The Masculine Wilderness Podcast

In a culture that glorifies burnout and rewards exhaustion, what if rest is the most radical thing a man can reclaim? In this powerful episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, Tom Perez sits down with author Ken Wytsma to confront a truth many men avoid: we are not just tired; we are spiritually, emotionally, and culturally conditioned to ignore our need for rest. Together, they unpack the hid...

In this episode of The Masculine Wilderness , host Tom Perez sits down with Jess Muñoz , founder and CEO of Hoʻoʻa Na Pua , to explore her transformative journey from a nurse to a frontline advocate battling child trafficking and exploitation. Jess opens up about the roots of her personal calling, revealing how Hawaiian culture, trauma-informed care, and a deep understanding of masculinity intertw...

What if the most important victories in sports never show up on the scoreboard? In this powerful episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast , Tom sits down with Spencer Crace , college football coach and mentor, for a deeply honest conversation about masculinity, leadership, and the sacred responsibility of shaping young men through sport. Spencer shares his journey into coaching and the moments...

What does healthy masculinity look like in one of the most hyper-masculine spaces in the world? In this powerful episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast , Tom sits down with Megha Parekh , one of the few female executives working inside the NFL, for a rare and honest conversation about masculinity, leadership, and cultural change in professional sports. Megha shares her journey into the league...

In this powerful episode of the Masculine Wilderness podcast, Tom Perez sits down with Jenni Lippold, a people technologist, StoryCorp enthusiast, and a relentless believer in the power of human connection. Together, they explore how storytelling can soften political divides, dissolve concepts of the “other,” and transform our understanding of trauma, fear, and one another. Drawing from over 12,00...

This episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast is nothing short of extraordinary. Host Tom Perez sits down with Josie Heyano , an Alaska-based social worker whose depth of insight, cultural grounding, and fierce compassion bring a rare clarity to conversations about masculinity, exploitation, and community healing. What unfolds is a deeply moving exploration of Indigenous identity, relational ac...

What if the future of justice isn’t about punishment—but prevention? In this episode of The Masculine Wilderness Podcast , Kristen Hubbell—former FBI agent and founder of Prevention Now —shares her extraordinary journey from federal law enforcement to leading one of the most innovative organizations in the fight against human trafficking. Kristen reveals why justice without empathy falls short, wh...

What does it cost to turn your pain into purpose, and how do you keep going when the weight of your story feels unbearable? In this powerful episode of The Masculine Wilderness Podcast , Kathy Bryan, founder of The Genesis Project and a survivor of human trafficking, opens up about the long, courageous road from survival to leadership. With unflinching honesty, Kathy shares what it truly means to...

Why are so many men disconnected from their inner lives and what does it take to find the way back? In this intimate and soul-stirring episode of The Masculine Wilderness Podcast , Andrew Carruthers invites us into a conversation many men never get to have about shame, emotional expression, and the quiet longing for authenticity. A former hairdresser turned Wayfinder, Andrew has spent years helpin...

What if the key to ending exploitation lies in the courage to tell the truth? In this gripping and deeply personal episode of The Masculine Wilderness Podcast , Penny Ronning—leader of the Yellowstone Anti-Trafficking Task Force—shares a raw and unfiltered look at the realities of commercial sexual exploitation and why men must be part of the solution. Through the lens of her own family’s history—...

What’s really driving the rise of male supremacy—and how do we bring young men back from the edge? In this gripping and timely episode of The Masculine Wilderness Podcast , Dr. Pasha Dashtgard unpacks the complex, high-stakes terrain of modern masculinity in an age defined by digital distortion, political polarization, and emotional disconnection. This conversation dives deep into the undercurrent...

What happens when a survivor becomes the leader of a movement? In this raw and deeply human episode, Tom sits down with Toni McKinley—Executive Director of the Magdalen House in Austin, Texas, and a survivor of sex trafficking herself—for one of the most profound conversations this show has ever hosted. Toni doesn't just talk about trauma—she’s lived it, studied it, and transformed it into powerfu...

