The Heartsmith Podcast

Future leaders won't be the smartest or strongest - they'll be the most emotionally attuned. Men who can regulate their nervous systems, feel deeply without being controlled, and restore peace in every room they enter.This is your roadmap. The 5 R's that take a man from emotionally illiterate to emotionally masterful.In this episode:Why most men are masters of concealment (and what it costs us)The 5 R's framework: RECOGNIZE, REGULATE, REFLECT, RESPOND, RESTOREHow emotions are data, not directive - and why that changes everythingThe difference between running on anger/shame fuel vs. joy-strengthReal-world dialogue examples: responding vs. reacting with your boss, kid, and partnerJesus as the Total Man: King, Sage, Warrior, Lover fully integratedWhy spiritual maturity cannot outpace emotional maturityWho this is for:Men who are high performers crushing it externally but feeling hollow internally. Christian men hiding behind theology while their relational capacity hasn't changed. Fathers, leaders, and husbands ready to become emotionally safe men.🔗 CONNECT WITH THE HEARTSMITH:🎧 The Heartsmith PodcastListen & subscribe:Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-twomblyApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-heartsmith-podcast/id1716208571📝 The Heartsmith CoachWeekly insights & practices:Substack: https://substack.com/@jasontwombly▶️ YouTubeWatch episodes & behind-the-scenes:https://www.youtube.com/@theheartsmithpodcast/podcasts💪 Men's CoachingReady for the deeper work?Coaching: https://www.jasontwombly.comShape the heart. Forge the man.

"I don't want to be the most grateful guy in the room. That's toxic positivity BS." A man in my group said this last week. And honestly? I got it. We've all met THAT Christian with rose-colored glasses who pretends pain doesn't exist. But there's a massive difference between toxic positivity and real gratitude. One denies reality. The other helps you see the cabin when you're stuck in the rain.In this episode:→ The Hiker Story: Why gratitude is orientation, not optimism → Brain science: How gratitude literally moves your nervous system elevator → The Arsenal of Appreciation: Building stories you can share when the moment is right → A 30-second practice to craft your first appreciation story Three anchors you'll remember:• Gratitude isn't a costume, it's a regulation tool• It doesn't replace reality, it widens your window of tolerance • Your brain is wired for orientation, not blind optimismThis isn't about pretending everything's fine. It's about training your brain to function when everything feels overwhelming.Perfect for the holidays. Essential for life.🔗 Full iBliss Gratitude Meditation https://youtu.be/F86n5ceCfIw?si=ymOmvvCR2WJkol1M🔥 READY FOR DEEP WORK? THE OPEN HEART JOURNEYIf this episode stirred something in you, if you're realizing shadow work isn't something you can do alone - the Open Heart Journey is a 12-week coaching intensive starting January 2026.12 men. 12 weeks. Real transformation in community.🔗 **Learn More & Apply:** https://www.jasontwombly.com/join-the-journeySpots are limited. This is for men who are done performing and ready to become whole.---🔗 CONNECT WITH THE HEARTSMITH:🎧 The Heartsmith PodcastListen & subscribe:Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-twomblyApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-heartsmith-podcast/id1716208571📝 The Heartsmith CoachWeekly insights & practices: Substack: https://substack.com/@jasontwombly▶️ YouTubeWatch episodes & behind-the-scenes: https://www.youtube.com/@theheartsmithpodcast/podcasts💪 Men's CoachingReady for the deeper work? Coaching: https://www.jasontwombly.com#Gratitude #MensWork #EmotionalHealth #Neuroscience #ToxicPositivity #MentalHealth #Brotherhood #ManCave #HeartsSmithPodcast #Masculinity #JoyStrength #NervousSystemRegulation

