(im)perfect

Thank you everyone so much for supporting me on this journey. This is the last episode of The Imperfect Pod. On it, I share some of my favourite memories, what is coming next, how I'm feeling, what I've learned and why I'm at peace with my decision. I will be back. To find out when I will be back, make sure to follow me on Instagram @lukeblessed (my personal) or on my podcast page @theimperfectpod as I will probably be rebranding that when I start my next thing. This show has changed my life and for that I am forever grateful. And I'm ready for what's next.

What do you do when you come from a family of dysfunction? How do you learn to be a man when your father is a serial cheater, drug dealer, gambler and prisoner? How do you navigate that life? How do break that cycle of poverty to create a life of wealth? These are some of the topics and themes that we discuss on this week's episode. Other key themes of the episode include: His family history and the trauma surrounding it What is was like navigating the impact of his father's life Being a logical person rather than emotional How he responded to being called like his dad Ensuring the choices he made were different than his father's Creating a life of wealth so that his children can have a different life Why judgement of people in pain his wrong His close encounter with divorce Why counselling has been his saving grace What he's done to learn more about emotional wellbeing And much more About Anthony: Anthony Kenneth Spark is a successful Serial Entrepreneur, Money Coach, Philanthropist, Author, and Personal Development Specialist. At 18 years old, with a vision to change his family legacy and positively impact people in need, he was searching for a career . With a clear picture of the life he truly wanted, he began building a company of his own. That company has evolved into several industries and now does 7 figures of revenue involving an organization of over 250 people. We have as of November 2020 helped people pay off $3 million in Debt, earn over $3 million more per year in annual salary and save/invest 1.6 million. He had his first book, Phoenix Manifesto, published in 2018. Updated Audiobook to be released December 2020! Anthony is the cohost of ExtraOrdinary Excellence Podcast with over 21,000 downloads in its first year. He is the visionary and founder of Kickstrings - a social entrepreneurship project which raises funds and awareness for charities. You can connect with Anthony at his number 1-631-327-2241 (It's an iPhone too) or at his email Anthony@phoenixevolution.co. You can read more about his company https://phoenixevolution.co/ (Phoenix Evolution). As always, feel free to follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod) or shoot me an email at luke@theimperfectpod.com

How can men heal from their alcoholism? What can they do to get out of their shame and guilt? Why are men more at risk of not getting help for this problem? These are questions that we discuss at length in this episode. Other key themes of the episode include: Where his own alcohol dependency started How DNA and genetics play into the issue of alcoholism Self-sabotage in the recover cycle Why anger and shame are two emotions that are harmful in healing Changing your neural pathways Why Macho culture is hurting men in the long run The difference between a Friday night drunk and a Friday night alcoholic Distinguishing the drinker from the alcoholic Why visualization is a powerful tool in recovery Alcoholism as a disease The power of routine in recovery His own story with family, drugs and alcohol University life and drinking and why it's unhealthy and much much more About Dr. Robb: Robb has overcome homelessness, alcohol dependency, trauma, and a whirlwind of events to be the "Gordon Ramsay" of the addiction treatment world. Before Robb succumbed to addiction and mental health issues, he played bass guitar at Abbey Studio with Queen, David Bowie, and Elton John. He is an accomplished musician, and the money he made helped him attend Oxford University to pursue a Ph.D. in Psychology. Robb's work ethic is defined by helping the addict step out of their disease and into a solution. We work with everyday people, professionals, and celebrities who want to reach sobriety and live in sustained recovery through evidence-based modalities and a genuine therapeutic alliance. https://robbkelly.com/ (Website). Email. As always, feel free to follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod) or shoot me an email at luke@theimperfectpod.com

There are many resources out there for expecting women, but what about expecting men? What can they do throughout pregnancy to reflect, grow and serve their family? That’s exactly what we talked about on this episode! Key themes of the episode include: The difficulties of having a child during COVID Picking the hospital you want to have your child at The challenges that pregnancy can cause in relationships and how to treat your partner with respect Navigating your wife’s wants, needs and cravings during the pregnancy Being comfortable with role reversals and humbling yourself to serve How expecting men can navigate their own selves to become more positive and change their mindset Dealing with resentment and relationship hijacking with intentionality Continuing to connect with each other and not focusing on the baby The idea of the registry and why it might take away or threaten your ideas of masculinity The expectation of men to provide and the stress that can cause for men and why we need to broaden the definition of provision Finding valuable mentors and using relationships to become a better father Resources for expecting fathers to learn about their upcoming journey His excitement for being a girl dad The home environment he grew up in and why he desires to be different than his father How his relationship with his father has changed after knowing he was going to become a father Looking 20 years into the future, what does being a successful father look like? The biggest fear Geston has in his daughter’s first year on Earth Is there such a thing as being over-protective? About Geston: "GP" is an emerging leader, and speaker with a decade of combined leadership experience in the non-profit, and entertainment sectors. As a reality television competition champion, and multi-award nominated musician and recording artist, he has mastered the art and science of performing under pressure. He is passionate about helping people and organizations leverage their influence to make a lasting impact. As a pod-junkie, he serves as a podcast start-up consultant, and as a co-host to many podcasts. He ultimately aspires to inspire 1 billion people with his voice before he expires. You can find out more about him through his https://linktr.ee/GPThePodcastPlug (Linktree), by connecting with him on IG @https://www.instagram.com/gpthepodcastplug/?hl=en (gpthepodcastplug), or by connecting with him on https://www.linkedin.com/in/geston-pierre/ (LinkedIn). As always, feel free to follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod) or shoot me an email at luke@theimperfectpod.com

Sexual violence in society has gone down 60% in the last several years but there's still more work to be done. Whether that's from more male allyship, discussing it on a wider scale, stopping it when you see it happen or just changing your own behavior, the fact that this reprehensible act is still so prevalent is awful. On this episode, Tim Mousseau and I discuss everything sexual assault. Key themes of the episode include: Finding his identity as a human and man after his sexual assault Why the way we talk about sexual assault in society is wrong Why sexual violence as a crime can be hard for people to understand How changing the way we talk about sexual violence will change our reaction to it Why statistics about sexual assault only get us so far in the conversation Understanding who should be handling sexual assault cases and how the system needs to do better by victims Looking at sensitivity training and why it’s important What laws are emerging that can help direct us to a better understanding of how sexual violence permeates different areas of society What we can do to start engaging in conversations both as bystanders and within our communities Why we need to look at the data and methodology of the research being done on these topics Tying in the #notallmen conversation based on the current situation with Sarah Everard Acknowledging the progress that we’ve made as a society on sexual assault when appropriate Looking at high profile cases and whether they hinder or help the discussion Innocent until proven guilty and the believe all women narratives Best practices to stop sexual violence or harm in real time without putting yourself or them in danger About Tim: Tim Mousseau is a survivor of sexual violence turned educator and advocate on this important topic. At the age of 22, Tim was faced with an incident of sexual assault. On top of this, Tim had to manage the stresses of workplace sexual harassment from his boss who used knowledge of Tim’s trauma to exert toxic control. Coming to terms with his experience, Tim recognized how it left him feeling powerless. He vowed no one else should ever feel the same way. For the last nine years, Tim has spoken with over 400 organizations including members of the United States Congress, top universities, and Fortune 500 companies across the world on the topics of sexual violence and harassment prevention. Tim’s research currently centers on how individuals set and maintain safety boundaries, along with a study on how to better engage men in sexual violence prevention work. Professionally, Tim received a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga and a Bachelor’s in Communication from the University of New Mexico. You can find out more about Tim and his resources on https://www.timmousseau.com/ (his website). As always, feel free to follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod) or shoot me an email at luke@theimperfectpod.com