What does it really take to dismantle systems of exploitation? In this powerful episode of The Masculine Wilderness Podcast , host Tom Perez sits down with trailblazing advocates Sarina Cooper and Ashlynn Fredendall for an eye-opening conversation about the urgent fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. They pull back the curtain on their journeys into advocacy, revealing the deep connecti...

In this episode of The Masculine Wilderness Podcast , host Tom Perez sits down with educator and coach Ashton Clark for a powerful conversation about resilience, growth, and the impact of mentorship. Ashton takes us on a journey from his early years in Vancouver, Washington, through the highs and challenges of college football, and into his current role as a counselor and coach. They explore how s...

Shame thrives in silence, but what happens when we finally confront it? In this episode, Gene McConnell shares his raw and deeply personal journey from addiction and self-destruction to redemption, revealing the transformative power of vulnerability, love, and accountability. Together with host Tom Perez, Gene unpacks the hidden wounds of childhood trauma, the isolating nature of shame, and how mo...

What if the key to fighting human trafficking wasn’t just law enforcement action but everyday men stepping up with empathy, courage, and connection? In this gripping episode of The Masculine Wilderness Podcast , Tom sits down with Ryan McCullough, a dedicated cyber-patrol volunteer for Epik since 2017. Ryan takes us behind the scenes of digital operations that disrupt trafficking networks, sharing...

Elizabeth Scaife is a long-time advocate against human trafficking, her formative experiences, and the evolution of the movement over the past 16 years are discussed in this episode. The conversation highlights the importance of survivor voices, the challenges that remain in the field, and the need for cultural shifts in understanding and addressing trafficking. Elizabeth shares insights on the co...

Yasmin Vafa, founder of Rights for Girls, returns to the podcast for a second time to discuss the recently published report 'Buyers Unmasked.' The report aims to expose the realities of sex buyers, dispelling myths about their nature and behaviors. Yasmin shares insights from sex buyers' review boards, highlighting the disturbing attitudes and actions of these individuals. The conversation also to...

In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, host Tom Perez engages in a deep conversation with award-winning filmmaker Irene Taylor. Irene's films, most recently a documentary on Celine Dion, also include exposes on the abuse uncovered within the ranks of The Boy Scouts as well as the Slenderman case. On the podcast, Tom and Irene explore storytelling's transformative power, character-dri...

In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, host Tom Perez engages in a heartfelt conversation with retired NFL player Andy McCollum. They explore Andy's transition from professional football to a successful career in financial advising, the joys and challenges of family life, and the unique experiences of being part of a Super Bowl-winning team. Andy shares insights on the importance of...

In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness podcast, host Tom Perez engages in a profound conversation with Tina Taylor Sims, a survivor and advocate against human trafficking. They explore Tina's journey, her work in Humboldt County addressing trafficking, and the importance of community collaboration. The discussion also delves into the intersection of the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (...

In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, host Tom Perez speaks with Zoe Bellatorre, an expert in familial trafficking. They discuss Zoe's background, her work with survivors, and the critical issue of familial trafficking, which often goes unnoticed. The conversation delves into the differences between familial trafficking and other forms, the impact of early trauma on victims, and the...

In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, host Tom Perez engages in a deep conversation with Isaac McKeithen, exploring his journey from martial arts instructor to a leader in the anti-human trafficking movement. They discuss the influence of military discipline on Isaac's life, his career transitions, and the importance of teamwork in various roles. The conversation also delves into th...

In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, host Tom Perez engages in a profound conversation with Helen Taylor, Vice President of Impact at Exodus Cry. They explore the complexities of masculinity, the impact of personal experiences on advocacy, and the challenges faced in the fight against human trafficking. Helen shares her journey from witnessing exploitation in London to leading outr...

In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, host Tom Perez speaks with Lauren Hersh, the National Director of World Without Exploitation. They discuss the importance of prevention in combating human trafficking and sexual exploitation, the role of family in motivating advocacy work, and the need to support both girls and boys in creating a healthier society. Hersh shares insights on legis...