FACE THE DARKNESS, FIND THE GOLD | Shadow Work for Men | Episode 22"The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek." — Joseph CampbellYour shadow isn’t your enemy. It’s the unintegrated self — the parts you’ve hidden, the emotions you were taught are unacceptable, the shame you carry in silence. In this episode, we explore what shadow work really is, why it matters, and how facing the darkness becomes the doorway to gold.What shadow work actually is (deeply human, not New Age)The cost of performing a false self — the Don Draper effectMy journey with shame: from resisting it to integrating itThe DAWN Method: Detect, Accept, Wonder, NurtureHow grief becomes a pathway to loveA guided journaling practice to begin shadow integration today→ You can't rebuke emotions God wired into your system→ Shame is longing to belong, turned inward→ Exiled parts don’t disappear — they drive from the back seat→ “Grief turned inside out is love finding its way home”→ Shadow work = integration, not elimination→ Pain is real, but there’s always a path through itD – DETECT: Notice without judgmentA – ACCEPT: Welcome what’s hereW – WONDER: Ask what this emotion is protectingN – NURTURE: Offer what you truly needDavid Whyte (“Sweet Darkness”), Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, Mad Men, Inside Out, Dr. Chip Dodd, Dr. Curt Thompson, Brennan Manning, Internal Family Systems (IFS)If this episode stirred something deep, the Open Heart Journey is a 12-week men’s coaching intensive beginning January 2026.Where shame is metabolized, pain is processed, and shadows are integrated.Learn more & apply: jasontwombly.com/join-the-journeyWhat emotion have I been taught is unacceptable?What has it cost me to keep this shadow hidden?What treasure might be buried in this darkness?If this shadow isn’t my enemy, what could its role be?Podcast: The Heartsmith PodcastSubstack: Weekly insights & practicesYouTube: Full episodes & reflectionsCoaching: jasontwombly.com“The Courage to Be Known” — Why vulnerability is strength and how to let yourself be seen.If this met you in your shadow, share it with a man who needs permission to face his own. We don’t do this work alone.“Your shadow isn’t your enemy. It’s your unintegrated self.”“Shame is longing to belong, turned inward.”“You cannot rebuke an emotion God designed.”“Grief turned inside out is love coming home.”“One becomes enlightened not by imagining light, but by making the darkness conscious.” — Jung“To live by grace is to acknowledge the whole story — light and dark.” — Brennan ManningWhere men forge courage, train for emotional mastery, and live from a clear mind and a wild heart. Hosted by Jason Twombly — coach, pastor, and guide for men ready to do deep work.Shape the heart. Forge the man.

🔥 READY FOR DEEP WORK? THE OPEN HEART JOURNEYIf this episode resonated, if you're tired of doing this work alone, the Open Heart Journey is a 12-week coaching intensive starting January 2026.Most men come to me exhausted - from holding it together, from pretending they're fine, from doing this alone. The Open Heart Journey is where you stop performing and start transforming, in community with other men who are done with the facade.12 men. 12 weeks. Real transformation. Real brotherhood.📅 **Next Discovery Call:** December 2, 2025 at 7pm Easternhttps://bookme.name/jasontwombly/heartsmith-group-discovery-call-open-heart-journey-intensive-1🔗 **Learn More & Apply:** https://www.jasontwombly.com/join-the-journeySpots are limited. This is for men who are done with the facade.---🎙️ EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Cold Open: Roy Kent & Romance Novels00:45 - Why This Matters Now: Two Ditches Men Fall Into03:30 - The Landscape: Season 1 vs. Season 3 Roy Kent05:30 - Core Truth: The Strongest Men Are Both Tender & Fierce06:45 - The Story: Roy Kent's 3-Season Arc + Rich the Pastor14:00 - How This Works: Strong Back, Soft Front, Clear Eyes Explained16:30 - The Practice: The Roy Kent Stance (Somatic Exercise)19:45 - Integration & Send-Off---🔗 Stay Connected to The HeartsmithMen don't do this work alone. Connect with the forge wherever you build your resolve:🎧 The Heartsmith PodcastListen & subscribe:Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-twomblyApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-heartsmith-podcast/id1716208571📝 The Heartsmith CoachWeekly insights & practices: Substack: https://substack.com/@jasontwombly▶️ YouTubeWatch episodes & behind-the-scenes: https://www.youtube.com/@theheartsmithpodcast/podcasts💪 Men's CoachingReady for the deeper work? Coaching: https://www.jasontwombly.com🎙️ ABOUT THE HEARTSMITH PODCAST:Where men come to forge courage, train for emotional mastery, and live from both a clear mind and wild heart. Hosted by Jason Twombly - coach, trainer, and guide for men seeking emotional strength, relational maturity, and authentic masculinity.We don't do shallow here. Every episode is crafted for men ready to do deep work.---⭐ NEXT EPISODE: "Face the Darkness, Find the Gold" - Shadow work for menShape the heart. Forge the man.

