Men's Healing Network Podcast

Men's Healing Network
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Mental Health

This podcast is a space where men sit together with intention, speak honestly, and share the moments that have shaped who they are. Each episode brings together three men: The host (Vincent Perez)A man he invitesA man that guest invitesThe conversation forms a living circle. One relationship leads naturally into the next, creating continuity, trust, and depth rather than isolated interviews. This is not a show about fixing yourself or performing for an audience. It is about presence, truth, and being witnessed by other men.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    Episode 7: The Way Back to Ourselves

    Send us Fan Mail The Way Back to Ourselves With Joshua Zamrin and Nate Berner-Tobin What happens when men begin questioning the ideas they inherited about who they are supposed to be? In this episode of the Men’s Healing Network Podcast, host Vincent Perez sits down with Nate Berner-Tobin and Joshua Zamrin for a conversation about sensitivity, suffering, embodiment, community, nature, and the long journey of coming home to ourselves. Both Joshua and Nate describe growing up as sensitive young men in cultures that offered narrow definitions of masculinity. Joshua reflects on the “man program” — the conditioning that teaches boys which emotions, behaviors, and ways of being are acceptable — and his journey toward discovering who he is beneath those expectations. Nate shares how depression, shame, and making himself smaller gradually gave way to greater freedom, authenticity, and self-acceptance. Their paths took different forms. For Joshua, a period of profound suffering eventually forced a choice: continue living as he had been, or begin trying something different. That first step opened a path through physical wellness, emotional healing, somatic work, spirituality, and ultimately a deeper understanding of his purpose. For Nate, the natural world provided an early glimpse of another way to live. Wilderness experiences gave him opportunities to rediscover play, leadership, confidence, community, and belonging. Nature became both a teacher and an anchor — a place where he could reconnect with himself and experience what it meant to be fully part of something. Together, Vincent, Joshua, and Nate explore what modern life has separated many men from: their bodies, their emotions, the natural world, meaningful community, and their own inner knowing. They consider how those connections might be restored — not by replacing one rigid definition of masculinity with another, but by creating spaces where men can discover for themselves who they are. The conversation also turns toward fatherhood, purpose, rites of passage, supporting the next generation, and the importance of learning to remain present with discomfort rather than immediately reacting to it. Joshua offers a simple practice at the heart of that work: feel first before acting. Nate offers another: be gentle with yourself. Together, they point toward a vision of men’s healing rooted not in becoming harder or stronger, but in developing the capacity to feel more deeply, live more authentically, and meet ourselves and others with greater compassion. About Joshua Zamrin Joshua is a soul initiator and somatic guide whose medicine lies in supporting people to descend into their bodies, meet their shadows, embrace the gifts of their sensitivity, and emerge resourced and ready to meet the full spectrum of life with greater capacity, courage, and compassion. His work helps people reconnect with their ability to feel, reclaim lost parts of themselves, and step more fully into their power and self-leadership. Joshua weaves shamanic wisdom and mysticism with evidence-based modalities, drawing on more than a decade of initiation, training, certifications, and experience across wellness, healing arts, somatics, and soul-guided wholeness. Website: https://www.soulbodywholeness.life/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulbodywholeness/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@soulbodywholeness?si=8vO5qgY8NJmQyR1S Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5JGUdaeUHypJxVBgOZ8PfW?si=9e1c3bee624e4396 About Nate Berner-Tobin For more than 15 years, Nate Berner-Tobin has created spaces where people can reconnect with themselves, one another, and the world around them. His work has included wilderness education, youth development, family coaching, rites of passage, community building, and embodied personal growth. After spending thousands of hours guiding young people through wilderness experiences, Nate came to understand the transformative power of creating the right conditions for growth: relationship, challenge, reflection, and belonging. Today, through Deeply Connected, Nate supports individuals, families, and schools in cultivating deeper connection, purpose, and belonging. His approach weaves developmental wisdom, relational practices, nature-based learning, and embodied self-discovery. Nate is also certified in Genius Frequency through Elemental Embodiment, a framework that helps people better understand their unique gifts, patterns, and authentic ways of moving through the world. His past work includes collaborations with Seek Healing, Wild Grief, Journeymen, and Outward Bound. Connect with the Men's Healing Network www.MHN.life If this conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could benefit from it. Hosted by: Vincent Perez Produced by: Tom Keppeler Marketing: Dee Enriquez Funding Support: Choice Regional Health Network

