In this soul-nourishing episode, Bryan opens the circle on a private men’s gathering with longtime brothers John Lee, Larry Winters, Mikey Brackett, and Troy Ravenseye. What follows is a deeply honest exploration of aging, art, resistance, and the sacred tension between creating from joy versus performing for the world’s approval.

00:00 – Introduction by Bryan: What makes this episode different

03:23 – John’s discovery of a spiritual retreat property—and a powerful synchronicity

09:00 – A 43-year-old book changes lives: The Flying Boy comes full circle

12:58 – Red Hawk, Osho, and the wisdom of “dropping your old solutions”

16:30 – The Rainmaker story: Alignment vs. control in creating change

20:02 – Seasonal resistance: When your body wants rest but your world demands action

25:18 – Earth connection, aging, and the wisdom of listening to your body

32:45 – Embracing help: Why asking (and receiving) is harder—and more vital—than we think

37:55 – John’s viral video on aging and the surprising reaction it received

41:40 – Mikey on letting art lead the way instead of trying to monetize purpose

43:30 – The trap of measuring everything—and the freedom of creating without needing outcome

48:55 – From shadow artist to soul creator: letting music, poetry, and spirit come forward

49:48 – The power of slow creation: bonsai trees, hand tools, and meaning-making

53:21 – Contraction vs. expansion: Thaddeus Golas and The Lazy Man’s Guide to Enlightenment

57:20 – Closing reflections and the quiet power of being in the work

🔹 John Lee @ https://johnleebooks.com/

🔹 Larry Winters @ https://substack.com/@larrywinters

🔹 Bryan Reeves @ https://bryanreeves.com

🔹 Mikey Brackett @ https://mikeybrackett.com/

🔹 Troy Ravenseye (email bryan@bryanreeves.com)

In this expansive and very human conversation, filmmaker and creative technologist Akira Chan joins Bryan Reeves and co-host Tait Arend to explore the wild, exhilarating, and sometimes terrifying frontier of artificial intelligence. From AI-generated songs and robot companions to the ways technology is already shaping our relationships, creativity, and emotional lives, this episode dives deep into what it means to stay human in an AI-driven world.

Grounded, curious, and refreshingly real, this dialogue asks the questions that matter most: How do we use AI to bridge connections, not replace them? What parts of our humanity should never be outsourced? And how can these tools actually make our relationships richer?

00:00 – Dogs, Heartbeats, and Nervous System Whisperers

03:00 – “This Is Not AI”… or Is It?

04:30 – How Bryan and Akira First Met

07:00 – The First Wave of AI Magic

08:00 – Why This Episode Matters Now

10:45 – Can AI Help Us Connect More Deeply?

11:30 – The AI-Generated Song for Bryan & Tait

15:45 – The Imposter Question: Is Anything Truly Original?

20:00 – “I Feel Manipulated Sometimes”

23:00 – Will Men Fall in Love with AI Companions?

26:00 – How AI Is Already Shaping Our Thinking

33:00 – AI Tools Akira Actually Recommends

37:00 – The Atrophy of Human Skills

45:00 – Robots Are Coming Into Our Homes

52:00 – The Line Akira Won’t Cross as a Filmmaker

1:00:00 – What We Must NOT Outsource to AI

1:04:30 – Wrapping with Heart

Website - https://akirachan.com/

Production Company - https://www.raremedia.tv/

• Official Website: https://bryanreeves.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryanreevesinsight/

Men’s Coaching Program: https://bryanreeves.com/elevate

In this raw and revealing episode, Tait and Bryan reflect on a powerful and often overlooked truth: So many men only find this work because the women in their lives refused to give up on them. Whether it’s a book left on a nightstand, a therapy session demanded through gritted teeth, or a heartbreaking confrontation, women have been the silent initiators of many men's healing journeys. This episode is an acknowledgment. A thank-you. An ode. It’s also a challenge to the men listening to hear the love beneath the criticism. And to the women: keep standing strong.

• Why resistance is often the first step in every man’s growth
• The role women play in awakening men to their potential
• Why emotional isolation is harming modern relationships
• What makes a true men’s group different from a friend group
• How being witnessed by trustable men changes everything
• Why your partner's frustration may be the invitation of a lifetime

00:00 - Intro: The Most Awkward Part of Every Podcast

01:17 - An Ode to Women: The Real Gateway to Men’s Work

03:32 - The Elevate Program: 6 Years and 100+ Men Later

05:05 - Resistance: “I Didn’t Want to Go to Therapy”

07:34 - What Women Are Really Asking For

09:14 - Traumatizing Rites of Passage: Frats, Gangs, and Military

10:50 - Looking to Women for Validation—and the Fallout

13:15 - Women as Unintended Stewards of Manhood

16:27 - The Disney Lie: Where Love Stories Break Down

18:11 - Why Men Without Friends Lean Too Hard on Their Partners

20:20 - Friend Groups vs. Men’s Groups: The Third Option

21:44 - A Real-Time Breakthrough: When One Conversation Changes Everything

23:32 - “This Is Just Normal Now”—How Fast Growth Can Happen

25:03 - A Message to Women: Your Nagging Might Be an Invitation

26:49 - Hurtful Words and Hidden Truths

28:03 - What Men’s Work Gave Me That My Wife Couldn’t

30:45 - What Support from Other Men Really Looks Like

32:27 - Final Thoughts: Thank You, Women. Truly.

34:03 - Learn More About Elevate 2026

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