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All Episodes - The Imperfect Pod

The Imperfect Pod is a podcast for discussing masculinity more intentionally and purposefully. Masculinity is in a weird place in society as men try to understand the difference between toxic and healthy masculinity. This podcast will engage with humans of all ages, races, genders and beliefs to share their ideas of masculinity to try and create a better understanding. What I want to leave my listeners with after every episode is that there isn't this one-size-fits all idea of masculinity, nor is their an easy solution to understanding your manhood in today's landscape. Topics of this show include parenting, fatherhood, relationships, porn addiction, sex, gender, toxic masculinity, growth, addiction and much more.

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91 Episodes

74. Ending a Cycle of Dysfunction with Anthony Spark thumbnail

74. Ending a Cycle of Dysfunction with Anthony Spark

04/21/2021 58 min 40 sec

What do you do when you come from a family of dysfunction? How do you learn to be a man when your father is a serial cheater, drug dealer, gambler and prisoner? How do you navigate that life? How do break that cycle of poverty to create a life of wealth? These are some of the topics and themes that we discuss on this week's episode. Other key themes of the episode include: His family history and the trauma surrounding it What is was like navigating the impact of his father's life Being a logical person rather than emotional How he responded to being called like his dad Ensuring the choices he made were different than his father's Creating a life of wealth so that his children can have a different life Why judgement of people in pain his wrong His close encounter with divorce Why counselling has been his saving grace What he's done to learn more about emotional wellbeing And much more About Anthony: Anthony Kenneth Spark is a successful Serial Entrepreneur, Money Coach, Philanthropist, Author, and Personal Development Specialist. At 18 years old, with a vision to change his family legacy and positively impact people in need, he was searching for a career . With a clear picture of the life he truly wanted, he began building a company of his own. That company has evolved into several industries and now does 7 figures of revenue involving an organization of over 250 people. We have as of November 2020 helped people pay off $3 million in Debt, earn over $3 million more per year in annual salary and save/invest 1.6 million. He had his first book, Phoenix Manifesto, published in 2018. Updated Audiobook to be released December 2020! Anthony is the cohost of ExtraOrdinary Excellence Podcast with over 21,000 downloads in its first year. He is the visionary and founder of Kickstrings - a social entrepreneurship project which raises funds and awareness for charities. You can connect with Anthony at his number 1-631-327-2241 (It's an iPhone too) or at his email Anthony@phoenixevolution.co. You can read more about his company https://phoenixevolution.co/ (Phoenix Evolution). As always, feel free to follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod) or shoot me an email at luke@theimperfectpod.com

73. Overcoming Alcoholism with Neuroplasticity and a No BS Attitude with Dr. Robb Kelly thumbnail

73. Overcoming Alcoholism with Neuroplasticity and a No BS Attitude with Dr. Robb Kelly

04/14/2021 60 min 53 sec

How can men heal from their alcoholism? What can they do to get out of their shame and guilt? Why are men more at risk of not getting help for this problem? These are questions that we discuss at length in this episode. Other key themes of the episode include: Where his own alcohol dependency started How DNA and genetics play into the issue of alcoholism Self-sabotage in the recover cycle Why anger and shame are two emotions that are harmful in healing Changing your neural pathways Why Macho culture is hurting men in the long run The difference between a Friday night drunk and a Friday night alcoholic Distinguishing the drinker from the alcoholic Why visualization is a powerful tool in recovery Alcoholism as a disease The power of routine in recovery His own story with family, drugs and alcohol University life and drinking and why it's unhealthy and much much more About Dr. Robb: Robb has overcome homelessness, alcohol dependency, trauma, and a whirlwind of events to be the "Gordon Ramsay" of the addiction treatment world. Before Robb succumbed to addiction and mental health issues, he played bass guitar at Abbey Studio with Queen, David Bowie, and Elton John. He is an accomplished musician, and the money he made helped him attend Oxford University to pursue a Ph.D. in Psychology. Robb's work ethic is defined by helping the addict step out of their disease and into a solution. We work with everyday people, professionals, and celebrities who want to reach sobriety and live in sustained recovery through evidence-based modalities and a genuine therapeutic alliance. https://robbkelly.com/ (Website). Email. As always, feel free to follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod) or shoot me an email at luke@theimperfectpod.com

72. What to Expect When You're Expecting: A Father's Perspective with Geston Pierre thumbnail

72. What to Expect When You're Expecting: A Father's Perspective with Geston Pierre

04/07/2021 55 min 12 sec

There are many resources out there for expecting women, but what about expecting men? What can they do throughout pregnancy to reflect, grow and serve their family? That’s exactly what we talked about on this episode! Key themes of the episode include: The difficulties of having a child during COVID Picking the hospital you want to have your child at The challenges that pregnancy can cause in relationships and how to treat your partner with respect Navigating your wife’s wants, needs and cravings during the pregnancy Being comfortable with role reversals and humbling yourself to serve How expecting men can navigate their own selves to become more positive and change their mindset Dealing with resentment and relationship hijacking with intentionality Continuing to connect with each other and not focusing on the baby The idea of the registry and why it might take away or threaten your ideas of masculinity The expectation of men to provide and the stress that can cause for men and why we need to broaden the definition of provision Finding valuable mentors and using relationships to become a better father Resources for expecting fathers to learn about their upcoming journey His excitement for being a girl dad The home environment he grew up in and why he desires to be different than his father How his relationship with his father has changed after knowing he was going to become a father Looking 20 years into the future, what does being a successful father look like? The biggest fear Geston has in his daughter’s first year on Earth Is there such a thing as being over-protective? About Geston: "GP" is an emerging leader, and speaker with a decade of combined leadership experience in the non-profit, and entertainment sectors. As a reality television competition champion, and multi-award nominated musician and recording artist, he has mastered the art and science of performing under pressure. He is passionate about helping people and organizations leverage their influence to make a lasting impact. As a pod-junkie, he serves as a podcast start-up consultant, and as a co-host to many podcasts. He ultimately aspires to inspire 1 billion people with his voice before he expires. You can find out more about him through his https://linktr.ee/GPThePodcastPlug (Linktree), by connecting with him on IG @https://www.instagram.com/gpthepodcastplug/?hl=en (gpthepodcastplug), or by connecting with him on https://www.linkedin.com/in/geston-pierre/ (LinkedIn). As always, feel free to follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod) or shoot me an email at luke@theimperfectpod.com