    Episode 7: The Way Back to Ourselves

  2. Jul 26

    Episode 6: The Freedom to Be Fully Human

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 6: The Freedom to Be Fully Human What if men's healing isn't about becoming a better kind of man—but becoming more fully yourself? In this episode of the Men's Healing Network Podcast, Vincent Perez sits down with Gregory Flynn, founder of Men Connecting, and Efraín Gutiérrez, artist, facilitator, strategist, and founder of Divine Fluidity, for a wide-ranging conversation about masculinity, queerness, connection, and the freedom to move beyond the roles we've been taught to perform. Efraín reflects on their own journey of returning to the brave, expressive child they were before the world began telling them who they were supposed to be. Gregory explores the difference between healing and becoming whole—and what it means to reclaim the parts of ourselves that were cut off by messages like "man up," "don't cry," and "don't be gay."  Drawing inspiration from ALOK, they consider what queer experience can teach all of us about questioning the boxes we've inherited and finding greater freedom within ourselves.  The conversation also explores men's need for connection and platonic touch, the grief that can accompany recognizing what we've lost, and why replacing "toxic masculinity" with another rigid model of "healthy masculinity" may simply be, as Gregory puts it, "redecorating the prison." The conversation ultimately turns toward relationship, systems, race, identity, and the danger of using our shared humanity to bypass the very real effects of patriarchy and oppression. Drawing on bell hooks, Gregory and Efraín ask what becomes possible when we confront those systems while refusing to reduce ourselves—or one another—to a single identity or binary. This is a conversation about becoming more human—not alone, but together. Show Notes In this episode, Vincent welcomes Gregory Flynn, men's circle facilitator and founder of Men Connecting, alongside Efraín Gutiérrez, artist, facilitator, strategist, and founder of Divine Fluidity. Together they challenge one of the central assumptions of contemporary men's work: that the answer to harmful models of masculinity is simply to replace them with a healthier model. Instead, Gregory and Efraín explore what happens when men begin questioning the rules themselves. They discuss returning to the parts of ourselves we learned to hide, the gifts queer experience can offer conversations about masculinity, the importance—and complexity—of touch between men, and the grief that comes with recognizing what cultural expectations may have taken from us. The conversation expands beyond individual healing into connection, patriarchy, race, class, identity, and systems of domination. Rather than using our common humanity to erase those differences, Gregory argues that we have to move through them to understand how they shape and wound us. As Efraín reminds us near the end of the conversation, bell hooks' The Will to Change may contain the invitation in its title: we have to be willing to change. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why men's healing may be less about finding a new model of masculinity and more about becoming fully humanHow boys learn to mask, suppress, or abandon parts of themselves in order to belongThe difference between "healing" and becoming wholeWhat queer experience can teach us about freedom, ambiguity, and returning to ourselvesWhy ALOK's work has influenced Gregory, Efraín, and Vincent's thinking about gender and masculinityHow masculinity is often defined by what men are told not to beWhy platonic touch and physical connection between men can be powerful—and why it isn't right for everyoneHow grief can become a pathway toward reclaiming parts of ourselves we thought we'd lostWhy replacing toxic masculinity with a rigid definition of "healthy masculinity" risks creating another kind of prisonWhy connection, not individual self-improvement alone, is essential to healingHow patriarchy harms men while also creating systems that oppress othersWhy race, class, sexuality, and identity require nuance rather than another set of binariesWhat bell hooks' The Will to Change can teach us about the willingness required for transformationGuests Gregory Flynn joined his first men's circle in 2008 and has been facilitating them in various capacities since 2012. In 2020, at the onset of the pandemic, he founded Men Connecting, a men's circle that continues to meet weekly. In 2022 and 2023, he hosted The Bind, a podcast for men and their loved ones. He currently runs monthly drop-in men's circles as well as a six-week program for men in North Seattle. Gregory facilitates retreats and workshops for men and mixed-gender groups. He also supports organizations and leaders through culture change, executive and team coaching, leadership development, and other services. Learn more: circ.al Efraín Gutiérrez (they/he) is an artist, facilitator, and strategist working in service of liberation for all. Rooted in queerness and connection, their creative practice, Divine Fluidity, serves leaders, funders, and families of wealth, inviting people beyond the binaries that keep us performing instead of becoming. Mentioned in this episode ALOKbell hooksThe Will to Change by bell hooksDivine FluidityMen ConnectingGrieving ManEmbodied MasculineCore EnergeticsMen's circles and retreatsSomatic practicesPlatonic touch and co-regulationQueerness and gender identityPatriarchy and systems of dominationRace, class, and identityNational Compadres NetworkConnect with the Men's Healing Network www.MHN.life If this conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could benefit from it. Hosted by: Vincent Perez  Produced by: Tom Keppeler  Marketing: Dee Enriquez  Funding Support: Choice Regional Health Network

