The Mythic Masculine

My guest today is once again Stephen Jenkinson, a culture activist, teacher and author, and principal instructor of The Orphan Wisdom School, co-founded with his wife Nathalie Roy. He has Master’s degrees from Harvard University (Theology) and the University of Toronto (Social Work).The School, though now formally closed, has made an incredibly significant mark on my life and Stephen continues to tour and teach all over the world. I’ve had the wild good fortune to have collaborated with Stephen in numerous ways, including producing the short film Lost Nation Road, as well as being part of the team architecting The Scriptorium - an Orphan Wisdom online archive.His most recent book Matrimony: Ritual, Culture and the Heart’s Work, is the subject of our conversation today.In a time when many couples are opting out of marriage altogether, sensing that the modern wedding has often become a hollow performance, Stephen offers a different perspective. He suggests that “wedding” and “matrimony” are not interchangeable at all. One is largely engineered so that nothing really happens; the other, when approached as a deity, can be an alchemical ritual, where vows are enactments and blessings might bind all who attend with real consequence.Through personal stories from the trenches, Stephen reminds us that matrimony, at its core, is a radical act of citizenship: a cultural undertaking where love is asked to nourish more than the couple themselves, and where village emerges from the willingness to place life at the center.LINKS* Stephen Jenkinson Official Website* The Scriptorium* Matrimony - Ritual, Culture and the Heart’s WorkSHOW NOTES* 00:01 — Ian introduces Stephen Jenkinson and frames the conversation around his new book Matrimony: Ritual, Culture, and the Heart’s Work.* 00:02 — Stephen names the modern wedding as a hollow performance engineered so that “nothing really happens.”* 00:03 — Ian describes matrimony as a radical act of citizenship where love is asked to serve culture, not just the couple.* 00:05 — Stephen recounts learning to understand death as a deity, a presence requiring etiquette and literacy.* 00:06 — He draws the parallel: matrimony, too, is a neglected deity — an ancestral presence asking something of us.* 00:07 — Ian speaks about how witnessing Stephen’s ceremonies reshaped his understanding of what a wedding can be.* 00:08 — Discussion of village-making: thresholds like death and matrimony as visitations where culture has a chance to appear.* 00:15 — Stephen distinguishes ritual from celebration and explains why most weddings are not rituals at all.* 00:16 — He clarifies the differences between weddings, marriage, and matrimony — three undertakings often collapsed into one.* 00:17 — Exploration of the etymology: matrimony rooted in mother — the repertoire of mothering culture.* 00:18 — Matrimony as a repertoire of culture-mothering, not dependent on having biological children.* 00:41 — Stephen describes “the sacraments of trade” and how ancestral presence is elevated in a true matrimonial exchange.* 00:42 — Ian reflects on death and matrimony as moments when life, not the individual, is placed at the center.* 00:51 — Ian describes how village-mindedness appears through threshold events: birth, death, love, and the guidance of community.* 01:04 — Stephen shares what it meant to be a “spirit lawyer” for matrimony, serving the deity rather than the couple.ADDITIONAL EPISODES This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Miki Dedijer, a writer, ecologist, and mentor devoted to the ancestral arts of belonging, fatherhood, and grassroots initiation.In our conversation, Miki invites us to look at the crisis facing young men and the absence of meaningful adulthood in our time. He speaks to the ecological and emotional consequences of failing to initiate the young, how untempered fire in boys becomes turmoil in families, and how communities have lost their memory of what it means to guide the next generation.Together we explore initiation not as an event, but a cultural responsibility. Miki shares how rites of passage serve life itself, how they awaken responsibility in parents and mentors, and how inviting others to help mature a child becomes its own act of initiation. We touch on the longing that erupts when boys are unmet, the loneliness of a culture without elders, and the courage required to guide a child into a larger story.Miki reminds us that initiation is not about control. It is about stewarding a young man’s genius back into the world. It is a return to the village, a remembering of our place in the weave of life, and an invitation to rebuild the cultural vessels that once shaped humans capable of serving a cosmos greater than ourselves.Register for an upcoming webinar: FROM SCREENS TO SOUL: Raising Embodied Young Men (Dec 2)You’ll learn how to help steward your sons toward this deeper connection — how to anchor them in their bodies, nurture their love of the living world, and prepare them for future relationships that are grounded, heartfelt, and capable of holding real intimacy. This webinar offers parents and mentors a way to guide boys toward a young manhood shaped not by algorithms, but by aliveness.LINKS * Miki’s Official WebsiteSHOW NOTES* 00:09 Miki describes where he is and the seasonal mood on the west coast of Sweden.* 02:52 His early work as an environmental journalist and the shift toward quieter, place-based stories.* 04:38 Moving from grand narratives of saving the world into intimate, relational, land-rooted life.* 12:28 The pine tree story and how tending the land taught him the meaning of belonging.* 17:04 Entering fatherhood later in life and wanting his sons to grow up rooted in place.* 18:24 Burnout as a turning point that reopened childhood vitality and led to cultural mentorship.* 21:39 The guiding question: how do we steward children well through life’s stages?* 24:07 Recognizing and honoring childhood stages long before adolescence arrives.* 26:32 Why initiating teenagers may be the most ecologically responsible act we can take.* 27:15 How asking others to help mature a child initiates the adults themselves.* 31:05 What happens when a culture fails to initiate its boys.* 37:15 The tensions Miki encountered guiding his own sons and how conflict became tempering.* 54:04 Why integration after a rite of passage is essential for families and community.ADDITIONAL EPISODES This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

