If You've Come This Far

Shaun Emerson & Chris Lozier
  • 5.0 (17)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

a podcast where Shaun and Chris simply aim to have authentic conversations with interesting people about what they do to make life more fulfilling and more impactful.

  1. Zach Gale...Me to We

    9H AGO

    Zach Gale...Me to We

    Chris and Shaun sit down with Zach Gale, an elementary special education teacher and the founder of Me to We. Zach discusses his journey from a hyper-competitive sports family to finding his purpose in supporting students with behavioral needs. We explore the transition from "Me" to "We," the importance of routine for mental health, and why Zach believes your story can one day become someone else’s survival guide. Key Takeaways: Behavior as Communication: A core pillar of Zach’s teaching philosophy—understanding that every action from a child (or adult) is an attempt to communicate an underlying need.The "Me to We" Shift: Inspired by Inky Johnson, Zach explains how attaching yourself to a purpose and mission makes you "dangerous" in the best way possible.The Savage Servant: Trading the idea of being a "nice guy" for being a "good man"—someone who stands their ground and holds core values while remaining a "warrior in a garden."The Power of Routine: Why waking up at 4:00 AM and investing in self-discipline is Zach's greatest form of self-love and mental health maintenance.Episode Highlights: [00:00] Intro: Celebrating Angela Saini and the Daniel Radcliffe connection.[05:30] The Gale Household: Growing up with a father who coached for 23 years and the "Golden Year" retirement video.[13:45] The Pivot to Special Ed: How "Bartlett Baseball Buddies" changed Zach's career path just days before college.[19:20] Men in Education: The disparity of male teachers at the elementary level and the importance of male role models in schools.[25:10] Perspective in the Classroom: Having tough conversations with veteran teachers and putting personal biases aside for the students.[33:00] The Origins of Me to We: Starting with Zoom workouts during COVID and evolving into a formalized LLC and men's group.[40:15] Family & Addiction: Zach’s middle brother’s journey to sobriety and his role in the men's group today.[48:40] Imposter Syndrome & Social Media: The struggle for authenticity in a society that casts judgment.[55:20] Curiosity Over Judgment: How Ted Lasso and "perspective taking" drive connection in Zach’s workshops.[01:02:00] The Best Sports Movie Debate: Miracle vs. Facing the Giants (and the notable absence of Hoosiers).Connect with Zach Gale: Organization: Me to WeLinkedIn: Zach GaleThanks to our sponsor, Mental. Mental is a wellness app built specifically for men, offering a sanctuary from "toxic positivity" and generic advice. It provides personalized, affordable, and science-backed support through real-life coaching designed to help you navigate life's messiest challenges. If you've been thinking about doing something for your mental health, visit https://app.getmental.com/subscribe to get started. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more people find these important conversations!

    1h 7m
  2. Justin Cohen...Dads for All

    6D AGO

    Justin Cohen...Dads for All

    In this episode, we sit down with author, activist, and education policy expert Justin Cohen to explore the evolving role of fatherhood in the 21st century. Justin shares his personal journey from growing up in a household steeped in education advocacy to launching Dads for All, a movement designed to engage fathers in both community building and "bite-sized" civic action. We dive into the "low bar" of current fatherhood expectations, the lack of dedicated "dad spaces" in the advocacy world, and how to build a movement that prioritizes authentic connection over corporate metrics. Finally, Justin reflects on the importance of "staying in the pocket" when tackling long-term social struggles. Key Topics: The "Expert" Paradox: Why Shaun and Chris believe the most important conversations happen when "non-experts" stay curious and dive into deep issues.Education in the Water: Justin reflects on growing up with a special ed teacher mother and a global policy expert grandfather, and how their warnings shaped his career.The Dads for All Movement: Moving beyond the "nonprofit industrial complex" to build a movement that focuses on "belonging-adjacent activation."Bridging the Policy Gap: How to get dads involved in systemic issues like childcare affordability and paternity leave without making them feel like they’re joining a "mom space."Movement vs. Nonprofit: Justin explains why he pivoted away from raising money for a "job" to focus on building a sustainable base of engaged fathers.The 2030 Landscape: A look at how issues like AI-driven unemployment and the cost of childcare are the next frontiers for organized fatherhood.Notable Quotes: "Men in my generation are doing 3x the childcare their dads did... but my statistician friend calls that a 'low bar easily cleared.'""We’re not building a nonprofit; we’re building a movement. If this ends up looking like a nonprofit because that’s what I’m comfortable with, I will have failed.""Stay in the pocket. Once you get out of the pocket, you can’t get back in."Resources Mentioned: Dads for All: https://dadsforall.com/Justin’s Book on School Improvement: https://www.amazon.com/Change-Agents-Transforming-Schools-Ground/dp/1071875787Thanks to our sponsor, Mental. Mental is a wellness app built specifically for men, offering a sanctuary from "toxic positivity" and generic advice. It provides personalized, affordable, and science-backed support through real-life coaching designed to help you navigate life's messiest challenges. If you've been thinking about doing something for your mental health, visit https://app.getmental.com/subscribe to get started. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more people find these important conversations!

