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Mojo for the Modern Man
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A podcast for people of every stripe - all about the state of men, manhood and masculinity in our ever-changing world. With humility, depth, humor, and more than a little irreverence, Mojo for the Modern Man invites listeners into stories and deep conversations about what goes on at the crossroads of manhood, leadership, creativity, curiosity, vulnerability and responsibility. Mojo for the Modern Man entertains, teaches, invites reflection and engagement - and points toward more sustainable, healthy, and generative expressions of manhood.
198 Episodes
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Today I had the privilege of sitting down with Chinazom Nwabueze, a Nigerian-born performance psychologist whose journey from Lagos to London to the US reads like a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. We traced his remarkable path from those brutal boarding school days in eastern Nigeria—where he learned survival skills that would serve him for life—through his economics studies at Leicester, a successful banking career, and his bold pivot into performance psychology at 39. What struck...
I had such a meaningful conversation with Kristal DeSantis, a marriage and family therapist whose journey from Kobe, Japan to becoming an expert on modern relationships perfectly illustrates how outsider perspective can reveal hidden truths. Growing up as the eldest of eight in a multilingual household with Chinese and American parents, Kristal learned early about responsibility and organization, but it wasn't until she landed in North Carolina at eighteen that she discovered the bewildering ...
I had such a great conversation with Tripp Lanier, who has this gift for cutting through all the self-help nonsense with refreshing honesty. We got into the whole armoring thing that men do—you know, that exhausting performance where we pretend we've got everything figured out while secretly running from anything that might actually challenge us. Tripp's journey perfectly illustrates how we convince ourselves we can hack our way out of life's uncomfortable realities, only to discover that the...
I sat down with Alex Terranova, whose journey from emotionally disconnected bar manager in Venice Beach to thoughtful men's work facilitator really struck me. Growing up in 1980s LA, Alex absorbed impossible masculine ideals from action heroes and magazine covers—he admits to getting a Hulk Hogan workout set at eight years old, thinking he needed to bulk up to become a man. What hit me most was his honesty about the emotional flatlining that followed heartbreak in his twenties, where his fami...
In today's episode, I dive into the rich tapestry of Aaron Johnson's life journey from the "sexy town" of Phelan, California to his transformative work addressing touch deprivation among Black men. Aaron's storytelling is magnetic as he recounts discovering the sacredness of his desert homeland through acapella singing with his siblings, navigating dyslexia and special education, and finding his way to CalArts despite the odds. What strikes me most is Aaron's profound concept of "magic" – tha...
In today's episode of Mojo for the Modern Man, I had a powerful conversation with Steven Wolt, whose journey from childhood trauma to redemption offers a masterclass in masculine transformation. Growing up near New York City with a physically violent father, Steven masked his inner turmoil behind athletic achievements and later financial success, becoming a high-flying executive while secretly battling depression and disconnection. What fascinated me was how his seven-figure income and outwar...
I sat down with Glenn Sandifer, who went from being a self-proclaimed "introverted only child" to a corporate leader with some fascinating stops along the way – including a stint at Samsung back when they were the "Dynex of their day" (his words, and if you're too young to get that reference, count yourself lucky). We dove into how growing up ping-ponging between family members and entertaining himself with video games and comics inadvertently prepared him for leadership. Glenn had me c...
On this episode of Mojo for the Modern Man, I had the privilege of chatting with Donald Bialkowski, who might just be one of the most refreshingly honest therapists I've ever met – and believe me, I've met quite a few. Donald grew up in the quiet countryside of Green Bay, found himself teaching meditation while secretly perfecting what he calls "sophisticated substance use," until life finally caught up with him at 40 and cracked him wide open. The beauty of Donald's story isn't just in the t...
I had a deeply moving conversation with Stephen Campolo, whose transformation from an overweight teenager to a fitness coach reveals layers of complexity that most weight loss stories gloss over. With remarkable candor, Stephen shared his journey through restrictive dieting, competitive bodybuilding at 17, and his ongoing dance with binge eating - including a sobering wake-up call when his gallbladder nearly ruptured at 30. What struck me most was Stephen's ability to hold seemingly contradic...