I’m pleased to share this #mini episode with Maria Souza, a Comparative Mythologist, Poet, and Educator, and founder of Women & Mythology. As we name in the conversation, we’ve known about each other for some time and appreciated each others’ work from afar. Just as Robert Bly’s ‘Iron John’ is the book that ignited the mythopoetic men’s movement, so too, does Clarissa Pinkola Estés’s book ‘Women Who Run With The Wolves’ occupy that position for women.Maria shares how her journey with myth began has evolved into her podcast, along with courses that bring mythopoetic depth into the lived experience of women today. We touch on iconic stories like La Loba, Seal Skin/Soul Skin, and La Llorona—each a mirror of feminine initiation, creativity, and soul recovery. In this tradition, myth isn’t escape - it’s a way of waking up, a path to gather the scattered bones of the psyche (and culture) and sing them back to life. LINKS* Women & Mythology Website* Women & Mythology on InstagramTo receive new posts and support The Mythic Masculine, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.SHOW NOTES* 0:00 — Ian welcomes Maria and introduces a dialogue on Women Who Run With the Wolves as a counterpart to Iron John in the mythopoetic tradition.* 1:17 — Maria recalls her studies with Martin Shaw and her search for stories that speak directly to women’s initiatory paths.* 2:41 — Early book study circles evolved into her first myth-based teaching course.* 4:46 — Contextualizing Clarissa Pinkola Estés’ book: a 30-year creation published in 1990, still resonant due to its timeless archetypal themes.* 7:13 — The book quickly became a global bestseller, sparking women’s groups and soulful discussion circles.* 10:01 — Myth gives women a language to “wake up” to their inner and outer experiences, offering deep recognition and practical insight.* 11:49 — Stories like Seal Skin/Soul Skin, Baba Yaga, and La Llorona reveal key initiations around creativity, intuition, and integration.* 21:15 — Ian reflects on the power of La Loba’s “singing over the bones” as a metaphor for enlivening the psyche.* 29:48 — Maria describes her “Year of Myths” immersion—one myth a month as a practice of ongoing maturation.* 34:36 — She shares her next creative focus: introducing Brazilian myths and under-told folktales to her community. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

“Eros is not something you get from another person. It’s the aliveness that rises when you are fully in your body.” - Victor WarringMy guest today is Victor Warring, a somatic educator and founder of Rewilding Eros - a body-centered path to reclaiming our natural erotic intelligence.In our conversation today, Victor invites us to look deeply at the condition of modern men: domesticated human animals, cut off from the wild currents that once shaped our bodies, relationships, and souls. He names how much of our struggle with intimacy, desire, and disconnection is not personal failure, but the inheritance of a culture that has forgotten the way of village.Together we explore the meaning of Rewilding Eros - how centuries of colonization and conditioning have constricted men’s vitality, and how we might return to a more embodied, enlivened masculinity. We speak of civilization and desire, patriarchy and the loss of community, the tyranny of the dyad, and the hunger for wholeness that haunts the modern man.Victor reminds us that Eros is not merely sex, but the living current of aliveness itself - an invitation for men to reclaim their erotic sovereignty and rejoin the flow of life.LINKS* Rewilding Eros - Victor’s Office Website* Rewilding Eros on IG* Book - Monogamous Mind, Polyamorous TerrorSHOW NOTES* 00:55 — Opening with embodied presence to reveal the importance of grounding in sensation before exploring sexuality and intimacy.* 02:50 — Rewilding Eros framed as reconnecting to the deep, natural erotic intelligence that lives in the flesh, not the mind.* 04:45 — Men’s struggles around desire and intimacy understood as symptoms of domestication, not evidence of personal failure or inadequacy.* 06:20 — Patriarchal systems teach men to control themselves and others, while simultaneously cutting them off from their own vitality.* 08:55 — A wider historical and evolutionary view shows our current way of living is the anomaly, not the baseline of human experience.* 10:53 — Cultural norms become invisible, shaping what we think is normal in relationships, sex, and masculinity itself.* 12:55 — Wildness reframed as authentic human expression that is often more attuned and less harmful than “civilized” behavior.* 16:00 — Sexual disconnection emerges in captivity; when context limits freedom, erotic life withers — just like animals in a zoo.* 19:20 — The drop in desire inside long-term relationships is tied to isolation and stress, not a lack of attraction or compatibility.* 20:00 — The nuclear couple becomes overburdened when expected to meet every relational and erotic need without communal support.* 23:10 — Secure attachment has roots in village life where many caregivers hold the child — not a single partner doing it all.* 27:15 — When relationships are held in a wider web of kinship, Eros can breathe again and love becomes less pressured and more alive.* 32:40 — Erotic sovereignty arises from within; Eros is not something we get from others but something we generate by being fully alive.* 36:55 — Eros includes sex but extends far beyond it into movement, creativity, and the embodied flow of everyday life.* 39:20 — Pornography becomes a substitute when men lose access to their own erotic source; healing means coming home to the body’s desire. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

