I had the privilege of being a guest on John Anderson’s podcast, John Says Things.
John was a gracious host who enjoys good conversations, and we talked about everything from podcasting, to politics, to conspiracy theories ( which I don’t usually discuss publicly, because people think I’m crazy) – to religion and Christianity and it’s role in modern society.
I enjoyed hanging out with John, and I’d love to be on the show again, though, next time, I’d like to be on with him and his wife so I can enjoy the way she cusses him out in person.
Richard Kaufman of the Vertical Momentum Podcast is our guest on the Manlihood ManCast. He talks about overcoming some of the darkest moments of his life, and gives hope and encouragement to men.
He operates a top ranking podcast for veteran entrepreneurs called The Vertical Momentum Podcast.
Brennen Nakane started out as an Ivy League philosopher, college football player, and rapper with a Business Economics degree from Brown University.
Then, he married a classically trained singer and film actress. The Nakane’s didn’t anticipate that their interest in human nature, philosophy, and communication would lead to the discovery that would revolutionize the way people think about personality, body language and human behavior.
The Nakane’s are pioneering what they call a “miraculous scientific discovery”
– as they combine body language, eye movements, and more into a unique framework to classify and understand people’s motivations.
The pair wrestled with what to do with their discovery, and are currently working to develop and promote their findings and understandings in a way that glorifies God and helps humanity.
We sit down with Brennen, who describes what he’s learned from years of observing the principles and patterns of human behavior and communication, how he believes it relates to life, and more.
We also talk about being a man, how to be a better man, and how to anticipate our regrets.
I have some good news! Some of you may know about my cataracts, – and the limiting effect it’s had on my vision. For those of you haven’t heard, I’ve had a steady decrease in my vision for a couple of years now, and because of a variety of complications, it took awhile for the doctors to determine the cause.
Now that we know it is caused by cataracts, we have a plan
The surgery is normally simple, but because of my small pupils, there are some extra complications.
The other complication is of my own making. I have not been taking the best care of my body and put some weight back on. Some of you know that I had lost 100 pounds in a year- but I’ve gained back some of that weight. It was my own choices, and I have been paying the price for it with inflammation and struggle. Now, that weight is actually threatening my vision.
When the doctor set my surgery date, I need to have my BMI lowered to a certain percentage in order to minimize the risk of some kind of rupture in my eyes.
Basically, I have to lose 40 pounds before the surgery.
Now, this post has been scheduled ahead – so by the time you’re reading this, I am well on my way toward crushing that goal.
But I am realizing that as I have to put a significant amount of time into meal prep, physical activity and more, I have got to pull back so that I can focus.
What does that mean for Manlihood?
Well, a few things. First of all, it means that I’ve got to take some time off from my weekly solo shows that release on Tuesdays. I’ll be back, probably around summer, or maybe sooner. You’ll see a new and improved Josh Hatcher – one most likely without glasses, and one that is a good bit skinnier.
I will continue to release my interview shows. I’ve got several shows recorded and “in the hopper” ready to go out, and a few more interviews scheduled over the next couple weeks. Which means that there will still be episodes of the Manlihood ManCast released weekly – but for now, the focus will be on our interview shows.
It also means that I’ve been challenged. There’s a part of my character that has been week – a chink of my own masculinity that has kept me weaker, and lesser than I should be.
I avoid pain at all costs. And to grow and get stronger (and lose weight) – there is going to be pain. Self Discipline is painful.
And I have learned to comfort my emotions and entertain myself with food that is bad for me. I protect myself from my painful emotions sometimes with sugar and salt and fat and chemicals that taste yummy. And the unwanted side effect is a soft armor around my entire body.
My armor of fat doesn’t protect me, though. In fact, it invites dirty looks and smart-ass remarks, makes my clothes uncomfortable, makes my body off-balance and clumsy, and feeds the internal shame monster that keeps the cycle going.
My pain avoidance doesn’t help me either. Because while I avoid the pain in my muscles and joints from walking, running, lifting, stretching – I’m just causing myself more pain in my joints and muscles.
Now I’ve got a temporary motivator. Lose 40 pounds fast so that my eyes can get fixed. The PAIN of being almost blind has been frightening and frustrating beyond belief.
That’s just a small amount of how much this fat man needs to lose. I’ve lost hundreds of pounds over and over and over again for years. So this temporary goal has to push beyond. I can’t stay here.
I can’t lead this movement if I’m blind. And I can’t lead this movement well if I’m living in the sin of a lack of self-control and pain avoidance.
Tim Culver was a US Marine Corporal and Specialized Search Dog Trainer – and spent time working with dogs in combat settings. He trained dogs to find explosives while communicating with them over radios, and to run search patterns.
Now, he trains dogs for many different scenarios, and knows canines and their behavior better than anyone.
In this conversation, we talk about dogs, we talk about manhood, we talk about mental health, and many other rabbit holes worth listening to.
I’ve known Tim since he was a kid, and I’m proud of him for the man he’s become. This interview was special for me to be able to reconnect with an old friend and hear his stories.
Sometimes we have good days, and sometimes we have bad days. I’ve had a lot of bad days lately. Not gonna lie.
Not sharing that for pity. Stick with me as I get to my point….
Sharing it because I want to be REAL with the men that I serve.
I’m here to serve you. To use the skills that I have, the knowledge that I’ve obtained, and the experiences that I’ve lived through to help build a community where men can build each other up.
Well – If that’s what I’m here to do – it means nothing if I put on a front. Who the hell wants to follow a hypocrite? Not me.
So listen – I’m at the precipice of something great. I have sensed for quite awhile that God is opening doors for me, and that my hard work at building this is starting to come together.
I’ve felt it many times over the past several years. “Almost over the ridge…”
And then I hit THIS phase. RESISTANCE.
– Personal or family problems – Financial struggles – Consequences of past mistakes catching up to me -Stupid comments on the internet that don’t normally bother me actually get a little under my skin. – Exhaustion and burnout – Seemingly random, but ill-timed crisis – Discouragement or despair -Imposter syndrome -Physical Pain, health problems -Mental Fog
You all know the list. It’s probably held you back too. Some of these are affecting me right now (not all) but several.
So – ADVERSITY. Welcome back, old friend. I need you to get behind me. I need you to push me forward, instead of holding me back.
To go “religious” for a minute… This is a wrestling with God moment. This is – Jacob, duking it out with the Angel of God (representing God himself) refusing to let go till he gets his blessing. Hell, I’ll take a lifelong wound in exchange for a blessing. Ol’ Jake gets his hip messed up and he gets a new name. His old name meant, “Trickster” and it represented him well. His old name was a curse. His new name is “Israel”- or “fights with God.” Now he’s known for contending with the Almighty.
You don’t fight with God and win. But Jake did. He asked God for a blessing, and God gave him one – along with a sore hip.
‘My arms are too short to box with God.’ —Johnny Cash
So anyway… here I am. Facing the wrestling match. The hardship. The trials. The discouragement.
And my word for myself – and my word for YOURself – is this….
FIGHT LIKE HELL.
I’m tired of getting whooped because I gave up to early. I’m tired of letting go without my blessing. I’m tired of handing over the keys to my kingdom because they are heavy to carry.
– where he draws on his experience in Law Enforcement, Martial Arts, Business, and more to help men reach their highest potential as Warrior Kings.
Rafa worked as a trainer for police recruits, and through that work found a steady decline in the quality of masculinity in our culture.
This propelled him to begin a movement, which started as a podcast, and grew to men’s coaching, public speaking, and life transforming events, which offer men a chance to take a rite of passage.
For 30 years, Hanson Quickel was the broadcast media specialist for the Pennsylvania Senate Republicans, and his voice was heard on radio stations across the state of PA and the whole country.
He worked with journalists, State Senators, and more. Now that he’s retired, he’s spilling the beans on his thoughts about the way journalism and politics work.
Hanson Quickel also shares some advice for men, and talks about the current state of affairs of our nation. Don’t miss this interview!
