The expectations of what it means to be a man are changing. Men are struggling to find their place and voice in the world. Join Malcolm Nicholls and Richard Ayling on their journey as two middle-aged men trying to make sense of this modern world, as they take a deeper look at the questions and challenges men are facing, and wonder what a reimagined man might look like in the 21st century.
Malcolm Nicholls and Richard Ayling
In this episode, I'm joined once again by Paul Robson, as we embark on an exploration of masculinity and tradition. Delving into the depths of men's work and the significance of embracing timeless traditions, Paul shares many insights drawn from his journey. From navigating the complexities of masculinity to the transformative power of faith, this conversation offers a captivating glimpse into the essence of life's journey. As with the last podcast, I am in no way trying to sell religion or tradition, but explore the various forms it takes, especially as so many men seem to be flocking to various forms of religion these days, and I'm very curious myself. To hear more about how Paul went from atheism to Orthodox Christianity, listen to Episode 35. But for today, tune in as we delve into the wisdom of tradition and the enduring quest for meaning and purpose. You can find out more about Paul's Maniphesto online men's network here.
In the latest episode of Man Reimagined, join us as Rich embarks on a transformative journey with Malcolm, who shares his profound experiences from his time spent at a Maori retreat recently. Delving deep into the heart of Maori culture, Malcolm unveils the profound insights he gained, particularly regarding rites of passage and the timeless wisdom embedded within their traditions. Let us know what you're thinking: Rich: Email: rich@re-align.co Instagram LinkedIn Mal: Email: malbodyspark@gmail.com Instagram
Welcome back, listeners, to another episode of Man Reimagined. After a six-month hiatus, we're back - both of us. In today's episode, we're reawakening the conversation surrounding men in society. Has it evolved? Just how present is this discourse, and what's the current temperature towards men's development, and 'masculinity'? Join us as we thaw out old notions and explore why the outdated model of polarity might be melting away. So, get comfortable, let's dive in, and spark some meaningful conversations. Links: Scott Galloway website & Instagram Let us know what you're thinking: Rich: Email: rich@re-align.co Instagram LinkedIn Mal: Email: malbodyspark@gmail.com Instagram
Ever wondered what really goes on at men's retreats? Do aspects of them appeal to you, but you're put off by others? Are you curious but unsure about whether they're for you? Keen to know about a different approach, that doesn't involve theatrical initiation rituals, warpaint, and bellowing into the night?! Then keep listening. This episode takes a peek behind the scenes as I talk about my experience taking part in, and facilitating men's retreats. I share my concerns about some of the approaches out there, and what I believe is missing from many of them. I then talk about the Denmark retreat I co-created and co-host with my friends in detail, and if you find yourself curious to find out more, you can head to our new retreat website. Incidentally (ahem) our fourth and final retreat for the year begins September 5th, 2023, and we have 3 spaces still available. If you're catching this episode a bit later, head to the site and find out when the next retreat is planned. Enjoy. Quick links: Episode 27: How to Recognise and Move Beyond the Nice Guy Syndrome (Spotify) Retreat Website My Website My Instagram
What happens to men when they get older? What role can they still play, and how can they share their life experience and wisdom? What function can they serve as they enter their 'golden years', for other men and their community, and why do so few men do so in the west? To answer these questions and find out about the value of being an 'elder', I've invited my friend and mentor David Reis onto the podcast. This episode was recorded a few months back, and David is currently on sabbatical developing his community work that he mentions on the podcast. I hope to invite him back to share more about that development soon. To get in touch with Rich: Email: rich@re-align.co Website: www.re-align.co Instagram: www.instagram.com/richrealign
So many men have an interest in the world of men's work and the personal development journey, but stay on the fringes and prefer to listen or read rather than invest their time and hard-earned money in showing up at a circle, yet alone a retreat. While this is understandable, I thought I'd share one man's inspiring journey who took the leap and jumped in. In the space of 18 months, Chris Barth went from having no association to men's work or masculinity, to now hosting his own men's circle and empowering other men! Over the 32 minutes of this short-but-powerful interview, he tells his story of trying to pick up the pieces from a broken relationship, discovering men's work through my circle, coaching and the retreat we held last September, working with Nice Guy Syndrome...to then being inspired enough to create his own men's group with his friend Rik. The main reason I wanted to share his story is because in many ways it is similar to my own, and so many other men out there, and I hope this resonates with anyone listening who's on the fence about trying out this kind of work. Also, with my next men's retreat in Denmark just a couple of weeks away, it gives anyone feeling inspired by what Chris says about it to grab one of the last spots and dive in.... Chris's humility, honesty and candour about his struggles, reservations and learnings are one of the many reasons I believe his own circle will grow and have a real impact on the men who show up in Karlsruhe, Germany. To find out more about his and Rik's offering, see the links below. Finally, a huge thank you to Chris for jumping onto his first podcast and being so open about himself, which I've no doubt will land with and serve the men it's meant to. Links: To find out more about my upcoming Men's Retreat in Denmark on April 3rd-8th and seal one of the few spots remaining, head over this way. To check out Chris and Rik's in-person men's circle in Karlsruhe, Germany, follow this link. To check out my German-speaking online men's circle, tap or click this bit of the screen. Plus, you can reach me directly via my website, or Instagram page, I'm most active there.