An audio version of my long-form essay that explores my encounter at the 40th Anniversary of the Minnesota Men's Conference in 2024. For the full references and links to supporting interviews, check out the essay on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Jonathan Stensland, a poet and long-time collaborator and friend of Robert Bly.This conversation was recorded in 2024 at the 40th anniversary of the Minnesota Men's Conference. Speaking from the banks of the Saint Croix River, Jonathan offers a unique insider's perspective on four decades of men's work.In his early 20s, Jonathan was involved with Bly as he worked on his seminal book ‘Iron John’, through typing-up handwritten pages, revisions, and countless conversations- a process he describes as practically like quilt making. His relationship was deeper than professional collaboration, as akin to a godson to Bly and his wife Ruth.In our conversation today, we explore the origins and evolution of the mythopoetic men's movement, from its roots in Robert Bly's poetry about fathers and grief. We delve into the power of men gathering around the goodness that exists in the marrow of masculinity. He speaks to the movement's influence on broader culture, and the morphogenetic field that made new ways of being available to men everywhere.We ask: What does it mean for a 40-year tradition to cross from the wilderness into culture? How can we broaden the spaces where men can do the necessary soul work of maturation? And what mythic stories might guide the next chapter of this work?You’re invited to join the 41st Fall Conference Oct 7-12, 2025 “Men Who Stand Atop the Old Mound of Miracles”Catch the companion conversations to this episode: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Miguel Rivera, a seasoned ceremonialist, musician, and ritualist.This conversation is a two part series recorded in 2024 at the 40th anniversary of the Minnesota Men’s Conference. Miguel is a longtime facilitator to the conference where he has played a pivotal role in guiding men through transformative experiences.Miguel's journey began in the vibrant cultural landscape of the 1980s, where he was drawn to the path of healing through indigenous medicine and becoming a Sundancer. His involvement in the men's movement began with an invitation from Robert Bly in 1992, where he suddenly found himself at the heart of a cultural force that sought to reconnect men with their inner selves and the sacred.The Mythic Masculine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In our conversation today, we delve into the transformative power of men's gatherings and the role of ritual in healing and initiation. Miguel shares his experiences of how these ceremonies amplify healing and create a sense of belonging and brotherhood.We also discuss the challenges faced by modern men, including the "lone wolf syndrome" and the importance of finding older men who can offer guidance and mentorship. Miguel's insights into fathering and the necessity of creating a safe and nurturing environment for the next generation are both poignant and profound.We ask: what is the legacy and evolution of the mythopoetic men’s movement? How can modern men find their way back to a sense of community and belonging in an increasingly isolated world?You’re invited to join the 41st Fall Conference Oct 7-12, 2025 “Men Who Stand Atop the Old Mound of Miracles”Also don’t miss my interview last year with conference organizers Walton Stanley and Ben Dennis.ADDITIONAL EPISODESCheck out these conversations for more on the history of the men’s movement. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

Recently I spoke with Adam Lewis, co-founder of MANCAMP, a Canadian gathering dedicated to “the celebration of masculinity.” (Disclosure: Adam is also a mentorship client of mine).Now entering its second year, MANCAMP emerged from Adam’s experiences organizing raw and elemental camping trips with small groups of men in the wilderness. What began as paddling into Algonquin Park has grown into a vision of 150+ men coming together for a weekend of transformation, brotherhood, and celebration.Adam shares the story of how MANCAMP was born—first as a seed of inspiration, then through the alignment with his co-founder Geoff ‘Rawa Larden, and finally in the inaugural gathering last September that drew men from across Ontario. Despite the (sometimes) chaotic organizing of a first-year festival, the event sold out and left lasting ripples in the lives of the men who attended. From deep heartbreak to profound breakthroughs, Adam recounts stories of men who returned home more grounded, more alive, and more connected to their families and communities.In our conversation today, Adam and I explore the ingredients that shape the container: archetypal frameworks drawn from King, Warrior, Magician, Lover and a roster of diverse facilitators, as well as sweat lodge, ecstatic dance, shared meals, and the sober presence of men choosing to lean into the work, together. The medicine found in connection and brotherhood itself becomes the initiatory field.I am honored to join as a speaker at this year’s event, taking place September 18–21, 2025 at Merkaba Acres in Ontario. Use my promo code below for MYTHIC20 for 20% off the ticket price. Get full info & tickets here http://mancamp.ca This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Darren Silver, a rite of passage guide, ceremonialist, and storyteller. With nearly two decades of experience, Darren has devoted his life to ritual, wilderness living skills, and guiding transformational experiences across the world.. An apprentice to the old myths, he weaves the power of the natural world, vision, and community in service of regenerative culture.Darren’s path began in the forests of Virginia and later deepened through the teachings