The Restorative Man Podcast

Jesse and Jeremy kick off this episode laughing and teasing each other, but pretty quickly the conversation turns to something deeper. They play a clip from Jeremy’s interview with John Tyson that names a truth many men have never heard clearly enough: you are needed. Not when you get everything figured out, not when you feel strong enough, but right now as you are. Together they talk about how easy it is to freeze up waiting to be “ready” and how powerful it is when a brother or father says show up anyway. It is a reminder that what the world needs is not a perfect man but a present one. Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

It’s easy to spend years playing a role and lose touch with who you really are. We all create masks and false selves to survive disconnection or to chase the love we longed for but didn’t know how to receive. In this episode, Chris and Jesse explore the reality that every man wrestles with a false persona, and every man is invited to risk laying it down. They unpack what it means to return to your true story, to embrace your identity as beloved, and why that journey can feel both terrifying and deeply freeing. This is a grounding conversation about shedding the false self and stepping into restorative manhood rooted in love. Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

Parenting has a way of exposing just how quickly we can lose our cool. In this episode of The Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno and Jesse French talk about the practice of non-anxious curiosity, a simple but powerful way to stop yelling at your kids and become a calm dad. Sparked by a conversation with Mark Batterson on the Restorative Manhood Digital Summit, they explore how choosing curiosity over control changes the way we parent, love, and lead. Through real stories of rupture and repair, they get honest about the messy moments every father faces. If you’ve been searching for how to connect with your kids without constant correction, this conversation will help you breathe a little easier. Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

 So many men grow up cutting off parts of themselves just to fit expectations. In this episode, Cody Buriff and Jesse French share a teaser from Jesse's interview with Taylor Calmus, aka "Dude Dad", featured in the upcoming Restorative Manhood Digital Summit. Taylor talks about chasing creativity, rediscovering childhood passions, and why refusing to box yourself in can actually lead to a more authentic life. Cody and Jesse reflect on their own journeys of integration, reminding us that the things that once made us come alive as kids still matter today. It’s an honest, funny, and hopeful look at manhood that invites us to carry all of who we are into the world.Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

In this episode, Jesse French and Greg Ehlert share a heartfelt conversation sparked by Greg’s interview with John Ortberg on spiritual disciplines. They unpack how practices meant to bring us closer to God can easily slip into performance and self-evaluation, leaving us striving instead of resting in grace. With insights from Dallas Willard and vivid metaphors like sailing and surfing, they reflect on how spiritual practices are less about achieving and more about opening ourselves to God’s love. The discussion also explores how living in this posture of receptivity reshapes not only our relationship with God but also the way we show up with our families and communities. It’s an honest and freeing reminder that disciplines are not about shoulds or striving, but about connection and trust. Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

Cathy Loerzel says the world needs men in their most redeemed form—men who don’t apologize for their manhood but offer it as strength, not power. In this teaser for her interview in the upcoming Restorative Manhood Digital Summit, Chris and Cody unpack the tension so many men feel between being “too much” and “not enough,” and how those messages often start in childhood. They share how fear of hurting others can cause men to pull back, creating a “masculine famine” in relationships and communities. The conversation explores the difference between power that wounds and strength that creates safety, as well as how repair after rupture can be one of the truest signs of maturity. Vulnerability, confidence, and the willingness to show up as the man you were made to be all take center stage. Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

Ever feel like life didn’t turn out the way you hoped, and you’re left holding the pieces of what you thought would be? In this episode, Cody and Jesse sit down to talk about disillusionment—how it shows up in our faith, families, and even our own growth, and why it might not be the enemy we think it is. With a powerful snippet from Dan Allender (part of our upcoming Restorative Manhood Digital Summit), they reflect on the quiet invitations hidden inside our disappointments. What if disillusionment isn’t something to avoid, but something that clears space for something deeper, truer, and more lasting? Want to hear more voices like Dan Allender’s? Join us for the Restorative Manhood Digital Summit, happening September 25–28. It’s a free, four-day online event featuring conversations with pastors, psychologists, scientists, and spiritual leaders—offering a hopeful, honest vision of masculinity. Register now at restorationproject.net/rmdsummitAccess the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

 In this episode, Jesse French and Cody Buriff explore what truly defines adventure—not just epic outdoor experiences, but everyday moments that challenge and shape us. They identify four essential aspects of adventure: wilderness (the unknown), risk (the possibility of loss), struggle (both internal and external), and glory (the beauty or transformation that follows). Through stories ranging from backcountry hailstorms to backyard sprinkler repairs, they show how adventure invites growth and soul-deep change. They challenge the idea that adventure is only for the bold or athletic, and instead frame it as essential for every man’s formation. Real adventure, they argue, happens whenever we step into the unknown with courage and openness. Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

What do a plague of locusts and our inner world have in common? In this vivid and surprisingly relatable conversation, Cody and Jesse unpack how a scarcity mindset can transform us—just like grasshoppers turning into swarming locusts when the environment shifts. Through stories from childhood, garden failures, and even reality TV survival shows, they explore how fear of “not enough” can quietly dictate our decisions and relationships. But they also name the quiet miracle of abundance: people who live open-handed, present, and generous even in the face of limitations. This episode holds up a mirror to our everyday stress and invites us to imagine a different way of being—one rooted in trust, freedom, and enoughness.Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

