Empowered AF

I want you to reflect on where your life is right now. Not happy with it? I have news for you: The solution is simple, but not easy. In this new episode, Mark emphasizes how communication is the cause for so much hardship in marriages, yet so many men fail to effectively articulate their feelings, leaving them feeling alienated. Mark then lays out how to make ACTUAL changes in your life TODAY, as...

When you look after the children by yourself for the first time, how will you react? Will you resort to pity and apathy, or will you carry yourself with the strength needed to fulfill both your kids’ and your needs? Parenthood is hard and single parenthood is even harder, but it IS possible. In this new episode, Mark sits down with fellow Empowered AF coach, Isaiah Fliessbach, to discuss how they...

If you’re reading this wondering how you could possibly salvage your marriage, you’re not alone. But, here’s the catch: Before you save anything else, you HAVE to save yourself. On this new episode, Mark talks with Noah A. and his wife, Bethany, about how the program has deeply helped their marriage, but that’s never been the program’s focus. Noah and Bethany discuss how this ONE question forced N...

Every man has a leader inside of him, but if he doesn’t learn how to lead himself first, he’ll never be able to lead others, let alone a marriage. So many men believe that focusing ONLY on their wives’ happiness will inevitably make them happy, but this approach too often leads to catering and giving up parts of themselves for peace in the household. Once the man forgets who he is, he stops being...

To live is to constantly grow and improve, but if you’re blaming anyone else but yourself, you’re not growing. Looking at yourself honestly and taking accountability can be incredibly painful, but it IS necessary in your growth as a man. Most of us have wounds, but touting them as trophies isn’t how they heal; they heal when you go to surgery. In this new episode, Mark lays out the fundamentals of...

When emotions are running hot and the stakes are high, should divorce be an option? The decision to file for divorce is never an easy one, so how do you know if it’s the right choice for you? In this new episode, Mark reminds you what you NEED to ask yourself BEFORE you commit to any life-changing decisions. Your situation is unique, so you DESERVE to define your boundaries, commit to bettering yo...

If you’ve created a fantasy about your wife returning to the marriage, let it go. This may sound harsh, but if you get attached to an outcome instead of reality, you will fall into the same patterns of distrust and unhappiness. In this new episode, Mark lays out this simple truth: Your wife MIGHT return to the marriage, but instead of trying to save your marriage, you have to save yourself. “You c...

When s&!% hits the fan, how will you react? Will you allow your emotions to rule you, or will you make a conscious choice to respond with dignity and respect? We don’t choose what happens in life, but we are fully in control of how we react to it. In this new episode, Mark emphasizes how your interpretation of a situation holds massive weight and lays out the steps to figuring out what you can...

Being an “empowered” man means that you can get through anything alone, right? Very wrong. Being empowered means having the humility to admit when you need help, as there’s no shame in acknowledging your faults. Through that humility and willingness to learn, you’ll discover that there’s more to your situation than “divorce or not”. In this new episode, Mark lays out why men are reluctant to engag...

Let’s get real for a second: This work sucks sometimes. Spreading yourself wide open emotionally is painful and terrifying, but guess what? It’s necessary to heal. You know what else? You deserve to heal. In this new episode, Mark lays out why you need to greet struggle with open arms to beat your trauma, the support systems that will help you show up consistently, and why being vulnerable with ot...

When your emotions are set to 11, word vomit comes naturally. But that’s exactly what it is—vomit. If your thoughts are unclear, your words will be too. With no clear direction, you cannot hope to save your marriage or yourself. On this new episode, Mark lays down the foundations of brevity, showing us the power of shutting up and choosing your words carefully. He explains the effect of pauses, th...

Let’s be honest: The truth is scary! Looking at your TRUE self, every good and bad part, is uncomfortable as hell, so most guys don’t do it. Here’s the rub: That’s one of THE reasons a marriage falls apart. In this new episode, Mark shows us how miscommunication in marriage begins with miscommunication with yourself. Ultimately, becoming an empowered man involves staring at your vulnerable self in...

The goal of counseling is NOT to save your marriage. I repeat, saving your marriage is not the goal. The goal is for you to find your manhood and fight for it, no matter what she decides to do. Too many men are willing to sacrifice their identity to keep the marriage afloat, whether for the wife, the kids, or their pride. In this episode, Mark lays out five key mistakes that are actually harming y...

People vent because they want to release pressure and feel understood by others. This sounds innocent on the surface, but what if it’s actually harmful in the long run? If someone feels the tension of a problem, venting is the easy way to feel better, but it doesn’t resolve the issue. In fact, venting makes the person less likely to tackle the problem at all! In this new episode, Mark explains the...

If you think the simple “I’m sorry, I messed up” is enough for an apology, you need to listen to this episode. Spoiler alert: It’s not. In this new episode of Empowered AF, Mark lays out the fundamentals of owning your mistakes and becoming a truly Empowered Man. He covers the nature of trust, the power of empathy, and the beauty of fostering a space where you and your partner can be fully vulnera...

Setting a boundary is about more than “Me Time”. When you set a boundary, you’re telling yourself and the world that your happiness is valuable. Whether you’re single or married, this principle is crucial to embracing your manhood. In this new episode, Mark discusses the key steps to establishing healthy boundaries, no matter where you are in life. He details the importance of consistency, how to...

Manipulation usually operates on the subconscious, meaning that most people aren’t actively trying to control others. However, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t powerful, and when you pair that with something as emotionally charged as a damaged marriage, people can easily feel exploited. In this new episode, Mark helps us better understand manipulation by summarizing it in a super digestible way, as...

We all wish affairs were only nightmares, but they’re unfortunately all too real. So, if that nightmare becomes real for you, how do you transform that pain into a positive? In this new episode of Empowered AF, Mark makes the case for how emotional cheating is an underestimated beast, the feelings that can trap you in a cycle of self-sabotage, and THIS mindset shift that will decide if you emerge...

If trauma strikes, how will you react? Fall apart or pick up the pieces? Trauma affects everyone, but your response to it makes ALL the difference. Welcome to Empowered AF, a podcast that helps guide men through divorce and rediscover their power. In this episode, host Mark Santiago emphasizes the importance of having a vision, one exercise to help you endure the pain more productively, and how to...

An Empowered man is one who communicates like a leader, sets boundaries that gets respect, knows who he is and what he wants...and owns his own sh*t.   The Empowered AF podcast is designed to help men do just that in their marriage and life. Join entrepreneur, coach and father Mark Santiago every week as he shares the secrets to stepping into your own empowerment as a man.  Each wee...