How can a lifelong Atheist suddenly find God and become an Orthodox Christian?!? Is there still a space for religion today? Why the trend for men (in the U.S. in particular) to look to religion more and more right now? How is it even relevant, given what science and New Atheism has shown us in the last couple of hundred years? In this episode, I welcome Paul Robson to help me make sense of this. I called it a 'good faith conversation' not just because I like puns, but because I wanted to sit down and really listen and understand how he thinks, with an open mind. And whilst his men's work is totally separate from his faith, here's a bit about him: "Paul is on a mission to restore manhood. He calls men to adventure and support them in finding a deeper sense of direction and purpose. Together with an amazing team, he started European Men's Gathering in 2017, which has grown to be the European hub for men's leadership training. He runs Maniphesto Core, a platform for online men's mastermind groups and he engages other thought leaders in discussions in order to bring together the men and the ideas which will enable us to create a new story about men". This is an engaging conversation that I really enjoyed having and learning from, I hope you feel the same way. To find out more about Paul: Website: https://maniphesto.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maniphestomen/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXPMCOblA-vdnIpE-4BR8PA Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/43N2FuoVayEWg9YwwPmhud To contact Rich: Website: www.re-align.co Instagram: www.instagram.com/richrealign
In this very special addition of the Man Reimagined podcast, we welcome internationally renowned embodiment teacher, Mark Walsh. I wanted to interview Mark in particular because he is not a man that minces words. He talks straight and is refreshingly candid in his views, whilst at the same time coming across as balanced and grounded in his thinking - a welcome thing. Mark Walsh is the founder of the Embodied Facilitator Course, Embodied Yoga Principles, The Embodiment Podcast and the Embodiment Conference. With an honours degree in psychology, 20+ years of yoga experience and an aikido black belt, he has dedicated his life to embodied learning. He has taught everyone from street kids to the rich and famous, in over 50 countries. His hobbies include offending pirates with his swearing, impressing cats with his stroking, and embarrassing drunks with his dancing. In the podcast we cover: - What embodiment is - How embodied men lead better lives as fathers, at work and in relationships - How men and women relate to embodiment - Mark's experience teaching at Google and the police force - His thoughts on the oppressive patriarchy narrative - Masculinity today and where men find themselves - Male and female relationships - His recent work in Ukraine teaching embodiment and trauma - Trauma: what it is and how it is being taught today - Why there are less men in embodiment spaces than before - Male-friendly and female-friendly spaces Mark's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warkmalsh The Embodiment Conference: https://portal.theembodimentconference.org And to listen to more of Mark, dive into his Embodiment Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-embodiment-podcast/id1284562064 To get in touch with Rich, you can reach him and find all of his links here: https://onmurmur.com/richardayling
It's time for us to have an uncomfortable conversation. The porn industry is often talked about as making the internet, being described as the true early adopters. And that may be the case, however, what has been the legacy of that pornification? In this episode we invite Jeremy Lipkowitz to talk Porn Addiction and the impact that it is having on our lives. Jeremy is a coach and mentor to people working their way through Porn Addiction, and is a recovering addict himself. As such he is able to shed light onto a problem that for many people hides in the shadows. He reveals the shame, guilt and self loathing that one can find themselves struggling with because of watching too much porn, as well as the impact it has on our relationships. He also shows how it is possible to overcome these issues. Jeremy is speaking to us in this episode because he wants to shine a light on this issue so that we can find a way of talking openly about something that carries a lot of stigma. If you, or anyone you know, would like to talk to someone about your relationship with porn, please reach out to Jeremy @ Website: https://www.jeremylipkowitz.com/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeremylipkowitz Linktree: www.linktr.ee/jeremymindful