On this episode, Johnson and I talk about the energetic and spirituality of masculinity from the East to the West, masculinity within the LGBTQ+ community and Asian masculinity. Disclaimer: This was recorded before the Atlanta Georgia mass shooting. Some themes might tie in but that was not included in the context. Key themes of the episode: Why there shouldn't be judgement on what is masculine vs feminine How masculine and feminine energies shift from Eastern to Western societies Religious trends of masculinity (dharma and ying and yang vs more rigid definitions) The importance of exploring humanness... not just man and woman What it's like to be a gay man and exploring masculinity The intersectionality of Asian masculinity and LGTBQ masculinity Looking at your childhood to understand your masculinity How Asians take a softer approach to masculinity while the American way is more competitive About Zach: Johnson Chong is the best-selling and award-winning author of Sage Sapien: From Karma to Dharma. He was the founder of Sagehouse in Singapore, a studio for yoga, Pilates, meditation and spiritual workshops and coaching. He is a native New Yorker, and has lived on 3 continents, currently based in Sydney, Australia. He specializes in helping people break free of their mental, emotional and spiritual roadblocks so they can live more aligned to their inner peace and joy versus their fears. Having worked with corporate professionals in various fields, he has a strong interest in working with members of the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized populations. He has also spoken and led workshops at companies like Unilever, Facebook, Nike, UBS, UOB and various other organizations. Johnson is known as a bridge between ancient wisdom and direct modern application. In his dynamic coaching style, he integrates the practical and most useful parts of yogic wisdom, meditation, somatic movement, energy medicine and shamanic journeying to help his clients breakthrough daily self-criticism and emotional overwhelm. The unique experiences that Johnson curates offer a profoundly healing self-discovery experience, followed by very practical and actionable steps to create the most powerful breakthroughs. As a certified InnerGuidanceTM coach, a Four Winds Energy Medicine Health Coach, and Reiki Master in conjunction with his background as an advanced E-RYT 500 Hr Yoga Teacher Trainer, and PMA Pilates Teacher Trainer, he has an expansive knowledge on the inner workings of human psychology and how it gets trapped in the physical and mental bodies. Johnson is the host of the Truth Wisdom Freedom Conversations podcast on Apple, Google and Spotify where he talks about holistic wellbeing with various conscious leaders in their field, and he also runs transformational retreats at www.exodusretreats.com. You can connect with him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/johnsonchong_sagesapien/ (@johnsonchong_sagesapien), on https://johnsonchong.com/ (his website), or his https://www.facebook.com/johnsonchongsagesapien?ref=bookmarks (Facebook). As always, feel free to follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod) or shoot me an email at luke@theimperfectpod.com

As the host of a masculinity podcast, I feel it is bring more men into the conversation regarding Sarah Everard and male allyship. This is not a problem that will go away unlee we bring more men into the conversation and help them see that it's not #notallmen until it's #nomen. In this episode you will hear: An overview of the Sarah Everard case Public commentary and research on this issue Why this is a problem in all social groups The whistleblower effect Why #notallmen is bullshit but also why I need to empathize with them What continued allyship looks like Here are some resources for you to check out as well: https://canadianwomen.org/ (Canadian Women's Foundation) https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/facts-and-figures (UN Women) https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics/ (Notional Domestic Violence Hotline) This will only change once we educate ourselves on the problem and ADMIT that there's a problem. As always, shoot me a message on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at Luke@theimperfectpod.com if you want to continue the conversation.

Welcome back to Just the TIP is where I do a short reflection on this past week's episode! On this episode, I give my reflections on my conversation with Zach Smith about a few topics including: Why men are looking to build their legacy and why that fascinates me How depression and anxiety can be linked to progress Why the idea productivity and personal brand might be making us less fulfilled Make sure to check out the full episode from Wednesday for more context and to follow me on Twitter, Instagram and more for daily content! As always, reach out to me on Instagram @theimperfectpod, email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or join my FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group).

On this episode, Zach and I talk about his solo hike trip across the Pacific Crest Trail and his biggest takeaways, as well as the positive influence of Bell Let’s Talk in the mental health community. Key themes of the episode: Why Bell Let's Talk is good for society Why he went on his trip across the Pacific Crest Trail What the feeling was like at the end of his trip How much he missed ice in his drinks Who his inspirations were for the trip (Jesse Itzler and Dave Goggins) The importance of mindset in building your legacy About Zach: At age 23, Zach set out on a solo hike from Mexico to Canada to raise money for youth mental health. The journey took 4 and a half months, and he was able to raise over $10,000 for a charity that specializes in youth mental health and youth peer mentorship. He is a young entrepreneur, scaling a digital content production company and sustainable e-commerce business SickBirdProduction. He has worked at numerous start-ups, and has a business degree in finance. He values personal growth, and challenging oneself to achieve greatness. https://www.instagram.com/zucc_smett/?hl=en (Zach's Instagram). https://www.sickbirdproduction.com/ (Zach's Website). As always, feel free to follow me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or shoot me an email at luke@theimperfectpod.com

Welcome back to Just the TIP is where I do a short reflection on this past week's episode! On this episode, I give my reflections on my conversation with Eldra Jackson about a few topics including: Why there's no such thing as unhealthy emotions just unhealthy choices based on those emotions The importance of giving men safe spaces and permission to feel Why it might not be just mean who make men close themselves off Make sure to check out the full episode from Wednesday for more context and to follow me on Twitter, Instagram and more for daily content! As always, reach out to me on Instagram @theimperfectpod, email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or join my FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group).

