The Importance Of Tradition In A Crazy World

Mark Introduces the topic for this episode - Traditions. He contextualizes it as connected to worldview as traditions are often cultural. The guys arrived at the topic talking about Jim's annual high school football team barbecue he holds at his house and has for 17 years in a row Jim also connects it to our childhood where our worldview begins to form Jim shares his appreciation for what the football program did for him. He thinks that without football it Very easily could have been bad - prison like his two cousins He goes on to tell the story of how it all started - an incredible story And a book called "The Season Of Life" which spoke to the issue of building men for others Tradition, continuity , belonging and creating an environment to thrive Jim talks more about how successful the program has been now that many former players have come back to coach and participate And how beneficial the whole program has been in the wider circle of people who are touched by the program Mark supports the notion of tradition and real masculinity…not toxicity. Way more than just football Jim talks about the timing and the spirit and the excitement. It brings everyone together for a common cause Mark talks about how men are shaped at an early age. Good choices or bad choices. The importance of a mentor and how difficult life is without one Jim shares his perspective of living in a 1% area and driving to the 99% area and the difference in access to resources and support.   He shares his appreciation for learning how to compete Then he talks about how this competitiveness is helpful in life in general. Unity and camaraderie 50% divorce rate and how many boys grow up without a father…how important the football coach becomes in that situation Jim thinks we've forgotten young men and even emasculated them Mark agrees that Jim's life could have really gone south Jim talks about how many different roles there are in making this tradition stick and then flourish He then talks about the importance of belonging to something Mark talks about pushing back on human nature and how important it is to NOT do that, particularly in regard to masculinity Jim talks about the goal of the program and shares stats on graduation rates and the trouble that creates. Kids that participate in sports graduate at much higher rates He's preparing young men for the last whistle and the last bell. We're not preparing them for life Mark talks about his career and coaching his own kids after high school. Then he brings up Mike Rowe and the trades Jim reflects on his high school graduation and the massive shift and void Mark shares his high school experience in contrast to Jim's. Winning and losing is infectious/contagious Jim tells his "Nobody runs on Hayward" story Mark talks about his family tradition around military and fighter pilots Mark puts Jim's program in perspective of how impactful it is Jim shares the two messages he delivers to the kids at the barbecue. Showing up and "no rules" no incident speech. The power of trusting and empowering back. The following morning his talk is about showing up and being prepared and "Don't wish it was easier, wish you were better". Boys blame others, men take responsibility. Be so good they can't ignore you. It's not what happens to you, it's how you respond to what happens to you Mark appreciates the work and Jim talks about how deep these relationships have grown Jim feels that the best players aren't always the most successful. It's the second stringers Mark thinks the more talented you are, the less likely you are to work hard Belonging, routine, structure, hierarchy and honor. If you don't get this in one place, you'll find it somewhere else. He mentions gangs Mark encourages listeners to seek out opportunities to help young men Jim brings up Scott Galloway and his work with young men Mark mentions example of places to go to help young men Jim recommends the progress and trust are built up over time. What you can do immediately is help the coaches. Thank them. Bring a team meal. Little gestures go a long way Mark shares his experience working with homeless kids for three years You might even get more out of the experience than the kids Jim ends with leaving the public side of this work and went off the radar Mark says your efforts need to be authentic to be effective