The Restorative Man Podcast

Welcome to the first-ever episode of The Restorative Man Podcast ! Today, Chris Bruno and Jesse French share an exciting announcement: after years of building community and resources through The Forge Podcast , they're re-centering around the vision of “The Restorative Man.” In this conversation, Chris and Jesse dive into what this shift means and the heart behind the new name. They reflect on how...

In this deeply emotional episode of The Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno and Jesse French are joined by Bart Lillie as he courageously shares the profound story of losing his father. Bart reflects on the tragic day his father was taken from him in an unexpected act of violence and how this pivotal moment shaped his life and faith journey. He recounts precious memories, including the last momen...

In this episode of the Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno and Jesse French sit down with Bart Lillie to explore the legacy of fathering and how it has shaped their lives. Bart reflects on his father's journey from a Michigan farm to Chicago, where he worked at an orphanage and eventually helped launch Spring Hill Camps. He discusses how these stories, some of which were lost to time, have recent...

In this episode of The Restorative Man Podcast, Jesse French and Chris Bruno sit down for a second conversation with Brayden Lans , a man deeply invested in his community through his coffee business and his ministry, Half Step Ministries. Brayden shares the origins of his calling, how he and his wife, Abby, built their outreach to high school students from the ground up, and the risks they've face...

In this episode of The Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno and Jesse French dive into the importance of creating an intentional plan for the year ahead. Through personal stories of adventure and unexpected encounters in the wilderness, they explore how God shows up in surprising ways—whether it’s through a bear in the woods or a cooler of cold beers floating down a river. What’s your plan for the...

In this episode of The Restorative Man Podcast, co-hosts Chris Bruno and Jesse French discuss the final stages of a man’s journey: “The Restored King” and “The Sage.” The "Restored King" emerges from his wounds, not by force or effort, but by finding inner peace and accepting his scars as part of his story. This stage is marked by wisdom, humility, and leadership that invites relief and trust from...

In this continuation of the '’6 Seasons of a Man's Life’' series, Jesse French and Chris Bruno dive into the 'Zealous Warrior' stage in a man's life. Jesse kicks things off with a hilarious story from his college days, where he and a friend test the limits of a John Deere Gator by stacking hay bales far beyond capacity. This sets the stage for a deeper discussion on the Zealous Warrior phase—a tim...

In this episode of the Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno and Jesse French dive into the first two of the "6 Seasons of a Man’s Life," starting with the Innocent Boy phase. They reflect on how this stage, marked by naivety and learning, shapes a man's identity and understanding of the world. Chris shares a story about Jesse's son, Case, to illustrate the pure focus and joy of childhood. They als...

In this episode of the Restorative Man Podcast by Restoration Project, hosts Jesse French and Chris Bruno explore the idea of aiming lower to set realistic, human-sized expectations as we transition into fall. They recount a humorous yet insightful story about a child advising a teacher to "aim lower" and discuss how this philosophy can alleviate the pressures of performance and productivity. Refl...

In this episode of the Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno and Jesse French discuss the exciting launch of the Sage audiobook. Chris shares the unique challenges and joys of recording the audiobook, including the meticulous process of bringing the written word to life through his voice. They explore the deeper themes of the book, particularly the passage from manhood to becoming a sage, and the i...

In this episode of the Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno welcomes back Robin Erkkila to share his powerful journey with stage four prostate cancer. Robin recounts the emotional rollercoaster of his diagnosis, the aggressive treatment, and the unexpected remission that has brought hope and a renewed perspective on life. Through candid reflections and heartfelt conversations, Robin emphasizes the...

Jesse and Chris welcome back their good friend Drew Boa, founder of Husband Material, an organization dedicated to helping men engage with their sexuality and achieve greater levels of freedom. Drew shares his deeply personal journey of moving around North America, his formative years in Toronto, and the challenges he faced moving to Texas. He opens up about his struggles with identity, emotional...

Join co-hosts Jesse French and Chris Bruno as they delve into the heart of Restoration Project and its mission over the past 14 years. They recount the origins of this initiative, highlighting an early gathering in snowy Wyoming where men shared stories, built trust, and embraced the core values of Experience, Story, and Blessing (ESB). Discover how this humble beginning evolved into a vibrant com...