71. Healing From Sexual Assault and How to Have Conversations About It with Tim Mousseau thumbnail

71. Healing From Sexual Assault and How to Have Conversations About It with Tim Mousseau

03/31/2021 72 min 23 sec

Sexual violence in society has gone down 60% in the last several years but there's still more work to be done. Whether that's from more male allyship, discussing it on a wider scale, stopping it when you see it happen or just changing your own behavior, the fact that this reprehensible act is still so prevalent is awful. On this episode, Tim Mousseau and I discuss everything sexual assault. Key themes of the episode include: Finding his identity as a human and man after his sexual assault Why the way we talk about sexual assault in society is wrong Why sexual violence as a crime can be hard for people to understand How changing the way we talk about sexual violence will change our reaction to it Why statistics about sexual assault only get us so far in the conversation Understanding who should be handling sexual assault cases and how the system needs to do better by victims Looking at sensitivity training and why it’s important What laws are emerging that can help direct us to a better understanding of how sexual violence permeates different areas of society What we can do to start engaging in conversations both as bystanders and within our communities Why we need to look at the data and methodology of the research being done on these topics Tying in the #notallmen conversation based on the current situation with Sarah Everard Acknowledging the progress that we’ve made as a society on sexual assault when appropriate Looking at high profile cases and whether they hinder or help the discussion Innocent until proven guilty and the believe all women narratives Best practices to stop sexual violence or harm in real time without putting yourself or them in danger About Tim: Tim Mousseau is a survivor of sexual violence turned educator and advocate on this important topic. At the age of 22, Tim was faced with an incident of sexual assault. On top of this, Tim had to manage the stresses of workplace sexual harassment from his boss who used knowledge of Tim’s trauma to exert toxic control. Coming to terms with his experience, Tim recognized how it left him feeling powerless. He vowed no one else should ever feel the same way. For the last nine years, Tim has spoken with over 400 organizations including members of the United States Congress, top universities, and Fortune 500 companies across the world on the topics of sexual violence and harassment prevention. Tim’s research currently centers on how individuals set and maintain safety boundaries, along with a study on how to better engage men in sexual violence prevention work. Professionally, Tim received a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga and a Bachelor’s in Communication from the University of New Mexico. You can find out more about Tim and his resources on https://www.timmousseau.com/ (his website). As always, feel free to follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod) or shoot me an email at luke@theimperfectpod.com

68. Hiking Across America For Mental Health and Building Legacy with Zach Smith thumbnail

68. Hiking Across America For Mental Health and Building Legacy with Zach Smith

03/10/2021 54 min 10 sec

On this episode, Zach and I talk about his solo hike trip across the Pacific Crest Trail and his biggest takeaways, as well as the positive influence of Bell Let’s Talk in the mental health community. Key themes of the episode: Why Bell Let's Talk is good for society Why he went on his trip across the Pacific Crest Trail What the feeling was like at the end of his trip How much he missed ice in his drinks Who his inspirations were for the trip (Jesse Itzler and Dave Goggins) The importance of mindset in building your legacy About Zach: At age 23, Zach set out on a solo hike from Mexico to Canada to raise money for youth mental health. The journey took 4 and a half months, and he was able to raise over $10,000 for a charity that specializes in youth mental health and youth peer mentorship. He is a young entrepreneur, scaling a digital content production company and sustainable e-commerce business SickBirdProduction. He has worked at numerous start-ups, and has a business degree in finance. He values personal growth, and challenging oneself to achieve greatness. https://www.instagram.com/zucc_smett/?hl=en (Zach's Instagram). https://www.sickbirdproduction.com/ (Zach's Website). As always, feel free to follow me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or shoot me an email at luke@theimperfectpod.com

67. Prison, Strength and Giving Men Permission to Feel with Eldra Jackson thumbnail

67. Prison, Strength and Giving Men Permission to Feel with Eldra Jackson

03/03/2021 57 min 18 sec

Eldra Jackson was serving life in New Folsom prison and in and out of the prison system for almost 30 years. This is his journey of rehabilitation, extreme ownership, self work and intense growth. Key themes of the episode: The desire to be respected and feared in prison How he had an image of strength as a mask to fear The choices and impact that solitary confinement had on his life Why men need permission to feel and explore themselves The importance of rites of passage and rituals The origin story of Inside Circle Releasing negative energy as a source of healing How men can access their deeper truths and why it takes strength What the parole process looks like when getting release from prison What he's doing to ensure he doesn't pass down his trauma to the next generation This was an amazing episode and I'm so thankful to Eldra for speaking with me. Again, I am willing to pay for 10 people to watch the documentary by The Inside Circle called "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iddt4sVZTvIandab_channel=YouTubeMovies (The Work)". You can find it on YouTube, Amazon Prime and I believe a few other options. It only costs $5 to rent but it will provide so much more depth as to the context and importance of the work that Eldra went through and facilitated in prison. Make sure to https://www.instagram.com/inside__circle/ (follow them on Instagram). About Eldra: Eldra is a writer and sought after public speaker on the topics of at-risk youth advocacy, effective criminal justice rehabilitation and turning around ‘toxic’ masculinity, Eldra brings clarity of purpose, mission focus, and inspiration to his role at Inside Circle. He was an inmate at New Folsom Prison when he found Inside Circle and began the inner personal journey that eventually led to his release in 2014 and his current leadership role. A living example of successful rehabilitation and re-entry, Eldra has dedicated his free time on the outside to serving at-risk youth, and acting as a facilitator, trainer, and mentor. As always, feel free to follow me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or shoot me an email at luke@theimperfectpod.com

Just the TIP | Dealing with Body Image Issues and the Worth Wound thumbnail

Just the TIP | Dealing with Body Image Issues and the Worth Wound

02/19/2021 7 min 13 sec

Welcome back to Just the TIP is where I do a short reflection on this past week's episode! On this episode, I give my reflections on my conversation with Gretchen Shanks and some of the key themes we discussed including those feelings of unattractiveness, lack of worth, rugged independence and the idea of being ready. Make sure to check out the full episode from Wednesday for more context and to follow me on Twitter, Instagram and more for daily content! As always, reach out to me on Instagram @theimperfectpod, email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or join my FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group).

Just the TIP | How Politics Discusses Masculinity thumbnail

Just the TIP | How Politics Discusses Masculinity

02/05/2021 15 min 42 sec

Welcome back to Just the TIP is where I do a short reflection on this past week's episode! On this episode, I give my reflections on Liz's question back to me on how I think the right and left talk about masculinity differently. Make sure to check out the full episode from Wednesday for more context and to follow me on Twitter, Instagram and more for daily content! As always, reach out to me on Instagram @theimperfectpod, email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or join my FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group).

63. For the Love of Men: Conversations About Masculinity with Liz Plank thumbnail

63. For the Love of Men: Conversations About Masculinity with Liz Plank

02/03/2021 75 min 5 sec

Hello everyone! This episode is really special to me. I've wanted to speak with Liz ever since I read her book "https://www.amazon.com/Love-Men-Toxic-Mindful-Masculinity/dp/1250757207/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37JQ7XIZ8SF1Oanddchild=1andkeywords=liz+plank+for+the+love+of+menandqid=1612314824andsprefix=liz+plakn%2Caps%2C157andsr=8-1#customerReviews (For the Love of Men: From Toxic to a More Mindful Masculinity)" back in the summer of 2020. It's such an empathetic approach to the conversation that I absolutely loved the book and have mentioned it numerous times on the show. Well, with her paperback coming out this week (February 2nd so much sure to go check it out) it was the perfect timing to make it happen! We cover a ton of topics including why she wrote the book, why it's important for men to listen to women on the topic of masculinity, what are Men's Rights groups, what it was like to talk about masculinity in the Trump era, emotional intelligence and much more. Please please please go check out her book. I will also be doing a giveaway of some of her books on Instagram once they get here so much sure to follow me there @theimperfectpod. If you liked the episode, make sure to press subscribe, follow, leave a review and message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at Luke@theimperfectpod.com and join my https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (Facebook group). I always always want to hear from my listeners and continue the conversation! More about Liz: Liz is an award-winning journalist, author and the executive producer and host of several critically acclaimed digital series at Vox Media and NBC News. She’s the CEO of Liz Plank Productions and is a columnist for MSNBC and has been listed as one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30, Mediaite’s Most Influential in News Media, and Marie Claire’s Most Powerful Women, and was named one of the World’s Most Influential People in Gender Policy by Apolitical. She’s built a loyal following on numerous social media platforms, but her proudest accomplishment by far remains being blocked by the 45th president of the United States. Liz regularly appears on national and international television programs to provide a perspective on politics, gender issues, and reproductive rights, including The Today Show, The Daily Show, MSNBC, CNN, ABC News, Fusion, Al-Jazeera America and BBC World. Through her activism and creative approach to journalism, Liz has made it her mission to elevate the voices of those who are often not heard. Before becoming a journalist, Liz worked as a researcher and behavioral science consultant at the London School of Economics, from which she holds a master's degree in policy with an emphasis in global gender politics. You can follow Liz on https://twitter.com/feministabulous?s=20 (Twitter) and https://www.instagram.com/feministabulous/ (Instagram) @feministabulous, subscribe to her https://linktr.ee/lizplank (Newsletter), watch her on YouTube or check out more of her work on her http://www.elizabethplank.com/ (website)!