of Tom Brown Jr. From these roots, he cultivated a lifelong devotion to vision, animacy, and the mysteries between humans and the more-than-human world. His journey led him to wilderness therapy, guiding quests, and the practice of divination as passed down through the lineage of Malidoma Somé and Carter Brown.The Mythic Masculine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In our conversation today, we explore the initiatory dimensions of blood rites and the sacred hunt, and how encounters with mortality awaken a man’s power and responsibility. Darren shares stories of divination as a way of orienting one’s soul, restoring ancestral connection, and realigning with the genius each of us carries.We look at the role of wilderness rites of passage in breaking the spell of modern isolation, how vision arises both as daily practice and as life-altering encounter, and why ritual remains essential for men seeking to live in right-relation with themselves, their communities, and the living world.Together we ask: What do blood rites reveal about masculine initiation? How does divination open a dialogue with the unseen? And in an age of rupture, how might men return to the wild conversation that remakes us whole?LINKS * Courting the Sacred Hunt - Men’s Initiation Program beings Oct 1st* Darren’s official websiteADDITIONAL EPISODES This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Daniel Waite Penny, a journalist and cultural critic whose recent work investigates the connection between masculinity and the climate crisis. He’s the creator of NonToxic, a podcast exploring men and sustainability, and co-creator of Carbon Bros, an investigative series made in collaboration with Drilled.Here’s an overview of the series:You’ve heard it from cable news pundits, Democratic strategists, and your favorite YouTuber: young men swung the last U.S. election for Trump. Understanding what’s driving “the manosphere” and how to reach the young men in its grips is on everyone’s mind right now, but we’re zooming in on a different corner of it: the intersection between male grievance culture and climate denial. Why are men less likely than women to believe in climate change, or take personal or political actions against it? What does their reluctance to deal with the climate crisis have to do with men’s shift to the right in general? And what can be done to reverse it?Daniel and I first connected years ago when he interviewed me about the mythopoetic men’s movement.In our conversation today , we return to the themes of men, meaning, and the cultural forces shaping our times. We trace the strategic targeting of men by fossil fuel interests, the rise of the manosphere, and the appeal of dominance-based narratives offered by figures like Trump and Tate.The Mythic Masculine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.We ask why so many men resist climate action, and how the deeper hunger for belonging, nobility, and story has been misdirected. We explore the absence of an inspiring masculine vision within progressive politics, and what might be possible if men were invited into a role of protection and stewardship.Would love to hear your comments below!For men who wish to join me in-person, I have one more Awakening the Wild Erotic weekend Aug 22-24 on Vancouver Island. Otherwise, men from all over the world can take the Deep Masculine journey.ADDITIONAL EPISODES: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Matt Sturm, a guide and writer dedicated to the evolution of masculinity. His offerings include psychotherapy, psychedelic-assisted work, sacred sexuality, and men’s retreats. He is the author of two books—The Organic Masculine and Primal Drives—and the creator of the Living Kosmos tarot deck.(You might also remember Matt from when he joined Deus and I to discuss eros & intimacy in men’s ritual space).After a decade working in the corporate climate sector, Matt left his dream job to embark on a spiritual path that led him deep into yoga, tantra, and the mythic roots of masculine identity. His work bridges archetypal psychology, developmental theory, and sacred embodiment, inviting men into a more integrated and life-affirming expression of their power.In this conversation, we explore the crisis and rebirth of masculinity in a time of global unraveling. Matt shares his framework of the "organic masculine," and how the primal drives of aggression and sexuality—when unintegrated—fuel much of the world’s destruction. We look at the role of rites of passage, the death-rebirth journey of the hero, and the challenge of moving from domination to deep relationality.We discuss the symbolic power of myths like Hercules and the Hydra, the collective adolescent psyche behind our social and environmental collapse, and how reclaiming the warrior archetype can support a shift from violence to sacred protection.Together, we ask: How might men transform their primal drives into devotion? What kind of masculine presence is needed to meet the polycrisis of our time? And how do we embrace the monster within so that it becomes an ally rather than an adversary?This episode is a call to enter the depths—where masculinity is not conquered or discarded, but composted, reimagined, and reborn in service to life.The Mythic Masculine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.MATT’S LINKS* Website* Essay: Masculinity & The PolycrisisADDITIONAL EPISODESIf you like our conversation, check out my earlier complimentary conversations: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

