#23: Eamon Armstrong - Aspirational Masculinity, Polarity of Play, Relationship dynamics, Healing through Kink, Meta-Modern Love and Life as a Game

Welcome to Season 3 of the Inner Insights podcast This Episode we recorded live from Ko Pha-ngan what an absolute honour to be joined by Eamon ArmstrongEamon is a podcast host and aspiring author, currently in Ko Pha-ngan to finish his first book. The memoir uses humorous stories to "open source some of the most impactful lessons" he's experienced, particularly on the subject of masculinity and maturation. He's the host of three shows: Life is a Festival (his longest-running and most personal show), The Psychedelic Therapy Podcast, and You Like It, a kink podcast he co-hosts with a New York dominatrix named Maline Prior. Eamon is also known as a "cultural collaborator" for Burning Man.In this episode, we dive into:* Aspirational Masculinity and Maturation: Eamon, who is moving out of his "hero phase" (the last archetype of boy psychology).* Boundaries and the Warrior Archetype: Eamon distinguishes between being nice (which often requires dishonesty) and being kind (which is never dishonest). He views boundaries as a kindness because they are a "presentation of reality" and refers to the word "no" as a gift. We discuss how the Warrior archetype is the antidote to the "dangerous man" story, representing the healthy expression of anger, boundaries, and fighting for justice. Anger provides an "emotional north star" for boundary setting.* Sexuality, Kink, and Shame as Fuel: Eamon, who identifies as a Dom, discusses the idea of shame as "erotic rocket fuel" that requires proper containment. The foundational offering of kink is using "impeccable containers" to explore sexuality and fantasy through play, which can be "alchemizing" to one's sense of self. We discuss the perspective that "you don't heal the kink, the kink heals you" and the risk of medicalizing kink.* Meta-Modernism and Traditional Gender Roles: Eamon relates to gender dynamics through a meta-modern perspective, acknowledging that the polarity is real, but people have "more agency" in choosing how to relate to it. He shares his "choicefully" traditional gender role dynamic with his Swedish girlfriend, Alex, where he acts as the executive of the relationship, taking on the roles of protect, provide, and lead.* Life as a Game: Eamon embraces the view that "life is a game" and discusses the importance of the infinite game (played to play more games and invite more players) over the finite game (played to win). He suggests honesty allows for more fun because one is "dealing with reality"[email protected]@lifeisafestivalpodcast