EPISODE · Feb 20, 2026 · 47 MIN
What Happens When You Actually Answer Truthfully
from TheClearing.Life Podcast — for men in midlife searching for support and meaning. · host Matt Bagwell and Karl Monahan
In Episode 4, Matt and Karl do a real-time Clearing check-in. After Episode 3’s conversation about check-ins (moving from “Yeah, I'm alright mate” to the deep dive), this episode explores a real life example of a check in — a candid, insight into what they’re bringing into the space before “Clearing business” begins. Karl shares a week of solo parenting while his wife is away on a yoga retreat, including the messy, hilarious, and serious realities of school dynamics, boundaries, and those unexpected “grown-up” questions kids can throw at you. The conversation turns toward what it means to meet your child with curiosity, consequence, and connection — instead of pure punishment. Matt checks in on a week of work pressure, the value (and vulnerability) of feeling like you’re adding value, and the importance of building pressure valves that aren’t alcohol. Dry January becomes dry February, and the conversation opens up into habit change, replacement behaviours, and how clarity can sometimes demand change. They also talk about play — why we lose it as we "grow up", why we need it, and how reclaiming it (yes, even via skateboarding at 56) can be a serious act of self-care. Finally, they look forward: longer days, writing, travel, family moments, upcoming Clearing gatherings, and building “Clearing Codes” — small fibres of clarity you can carry into daily life. .... These podcasts are an invitation to reflect, not a set of answers. We would love to know if the content resonates with you - How did you feel about this deeper dive into "checking in?" Do you have anyone you could do this with? Would you like to be involved in some of the check ins we do? Let us know. Email us at [email protected] Follows us here: Instagram Website
What this episode covers
In Episode 4, Matt and Karl do a real-time Clearing check-in. After Episode 3’s conversation about check-ins (moving from “Yeah, I'm alright mate” to the deep dive), this episode explores a real life example of a check in — a candid, insight into what they’re bringing into the space before “Clearing business” begins. Karl shares a week of solo parenting while his wife is away on a yoga retreat, including the messy, hilarious, and serious realities of school dynamics, boundaries, and those unexpected “grown-up” questions kids can throw at you. The conversation turns toward what it means to meet your child with curiosity, consequence, and connection — instead of pure punishment. Matt checks in on a week of work pressure, the value (and vulnerability) of feeling like you’re adding value, and the importance of building pressure valves that aren’t alcohol. Dry January becomes dry February, and the conversation opens up into habit change, replacement behaviours, and how clarity can sometimes demand change. They also talk about play — why we lose it as we "grow up", why we need it, and how reclaiming it (yes, even via skateboarding at 56) can be a serious act of self-care. Finally, they look forward: longer days, writing, travel, family moments, upcoming Clearing gatherings, and building “Clearing Codes” — small fibres of clarity you can carry into daily life. .... These podcasts are an invitation to reflect, not a set of answers. We would love to know if the content resonates with you - How did you feel about this deeper dive into "checking in?" Do you have anyone you could do this with? Would you like to be involved in some of the check ins we do? Let us know. Email us at [email protected] Follows us here: Instagram Website
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What Happens When You Actually Answer Truthfully
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