Just the TIP | Being a Single Father: The Challenges and Opportunities thumbnail

Just the TIP | Being a Single Father: The Challenges and Opportunities

01/29/2021 11 min 1 sec

Welcome back to Just the TIP is where I do a short reflection on this past week's episode! On this episode, I give my reflections on the challenges off being a single father and why it's important to discuss them. This includes the judicial system, the patriarchy, parenting daughters and more! The link to The Atlantic article I discussed is here: https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/02/the-rise-of-the-single-dad/284016/ (The Rise of the Single Dad) If you're looking for episodes where I talk about fatherhood in specific, check out my episodes with Josh Loong, Clay Smeltzer, Ben Killoy, Alan Stein Jr, Cameron Gordon, Pablo Milandu, Rene Klein-Horseman, and more! It's a very common topic on this podcast. As always, reach out to me on Instagram @theimperfectpod, email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or join my FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group).

62. Life As a Single Father with Dwight Heck thumbnail

62. Life As a Single Father with Dwight Heck

01/27/2021 57 min 35 sec

What's it like to be a single father? How did you parent 5 children, 4 being daughters? What stigmas did you have to overcome or challenge? What were those tough conversations like with your daughters as they were coming to age? This week’s guest is Dwight Heck, founder of Give a Heck Financial and a single Dad of five children, 4 being daughters. In this episode, we discuss what it’s like to be a single father, the stigma behind it, the importance of empathy and listening, how to have important conversations with your daughters as a single father and if he faced pressure to be a better man as a single father. Make sure to connect with Dwight on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/give.a.heck/ (give.a.heck), on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dwight.heck/ (Dwight R. Heck) or check out his website http://giveaheck.com (giveaheck.com) If you liked the episode, make sure to press subscribe, follow, leave a review and message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at Luke@theimperfectpod.com and join my https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (Facebook group). I always always want to hear from my listeners and continue the conversation!

Just the TIP | Why The Fatherless Epidemic is a Real Problem thumbnail

Just the TIP | Why The Fatherless Epidemic is a Real Problem

01/22/2021 10 min 0 sec

Welcome back to Just the TIP is where I do a short reflection on this past week's episode! On this episode, I give my reflections on the importance of talking about the fatherless epidemic or fatherless generation as some people like to call it, where I heard about it from and more. If you're looking for episodes where I talk about fatherhood in specific, check out my episodes with Josh Loong, Clay Smeltzer, Ben Killoy, Alan Stein Jr, Cameron Gordon, Pablo Milandu, Rene Klein-Horseman, and more! It's a very common topic on this podcast. As always, reach out to me on Instagram @theimperfectpod, email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or join my FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group).

61. The Fatherless Epidemic and It's Affect on Young Men with Leo Bourne thumbnail

61. The Fatherless Epidemic and It's Affect on Young Men with Leo Bourne

01/20/2021 52 min 9 sec

Why are so many homes growing up without fathers? Why is there a major correlation between fatherless men and the prison system? How can you break the negative cycle if you're a victim of a fatherless home? These are some of the topics I cover on today's episode with Leonardo Lightbourne AKA Leo Bourne. We also talk about the power of consistency, love and journaling. About Leo: L.T. “Leo” Bourne discovered in his early 20s his gift of inspiration and leadership. He founded Open Thought, a non-profit organization created for youth development in the Turks and Caicos Islands, to give the youth a voice and an outlet to express themselves. L.T. believed creating Open Thought would inspire youth to overcome any circumstances they are facing by creating a platform that displays like-minded individuals who have risen above similar circumstance. It is a vision he carries in his heart to this very day as he is still building the outlet. Apart from his work with Open Thought, L.T. is a writer, filmmaker, speaker, and philanthropist. He is passionate about problem-solving, collaboration and engaging young people in fighting the common threats of their environment such as violence, poverty, and abuse. L.T. shares his vision of a united community that uses love, open-thinking, and commitment to make a difference. Weaving a tapestry of his lifetime of experience, L.T. plans to inspire youth with his personal story and lessons learned about personal development, leadership, and the power of using open-thinking to live a more fulfilling life. You cay buy his https://www.ltbourne.com/books (book), check out his https://www.ltbourne.com/ (website), or connect with him on https://www.instagram.com/iamltbourne/ (Instagram), https://twitter.com/iamltbourne/ (Twitter) and https://www.facebook.com/IAmLTBourne/ (FB). If you liked the episode, make sure to press subscribe, follow, leave a review and message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at Luke@theimperfectpod.com and join my https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (Facebook group). I always always want to hear from my listeners and continue the conversation!

Just the Tip | Society and Mental Illness thumbnail

Just the Tip | Society and Mental Illness

01/15/2021 6 min 28 sec

Just the TIP is where I do a short reflection on this past week's episode! As always, reach out to me on Instagram @theimperfectpod, email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or join my FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group).

60. Coping with PTSD and It's Effects with Tom Smoot thumbnail

60. Coping with PTSD and It's Effects with Tom Smoot

01/13/2021 60 min 22 sec

This week’s guest is Tom Smoot and we talk about what it’s like to come home from the army with PTSD, the effects it can have on those around him, how he copes with PTSD, the power of exposure therapy. About Tom: After more than a decade in the Army's special operations community, under Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations, Tom moved on with a PTSD diagnosis. Now, as an engineer and entrepreneur, he uses that military background to craft stories and insight into his work. When he's not running marathons or building things, Tom can usually be found spending his time at the The Lift and Shift Foundation which he founded and advocates for veteran inclusion in science and technology through programs that educate and build confidence or as he likes to say, reduces a veterans' barriers to entry. You can connect with Tom and follow his foundation at https://www.weliftandshift.org/ (Lift and Shift Foundation). You can also follow the great work they're doing on https://www.instagram.com/liftandshiftfoundation/ (Instagram), https://twitter.com/weliftandshift (Twitter), and https://medium.com/lift-and-shift (Medium). If you liked the episode, make sure to press subscribe, follow, leave a review and message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at Luke@theimperfectpod.com and join my https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (Facebook group). I always always want to hear from my listeners and continue the conversation!