Eldra Jackson was serving life in New Folsom prison and in and out of the prison system for almost 30 years. This is his journey of rehabilitation, extreme ownership, self work and intense growth. Key themes of the episode: The desire to be respected and feared in prison How he had an image of strength as a mask to fear The choices and impact that solitary confinement had on his life Why men need permission to feel and explore themselves The importance of rites of passage and rituals The origin story of Inside Circle Releasing negative energy as a source of healing How men can access their deeper truths and why it takes strength What the parole process looks like when getting release from prison What he's doing to ensure he doesn't pass down his trauma to the next generation This was an amazing episode and I'm so thankful to Eldra for speaking with me. Again, I am willing to pay for 10 people to watch the documentary by The Inside Circle called "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iddt4sVZTvI&ab_channel=YouTubeMovies (The Work)". You can find it on YouTube, Amazon Prime and I believe a few other options. It only costs $5 to rent but it will provide so much more depth as to the context and importance of the work that Eldra went through and facilitated in prison. Make sure to https://www.instagram.com/inside__circle/ (follow them on Instagram). About Eldra: Eldra is a writer and sought after public speaker on the topics of at-risk youth advocacy, effective criminal justice rehabilitation and turning around ‘toxic’ masculinity, Eldra brings clarity of purpose, mission focus, and inspiration to his role at Inside Circle. He was an inmate at New Folsom Prison when he found Inside Circle and began the inner personal journey that eventually led to his release in 2014 and his current leadership role. A living example of successful rehabilitation and re-entry, Eldra has dedicated his free time on the outside to serving at-risk youth, and acting as a facilitator, trainer, and mentor.  As always, feel free to follow me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or shoot me an email at luke@theimperfectpod.com

Welcome back to Just the TIP is where I do a short reflection on this past week's episode! On this episode, I give my reflections on my conversation with Sabrina Osso about a few topics including: Why it's harder for women to leave their abusers than we think How much work it takes to trust men after being abused by a father What the next steps are to solving domestic violence in society Make sure to check out the full episode from Wednesday for more context and to follow me on Twitter, Instagram and more for daily content! As always, reach out to me on Instagram @theimperfectpod, email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or join my FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group).

TW: In this episode we talk about domestic violence and verbal abuse. In this episode, my guest is Sabrina Osso. Sabrina ishttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyAhN_xwCxs&ab_channel=TEDxTalks ( Tedx speaker) and the Founder and CEO ofhttps://www.ossosafe.com/ ( OSSO SAFE), a company that consults on promoting safety and preventing violence in the workplace, schools, and in places of residence. Sabrina has long dealt with violence on a personal level. She knows how difficult it is to live in such a chaotic environment.  Sabrina and Osso Safe want to make a positive impact in people’s lives, whether they’ve been directly affected by violence or not. In this episode we discuss her own story, why victims can’t just leave, the impact of porn on this topic, and how those who don’t experience abuse can identify signs and be allies in this work. If you liked the episode, make sure to press subscribe, follow, leave a review and message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at Luke@theimperfectpod.com and join myhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 ( Facebook group). I always always want to hear from my listeners and continue the conversation!

Welcome back to Just the TIP is where I do a short reflection on this past week's episode! On this episode, I give my reflections on my conversation with Gretchen Shanks and some of the key themes we discussed including those feelings of unattractiveness, lack of worth, rugged independence and the idea of being ready. Make sure to check out the full episode from Wednesday for more context and to follow me on Twitter, Instagram and more for daily content! As always, reach out to me on Instagram @theimperfectpod, email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or join my FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group).

Sex and dating can be hard for young men to navigate. The world tells us we should want a lot of sex, so we buy into it. But we're never really taught to navigate the shame we might have about our experiences or our bodies. We never talk about how we should be attuned to other's needs. Or how we should even get ready for moments like this. On today's episode I speak with sex and dating coach https://gretchenshanks.com/ (Gretchen Shanks) and we discuss our own vulnerabilities about all of these feelings and how we can navigate them with more compassion and grace. You can connect with Gretchen on https://twitter.com/Gretchen_Shanks/ (Twitter), https://www.instagram.com/gretchen.shanks/ (Instagram), and https://www.facebook.com/sexanddatingcoach/ (Facebook) and don't forget to check out that free resource she mentioned https://gretchenshanks.com/sexualhealingoptions/ (here). If you liked the episode, make sure to press subscribe, follow, leave a review and message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at Luke@theimperfectpod.com and join my https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (Facebook group). I always always want to hear from my listeners and continue the conversation!

Welcome back to Just the TIP is where I do a short reflection on this past week's episode! On this episode, I give my reflections on my conversation with Dr. Michael Pariser and the dating world. This was one of the most vulnerable episodes I had ever done where I open up a lot about my "failures" in the dating world and what I might need to change and what needs to stay the same in order to have success. There's always a balance to be had. However, in 2021 I have made the commitment to not be on any dating apps and spend more time on the podcast and myself! Once I'm back in the dating world I will implement all of these skills to make sure that I don't make the same mistakes. Make sure to check out the full episode from Wednesday for more context and to follow me on Twitter, Instagram and more for daily content! As always, reach out to me on Instagram @theimperfectpod, email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or join my FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group).

We've heard the saying before: "Nice guys finish last". Is it true? Not if you look at it through a victim mentality. However, there are ways to improve your relationships through assertiveness, not aggression. Through body language. Through understanding your relationship with your parents. And through understanding the idea of interest, intimacy and commitment. These are all things that we discuss on today's episode! About the Guest: Dr. Michael Pariser is a psychologist, author, and transformation agent. After training with Dr. Robert Glover, author of No More Mr. Nice Guy, he started working a lot with men who identify as compliant and people-pleasing. He’s also the author of https://www.amazon.ca/No-More-Mr-Nice-Guy-ebook/dp/B08C813MTZ (No More Mr. Nice Guy: The Hero’s Journey). It serves as a guide to the changes that Nice Guys need to make to become the men they’ve always wanted to be. Michael likes to think of it as a road map to healthy, integrated masculinity. If you would like to find out more about today’s guest, you can go to his website, drparisertherapy.com and if you go to the "For Men" section, that's where you can find out more about his workshops. If you liked the episode, make sure to press subscribe, follow, leave a review and message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at Luke@theimperfectpod.com and join my https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (Facebook group). I always always want to hear from my listeners and continue the conversation!

Welcome back to Just the TIP is where I do a short reflection on this past week's episode! On this episode, I give my reflections on Liz's question back to me on how I think the right and left talk about masculinity differently. Make sure to check out the full episode from Wednesday for more context and to follow me on Twitter, Instagram and more for daily content! As always, reach out to me on Instagram @theimperfectpod, email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or join my FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group).

