Remembering to Pretend: Why Imagination Might Be the Most Important Grown-Up Thing You’ve Forgotten

In this episode of The Circle Podcast, Eric and Tim explore the transformative power of imagination—not as a childhood relic, but as a radical tool for adult healing, creative expression, emotional intelligence, and personal growth. From visualizing future goals to softening interpersonal conflicts, they unpack how reconnecting with our imaginations can help queer men reclaim authorship over their lives.

Drawing from their own experiences in embodiment practice and men’s work, they reflect on the role imagination plays in everything from visualization and manifestation to empathy, problem-solving, and intimacy. The episode also looks at why so many men struggle with creative visualization—and how to begin rebuilding that muscle.

Whether you were told to “grow up” and abandon your inner world, or you’ve just struggled to visualize your future with clarity, this episode is a powerful invitation to reclaim imagination as a birthright and a practice.

Topics include:

• Why imagination is essential for men’s work and embodiment
• The link between imagination, manifestation, and creativity
• How visualization supports emotional regulation and nervous system health
• Why queer men often struggle with imagination—and how to reclaim it
• The difference between imagination, creativity, and serious play
• Visualization tools, archetypal work, and real-world examples
• How catastrophizing is also a form of imagination—and how to flip the script