HOW MEN HEAL | The Five Gates of Grief | Episode 20⏱️ 40 MINUTES | Because some stories can't be rushed.You're not broken. You're becoming.Most men are walking around with unprocessed grief, father-wounds, and relational trauma they've never been given permission to feel, let alone heal. We've been taught to push through, to be strong, to move on. But you can't heal what you won't feel. And what you don't transform, you will transmit.This isn't a quick listen. It's 40 minutes of the hardest stories I've told and the framework that's guiding men toward wholeness. Grab your coffee. Turn off your phone. This one requires presence.In this episode, I walk you through Francis Weller's Five Gates of Grief framework and share deeply personal stories from my own healing journey, some I've not spoken in a while.🔥 THE FIVE GATES:- Gate 1: Everything We Love, We Will Lose (2010 medical tragedy)- Gate 2: The Places That Have Not Known Love (Father-wound + Super Bowl redemption)- Gate 3: The Sorrows of the World (Church hurt)- Gate 4: What We Expected But Did Not Receive (The cave you fear)- Gate 5: Ancestral Grief (Breaking cycles)🎯 KEY INSIGHTS:→ Healing doesn't happen in isolation, you need witness→ Grief without words gets stuck in your body→ The father-wound shapes everything: how you lead, love, and see yourself→ Where the serpent has bitten you, Christ gives you authority to heal others→ "You're not broken. You're becoming."🧰 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:- The complete Five Gates framework with personal stories at each threshold- How to give your grief language- Why nervous system regulation matters for healing- A guided IFS practice to witness your own pain with compassion- How to invite Christ into places you've been carrying alone⏱️ WHY 40 MINUTES?Because some frameworks can't be condensed. Because some stories can't be rushed. Because real healing requires space to breathe.This isn't background listening. This is work. Sacred work. If you're tired of surface-level content and ready for depth, this episode is for you.---📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED:- Francis Weller - The Five Gates of Grief- Internal Family Systems (IFS)- Curt Thompson - "We all come into the world looking for someone looking for us"- David Whyte - "Grief is love with nowhere to go"- LK10 Community - Rhythms of connection---🔗 Stay Connected to The HeartsmithMen don't do this work alone. Connect with the forge wherever you build your resolve:🎧 The Heartsmith PodcastListen & subscribe:Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-twomblyApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-heartsmith-podcast/id1716208571📝 The Heartsmith CoachWeekly insights & practices: Substack: https://substack.com/@jasontwombly▶️ YouTubeWatch episodes & behind-the-scenes: https://www.youtube.com/@theheartsmithpodcast/podcasts💪 Men's CoachingReady for the deeper work? Coaching: https://www.jasontwombly.com🎙️ ABOUT THE HEARTSMITH PODCAST:Where men come to forge courage, train for emotional mastery, and live from both a clear mind and wild heart. Hosted by Jason Twombly - coach, trainer, and guide for men seeking emotional strength, relational maturity, and authentic masculinity.We don't do shallow here. Every episode is crafted for men ready to do deep work.---💬 SHARE THIS EPISODE:40 minutes is a commitment. If this episode met you in your grief, would you share it with another man who needs permission to heal? We don't do this work alone.---⭐ NEXT EPISODE: "Strong Back, Soft Front, Clear Eyes" - How to hold boundaries and compassion at the same time (featuring Roy Kent from Ted Lasso!)---Subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Heartsmith Podcast.⏱️ 40 minutes of transformation awaits.Shape the heart. Forge the man.

