Stories from the Razor's Edge

In this last episode of the season Geoff walks through the stories and pulls together the men's hard won gems of wisdom. I've called the episode Reverse Engineering because I'm taking the stories back to 1st Principles, so you get the gems using The Rule of Life ..... repeat what works and has been rewarded. I'll be looking at each story roughly through the lens of the 3 stages we spoke of in the last episode; firstly the outward journey to the Razors Edge, secondly the Great Turning at the edge, and thirdly, the inward journey home. These are stories from, if you like, the bar at the end of the universe, where you must go to meet those who have travelled the road before you, and know what you need to know. Together they add up to a collection of insights to live by.

Geoff Price and Ranald Allan discuss a lattice framework for the stories from the Razors Edge. They explore the map of Life's inner journey in a conversation that illuminates what many men are looking for in life, and shows the way ahead no matter what stage you are at. The document “Hero's Inner Journey Map is available to download free, at https://gumroad.com/razorsedge  Geoff's physical paperback books, “Puberty Boy” and “Real Men & True Happiness” are now available for purchase at gumroad.com/razorsedge . And you can Download the free ebook of Real Men & True Happiness and other free ebooks and resources at Gumroad.com/razorsedge.

Geoff Price, your usual host at Stories from the Razor's Edge, is interviewed by Ranald Allan to share his story of self discovery.Geoff's physical paperback books, “Puberty Boy” and “Real Men & True Happiness” are now available for purchase at gumroad.com/razorsedge . And you can Download the free ebook of Real Men & True Happiness and other free ebooks and resources at Gumroad.com/razorsedge.

Geoff Price, your host at Stories from the Razor's Edge is interviewed by Natalie Yan-Chatonsky of Full Time Lives, an outfit that helps people build healthy, meaningful and connected lives after full-time work. Nat asked Geoff if he would discuss the 3 great transitions in life, my own transitions, eldership and life after full time work.In the interview Nat mentions Geoff's book Puberty Boy. It's a much loved resource for boys making the transition from boy to healthy young man. It's for boys 11-15 or so, full of stories, illustrations and great photos that guide boys to healthy manhood. It shows boys about their developing body, and how to make the shift from boy to healthy man. Boys the world over love it, and immediately disappear to their room to read it, and actually girls love to get their hands on it too! It's published in Australia by Allen and Unwin, and you'll find it at your local bookshop. For those overseas it is now published in 8 languages.The other book of Geoff's that Nat mentions is Real Men and True Happiness, published in paperback in India by Dawn Books, at the request of Indian Jesuit priest and Zen Master AMA Samy. The book is a fresh look at what a “real man” actually is beyond masculine stereotypes. It provides tools to understand yourself, develop self mastery and capabilities for a rich happy life. Midlife men love it, and it's for anyone embarking on the adventure of self discovery. To purchase either of these titles email Geoff at geoffrey.a.price@icloud.com.

Geoff Price's guest today is John Broadbent. John takes us on a journey from self described propellor head engineer, born - so to speak - in a 1000 room mansion; who realises in adulthood that he has become a 2 bedroom bedsit that needs a bit of work. John opens up on how he unplugged himself from a straitjacket of his own making, the good boy and Mr Perfect, then gathers himself, finds his potency, and finally learns to trust himself. It's a story for Everyman.

Geoff Price's guest is The Phantom, the ghost who walks, aka Brian Lillyman. For the first time in his long life Brian opens up about his life of military and police trauma, from Vietnam to detective, and the PTSD he has suffered and wrestled with as a result. It's a deeply moving story of duty, trauma, grief, shame, moral injury, loss, alcohol, unravelling and finally finding admiration for himself and some healing of his soul. So listen up and immerse yourself in a tale of what he did to himself, death, adventure and uneasy peace.If you suffer from PTSD, take look at Wyla.org.au. Brian mentioned a book he contributed to, it is called Cease Fire and is available from the author Ken Little at kjlittle@optusnet.com.au or Brian Tapp on 0410543743.

Geoff Price talks with Mohammed, a Hazara refugee from Afghanistan, persecuted by the Taliban. As just a teenage boy he was entrusted by his desperate family to people smugglers to try to save him from becoming a forced child soldier or summary execution. He tells, for the first time, a story of courage, luck, panic and a terrifying boat journey to Australia as he tries to find a safe place in the world. And once here meeting the challenges of a different world altogether, finding his true religion, meeting Aussie girls, and “a beautiful angel” … and becoming someone he could be proud of.

