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Domestic violence often isn’t comitted due to a lack of connection between a man and a woman; but it is often a result of the man’s NEED for the woman to be his source of life. And if there’s a separation or a breakup, the man becomes a desperate, wounded little boy who would do anything to stay with his girlfriend or wife—in a deeper reality, his mother, the source of his life within—and this is often how violence is comitted. But things don’t have to stay the same. Our attachment can be healed; our relationship can be made whole in time. If you've been through a breakup or a divorce, are struggling with letting go and feel that you need someone to walk alongside you, book a free discovery session with me here: https://calendly.com/georgestoimenov/discovery

Welcome to another collaboration between myself and myself and my old ally 'from across the pond', John Fontaine. This conversation takes us through the world of literature—our own personal experiences with it, the books and stories that have influenced us, and the creative process we now use to produce our own literature (non-fincion for myself, fiction, poetry and biography for John). We talk about known literature works such as: Stephen King's IT, The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories, the Bible... We mention authors like J.D.Salinger, Gerald Durrell, Tolkien, Shakespeare and many more. And of course, our own works—especially John's latest spy-novel Turn the Page and my own Father-Wound and the Blueprint for Masculinity. We also reflect on the writing process, its many twists and turns, and what it takes to produce a finished book as an independent author. If you enjoy literature of any kind, this podcast episode has something to offer you! You can watch the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9fGU_JRb7M

For all our focus on what masculinity should not be, very little is known about what masculinity should be, and is. The emphasis on wounds, harm and the need for healing, may have prevented us from thinking about the ‘shadow side’ of that—namely, the possibility that the results of trauma and inner damage that are playing out in the lives of many men, may indeed be indicators of yet deeper things. Could there be a deeper nature to men? Could there be more to us, beyond mere symptoms (like anger or sexual misconduct) and the need to 'heal' from them? What if I told you that there is indeed a deeper masculine reality within you, that is worth striving for? What if I told you that a blueprint for masculinity does indeed exist within you—and can be reclaimed, no matter how old you are or how much you have suffered? It has 'broader' chapters—on society, the world, media and religion—as well as very personal ones—like the story of my experience of meeting God as a father, as well as quite a few others... In this podcast I talk about my new book 'The Father-Wound and The Blueprint for Masculinity' which deals not only with the father-wound but also with what the wound has prevented us from having, and being... Some chapters deal with the way men, masculinity and fatherhood are influencing our worldview—and of course, our politics, religion, and culture—and some focus on how it shapes us internally. There is a chapter on 'the deformity of men'; there is a chapter on the need to honour and forgive our fathers; there is a chapter on the desperate need for men to have undergone a process of masculine initiation—but at bottom, it is a book that is written from a very personal, lived experience... You can get the book here: Amazon USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FFTM2D85 Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FFTM2D85

What the world is experiencing today is an overwhelming LACK OF MASCULINITY. This episode looks at the reasons why, and offers ways out of this on an individual and collective level. If you are looking for ways to defeat emasculation, overcome your addictions and start feeling like a mature, fully integrated, powerful man—and need coaching and direction on this journey—you can book a free discovery call with me here: https://calendly.com/georgestoimenov/discovery. To learn how to kick-start your inner life and journey, see this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rise-Ashes-Recover-Purpose-Resurrect-ebook/dp/B0CLKZBZXF For all of my short books for men who are on this journey, click here: https://www.trainingformen.co.uk/books

Is there a correlation between food addiction and supressed abilities and emotions? I can personality testify that there is! Back in 2020, I discovered that dynamics in my own life. This is a story of what I found... If you are looking for ways defeat your addictions and start feeling like a mature, fulluy integrated, powerful man—and need coaching and direction on this journey—you can book a free discovery call with me here: https://calendly.com/georgestoimenov/discovery To learn how to kick-start your inner life and journey, see this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CLKZBZXF For all of my short books for men who are on this journey, click here: https://www.trainingformen.co.uk/books

Last summer, I grew restless...and found that using alcohol wasn't helping. Something had been missing in my life for a long time; and I decided to find out what it was. This is a story of what I found and how it's related to all men, to our souls and inner journeys... If you are a man who's been struggling with the lack of inner integration I’m addressing here, and feel that you need coaching and direction in this journey, you can book a free discovery call with me here: https://calendly.com/georgestoimenov/discovery. To read my short book on one of those inner 'fragments'—the inner child—and learn how to get it back, click here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B36KPH5M To learn how to kick-start your inner life and journey, see this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rise-Ashes-Recover-Purpose-Resurrect-ebook/dp/B0CLKZBZXF