Rage-scrolling social media. Picking fights about politics. Working too much to avoid thinking. If this sounds familiar, you're not experiencing character flaws - you're experiencing grief responses to collective trauma.In this special episode, I share the story of how medical malpractice nearly killed my wife and how I learned that Christ uses our deepest scars to create the most beautiful parts of our story.In this episode:Why your anger, numbness, and confusion are actually grief responsesThe Japanese practice of kintsugi and how God fills our cracks with goldMy personal story of forgiving "the nurse in the hot pink pants" and choosing Christ's wayHow to regulate your nervous system and listen to Christ instead of doom scrollingA guided practice for finding His presence in whatever you're grievingWho this is for:Men who feel overwhelmed by cultural chaos and don't know how to process what they're experiencing. Men ready to stop spinning in outrage cycles and start listening to Christ about what's actually happening in their hearts.Referenced: Charlie Kirk's funeral, John 16:33, Francis Weller's grief work, kintsugi pottery repairDig Deeper: Listen to Episode 7 for a deeper dive into John 16:33:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0fkBIrTkG1300BrqlxaVAM?si=2FWHblj6RQ2XtW6kP3cUjQNext episode: How Men Heal - diving deeper into attachment wounds and the journey toward wholeness.Stay Connected to The HeartsmithMen don't do this work alone. Connect with the forge wherever you build your resolve:🎧 The Heartsmith PodcastListen & subscribe:Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-twomblyApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-heartsmith-podcast/id1716208571📝 The Heartsmith CoachWeekly insights & practices: Substack: https://substack.com/@jasontwombly▶️ YouTubeWatch episodes & behind-the-scenes: https://www.youtube.com/@theheartsmithpodcast/podcasts💪 Men's CoachingReady for the deeper work? Coaching: https://www.jasontwombly.comTake heart. Christ has overcome the world.Shape the heart. Forge the man.

Most men think emotions are something that happen TO them, like weather you just endure. But emotional strength isn't a personality trait you're born with, it's a skill you develop through training.In this episode, you'll discover:Why emotional regulation works like strength training for your inner worldThe difference between being hijacked by emotion vs. informed by itThe FORGE method - a 5-step practice for building emotional fitnessHow emotions become information instead of problems when you're properly trainedReal story included:Michael built million-dollar homes but couldn't connect with his teenage son. After six months of emotional training, they had their first real conversation in years. Plus a guided FORGE method practice you can start using today.Who this is for:Men ready to stop being victims of their own emotions and develop the capacity to feel fully without being controlled by their feelings.Next episode: How Men Heal - exploring attachment wounds, grief, and father hunger.Connect with The Heartsmith:🎧 Subscribe: [Spotify] | [Apple Podcasts]📝 Weekly insights: [Substack link]💪 Coaching: [Website link]Your emotional strength is worth training.Stay Connected to The HeartsmithMen don't do this work alone. Connect with the forge wherever you build your resolve:🎧 The Heartsmith PodcastListen & subscribe:Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-twomblyApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-heartsmith-podcast/id1716208571📝 The Heartsmith CoachWeekly insights & practices: Substack: https://substack.com/@jasontwombly▶️ YouTubeWatch episodes & behind-the-scenes: https://www.youtube.com/@theheartsmithpodcast/podcasts💪 Men's CoachingReady for the deeper work? Coaching: https://www.jasontwombly.comShape the heart. Forge the man.