In this episode we welcome back Drew Lawson. Last year Drew came on to our podcast and shared an incredible amount of wisdom and insight in the world of sex and intimacy, shedding light into so many different areas that most of us don't talk about because we either have no idea about it (things such as kink and group sex), or because we feel too much shame around it (things like self-doubt, needing to perform etc). And he did so in such a clear and beautiful way (his wonderfully melodic and poetic English accent made him very easy to listen to!)..... So we thought we'd invite him back. In this podcast Drew takes us deeper into the world of erotica and intimacy, and as he does so he really shows that it begins with intimacy with ourselves, our ability to feel sensation, and our willingness to slow down. This podcast is a deeply personal sharing of Drew's journey through the world of sex and what he has learned. It is a journey of self-acceptance, exploration, fun, and edginess. It is also one of struggle and confusion. Yet, the lessons that Drew shares with us can not only lead us to being able to have wonderful intimate sex, they have the potential to lead us to deep, profound relationships with not just our loved ones but all of life itself. If, after listening to this podcast, you feel compelled to speak to Drew you can find him through is website https://drewlawson.net/. He does one on one coaching, and couple intimacy work.
In this episode we here at ManReimagined are very proud to share with you a wonderful conversation we had with Mike Dyson, the founder of Good Blokes Co, an organisation that runs retreats for men, rights of passage for boys becoming men, and both father/son and mother/son weekends in Australia. In this episode Mike shares his wisdom and experience about the journey to manhood and the profound learnings he has taken from supporting boys and their parents, as well as what he thinks are the greatest shifts that we can make as men in society. Mike's philosophy is easy to understand, and life changing to follow. If you want to understand more about the experience of being a man in the 21st century, and especially the gifts that we can give to our young men, then this podcast is a must listen. If, from listening to this podcast, you'd like to learn more about Mike, or get in touch with him you can reach him here: Website: https://www.goodblokes.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodblokesco
In this very special addition of the Man Reimagined podcast, we welcome internationally renowned teacher and practitioner, Steve James. Steve James travels internationally teaching somatic practices, meditation, as well as leading explorations in contemplative & relational realms. Known for his direct, grounded approach and his enquiry-based ethos, Steve has extensive experience in elite athletic performance, contemplative and spiritual disciplines, the arts, and human behaviour. Steve's unique range of experiences and understanding of human behaviour, high performance, spirituality, and interpersonal relationships is highly sought after by leading figures at the highest levels of the arts, entertainment, and business. In his private client practice he specialises in the unique interpersonal and strategic challenges faced by very successful and highly visible individuals. Ongoing clients include Oscar-winning actors, multi Grammy winning musicians, CEO's, and multi-billion dollar fund managers. In the podcast I wanted to hear Steve's views on men, masculinity, the value of men's work and where it's headed....but the conversation ranges far beyond that as we cover his background, meditation, movement practices, my coaching business and direction (!), men, women, polarity and more. To learn more about Steve, his meditation club and Koan movement method, visit his website: https://www.guruviking.com/ To learn more about his teaching partner Michaela Boehm, visit her website: https://www.michaelaboehm.com/ To hear Steve and Michaela talk about relationships, check out this episode of her podcast: The Michaela Boehm Podcast And to listen to more of Steve, dive into his podcast where he interviews practitioners in the contemplative realms: Guru Viking Podcast
Since we've started this podcast we've done a few interviews that have touched on relationships and communication. However, pretty much all of that has been more about communication within intimate relationships. In this episode we look to dive into how men are at communicating with their mates. What is it we do well, what do we not do so well, and how can we improve? This is about more than just getting guys to open up to each other and share how they are feeling. This is about how men develop their friendships and connections with other men and how beautiful it is when we do so. It is about how we can learn to open up, and how by doing that we automatically improve all the other relationships in our lives. We hope you enjoy this episode. If you have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to jump on our facebook or instagram and let us know what you think…. Talk to Mal: www.facebook.com/manreimagined www.instagram.com/manreimagined Talk to Rich: www.instagram.com/richrealign www.facebook.com/richrealign www.re-align.co