Hello everyone! This episode is really special to me. I've wanted to speak with Liz ever since I read her book "https://www.amazon.com/Love-Men-Toxic-Mindful-Masculinity/dp/1250757207/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37JQ7XIZ8SF1O&dchild=1&keywords=liz+plank+for+the+love+of+men&qid=1612314824&sprefix=liz+plakn%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-1#customerReviews (For the Love of Men: From Toxic to a More Mindful Masculinity)" back in the summer of 2020. It's such an empathetic approach to the conversation that I absolutely loved the book and have mentioned it numerous times on the show. Well, with her paperback coming out this week (February 2nd so much sure to go check it out) it was the perfect timing to make it happen! We cover a ton of topics including why she wrote the book, why it's important for men to listen to women on the topic of masculinity, what are Men's Rights groups, what it was like to talk about masculinity in the Trump era, emotional intelligence and much more. Please please please go check out her book. I will also be doing a giveaway of some of her books on Instagram once they get here so much sure to follow me there @theimperfectpod. If you liked the episode, make sure to press subscribe, follow, leave a review and message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at Luke@theimperfectpod.com and join my https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (Facebook group). I always always want to hear from my listeners and continue the conversation! More about Liz: Liz is an award-winning journalist, author and the executive producer and host of several critically acclaimed digital series at Vox Media and NBC News. She’s the CEO of Liz Plank Productions and is a columnist for MSNBC and has been listed as one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30, Mediaite’s Most Influential in News Media, and Marie Claire’s Most Powerful Women, and was named one of the World’s Most Influential People in Gender Policy by Apolitical. She’s built a loyal following on numerous social media platforms, but her proudest accomplishment by far remains being blocked by the 45th president of the United States. Liz regularly appears on national and international television programs to provide a perspective on politics, gender issues, and reproductive rights, including The Today Show, The Daily Show, MSNBC, CNN, ABC News, Fusion, Al-Jazeera America and BBC World. Through her activism and creative approach to journalism, Liz has made it her mission to elevate the voices of those who are often not heard. Before becoming a journalist, Liz worked as a researcher and behavioral science consultant at the London School of Economics, from which she holds a master's degree in policy with an emphasis in global gender politics. You can follow Liz on https://twitter.com/feministabulous?s=20 (Twitter) and https://www.instagram.com/feministabulous/ (Instagram) @feministabulous, subscribe to her https://linktr.ee/lizplank (Newsletter), watch her on YouTube or check out more of her work on her http://www.elizabethplank.com/ (website)!

Welcome back to Just the TIP is where I do a short reflection on this past week's episode! On this episode, I give my reflections on the challenges off being a single father and why it's important to discuss them. This includes the judicial system, the patriarchy, parenting daughters and more! The link to The Atlantic article I discussed is here: https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/02/the-rise-of-the-single-dad/284016/ (The Rise of the Single Dad) If you're looking for episodes where I talk about fatherhood in specific, check out my episodes with Josh Loong, Clay Smeltzer, Ben Killoy, Alan Stein Jr, Cameron Gordon, Pablo Milandu, Rene Klein-Horseman, and more! It's a very common topic on this podcast. As always, reach out to me on Instagram @theimperfectpod, email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or join my FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group).

What's it like to be a single father? How did you parent 5 children, 4 being daughters? What stigmas did you have to overcome or challenge? What were those tough conversations like with your daughters as they were coming to age? This week’s guest is Dwight Heck, founder of Give a Heck Financial and a single Dad of five children, 4 being daughters. In this episode, we discuss what it’s like to be a single father, the stigma behind it, the importance of empathy and listening, how to have important conversations with your daughters as a single father and if he faced pressure to be a better man as a single father. Make sure to connect with Dwight on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/give.a.heck/ (give.a.heck), on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dwight.heck/ (Dwight R. Heck) or check out his website http://giveaheck.com (giveaheck.com) If you liked the episode, make sure to press subscribe, follow, leave a review and message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at Luke@theimperfectpod.com and join my https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (Facebook group). I always always want to hear from my listeners and continue the conversation!

Welcome back to Just the TIP is where I do a short reflection on this past week's episode! On this episode, I give my reflections on the importance of talking about the fatherless epidemic or fatherless generation as some people like to call it, where I heard about it from and more. If you're looking for episodes where I talk about fatherhood in specific, check out my episodes with Josh Loong, Clay Smeltzer, Ben Killoy, Alan Stein Jr, Cameron Gordon, Pablo Milandu, Rene Klein-Horseman, and more! It's a very common topic on this podcast. As always, reach out to me on Instagram @theimperfectpod, email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or join my FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group).

Why are so many homes growing up without fathers? Why is there a major correlation between fatherless men and the prison system? How can you break the negative cycle if you're a victim of a fatherless home? These are some of the topics I cover on today's episode with Leonardo Lightbourne AKA Leo Bourne. We also talk about the power of consistency, love and journaling. About Leo: L.T. “Leo” Bourne discovered in his early 20s his gift of inspiration and leadership. He founded Open Thought, a non-profit organization created for youth development in the Turks and Caicos Islands, to give the youth a voice and an outlet to express themselves. L.T. believed creating Open Thought would inspire youth to overcome any circumstances they are facing by creating a platform that displays like-minded individuals who have risen above similar circumstance. It is a vision he carries in his heart to this very day as he is still building the outlet. Apart from his work with Open Thought, L.T. is a writer, filmmaker, speaker, and philanthropist. He is passionate about problem-solving, collaboration and engaging young people in fighting the common threats of their environment such as violence, poverty, and abuse. L.T. shares his vision of a united community that uses love, open-thinking, and commitment to make a difference. Weaving a tapestry of his lifetime of experience, L.T. plans to inspire youth with his personal story and lessons learned about personal development, leadership, and the power of using open-thinking to live a more fulfilling life. You cay buy his https://www.ltbourne.com/books (book), check out his https://www.ltbourne.com/ (website), or connect with him on https://www.instagram.com/iamltbourne/ (Instagram), https://twitter.com/iamltbourne/ (Twitter) and https://www.facebook.com/IAmLTBourne/ (FB). If you liked the episode, make sure to press subscribe, follow, leave a review and message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at Luke@theimperfectpod.com and join my https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (Facebook group). I always always want to hear from my listeners and continue the conversation!

Just the TIP is where I do a short reflection on this past week's episode! As always, reach out to me on Instagram @theimperfectpod, email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or join my FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group).