Geoff Price's guest is Kitsiri DeSilva. And you are in for a treat today because you will hear the vibrant and energising story of how Kitsiri  inhabits his body in a uniquely creative energetic way. And how he uses his ability to play, dance, drum, and get people moving to creatively help people who have gone through hell, shut down, or simply lost touch with the flowing playful, sexual, and self caring potential in their bodies.

Geoff Price talks with Andy Roy who let's us in on his discovery that it's not a we journey, it's a me journey. We hear how the one thing that gets in the way of a great life, is a good life. Andy shares how he navigates his inner world, defends against the dreaded pain, about heeding the call, the purpose of alcohol, and how the adversity he resisted had the gold in it. An eye opening opportunity to listen to a man who courageously stepped out of mediocrity.

Geoff Price interviews Brett Churnin who was awarded a Bravery Medal for saving a life. Brett reveals how that led him to seeing himself in a new light, realising there was a lot more to discover, and helping other men do the same by starting their own Men's Group. Thus was born the Field Guide to Men's Groups. And a Facebook Mens Group of over 5000 men around the world. (Access both at :https://www.mensgroup.info )

Geoff Price interviews Paddy Murray. Themes: Childhood wounding and bouncing back; Leaving the mainstream to pick the daisies; Standing one's ground; Setting boundaries; creating a Spiritual Life; ; emotional Independence; Way of the Mature Man. Paddy's eBook Men's Group Leadership; A Resource Manual for Excellence is available to download at https://gumroad.com/paddymurray

Geoff's guest is Paul Henley. Paul is Chairman of the Pathways Foundation, a harm prevention charity with a focus on Rites of Passage. Paul tells us how an “angel with a flower” changed him and how this twist of fate led him to a life of helping men and boys find their way. Along the way Paul reveals how he learned to find and trust his integrity and instincts….. and even why a banker in a three piece suit gave the son of a communist a great big hug.

Geoff Price talks with Richard O'Neill, owner of Spirit Safaris. In an unusual archetypal mix, Richard is both an engineer and a visionary. We hear how grounded structure has allowed the magic in his life to take place. Richard let's us into his connection with spirit, aboriginal spirits, his dreams of ancestors being unable to feed their children, and how his many extraordinary experiences have impacted his life living out the O'Neill family myth. To follow posts on what Stories from the Razor's Edge is creating and access Geoff's eBooks and resources go to: https://gumroad.com/razorsedge.

Welcome to Stories from the Razors Edge. I'm Geoff Price and today I am proud to say that my guest is Maxwell Reddin. Maxwell is with me to tell what I think is a heroic story. Even the telling is heroic and I admire him for it. BY WAY OF WARNING: This interview contains a story of abuse that some listeners may find upsetting. It is not suitable for children. Max's story is confronting. Yet, he has many gifts for us as he unfolds a boy's long terrifying journey from the buried secrets and survival tactics of boyhood, to recovering his real self, and becoming a REAL man, who remarkably couldn't ask for more. Max's book “Real Time - A Boy's Long  Journey from Nowhere to Peace is available from Blurb.

Geoff Price talks with Miles Protter about his journey to become a Cambridge schooled, internationally important  investment banker … all thanks to his dream, and the many mentors who believed in him. Then his biggest surprise of all, one that he wouldn't have thought possible. Miles reveals how his heart was aroused to totally transform his life and his personal purpose. Serendipity - the adventure one gets is the one we are ready for. Listen in as Miles tells us why he's never so happy as when he doesn't get what he wants.

Geoff Price talks with GP Dr Chris Cotton who shares his knowledge and insight into suicide, depression and mental illness, and his utter powerlessness in the face of it. By opening up Chris is following his own advice that it helps to talk about it. Join me as Chris reveals how he hit the wall, and the crisis he needed to have to give him real perspective. Now he looks back on what happened as one of the best things that ever happened to him. Chris wrote an article about his experience called “Mental Illness: A View From Inside” - that was published in Australian Doctor. He has kindly made that article available to our listeners - Follow the link:https://www.dropbox.com/s/cx0apiiteaozbxr/Mental%20Illness-%20%20A%20View%20From%20Inside.docx?dl=0

Geoff's guest today is Professor Ric Day, a medical doctor, teacher, a researcher at St Vincents Hospital and UNSW where he is a practicing Rheumatologist and Clinical Pharmacologist. Ric has received many awards, including in 2000 a Member of the Order of Australia, the AMA Distinguished Service Award in 2009. Ric reveals how he learned to communicate, what it has meant to him, and his secret to a fulfilling life.