    Episode 6: The Freedom to Be Fully Human

  3. Jul 19

    Episode 5: The Wisdom of the Wild

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 5: The Wisdom of the Wild What if healing isn't something we achieve—but something we remember? In this episode of the Men's Healing Network Podcast, Vincent Perez sits down with Elias Serras, co-founder of Grieving Man, and Darren Silver, founder of Great Earth School, for a conversation about men's work that reaches beyond self-improvement and into our relationship with nature, ritual, community, and belonging. Building on our previous conversations with Grieving Man co-founders Brian Dwyer and Jordan Lyon, Elias and Darren explore why so many men feel disconnected from themselves and how ancient practices—from tending sacred fires to vision quests and rites of passage—can help us rediscover what it means to live with purpose. Together, they discuss the role of ceremony in modern life, why initiation still matters, how relationships with the natural world shape our inner lives, and what it takes to build communities where men can truly belong. Whether you've spent years immersed in men's work or are simply curious about why so many men are searching for something more, this conversation offers a thoughtful invitation to reconnect with the ancient conversation between our hearts, our souls, and the living world. Show Notes In this episode, Vincent welcomes Elias Serras, facilitator, guide, and co-founder of Grieving Man, alongside Darren Silver, rite-of-passage guide and founder of Great Earth School. Together they explore what happens when healing is rooted not only in conversation, but also in ritual, wilderness, community, and relationship. Drawing from decades of experience facilitating men's gatherings, vision quests, and ceremonial spaces, Elias and Darren challenge modern assumptions about masculinity and offer a compelling vision for what healthy initiation and belonging can look like today. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why nature creates conditions where healing can emerge naturally The "ancient conversation" between our hearts, souls, and the wild How ritual differs from self-help—and why it has endured across cultures The importance of sacred spaces free from distraction and performance Why initiation and rites of passage still matter for boys and men The role of elders, mentorship, and community in healthy masculine development What vision quests, sweat lodges, and ceremonial practices can teach us about purpose How meaningful ritual helps us carry transformation into everyday life Why belonging may be one of the deepest forms of healing Guests Elias Serras is a facilitator and guide dedicated to empowering embodied belonging through truth, healing, and wholeness. He is a co-founder of Grieving Man, core facilitator for Manifest Gathering, and is working alongside Vincent Perez to found the Cascadia Men's Alliance. Learn more: https://www.ecosomabe.com/ Darren Silver, M.A. is a rite-of-passage guide, nature-connected coach, ceremonialist, and founder of Great Earth School. For more than twenty years, he has guided transformational experiences rooted in wilderness living skills, mythology, ritual, and regenerative culture. Learn more: https://www.darrensilver.earth/ Mentioned in this episode Grieving Man Great Earth School Manifest Gathering Cascadia Men's Alliance Vision Quests Sweat Lodge traditions Robert Bly Men, Masculinities, and Earth: Contending with the (m)Anthropocene, edited by Mark Pulé and Martin HultmanConnect with the Men's Healing Network www.MHN.life If this conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could benefit from it. Hosted by: Vincent Perez Produced by: Tom Keppeler Marketing & Audience Development: Dee Enriquez Funding Support: Choice Regional Health Network