Note: you can watch the Youtube version of this podcast here.___Well, the saga around Aubrey Marcus continues.You may recall a few weeks back when I spoke about Aubrey, an American entrepreneur, influencer, and “psychonaut”, who released an episode of his podcast with his wife Vylana, their lover Alana, and their mentor Marc Gafni. The main reveal was that during a trip to Egypt, Aubrey received a “download” from the goddess Isis instructing him to “impregnate both women.”They described this not as polyamory but as “radical monogamy.”​Their episode originally titled “A New Pattern of Sacred Relationship" created a wide cultural ripple, sparking deep conversations around sex, relationships, monogamy/polyamory, spiritual bypassing, divine union, cult dynamics, and more.In my initial response with Deus Fortier, a central point I emphasized was the crucial role of community in holding the intense energies of intimacy and sex — something we learned through our years documenting Tamera, the radical “free love” community in Portugal, and featured in our film The Village of Lovers.Following that newsletter, a mutual friend connected me directly with Aubrey. I invited him and his partners to watch The Village of Lovers. They did - and they loved it.This opened the door for a deeper, more nuanced conversation directly between Aubrey and I, which is available now.In this new interview, Aubrey and I explore:* The cultural impact and backlash to his original podcast — and whether he can truly receive and integrate some of the core critiques rather than dismiss them only as a “witch hunt.”* His evolving understanding of power, influence, and community accountability — including reflections on the risks of spiritual grandiosity.* The difference between personal sovereignty and relational ecology, no matter your relationship container* The question of whether “downloads” or divine guidance can ever be fully trusted outside a community context.* The tension between individual desires and collective responsibility in love and intimacy.* What it would look like to truly embed these experiments in a supportive, truth-telling community.Rather than a debate or a takedown, this is a respectful invitation to wonder together.We seek to illuminate the edges and complexities of relational evolution - for ourselves and for all who are navigating love in these turbulent times.__ Note: This conversation has already been out almost a week, and while I’ve received a number of positive reviews, I want to address one of the main criticisms: my decision not to bring up the presence and influence of Marc Gafni. Someone even made the assertion that Aubrey must have “made a deal” with me prior to the interview. In truth, Aubrey and I didn’t speak at about what we would cover. I made the call for two reasons: Watching almost 2 hours of a podcast where Aubrey interviews Marc and his partner Kristina Kincaid spend a lot of time speaking to the controversy from their perspective. Aubrey also responded to the controversy around Marc in the follow up newsletter to the the “Sacred Relationship” podcast:"Finally as a last note, I’ve already addressed the historic controversy surrounding our lineage teacher Dr. Marc Gafni in a podcast that I did with his life partner Kristina Kincaid. I’ve read the published letters of analysis from those who have analyzed the issues well, and spoken to people who have known him for decades. I trust his goodness and his greatness. But more important than any of that, is what I feel in my own body after the hundreds of hours we have spent together with him and his partner. Whether that is grieving together for ten days after the death of my father, grinding out sets with a barbell, or raising cups of wine with a bellowing “CHAAAAAAA.” He’s a brother, he’s my teacher, and he’s not my guru. Marc has been unwaveringly loving and fair to each of us individually in this relationship process, seeking only to serve our own highest sovereign will."To be clear: do I believe the presence of Marc and his influence is troubling? Yes. Do I find it odd that he plays in the original conversation with Vylana and Alana, where he contributes to the confusing and spiritual jargon? Yes.And yet, confronting Aubrey one more time about this did not seem a worthwhile avenue given he would have just repeated what he's already said. There was zero chance, in my opinion, about him changing is stance. And overall, my conversation aimed to be about Aubrey and his relational explorations with his partners, and not about Marc Gafni. There are plenty of podcasts and videos out there that critique Marc and Aubrey.The goal in my conversation with Aubrey was not to cover all the bases, but to bring in some additional pieces that would contribute to the collective feedback loop. Once again, you’re invited to watch The Village of Lovers to understand more deeply the lens I was attempting to offer. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

Greetings friends. By now you have likely heard about, if not already listened to, Aubrey Marcus’ podcast “A New Pattern for Sacred Relationship.” If you haven’t I would recommend at least check out the first 30 minutes. Last weekend I listened to the whole thing, all 2.5 hours. I've also read and watched a number of responses to it (and there are many).Some folks call him a "false king" who is not a "real man". Others say the women (his wife and their lover) are being manipulated and have lost their own inner compass.Marc Gafni, their mentor (also featured on the podcast) calls them "evolutionary lovers in a field of erotic mystics" ... or something.It seems to have hit the cultural zeitgeist on sex, relationships, monogamy/polyamory, spiritual bypassing, divine union, cults, psychedelics, all of it.Just that alone has been fascinating to witness.A few days ago I posted an initial response on my Facebook. I also sent the episode to my friend and collaborator Deus Fortier, and he responded with is take here.I felt inspired to jump on a call today and record an emergent conversation between us. Enjoy! As named, you can stream my film The Village of Lovers.And check out Deus and I’s upcoming men’s offerings here: * Awaking the Wild Erotic (In-Person) * The Deep Masculine (Online)SHOW NOTES* 00:00 – Opening and framing: why this conversation matters now* 00:50 – Who is Aubrey Marcus? Context on his influence and subcultural position* 02:45 – Summary of the podcast episode: divine union, polyamory, and the “radical monogamy” claim* 06:50 – The Egypt “download”: Aubrey’s call to impregnate both women* 08:00 – Mark Gafni’s role as spiritual mentor and the atmosphere of unquestioned affirmation* 10:30 – Deus shares his initial unease and what made the episode feel “off”* 13:30 – The concept of krivda: when truth is wrapped in distortion* 17:00 – Power dynamics, spiritual bypass, and concerns about lack of transparency* 22:00 – Reflections on biological imperative and cultural conditioning around monogamy* 31:00 – Lessons from Tamara: embedment and forum as collective relational technologies* 40:00 – The danger of personal downloads without communal discernment* 44:00 – Deus’s personal journey of erotic healing, trauma, and moving at the speed of trust* 50:00 – How to offer better relational support to each other This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