In this very personal episode Mal shares the journey he has been on as he has supported his wife Evelyn through her battle with Leukemia. The intention for this episode is to share what it is like to see a loved one go through the wild downs and ups that cancer can bring, and how it feels to be the primary caregiver through the whole thing. Everything that Mal shares is deeply personal, yet it is also an experience that many people have gone through in the past, and one that many will go through in the future. It is our hope that by sharing this experience it will help many others - men, women, and children - as they try to navigate their way through something similar. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with their role of supporting a loved one through cancer they can reach out to Malcolm via email at malbodyspark@gmail.com....
Ever heard of Nice Guy Syndrome? Well it's real, and it is affecting more men - and their relationships - than we know. For example, do you always focus on giving yet are uncomfortable receiving, or tend to avoid conflict at all costs? Do you have difficulty making your own needs a priority in your relationships, or find yourself constantly seek approval from others, especially women? Perhaps you keep attracting the same negative cycles in relationships and can't figure out how to change... Becoming aware of, and shifting out of, the Nice Guy Syndrome is not about becoming uncaring, or aloof, it is about becoming clearer in your communication and your boundaries. It is about embracing the grounded strength of the masculine energy, which thereby allows you to bring forth all of who you are into the world. In this power-packed episode we explore the Nice Guy Syndrome and how it has caught so many men in its tracks. We look at the impact it has on the men who are living this way, the way it affects their relationships, their work, and their sense of self-worth. A lot of the discussion we have in this episode comes from Rich's experience as a rehabilitated or recovering 'Nice Guy', and the work he is now doing to help other men who are suffering through the same struggles. If the content of this episode has spoken to you and you would like explore how you can heal your nice guy tendencies, then you can contact Rich or check out more of his work on his website and social media. If you don't want to wait until his group program in July, he also offers 1:1 coaching too (and you can book a free discovery call here https://calendly.com/richrealign/discoverycall). Connect with Rich: Email: rich@re-align.co Website: https://www.re-align.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram/richrealign/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richrealign/
This week we dive into a topic that is very close to Mal's heart, and that is understanding and treating stress and anxiety. In our modern world stress and anxiety have become an epidemic in peoples lives. We all talk about it, yet how many of us actually know what it is? And even less well known is how to treat it and get rid of it. In this episode we aim to change that for you. For the last 20 years Mal has been working with people on their stress and anxiety, and in this episode he shares with you everything he has learned, and in particular that the way most medical people (including psychologists) look at, and treat anxiety, is inherently flawed. By listening to this episode you will gain a whole new understanding of what drives the feeling of anxiety, and how you can begin to release it. It is actually much simpler than you think! If the content of this episode has left you wanting more, then you have the option to take up Mal's 50% off offer for his course Anxiety Unloaded. To go to the course page click on this link to Anxiety Unloaded and use the coupon code 'manreimagined', valid until the end of May 2022. And if you have any questions for Mal personally please feel free to email him at malbodyspark@gmail.com
In this first big interview of our second season we are honoured to talk to the inspiring James 'Fish' Gill about his take on communication and relationship. James is the creator of a whole new way for us as humans to relate to each other. His method incorporates the ancient knowledge of yogic philosophy into the modern need for us to bridge the interpersonal gap and find our way back to a heart centered way of relating to each other. On his website James describes himself as a communications coach, but if you listen to this podcast he is so much more than that. He is a man who inspires a whole new way for us to connect, and he does it in a way that is incredibly inviting, honoring the humanity in all of us. We feel proud and honoured to have James be our first interview for the new season. James is the founder of leadbyheart.com and can be found on instagram (where he is blowing up by the way!). He offers both personalised work and online courses, and for those of you who have been really impacted by the power of James' work, he is in the process of creating a training for those who would like to share his wonderful methods. If you are interested in connecting with him you can contact him directly through either of those platforms.