    Episode 5: The Wisdom of the Wild

  4. Jul 12

    Episode 4: Practice Makes Human

    Send us Fan Mail Practice Makes Human We often talk about healing as if it's a destination—something we'll finally arrive at once we've read enough books, attended enough workshops, or figured ourselves out. But what if healing isn't something we achieve? What if it's something we practice? In this episode of the Men's Healing Network Podcast, host Vincent Perez sits down with Jason Hill and Mason Aviles, the team behind Beyond The Man Box, to explore what it actually takes to build emotional intelligence, strengthen relationships, and become more fully human. Together, they unpack why self-love isn't self-indulgence, why empathy is a skill—not a personality trait—and why practicing difficult conversations may be just as important as having them. Through deeply personal stories about friendship, heartbreak, marriage, failure, suicide recovery, and personal growth, Jason and Mason challenge the idea that men need to be perfect. Instead, they offer something far more practical: the opportunity to practice. Whether you're navigating conflict with a partner, struggling through loss, leading a team, or simply trying to become a more grounded man, this conversation is a reminder that growth doesn't happen overnight. It happens one conversation, one relationship, and one intentional choice at a time. In this episode, we discuss: Why healing is a practice—not a destinationThe difference between knowing and applying emotional intelligenceHow self-love changes the way we receive feedbackLearning to separate self-worth from achievement and productivityWhy empathy is a skill that can be developedThe importance of practicing difficult conversationsNavigating conflict without defensivenessHealthy masculinity, emotional regulation, and relationship repairWhy community matters in personal growthHow curiosity can transform relationshipsAbout Our Guests Jason Hill is the CEO and Lead Facilitator at Beyond The Man Box. For more than a decade, he has guided men through the high-stakes work of emotional regulation, relationship repair, and difficult conversations. Through transformational retreats and mentorship, Jason helps men become stronger partners, fathers, leaders, and human beings. Mason Aviles leads technology, operations, and product at Beyond The Man Box, building the digital systems that make the organization's curriculum accessible beyond the retreat room. With more than 12 years of software engineering experience, he helps transform emotional growth into practical tools that men can use every day. Connect with Beyond The Man Box Website: https://beyondthemanbox.com/ Jason Hill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonthomashill/ Beyond The Man Box on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondthemanbox/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588583007749 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemanbox/ Host: Vincent Perez Producer: Tom Keppeler Marketing and Logistics: Dee Enriquez Special thanks to Choice Regional Health Network for supporting the Men's Healing Network Podcast and helping make these conversations about men's mental health, healing, and connection possible. If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use the reminder that healing isn't about perfection—it's about practice.

    Episode 4: Practice Makes Human

  5. Jul 5

    Episode 3: The Courage to Feel

    Send us Fan Mail In a culture that teaches men to push through pain, what happens when they choose instead to slow down and feel? In this deeply moving conversation, Vincent Perez sits down with grief tenders and ritualists Jordan Lyon and Brian "Yam" Dwyer, co-creators of Grieving Man, to explore the transformative power of grief, community, music, and ritual. Together, they challenge the myth that healing is a solitary pursuit, revealing how grief can become a pathway back to belonging, connection, and love. Jordan reflects on caregiving, loss, accountability, and the importance of creating spaces where men can tell the truth about their lives. Brian shares the story of his son's childhood cancer diagnosis, the lessons fatherhood has taught him, and why music has become a bridge between sorrow and hope. Along the way, the conversation explores: Why grief is about far more than deathThe difference between suppressing pain and transforming itHow ritual and community help us heal what we cannot heal aloneFatherhood, friendship, and becoming the men we wish had guided usThe courage to ask for help—and the courage to receive itWoven throughout the episode are Brian's original songs, offering moments of reflection and invitation that culminate in a moving reminder: "Healing is happening." Whether you're carrying the loss of a loved one, grieving a version of yourself, or simply longing for deeper connection, this conversation offers a powerful invitation: slow down, tell the truth, and remember that you do not have to walk this path alone. The Men's Healing Network podcast is made possible in part through the generous support of Choice Regional Health Network, whose commitment to community well-being helps bring these conversations to life. Hosted by: Vincent Perez Produced by: Tom Keppeler Marketing & Logistics: Dee Enriquez

    Episode 3: The Courage to Feel

  6. Jun 28

    Episode 2: The Medicine of Friendship

    Send us Fan Mail What if one of the greatest medicines available to men is friendship? In this episode of the Men's Healing Network Podcast, host Vincent Perez is joined by Leo Lopez of the National Compadres Network and his lifelong friend Miguel Chuca. Together, they explore how decades of friendship, cultural traditions, fatherhood, and community have shaped their understanding of what it means to heal as men. The conversation reflects on the fathers and elders who modeled both strength and imperfection, the transformative power of men's circles, and the importance of creating spaces where men can be vulnerable, emotionally honest, and fully seen. Leo and Miguel also discuss raising children in a changing world, balancing work and family, and why healing isn't something we do alone—it happens in relationship. At its heart, this episode is a reminder that authentic friendship isn't just companionship. It's medicine. In this episode, you'll hear about: The role of lifelong friendship in men's healingLessons inherited from fathers, grandfathers, and eldersWhy culturally rooted men's circles create powerful opportunities for transformationEmotional vulnerability and becoming a "safe man" for family and friendsThe importance of intergenerational relationshipsBalancing work, partnership, and fatherhoodPassing wisdom and healing to the next generationAbout the Host Vincent Perez is a cultural strategist, facilitator, and founder of the Men's Healing Network. His work helps individuals and organizations cultivate healing-centered leadership, authentic relationships, and communities rooted in dignity, belonging, and connection. Produced by Tom Keppeler Marketing & Audience Development Dee Enriquez The Men's Healing Network Podcast is made possible in part through the support of Choice Regional Health Network. To learn more about the Men's Healing Network, upcoming circles, and events, visit MHN.life.