Last week, I sat down with Chris Kyle, co-founder of the upcoming Big Tent Summit, a gathering for men & woman who are involved in the stewardship of healthy masculinity today. Chris has been in the exploration for nearly three decades, and he articulates his perspective on the “three waves” of the modern men’s movement: from its mythopoetic roots, to the rise of embodied presence, and now—an integrative call to wholeness. We speak of the fragmentation many men feel, the seductive pull of the mansophere & adolescent masculinities, and the hunger for a mature, grounded path rooted in a greater cosmology.The Big Tent Summit, happening May 29–June 1 in Loveland, Colorado, is a gathering of leaders, facilitators, and culture-makers. It will be a place to compare maps, cross-pollinate practices, and connect with others engaged in this work.Get full info & tickets at BigTentSummit.com—For more of the history and evolution of men’s work, you’re invited to check out my free webinar An Introduction To Mythopoetic Masculinity. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

Today, I’m honored to share a conversation with Minna Salami—author, social critic, and senior fellow at The New Institute.This exchange was recorded during the Fugitive Futures Summit I co-hosted in February 2025. I’m sharing it here because of the powerful resonance between Minna’s work and the questions we hold on this podcast.Her book Sensuous Knowledge: A Black Feminist Approach for Everyone proposes a liberatory way of knowing that’s embodied, relational, and rooted in both thought and feeling. Drawing on African cosmologies and feminist philosophy, Minna challenges the dominance of Euro-patriarchal systems and invites us toward a more holistic worldview.We explore this sensuous way of knowing—and its deep relevance to masculinity. We speak to the adolescent forms of masculine power so common in leadership today, and ask how a more mature, rooted masculinity might emerge through depth and inner listening.UPCOMING OFFERINGSSpeaking of pathways of mature masculinity, men are invited to check out my online trainings and in-person events. The Deep Masculine - 12 week online journey to repattern your relationship to sex, soul and purpose. Begin anytime. Awakening The Wild Erotic - A men’s ritual initiation into the archetype of The Lover. We have two upcoming weekends: * July 25-27 - Montreal, Canada* Aug 22-24 - Vancouver IslandAll folks are invited to explore Iron John: A Mythic Story about Men.Would love to hear your comments on my conversation with Minna! Leave you thoughts below. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

Heads up - we’re taking AWE on the road this July! I’m pleased to share this conversation with my collaborator Deus Fortier, and two colleagues, Paul Simard and Robin Corlux, who are supporting us to bring our men’s ritual weekend to the Montreal region this July. AWE is more than a retreat - it's an initiation into erotic maturity, focusing on the Lover archetype. This archetype, which emphasizes relational consequence and interconnectedness, is crucial for cultivating a deeper sense of beauty and soul. In a culture that often glorifies the King and Warrior archetypes, AWE offers a unique opportunity for men to explore the more nuanced and vulnerable aspects of masculinity.The weekend is a blend of mythopoetic and body-centered therapeutic practices. Participants will engage in rituals, hear mythic stories, and work with symbols to explore their deep psyche, as well as somatic exercises to embody and express their emotional landscape. The goal is to create a safe and trusting environment where men can de-armor, build non-sexual intimacy with other men, and reclaim a trust and connection to a deeper masculine essence.The weekend is not just a one-time experience but an entry into a continual process of returning to the wellspring of the Lover archetype.If you’re in the region (Montreal, Toronto, New York, etc) consider joining us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

Earlier this week, I posted this on Facebook and Instagram and received quite a strong response - so I’m publishing here as well to hear from my readers. In my recent interview with Tyson Adams, we explored the phenomenon of pornography and its deep, often hidden, effects on men.You might think it’s not so different from what previous generations faced—but after listening to our conversation, you’ll see we’re living in an era unlike any before.Once upon a time, a young boy’s access to pornography required either cunning effort—like sneaking into his dad’s hidden stash—or sheer luck, like Tyson stumbling across a Playboy in a field.Today, that mediation is all but gone.Youth can now access an unending stream of pornographic imagery and videos—24/7, in any variation imaginable.And the impact has been nothing short of catastrophic.Martin Shaw, mythteller and rites-of-passage guide, speaks to the mythic loss pornography has inflicted on the male psyche:“There used to be shadowy areas in the imagination that contained passageways for Aphrodite, Dionysus, and lusty Pan to emerge