We're back and we're... well... As interesting and human as we've ever been! That's right a new season of ManReimagined is here to explore men and where we are in society. In this first episode of season 2 we look at what's in-store for the year ahead as we seek to build on the momentum we created last year by interviewing more wonderful people and diving into the mystery of being a man in the 21st Century. We hope you'll join us we restart our journey...
For this episode Mal and Rich have taken time out from their break to do a special interview with the man responsible for starting International Men's Day - Jerome Teelucksingh. Jerome is a history professor from the Island of Trinidad and Tobago (and as a consequence he has a wonderful Carribean accent for you to luxuriate to), and started the movement for recognition of an International Men's Day back in 1999. In this podcast, Jerome shares in a beautiful and articulate way why he started International Men's Day, and what his hopes and dreams are for it. He does a wonderful job of clearing up any confusion about what the day is all about - which is namely to shine a light on the positive things that men bring to society while also recognising that there are areas that we could be doing better - and instilling a hope for the future and how men can play a prominent role in the healing and growth in society. International Men's Day is the 19th November, so if after listening to this podcast you feel inspired to find out more, check out the site www.internationalmensday.com To learn more about International Men's Day in New Zealand, please reach out to Malcolm via our facebook page, or you can see what we are doing in NZ through our NZ mens day website www.nzmensday.co.nz or facebook @nzmensday and instagram @nzmensday
After 23 episodes we have decided to take a break - not an ending but a break! As a consequence, this episode is a reflection on the journey we've been on with ManReimagined over the past 6 months.... The lessons, the insights and the gold that has been shared. If you have been moved by the journey we've been on over the past few months, then please reach out to us. We would love to hear from you, your feedback, and if you feel inspired about any of the projects we've been talking about. You can reach Rich directly via his email at rich@re-align.co... Or Malcolm via email at malbodyspark@gmail.com, or his WhatsApp: +62 912 4698 7249
In this episode Mal and Rich interview John Niland, founder of the Self-Worth Academy. Self-Worth is a very misunderstood concept. It is one of the inner acceptance of who we are, something that is very different from self-esteem, which is more an externally validated experience... Through this episode John takes us through his own journey of self discovery and Self-Worth, sharing a story that we can all aspire to emulate... To read more about John check out his organisation at www.selfworthacademy.com For John's book mentioned in the episode (The Self-Worth Safari), check out https://www.selfworthacademy.com/book/
Have you ever wondered what it is like being a gay man, particularly for those men who lived through the challenging times of the 70's, 80's and in to the 90's - the period when being gay was still outlawed in many places and when AIDS first came on the scene? In this special episode Mal and Rich invite two men - Kris and Geoff - to share their experiences of how it has been to grow up and live as gay men in the Western world. As men in their 40's and 50's they take us through their own personal journeys of acceptance, both within themselves and society, as being gay has shifted from being a maligned, and even feared part of society, to one that is much more accepted and integrated (although there is still much work to be done there!). Throughout this episode they share their very real experiences of the difficulties brought about by the misunderstanding of the past and what it means to be gay, while also sharing the possibilities that lie for us in the future as we become more open and inclusive. We hope you listen and enjoy this episode as part the ManReimagined project - a project where we seek to shed light on all the unknown experiences of what it is like to be a man in the 21st century, and as we do so we hope to enlighten us all....