Just the TIP | Trauma and the Fatherless Generation thumbnail

Just the TIP | Trauma and the Fatherless Generation

01/08/2021 13 min 33 sec

On this episode of Just the TIP I discuss the riots at Capitol Hill and Trump for a bit and how ludicrous it is that so many men look up to him. I then reflect on this week's episode about trauma and my personal experiences (or lack thereof) with it. I then discuss the topic of the fatherless nation and my experiences with dating/love addiction and why I'm taking a year off of dating apps. As always, reach out to me on Instagram @theimperfectpod, email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or join my FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group).

59. How Childhood Trauma Can Have Everlasting Effects with Riana Milne thumbnail

59. How Childhood Trauma Can Have Everlasting Effects with Riana Milne

01/06/2021 55 min 0 sec

On this episode, my guest is Riana Milne and we talk about The 10 common traumas and why they matter, how men and women are affected by these traumas and how the show themselves in daily interactions! Riana’s Mission is to “Help Change the Way the World Loves” by Healing Unconscious Childhood and Love Trauma that impacts so many adults; and with research-based educational strategies – Helping them to Create the Life they Desire and to Have the Love Relationships they Deserve. You can connect with Riana on her https://rianamilne.com/ (website), on her IG @https://www.instagram.com/coachrianamilne/ (coachrianamilne), Facebook @https://www.facebook.com/CoachRianaMilne (coachrianamilne). I've also linked https://rianamilne.com/books/ (her books) and how you can get some of her resources for free! Lastly, I’ve started a FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group) where we will continue all of these conversations about masculinity in a community dedicated to these topics. I have a few past guests as part of the group so you can get direct access to some of the most interesting people I’ve spoken to on this journey! If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to press subscribe, follow, leave a review and message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at Luke@theimperfectpod.com! I always always want to hear from my listeners and continue the conversation!

58. Reflecting Back On 2020 and Looking at the Future thumbnail

58. Reflecting Back On 2020 and Looking at the Future

12/23/2020 28 min 7 sec

This is the last episode of 2020 where I talk about how 2020 went, 2021 goals, what books stood out to me the most and do a little bit of an AMA. As a reminder, I’ve recently started a FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group) where we will continue all of these conversations about masculinity in a community dedicated to these topics. I have a few past guests as part of the group so you can get direct access to some of the most interesting people I’ve spoken to on this journey! Newsletter and more Just the TIPs coming in the future too!

57. Gender Roles in a Same-Sex Marriage with Mike Iamele thumbnail

57. Gender Roles in a Same-Sex Marriage with Mike Iamele

12/16/2020 79 min 49 sec

Gender roles in a same-sex marriage don't make sense, so how do break down chores? Does the idea of gender roles still exists? These are questions that we explore on today's episode. We discuss Mike's journey to discovering himself and how gender roles have affected his same-sex marriage, wedding and more! About Mike: Mike Iamele is a writer, life purpose expert, and brand strategist. With his proprietary Sacred Branding® system, he’s helped hundreds of people to connect the dots between their lived experiences to find the common threads that explain their subconscious motivations, unique genius, and life purpose. People use this work to explore identity and sexuality, to finding their artistic voice, to even re-discovering themselves after a life-altering event, like divorce or retirement. Mike’s also the author of https://www.amazon.ca/Enough-Already-Create-Success-Terms/dp/1573246476 (Enough Already: Create Success on Your Own Terms). You can connect with him on his website, https://mikeiamele.com/ (mikeiamele.com), and access that worksheet he mentioned https://mikeiamele.com/map/ (here). You can also connect with Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/mikeiamele/?hl=en (mikeiamele). Lastly, I’ve started a FB group called https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group) where we will continue all of these conversations about masculinity in a community dedicated to these topics. I have a few past guests as part of the group so you can get direct access to some of the most interesting people I’ve spoken to on this journey!

56. Honest Conversations About Crossdressing with Savannah Hauk thumbnail

56. Honest Conversations About Crossdressing with Savannah Hauk

12/09/2020 56 min 7 sec

On this episode my guest is Author and Crossdresser, Savannah Hauk. We discuss the difference between drag and crossdressing, how gender and sexuality plays into the conversation and presentation, how people view her in public and much much more. Savannah Hauk is a lifelong dual-gender biological male who uses the art of male-to-female crossdressing to create her feminine identity and presentation. She is the author of two books including her “https://www.amazon.ca/Living-Crossdressing-Defining-New-Normal-ebook/dp/B078K3GCJL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=B9ZCL1QRPAO8anddchild=1andkeywords=living+with+crossdressingandqid=1607467172andsprefix=living+with+crossdres%2Caps%2C151andsr=8-1 (Living with Crossdressing)” series. She is also a social media advocate, and co-host of “https://open.spotify.com/show/2WvvCbG591EiWveqFRB98C?si=TLRihUONR_GjBdY5P3mbuw (The Fox and the Phoenix Podcast)” a resource on crossdressing. *Giveaway*: I have 3 copies of Savannah's book Living with Crossdressing. To enter the giveaway there are a few options: Message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod asking to be entered into the giveaway Email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com asking to be entered into the giveaway Share a screenshot of the episode on Instagram and tag me @theimperfectpod I've recently started a Facebook group for my podcast to continue the discussion and build a community of people interested in talking about masculinity and manhood. You can find out more and request to join the group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group). I would love to have you join! If you would like to connect with Savannah, you can follow her on https://www.facebook.com/livingwithcrossdressing (Facebook) or her https://livingwithcrossdressing.com/ (website).

55. How Porn Addiction Is Affecting Men and Relationships In the Digital Age with Joshua Shea thumbnail

55. How Porn Addiction Is Affecting Men and Relationships In the Digital Age with Joshua Shea

12/02/2020 113 min 31 sec

On this episode, my guest is Joshua Shea and we talk about the ease of pornography consumption and production, pornography addiction, no fap, red flags, it’s affect on relationships and partners, having honest conversations about pornography as a whole, Only Fans, and how the pandemic is changing the landscape of addiction. Joshua Shea is a former pornography addict-turned-expert on a mission to get the world talking about pornography addiction, and the potential ramifications being a porn addict can cause. You can find out more about the work Joshua is doing on his website and can follow his work on Twitter and Instagram where his handle are @paddictrecovery. Also, his first TEDx Talk is happening this Sunday, December 6th. You can sign up here. Lastly, as I mentioned in the intro and outro, I've recently started a Facebook group for my podcast to continue the discussion and build a community of people interested in talking about masculinity and manhood. You can find out more and request to join the group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/229891395146974 (The Imperfect Group). I would love to have you join!