through and ignite the sexual experience. However, that requires an imaginal flow, not the oddly passive imprint of negotiated image, downloaded into the mind by a jaded computer techie in Silicon Valley. […] Porn provides the picture—a very limited one—that short-circuits the entrance of ‘the mind’s eye’ to the erotic imagination. […] In other words, we fail to develop our own erotic imagery.”And now, with the advent of AI, we are entering exponential territory.The involvement of a human woman is no longer required.Busty, “perfect” AI-generated women now have hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram, with legions of adoring men. AI porn platforms allow users to conjure whatever woman or scenario they desire—on demand.It’s a godlike power, exercised within the confines of a false, synthetic reality.I can’t help but return to a common thread in many indigenous traditions: that everything has a spirit.When that spirit is extracted, manipulated, and concentrated, it becomes addictive. Think: sugar cane versus refined sugar. Sacred tobacco versus commercial cigarettes. The same for alcohol, coffee, the list goes on.Pornography, in this light, makes a promise: connection to the Feminine.But it cannot deliver.Instead, it offers a ghost.A distorted, addictive shadow of the feminine.So how does a man break free?The path is not linear—and it involves multiple layers.One is rewiring the nervous system: learning to seek self-regulation not through porn, but through practices like breathwork, meditation, movement, and creative expression.Another is healing the shame that clings to so many men’s sexual histories. This is the heart of my work in Stealing the Key: Men, Sex, and the Mother Complex.And finally, a man must expand his relationship to sexuality itself—reclaiming it as a doorway into eros, the primal force of life.He comes to realize that sex is just one channel of this vast current, and that when he stops seeking it solely through women—or through substances—he opens to a cosmos teeming with beauty and inherent purpose.If you're a man who wants to begin this journey, send me a DM. ___ I’d also love to hear your comments on this below! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Tyson Adams, a trauma-informed IFS men’s coach, somatic bodyworker, and psychedelic facilitator.After spending twenty years entangled in pornography addiction, Tyson broke free seven years ago and has since dedicated his life to helping men reclaim their lifeforce energy. He co-facilitates men’s leadership intensives, supports couples navigating intimacy, and brings a grounded, embodied presence to the evolving landscape of modern masculinity.In this conversation, we enter one of the most charged topics in men’s lives today: pornography. Tyson shares his personal path through addiction and healing, revealing the deep cultural silence around male sexuality and the absence of rites of passage for boys becoming men.We explore the psychological and physiological impacts of porn, the line between eros and exploitation, and the difference between pornography and erotica. Tyson speaks to the healing power of celibacy, mindful self-pleasure, and ‘parts work’, inviting a more conscious relationship with sex.From AI fantasy to the hunger for genuine intimacy, we ask: How can men reclaim erotic sovereignty in an overstimulated world? What initiations are needed to guide desire into devotion? And how do we plant the seeds of a culture that honors sex as a life-giving force in alignment with life?This episode is a call to remember eros as sacred—woven with integrity, healing, and soul.LINKS* Follow Tyson Adams on IG* Explore Tyson’s ProgramsYou’re also invited to check out The Deep Masculine, my 3 month online program for men to repattern their relationship to sex, soul, and purpose. There are pathways for men and women to explore the masculine through a mythopoetic lens, with weekly lessons, somatic skills, and ritual practices to empower your journey. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."I remember coming across this quote at Burning Man years ago. It's from writer and essayist Anais Nin. It struck me then, and it reverberates for me still.This photo was taken that year. That sky is particularly specific to that time of evening, as the heat of the day dissolves into gorgeous blue & purple hues.I remember my friends and I were stopped at an art piece, after gallivanting around the playa on our bikes, weaving in and out of the dust and denizens of Black Rock City.That year was the Temple of Transition, and it was a threshold that changed everything.It was then I learned of the role of grief and the necessity to come together in tending the endings that make us human. It was then I recognized my marriage was over, even though it was another year before we parted ways.Recently I had the impulse to look up the words from Anais Nin, and discovered the rest of the quote:"Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death. Living never wore one out so much as the effort not to live. Life is truly known only to those who suffer, lose, endure adversity and stumble from defeat to defeat. Perfection is static, and I am in full progress."I love that. That a live worth living is not one of striving for success, but a willingness to fail again and again. This is how one comes to know life. To blossom is a risk. To expose your vulnerability, your authenticity and your creativity is to expose yourself rejection. To dare to become. Somewhere in there, your soul comes alive. This is the spirit of my upcoming Awakening the Wild Erotic, an ritual immersion for men release dysfunctional patterns around “eros,” the primal force of life, and step into a new phase of aliveness. This will our 5th time running the event, and men have found the container incredibly valuable. Upcoming AWE Dates: April 4-6, 2025 Vancouver Island has a few spots left. (Last chance to apply now!) We are also bringing AWE to the Montreal area July 25-27, 2025. Get the