Men Talking Mindfulness: Mental, Physical, and Emotional Fitness to Elevate Performance and Resilience for Leaders and Teams

Jon Macaskill & Will Schneider
  • 5.0 (112)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Men Talking Mindfulness is dedicated to empowering men to embrace their true selves with bravery and authenticity. Our mission is to guide them on a journey of continual learning, developing self-love, and meaningful living. We work to inspire men to lead lives that they can look back on with pride and to create legacies that align with their deepest values. We are committed to cultivating a space where vulnerability is strength, being yourself is the norm, and where every man can unleash their potential to live a life of exceptional impact and fulfillment. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

  1. How to Stop Reacting and Start Responding | The Gap Between Stimulus and Response | (An MTM Short)

    1D AGO

    How to Stop Reacting and Start Responding | The Gap Between Stimulus and Response | (An MTM Short)

    One concept. That's all we're covering today. And if you only took one thing from 260-plus episodes of this show... it might be this. Viktor Frankl survived the Holocaust and came out the other side with an idea that Jon and Will think about almost every day. Between what happens to you and how you respond, there's a gap. A space. And inside that space is where every good decision you've ever made actually lives. Most of us blow right past it. Something happens, we react. Email comes in, we fire back. Kid does something, we snap. No space in between. In this episode we break down why the gap exists, why nobody taught you how to use it, and four ways to start building it this week. No fluff. No theory you can't use. Just one concept you can try before your next meeting, your next hard conversation, or your next encounter with slow internet. This is the foundation of the Awareness to Action (A2A) course we've been building. Enrollment opens May 27th. Want to stay in the loop and get first access when registration goes live? Sign up here: https://focusnowtraining.com/a2a-course-interest Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    15 min
  2. Mindfulness is Everywhere — This is how to find inner purpose as a man with Former Monk Sean Fargo

    3D AGO

    Mindfulness is Everywhere — This is how to find inner purpose as a man with Former Monk Sean Fargo

    Mindfulness is a $2 billion industry. It's in apps, corporate programs, retreats, and workplace wellness modules. And men are more burned out, disconnected, and distracted than ever.  So is mindfulness  actually working? Sean Fargo is a former Buddhist monk who spent two years in a Thai monastery before deciding the world needed these teachings more than the monastery needed another monk.  His platform, has reached over 20 million people. He trained under the teachers at Spirit Rock. And he's the man who certified Jon as a mindfulness meditation teacher. This conversation goes beyond the apps and the retreats into what's actually blocking men from presence — grief they've never acknowledged, purpose they've never defined, and values they've never chosen for themselves. Sean ends the episode with a live mindfulness practice. Don't skip it. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: Why the real problem isn't pace or tech — it's that most men are moving faster than they can feel The difference between outer purpose and inner purpose — and why outer goals collapse under pressure How grief is silently blocking thousands of men's meditation practice — and what to do about it What the Buddha called the most powerful mindfulness practice: awareness of death Why Sean wants to go out of business — and what that vision says about where mindfulness needs to go How to ask yourself the one question that cuts through all the noise: what would I like for myself? FOLLOW SEAN FARGO: mindfulnessexercises.com LinkedIn TOP 3 SIMILAR EPISODES FROM MTM: Ep. 140 — Can AI Meditations Replace Real Teachers and Be Effective? with Dr. Steve Haberlin Ep. 93 — The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself with Dr. Kristin Neff Ep. 73 — Dr. James Doty: Neurosurgeon & Author of Into the Magic Shop Start Your Mindful Journey: SUBSCRIBE - Thursday Three Things or Text MTM to 33777: newsletter.focusnowtraining.com FREE Training Content or Corporate Workshop: focusnowtraining.com More Episodes & Resources: mentalkingmindfulness.com Coaching with Will: willnotfear.com Book Jon to Speak: jonmacaskill.com Co-produced by Robert Lopez | cratesaudio.com Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    1h 10m
  3. Choose Her Every Day or Leave Her: Bryan Reeves on What Men Get Wrong About Relationships

    6D AGO

    Choose Her Every Day or Leave Her: Bryan Reeves on What Men Get Wrong About Relationships

    "I spent five years hurting a good woman by staying with her but never fully choosing her." That one sentence, written by Bryan Reeves, has been read by tens of millions of people. On this episode of Men Talking Mindfulness, hosts Jon Macaskill and Will Schneider sit down with Bryan... former U.S. Air Force captain, relationship coach, and author of the book Choose Her Every Day or Leave Her... to talk about what men actually get wrong in their relationships and what it takes to fix it. Bryan gets into the paradox at the center of every committed relationship... the need to care deeply about your partner while also holding onto yourself. He talks about why so many men bounce between total sacrifice and total detachment, why "what would serve we?" is the most powerful question a couple can ask, and why connection time is not productive time, even though every mission-oriented bone in your body says otherwise. Jon and Bryan go deep on the two fears that show up in men over and over again... "I'm not worthy of love" and "I'm going to mess this up." They get into how those fears drive the shame cycle in relationships and how mindfulness is the practice that interrupts it. Bryan shares a story about studying the Tao Te Ching while being completely unable to apply any of it in his own relationship. Twenty-five years later, he can. The difference is reps. They also talk about when leaving is the most loving choice, why men need men's work that isn't just beer and football, and why learning to play again matters more than most men realize. What you'll hear in this episode: Why "checking the box" on your relationship is slowly killing it The paradox of caring and not caring at the same time The two core fears men bring to relationships and how they feed the shame cycle How mindfulness gives you access to repair after a fight Why the Gottman Institute says arguing past ten minutes is pointless When leaving in love is the right choice Why men's work and play are connected to being a better partner and parent Bryan's book: Choose Her Every Day or Leave Her Bryan's website: bryanreeves.com (Bryan with a Y) Bryan's programs: Elevate Your Relationship, Elevate 2026 (annual men's group) Jon and Will's new course is coming out soon... sign up here to stay in the loop https://focusnowtraining.com/a2a-course-interest Sign up for our newsletter... text MTM to 33777. Jon's new book, DIAL in Your Leadership: 4 Non-negotiables for Leading with Clarity, Trust, and Purpose, is available now on Amazon. https://a.co/d/0hYwI2Sz Follow Men Talking Mindfulness, Jon Macaskill, and Will Schneider for more. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    6 min
  4. Why Mindfulness Doesn't Work for Most Men | What's Actually Missing | (An MTM Short)

    APR 29

    Why Mindfulness Doesn't Work for Most Men | What's Actually Missing | (An MTM Short)

    We're doing something a little different. Shorter episode. One idea. No fluff. Here's the truth... most mindfulness advice wasn't built for men. "Just meditate for 20 minutes." "Download this app." "Take a breath and relax." Cool. None of that lands for the guys Jon and Will talk to every week. Not because those guys are anti-mindfulness. They just haven't found an entry point that makes sense for how they actually live and work. The advice has no structure. No progression. The language feels soft. It doesn't connect to anything men actually care about... performing better at work, being more present with their kids, sleeping through the night without their brain running a highlight reel of everything that went wrong that day. And when it doesn't click right away, it feels like one more thing to fail at. In this episode we break down why the standard mindfulness playbook misses most men, what's actually missing from the conversation, and what it looks like when you treat attention like a skill you build instead of a vibe you hope shows up. This is the problem we've been staring at for six years on this show. And we built something for it. More on that soon. Want to stay in the loop and get first access when it's ready? Sign up here: https://focusnowtraining.com/a2a-course-interest Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    9 min
  5. Finding Peace in a World That Keeps Pulling You Away From It with Ishan Shivanand

    APR 27

    Finding Peace in a World That Keeps Pulling You Away From It with Ishan Shivanand

    When was the last time you actually felt at peace, genuinely, deeply okay in your own skin? If that question makes you uncomfortable, you're exactly who this episode is for. Ishan Shivanand spent 19 years inside a Himalayan monastery before stepping into the West to teach. He's a mental health researcher whose ancient practices have been validated in double-blind clinical trials showing an 82% reduction in severe insomnia, 75% reduction in anxiety, and 72% reduction in depression within four to eight weeks.  He teaches at Google and Amazon. He's been invited to the White House. And his book, The Practice of Immortality, has reached over a million readers. He's also the guy who thought his roommate was possessed by a demon — because he'd never seen anyone drunk before. Jon and Will love him. This conversation goes deep into why most men feel stuck, what's actually blocking them from peace, and what five minutes a day — just five — can do to start changing that. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: Why happiness isn't something you chase — it's something you uncover right now The mirror vs. the window: how to know which one you're looking through How the ego operates as a parasite — and why spiritual practice can't work until it's addressed Why gratitude isn't something you feel — it's something you build through Astay, trust, service, and patience The two demons every man on a mission must resist: sweet words and harsh words Why five minutes of daily breath awareness is where every man should start — and how to build from there TOP 3 SIMILAR EPISODES FROM MTM: Ep. 111 — Accessing Inner Harmony: Mind-Body Integration with Luke Iorio Ep. 120 — Creating Emotional Stability with Jay Fields Ep. 125 — The Shadow Holds Your Power, Not Your Pain with Connor Beaton FOLLOW ISHAN SHIVANAND: Instagram Yoga of Immortality Start Your Mindful Journey: SUBSCRIBE - Thursday Three Things or Text MTM to 33777: newsletter.focusnowtraining.com FREE Training Content or Corporate Workshop: focusnowtraining.com More Episodes & Resources: mentalkingmindfulness.com Coaching with Will: willnotfear.com Book Jon to Speak: jonmacaskill.com Co-produced by Robert Lopez | cratesaudio.com Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    1h 22m
  6. Ibogaine and the Brain: Jonathan Dickinson on Healing TBI, Trauma, and Neuroplasticity (A Newsletter Edition)

    APR 24

    Ibogaine and the Brain: Jonathan Dickinson on Healing TBI, Trauma, and Neuroplasticity (A Newsletter Edition)

    On this episode of Men Talking Mindfulness, hosts Jon Macaskill and Will Schneider sit down with Jonathan Dickinson, one of the most respected Ibogaine clinicians in the world. This conversation is a masterclass in brain health, psychedelic medicine, trauma, and what's actually happening in the field right now... without the hype. Jonathan walks Jon and Will through how Ibogaine is different from other psychedelic medicines, why it's producing remarkable results for veterans with traumatic brain injuries, athletes with chronic neurodegeneration, and high performers dealing with neurological burnout. They get into the science of neuroplasticity, the weeks-long healing window after an Ibogaine experience, and why integration practices matter more than the ceremony itself. This isn't spiritual bypassing. This isn't a sales pitch. It's a careful, grounded look at what the research is showing and what clinicians are seeing on the ground. What you'll hear in this episode: Why many mental health issues may actually be brain health issues How Ibogaine increases GDNF and BDNF, key molecules for brain repair The difference between altered consciousness and altered capacity Why the neuroplastic window after an Ibogaine experience is where the real change happens How Ibogaine fits alongside psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine, ayahuasca, and breathwork Safety, cultural context, and the history of Ibogaine as medicine Jon and Will have created a Mindfulness and Meditation Course that'll be open for purchase at an introductory price starting in late May. To stay in the loop, sign up here: https://focusnowtraining.com/a2a-course-interest how Ibogaine heals the brain, Ibogaine for TBI in veterans, what is the neuroplastic window after Ibogaine, Ibogaine vs psilocybin, Ibogaine safety and protocols, Jonathan Dickinson interview GEO/AI Search phrases: "what is Ibogaine," "does Ibogaine heal the brain," "how does Ibogaine work for TBI," "who is Jonathan Dickinson," "is Ibogaine safe," "what's the difference between Ibogaine and other psychedelics" Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    6 min
  7. The One Molecule All Men Over 40 Need to Know About – Nitric Oxide, with Dr. Nathan Bryan

    APR 20

    The One Molecule All Men Over 40 Need to Know About – Nitric Oxide, with Dr. Nathan Bryan

