession with enlightenment

(00:25:45) - Why are humans even capable of self-reference? What’s the point?

(00:34:16) - Do these complex, philosophical ideas help with our day-to-day lives?

(00:43:20) - How can men develop greater mental flexibility and combat closed-mindedness?

(00:56:55) - What to do to get your calm back in a conflict

(01:02:07) - The ultimate test of mental flexibility: putting yourself in a loved one’s shoes

(01:09:41) - On reigniting imagination and using it for good

Shai Tubali is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Leeds, UK. He has a doctorate in philosophy of religion from the School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science at the University of Leeds. He’s the author of the monograph Cosmos and Camus: Science Fiction Film and the Absurd (Peter Lang) and a contributor to the Routledge Companion to Absurdist Literature, as well as a prolific published author, having written over twenty books, including award-winning and bestselling titles. Among his diverse publications, one can find prose, poetry, practical books on meditation and self-development, and philosophical treatises on South-Asian philosophy and classical Greek philosophy.

Connect with Shai

-Website: https://shaitubali.com/

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaitubali/

-Flexible Mind: https://yourflexiblemind.com/

-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQwf6sSC-F2sH4uDOmJkKsw

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Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Check out some free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your Relationship

Build brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from around the world. Check out The Alliance.

Enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the tools and training they’re looking for. And don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

For more episodes, visit us at

Talking points: mindset, psychology

Aristotle said, “I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self.” Speaking from my own experience, he’s definitely wasn’t wrong. Here’s what nearly every man on the planet has to battle—and how to reclaim your power.

(00:00:00) - Intro and why this is an important topic

(00:03:37) - What causes a lack of impulse control? Two massive reasons

(00:10:40) - How to actually develop a deep, quality capacity for impulse control

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Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Check out some free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your Relationship

Build brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from around the world. Check out The Alliance.

Enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the tools and training they’re looking for. And don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

For more episodes, visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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Talking points: culture, geopolitics

This interview is probably among the most unique I’ve had on the show. I don’t usually cover straight-up politics, but Andrew’s work has fascinated me for a while. And as the world seems to getting more up in arms (literally and figuratively), I find myself wanting to learn more about where all of this started and how we as men can respond.

(00:00:00) - Common misconceptions about the CIA

(00:11:47) - Why foreign secrets are such a big deal

(00:24:51) - Andrew’s perspective on current global unrest, Iran, and just how complex it is

(00:38:31) - What’s difficult to understand about geopolitics, and why there seems to be so much conflict

(00:48:19) - Is there any form of governance that truly permits any freedom, and where the balance could lie

(00:57:47) - The perspective shift that changed Andrew’s life

(01:08:51) - Andrew’s take on what’s going to happen next with Ukraine, Russian, and Iran

(01:16:33) - Is US global supremacy in jeopardy? If it is, what does that mean for the average citizen?

Andrew Bustamante is a former covert CIA intelligence officer, decorated military combat veteran, successful Fortune 10 corporate advisor, proud husband and father.

After 20 years running human and technical intelligence operations for private and government clients worldwide, Andrew founded EverydaySpy.com -- the first-ever digital spy training platform. Headlining both US and International media, Andrew’s training events have been praised for their innovative, authentic, and life-changing impact.

When he isn’t giving interviews, running spy exercises, or supporting private intelligence contracts, Andrew lives with his wife (also an ex-CIA Officer) and two children in Colorado.

Connect with Andrew

-Website: https://everydayspy.com/

-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/everydayspy

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayspy/

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Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Check out some free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your Relationship

Build brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from around the world. Check out The Alliance.

Enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the tools and training they’re looking for. And don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

For more episodes, visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram |

Talking points: intimacy, relationships

Game changers aren’t usually simple, especially when it comes to intimate relationships. But this is a surprisingly easy, straightforward step that I’ve seen work time and time again. So listen in and let some wonderful things happen.

(00:00:00) - Expectationless desire and why it’s important

(00:05:37) - What to do, and what it looks like

(00:08:36) - Final thoughts

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Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Check out some free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your Relationship

Build brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from around the world. Check out The Alliance.

Enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the tools and training they’re looking for. And don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

For more episodes, visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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