Storytelling & Belonging with Curtis Miller

In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, host Tom Perez interviews Curtis Miller, the principal consultant at ConnectEd. They discuss the power of storytelling and the importance of belonging in creating positive cultural change. Curtis shares his personal journey and how he discovered the impact of sharing stories in building relationships and fostering community. The conversation touches on topics such as mental health, youth suicide prevention, and the construction industry. Through their own experiences, Tom and Curtis highlight the need for vulnerability and connection in creating a healthier society. In this part of the conversation, the hosts discuss their experiences in addressing social issues and promoting healthy communities. They talk about the importance of belonging and connection in preventing youth suicide and combating sexual exploitation. They highlight the need for community leaders to come together and create a caring adult network to support and invite kids into a sense of belonging. They also explore the concepts of harm reduction and health promotion, emphasizing the value of focusing on promoting health and creating positive change rather than solely focusing on stopping harmful behaviors.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background of Curtis Miller 03:12 The Power of Storytelling and Belonging 10:46 Personal Adventure and Pain: A Catalyst for Connection 11:14 Intersecting Lives and Work 14:05 Addressing Mental Health in the Construction Industry 17:28 The Role of Storytelling in Building Connection 19:22 The Power of Vulnerability and Connection 23:39 Creating Safe Spaces for Vulnerability 28:26 Personal Healing and Relationship Building through Storytelling 30:24 Youth Suicide Prevention and Community Collaboration 32:18 The Media's Role in Shaping Community Responses to Youth Suicide Contagions 32:46 The Power of Belonging and Connection 36:40 Creating a Caring Adult Network 44:12 From Harm Reduction to Health Promotion 50:22 Addressing the Root Causes of Harmful Behaviors Quotes: "Positive cultural change happens at the speed of relationships and relationships happen at the speed of trust." "Sharing stories can create and inhabit a true experience of belonging." "Connection and belonging are the key ingredients for individual, relational, organizational, communal, and systemic health." "Kids are not experiencing belonging. This is not a kid problem. This is a social problem." "The same culture that made sex buyers made me." "It's scarier to be held accountable to your true self than it is to be." Connect: www.connected.buzz www.epikproject.org