Geoff's guest today is an Indigenous elder. A Yolngu lore man from Yirrikala in Arnhem Land, the far north of Australia, Mr. Timmy Djawa Burarrwanga. A  rare chance to hear a traditional lore man speak from the heart about his traditional life and what has transformed it. Timmy discusses himself. his upbringing, his relationship to the land, his spirituality, his experience of white people, his sorrows, joys and hopes for the future, and about living between the worlds of Yolgnu and Balander. 

Geoff Price talks with Andrew Marks a former commander of an Australian Army counter terrorism unit after which service he suffered a sudden unexplained breakdown. After a near death experience, two years of living hell and the inability to function, he was advised that he was basically stuffed and written off by medical science and the everyday medical system. On the verge of death Andrew decided to find non traditional help to heal himself, or rather it found him. Entering the shamanic world was a doorway to his own shamanic journey and practice today healing PTSD. Andrew's story is an example of how your higher self sometimes comes down to get your attention in life.

Geoff's guest today is Mr. Wes Carter who is one of the elders of menswork in Australia. Wes was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2015 for pioneering work with Mens Health and Wellbeing in WA. He's 82 years young and still working with men. Wes lifts the bonnet on his turning point when he noticed himself saying “what do you mean I'm angry?” Wes shares his secret to making change, and why he's still searching after all these years.

Geoff Price talks with Peter Efford. Artist, thinker, prone to wonderment, visually curious, at one time the first and later chief graphic designer at the ABC, facilitator of the Menswork Project, Men in Bali and the Elders Way. Peter walks us through a happy childhood that was all he could ever want, being a dud at school, some great breaks in life, then a confronting turning point where he was forced to recognise and confront the shadow in himself, and clean up his act. And so he finds himself and his integrity anew. It's a highly personalised enquiry stripping himself as naked as the models he paints. In the process he demonstrates that, yes, you can choose who to be.

Geoff Price's guest today is Elyjah McLeod. He tells the tale of growing up a Country  Road wearing young man, a policeman's son, on a sheep and wheat farm in western Victoria. Finally leaving to meet his people. He shares the tale of his sexual and spiritual global discovery, even a whack on the back from the Dalai Lama. Returning home to his parents after roaming for years, he has a determination to no longer live a double life ..... and incredibly, ends up being with men in a totally new way.

Geoff Price talks with John Moulang, once named the best white percussionist in Africa. John was born with different wiring, that fed into a belief that in order to connect he had to be clever. Listen as he tells the story of dying and being in the space beyond the game, a place that he calls “Heaven Before Death”. We hear of his shift in awareness – to awake from the mass hypnosis around him, and deal with his life with overwhelming gratitude and acknowledgement.

Geoff Price's guest today is Brendan O'Leary who tells the moving story of a wildman being lost in the wilderness, until finally healing his wounds and finding peace in himself. After growing up an abused boy, who ironically wanted to become a Catholic priest, Brendan tells an engrossing story of ending up in a Zen monastery in India, finding mysticism, and finding a mens group who helped him heal, find himself and find his purpose.

Geoff Price's guest today is Nick Todhunter, one time grommet, and now a man with a corporate career of great success. So much so, he thought he was what he did, then he discovered his true impact on others. And what a opportunity that turned out to be! Listen in as Nick recounts about a midlife eye opener he wouldn't swap for quids.... as well as his discovery that men can do two things at once ... walking and talking, and its bliss.

Ranald Allan Part 3. Ranald opens up on the privilege of the years he spent living and working with traditional remote Aboriginal people in Australia. We see that how you see yourself is actually hugely culturally determined, and that gentlemen, spells an opportunity to feel better, grow psychologically and spiritually; and to become the man your evolved future needs you to become.

Ranald Allan Part 2. Ranald talks of his ashes periods, expanding consciousness, the gift in what the impulse is trying to remember, and the excitement in the difficulties in trying to be truly awake and giving up the things his ego wants to feed. He discovers its not what you want but what you need that in the ends brings you home.

Ranald Allan Part 1. From a forest in Tasmania creative writer, film maker, facilitator, spiritual seeker and champion golfer Ranald reveals how a late maturing little boy with a dramatic childhood turns a big need for attention into the seeds of a big extraordinary life. 

Guest Paul Tipper - suffered an unimaginable tragic loss that turned out to be a rite of passage. From wanting to be liked, and believing he should have died, Paul realised he survived for a purpose, we find out how in that process he became a better man.Men's unvarnished Stories To Live By on the adventure of self discovery.