Act two with Jake Kaufman delves into the challenging terrain of genuine transformation and healing. We explore how surface-level changes often mask deeper patterns, illustrated by Jake's transition from chaotic restaurant work to a tech startup, where familiar dysfunction followed him. The conversation expands into broader themes of collective healing, examining why men's personal development spaces often remain underpopulated despite critical need. Jake's experience launching a men's group ...
In this first act with Jake Kaufman, we explore the profound impact of childhood environments on adult behavior patterns. Growing up in small-town Michigan where vulnerability was discouraged, Jake developed protective masks of perfectionism after experiencing sexual assault at age twelve. Drawing from Rumi and Jung, we examine how early trauma shapes our unconscious behaviors, particularly in men who often lack the tools or permission for emotional expression. The discussion weaves through t...
In the captivating second half of our conversation, Damon Lembi takes us on a rollercoaster ride from his dashed baseball dreams to becoming CEO of LearnIt. He shares invaluable insights on finding joy in work, balancing healthy competition with compassion, and the humbling journey of building a business. Damon’s candid reflections on identity beyond career and heartwarming stories about his father's kindness to parking attendants remind us of the importance of integrity and treating everyone...
In today's episode, I sat down with Damon Lembi, whose journey from baseball prodigy to business leader is a masterclass in personal growth and resilience. We dive into Damon’s sports-centric childhood, his battles with imposter syndrome in college baseball, and the pivotal moment when a coach's challenge became a lifelong lesson in self-belief. Damon shares his three-step formula for conquering self-doubt – work hard, focus deliberately, and learn and let go – which has shaped his approach t...
In this installment, I plunged into James Dewberry's colorful past, unearthing the bedrock of his disciplined mindset. James regaled us with uproarious tales from his youth – think DIY explosives – that showcased his unbridled curiosity. We explored his voyage into medical Qigong, ignited by a quest for healing alternatives. James's zeal for this time-honored practice was palpable as he unpacked its core tenets. Our dialogue then embarked on a globe-trotting adventure, with James emphasizing ...
In today's episode, I sat down with James Dewberry, a Southern-born thinker with a fascinating journey of self-discovery. We delved into James's childhood in Georgia during the 80s and 90s, a time of social change and lingering prejudices. James shared poignant stories, from witnessing Klan marches to navigating interracial friendships, all while wrestling with his own identity as a bookish athlete who didn't quite fit in. The conversation took an inspiring turn when James recounted how an Af...
In Act 2, Kip Ioane takes us deeper into his journey as a father, coach, and advocate for reimagining masculinity. We explore the unique challenges he faces raising three children with diverse needs, and how his own upbringing influences his parenting. Kip candidly shares the behaviors he hopes his children won't inherit, particularly his tendency to weaponize his voice. The conversation then shifts to his transformative work with Teams of Men, born from a crisis that forced him to confront t...
In this episode, I sat down with Kip Ioane, whose journey from Polynesian kid in Montana to college athlete and coach offers a fascinating lens on masculinity, sports culture, and fatherhood. Kip's story is a potent mix of cultural contrasts, high expectations, and the weight of family legacy. We dove into the complexities of father-son relationships, exploring how a single moment of vulnerability transformed their dynamic. Kip's candid reflections on using humor as a shield and "exploiting o...
I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Matthew Sloane, an artist, writer, and father whose journey from emotional disconnection to self-awareness is both touching and inspiring. We explored Matthew's childhood experiences of loneliness and bullying, his artistic pursuits, and his transformative path through men's work and relationships. Matthew shared candidly about his struggles with perfectionism, putting women on pedestals, and learning to integrate different aspects of himself. ...
In today's episode, I sat down with Braxton Wood, a homeschooled maverick who's rewriting the rulebook on education and career success. Without a high school diploma or college degree, Braxton shared how he climbed from recession-era collections work to a coveted tech company gig, all by "betting on himself." We dove into his DIY approach to learning – think marketing seminars in libraries with four attendees and an iMac for a projector – and how it shaped his "fail fast, fail cheap" philosop...
In today's episode, I had the pleasure of diving into the fascinating world of homeschooling with Braxton Wood, a self-proclaimed "homeschool dropout" turned successful entrepreneur. Braxton's journey from the mountains of Utah to the deserts of Arizona is peppered with unique insights and unconventional wisdom. We explored how his homeschooling experience shaped his work ethic, social skills, and entrepreneurial spirit. Braxton's candid reflections on breaking stereotypes, navigating full-ti...
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