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54. Ending Domestic Violence with Lois Wagner

11/25/2020 55 min 59 sec

On‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode,‌ ‌my‌ guest‌ ‌is‌ Lois Wagner and‌ ‌we‌ ‌talk‌ ‌about‌‌ ‌her goal to eradicate sexual violence, her BRAVE model, her rape story, and more‌.‌ Lois helps rape victims move from victim to survivor to thriver. She guides people to build their resilience and grit, to develop a growth mindset, to energize their mojo, and learn to forgive. She does this via one-on-one coaching, group masterminds, and keynote presentations Her work is based on her personal major adversities and life experiences. Lois was attacked, raped, and left for dead, she was forced into retirement, and experienced many other challenges. Lois learned to forgive (she forgave the rapist, which we talk about on this episode) and to move on to a more rewarding and fulfilling life. Lois has written a book – Walking Without Skin: A Journey of Healing – From Fear to Forgiveness to Freedom. She has developed a program – B.R.A.V.E (which we also discuss) which is designed to fight toxic masculinity and eradicate gender-based and domestic violence. You can find out more about Lois on her website, walkingwithoutskin.com, her Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/www.walkingwithoutskin/ (Walking Without Skin - All About Forgiveness), her Twitter, @https://twitter.com/loiswag (loiswag), her Instagram, @https://www.instagram.com/lois_wagner_/ (lois_wagner_) and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/c/LoisWagnerCoachingConversationsforChange (Lois Wagner - Coaching Conversations for Change). As it’s currently the last week of Movember, a month about men’s mental health, I thought this would be an important episode to share with you during this time. Here is a link to my friend Gautham’s https://ca.movember.com/mospace/13453409?mc=1andutm_medium=shareandutm_source=dynamicandutm_campaign=copy-clipboard (Movember fundraiser link) should you be interested in donating. You can also check out Gautham’s episode which is literally episode number one of this podcast! He's raised a lot of money so far. Let's get him even further!

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53. Creating Your Own Definition of Masculinity with Johnny Crowder

11/20/2020 63 min 50 sec

On this episode, my guest is Johnny Crowder and we talk about mental health in men, breaking masculine stereotypes, how he defines manhood and what his journey in the arts taught him about masculinity. Johnny is a 28-year-old suicide/abuse survivor, TEDx speaker, touring musician, mental health and sobriety advocate, and the Founder and CEO of Cope Notes, a text-based mental health platform that provides daily support to users in nearly 100 countries across the globe. With 10 years of clinical treatment, a psychology degree from UCF, and a full decade of peer support and advocacy through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) under his belt, Johnny’s youthful vigor for the topic of mental health is unmatched. Whether speaking at events or touring with his band (Prison), Johnny’s infectious positivity and firsthand experience with mental illness (ranging from bipolar disorder and OCD to schizophrenia) uniquely equip him to provide realistic, yet hopeful insight into the pains of hardship with authenticity, levity, and wit. If you are interested in trying out cope notes, please use this link and use the code imperfect for 10% off of ANY subscription for LIFE! You can connect or follow Johnny on https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnycrowder/ (LinkedIn), on IG at https://www.instagram.com/johnnycrowderlovesyou/ (JohnnyCrowderLovesYou), on https://www.facebook.com/johnnyxcrowder (Facebook) or visit his website copenotes.com. You can also watch Johnny's https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56Zb_TLhPOwandt=174sandab_channel=TEDxTalks (powerful TEDx Talk) and email him directly at johnny@copenotes.com. As it’s currently Movember and a month about men’s mental health, I thought this would be an important episode to share with you during this time. Here is a link to my friend Gautham’s https://ca.movember.com/mospace/13453409?mc=1andutm_medium=shareandutm_source=dynamicandutm_campaign=copy-clipboard (Movember fundraiser link) should you be interested in donating. You can also check out Gautham’s episode which is literally episode number one of this podcast!

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52. Having Conversation About Mental Health With Your Male Friends with Jay Shifman

11/18/2020 67 min 5 sec

How do you have conversations with your guy friends about mental health? How do you ask them if they're feeling suicidal? Do men even have mental health problems? These are questions that I've asked myself and others and a lot of the times it's the same answer... "I don't know". Well today, that changes! On this episode, my guest is Jay Shifman and we talk about substance abuse vs misuse, mental health in male communities, why it’s hard for men to open up, why we need to have conversations about suicide and what society can do to make it easier for men to have these conversations. It's a heavy conversation but it's really important. As it’s currently Movember and a month about men’s mental health, I thought this would be an important episode to share with you during this time. Here is a link to my friend Gautham’s https://ca.movember.com/mospace/13453409?mc=1andutm_medium=shareandutm_source=dynamicandutm_campaign=copy-clipboard (Movember fundraiser link) should you be interested in donating. You can also check out Gautham’s episode which is literally episode number one of this podcast! As for Jay, you can connect with him on FB at https://www.facebook.com/ChooseYourStruggle (ChooseYourStruggle), on IG at https://www.instagram.com/jayshifman/ (JayShifman), on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayshifman/ (Jay Shifman) and website https://www.jayshifman.com/ (jayshifman.com). If you like the episode, make sure to press subscribe, follow, leave a review and message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at Luke@theimperfect pod. I always always want to hear from my listeners and continue the conversation!

Just the TIP | How To Have Conversations With Men About Masculinity thumbnail

Just the TIP | How To Have Conversations With Men About Masculinity

11/13/2020 11 min 49 sec

The language and approach you take when you have conversations with men about masculinity is important. You have to be effective, you can't just try to be right. You may have to talk about the patriarchy vs feminism. You may need to ask them question to probe at their defense mechanism. But mostly important, you need to empathize with their pain. As a reminder, you can sign up for Next Gen Men's next event on masculinity and substance abuse here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/next-gen-men-circle-talks-masculinity-substance-use-tickets-127390760193 (https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/next-gen-men-circle-talks-masculinity-substance-use-tickets-127390760193) Also, it's Movember, and my buddy Gautham is raising money! I donated $50 and it would be great to have more of the Imperfect community work to raise money for his cause. Movember is an organization that raises money to change the narrative around mental health for men. You can https://movember.com/m/13453409?mc=1 (donate to his fund here).

51. How the Patriarchy Harms Men: Getting Boys to Cause Less Harm with Jake Stika thumbnail

51. How the Patriarchy Harms Men: Getting Boys to Cause Less Harm with Jake Stika

11/11/2020 74 min 48 sec

Next Gen Men is redefining what ‘manhood’ means, so that boys and men experience less pain and cause less harm. That is their vision and their mission and it ties in really well to what I'm trying to do with this podcast. On this episode, we discuss the work he’s doing at Next Gen Men, how the patriarchy hurts men, the journey of a young boy, cancel culture vs consequence culture, unlearning, the importance of nuance in these conversations and much much more. You can learn more on their website linked above, and follow them on social media @nextgenmen on https://twitter.com/nextgenmen (Twitter), https://www.instagram.com/nextgenmen/ (Instagram) and https://www.facebook.com/nextgenmen (Facebook). You can also sign up for their next event for men and the connection to substance abuse here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/next-gen-men-circle-talks-masculinity-substance-use-tickets-127390760193 (https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/next-gen-men-circle-talks-masculinity-substance-use-tickets-127390760193) More about Jake: As Next Gen Men's Executive Director, Jake is a passionate speaker and facilitator focused on gender-based issues related to the social and emotional development of young men, the health and well-being of men in communities, and gender equity in workplaces. Jake was named one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40, as well as having earned recognition from Ashoka, the British Council, and the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. He has spoken at the United Nations as part of the Canadian Delegation, and participated in the UN Women Safe Cities Initiative Global Forum. He is also a proud advisor to the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association, Canadian Women and Sport, as well as the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter. Also, it's Movember, and my buddy Gautham is raising money! I donated $50 and it would be great to have more of the Imperfect community work to raise money for his cause. Movember is an organization that raises money to change the narrative around mental health for men. You can https://movember.com/m/13453409?mc=1 (donate to his fund here).