Summer’s in full swing, but what if now is the perfect time to look ahead? In this episode, Chris and Jesse invite us to lift our eyes from the daily grind and glimpse something on the horizon—The Grove. They share the heart behind this unique gathering of men, where connection and equipping go hand in hand. From its humble beginnings in a Wyoming basement to a movement rooted in the metaphor of the Aspen Grove, the conversation explores why men need each other now more than ever. And what if the way forward isn’t through doing more… but becoming more? Join the Grove Experiences:The Grove: Colorado (October 2-5, 2025) - https://www.restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/grove-colorado The Grove: Northwest (October 16-19, 2025) - https://www.restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/grove-northwestThe Grove: East Coast (2026) - https://www.restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/grove-east-coastAccess the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

Summer can feel like a juggling act, between work, kids, house projects, and the pressure to make every moment Instagram-worthy. In this episode, Chris and Jesse reflect on how they’re navigating two very different family rhythms during the summer months. They explore the myth of summer being a “slower” season for adults and challenge the idea that it has to be filled with big plans to be meaningful. Instead, they highlight the power of small moments, five-minute connections that carry more weight than any epic vacation. With honesty and humor, they remind us that sometimes aiming lower might actually help us connect more deeply. Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

A quick drive to a summer basketball camp turns into an unexpected heart-stirring moment for Jesse when he runs into the coaches who once shaped his teenage years. In this episode, he and Chris unpack how affirmation, especially from people who matter, can echo across decades and still touch something deep inside. They talk about the difference between being affirmed for your performance versus being affirmed for simply who you are. Along the way, they explore how remembered goodness can be just as powerful as present affirmation. If you've ever longed to hear “you matter” from someone important, this conversation will meet you right there. Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

What do fish and chips, flying french fries, and a rowdy Scottish pub have to do with becoming a Sage? In this episode, Chris and Jesse reflect on their recent trip to Scotland with a group of men exploring what it means to step into midlife with intention. From the tremors of transition to questions of identity, legacy, and regret, they share the kinds of conversations that shape a man’s decades ahead. If this kind of journey sounds like something your soul is craving, consider joining one of our upcoming Sage Experiences.  Spots are open now for: Sage Experience: Scotland 2026 - https://www.restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/sagescotlandSage Experience: Ireland 2026 - https://www.restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/sageirelandAccess the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

What does it really mean to launch your kids well? In this episode, Chris and Jesse unpack the transition from fathering children to walking alongside them as young adults—with all the joy, grief, and humility it requires. They share powerful moments from Trek: Kenya, a father-teen expedition that invites dads into raw conversations and real growth. From the weight of past mistakes to the wonder of seeing your child’s glory up close, this is about launching hearts, not just moving boxes. And somewhere between wildebeest stampedes and safari trucks, a deeper kind of beauty emerges: the honor of being a dad. Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

Jesse sits down in person with longtime friend and retired firefighter Kevin Lyon for a raw, thoughtful conversation about vocation, transition, and identity. From the unexpected pivot out of pastoral ministry to crawling through tight fire academy pipes (literally)Kevin shares how his journey has been shaped by fear, purpose, and presence. He reflects on what it meant to be an “undercover pastor” in the firehouse, navigating trauma while trying not to lose himself or his family in the process. They also explore what it takes to re-enter home life after high-stakes calls and why retirement isn’t the finish line, but a shift into deeper availability. Together, they talk about daily bread, dark humor, sonship, and the power of people who are unimpressed with your résumé. Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

Chris is back from a three-month sabbatical, and in this episode, he and Jesse dive into what that time really held. Hint: it wasn’t just naps and novels on the beach. They explore the difference between being tired and being truly weary, and why the latter can’t be fixed with just a vacation. Chris opens up about the hard and beautiful work of processing grief, naming loss, and discovering what genuine rest looks like. Together, they unpack how sabbatical is less about stepping away and more about stepping into deeper restoration. Whether or not a three-month break is in your future, this episode invites you to consider how rest might look different and more honest this season. Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or someone who’s never cared about sports, this episode has something for you. Jesse and Michael Krommendyk explore how sports can be both a bonding force and a barrier for men trying to connect meaningfully. They reflect on childhood memories, emotional investments in games, and the pressure to find belonging through shared interests. But they also make space for men who’ve felt left out of that world. Could sports be more than just entertainment—maybe even a clue to where we truly belong? Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

Sometimes the most defining moments in our lives don’t come with clarity—they come with exhaustion, heartbreak, and longing. In Part 2 of his story, Ike Dolby shares what it meant to be in the thick of disappointment and disconnection, craving his father’s presence and learning to reach for community. He tells of how light broke through in the form of phone calls, honest friends, and even laughter. And ultimately, how God met him with the release he didn’t know he needed. If you or someone you know is walking through the pain of infidelity, AffairRecovery.com is a resource Ike found deeply helpful.Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

Jesse and Cody catch up with their old friend Ike Dolby, whose story isn’t clean or easy—but it’s real. Ike opens up about his marriage falling apart, the quiet loneliness of trying to hold it all together, and the gut-punch of discovering layers of betrayal. For years, he believed if he just tried harder, prayed harder, and sacrificed more, things would work out. But it didn’t—and instead of resolution, he was handed heartbreak. Through it all, he met a God who didn’t fix things overnight, but stayed with him in the mess. If you or someone you know is walking through the pain of infidelity, AffairRecovery.com is a resource Ike found deeply helpful. Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project

In this episode, Jesse French and Cody Buriff dive into the surprising depth of fly fishing—not just as a hobby, but as a gateway to connection, healing, and invitation. From Jesse’s first cast in Montana to Cody’s unexpected beginner’s luck, the conversation explores how small moments outdoors can uncover big truths about story, identity, and desire. They reflect on what it means to be invited in, especially as men who often feel like outsiders. Through laughter, memory, and honesty, they reveal how even tangled lines and missed casts can become sacred spaces. Whether you fish or not, this episode is an invitation to pursue joy, presence, and deeper connection. Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project