Episode 17 | The Man in the MirrorMost men live their entire lives as strangers to themselves. Teachers, mechanics, executives, contractors, fathers, men who've mastered their craft but never learned to be present to their own hearts.In this episode, discover why self-awareness is the foundation of every other strength you'll develop, the unspoken cost of emotional avoidance, and how even spiritual performance can become a barrier to authentic transformation.Jason shares a vulnerable story about becoming an expert at working for God while avoiding the very transformation he was called to embody, plus introduces the DAWN method for connecting with your inner world and the H.E.A.R.T.S. framework - a daily practice for emotional awareness.For men who've built external success but feel empty inside. Men ready to stop performing strength and start forging it.Next: What Is Emotional Training - reframing emotional work as strength training.Connect: The Heartsmith Coach on Substack for weekly insights.The degree to which you're aware of yourself determines the degree to which you can be present with others.Shape the heart. Forge the man.

The strongest steel is forged in fire. The strongest men are forged in truth.Welcome to The Heartsmith Podcast - where men come to forge courage, train for emotional mastery, and live from both a clear mind and wild heart.In this foundational episode, discover why emotional strength is a skill you train, what it means to be a "Heartsmith," and why this work isn't selfish - it's the most generous thing you can do.For men who've built external success but feel empty inside. Men ready to stop managing emotions and start mastering them.Next: The Man in the Mirror - why most men live as strangers to themselves.Connect: The Heartsmith Coach on Substack for weekly insights.Shape the heart. Forge the man.

Join us for the iBliss Meditation, where we'll dive into the power of gratitude to connect deeply with our inner selves. This soothing session helps you pause, breathe, and savor the present moment. Discover how focusing on gratitude can open your heart, bringing you peace and joy.Find a comfortable spot, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. Let gratitude expand within you, connecting you with a sense of bliss and warmth. This practice fosters a deeper connection with yourself, others, and the divine.Experience the transformative power of gratitude and carry this sense of bliss into your everyday life. Revisit this meditation whenever you need a moment of calm and connection.**Embrace the journey of gratitude and find your inner peace with us. This practice will help you shift from anxiety into a state of calm. More than merely thinking about gratitude, you will be shown how to embody it. **

This year I turned 51. I know less, feel less certain…but I’m more sure of the Presence that holds it all.I created this 10-minute guided meditation as a gift—for anyone standing in the space between what’s fallen away… and what’s yet to come.It’s called “What the Fire Leaves Behind.”A reflection on the building, the burning, and the balm. Listen now to this free audio guided meditation... Let it be a pause. A blessing. A way to remember the gold that remains.

iBelong: Guided Meditation for Inner Peace and BelongingJoin us in this serene guided meditation where we explore the profound sense of belonging and connection within ourselves. Inspired by the show "Alone," we'll delve into creating an inner sanctuary, reflecting on our deepest desires for attachment and authenticity.In this practice, you'll be gently guided to envision your heart as a sacred garden and connect with the divine presence within. Embrace the comforting thought that you are never alone and discover the true essence of belonging in the house of your own heart.Whether you're seeking solace or a deeper connection, this meditation will help you find peace and gratitude in the reality of your inner home. Breathe deeply, relax, and let the journey begin.

Did you know there is a vast world inside of you? A world filled with calm, comfort, stillness, serenity and shalom, yet perhaps one reason you have not found lasting serenity is that you haven’t met its guide. Her name is stillness.Meditation is a favorite practice of mine to Take Heart where I find renewed strength, significance, and stability.My coaching program MANCAVE helps men find the cave within them that they’ve often buried and renovate that mancave into a mansion. If you’re new to this style of meditation and you are drawn to learn more, I will be expanding my Meditation Circle (Take Heart Meds) to men and women who are looking for a safe group of like-minded people who want to explore the world within and learn the skills that make peace a practice. I invite you to join me on a Zoom Intro Call on Sunday, March 17th, Saint Patrick’s Day. If interested, send me an email at: thetakeheartpodcast@gmail.com and I will send you more details. Enjoy the meditation and please make sure you are not driving.Stay connected to Take Heart:Subscribe to the Podcast:Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-twomblyApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/take-heart-podcast/id1716208571Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@takeheartpodcast/podcastsMusic Credit: www.youtube.com/@liborioconti#guidedmeditation #takeheart #scripture #bible #christianity #jesus #serenitynow #calm #comfort #stillness #serenity #shalom