Nigel Mohammed is a teacher, writer and a mentor who has worked with men, done presentations and talks, and has been running men's groups in the UK for decades. He provides mentoring and resources for local men's groups, ministries and churches. Nigel has also taught courses and provided development workshops for missionaries and leaders overseas and in the UK. He has worked with the homeless in UK and abroad, and has helped young people at risk of trafficking in Nepal.  Nigel's calling is to equip men to live in a 'story bigger than themselves' and he offers his resources both in person and online via his website LifeQuestTruth. Some of you remember Nigel from the previous episode (check out track #0012). As for me personally, Nigel has had a huge impact on my life; he was running the first men's group I was a part of, more than a decade ago, and became my mentor. It was Nigel who once told me, in an act of brutal honesty, that sooner or later I would have to stop running from my inner pain and face it... Recently, we sat down again and recorded the second chapter of the journey through Nigel's life-story. In a way that feels somewhat counter-cultural during these times of frantic shallowness, of clicks, swipes, and soundbites, we took our time and delved deep into Nigel's life, honouring the intrinsic details of the story and marking each turning point, giving it the attention it deserves. We went after depth, and we delved deep into pain... And it was good. We discussed things such as: — his struggle with 'fitting in' in the workplace — his birth-mother suddenly showing up in his life as an adult — covering the pain of the 'inner child' with drugs — the search for meaning and questions about God — feeling lost, having nothing and belonging nowhere — entering deeply into the drug culture and becoming a 'hippie' — 'bad trips' and the dark reality of drugs — looking into different religions and converting to Chrstianity — the 'Jesus question' and the baggage that Western Christianity brings — using drugs as a 'churchgoer' — not fitting into the 'subculture' of church — how unresolved past trauma of 'not belonging' sabotages the present — not being able to relate to God as father — a (re) traumatising mission trip to Asia — a suicide attempt — suffering two broken legs and entering into a lifetime of physical pain — 'opening the door to death' and what that may possibly mean — learning to walk again, learning to live again — studying deep subjects and getting two university degrees in his thirties — revisiting the land of his roots and meeting his biological father for the first time — working as a teacher and diving deeper into pain — the difference between religion and reality — the lessons that pain can teach us  ...this, and so much more!

Nigel Mohammed is a teacher, writer and mentor who has worked with men and has been running men's groups in the UK for decades. He provides mentoring and resources for local men's groups, ministries and churches. Nigel has also taught courses and provided development workshops for missionaries and leaders overseas and in the UK.  He has worked with the homeless, both in UK and abroad, and has helped people at risk of trafficking in Nepal.  Nigel's calling is to equip men to live in a 'story bigger than themselves' and he offers his resources both in person and online via his website LifeQuestTruth. Personally, Nigel has had a huge impact on my life; he was running the first men's group I was a part of, more than a decade ago, and became my mentor. It was Nigel who once told me, in an act of brutal honesty, that sooner or later I would have to stop running from my inner pain and face it... And to the best my ability, I did. And I am. And I am grateful for the role of Nigel in my life. This is my attempt to honour him in taking the time to listen, really listen, to the story that is his life, and share this experience with you. Recently, we sat down together during one of his visits to the beautiful town of Eastbourne that I am proud to call my home, and recorded the first chapter of the journey through his life-story. In a way that feels somewhat counter-cultural during these times of frantic shallowness, of clicks, swipes, and soundbites, we took our time and delved deep into Nigel's life, honouring the intrinsic details of the story and marking each turning point, giving it the attention it deserves. We went after depth... And it was good. We discussed things such as: Nigel's beginning in Trinidad and Tobago, his move to London, and the trauma of being abandoned and sent into a foster home, The severe childhood trauma of being sent away from his mother as a little boy and then being re-traumatised by the abduction-like act of being 'taken back' to his family in Trinidad — only to be sent back to London in a few weeks time, The severe trauma of not belonging to a family and not fitting into a category — including racially,  Never knowing what words like 'home' and 'family' truly mean, How this childhood rootlessness has been manifesting in his life ever since, Becoming a 'street boy' and the need for a 'surrogate father', Breaking the law at a young age, becoming a football hooligan and looking for belonging in being a part of a 'subculture', Tribalism and the need for a boy to bond, and belong to, something bigger than himself, Hiding behind a false version of masculinity, The possible subconscious repeating of patterns and re-enacting childhood realities in later life, The importance of recognising the 'turning points' in life and their impact, The search for adventure in young men and the curse of living in a society that has no male role-models but offer only destruction as a means of filling that 'vacuum' in a young man's soul, Nigel's hitchhiking adventure in Europe: the hard work, the hunger, the resulting crime, and the subsequent brutal time behind the bars of a Communist prison in the former Yugoslavia,  His experience of humanity in prison and the struggle to adapt, The way prison sentence can mean more than one thing in life, The feeling of having one's 'wings broken' and being 'locked up in a cage', The desire for freedom and the search for salvation through faith, ...this, and so much more!

Me and my friend John Richards recently decided to record one of our conversations. As it is my custom, I did not prepare in any way — when it comes to heart-inspired conversations, I have learned to simply 'tune in' to the reality within, lay down any agendas I might have, and stay open and curious. But even I didn't expect this conversation to happen in the way it did... Our time together turned from conversation to interview, but it wasn't John who was being interviewed — it was me! We delved into things such as: — how we first met, and what John's first impression of me was — the impact of a group of friends who are 'real' and committed to truth — how men tend to overcompensate for inner 'weaknesses' and how to move on from those cycles — sex, porn and masturbation — what happens when men are not taught and trained to handle power as boys — the price of 'killing the boy' inside yourself and building up external life without him — the origins of the desire to control our environment and the fear that hides behind the facade of the muscle-building addiction — the way unresolved childhood issues are taken into a marriage — the way shame and the fear of 'being seen' play out in a man's life and relationships — the effectiveness of forgiveness which does not take away a person's power — the importance of honouring all emotions and releasing them from repression ...and more! _______________________________________ John's website: www.awarenesschange.com

In this episode, I am finally reunited with my friend John Fontaine, to talk about something we both love wholeheartedly — movies! Join us as we sit down to discuss topics such as: — why films are important to most people — what are our favourite films and why — how have we searched in film, for something missing in our reality — how movies represent and mirror the spiritual and masculine journey — what our favourite films and characters tell us about ourselves — how movies represent and mirror the spiritual and masculine journey — what our favourite films and characters tell us about ourselves ...and a lot more besides! John Fontaine's website: www.maximusheart.com ____________________________________________________________________ To revisit my first 'sit-down' with John, click on the links below: (video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEN4UbgJrJo (audio) https://www.menscorner.co.uk/podcast-1/episode/c385e540/007-roots-and-story-a-conversation-with-john-fontaine)

In this conversation, I sit down with a remarkable young man, Alexander Dziri, whom I have had the honour to meet earlier this year. A bit about him: A professional breakdancer in his younger years, Alex was part of 'Team Shmetta' — one of the top crews in the world between 2009 and 2013. With them, he has travelled the world and 'battled' on stages of more than 10.000 people. Alex has organised a world breakdance championship called 'Raw Circles' in his home city of Antwerp, in Belgium. At its peak, 'Raw Circles' has had one million yearly YouTube views, 2000 people present and 50 countries participating... After the peak of his career as a breakdancer, Alex moved to London and started working for the highly popular show 'London Real' as their head of product. During his three years with them, Alex has created four major online courses and has led most of the marketing efforts around them in terms of launch strategy, copywriting, sales-pages, and social media strategy — all of which had made millions of pounds in revenue. Today, Alex has a successful career as a business-and-awareness coach. He coaches entrepreneurs in helping them with their marketing strategy, content creation, product creation and launch strategy. He combines all this with awareness, helping the entrepreneur understand what they really want, and prevent them from getting 'burned-out', feeling lost or overwhelmed. In this conversation me and Alex delve into topics such as: — growing up with an uninvolved father and the endless drive to prove yourself — inheriting your father's burdens — the inability to feel and pass on the love that you've never received as a child — suicide and the dark side of (external) success — the serious consequences of not expressing yourself — being 'driven by fear' versus being 'drawn by love' — the difference between what most people think they want and what they need — meeting 'the lion' inside yourself — letting go of old, pent-up emotions — learning to love ...and a lot more besides! ________________________________________________________________ Relevant links/resources: Alex's speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnUylN8ybSg&t=1s Alex's website: www.alexanderdziri.com John Richards: www.awarenesschange.com ________________________________________________________________ More: On suppression and integration: https://soundcloud.com/mrjukes/integration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c5IRXoH18g