In this episode of the Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno and Jesse French share the unexpected joys of backyard chickens and delve into the importance of meaningful connections among men. From humorous anecdotes about their own feathered friends to discussing the Restoration Project's core philosophy of Experience, Story, Blessing (ESB), they emphasize how shared activities can deepen relations...

In this episode of The Restorative Man Podcast, Jesse French and Chris Bruno dive into a profound question that goes beyond the usual surface-level inquiries. This question has become a cornerstone of their organizational ethos, particularly during their father-son expeditions. Listen in as they discuss the significance of asking "What did it mean?" instead of the typical "How was the trip?" or "W...

Chris Bruno and Jesse French welcome Rob Bremer back to the Restorative Man Podcast to discuss his wife's breast cancer journey and its impact on their lives. Rob opens up about the emotional rollercoaster and the lessons learned about intimacy and support. Discover the raw truths about how this life-altering news impacted their marriage, reshaped their intimacy, and tested their resilience. Acces...

In this episode of The Restorative Man Podcast, Jesse and Chris welcome back Nic Howe for a deep dive into the struggles and growth of the past three years. Nic shares candidly about his move from Washington to Minnesota, the challenges of starting his own therapy practice, and the profound personal lessons learned along the way. Tune in to hear insights on coping with self-doubt and finding growt...

Join us on the Restorative Man Podcast as Chris Bruno interviews Justin Koehn about the profound reflections that come with turning 40, focusing on intentional living and fatherhood. Justin shares his journey of seeking wisdom from sage men through heartfelt letters, emphasizing the importance of soul health, marriage, and personal growth. Dive into their discussion on navigating midlife challenge...

In this episode of The Restorative Man Podcast by Restoration Project, Jesse French and Chris Bruno sit down with Brayden Lans , a devoted father, husband, and entrepreneur from Fort Collins, Colorado. Brayden shares his journey of balancing fatherhood, running a ministry, and a coffee business, drawing parallels to the ups and downs of a roller coaster. With heartfelt honesty, he discusses the ch...

In the second part of this conversation, Alan explores the practical shifts needed to move from reactive to proactive leadership, emphasizing the importance of co-designing a fulfilling life. He shares his experiences on combating burnout, highlighting key practices like Sabbath, intentional recovery, and creating empowering communities. Discover how these strategies can help you flourish, maintai...

In this episode, hosts Chris and Jesse welcome adventurist and leadership coach Alan Briggs to the Restorative Man Podcast. Alan discusses his new book "Anti-Burnout: A Lighter Way to Live and Lead in a Heavy World," which addresses the epidemic of burnout among leaders and offers insights into aligning one's identity and work. They explore the complexities of voluntary self-exploitation, the impa...

This episode of the Restorative Man Podcast features a deep and insightful conversation between Jesse French and his guest Robin Erkkila , focusing on the complexities and emotional journey of raising a child with significant disabilities. Robin shares his personal experience with his son, Drew , who has a rare condition that leaves him significantly disabled and requires round-the-clock care, inc...

In the second-part of Chris and Jesse's conversation with Sam Jolman , Sam delves deeper into the exploration of masculine desire, urging listeners to ponder the profound depths of their desires beyond mere surface needs. He highlights the transformative power of engaging with desire, offering a fresh perspective that encourages curiosity rather than shame. Through compelling anecdotes and thought...

In this 2-part episode of the The Restorative Man Podcast by Restoration Project, Chris Bruno and Jesse French welcome Sam Jolman , a therapist and author of the upcoming book ''The Sex Talk You Never Got'' . Sam discusses the importance of sexual formation, moving beyond the mechanics to explore the poetics of sex, which includes desire, longing, and the stories that shape one's sexuality. He emp...

In this episode, Jesse French and Chris Bruno talk with Rob Bremer about enduring career challenges and personal growth. Rob shares his journey of coming to the end of himself, dealing with a significant career disappointment, and learning to depend on God through a period of uncertainty and change. The discussion highlights themes of identity, control, and finding new beginnings in the face of fe...