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/

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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/

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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.

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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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/

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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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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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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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