Authenticity Road

This episode dives deep into the transformative power of Neuro-Linguistic Somatic Experience (NLSE) with Kyle Smith, who explores how our stories shape our realities and limit our growth. He discusses techniques like breathwork and storytelling to foster personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of redefining our narratives to unlock authenticity and resilience.   • Exploring the power o...

Imagine a sanctuary where emotional connection and vulnerability take center stage, specifically designed for GBTQ men. That's what Cator Sparks and Mike Sagun bring to life with their transformative retreats. Our episode explores how these inclusive spaces contrast with traditional, often heteronormative, men's gatherings, allowing participants to embrace their authentic selves without...

Survivor and advocate Jill Sitnick takes us on a transformative journey as she shares her own powerful story of healing childhood trauma-induced PTSD through psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Uncover the myths and misconceptions surrounding psychedelics, often misunderstood as recreational substances, and learn how compounds like psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD are now recognized for their remarkable...

What if embracing fear could unlock the most authentic version of yourself? Join us on Authenticity Road as we sit down with "Adam," an anonymous adventurer whose life story is a masterclass in living boldly. Raised amid the chaos of 1980s New York City, Adam's relentless pursuit of authenticity has taken him from the pinnacles of Wall Street to the raw reality of dumpster diving. H...

Episode 3:17: Learning Love with Dr. Mark Hicks What do you think of the idea that love—real, lasting love—isn’t something that just happens to us, but is something we can actually learn and cultivate? Imagine the impact that could have on every relationship in your life. Today, we’re embarking on a journey to explore one of the most profound mysteries of human existence: how do we build relations...

What if the journey to overcoming your biggest challenges didn’t just require strength of will, but also a shift in mindset? What if the key to recovery was hidden in the same techniques that teach us to defend ourselves? Today, we’re stepping into a world where the art of self-mastery meets the fight against addiction, anxiety, and depression. Our guest is not your typical counselor—he’s a black...

What does it mean to be a man in today’s world? Is it about power? Strength? Or is it something deeper? For generations, men have been handed a script—be tough, be stoic, don’t show weakness. But what if that script is flawed? And what happens if we challenge the very foundations of that traditional masculinity? Our guest today is Ed Frauenheim. Ed is a writer and speaker who has dedicated his lif...

How do you make meaning for yourself, and how does that inform not only your worldview, but also how you navigate life? In this episode, we reveal a framework that could change the way you think about personal growth and development. Have you ever felt stuck, questioning your purpose, or unsure about the next steps in your life or career? Or maybe you're searching for deeper meaning and authe...

Episode 3.13: The Friend Connection with J Stamatelos Will you be my friend? It’s a vulnerable question to ask. And if you’re a man, it might even feel like an impossible one.  Have you considered the importance of friendships in your life? Not just any friendships, but those deep, meaningful connections that shape who we are?  I count myself as a very lucky man, for my world today is filled with...

It has been said that each of us carries at least one good story: That of our own lives. My guest today is proof of that old adage. His story is one that truly embodies the essence of resilience, transformation, and the power of human connection.  In this episode, I welcome my close friend Matthew Parkes. When I first met Matt, I had no idea of his history or the things he’d been through. He simpl...

When was the last time you had a good cry? What’s that? You say men don’t cry? You might be right. And that’s not a good thing. Today, our guest is a mental health professional who's dedicated to helping men navigate their emotions and show up authentically in their relationships. His name is Ryan Kopyar, and he's here to share his wisdom and experience. In a world where men are often ta...

Let’s take a deep dive into a topic that touches the heart of what it means to be a man in today’s world. We’re exploring the complexities of masculinity, the power of vulnerability, and the transformative potential of relational leadership. Joining us is Donald Bialkowski, a seasoned therapist and relationship coach from Madison, Wisconsin, who has dedicated over two decades to understanding the...