Some of you would remember that I recently shared a talk given by my good friend John Richards... (you can listen to it here: https://soundcloud.com/mrjukes/integration) This podcast is my 'answer'. Here, I delve deeper into most of the topics that he talked about, and offer some useful examples from my own life and work... (you can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c5IRXoH18g) Additional resources: On inner-child work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAjK_geKIx8&list=PLBmVa2i4gc-8Tv16jE77VESB1QD0-KpzJ&index=8 On masculine initiation in adulthood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl10UZJ4Ad0&list=PLBmVa2i4gc-8Tv16jE77VESB1QD0-KpzJ&index=10 On the father-wound: https://www.menscorner.co.uk/post/the-wound-that-all-men-carry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2gPkxrk1TE&list=PLBmVa2i4gc-8Tv16jE77VESB1QD0-KpzJ&index=3 On forgiveness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbqMQRBrL54&list=PLBmVa2i4gc-8Tv16jE77VESB1QD0-KpzJ&index=7 On reclaiming your anger and embracing your dangerous side: https://www.menscorner.co.uk/post/man-s-deeper-nature-anger https://www.menscorner.co.uk/post/why-only-the-strong-can-be-good https://www.menscorner.co.uk/post/why-i-don-t-want-to-be-nice-anymore On integrating your past and your future: https://storytellingandmore.wordpress.com/2020/09/24/a-boy-walks-into-a-bar/ On the muscle-building addiction: https://www.menscorner.co.uk/post/my-fitness-journey-part-4-building-the-wall

'What is your story?' Attempting to answer this question would be, for every one of us, a process. Not many of us have clarity about the rich, confusing complexity of concepts like 'story' and 'roots'...not to mention the idea of a real, substantial, practical spirituality. Needless to say, true masculinity cannot exist, unless it is based on these things. To start 'digging deeper' into them, I sat down with John Fontaine — somebody I have known for a while now and have become friends with — who is a men's group facilitator, writer, blogger, storyteller and an adventurer who has been venturing into the frontiers of the masculine journey for decades. Born in The Bronx, NY, currently living in Louisville, Kentucky, John runs a website called 'Maximus Heart' where he writes about the deeper stories of the masculine and spiritual journey. Together, we delve into topic such as: growing up in a 'danger mode'; fathering and his 'father-wound'; crack addiction; loneliness and pornography; what every little boy needs to know; loving a woman and getting in touch with your 'lover archetype'; writing a letter to your 'inner child'; the connection between masculinity and music, beauty and spirituality... ...these and so much more! John Fontaine's website: www.maximusheart.com Other resources and websites mentioned: The ManKind Project: www.mankindproject.org Wild at Heart: www.wildatheart.org

Depression comes to us in many different forms; but today we will look at the kind that I have dealt with in my life, and after a decade-long battle, have successfully defeated. For a while now, I have been helping men face, engage, and overcome that very same kind of depression; and this podcast offers insight into what I have come to call 'the missing link' in the battle with depression -- empowering men to step out of its suffocating embrace and get their manhood back... The lion must roar...there is no other way; this is what he had been made for. If we deny his nature, we will deprive him of his strength; and when the good are no longer strong, the evil will take their place -- to the ruin of us all. Relevant video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLBmvgrktus&t=14s 'Life Training for Men': www.trainingformen.co.uk 'Men's Corner': www.menscorner.co.uk _____________________________________________________________________ More relevant material: On the dark side of being nice: https://www.menscorner.co.uk/post/why-i-don-t-want-to-be-nice-anymore On 'good' anger: https://www.menscorner.co.uk/post/man-s-deeper-nature-anger On good men's strength: https://www.menscorner.co.uk/post/why-only-the-strong-can-be-good

In this episode, George Stoimenov and Keith Robertson sit down to discuss 'Man and Boy' — a novel by Tony Parsons. Reading and reflecting on different parts of the book, they delve deeper into topics such as: old-school masculinity versus modern one; boyhood and father-son relationship; marriage and maturity; addiction and infidelity — and a lot more... www.menscorner.co.uk