Episodios

  • How Meditation Turned a Green Beret into a Better Father, Leader, and Human Being | Chris Lee
    Nov 10 2025

    Meditation changed everything for Chris Lee. From Green Beret to father and high-performance coach, meditation wasn’t just a tool—it was a lifeline that helped Chris thrive on the battlefield and at home.


    In this episode, you’ll discover how meditation gave Chris an edge when pressure mounted, and how meditation helped him become a better leader, a more connected dad, and a genuinely fulfilled human being. Chris’s journey proves that meditation isn’t just about sitting still—it’s about transforming anger into calm, stress into resilience, and uncertainty into clear purpose.


    Hear real stories of how Chris Lee used meditation to push past old limits and unlock patience, clarity, and strength. He combines insights from elite special forces training with practical meditation advice fit for any man navigating work and family life. With hard-won lessons and a dose of humor, Chris shows us why meditation belongs in your daily routine—whether you’re chasing success, battling overwhelm, or simply looking to be a stronger, more present man.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction
    01:48 - Engaging in Meditation
    02:50 - One Breath Grounding Practice
    03:32 - Chris's Journey to Meditation
    04:11 - The Evolution of Chris's Practice
    06:11 - Walking Meditation Insights
    08:44 - Self-Compassion in Meditation
    10:20 - Meditation's Impact on Relationships
    12:14 - Realizing the Benefits of Meditation
    14:40 - Transition from Military to Mindfulness
    18:27 - The Need for Awareness
    21:13 - Career Shift to Coaching
    23:33 - Meditation as a Superpower
    25:00 - The Journey to Inner Peace
    27:25 - Removing Labels Through Meditation
    30:02 - Resistance in Meditation
    31:41 - Non-Doing in Meditation
    34:18 - Finding Time for Meditation
    36:02 - Tracking Progress and Metrics
    39:15 - Mindful Choices and Alcohol
    42:57 - Creating a Daily Meditation Protocol

    Feeling stuck? If you need help getting out of your rut, Will can help - head to willnotfear.com to learn more about his coaching to get you off the hamster wheel.

    More from MTM at: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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    1 h y 10 m
  • Self-Doubt’s Grip on Men: Unpacking the Inner Battles and Paths to Personal Power
    Nov 3 2025

    Self-doubt. It’s loud, it’s sneaky, and it’s the voice in your head that tells you you’re not enough - even when you’re crushing it.



    In this episode, we dive deep into self-doubt, unpacking how it grips men and secretly drives our choices, our relationships, and the stories we tell ourselves. If you've ever found yourself second-guessing your instincts, replaying that conversation (again), or holding back because of that relentless self-doubt, you’re definitely not alone. We’ll get brutally honest about where self-doubt comes from, why it sticks around, and how you can finally break its grip and reclaim your personal power.


    Get ready for candid stories about the internal wars men fight every day, actionable strategies for smashing self-doubt, and a few laughs at the absurd stuff our brains conjure up when no one’s watching. Expect practical takeaways, surprising insights into men’s mental health, and tools you can use to step out of the self-doubt shadow—starting right now. If you’re tired of self-doubt stealing your confidence and joy, this episode is your call to take back your manhood and make your mind your ally, not your enemy.



    Chapters:
    00:00 – Introductions

    05:19 – Embracing Worth and Authentic Leadership

    19:31 – Owning Your Inner Voice

    23:43 – The Journey to Confidence and Well-Being

    25:26 – Power of Personal Affirmations

    27:04 – Purpose, Brotherhood, and Self-Belief

    32:16 – Growth Through Self-Doubt

    33:51 – Seeking Feedback, Building Confidence

    35:09 – Vulnerability and the Strength to Ask for Help

    36:07 – Men and Overcompensation: Rewriting the Narrative

    37:04 – Redefining Vulnerability with Courage

    40:26 – Emotional Connection and Brotherhood

    41:20 – The Illusion of Confidence

    42:38 – Insecurity vs. True Confidence

    45:13 – Legacy and the Path of Growth

    46:40 – Strategies for Self-Reflection and Empowerment


    Feeling stuck? If you need help getting out of your rut, Will can help - head to willnotfear.com to learn more about his coaching to get you off the hamster wheel.


    More from MTM at: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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    1 h
  • Menopause Explained for Men: Navigating Female Hormone Health and Relationships with Dr. Lisa Larkin
    Oct 27 2025

    Most men fear what they don’t understand - and nothing confuses or frustrates them more than the hormonal changes women experience in midlife.