Some guys discover the world of men’s work, try it out, and discover it’s not for them. Perhaps they’re not ready to dig in, or the work simply doesn’t resonate with them. Others engage in the work and are forever changed. They embark on a journey of discovery, take their discoveries back to their lives, and live the better versions of themselves. They benefit their spouses and partners, their chi...

Losing your cool. Flying off the handle. Blowing a fuse. No matter what you call it, we all do it now and then: Get angry. In today’s episode, we’re taking a deeper dive into this topic that touches every one of us. But this isn't just about the moments when we’ve seen red; it's about understanding the roots of our rage, navigating our emotions, and ultimately, finding freedom in the way...

Lining up guests for the podcast can feel risky at times. Unless the guest is someone I know well—an acquaintance or personal friend—I’m taking a leap of faith that this person and I will have enough to talk about to keep the conversation going for the better part of an hour. The concern might be that the person isn’t interesting, or the conversation flags. Or, worse, the person’s area of expertis...

Do you ever get the feeling that you’re somehow different? Like how the world works just isn’t right for you? Or maybe you’ve noticed that your ways of processing your experience don’t seem to follow the same patterns as other people’s? It could be more than just a feeling. In today’s episode, I am excited to introduce you to ADHD life, relationship, and career coach Shane Thrapp. Through Shane’s...

We talk a lot on this show about men doing their personal development work and seeking to become the best versions of themselves. We discuss techniques and modalities. We talk about the tools we teach and the behaviors we seek to model. But what does it look like when a man actually does the work and applies these skills to his life? In this episode we welcome my friend and men’s work brother Ross...

Hello all you beautiful humans. We hope you're enjoying life as you tune into this week's episode where we explore Reiki and energy healing. Maybe you've heard of it, or maybe you've even experienced working with a Reiki practitioner. Or maybe you have absolutely no idea what Reiki and energy work are. In today's episode we are joined by Heather, a Reiki and energy practit...

What is the intersection of masculinity and compassion? In a world where men are often conditioned to be tough and unemotional, our guest, Sean Harvey, sheds light on a different path. Sean, a visionary in blending masculine strength with the power of vulnerability, invites us to rethink what it truly means to be a man in today’s world, especially for those men operating within hypermasculine syst...

Imagine a place where men can gather, to talk, listen, share, and grow. A community where the walls of traditional masculinity are replaced with bridges of mutual support and understanding. In this episode, we're venturing into the transformative world of Men Living, a non-profit committed to improving men’s lives through connection. Today, I’m speaking with Shaun Emerson, Board President of...

If you’ve been listening to the Authenticity Road Podcast over the last two seasons, you know that Jordan and I both came to this work via EVRYMAN and the somatic method they teach. For some time, though, I’ve been considering that there’s more than one way for men to pursue their personal and emotional development. With that in mind, we’re kicking off our third season of the show—our 51st episode...

As we mentioned last time, it’s often said that we shouldn’t talk about money, politics, and religion in polite society. Well, we’re going to throw one more taboo topic into the mix: Sex. In part two of our season finale, we continue our chat with repeat guest, self-relationship coach and IFS practitioner J. Stamatelos. In this part of our conversation, we dive into a topic that has both fascinate...

It’s often said that the three topics one should avoid in polite society are money, politics, and religion. In this episode, the first half of our two-part season finale, we’re going to risk being impolite and broach the subject of religion. Specifically, we’re diving into a topic that has puzzled philosophers, shaped civilizations, and sparked countless debates: the intersection of religion and a...

If you look back to our first season, you’ll notice that many of our episodes featured just Jordan and me talking, with no outside guests. This season, we did things a little differently as we shifted our attention to bringing in guests on a wider range of topics. Given that, we’ve only had time so far for one episode of us talking to each other. As we are nearing the end of season two—with only t...

One of the great things about podcasting is that I regularly get to meet and have in-depth conversations with fascinating people whose paths I would almost certainly never cross anywhere else. Today’s guest, author, speaker and drum circle facilitator Andrew Ecker, is one such person. In this interview, Andrew weaves the rich tale of his life’s story, how he found his authentic self, and how that...