full details and apply here.Podcast RoundupOver the last few months I’ve been featured in a number of great podcasts. I figured I’d round them up as a digest and share below. The Authentic Man - Mythopoetic Masculinity and Navigating Conflict in RelationshipI really enjoyed this conversation with David Chambers, where we cover a number of topics, including: Domination vs. Partnership Culture, Reconditioning for Connection, Support systems for couples, Regenerating Culture, The Power of Deep Partnership, Understanding and Dealing with Jealousy, How to deal with conflict in a relationshipEvolving Man - Iron John And The Foundations Of Mythopoetic MasculinityA solid conversation with my longtime friend Ben Goresky. In this episode, I share my journey into the mythopoetic men’s movement, which explores masculinity through myth, initiation, and men’s groups. I open up about how the death of my grandfather led me to this work and helped me understand the challenges of modern manhood, especially in a culture that lacks clear rites of passage. We discuss the archetypes of the Hero and the King, dive into the themes of Iron John, and explore the importance of men’s circles for personal growth and emotional support. We also reflect on the rediscovery of lost initiation practices, reconnecting with passion, and embracing The Deep Masculine to navigate life's stages and challenges.The Smiling Human - Myth as Medicine: Addressing the Crisis of MeaningIn this conversation, Oak Mountain and I discuss the themes of mythopoiesis, masculinity, and the cultural narratives that shape our understanding of identity. We cover the importance of myth in making sense of the human experience, the evolution of masculinity through different cultural eras, and the current crisis of meaning faced by many men today. RiverFlow - Weaving Love, Eros & Men’s WorkIn this episode, Harry Friedman and I explore into rich territory. We explore the metaphor of polyamory as a wetland and “relational exclusivity” as a river, to understand different approaches to love and relationships. We dive into the traditional views of elder mentors around marriage and matrimony, contrasting those with the ideas of free love and open relating, particularly those espoused in the Tamera research project. We also discuss how romantic relationships can serve as vehicles for healing, while community plays a crucial role in the broader process of personal and collective healing.Tripping with Nick SunFinally, you’re invited to check out this episode with Nick Sun', whose podcast “seeks to explore the fundamental question: How do we live as human beings during these crazy times without losing our freaking minds?”Thanks for reading. P.S. My Deep Masculine 3 month program is also live. There are pathways for both men & women. Get the full details here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Simon Yugler, a longtime friend who is a psychedelic therapist, educator, and the author of Psychedelics & the Soul—a mythic guide to deep healing, depth psychology, and cultural repair. With a background steeped in Jungian thought and apprenticed to earth-based wisdom traditions, Simon walks the liminal spaces where myth and medicine meet, where the personal journey of the soul intertwines with the great unfolding of culture.In our conversation, we explore the archetypal landscapes revealed through psychedelic experience—those luminous, perilous realms where the collective unconscious speaks in image and story. We trace the deep roots of mythopoetics and their role in personal and societal transformation, turning to tales such as the Inuit folktale Eagle’s Gift to illuminate what it means to undergo initiation in a world that has largely forgotten its rites of passage.We also wade into the turbulent waters of modern politics, asking: What might a mythopoetic lens reveal about our current crises? How do we make sense of an era teetering between collapse and renewal? And what are the practical tools for integrating the peak experiences—psychedelic or otherwise—into the hard soil of daily life?This episode is an invitation to journey into the deep mythic currents shaping our time and the soul’s quest to remember its place within them.Simon’s Book Tour Dates* Denver, 3/17 w/ Jaz Cadoch (@_jaz.ie) at Greenspaces* Santa Fe, 3/22 w/ Michael Garfield (@michaelgarfield) at The Arc Bookstore* LA, 3/27 w/ Tony Moss (venue to be confirmed)* Bay Area (3/29, venue to be confirmed)* Nevada City, 3/31, at ElixartLINKS* Simon Yugler’s Official Website* Book - Psychedelics & The Soul: A Mythic Guide to Psychedelic Healing, Depth Psychology, and Cultural RepairUPCOMING OFFERINGS: Heads up, the doors open for the next round of The Deep Masculine, my 3 month online offering for men (and now women) to repattern your relationship to sex, soul & purpose. Save $100 with Early Bird rate - Ends March 13. SHOW NOTES00:00 Introduction to Archetypal Imagery01:23 Meet the Host and Guest01:58 Exploring Psychedelic Experiences02:16 The Role of Myth in Personal and Societal Transformation02:26 Modern Politics Through a Mythopoetic Lens02:38 Practical Tools for Integrating Peak Experiences02:47 Invitation to Journey into Mythic Currents02:56 Show Support and Website Information03:28 Welcome and Setting the Scene04:45 Simon Yugler's Book and Its Journey07:30 The Genesis of 'Psychedelics and the Soul'10:42 Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Critical Perspective16:30 The Importance of Integration Work17:30 Mythopoetics and Depth Psychology31:44 The Five Skills of Mythopoetic Integration37:10 Assembling the Myths in 'Psychedelics and the Soul'41:37 Interpreting Myths Through Masculinity42:08 The Eagles’s Gift: An Inuit Folk Tale44:48 The Hunter's Journey Begins47:03 Encounter with the Fox Spirits51:33 Meeting Mother Eagle56:03 The Hunter's Return and Transformation58:58 Reflections on Masculinity and Myth01:06:51 Mythopoetic Lens on Contemporary Politics This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe