Mark, a licensed professional counselor and addiction specialist, offers direct guidance to address a wide range of questions and misunderstandings about the male experience. His expertise extends to providing insight and information for men's relational and personal development as a life coach. Mark's understanding and approach have been shaped by over 42 years of marriage, raising 2 daughters, and serving as a pastor for more than 34 years before retiring. Additionally, his personal pursuits as an author and business owner have enriched his perspective and knowledge in the field
If you've experienced intense anxiety, you might be familiar with grounding techniques. The main benefit of these techniques is their capacity to assist individuals in moving from a difficult mental or emotional state to a more stable one.When someone faces increased anxiety or is in a fight-or-flight mode, grounding exercises can effectively slow their reactions and instill a sense of tranquility.Conversely, if an individual i...
Well, it's that time of year again when countless individuals resolve that this will be the year they improve! And improving can encompass various aspects of a person's life. Some will aim to shed pounds, others will quit drinking, some will begin exercising, and many will return to education—the list is extensive, yet the failure rate for New Year's resolutions hovers around 80 to 90%.
Sadly, good intentions often don’t...
Motivation can be hindered by various factors such as unclear goals, fear of failing, and negativity from oneself or from others. Other significant obstacles include feeling overwhelmed, experiencing burnout, striving for perfection, and developing poor habits like procrastination or being easily distracted. Additionally, a lack of physical energy, or low self-esteem, or a lack of control can greatly diminish our motivation.
In thi...
Anxiety and depression are widespread issues in our society, and their symptoms frequently overlap, with certain signs being indicative of both conditions. However, misconceptions about anxiety and depression persist, hindering individuals from receiving the proper treatment and relief.For instance, many clients I meet who suffer from severe anxiety and depression are reluctant to consider prescription medications, despite the fact...
Despite the increasing awareness of mental health challenges in our society, many men still find it difficult to acknowledge their susceptibility to anxiety and depression, just like anyone else. Although anxiety rates are notably high among men, these issues are frequently ignored or trivialized as mere signs of irritability or stress. In this episode, we explore the relationship between anxiety and men, and how it complicates the...
Your holiday get-togethers may seem like a scene from a Hallmark movie, but for some, they feel more like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, with you playing the role of Clark Griswold dealing with cousin Eddie!Regardless, this episode provides some tips for navigating those holiday gatherings.
Aggressive and careless drivers can drive you a bit crazy, can't they? Sometimes, it really makes you question what on earth is going through their minds. Are they even thinking at all?
As someone who has worked as an addiction counselor, I understand that statistically, around 10 to 15% of the drivers you encounter daily might be under the influence of some substance. This could be a prescription medication that impairs their ...
What does it mean to validate someone? Most people often believe that this simply involves offering a compliment or agreeing with the individual.
To validate someone means to acknowledge and accept their feelings, thoughts, or experiences as legitimate and real, even if you don't share the same perspective.
It's fundamentally about demonstrating empathy and respect for their viewpoint, which allows them to feel hear...
Have you ever dealt with intrusive anxious thoughts? Thoughts like:
"Something bad is going to happen," or
"I’ll never measure up," or
"Today is going to be awful," or
"I’m a failure."
These thoughts often stem from self-doubt, worries about the future, black-and-white thinking, assuming we know what others are thinking, or feelings of guilt.
At times, it’s that inner critic in our minds, whe...
“I love you, I just don't trust you.” It's not a statement anyone really wants to hear. Just the same I've heard this over and over and counseling sessions with couples. The person on the receiving end of this message rarely has a easy time grasping or accepting the statement. There's always a question of, “How can you love me and not trust me?”
Well, it pretty much always comes down to the lack of positive predictab...
Why do people always say you need to do date night? People act as if having date night each week is somehow magical. Well, it's not always “magical,” it can be, but it is almost always incredibly helpful.
There's actually a lot of value in having date night every week, if possible, because having fun together helps to relax each person, and also helps to promote positive feelings toward one another.
What if someone were to ask, "What’s the issue with porn? Why do people react so strongly against it? Would you have a response beyond the usual claims that it’s bad or sinful?"In this podcast, we will explore the use of pornography from an unbiased viewpoint, aiming to inform and educate those who may not grasp why many consider it objectionable.
Many men desire to connect with others for both personal and social reasons, but this isn't always easy for everyone. In this episode, we will provide some tips on enhancing your ability to connect with others and potentially forge new friendships.
This short episode offers a brief overview of how to manage worries stemming from "What if" situations that can heighten anxiety regarding the unknown.
The distinction between what we consider optional and what we regard as essential can influence our success in various aspects of life. I believe this is because we tend to take action more frequently when we perceive something as essential, compared to when we see it as optional.
There is frequently a misunderstanding in the dynamics between men and women, leading many men to feel misrepresented and stereotyped. This episode aims to highlight a few truths that men probably wish women were aware of today.
Part 2
What comes to mind when I mention, "Relationally engaged?"For many, the term "Relational engagement" usually refers to a way of interacting with others that emphasizes the growth of the relationship and the maintenance and enhancement of meaningful connections.The emphasis is on fostering connection, trust, and reciprocity in interactions, rather than simply focusing on transactional or superficial exchang...
What comes to mind when I mention, "Relationally engaged?"For many, the term "Relational engagement" usually refers to a way of interacting with others that emphasizes the growth of the relationship and the maintenance and enhancement of meaningful connections.The emphasis is on fostering connection, trust, and reciprocity in interactions, rather than simply focusing on transactional or superficial exchanges.You...
As a mental health provider, I've worked with clients who have dealt with symptoms of depression for years, faced suicidal thoughts and urges, and struggled to function normally in life. Yet, either they, their family members, or even some medical professionals have brushed off their situation as just 'situational depression.' In this episode, we seek to clarify the facts about situational depression versus major depres...
This episode highlights the warning signs you should consider if you're contemplating engagement but still harboring some lingering doubts. You may be astonished by how many individuals ignore their reservations and dive into an unhealthy marriage with the wrong partner, only to end up in a challenging situation.If the following list raises concerns for you, remember that there’s positive news waiting at the end of this episode.In ...
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
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The Burden is a documentary series that takes listeners into the hidden places where justice is done (and undone). It dives deep into the lives of heroes and villains. And it focuses a spotlight on those who triumph even when the odds are against them. Season 5 - The Burden: Death & Deceit in Alliance On April Fools Day 1999, 26-year-old Yvonne Layne was found murdered in her Alliance, Ohio home. David Thorne, her ex-boyfriend and father of one of her children, was instantly a suspect. Another young man admitted to the murder, and David breathed a sigh of relief, until the confessed murderer fingered David; “He paid me to do it.” David was sentenced to life without parole. Two decades later, Pulitzer winner and podcast host, Maggie Freleng (Bone Valley Season 3: Graves County, Wrongful Conviction, Suave) launched a “live” investigation into David's conviction alongside Jason Baldwin (himself wrongfully convicted as a member of the West Memphis Three). Maggie had come to believe that the entire investigation of David was botched by the tiny local police department, or worse, covered up the real killer. Was Maggie correct? Was David’s claim of innocence credible? In Death and Deceit in Alliance, Maggie recounts the case that launched her career, and ultimately, “broke” her.” The results will shock the listener and reduce Maggie to tears and self-doubt. This is not your typical wrongful conviction story. In fact, it turns the genre on its head. It asks the question: What if our champions are foolish? Season 4 - The Burden: Get the Money and Run “Trying to murder my father, this was the thing that put me on the path.” That’s Joe Loya and that path was bank robbery. Bank, bank, bank, bank, bank. In season 4 of The Burden: Get the Money and Run, we hear from Joe who was once the most prolific bank robber in Southern California, and beyond. He used disguises, body doubles, proxies. He leaped over counters, grabbed the money and ran. Even as the FBI was closing in. It was a showdown between a daring bank robber, and a patient FBI agent. Joe was no ordinary bank robber. He was bright, articulate, charismatic, and driven by a dark rage that he summoned up at will. In seven episodes, Joe tells all: the what, the how… and the why. Including why he tried to murder his father. Season 3 - The Burden: Avenger Miriam Lewin is one of Argentina’s leading journalists today. At 19 years old, she was kidnapped off the streets of Buenos Aires for her political activism and thrown into a concentration camp. Thousands of her fellow inmates were executed, tossed alive from a cargo plane into the ocean. Miriam, along with a handful of others, will survive the camp. Then as a journalist, she will wage a decades long campaign to bring her tormentors to justice. Avenger is about one woman’s triumphant battle against unbelievable odds to survive torture, claim justice for the crimes done against her and others like her, and change the future of her country. Season 2 - The Burden: Empire on Blood Empire on Blood is set in the Bronx, NY, in the early 90s, when two young drug dealers ruled an intersection known as “The Corner on Blood.” The boss, Calvin Buari, lived large. He and a protege swore they would build an empire on blood. Then the relationship frayed and the protege accused Calvin of a double homicide which he claimed he didn’t do. But did he? Award-winning journalist Steve Fishman spent seven years to answer that question. This is the story of one man’s last chance to overturn his life sentence. He may prevail, but someone’s gotta pay. The Burden: Empire on Blood is the director’s cut of the true crime classic which reached #1 on the charts when it was first released half a dozen years ago. Season 1 - The Burden In the 1990s, Detective Louis N. Scarcella was legendary. In a city overrun by violent crime, he cracked the toughest cases and put away the worst criminals. “The Hulk” was his nickname. Then the story changed. Scarcella ran into a group of convicted murderers who all say they are innocent. They turned themselves into jailhouse-lawyers and in prison founded a lway firm. When they realized Scarcella helped put many of them away, they set their sights on taking him down. And with the help of a NY Times reporter they have a chance. For years, Scarcella insisted he did nothing wrong. But that’s all he’d say. Until we tracked Scarcella to a sauna in a Russian bathhouse, where he started to talk..and talk and talk. “The guilty have gone free,” he whispered. And then agreed to take us into the belly of the beast. Welcome to The Burden.
"SmartLess" with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, & Will Arnett is a podcast that connects and unites people from all walks of life to learn about shared experiences through thoughtful dialogue and organic hilarity. A nice surprise: in each episode of SmartLess, one of the hosts reveals his mystery guest to the other two. What ensues is a genuinely improvised and authentic conversation filled with laughter and newfound knowledge to feed the SmartLess mind. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of SmartLess ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!