    1h 2m
  3. Jonathan Mooney...Normal Sucks

    MAR 2

    Jonathan Mooney...Normal Sucks

    In this episode, we sit down with author and activist Jonathan Mooney to explore the myth of "normalcy." Jonathan shares his personal journey navigating the education system with ADHD and dyslexia and discusses the powerful influence of the people who championed his differences. We also delve into the dark history of eugenics and its lingering impact on society's perception of disability. Finally, Jonathan introduces the Divergent Impact Fund, a new initiative aimed at supporting neurodivergent innovators. Key Topics: Redefining Normal: Why the concept of a "normal" person is a harmful abstraction and how we can move toward a more inclusive design for society.The Power of Support: Jonathan reflects on how his mother and a transformative third-grade teacher, Mr. R, helped him see his challenges as strengths.The Dark History of Eugenics: A look at the US Eugenics movement and its shocking influence on global policies, including those in Nazi Germany.The Divergent Impact Fund: Jonathan’s mission to support innovators solving real-world problems for the neurodivergent community.Parenting and Technology: Navigating the unique challenges of raising children in a hyper-connected, digital world.Notable Quotes: "The only normal people are people you don't know very well.""Our design principle for our world should be the reality of human difference, not the myth of the normal human."Resources Mentioned: Jonathan's website: https://www.jonathanmooney.com/Jonathan's books: Normal Sucks, The Short Bus, and Learning Outside the Lines.The Divergent Impact Fund: divergentimpactfund.comThanks to our sponsor, Mental. Mental is a wellness app built specifically for men, offering a sanctuary from "toxic positivity" and generic advice. It provides personalized, affordable, and science-backed support through real-life coaching designed to help you navigate life's messiest challenges. If you've been thinking about doing something for your mental health, visit https://app.getmental.com/subscribe to get started.

    1h 6m
  4. Sean Harvey...Dismantling Hate with Compassion

    FEB 24

    Sean Harvey...Dismantling Hate with Compassion

    Chris and Shaun welcome Sean Harvey, an advisor, consultant, author, and ordained interfaith minister. Sean has dedicated his life to helping men in hyper-masculine systems--ranging from Wall Street to police departments and the military--reconnect with their humanity. The trio discusses Sean's journey growing up as a gay man in Southwest Ohio, his transition from a high-stakes Wall Street consultant to an interfaith minister, and how to find common ground with those on the opposite end of the ideological spectrum. Sean explains the "Masculinity Imprint" on our organizations and how the term "Warrior" can help men embrace compassion. Notable Quotes "Compassionate Warrior is an identity that you can claim. Warrior Compassion is an energy within that men, when they’re courageous enough, can access." — Sean Harvey "I am never going to tell you what you should be as a man. I’m never going to tell you that you need to embrace healthy masculinity...I’m going to talk about some of the realities on the journey." — Sean Harvey "When we humanize and give officers more capacity, it actually makes them stronger. It’s not about softening; it's about strengthening." — Sean Harvey Resources Mentioned Sean’s Org and Book: Warrior Compassion: Unleashing the Healing Power of MenMenLiving Website: menliving.orgHere’s the bluegrass song detailing the devastating 1974 tornado that struck Xenia, Ohio: Oh! What a StormThanks to our sponsor, Mental. Mental is a wellness app built specifically for men, offering a sanctuary from "toxic positivity" and generic advice. It provides personalized, affordable, and science-backed support through real-life coaching designed to help you navigate life's messiest challenges. If you've been thinking about doing something for your mental health, visit https://app.getmental.com/subscribe to get started.

    1h 4m
  5. Janice McCabe...Making, Keeping and Losing Friends

    FEB 11

    Janice McCabe...Making, Keeping and Losing Friends

    In this episode, Shaun and Chris interview Janice McCabe, a sociologist from Dartmouth College and author of "Making, Keeping, and Losing Friends." They discuss making friends in college, the importance of propinquity and homophily, tight knitters, compartmentalizers, and samplers, friendship markets, the Dunbar number, her recommendation for students, parents and colleges, men and women as friends, the importance of intention in making friends and more. Get your copy of Janice's book here Get Mental at 20% discount: http://getmental.com/IYCTF

    1h 1m
  6. Stacy Waldman Bass...Lightkeeper

    JAN 26

    Stacy Waldman Bass...Lightkeeper

    In this episode, the guys talk with acclaimed photographer, Stacy Waldman Bass, about her memoir, Lightkeeper. They explore Stacy's draw to photography, the value of stories and photos to keeping memories alive, the tragic accident that changed her life, what it's like to write a memoir, the therapeutic value of writing, the challenges of balancing grief and joy, and more. Get your copy of Lightkeeper here Check out Stacy's work here Get Mental at 20% discount: http://getmental.com/IYCTF

    1h 23m
  7. Jim Maley...Sharing Selfishly

    JAN 9

    Jim Maley...Sharing Selfishly

    In this episode, Chris and Shaun talk with Jim Maley, teacher and founder of the Maley Way. The guys discuss Jim's struggles with depression, his time as a Northwestern hoop player, enrolling at Holy Cross, screening selfishly, his mom's genius, his dad's brilliance, his wife's love, his role as a "depression agent," speaking to kids about mental health and more. Learn more about Jim and the Maley Way here Get Mental at 20% discount: http://getmental.com/IYCTF

    1h 11m
  8. Pete Davis...Join or Die

    12/19/2025

    Pete Davis...Join or Die

    Join Chris and Shaun as they chat with Pete Davis, writer, film maker, and civic advocate about his book, Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in An Age of Infinite Browsing and his documentary, "Join or Die." The guys cover the influence his mom and dad had on him, growing up in Falls Church, making a life in Baltimore, why he decided not to be a lawyer, the importance of community participation, the power of invitation, the challenge of connecting in our technological times, the need for good leaders in the effort to revive civic engagement, and more. Learn more about Pete and his missions https://petedavis.org Watch Join or Die https://joinordiefilm.com Get a copy of Dedicated here Get Mental at 20% discount: http://getmental.com/IYCTF

    1h 9m
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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

a podcast where Shaun and Chris simply aim to have authentic conversations with interesting people about what they do to make life more fulfilling and more impactful.

Information

  • Creator
    Shaun Emerson & Chris Lozier
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    87
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © MenLiving 2021
  • Show Website
    If You've Come This Far

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