So.... Spirituality..... why is it that so many men seem to have a fraught and often disdainful view of this word? In this episode Mal and Rich begin to explore the incredible tapestry of life that can be experienced by tapping into our inner spirit. They look to break down the difference (as they see it) between spirituality versus religion, and seek to understand why men as a whole seem to be wary of the spiritual journey. Mal and Rich do this by each of them sharing their own journey and experience of spirituality and the benefit they have got from it. They then look to see how, by men becoming more comfortable exploring their spirituality, men can create a whole new life experience for themselves, and in doing so have a profound impact on the world around them....
Last week we talked to dad's, so this week as a counterpoint we're talking to a 50 year old newly single man to find out what it's like becoming single again in a very different world from his last time out. In this episode we run the gauntlet of relearning how to be on your own, dating apps, societal expectations of middle aged men, and the changing expectations for both men and women when it comes to meeting people. To take us through this journey we talk to Martin as he shares the challenges, hopes and desires that he is experiencing as he tries to navigate a very different world from when he last was single.....
In this very special episode Mal and Rich interview 2 dads (well, 3 if you include Mal) about the joys, challenges, and lessons of being a modern dad. In this wonderfully moving, and at times hilarious interview, the two men - Travis Field and Adam Mahmoud - bring incredibly heart-felt and open insights about what being a dad means to them and how it has shaped their lives. For any of us who want to know what parenting really means to men, then this podcast will illuminate you with some incredible wisdom from some amazing men. Travis also talks about an organisation that he is deeply involved in called Big Buddy. An organisation that pairs fatherless boys with male mentors, something that changes the life of both the boy and the man. For more information about big buddy you can follow this link: www.bigbuddy.org.nz Adam is an internationally-respected yoga teacher, and you can find more about his work here: www.yogadam.com
In this episode Mal and Rich look to speak to the experience of what it is like to be a sensitive man. For many years sensitive men have been often been looked down upon and derided in our society, which has often had a massive effect on those boys growing up with a more sensitive disposition. Recently there has been a change, and sensitivity has become a much more desirable trait in men. However, for many men being sensitive is still a foreign experience, while for those whom sensitivity is a natural state still often feel misunderstood and often 'less of a man'. With this episode Mal and Rich look to decipher what being sensitive actually means, and in doing so they reveal just how much of a superpower sensitivity actually is. When we as men can balance our sensitive, connected side with our ability to lead ourselves and others powerfully, with clarity, strength and grounded self-expression, we can truly be a unique and useful force for good in the world, standing alongside women and moving forward together. If, after listening to this episode, you feel like you would like to talk to Rich further about how you can turn your sensitivity into a super power you can contact him in these ways: His website: https://www.re-align.co Instagram: richrealign YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UCgPM1XBK1PjsYsTRhZNoPJA The Men's Program: https://manrealigned.lpages.co/man-re-aligned/
In this episode Mal and Rich had the pleasure of interviewing Stephanie Dickinson, a specialist in relationships and communication. Over the course of the interview Stephanie enlightens us with the secrets of communication, and how by learning to communicate authentically and openly you can transform even the most challenging relationship (whether that be intimate partner, friend, or family) into a caring, loving, and enriching experience. This episode is the perfect compliment to our last episode on sex and sexuality, providing another powerful way for us all to connect deeply together as human beings, and in it Rich & Stephanie share openly and honestly about their previous relationship and how they've transitioned into a healthy friendship, that brings emotion out in both of them. Stephanie is a coach and facilitator specialising in the art of authentic communication and developing deeper relationships within ourselves and with others. To learn more about Stephanie you can check out one of her masterclasses here: https://stephanie-dickinson.lpages.co/5-steps-to-better-juicier-and-more-authentic-relationships/ And if you wish to contact her for more information you can reach her here: IG: stephanie_dickinson_ FB: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.dickinson.583 Website: www.stephanie-dickinson.com
Want to transform your intimate relationships and your whole experience around sex? This is the episode for you..... In this episode Mal and Rich invite Drew Lawson onto the show to talk about sex, intimacy, and all the things men need to understand about the sexual dynamics within themselves and with their partners. Drew is a sexologist, somatic therapist, and a man who has spent many years exploring the world of neo-tantric practices. Through this amazing interview you will be invited into the world of real sexual intimacy. Drew shows us how men can shift away from the misunderstanding of always needing to perform and be the giver into a more open space of softening and receiving. He opens the door for a much needed conversation on what sexual exploration means to us as men and as humans. You can find out more about him and his work here: www.drewlawson.net
In this episode Mal and Rich explore some of the tragic statistics that surround men, their mental health, and their overall contentment with life (or lack there of). To do this they take a different approach, one where Mal has no idea what Rich is going to say, or bring to his attention. They do this in order to see just what kind of an impact some of the statistics actually have on Mal as they are read out. And in many instances it is obviously very surprising and confronting for them both as they face the reality of the many hidden truths about the state of some men's mental health and wellbeing. ' We encourage you to listen to this incredibly important conversation so that we can all start to bring to forefront many of the struggles that too many men are having in their lives, and address the tragedy that is male suicide and male mental health. It is only through conversations like these that we can begin to bring a wider awareness of the issue and thereby start to get the assistance and support that many men need... This episode was inspired by the tragic suicide of a number of men in Bali. Often we don't know when someone is struggling as the struggle often happens in silence. The best thing we can do is simply reach out to each other to let each other know that we are here and we care.