This week’s guest is Tom Smoot and we talk about what it’s like to come home from the army with PTSD, the effects it can have on those around him, how he copes with PTSD, the power of exposure therapy. About Tom: After more than a decade in the Army's special operations community, under Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations, Tom moved on with a PTSD diagnosis. Now, as an engineer and entrepreneur, he uses that military background to craft stories and insight into his work. When he's not running marathons or building things, Tom can usually be found spending his time at the The Lift and Shift Foundation which he founded and advocates for veteran inclusion in science and technology through programs that educate and build confidence or as he likes to say, reduces a veterans' barriers to entry. You can connect with Tom and follow his foundation at https://www.weliftandshift.org/ (Lift and Shift Foundation). You can also follow the great work they're doing on https://www.instagram.com/liftandshiftfoundation/ (Instagram), https://twitter.com/weliftandshift (Twitter), and https://medium.com/lift-and-shift (Medium). If you liked the episode, make sure to press subscribe, follow, leave a review and message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at Luke@theimperfectpod.com and join my https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (Facebook group). I always always want to hear from my listeners and continue the conversation!

On this episode of Just the TIP I discuss the riots at Capitol Hill and Trump for a bit and how ludicrous it is that so many men look up to him. I then reflect on this week's episode about trauma and my personal experiences (or lack thereof) with it. I then discuss the topic of the fatherless nation and my experiences with dating/love addiction and why I'm taking a year off of dating apps. As always, reach out to me on Instagram @theimperfectpod, email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or join my FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group).

On this episode, my guest is Riana Milne and we talk about The 10 common traumas and why they matter, how men and women are affected by these traumas and how the show themselves in daily interactions! Riana’s Mission is to “Help Change the Way the World Loves” by Healing Unconscious Childhood & Love Trauma that impacts so many adults; and with research-based educational strategies – Helping them to Create the Life they Desire & to Have the Love Relationships they Deserve. You can connect with Riana on her https://rianamilne.com/ (website), on her IG @https://www.instagram.com/coachrianamilne/ (coachrianamilne), Facebook @https://www.facebook.com/CoachRianaMilne (coachrianamilne). I've also linked https://rianamilne.com/books/ (her books) and how you can get some of her resources for free! Lastly, I’ve started a FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group) where we will continue all of these conversations about masculinity in a community dedicated to these topics. I have a few past guests as part of the group so you can get direct access to some of the most interesting people I’ve spoken to on this journey! If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to press subscribe, follow, leave a review and message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at Luke@theimperfectpod.com! I always always want to hear from my listeners and continue the conversation!

This is the last episode of 2020 where I talk about how 2020 went, 2021 goals, what books stood out to me the most and do a little bit of an AMA. As a reminder, I’ve recently started a FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group) where we will continue all of these conversations about masculinity in a community dedicated to these topics. I have a few past guests as part of the group so you can get direct access to some of the most interesting people I’ve spoken to on this journey! Newsletter and more Just the TIPs coming in the future too!

Gender roles in a same-sex marriage don't make sense, so how do break down chores? Does the idea of gender roles still exists? These are questions that we explore on today's episode. We discuss Mike's journey to discovering himself and how gender roles have affected his same-sex marriage, wedding and more! About Mike: Mike Iamele is a writer, life purpose expert, and brand strategist. With his proprietary Sacred Branding® system, he’s helped hundreds of people to connect the dots between their lived experiences to find the common threads that explain their subconscious motivations, unique genius, and life purpose. People use this work to explore identity and sexuality, to finding their artistic voice, to even re-discovering themselves after a life-altering event, like divorce or retirement. Mike’s also the author of https://www.amazon.ca/Enough-Already-Create-Success-Terms/dp/1573246476 (Enough Already: Create Success on Your Own Terms). You can connect with him on his website, https://mikeiamele.com/ (mikeiamele.com), and access that worksheet he mentioned https://mikeiamele.com/map/ (here). You can also connect with Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/mikeiamele/?hl=en (mikeiamele). Lastly, I’ve started a FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group) where we will continue all of these conversations about masculinity in a community dedicated to these topics. I have a few past guests as part of the group so you can get direct access to some of the most interesting people I’ve spoken to on this journey!

On this episode my guest is Author and Crossdresser, Savannah Hauk. We discuss the difference between drag and crossdressing, how gender and sexuality plays into the conversation and presentation, how people view her in public and much much more. Savannah Hauk is a lifelong dual-gender biological male who uses the art of male-to-female crossdressing to create her feminine identity and presentation. She is the author of two books including her “https://www.amazon.ca/Living-Crossdressing-Defining-New-Normal-ebook/dp/B078K3GCJL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=B9ZCL1QRPAO8&dchild=1&keywords=living+with+crossdressing&qid=1607467172&sprefix=living+with+crossdres%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-1 (Living with Crossdressing)” series. She is also a social media advocate, and co-host of “https://open.spotify.com/show/2WvvCbG591EiWveqFRB98C?si=TLRihUONR_GjBdY5P3mbuw (The Fox and the Phoenix Podcast)” a resource on crossdressing. *Giveaway*: I have 3 copies of Savannah's book Living with Crossdressing. To enter the giveaway there are a few options: Message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod asking to be entered into the giveaway Email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com asking to be entered into the giveaway Share a screenshot of the episode on Instagram and tag me @theimperfectpod I've recently started a Facebook group for my podcast to continue the discussion and build a community of people interested in talking about masculinity and manhood. You can find out more and request to join the group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group). I would love to have you join! If you would like to connect with Savannah, you can follow her on https://www.facebook.com/livingwithcrossdressing (Facebook) or her https://livingwithcrossdressing.com/ (website).

On this episode, my guest is Joshua Shea and we talk about the ease of pornography consumption and production, pornography addiction, no fap, red flags, it’s affect on relationships and partners, having honest conversations about pornography as a whole, Only Fans, and how the pandemic is changing the landscape of addiction. Joshua Shea is a former pornography addict-turned-expert on a mission to get the world talking about pornography addiction, and the potential ramifications being a porn addict can cause. You can find out more about the work Joshua is doing on his website and can follow his work on Twitter and Instagram where his handle are @paddictrecovery. Also, his first TEDx Talk is happening this Sunday, December 6th. You can sign up here. Lastly, as I mentioned in the intro and outro, I've recently started a Facebook group for my podcast to continue the discussion and build a community of people interested in talking about masculinity and manhood. You can find out more and request to join the group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group). I would love to have you join!

On‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode,‌ ‌my‌ guest‌ ‌is‌ Lois Wagner and‌ ‌we‌ ‌talk‌ ‌about‌‌ ‌her goal to eradicate sexual violence, her BRAVE model, her rape story, and more‌.‌ Lois helps rape victims move from victim to survivor to thriver. She guides people to build their resilience and grit, to develop a growth mindset, to energize their mojo, and learn to forgive. She does this via one-on-one coaching, group masterminds, and keynote presentations Her work is based on her personal major adversities and life experiences. Lois was attacked, raped, and left for dead, she was forced into retirement, and experienced many other challenges. Lois learned to forgive (she forgave the rapist, which we talk about on this episode) and to move on to a more rewarding and fulfilling life. Lois has written a book – Walking Without Skin: A Journey of Healing – From Fear to Forgiveness to Freedom. She has developed a program – B.R.A.V.E (which we also discuss) which is designed to fight toxic masculinity and eradicate gender-based and domestic violence. You can find out more about Lois on her website, walkingwithoutskin.com, her Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/www.walkingwithoutskin/ (Walking Without Skin - All About Forgiveness), her Twitter, @https://twitter.com/loiswag (loiswag), her Instagram, @https://www.instagram.com/lois_wagner_/ (lois_wagner_) and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/c/LoisWagnerCoachingConversationsforChange (Lois Wagner - Coaching Conversations for Change). As it’s currently the last week of Movember, a month about men’s mental health, I thought this would be an important episode to share with you during this time. Here is a link to my friend Gautham’s https://ca.movember.com/mospace/13453409?mc=1&utm_medium=share&utm_source=dynamic&utm_campaign=copy-clipboard (Movember fundraiser link) should you be interested in donating. You can also check out Gautham’s episode which is literally episode number one of this podcast! He's raised a lot of money so far. Let's get him even further!

On this episode, my guest is Johnny Crowder and we talk about mental health in men, breaking masculine stereotypes, how he defines manhood and what his journey in the arts taught him about masculinity. Johnny is a 28-year-old suicide/abuse survivor, TEDx speaker, touring musician, mental health and sobriety advocate, and the Founder & CEO of Cope Notes, a text-based mental health platform that provides daily support to users in nearly 100 countries across the globe. With 10 years of clinical treatment, a psychology degree from UCF, and a full decade of peer support and advocacy through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) under his belt, Johnny’s youthful vigor for the topic of mental health is unmatched. Whether speaking at events or touring with his band (Prison), Johnny’s infectious positivity and firsthand experience with mental illness (ranging from bipolar disorder and OCD to schizophrenia) uniquely equip him to provide realistic, yet hopeful insight into the pains of hardship with authenticity, levity, and wit. If you are interested in trying out cope notes, please use this link and use the code imperfect for 10% off of ANY subscription for LIFE! You can connect or follow Johnny on https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnycrowder/ (LinkedIn), on IG at https://www.instagram.com/johnnycrowderlovesyou/ (JohnnyCrowderLovesYou), on https://www.facebook.com/johnnyxcrowder (Facebook) or visit his website copenotes.com. You can also watch Johnny's https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56Zb_TLhPOw&t=174s&ab_channel=TEDxTalks (powerful TEDx Talk) and email him directly at johnny@copenotes.com. As it’s currently Movember and a month about men’s mental health, I thought this would be an important episode to share with you during this time. Here is a link to my friend Gautham’s https://ca.movember.com/mospace/13453409?mc=1&utm_medium=share&utm_source=dynamic&utm_campaign=copy-clipboard (Movember fundraiser link) should you be interested in donating. You can also check out Gautham’s episode which is literally episode number one of this podcast!

How do you have conversations with your guy friends about mental health? How do you ask them if they're feeling suicidal? Do men even have mental health problems? These are questions that I've asked myself and others and a lot of the times it's the same answer... "I don't know". Well today, that changes! On this episode, my guest is Jay Shifman and we talk about substance abuse vs misuse, mental health in male communities, why it’s hard for men to open up, why we need to have conversations about suicide and what society can do to make it easier for men to have these conversations. It's a heavy conversation but it's really important. As it’s currently Movember and a month about men’s mental health, I thought this would be an important episode to share with you during this time. Here is a link to my friend Gautham’s https://ca.movember.com/mospace/13453409?mc=1&utm_medium=share&utm_source=dynamic&utm_campaign=copy-clipboard (Movember fundraiser link) should you be interested in donating. You can also check out Gautham’s episode which is literally episode number one of this podcast! As for Jay, you can connect with him on FB at https://www.facebook.com/ChooseYourStruggle (ChooseYourStruggle), on IG at https://www.instagram.com/jayshifman/ (JayShifman), on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayshifman/ (Jay Shifman) and website https://www.jayshifman.com/ (jayshifman.com). If you like the episode, make sure to press subscribe, follow, leave a review and message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at Luke@theimperfect pod. I always always want to hear from my listeners and continue the conversation!

The language and approach you take when you have conversations with men about masculinity is important. You have to be effective, you can't just try to be right. You may have to talk about the patriarchy vs feminism. You may need to ask them question to probe at their defense mechanism. But mostly important, you need to empathize with their pain. As a reminder, you can sign up for Next Gen Men's next event on masculinity and substance abuse here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/next-gen-men-circle-talks-masculinity-substance-use-tickets-127390760193 (https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/next-gen-men-circle-talks-masculinity-substance-use-tickets-127390760193) Also, it's Movember, and my buddy Gautham is raising money! I donated $50 and it would be great to have more of the Imperfect community work to raise money for his cause. Movember is an organization that raises money to change the narrative around mental health for men. You can https://movember.com/m/13453409?mc=1 (donate to his fund here).

Next Gen Men is redefining what ‘manhood’ means, so that boys and men experience less pain and cause less harm. That is their vision and their mission and it ties in really well to what I'm trying to do with this podcast. On this episode, we discuss the work he’s doing at Next Gen Men, how the patriarchy hurts men, the journey of a young boy, cancel culture vs consequence culture, unlearning, the importance of nuance in these conversations and much much more. You can learn more on their website linked above, and follow them on social media @nextgenmen on https://twitter.com/nextgenmen (Twitter), https://www.instagram.com/nextgenmen/ (Instagram) and https://www.facebook.com/nextgenmen (Facebook). You can also sign up for their next event for men and the connection to substance abuse here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/next-gen-men-circle-talks-masculinity-substance-use-tickets-127390760193 (https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/next-gen-men-circle-talks-masculinity-substance-use-tickets-127390760193) More about Jake: As Next Gen Men's Executive Director, Jake is a passionate speaker and facilitator focused on gender-based issues related to the social and emotional development of young men, the health and well-being of men in communities, and gender equity in workplaces. Jake was named one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40, as well as having earned recognition from Ashoka, the British Council, and the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. He has spoken at the United Nations as part of the Canadian Delegation, and participated in the UN Women Safe Cities Initiative Global Forum. He is also a proud advisor to the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association, Canadian Women & Sport, as well as the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter. Also, it's Movember, and my buddy Gautham is raising money! I donated $50 and it would be great to have more of the Imperfect community work to raise money for his cause. Movember is an organization that raises money to change the narrative around mental health for men. You can https://movember.com/m/13453409?mc=1 (donate to his fund here).

Just the TIP is back for the second time with my analysis of why men, and more specifically white men, vote for Trump in the election and how we need to have more useful conversations about the entire thing. Feel free to check out this https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/23/opinion/sunday/gender-gap-2020-election.html (opinion article) about it from the New York Times too.

