The Akkeri

Brian Recker is a former Marine Officer, the son of a Baptist preacher, and an alum of the fundamentalist Bob Jones University. Brian spent eight years as an evangelical pastor before deconstructing his faith to find a more inclusive spirituality. He now speaks about following Jesus without the fear of hell, and has written about this in his new book, HellBent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christian...

Brent Beshara spent 24 years in the Canadian military, mainly as a special forces Navy bomb disposal diver. In his words, when he retired on a Friday it was all “pats on the back” and “we’ll get together,” but when Monday came “it was tumbleweeds”. He had a great career, but the highly stressful and traumatic experiences had left a mark and now his mission was to heal. Through mindfulness, breath-...

Finding a vocation (not a job) is one of the most important tasks for any man. We want work that makes us feel alive, provides for a strong financial foundation, and has a significant positive impact on the world. And we find that by pursuing our passions, practicing the discipline required to perfect our craft, and sharing that work with the world. Jack Aldous–my friend and solo artist–is doing t...

This episode is a conversation with podcaster, coach, and author Larry Hagner. Over the past 10 years, Larry has spoken with hundreds of experts and worked with thousands of men through his podcast and programs at The Dad Edge. Now, he has distilled the essence of what makes legendary fathers different in his new book, The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood. We talk about how most men have a deep des...

This episode is a conversation with content creator and fellow Newfoundlander, Scott Matchim. Since late 2023, Scott’s been creating short-form videos that showcase the many socio-cultural quirks that are distinct to Newfoundland and its people. Scott is a proud Newfoundlander with a knack for storytelling, a sharp sense of humour, and a deep love for the people and culture that shaped him, and th...

My guest for this episode is Mitch Webb, a nervous system coach and holistic healing guide who helps people heal from chronic stress and trauma by reconnecting with their bodies. He blends science, somatics, and personal experience to help others feel safe, grounded, and alive. The conversation centres around the importance of being connected to your physical and emotional experience as a man, the...

In this episode, I’m speaking with Art Aronson, a communications professional with the provincial government of British Columbia. Art shares his story of being adopted from Thailand by his American parents and raised in Canada, on Vancouver Island. We talk about work-life satisfaction and the challenges he faces as a public servant. We also discuss the societal pressures to be or do certain things...

Dr. Dermell Brunson is a dedicated leader in youth development, mental health advocacy, and the arts. As the founder of Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Centre, he has spent years empowering young people through education, creativity, and leadership training. Dermell and I talk about the importance of mentoring and how to connect with, build relationships, and support younger people. We also talk about h...

If you are interested in entrepreneurship, travel, or you are simply a man who sets the bar high for himself, this episode is for you…why? Because my guest in this episode is Peter Collins, one of the most interesting people I’ve had the privilege of getting to know. Peter is a serial entrepreneur, former British army commando, and professional photographer. He has been a high-level athlete - comp...

Have you ever lived abroad or considered spending an extended period in another country? I have, but my guest has done it a lot more. Ruben Vazquez is a martial arts and English teacher I met while living in Vietnam. I asked Ruben to come on the show because we have had similar and different experiences with travel, but we both know how important it is to get outside of your comfort zone and exper...

Psychologist & author, Dr Ron Johnson, is back with the final part of our four-part series on his book 'Balls: Men Finding Courage with Words, Work, Wine, and Women', and we are tackling the last 'W' of Women. This episode covers: How men can find "the right woman" (& what it means to be "the right man") A framework for communicating thoughts & feelings with women The importance of the...

"It is rare for a man to have only one addiction." According to Dr Ron Johnson, addictions start as something that is "good" for us but easily become something that we rely upon for relief or momentary happiness. In this episode, you'll learn the differences between chemical and behavioural addictions, why and how we become addicted, the work required to avoid or end addictions, and the main reaso...