Join in as Jason guides us through an episode of Lectio Divina: A Spiritual Reading of Matthew 4:1-11 (ESV) where we Take Heart in the humanity, humility, and victory of Christ. Enjoy the melodious music played by Chad Waller.Stay connected to Take Heart:Subscribe to the Podcast:Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-twomblyApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/take-heart-podcast/id1716208571Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@takeheartpodcast/podcasts#lectiodivina #takeheart #scripture #bible #christianity #jesus #matthew #temptation #victory #humanity #humility

Join Jason in this episode for men as an invitation towards exploring the value of inner heart work. Unless men are shown how to move through their darkness, then their darkness will move through them. One of my greatest teachers has been darkness yielding the richest of treasures. She’s often misunderstood, marginalized or maligned. What has the darkness taught you?Check out lk10.com to learn more about how you can join the relational revolution.Stay connected to Take Heart:Subscribe to the Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-twomblySubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@takeheartpodcast/podcasts#christianity #jesuschrist #TakeHeart #bible #god #faith #curiosity #emotionalwellness #CommunityOfPractice #church #conversation #maturity #LK10 #belonging #skillsdevelopment #relationalintelligence #relationalhealing #relationalhealth #mancave #menscoach #darkness #shadowwork

Join in as Jason guides us through an episode of Lectio Divina: A Spiritual Reading of Psalm 27 where we Take Heart in the light, beauty, and goodness of God.Stay connected to Take Heart:Subscribe to the Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-twomblySubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@takeheartpodcast/podcasts#lectiodivina #takeheart #scripture #bible #christianity #jesus #psalm27 #light #goodness #beauty #onething

In order to listen with your heart, you need to listen to your heart. Explore this episode where Jason lights the C.O.A.L. of connection that illuminates the inner landscape to cultivate relational awareness inwardly.Check out lk10.com to learn more about how you can join the relational revolution.

Join in as Jason guides us through an episode of Lectio Divina: A Spiritual Reading of John 16:32,33 where Jesus, the Master of hearts tells us, “Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Listen to your heart. What does that phrase bring up for you?Listen to your heart. Have you been listening to her, to him?Listen to your heart. Is this an easy practice for you or a challenging one?What if everything you want is buried under everything you don’t want? Listen to Jason share how to "Check-in" with our hearts in a safe and relational way.Listen to your heart.Check out lk10.com to learn more about how you can join the relational revolution.

The Problem: Misdirected Attention* The episode begins with a reflection on the value of attention by recounting a personal experience of having something stolen in Ukraine due to misdirected attention.* Misdirection isn't just about looking away; it's also being fervently focused on the wrong things, neglecting what truly matters—relationships and self-connection.* Lack of skills in self-regulation and radical attention paying hinders the ability to sustain healthy connections with oneself and others.The Power: Pay Attention* Attention is a powerful tool often underestimated; society competes for it through various distractions.* The analogy of a master pickpocket illustrates how misdirected attention can create an illusion of control while robbing us blind.* Strengthening skills of connection and courage, especially for men exploring the realm of the heart, is crucial for a journey of compassion.The Practice: Check-In* The return to the heart begins with attention; wherever attention goes, energy flows.* God has given the ability to cultivate the interior landscape of our hearts, emphasizing attention as a valuable asset.* Heart devotion is pivotal, affecting the trajectory of life; practicing radical attention is deeper than positive thinking and flows from the heart.* The episode introduces the practice of Checking-in, emphasizing the importance of self-attunement and active listening for heart-to-heart connection.Check out lk10.com to learn more about how you can join the relational revolution.