    Jon and Will sit down with renowned women’s health expert Dr. Lisa Larkin to decode the menopause transition and reveal how understanding it can transform relationships, health, and communication. From navigating mood shifts and libido changes to recognizing breast cancer risks and the benefits of lifestyle and hormone therapy, Dr. Larkin exposes how women’s health - especially between ages 40 and 55 - has been neglected for far too long. This eye-opening conversation challenges stigma, empowers both partners to talk openly about menopause, and shows men why knowledge is the key to stronger, more connected relationships.

    Chapters:
    00:00 - Introduction
    03:02 - Bridging the Gender Gap in Midlife Women’s Health

    06:12 - How Menopause Shapes Relationships

    10:04 - What Every Woman Should Know About Midlife Health

    13:41 - The Truth About Breast Cancer Risk

    20:53 - Genetics, Sex, and the Overlooked Sides of Women’s Health

    27:19 - Menopause at Work: Why Support Matters

    32:13 - Treatment, Awareness, and Real Support for Menopausal Women

    34:13 - The Real Story Behind Menopausal Hormone Therapy

    51:03 - The Hidden Risks of High-Dose Testosterone Pellets

    54:48 - How Hormonal Changes Affect Love and Connection


    Feeling stuck? If you need help getting out of your rut, Will can help - head to willnotfear.com to learn more about his coaching to get you off the hamster wheel.

    More from MTM at: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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    58 m
  • Called Home to Yourself: Remembering Who You Were Before the Noise (A Song)
    Oct 24 2025

    In this deeply personal piece, Jon shares something raw and different ... a song born straight from his journaling practice.


    After years of living by duty, discipline, and performance, Jon found himself realizing he’d lost touch with the part of him that once felt fully alive.
    That reflection became a song called “Called Home to Yourself.”


    Through honest storytelling and emotional depth, Jon opens up about what it means to wake up after years on autopilot... to remember the child you once were, the fire you once carried, and the freedom of feeling seen again.


    This song isn’t about perfection (nor is it perfect)... it’s about presence.
    It’s about rediscovering who you are beneath the roles, the ranks, and the noise of everyday life.

    If you’ve ever felt that quiet ache... that pull toward something real... this episode is for you.
    Because sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is stop running, listen, and come home.

    Listen to “Called Home to Yourself” — written and performed by... well, AI!!
    Hosted by Jon Macaskill | Men Talking Mindfulness


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    10 m
  • If Death Came Today, What Would People Say About Your Life? | Karen Salmonsohn
    Oct 20 2025

    In this episode with Karen Salmonsohn, discover how thinking about death can be your greatest inspiration for living a purposeful, to-die-for life. “Your To-Die-For Life” flips the script on death, showing how embracing mortality turns every day into an urgent call to action—ditch regrets, seize your bucket list, and put meaning first. Death isn’t just an end; it’s a catalyst for bold choices, authentic relationships, and a legacy that matters. Learn practical, research-backed tools to let death fuel your courage, passion, and authentic self-expression. If you want to move from living on autopilot to a life that thrills you, tune in and let death motivate you to live fully now.

    Chapters:
    00:00 - Introduction
    00:16 - The Stories We Leave Behind
    00:36 - Introducing Karen Solomonson and Her Insights
    01:39 - Grounding Practice: Centering Ourselves
    02:33 - Contemplating Mortality for Value-Based Decisions
    03:11 - Aristotle's Wisdom: Starting with the End in Mind
    04:06 - Learning Lessons for Personal Growth
    05:09 - The Importance of Core Values
    05:51 - Legacy: How We Show Up in Life
    06:48 - The Impact of Feelings on Memory
    07:30 - Living Authentically vs. Seeking External Validation
    08:01 - Writing Your Eulogy: A Path to Clarity
    08:13 - The Power of Mortality Awareness
    09:05 - Identity-Based Habits: Who Do You Need to Become?
    10:30 - Creating Identity-Based Statements
    12:05 - Finding Core Values: A Practical Approach
    14:07 - The Seven Core Values to Avoid Regrets
    15:14 - Authenticity: The Key to True Expression
    16:07 - Bravery: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
    16:47 - Curiosity: The Path to Growth
    18:23 - Discernment: Prioritizing What Matters
    19:24 - Empathic Love: Building Meaningful Connections
    20:55 - Fun: The Importance of Enjoying Life
    23:53 - Gratitude: Appreciating What You Have
    25:14 - The Role of Mortality in Urgency and Action
    26:28 - Living with Intention: Making Every Day Count
    30:23 - Breaking Free from Negative Narratives
    32:33 - The Lab of Life: Embracing Growth
    34:00 - The Struggle for Fulfillment: Eudaimonia vs. Hedonia
    36:40 - Reawakening Your Identity: The Power of Self-Reflection
    42:11 - Surrounding Yourself with Supportive People
    45:03 - The Importance of Positive Influences


    Feeling stuck? If you need help getting out of your rut, Will can help - head to willnotfear.com to learn more about his coaching to get you off the hamster wheel.

    More from MTM at: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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    58 m
  • The Shadow Holds Your Power, Not Your Pain with Connor Beaton
    Oct 13 2025

    Connor Beaton, founder of ManTalks, joins MTM. He in a transformative conversation about shadow work and its profound impact on personal choices and mental well-being. Throughout the discussion, Connor delves deep into the concept of the "shadow self," exploring how acknowledging and integrating the hidden, often suppressed aspects of our personalities leads to greater self-awareness and genuine change.


    We candidly address the role of shame in our lives—how it can serve as both a motivator and a destructive force—and why many people unconsciously use shame-based narratives as a way to push themselves, often resulting in cycles of self-sabotage and emotional stagnation.


    Connor illustrates how confronting shadow elements like guilt, regret, and self-doubt enables us to break free from repeating negative patterns. Listeners will learn actionable strategies for revealing and working through feelings of shame, while gaining tools for healthier inner dialogue and compassionate self-reflection.


    You'll learn how self-compassion, accepting past mistakes, and building more authentic relationships—cornerstones of Connor’s approach to men’s emotional growth and healing.

    Feeling stuck? If you need help getting out of your rut, Will can help - head to willnotfear.com to learn more about his coaching to get you off the hamster wheel.


    More from MTM at: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/

    Chapters
    00:00 - Introduction
    02:46 - The Transformative Power of Shadow Work
    05:48 - Defining the Shadow: Repression and Its Consequences
    08:47 - The Role of Shame in Men's Lives
    11:44 - Personal Journeys: Crisis and Transformation
    14:56 - Shame and Its Manipulative Power
    18:00 - Separating Personhood from Behavior
    20:56 - Relationships as Mirrors for Self-Discovery
    23:47 - The Role of Mindfulness in Shadow Work
    27:04 - Psychedelics and Accessing the Unconscious
    30:04 - The Body's Role in Self-Realization
    32:58 - Conclusion: The Journey of Self-Discovery


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    56 m
  • If You've Come This Far (Non-MTM episode)
    Oct 10 2025

    Men Talking Mindfulness aims to empower men's personal and emotional growth through mindfulness. We offer engaging content and practical tools in a supportive community, guiding men toward a balanced, mindful, and fulfilling life.


    This is an episode Jon recorded with Chris Lazier and Shaun Emerson from the If You've Come This Far podcast... lots of fun stuff to know about Jon - a lot that we never knew before!


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    1 h y 9 m
  • Ben Owen: He Lost Everything… Then Built a Movement to Save Others
    Oct 6 2025

    From the depths of addiction to the frontlines of redemption, Ben Owen’s story is a testament to the power of transformation. In this episode, Jon and Will sit down with Ben, the founder of We Fight Monsters, to uncover how he turned personal pain into purpose, leading a movement that combats addiction, human trafficking, and broken systems from the streets of Memphis to beyond. Ben reveals the brutal realities of recovery, the importance of mindfulness in chaos, and the unbreakable resilience that fuels his mission to reunite families and rebuild lives. This is not just a story about survival - it’s about what happens when you decide to fight for something bigger than yourself.

    Feeling stuck? If you need help getting out of your rut, Will can help - head to willnotfear.com to learn more about his coaching to get you off the hamster wheel.

    More from MTM at: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/

    Chapters
    00:00 - Introduction
    03:12 - Ben Owen's Journey to Recovery
    06:01 - The Birth of We Fight Monsters
    09:06 - Transforming Lives in Memphis
    11:51 - The Role of Mindfulness in Recovery
    14:37 - Building Trust and Community
    17:42 - Confronting Human Trafficking
    20:34 - The Power of Resilience
    23:42 - Creating Economic Opportunities
    26:31 - The Importance of Family Reunification
    29:47 - Engaging with Law Enforcement
    32:22 - The Role of the Community
    35:43 - The Owen Army and Expanding the Mission
    38:35 - Mindfulness in Action
    41:28 - The Future of We Fight Monsters


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    1 h y 13 m