Over the last two generations, there has been a movement away from gender-based roles in relationships, work, and identity..... So how are men handling it? In this episode of ManReimagined Mal and Rich take a good, honest look at the impact on men of the changed landscape around gender and our roles in society. Coming from the perspective that the evolution of gender equality is a good thing, Mal and Rich reflect on what men are doing well in relation to the changes, and also consider what are we struggling with. As they swim around in a very rich (and valuable) topic, they begin to reflect on the way men derive their self-worth, and how perhaps a societal shift is needed, not just for men, but for all of us...
So what the hell is this term embodiment? In the previous couple of episodes the word embodiment has appeared as Mal and Rich have run the gamut on the topics of emotion and touch, introducing the idea that connecting back into our bodies is an incredibly powerful journey for men to make. In this episode they want to try and get a deeper understanding of what embodiment actually is, and why it is such a vital thing for men to discover. To help them do this they have invited in Gary Joplin - a man who is an expert in the field. Gary is a dancer, choreographer and works with the Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis methods, techniques designed to help us all create a relationship with our bodies. A relationship that is often severely missing for many people, particularly men. Mal and Rich hope you'll join them for this magical interview as Gary takes us into the world of the human body, revealing just how transformative the experience can be....
In this episode Mal and Rich explore the topic of Men and touch, and in particular, why is it that many men in western cultures (especially anglophile cultures) struggle with touching and hugging each other? In fact even just asking this question can lead to all sorts of scorn, ribbing, and discomfort amongst men. This being the case, what is the consequence of our difficulty with touch? How does it impact our own personal wellbeing and our sense of connection? What do we think are our fears around touch, and why is it so hard for so many men? Then finally they look at how we can move through this roadblock and find a way for men to connect through touch in comfortable and freeing way. Once more Mal and Rich swim around an uncomfortable and little talked about subject, asking questions of themselves and society, seeking to find a new, more connected way for men to be in the world.
In this episode Mal and Rich dive into the massive subject of emotion. Men often get accused of not expressing how they are feeling enough and that as a consequence relationships can be challenging... Is this fair? Do men in reality struggle to express emotion? If so, what are some of the reasons that it may be true? And what is emotion, and what does it mean to be able to express it? After exploring what emotion actually is Mal and Rich explore what it means to express emotion in a healthy way. How can men start to do this and what language tools do we need to develop to become effective at expressing emotion? Then finally they ask what does the role of the body play in expressing emotion? We really hope you'll take the time to listen, as we believe that men learning how to feel, and express, emotion can be a game changer for us all.
Episode 9 does an about flip. In this episode Karina comes back and interviews Mal and Rich, asking the questions that she would like to know about men. With Mal and Rich on the hot seat this episode provides a completely different take on how it is to be a man today, with Karina asking a variety of different questions than haven't been asked until now... This episode provides another level of insight into the ever-evolving dynamic between men and women and highlights the value of bringing people together to talk ..... and listen!