Just the TIP | Why Men Vote For Trump In The Election thumbnail

Just the TIP | Why Men Vote For Trump In The Election

11/06/2020 18 min 56 sec

Just the TIP is back for the second time with my analysis of why men, and more specifically white men, vote for Trump in the election and how we need to have more useful conversations about the entire thing. Feel free to check out this https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/23/opinion/sunday/gender-gap-2020-election.html (opinion article) about it from the New York Times too.

50. The Gay Man in the Straight Marriage with Jim Case thumbnail

50. The Gay Man in the Straight Marriage with Jim Case

11/04/2020 60 min 50 sec

Have you ever wondered what it's like for a gay man to be in a straight marriage? Or what that would look like? If so, this is the conversation you need to hear. Jim was a proud gay man yet in a marriage with a woman for 24 years. What's the deal with that? Well, it was for a few reasons. One of them being survival and the second being not really sure of his journey as a gay man. Jim is now in a relationship with his partner, Michael, who he has been married to for 11 years. Listen to this week's episode to find out more! More about Jim: Jim is the author of "Fear is a Choice: Unraveling the Illusion of Our Separation from Love". A powerful book that looks deep into the evolution of fear in the human experience. Jim has actually signed and sent to me 3 books that I would love to give away to my audience. If you screenshot yourself listening to the episode and tag my instagram, @theimperfectpod in your story, you will be entered to win! So make so to share this episode on IG to get a chance to win this amazing book that will change your relationship with fear.

Just the TIP | How Men Can Understand The Challenges of Women thumbnail

Just the TIP | How Men Can Understand The Challenges of Women

10/30/2020 7 min 59 sec

Follow up Friday AKA Just the TIP is back! That's right, the name might have changed a bit folks. TIP being The Imperfect Pod. I know I know... there is The twice but just let it slide. On this episode I wanted to discuss Amanda's quote about losing her virginity as well as some quotes from Chanel Miller's memoir "Know My Name". I think this 7 minute segment will open your eyes to understanding some of your privileges when it comes to being a man and why we need to do more in lifting up the system to make it safe for women. Let me know what you think on Instagram @theimperfectpod or by email luke@theimperfectpod.com

49. Life After Playboy: How to Own Your Story with Amanda Webster thumbnail

49. Life After Playboy: How to Own Your Story with Amanda Webster

10/28/2020 76 min 49 sec

Trigger warning: Rape This episode with Amanda gets heavy. Amanda is a former Playboy model who was raped at the age of 16. It took a long time and a lot of healing to take back her story and feel empowered again. Part of that healing includes why she went into Playboy in the first place - to once again own her body and power which had been stolen from her. On this episode, we discuss the legacy of Hugh Hefner, her journey with Playboy, the assumptions that come with being a Playboy model, her parent's deaths impact on her, and how she overcame the grief that came as a result of that traumas she faced. With the rape came the loss of power, low self-esteem and a lot of self-hate. This is the story of her healing and how she went from victim to survivor. Here is more about Amanda: "I’m Amanda. After years of therapy, prescriptions, journaling, Yoga and self-help books still left me struggling with unmanageable clinical depression that I masked with drugs, alcohol and self-harm, I stood on the window ledge of a foreign hotel room, ready to end my life. It took a careful and mindful combination of nutrition, fitness and lifestyle changes, but I overcame depression and suicide on my own terms. I have helped countless others make sustainable changes that have drastically improved their mental and physical health and, thus, their lives. It is my personal mission to help as many people as possible whether you’ve tried everything else and you are feeling lost and defeated or you simply want to reach your highest potential of happiness and self-fulfillment." You can connect with Amanda on her https://amandawebsterhealth.com/ (website), follow her Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/amandawebsterhealth/ (amandawebsterhealth) and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-_vo54D0yt2u508ZrqWq2Q (subscribe to her on Youtube)! As always, feel free to message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod or email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com!

48. Why Men Should Think Positively About Feminism with Regina G. Hanson thumbnail

48. Why Men Should Think Positively About Feminism with Regina G. Hanson

10/21/2020 67 min 40 sec

Yes, you can have conversations about manhood and masculinity with a feminist. Why wouldn't you be able to? Realistically, a lot of the beliefs they share are the same, they might just come from a different motivation. On this episode, I talk about all things feminism and manhood with Regina G. Hanson an author and activist. More specifically, we talk about a lot of the intersectionality of manliness and feminism, are we overcorrecting by encouraging women to go into STEM programs, and how the gender stereotypes/women of the home have evolved to what they are today. You can visit Regina's website https://www.personalempowermentpublishing.com/ (Personal Empowerment Publishing) where you can find her book "Racism: The Real Reason I Left The South". I hope you enjoy this episode! As always, feel free to email me at luke@theimperfectpod.com or connect on IG @https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (theimperfectpod)

47. Breaking Down Toxic Masculinity and It's Generational Effects with Cameron Gordon thumbnail

47. Breaking Down Toxic Masculinity and It's Generational Effects with Cameron Gordon

10/14/2020 78 min 4 sec

Toxic masculinity comes in many forms: there is co-dependency, abuse (in any form), assault, violence and more. In this episode with Cameron, we deconstruct the generational traumas that have been created by toxic masculinity - both in this personal life and society at large - and how to have conversations about it. Cameron does some great work in Human Performance Theory and consults and coaches clients in the realm of Toxic Masculinity. He speaks to and teaches businesses, teams and individuals on the powerful rewards that happen when we understand and change our approach to masculinity in our culture, community and personal life. You can find some of the work he has done at Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services on https://aslcs.com/for-men2 (their website).

46. Entering The Job Force As A Young Professional with Keegan Cizikas thumbnail

46. Entering The Job Force As A Young Professional with Keegan Cizikas

10/07/2020 65 min 30 sec

Entering the workforce is hard. As we mention on the episode, when you start your career, that is the start of being at the bottom of the totem pole for quite a while. In high school and in university, you only have to put in 3 years before you're a senior. In the workforce, it takes 10-15 years before you have enough experience that is deemed worthwhile. How do you develop that patience? How do you interact with your colleagues? Can you still be funny? What level of professionalism do you need to be successful? And what kind of culture do you look for when you're looking to start your career? These are some of the questions that we discuss on this episode as well as more. You might be thinking, how is this a masculinity and manhood thing? Well, as someone who has been working for over a year now, I've had many conversations with my female colleagues about their experiences in the office versus their male friends and colleagues. This isn't too in depth of a conversation about that, but it is a start. It sprinkles some concepts about how we can think about our behaviour in the office as well as how we act. I hope to go deeper on this conversation in the future, but for now, I hope you enjoy!

45.2. Conversation with my Dad, Part Two with Jeff West thumbnail

45.2. Conversation with my Dad, Part Two with Jeff West

10/02/2020 65 min 12 sec

This is part two of my two part conversation with my dad. When I first started having these conversations about masculinity and manhood, I knew that I was most nervous to have this conversation with my dad. Why? I think that's the very question I've been on a journey to discover. Why is it so hard for young men to have serious conversations with their fathers? Isn't that the whole point? But throughout most of our lives, we find it easier to have these types of discussions with complete strangers. There's something easier about it. But as we all come to learn - growth comes in the uncomfortable. This is the one year anniversary of the show. 45 episodes in and I finally worked up the courage to ask my dad to be on the show. We talk about 4 different stages of his life. What he was like at my age His relationship with his dad, my grandpa His approach to fatherhood And our relationship as father and son My goal with this episode is to be able to encourage other sons and fathers to continue to build and develop their relationships and have these harder conversations. I've seen an impact on our relationship already (we recorded this 3 weeks before releasing) and I can't wait to continue to nurture that relationship. I hope you enjoy.