Have you ever wondered what it's like for a gay man to be in a straight marriage? Or what that would look like? If so, this is the conversation you need to hear. Jim was a proud gay man yet in a marriage with a woman for 24 years. What's the deal with that? Well, it was for a few reasons. One of them being survival and the second being not really sure of his journey as a gay man. Jim is now in a relationship with his partner, Michael, who he has been married to for 11 years. Listen to this week's episode to find out more! More about Jim: Jim is the author of "Fear is a Choice: Unraveling the Illusion of Our Separation from Love". A powerful book that looks deep into the evolution of fear in the human experience. Jim has actually signed and sent to me 3 books that I would love to give away to my audience. If you screenshot yourself listening to the episode and tag my instagram, @theimperfectpod in your story, you will be entered to win! So make so to share this episode on IG to get a chance to win this amazing book that will change your relationship with fear.

Follow up Friday AKA Just the TIP is back! That's right, the name might have changed a bit folks. TIP being The Imperfect Pod. I know I know... there is The twice but just let it slide. On this episode I wanted to discuss Amanda's quote about losing her virginity as well as some quotes from Chanel Miller's memoir "Know My Name". I think this 7 minute segment will open your eyes to understanding some of your privileges when it comes to being a man and why we need to do more in lifting up the system to make it safe for women. Let me know what you think on Instagram @theimperfectpod or by email luke@theimperfectpod.com

Trigger warning: Rape This episode with Amanda gets heavy. Amanda is a former Playboy model who was raped at the age of 16. It took a long time and a lot of healing to take back her story and feel empowered again. Part of that healing includes why she went into Playboy in the first place - to once again own her body and power which had been stolen from her. On this episode, we discuss the legacy of Hugh Hefner, her journey with Playboy, the assumptions that come with being a Playboy model, her parent's deaths impact on her, and how she overcame the grief that came as a result of that traumas she faced. With the rape came the loss of power, low self-esteem and a lot of self-hate. This is the story of her healing and how she went from victim to survivor. Here is more about Amanda: "I’m Amanda. After years of therapy, prescriptions, journaling, Yoga and self-help books still left me struggling with unmanageable clinical depression that I masked with drugs, alcohol and self-harm, I stood on the window ledge of a foreign hotel room, ready to end my life. It took a careful and mindful combination of nutrition, fitness and lifestyle changes, but I overcame depression and suicide on my own terms. I have helped countless others make sustainable changes that have drastically improved their mental and physical health and, thus, their lives.  It is my personal mission to help as many people as possible whether you’ve tried everything else and you are feeling lost and defeated or you simply want to reach your highest potential of happiness and self-fulfillment." You can connect with Amanda on her https://amandawebsterhealth.com/ (website), follow her Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/amandawebsterhealth/ (amandawebsterhealth) and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-_vo54D0yt2u508ZrqWq2Q (subscribe to her on Youtube)! As always, feel free to message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com!

Yes, you can have conversations about manhood and masculinity with a feminist. Why wouldn't you be able to? Realistically, a lot of the beliefs they share are the same, they might just come from a different motivation. On this episode, I talk about all things feminism and manhood with Regina G. Hanson an author and activist. More specifically, we talk about a lot of the intersectionality of manliness and feminism, are we overcorrecting by encouraging women to go into STEM programs, and how the gender stereotypes/women of the home have evolved to what they are today. You can visit Regina's website https://www.personalempowermentpublishing.com/ (Personal Empowerment Publishing) where you can find her book "Racism: The Real Reason I Left The South". I hope you enjoy this episode! As always, feel free to email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or connect on IG @https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (theimperfectpod)

Toxic masculinity comes in many forms: there is co-dependency, abuse (in any form), assault, violence and more. In this episode with Cameron, we deconstruct the generational traumas that have been created by toxic masculinity - both in this personal life and society at large - and how to have conversations about it. Cameron does some great work in Human Performance Theory and consults and coaches clients in the realm of Toxic Masculinity. He speaks to and teaches businesses, teams and individuals on the powerful rewards that happen when we understand and change our approach to masculinity in our culture, community and personal life. You can find some of the work he has done at Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services on https://aslcs.com/for-men2 (their website).

Entering the workforce is hard. As we mention on the episode, when you start your career, that is the start of being at the bottom of the totem pole for quite a while. In high school and in university, you only have to put in 3 years before you're a senior. In the workforce, it takes 10-15 years before you have enough experience that is deemed worthwhile. How do you develop that patience? How do you interact with your colleagues? Can you still be funny? What level of professionalism do you need to be successful? And what kind of culture do you look for when you're looking to start your career? These are some of the questions that we discuss on this episode as well as more. You might be thinking, how is this a masculinity and manhood thing? Well, as someone who has been working for over a year now, I've had many conversations with my female colleagues about their experiences in the office versus their male friends and colleagues. This isn't too in depth of a conversation about that, but it is a start. It sprinkles some concepts about how we can think about our behaviour in the office as well as how we act. I hope to go deeper on this conversation in the future, but for now, I hope you enjoy!

This is part two of my two part conversation with my dad. When I first started having these conversations about masculinity and manhood, I knew that I was most nervous to have this conversation with my dad. Why? I think that's the very question I've been on a journey to discover. Why is it so hard for young men to have serious conversations with their fathers? Isn't that the whole point? But throughout most of our lives, we find it easier to have these types of discussions with complete strangers. There's something easier about it. But as we all come to learn - growth comes in the uncomfortable. This is the one year anniversary of the show. 45 episodes in and I finally worked up the courage to ask my dad to be on the show. We talk about 4 different stages of his life. What he was like at my age His relationship with his dad, my grandpa His approach to fatherhood And our relationship as father and son My goal with this episode is to be able to encourage other sons and fathers to continue to build and develop their relationships and have these harder conversations. I've seen an impact on our relationship already (we recorded this 3 weeks before releasing) and I can't wait to continue to nurture that relationship. I hope you enjoy.

This is part one of my two part conversation with my dad. When I first started having these conversations about masculinity and manhood, I knew that I was most nervous to have this conversation with my dad. Why? I think that's the very question I've been on a journey to discover. Why is it so hard for young men to have serious conversations with their fathers? Isn't that the whole point? But throughout most of our lives, we find it easier to have these types of discussions with complete strangers. There's something easier about it. But as we all come to learn - growth comes in the uncomfortable. This is the one year anniversary of the show. 45 episodes in and I finally worked up the courage to ask my dad to be on the show. We talk about 4 different stages of his life. What he was like at my age His relationship with his dad, my grandpa His approach to fatherhood And our relationship as father and son My goal with this episode is to be able to encourage other sons and fathers to continue to build and develop their relationships and have these harder conversations. I've seen an impact on our relationship already (we recorded this 3 weeks before releasing) and I can't wait to continue to nurture that relationship. I hope you enjoy.

How does experience living in many different countries affect your opinion on masculinity? Can you recover from emotionally and physically abusive relationship with your parents? How helpful is therapy in overcoming your own toxic and unhealthy behaviours? Why can broken relationships be the catalyst for health in your life? What is the relationship between masculinity and alcohol? And lastly, how can you create a healthy relationship with porn? These are all questions that Michael, AKA @fighttoxicmasculinity (https://www.instagram.com/fighttoxicmasculinity/), and I discuss on this week's episode! It is an amazing conversation about so many battles that men face. If you would like to learn more about Michael, follow hos Instagram account above. It truly is a safe space for conversations about anything mentioned above, in the podcast and more! Also, if you didn't stick around until the end, that's okay. But next week is my one-year anniversary of podcasting!! I know, I can't believe it myself. For that episode, I have recorded my episode with my dad! It's going to be a two part series - one on September 30th, one on October 2nd. This has taken me a long time to have the courage to ask, but we recorded it back on my birthday at my favourite place in the world. It's going to be a special one so make sure to subscribe and follow!

As a follow-up episode to number 33 with Jordan Paris where I discuss dating from a young man's perspective, this episode is the same sort of questions from a young woman's perspective. Wendy Zhang is the host of My Terrible Twenties (https://open.spotify.com/show/70qHRJyuMIrC511ZWq6Bzl?si=DcInl5uCRma3MMn5Mkr_kg), a podcast all about navigating that crazy decade of our lives where we are confused and looking for who we want to be. She also, conveniently, went to high school with me! On this episode we discuss some of the same topics that I discussed on the episode with Jordan like first date etiquette and being friends with an ex. We also talk about ways that girls like to be flirted with, hate to be flirted with, why dating apps can be such a struggle, daddy issues and why vulnerable and honest men are attractive. I hope you enjoy the episode! You can connect with Wendy on Instagram @myterribletwenties! You can also connect with me on Instagram @theimperfectpod where you can reach out to me about ANYTHING! And if you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, follow or review or shoot me a note.

Dating is hard enough as it is... but have you ever wondered why dating as an entrepreneur is so hard? Balancing your love life and a business is one of the most challenging things in the world - just ask a lot of entrepreneurs. You have to balance your ambition and focus and the growth of your company with putting in the effort to get to know someone on a deep level and compromise. That's why I was so excited for this conversation with Jake Kelfer! Jake is a lifestyle entrepreneur, life elevator, and coach to ambitious entrepreneurs and freedom seekers helping people create incredibly impactful and profitable businesses. He is the bestselling author of Elevate Beyond and Elevate Your Network, a high-energy motivational speaker, and the founder of the Professional Basketball Combine which helps NBA draft prospects turn their dreams of playing pro basketball into their reality. He and his work have been featured on Forbes, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and many other major media outlets. As you can tell, he is a very busy young man. On this episode, we talk about why being vulnerable is important, why being upfront and aware of what you want is non-negotiable, especially as an entrepreneur, what it's like to pursue your vision, and knowing what you look for in a woman so that you don't waste time. I hope you enjoy it and stick around until the end for how you can get his book! You can connect with Jake on social @jakekelfer! You can also connect with me on Instagram @theimperfectpod where you can reach out to me about ANYTHING! And if you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, follow or review!

On this episode, I speak with Ty Newberry, Executive Director of the Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena. We discuss the work they do in one of the most dangerous cities in the country. We also discuss how important mentorship and discipline is to young boys in the community and the negative stereotypes that persist around fatherhood in African-American communities. We also discuss why they focus so much on young girls and how their programs create positive results such as lower chance of teenage pregnancy, eating disorders and more. The work they're doing is amazing and I'd love it if you could take the time to listen to their story and, in honour of my birthday this weekend, join me in donating to the cause! Here is the link to do so: https://www.fdia.org/donate/ (https://www.fdia.org/donate/) Also, here are some more videos about the work they do as they've produced olympians like NBC (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ9ThzoYNJk). More about the organization: Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena is based in Washington, DC, and located in the middle of one of the most challenged and underserved neighborhoods in the city. My guest, Ty Newberry, and his staff work hard to get kids off the street and put them on the ice. This not-for-profit organization makes a positive impact on more than 3,000 inner-city kids each year through its Kids On Ice® programs. No child is turned away for inability to pay, all programming is subsidized, and many kids participate at no cost. Through ice skating, hockey, speed skating and figure skating, kids learn valuable lessons about perseverance, hard work, and resilience. On-ice lessons are supplemented with off-ice enrichment opportunities such as a Study Buddies program, a community garden, mentoring, financial literacy, racism and diversity workshops, and international travel experiences.

Hey everyone! I am back with my Follow Up Friday series (or #FUF as I like to call it). I missed reflecting on the weeks episodes in this way so I wanted to revive the series and try and bring it back for good! This week, I will be reflecting on Mike Cameron's SOAR method we discussed on this week's episode and how it can help you embrace empathy and emotional intelligence. If you're interested, feel free to listen to the full episode that was released just this past Wednesday as well if you want to hear everything we discussed. Let's GO!!!!!

Mike Cameron's life mission is to make men better. When his girlfriend was murdered by an ex-boyfriend in 2015, he took a keen interest in domestic violence prevention and specifically in redefining what it means to be a badass, especially as a man. With that came a shift to discussing what masculinity is and what it means. It meant understanding what the underlying affects of men being emotionally disconnected caused. It meant coming to terms with the fact that he might be part of the problem. And it meant that he had to learn self awareness and emotional intelligence. And now he is helping other men with that mission. On this episode, we discuss all of the above topics as well as emerging ideas of toxic masculinity, #NotAllMen, and why we need to have more empathy for the women in our lives. He also provides a tangible framework that he uses called SOAR that helps men increase their emotional intelligence and self awareness. It offered a lot of real and tangible value to me and I hope it does the same for you! More about Mike: Mike Cameron is a successful entrepreneur who is often invited to speak at a variety of different business events and conferences. Mike is currently the CEO of Axiom Mortgage Partners, a national network of independently owned mortgage brokerages. Mike’s entrepreneurial endeavors over the last 20 years coupled with his love of sport give him a unique perspective and insights into what it takes to succeed in this no-holds-barred world that we live in. Mike’s holistic approach to self improvement is designed to assist business owners, executives and entrepreneurs to get the most out of themselves and their team. With an emphasis on sound principals and philosophies that focus on actually getting things done and help you move to become a ‘doing’ organization. You can find out more about Mike on watch his Ted Talk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1mxagsjmao) for more!