This episode is a continuation of last week's podcast where Rich and Mal explore the field of Men's Work. This week they take a deeper dive into the world of men's circles and look to bring some light to another often misunderstood practice. Both Rich and Mal are long time, enthusiastic participants of men's circles and in this podcast they look to share just how much they get out of it, and also how a good circle is to be run. If you, or any man you know, think you/they would benefit from joining a men's circle please contact Mal and Rich by PM via their facebook page ManReimagined. They will get back to you asap....
In this episode Rich and Mal dive into the mysterious, and often misunderstood, world of men's work. They attempt to bring clarity to the whole field by talking about the history of men's work and showing that really it is the history of men and humanity. They also seek to dispel this notion that somehow men's work is not masculine enough, but rather show that it could very well be the place that men need to go in order to break through the challenges we are facing and get the support that we all need. Our intention in this podcast is to show that when done well men's work, and men's circles, are an incredible place for men to find the support they need. If, after listening to this podcast, you or any men that you know would like more information on how and where to find places to get support please send us a PM on our Facebook page ManReimagined, or email us directly - malbodyspark@gmail.com for Mal, rich@re-align.co for Rich
In this episode Rich and Mal take their first steps in exploring where to from here for men. The last few episodes have been a reflective and honest look at where men are now, particularly in relationship to women and this designation of toxic masculinity. Now it is time to start exploring: what is the potential of men, and how do we get there? They start the episode by recapping the previous interview with Karina, which then springboards them into the whole premise of the podcast: namely that men face challenges right now, for which we are being asked to step up. It is time for men to evolve. Rich and Mal firmly believe men can and in the episode they set the scene for exploring what the full potential for men is and how we can get there, opening the door for the following episodes that will take us on the journey of ManReimagined.
In this episode Rich and Mal speak to Karina Guthrie to get her perspective on what it is like to be a woman around men. Karina is a yoga teacher trainer and mentor. She provides training courses, continuing education programs and one-on-one support for dedicated teachers and students of yoga. She is currently completing a PhD at the University of Otago on ‘The history of women's participation in Hatha Yoga ritual'. In this conversation, she offers her personal experience only. Her views are her own. She is not a gender studies expert and does not work in the gender equality space. She agreed to participate in this conversation because she believes open conversations, had respectfully, foster empathy and shared understanding and that this is always a good thing. You can find out more about her and her work here: Website: https://karinaguthrieyoga.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karina.guthrie.yoga/
This week's episode was inspired by International Women's Day and in particular some of the horrific stats about violence towards wonen perpetrated by men. Why is this still going on and why is there so little noise by men to shift these horrible statistics? Rich and Mal ask when will men take responsibility for what is going on, and why have we not until now? They also get really honest and ask themselves in what way are they contributing to the silence and how can they make changes? It is our hope that through this episode, and the next one where we interview Karina on what it is like to be a woman in relation to being around men, that we begin bring about some positive and lasting change for the way men respect and interact with women. We believe It is time men speak up and start to take action in support of women.....
Over the last couple of years the term Toxic Masculinity has sprung into our consciousness and vernacular, but what does it actually mean? In this episode Mal and Rich attempt to unpick this term, trying to see if they can understand where it came from and what it means for men, boys and society to have this label of toxic masculinity. They question what are men being asked to confront, and change, about themselves through this label, and they also don't shy away from asking the question is this label fair? Join Mal and Rich as they once more weave their way through the minefield of what it means to be a man today...
In this episode Mal and Rich attempt to break down what is the meaning of this often misunderstood and quite loaded word? They look at what is positive about modern masculinity and what we could do better, and also explore the difference between the term masculine and male gender. They also spend sometime looking at femininity from a men's perspective and the way the two intertwine. In this episode they stay away from the topic of 'toxic masculinity'.... Saving it for its own 30 mins in the next episode!
In this first episode Rich and Mal introduce themselves and their concept around Man Reimagined. Like any first episode they seek to draw you in with wisdom, insight, and humour, of which sometimes they succeed and sometimes they show themselves to be just what they are: Two middle aged men stumbling around blindly trying to make sense of the world.