    Episode 2: The Medicine of Friendship

  7. Jun 21

    Episode 1: Fathers, Sons, and the Journey Home

    Send us Fan Mail In the inaugural episode of the Men's Healing Network Podcast, Vincent Perez sits down with educator and Journeyman Institute co-founder Alex Craighead and his father, retired hospice chaplain and Episcopal priest Tom Craighead. Released on Father's Day, this conversation explores what men's healing looks like across generations. Together, they reflect on childhood wounds, community, rites of passage, vulnerability, purpose, service, and the lifelong journey of becoming more fully human. Tom shares how stillness, deep listening, and authentic community helped him move from living primarily in his head to reconnecting with his heart. Alex discusses his work guiding young men through rites of passage, the importance of helping boys discover their gifts, and why healing requires the courage to look honestly at ourselves. Along the way, they explore: Why healing is not a destination but an ongoing practice The role of fathers, mentors, and elders in men's lives How community can become medicine for isolation The importance of rites of passage and intentional transitions into adulthood Learning to embrace vulnerability and emotional honesty Service as a path toward meaning and fulfillment The gifts each of us carries and how those gifts serve our communities Why play, connection, and belonging matter at every age This episode is a powerful reminder that healing happens in relationship—and that none of us are meant to do it alone.  Memorable Moments Tom reflects on discovering authentic community later in life and learning to bring his head, heart, and actions into alignment. Alex shares the story of his wilderness vision quest and the realization that he didn't need to find a gift for his people—he was the gift. A moving reflection on Alex's mother's response to a cancer diagnosis and the healing power of playfulness in the face of hardship. A candid discussion about masculinity, emotional suppression, and the need for spaces where men can tell the truth about their lives. Key Quote "You are the gift. What are your gifts for your people?"  About the Guests Alex Craighead is an educator, mentor, and co-founder of Journeyman Institute, where he helps guide young men through rites of passage, mentorship, and transformative learning experiences. For more than two decades, he has dedicated his work to helping young people discover their gifts, find purpose, and build meaningful community. Tom Craighead is a retired hospice chaplain and Episcopal priest whose life's work has centered on listening, service, spiritual care, and helping people navigate life's most meaningful transitions.  Connect with Men's Healing Network The Men's Healing Network Podcast explores what healing means through conversations between men whose lives have shaped one another. Each episode invites listeners into authentic dialogue about purpose, grief, fatherhood, belonging, community, and what it means to become more fully human. If this conversation resonates with you, share it with a father, son, brother, mentor, or friend. Someone may be waiting for exactly this invitation. Learn more at MHN.Life.

    Episode 1: Fathers, Sons, and the Journey Home

  8. Jun 16

    Men's Healing Network Trailer #3

    Send us Fan Mail What if healing isn't something you achieve? What if it's something you allow? The Men's Healing Network Podcast is a space for honest conversations about what it means to be a man in today's world—and how healing happens through connection, courage, vulnerability, and community. In this final trailer before launch, you'll hear voices from men of different backgrounds sharing hard-won insights about family, friendship, belonging, and the power of being truly seen. Together, their stories point toward a simple truth: none of us were meant to do this alone. Join host Vincent Perez and a growing network of men exploring what becomes possible when we slow down, tell the truth, and support one another's healing. Healing is happening. And you're invited. #MensHealingNetwork #MensWork #MentalHealth #Healing #Community #PersonalGrowth #Masculinity #PodcastLaunch

  9. Jun 7

    Men's Healing Network Trailer #2

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when men stop pretending they're fine, and start telling the truth? Across the country, men are gathering. Around fires. In circles. In grief. In brotherhood. This is the Men's Healing Network Podcast. Real conversations. Real stories. Real connection. Join us.  Hosted by Vincent Perez. More information available at MHN.Life.

  10. May 30

    Men's Healing Network Trailer #1

    Send us Fan Mail

  • 10 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

This podcast is a space where men sit together with intention, speak honestly, and share the moments that have shaped who they are. Each episode brings together three men: The host (Vincent Perez)A man he invitesA man that guest invitesThe conversation forms a living circle. One relationship leads naturally into the next, creating continuity, trust, and depth rather than isolated interviews. This is not a show about fixing yourself or performing for an audience. It is about presence, truth, and being witnessed by other men.

Information

  • Creator
    Men's Healing Network
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Men's Healing Network Podcast
  • Show Website
    Men's Healing Network Podcast