45.1. Conversation with my Dad, Part One with Jeff West thumbnail

45.1. Conversation with my Dad, Part One with Jeff West

09/30/2020 67 min 49 sec

This is part one of my two part conversation with my dad. When I first started having these conversations about masculinity and manhood, I knew that I was most nervous to have this conversation with my dad. Why? I think that's the very question I've been on a journey to discover. Why is it so hard for young men to have serious conversations with their fathers? Isn't that the whole point? But throughout most of our lives, we find it easier to have these types of discussions with complete strangers. There's something easier about it. But as we all come to learn - growth comes in the uncomfortable. This is the one year anniversary of the show. 45 episodes in and I finally worked up the courage to ask my dad to be on the show. We talk about 4 different stages of his life. What he was like at my age His relationship with his dad, my grandpa His approach to fatherhood And our relationship as father and son My goal with this episode is to be able to encourage other sons and fathers to continue to build and develop their relationships and have these harder conversations. I've seen an impact on our relationship already (we recorded this 3 weeks before releasing) and I can't wait to continue to nurture that relationship. I hope you enjoy.

44. How to Fight Toxic Masculinity With Kindness and Empathy with Michael Bejani thumbnail

44. How to Fight Toxic Masculinity With Kindness and Empathy with Michael Bejani

09/23/2020 88 min 14 sec

How does experience living in many different countries affect your opinion on masculinity? Can you recover from emotionally and physically abusive relationship with your parents? How helpful is therapy in overcoming your own toxic and unhealthy behaviours? Why can broken relationships be the catalyst for health in your life? What is the relationship between masculinity and alcohol? And lastly, how can you create a healthy relationship with porn? These are all questions that Michael, AKA @https://www.instagram.com/fighttoxicmasculinity/ (fighttoxicmasculinity), and I discuss on this week's episode! It is an amazing conversation about so many battles that men face. If you would like to learn more about Michael, follow hos Instagram account above. It truly is a safe space for conversations about anything mentioned above, in the podcast and more! Also, if you didn't stick around until the end, that's okay. But next week is my one-year anniversary of podcasting!! I know, I can't believe it myself. For that episode, I have recorded my episode with my dad! It's going to be a two part series - one on September 30th, one on October 2nd. This has taken me a long time to have the courage to ask, but we recorded it back on my birthday at my favourite place in the world. It's going to be a special one so make sure to subscribe and follow!

43. Best Practices For Dating Young Women with Wendy Zhang thumbnail

43. Best Practices For Dating Young Women with Wendy Zhang

09/16/2020 86 min 22 sec

As a follow-up episode to number 33 with Jordan Paris where I discuss dating from a young man's perspective, this episode is the same sort of questions from a young woman's perspective. Wendy Zhang is the host of https://open.spotify.com/show/70qHRJyuMIrC511ZWq6Bzl?si=DcInl5uCRma3MMn5Mkr_kg (My Terrible Twenties), a podcast all about navigating that crazy decade of our lives where we are confused and looking for who we want to be. She also, conveniently, went to high school with me! On this episode we discuss some of the same topics that I discussed on the episode with Jordan like first date etiquette and being friends with an ex. We also talk about ways that girls like to be flirted with, hate to be flirted with, why dating apps can be such a struggle, daddy issues and why vulnerable and honest men are attractive. I hope you enjoy the episode! You can connect with Wendy on Instagram @myterribletwenties! You can also connect with me on Instagram @theimperfectpod where you can reach out to me about ANYTHING! And if you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, follow or review or shoot me a note.

42. The Challenges of Dating as an Entrepreneur with Jake Kelfer thumbnail

42. The Challenges of Dating as an Entrepreneur with Jake Kelfer

09/09/2020 62 min 57 sec

Dating is hard enough as it is... but have you ever wondered why dating as an entrepreneur is so hard? Balancing your love life and a business is one of the most challenging things in the world - just ask a lot of entrepreneurs. You have to balance your ambition and focus and the growth of your company with putting in the effort to get to know someone on a deep level and compromise. That's why I was so excited for this conversation with Jake Kelfer! Jake is a lifestyle entrepreneur, life elevator, and coach to ambitious entrepreneurs and freedom seekers helping people create incredibly impactful and profitable businesses. He is the bestselling author of Elevate Beyond and Elevate Your Network, a high-energy motivational speaker, and the founder of the Professional Basketball Combine which helps NBA draft prospects turn their dreams of playing pro basketball into their reality. He and his work have been featured on Forbes, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and many other major media outlets. As you can tell, he is a very busy young man. On this episode, we talk about why being vulnerable is important, why being upfront and aware of what you want is non-negotiable, especially as an entrepreneur, what it's like to pursue your vision, and knowing what you look for in a woman so that you don't waste time. I hope you enjoy it and stick around until the end for how you can get his book! You can connect with Jake on social @jakekelfer! You can also connect with me on Instagram @theimperfectpod where you can reach out to me about ANYTHING! And if you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, follow or review!

41. How to Positively Impacts Boys and Girls with Ty Newberry thumbnail

41. How to Positively Impacts Boys and Girls with Ty Newberry

09/02/2020 61 min 12 sec

On this episode, I speak with Ty Newberry, Executive Director of the Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena. We discuss the work they do in one of the most dangerous cities in the country. We also discuss how important mentorship and discipline is to young boys in the community and the negative stereotypes that persist around fatherhood in African-American communities. We also discuss why they focus so much on young girls and how their programs create positive results such as lower chance of teenage pregnancy, eating disorders and more. The work they're doing is amazing and I'd love it if you could take the time to listen to their story and, in honour of my birthday this weekend, join me in donating to the cause! Here is the link to do so: https://www.fdia.org/donate/ (https://www.fdia.org/donate/) Also, here are some more videos about the work they do as they've produced olympians like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f837AWXQoI (Maame Biney) and have been featured on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ9ThzoYNJk (NBC). More about the organization: Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena is based in Washington, DC, and located in the middle of one of the most challenged and underserved neighborhoods in the city. My guest, Ty Newberry, and his staff work hard to get kids off the street and put them on the ice. This not-for-profit organization makes a positive impact on more than 3,000 inner-city kids each year through its Kids On Ice® programs. No child is turned away for inability to pay, all programming is subsidized, and many kids participate at no cost. Through ice skating, hockey, speed skating and figure skating, kids learn valuable lessons about perseverance, hard work, and resilience. On-ice lessons are supplemented with off-ice enrichment opportunities such as a Study Buddies program, a community garden, mentoring, financial literacy, racism and diversity workshops, and international travel experiences.

Just the TIP | Embracing Empathy and Emotional Intelligence thumbnail

Just the TIP | Embracing Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

08/28/2020 9 min 1 sec

Hey everyone! I am back with my Follow Up Friday series (or #FUF as I like to call it). I missed reflecting on the weeks episodes in this way so I wanted to revive the series and try and bring it back for good! This week, I will be reflecting on Mike Cameron's SOAR method we discussed on this week's episode and how it can help you embrace empathy and emotional intelligence. If you're interested, feel free to listen to the full episode that was released just this past Wednesday as well if you want to hear everything we discussed. Let's GO!!!!!

