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

Jon Macaskill & Will Schneider

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. Your Bedroom Is a Weapon: Navy SEAL Rob Sweetman on the Science of Sleep

    1D AGO

    Your Bedroom Is a Weapon: Navy SEAL Rob Sweetman on the Science of Sleep

    Stop pretending you're fine on 5 hours of sleep. You're not. On this episode of Men Talking Mindfulness, hosts Jon Macaskill and Will Schneider bring back Robert Sweetman, former Navy SEAL, sleep scientist, and founder of Sleep Genius, to talk about what actually makes the difference between garbage sleep and real recovery. Rob's approach starts with a concept he calls the sleep dojo. The same way you'd treat a martial arts dojo with respect, structure, and intention, that's how your bedroom should work. Take the fights out of it. Take the scrolling out of it. Take the laptop, the TV, and the phone out of it. And then start paying attention to the physical environment: light, sound, and temperature. Rob walks Jon and Will through the neuroscience of why blue light kills melatonin production, why a 35-decibel noise spike can wreck your sleep cycle without waking you up, why 65 to 69 degrees is the sweet spot for your bedroom, and why eating close to bedtime leads to visceral fat because melatonin blocks insulin. He also drops the truth about THC and sleep... it kills your REM. Will was doing sober October and says his REM numbers have already gone up. Jon talks about going through Rob's 62 Romeo sleep course and how it changed his sleep habits. Rob explains his work building sleep pods for the military and writing a memo to the Secretary of Defense on weaponizing wellness for the warfighter. And the episode wraps with Rob offering to sign copies of his book, 62 Romeo Sleep 101, for listeners who comment on the episode. What you'll hear in this episode: The sleep dojo concept and why your bedroom needs the same respect as a martial arts dojo Why blue light, noise spikes, and warm bedrooms are wrecking your recovery The link between late eating, melatonin, insulin, and visceral fat Why THC eliminates REM sleep even when it feels relaxing Deep sleep vs. REM sleep: aim for 90 minutes of each What orthosomnia is and why obsessing over sleep data makes things worse Rob's military sleep pod project and what it means for warfighters in austere conditions The 45-minute wind-down routine that preps your body for real sleep Rob's book: 62 Romeo Sleep 101 (Amazon, $10) Rob's website: sleepgenius.us Rob's platforms: LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter Sign up to learn more about the Awareness to Action course here: https://focusnowtraining.com/a2a-course-interest Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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

    5D 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

    MAY 1

    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. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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

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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