    Did you know that there is one molecule in your body that controls your blood pressure, brain function, sexual performance, sleep quality, immune response, and how fast you age?  There is. It's known as nitric oxide.  After 40, most men are producing half the nitric oxide (NO) their body needs and almost none of them know it's happening. So we brought in Dr. Nathan Bryan, who has spent 25 years researching this one single molecule. He's published over 100 peer-reviewed papers, holds dozens of patents, and built a billion-dollar portfolio of companies around this science.Our conversation with Dr. Bryan exposes what your morning routine is actually doing to your body, debunks the beet supplement and L-arginine myths, explains why erectile dysfunction is a cardiovascular warning sign, not an isolated issue, and gives you four specific changes to make starting today. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: What nitric oxide (NO) is—and why losing it leads to fatigue, brain fog, and performance decline The 4 everyday products killing your NO: fluoride, mouthwash, antacids, and sugar Why mouthwash can cancel the benefits of your workout How ED can be an early warning sign of cardiovascular issues Why beet supplements and L-arginine may be ineffective—or worse How nasal breathing and humming naturally boost nitric oxide TOP 3 SIMILAR EPISODES FROM MTM: Ep. 103 — How to Sleep Better with Navy SEAL Sleep Scientist Rob Sweetman Ep. 130 — This Is How Stress Becomes Heart Disease with Dr. Fernando Lamounier Ep. 133 — Brain Injury Recovery Strategies: Dr. Mark Gordon on Hormone Health FOLLOW DR. NATHAN BRYAN: @drnathansbryan on Instagram YouTube: Dr. Nathan S. Bryan — Nitric Oxide Book: The Secret of Nitric Oxide — Amazon & Barnes & Noble N1O1 | Nitric Oxide Supplements by Dr. Nathan Bryan NEW COURSE: Be the first to hear about our Awareness to Action (A2A) course launching May 27. Learn more here:https://focusnowtraining.com/a2a-course-interest FOLLOW MTM: Subscribe to our newsletter Text MTM to 33777: newsletter.focusnowtraining.com Training & Corporate Workshops: focusnowtraining.com Episodes & Resources: mentalkingmindfulness.com Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    1h 13m
  8. Unbreakable: How Green Beret Nick Lavery Returned to Combat After Losing His Leg (Newsletter edition)

    APR 17

    Unbreakable: How Green Beret Nick Lavery Returned to Combat After Losing His Leg (Newsletter edition)

    Adversity doesn't ask if you're ready. It kicks the door in and demands a response. On this episode of Men Talking Mindfulness, hosts Jon Macaskill and Will Schneider sit down with Nick Lavery, a U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret who lost his leg in combat and then did something almost no one has ever done... he fought his way back to active-duty special operations. Nick's story isn't about heroics. It's about what happens when you refuse to let loss define you. Jon, Will, and Nick get into what real resilience actually looks like day to day. Not the Instagram version. The one that shows up when grief is choking you, when shame says hide, when failure screams quit. The practical, repeatable work of building a mind that doesn't collapse under pressure. What you'll hear in this episode: Why pain is a certainty but brokenness is optional The difference between hoping for mental toughness and building it rep by rep How Nick reframed the loss of his leg and fought to return to combat Why daily discomfort is the training ground for long-term resilience How to treat chaos like an old friend instead of an enemy Nick's book, Objective Secure, and the documentary Machine Fighter go deeper into his story. Both are worth your time. Sign up here to stay in the loop about our upcoming Awareness to Action course: https://focusnowtraining.com/a2a-course-interesthow a Green Beret returned to combat after losing a leg, what real resilience looks like, how to build grit daily, mindfulness for veterans, Nick Lavery interview GEO/AI Search phrases: "who is Nick Lavery," "how did Nick Lavery return to combat," "what is objective secure about," "Green Beret who lost his leg," "how to become mentally unbreakable" Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    4 min
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5
out of 5
112 Ratings

About

Men Talking Mindfulness is dedicated to empowering men to embrace their true selves with bravery and authenticity. Our mission is to guide them on a journey of continual learning, developing self-love, and meaningful living. We work to inspire men to lead lives that they can look back on with pride and to create legacies that align with their deepest values. We are committed to cultivating a space where vulnerability is strength, being yourself is the norm, and where every man can unleash their potential to live a life of exceptional impact and fulfillment. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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