40. Redefining Badass: How To Become A Better Man with Mike Cameron thumbnail

40. Redefining Badass: How To Become A Better Man with Mike Cameron

08/26/2020 74 min 58 sec

Mike Cameron's life mission is to make men better. When his girlfriend was murdered by an ex-boyfriend in 2015, he took a keen interest in domestic violence prevention and specifically in redefining what it means to be a badass, especially as a man. With that came a shift to discussing what masculinity is and what it means. It meant understanding what the underlying affects of men being emotionally disconnected caused. It meant coming to terms with the fact that he might be part of the problem. And it meant that he had to learn self awareness and emotional intelligence. And now he is helping other men with that mission. On this episode, we discuss all of the above topics as well as emerging ideas of toxic masculinity, #NotAllMen, and why we need to have more empathy for the women in our lives. He also provides a tangible framework that he uses called SOAR that helps men increase their emotional intelligence and self awareness. It offered a lot of real and tangible value to me and I hope it does the same for you! More about Mike: Mike Cameron is a successful entrepreneur who is often invited to speak at a variety of different business events and conferences. Mike is currently the CEO of Axiom Mortgage Partners, a national network of independently owned mortgage brokerages. Mike’s entrepreneurial endeavors over the last 20 years coupled with his love of sport give him a unique perspective and insights into what it takes to succeed in this no-holds-barred world that we live in. Mike’s holistic approach to self improvement is designed to assist business owners, executives and entrepreneurs to get the most out of themselves and their team. With an emphasis on sound principals and philosophies that focus on actually getting things done and help you move to become a ‘doing’ organization. You can find out more about Mike on https://mikecameron.ca/about-me/ (his website) and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1mxagsjmao (watch his Ted Talk) for more!

39. Is Traditional Masculinity Toxic? with John Currie thumbnail

39. Is Traditional Masculinity Toxic? with John Currie

08/19/2020 64 min 2 sec

Modern manhood and traditional masculinity are under attack. There are reasons for this. But are they justified? Are the systems that exist within sports and army culture all bad? Are the criticisms fair? Is patriarchy all bad? Or was it a sign of the times and now we are re-adjusting? How can we create more civil discourse? That's right! On today's episode, we take a bit more of a traditional approach to the conversation of masculinity. I speak with John Currie, a Marine Corps veteran and someone who has put his life on the line for others. He approaches the discussion by dissecting both the pros and cons of a lot of the narrative that is taking place in social circles about the topic of masculinity. We also discuss the importance of seeking mentorship for young men and whose role it is to find mentors. Lastly, we discuss the German word "schadenfreude", the experience of pleasure, joy, or self-satisfaction that comes from learning of or witnessing the troubles, failures, or humiliation of another. We talk about how this term is something we're seeing play out a lot in the current "cancel culture" and social media discourse world. You can learn more about these ideology and practice https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfreude (here). About John! John started a https://duckduckgo.com/?q=semper+savageandatb=v228-1andia=webandiai=r1-0andpage=1andadx=prdsdcandsexp=%7B%22v7exp%22%3A%22a%22%2C%22sltexp%22%3A%22b%22%2C%22prodexp%22%3A%22b%22%2C%22prdsdexp%22%3A%22c%22%2C%22wiadrk%22%3A%22b%22%2C%22langexp%22%3A%22b%22%7D (salad dressing company) called Semper Savage which you can find out more about on their website. You can also https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncurrieconsulting/ (connect with him) on LinkedIn here.

38. How Spirituality Can Chang Your Opinion of Masculinity with Lee Everette thumbnail

38. How Spirituality Can Chang Your Opinion of Masculinity with Lee Everette

08/12/2020 59 min 36 sec

Dealing with mental health is not easy. As someone who has never really struggled with it, I've always been fascinated by the conversation. That's why I was so excited for this podcast with Lee Everett. He is not only a mental health and alignment coach, but he is someone that has struggled with mental health himself - more specifically OCD - which we talk about quite heavily in this episode. We also discuss how the masks that men hide behind in our lives, why mental health diagnoses shouldn't define us, how to manifest greatness, and some more esoteric parts of spirituality. I think it's a very interesting conversation on spirituality, science, mental health, language and more! You can connect with Lee on LinkedIn at Lee Everette where he shares some amazing content. He also has a podcast called Who's Behind The Mask that you can follow on https://open.spotify.com/show/6Vyjg38ILCQHXqciWL2679?si=1MuVrR4-RQ2Y4UywLtpEHA (Spotify) and Apple Podcasts. Let me know what you think of the episode by sending me a message on IG @https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (theimperfectpod) or by connecting with me on LinkedIn at Luke West! Wp2Spt23IANDCPUuUGtn

37. How Goal Setting Can Help Shape Your Life with Tanveer Mostafa thumbnail

37. How Goal Setting Can Help Shape Your Life with Tanveer Mostafa

08/05/2020 45 min 20 sec

Being a victim of bully can make for a hard life. For Tanveer, it came to the point of his house being egged, being verbally bullied and much more. For the first part of his life it was really hard to understand why his life was like that. How could he get out of these moments? When will people start to like me? A lot of teens have these identity problems but it's rare for it to happen to this extreme. However, Tanveer has chosen to learn from it and view it from a perspective of empathy. That those who bully are typically hurt people too. This wasn't always the case though. He used to push this side of himself down. He covered it up by keeping busy and avoiding his emotions and feelings. But also viewed it as an opportunity to prove his bullies wrong. From there, Tanveer developed healthy habits that have led to his continued success at Salesforce and with his podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/blessed-for-success/id1495762327 (Blessed for Success.) You can learn more about Tanveer on https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanveermostafa/ (LinkedIn), by following his https://www.instagram.com/blessedforsuccesspc/ (IG page), and by checking out his http://www.tanveermostafa.com/ (website). I really hope you enjoy this episode and the wisdom of Tanveer at such a young age!

36. How Loving Yourself Makes You a Better Father with Ben Killoy thumbnail

36. How Loving Yourself Makes You a Better Father with Ben Killoy

07/29/2020 69 min 41 sec

The journey to love yourself is a long one and this is an issue we all face. But it’s one that seems rarely talked about in the male community. We talk a lot about ego, confidence, arrogance, but self-love is often forgotten. Why might this be? To be honest, I’m not at all sure. But I do know this: Ben makes about 5/6 quotes about love (of himself and of others) that listening back blew me away. I think this is such a powerful conversation about how men can learn to love themselves DEEPLY. Not just “oh yeah I love myself” (something I myself struggle with) and I think it’s a great listen. Other topics include fatherhood, masculine and feminine energies, and the influence that Tony Robbins had on Ben's life. You can connect with Ben on LinkedIn and subscribe to his podcast https://www.militaryveterandad.com/ (Military Veteran Day) on Spotify or Apple Podcasts as well.

35. How the Porn Industry and Sex Can Affect Men and Masculinity with Erik Everhard thumbnail

35. How the Porn Industry and Sex Can Affect Men and Masculinity with Erik Everhard

07/22/2020 70 min 53 sec

Porn is such an uncomfortable conversation with so many people for so many reasons. Some of those reasons include: shame of performance anxiety; shame about sex or past sexual experiences; meeting the standards we believe society had set; penis size; shame of an addiction; fear of judgement; and much much more. But is porn all that bad? