Introducing the Hard-Time Check-In: What to do when someone you know is having a hard time
This article introduces the idea of a Hard-Time Check-In by offering tips for the everyday man who learns a friend or co-worker is in a difficult life situation. Most often men avoid and say nothing for fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. There are practical ways to help your friends know you give a sh*t.
Guardrails of Hard Conversations
Hard conversations are part of intimate and important relationships. The twin principles of honor and honesty can offer guidance in these conversations. This article gives three examples considering a hard conversation in the way we set-up and climb a ladder.
“I hate writing cause I’m bad at it”: Addressing the Barrier Men Face Writing Stories Down
This article is a step-by-step guide to help men write a personal story for the Men’s Story Group, Men’s Story Group or the Ordinary Men and the Moments That Made Them podcast. Included is the personal example and process Mike used to prepare for the upcoming Men’s Story Night!
Solutions for the Stupid Things We Say and Do in Stress: How to undo and re-train reactivity
Men struggle to change reactive and instinctive responses when facing stress in intimate relationships. Often these reactions are self-preserving, hurtful and counter-productive. Police officers have learned how to re-train reactions in high-stressed situations and their advice can help men react in more purposeful ways.
When it is Too Much to Bear: Finding Our Way Back From Overwhelming Events
One day we will find our self at a loss for words or direction due to a difficult loss or overwhelming event. This articles acknowledges this dark and heavy place offering observations around ritual, routine, rallying support, remembering and rest to help us find our way back to the light.
Things Men Ought to Grieve (And Really Don’t Know How)
Men have difficulty pinpointing and giving priority to areas where grief is present in daily life. In this article numerous areas of loss and hurt are offered to help identify painful areas that impact decision-making and relationships. Suggestions are offered to reduce the ways these grief-events hinder fullness of life and offer men a fresh way forward.
Grief for Dummies, Dense and Stoics
Grief is unpleasant. Grief is elusive. Grief is confusing. Grief is uncomfortable. It can look like tears, anger, laughter, depression, manic activity, numbness and more. I want to offer a men’s primer on the experience of grief. Much more could be said than what I will cover but I want to offer what has been helpful for me in a topic I was mostly unaware for many decades.
Truly Great Sharing: Make What We Say Worth Hearing
This article offers some guidelines and exercises to improve what we share so that when we finally speak our audience is eager to listen. Men want to feel valued and connected and these 10 suggestions can elevate the value of what is shared with our spouse, children, small group and workmates.
NES Life Lessons
A nostalgic and fun take on video game playing and eight little lessons learned from the years playing the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Mario Brothers.
Enneagram: Worth It or Lose It?
An article considering the valuable insights of the nine numbers in the popular Enneagram personality-relational profile. Two hot takes are offered and an invitation for feedback for those new, experienced and annoyed by this tool.