Do you have a job or a profession? According to psychologist and author Dr Ron Johnson, men should find a profession as soon as they can and never stay in a “job”. In Ron’s latest book, 'Balls: Men Finding Courage with Words, Work, Wine, and Women’, he talks about why men need to find professions, how they differ from jobs, and how men can find them. And in this episode, we get into the details of...

Most men would consider themselves to be honest, but what about when it comes to feelings? Talking about feelings isn't common among men - and it's not something we're naturally good at either - but it is a requirement for maturity (despite what socio-cultural norms have taught us to believe about masculinity). In this episode, psychologist and author Dr Ron Johnson joins me to share from his 50+...

Personal struggles are often the best opportunities for personal growth, but only if we choose to put in the work. Matthew Efford is a firefighter, business owner, real estate agent, and father who has found immense personal growth through struggle, and he shares openly about his journey on this episode. From persistent bullying as a child and suicidal ideation to an ADHD diagnosis as an adult and...

Ken Cox, an entrepreneur and author, offers a profound exploration of addiction, recovery, and personal transformation. He shares his harrowing journey from a debilitating alcohol addiction, which culminated in a life-threatening liver disease diagnosis at the age of 39, to a life characterized by resilience and purpose. Ken emphasizes that addictions serve as armor that shields us from confrontin...

Every man has to figure out what to do for work, but more than just a job, a man’s work is how he communicates himself to the world and makes a positive impact. So what happens when you find yourself in a position that doesn’t do that for you? Video and podcast creator, Stephen Robles, was in such a position years ago. Now, his YouTube channel continues to grow - surpassing 100,000 subscribers in...

Young men ending up “in the system” can feel like a cyclical, hopeless situation, but hope is always found in the parents, teachers, social workers, and others who strive to foster them toward a better path. Shawn Mercer is one of those social workers who shared his experience in this episode of The Akkeri podcast. Shawn has been in and around the child/youth care and social work fields for over 2...

Religion. For some, that word sparks thoughts of faith and community; two concepts that are inherently good, but for others, the thought of religion is anything but good. In this episode of The Akkeri podcast, we get into the Christian religion; specifically, the Pentecostal denomination, through a conversation with my friend and former Christian, Todd Tremblett. Todd shares his journey of growing...

As a police officer and former child and youth care worker, Jason Walsh has seen the challenges that young men face through several different lenses. Growing up in a lower-income family with a single mother and a father who was often in jail, his own story is one of hardship and making his way through “by the power and grace” of his mother. In our conversation, Jason shares how finding a male ment...

Physical fitness is valued in Western culture, but it's often the aesthetic benefits - rather than the mental and overall health benefits - that most people seem to be after. While we know the positive impact that a physical fitness discipline can have, we often undervalue its role in reducing stress, creating mental clarity, and generally making us think and feel better. Getting to the gym or jus...

You’ve screwed something up…do you laugh it off and move on or do you hear a little voice saying “way to go, dummy”. We all have an inner dialogue, but the degree to which it is helpful or harmful depends on the level of your mental fitness. In this episode, I talk with Cortez Hancock: a counselling psychotherapist who is focused on helping people understand the importance of a positive internal d...

Every father faces challenges because being a good father is no easy task, but what if one of those challenges is a drug-addicted child? That was the case for Stephen Randell who lost his son to drug addiction at just 26 years of age. In this episode of The Akkeri Podcast, Steve shares the story of how his son Zack became addicted to drugs and gradually turned into someone that Steve didn’t even r...

What was your relationship with your father like? Maybe it was somewhat strained, like mine, or maybe it was idyllic. The relationships boys have with their fathers have obvious impacts on the men they later become, but it also affects how they form relationships with other men and how they fill the role of father, if given the opportunity. In this episode of The Akkeri Podcast, I chat with longti...

What is The Akkeri and who's the bald guy? Deep, life-altering questions, I'm sure. This first, inaugural episode is a story of fatherlessness, the good and bad of religion, adultery, separation, and divorce, failed business ventures, and more. It's the biggest challenges from what has been the hardest decade of my life to date. It's a 10,000 foot view, for sure, but it'll give you an idea about w...