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Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). Most men spend years gathering the right information, waiting for the perfect moment, and convincing themselves the stakes are too high to act. Gregory Russell Benedikt ran a different experiment — 100 consecutive days of deliberately seeking rejection from strangers. What the data showed is almost impossible to believe: out of 100 attempts, only one interaction went genuinely negative. The rest? Laughter, connection, viral moments, and a relationship with the woman he'd spend the next three years with. This episode is a direct challenge to the logic-first framework most high-achieving men have been operating from their entire adult lives. Gregory and Brandon break down why the no you're afraid of is almost never about you, why the real cost of inaction is staying exactly where you are, and how 'courageous connection' is the actual mechanism behind every bold outcome Gregory has experienced — from co-founding a nonprofit with a stranger he met online to walking across a crowded restaurant to introduce himself to a woman sitting with another man. They also dig into Ikigai, the Japanese framework for life purpose built on four intersections — what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for — and why community, not coaching or therapy alone, may be the most underrated accelerant available to men right now. If you've been sitting on a gift, a business idea, a conversation you haven't started, or a life that doesn't quite fit — this episode is your signal to stop collecting information and start implementing your flawed plan. Subscribe to the ManKind Podcast so you never miss a conversation built for men ready to lead with something real. --- ABOUT GREGORY RUSSELL BENEDIKT Gregory Russell Benedikt is a life and executive coach, TEDx speaker, and retreat facilitator whose talk on bold action has surpassed 600,000 views. He left a career in private equity to co-found a nonprofit and eventually build a coaching practice centered on helping high-achievers break out of logic-driven lives and into purpose-driven ones. He recently led his first retreat in Sedona, a vision he'd held for over six years. CONNECT WITH GREGORY RUSSELL BENEDIKT • Website • TEDx Talk • Gregory's Newsletter BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). In this episode, Boysen sits down with Geoff Laughton and Mark Johnson of The Undaunted Man to explore a radically different approach to men’s work—one that rejects external definitions of masculinity and instead helps men develop a deep connection to their own inner guidance. Drawing from decades of experience, Geoff and Mark share how their work supports men in becoming internally governed—grounded, self-aware, and capable of making aligned decisions without relying on societal scripts. They discuss:  Why most definitions of masculinity fall short  The danger of outsourcing your identity  What “pro-human, pro-social masculinity” really means  How men rediscover purpose, voice, and direction  The role of discomfort and stillness in personal transformation The conversation also dives into their powerful Silent Summit experience—a multi-day wilderness immersion where men unplug from all distractions and learn to truly listen to themselves. Whether you’re navigating relationships, questioning your path, or simply feeling like something’s missing, this episode offers a grounded and deeply human invitation back to yourself. Find the Undaunted Man - https://theundauntedman.com/ BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). What if thinking isn’t always your greatest asset? In this episode, Boysen sits down with psychotherapist, meditation teacher, and author Charles Eigen to explore the surprising ways our thinking can become a barrier to clarity, connection, and peace. Drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Zen practice, and decades of therapeutic work, Chuck shares how most of us are conditioned to live in our heads—often at the cost of our emotional awareness and embodied experience. Together, they unpack:  The difference between thinking and thoughts Why anxiety lives in the future—and how to come back to the present  How “parts” of ourselves can hijack our reactions  The role of awareness as the deeper ground of who we are  Practical tools to shift from reactivity to presence  How to bring mindfulness into conflict and communication This conversation offers a grounded, compassionate approach to personal growth—one that doesn’t try to eliminate thoughts, but instead helps us relate to them differently. Whether you’re new to this work or deep on the path, this episode invites you to step out of your head… and into a fuller experience of being alive. 📘 Chuck’s book: When Thinking Is a Problem Find Charles on LinkedIn BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). This episode brings together Chris Kyle, George Kansas, and Tim Wade—co-founders of the Big Tent Summit—for a grounded and expansive conversation about the evolving landscape of men’s work. Drawing on over a century of combined experience, they explore the shift from early mythopoetic men’s work to today’s diverse and rapidly expanding ecosystem of support for men. The conversation highlights a growing cultural openness: more men investing in personal development, therapy, and emotional growth—and more pathways than ever to do that work. At the heart of the episode is the Big Tent Summit itself—a gathering designed not to resolve differences, but to hold them. The group discusses the intentional inclusion of diverse voices, the friction that naturally arises when perspectives collide, and why that tension is actually a sign of progress. They also introduce the Big Tent Collective, an ongoing community fostering collaboration, resource sharing, and real-world impact between summits. This episode is an invitation into a larger conversation—one that challenges rigid definitions of masculinity and opens the door to something more inclusive, more integrated, and more human. Check it out! https://www.bigtentsummit.com/ BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). Clear minds lead purposeful lives. In this episode, Brandon Clift sits down with Juan Carlos, a storyteller, product builder, and creator of the Re:Mind mental models system, a framework designed to help people think more clearly and navigate complex decisions. Juan’s career spans filmmaking, technology, and product innovation. Through those experiences he discovered something powerful. Most people struggle not because they lack intelligence.  They struggle because they lack frameworks for thinking. This conversation explores how mental models can transform the way we see the world. Together Brandon and Juan explore: • Why mental models are essential tools for decision making  • How stories shape perception and belief  • The danger of operating without clear frameworks  • How leaders can simplify complex challenges  • Why clarity often leads directly to purpose  • How better thinking leads to better living Juan shares the inspiration behind the Re:Mind system, which combines physical tools and digital frameworks designed to help individuals and teams develop clearer thinking habits. If you have ever felt overwhelmed by complexity or stuck in decision loops, this episode will give you practical tools to see the world differently. Better thinking creates better choices.  Better choices create better lives. Juan Carlos Website https://www.remind.coach Brandon Clift https://brandonclift.com BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). What if the version of strength most men were handed is quietly breaking them? In this deep and honest conversation, Brandon Clift interviews Trey Tucker, founder of Rugged Counseling and author of Tough Enough, a book written specifically for men in their twenties who feel stuck, drifting, or disconnected. Trey opens up about the sudden death of his father and how he navigated grief without shutting down emotionally. He shares the unconventional approach he used to process loss and how it shaped his model of therapy today. Together, they explore: • Why many men struggle with grief  • The biological differences in how men and women process stress  • Why traditional therapy can leave men stuck in awareness without action  • The rise of red pill culture and why it initially feels empowering  • Why Gen Z men are increasingly unmotivated at work  • The dangerous trend of “playing it safe”  • The need for mentorship and modern rites of passage  • Why men need vision, accountability, and action  • The difference between repression and strength Trey argues that masculinity itself is not the problem. Misguided expression is. Instead of eliminating grit, dominance, or ambition, he calls men to integrate emotional awareness with decisive action. This episode is for: Men in their twenties who feel directionlessFathers raising sons in a confusing cultural momentLeaders managing disengaged young menAnyone wondering if therapy could be more effective for menStrength is not the absence of emotion.  It’s the ability to face it without flinching. Rugged Counseling (Trey Tucker’s practice) https://www.ruggedcounseling.com/ Instagram The main Instagram account associated with him and his work is:  https://www.instagram.com/ruggedcounseling/ Tough Enough Book: https://a.co/d/0erVME7U BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). Five years. 250 episodes. Nearly 250,000 downloads. In this milestone episode, Brandon and Boysen reflect on what they’ve learned about masculinity, fatherhood, therapy, connection, and the evolving conversation around modern manhood. They talk about: Why connection is still the antidoteWhether therapy is serving men effectivelyWhat changed in their own livesWhere the podcast is headed nextAnd they invite you into the next chapter. Contact Brandon: https://brandonclift.com MKP Communications: [email protected] BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). Can changing how men relate to one another reduce gender-based violence? In this powerful international conversation, Boysen sits down with South African researchers Nicola Lazenby and Thaakirah Dollie, who conducted an in-depth qualitative study exploring how men’s relationships with other men influence their understanding of masculinity and mental health. Set against the backdrop of South Africa’s gender-based violence crisis—where femicide rates are among the highest in the world—their research examines two distinct patterns of male bonding: 🔹 Hierarchical Homosociality Competition and dominanceEmotional suppressionAvoidance of vulnerabilityAggression and status-seekingThis pattern reinforces rigid masculinity and is linked to diminished mental health and relational harm. 🔹 Horizontal Homosociality Collaboration and mutual accountabilityEmotional intimacy and safetyShared agreements and trustAuthentic vulnerabilityThis model—found in structured men’s groups like those in the ManKind Project—was associated with increased well-being, deeper connection, and healthier expressions of masculinity. The conversation also explores: Early socialization of boys through fathers and peer groupsThe systemic legacy of violence in South AfricaWhy compassion and accountability must coexistFatherhood as a turning point for many menWhat it means to create healing cultural changeThis episode is both sobering and hopeful. It reminds us that while masculinity is socially constructed, it is not fixed. And that how men gather matters. BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). In this powerful return to The ManKind Podcast, John Henry Parker joins Brandon to unpack his latest book, Men Harvesting Wisdom: The 10 Heroic Dimensions of Transformational Self Leadership. Two years after discussing Be the Dawn in the Darkness, John returns not with memoir, but with architecture. A field guide built from 35 years of sitting with men in crisis, veterans in transition, fathers on the brink, and leaders navigating identity collapse. This episode explores: • The identity crisis men face after military service, retirement, divorce, or career transition  • Why identity, mission, meaning, and purpose are stripped away during major life changes  • The 10 Heroic Dimensions that form a practical map and compass for self leadership  • How values clarify difficult decisions  • Why willingness matters most when you do not feel like showing up  • The role of brotherhood and why “Who are my men?” is a critical question  • The power of legacy as a stabilizing force in dark seasons  • How proximity to death or loss can strip away false stories  • Why passionate sustainable clarity is the real goal John shares openly about bypass surgery, chronic stress, trauma, grief after losing his son, and the humility required to write about transformation while still living it. This conversation is a reminder that men are not broken. They are often simply unstructured during transition. If you are asking: Who am I now?  What do I do with my life?  Who do I become next? This episode is your call to adventure. THE 10 HEROIC DIMENSIONS DISCUSSED Identity – Know yourselfValues – Clarify what governs your decisionsMeaning – Your existential whyPurpose – Your existential howSelf Care – Physical, emotional, spiritual, financialRoles and Intentions – Father, partner, leaderVision – Where you are headedExecution – How you will actWillingness – Showing up when you do not want toLegacy – How anyone will know you existedLINKS MENTIONED Men Harvesting Wisdom  https://menharvestingwisdom.com Be the Dawn in the Darkness  https://johnhenryparker.com BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). In this deeply grounded conversation, Boysen sits down with longtime friend and transformational teacher Michael Taylor to explore optimism, masculinity, race, and inner freedom. Michael shares his journey from growing up in poverty to losing everything—marriage, finances, home—and how those experiences became the foundation for a life rooted in purpose and peace. Together, they examine outdated models of masculinity, the emotional health crisis facing men, and why inner work is essential for both personal and cultural transformation. A central focus of the episode is Michael’s documentary Shattering Black Male Stereotypes, which challenges limiting narratives around Black men by highlighting responsibility, possibility, and lived success—without denying the reality of systemic oppression. This episode is a thoughtful invitation to question inherited beliefs, redefine strength, and remember that peace, purpose, and power are cultivated from within. https://coachmichaeltaylor.com/  Check out the "Shatter  https://shatterthestereotypes.com/movie [email protected] or 713-303-2067 BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). What happens when the man you love breaks your trust—and then chooses to fight for his integrity? In this deeply honest episode of the ManKind Podcast, Boysen sits down with Craig and Michelle Perra, co-founders of the Mindful Habit System—a revolutionary behavior change model that’s helped thousands of men break free from sex and porn addiction, not through shame, but by building habits of integrity, accountability, and self-leadership. Craig shares his descent into secrecy, addiction, and rock bottom—and how Michelle stood in her power, not to save him, but to save herself. Together, they share the hard-earned wisdom of doing the deep work: navigating betrayal, reclaiming trust, and showing up in partnership with radical honesty. The Mindful Habit System isn’t 12-step. It’s not religion-based. It’s a structured, practical approach to long-term change—one that addresses not just compulsive behaviors, but the root causes: shame, trauma, emotional repression, and disconnection. For partners, it offers a parallel path to healing and empowerment, independent of their loved one’s success or failure. This episode explores what it means to live sexually in integrity, why communication without defensiveness is so attractive, and how men and couples can rebuild stronger than ever—one choice at a time. 🎧 Whether you’re struggling, supporting a partner, or simply want to deepen your capacity for connection—this conversation will move you. 🔗 Learn more at mindfulhabithelp.com BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). When co‑host Brandon Clift and his pregnant wife climbed aboard a neighbour’s Piper Apache, they expected a relaxing ski trip in West Virginia. Instead, one engine failed on take‑off, forcing their small plane to circle back as gusting winds pushed them toward the trees. With another pilot trailing the plane calmly advising “hold your blue line” over the radio, their pilots managed a safe landing. In this episode, Brandon recalls looking at his wife and wondering whether they were about to orphan their three‑year‑old daughter while denying their unborn baby a chance to live. He explains how that question cracked open his own perfectionism and catalysed a new commitment to “sovereignty” and action. "Is this it?" Brandon shares the full story of the incident and, more importantly, what shifted in the weeks that followed. This conversation explores how proximity to death can strip away old narratives and expose what actually matters. Takeaways – Near‑death experiences can act as catalysts for growth, but listeners don’t need to flirt with danger to integrate the lessons. The hosts encourage men to: Recognise the opportunities and support networks already in place.Choose empowering meanings for challenging events, leveraging the brain’s RAS to find evidence that supports growth.Adopt identity‑based habits by deciding who you want to become and taking consistent action.Prioritise purpose and sovereignty over perfectionism.This episode is not about chasing danger or manufacturing trauma. It is an invitation to look honestly at the places where fear, old stories, and self protection are quietly delaying the life you already know you are meant to live. If you have been waiting for certainty, permission, or the perfect plan, this conversation may be the nudge you did not know you needed. - Atomic Habits by James Clear  https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits - Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl  https://www.viktorfrankl.org - The ManKind Project https://mankindproject.org BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). What if the violence we fear most isn’t just about ideology or mental health—but about how we teach boys to be men? In this powerful conversation, Boysen sits down with Dr. Cynthia Miller-Idriss—renowned extremism researcher, advisor to Congress and the UN, and author of Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism. Together, they explore the often-overlooked role of misogyny as a root cause of radicalization, mass shootings, and political violence. But this episode isn’t just about warning signs—it’s about reckoning, responsibility, and reclaiming connection. Dr. Miller-Idriss brings research, clarity, and compassion to one of the most urgent conversations of our time. 🔍 In This Episode: Why misogyny is more than hatred—it’s gender policingHow gender norms impact boys and men, not just womenThe link between domestic violence and mass shootingsHow extremist movements use gender to recruit and radicalizeWhat older men need to understand about boys todayWhy "calling men in" is more effective than calling them outPractical steps for parents, educators, and men's groupsThis is a must-listen for anyone committed to raising emotionally healthy men—and dismantling the systems that harm us all. Learn more: "Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism" Cynthia Miller-Idriss: PERIL: Polarization & Extremism, Research and Innovation Lab Mark Green: https://remakingmanhood.com/ Jackson Katz: https://www.jacksonkatz.com/  BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). What happens when the armor of masculinity meets the depth of feminine wisdom? In this heartfelt and provocative episode, Boysen sits down with Joanna Shakti, founder of Ecstatic Intimacy, to unpack the sacred dance of masculine and feminine energies in modern relationships. With vulnerability and clarity, Joanna shares how her own breakdown led to breakthroughs in love, intimacy, and self-awareness—and how these lessons can heal the divide in our own partnerships. From attachment styles and polarity to emotional expression and self-abandonment, this conversation goes beyond gender stereotypes to explore what it truly means to be whole—and to love from that wholeness. Whether you’re single, partnered, or somewhere in between, you’ll find powerful insights into the work of becoming radically authentic and deeply connected. Topics include: Masculine and feminine over/under-expressionHow attachment styles shape intimacyEcstatic authenticity vs. facadeRelationship polarity and emotional safetyThe true meaning of sovereignty in lovehttps://ecstaticintimacy.com/ BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). Prepare to navigate the holiday season with peace and ease as we unpack strategies for conflict-free gatherings.  In this episode, Brandon Clift shares Emotional Intelligence strategies to help you navigate this holiday season with ease.  We'll help you identify emotional triggers, manage your reactions, and foster meaningful connections even in challenging family situations. Plus, we discuss the importance of setting boundaries and engaging in courageous conversations with your loved ones. In the second part of the episode, we take a closer look at maintaining emotional intelligence during the busy and often stressful holiday season. We underscore the significance of setting boundaries, managing expectations, and exercising empathy in interactions with family and friends. Learn the power of the simple question, "Hey, are you okay?" to show care and support for your loved ones. We'll share personal experiences and offer practical tips to maintain healthy relationships during the holidays. BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show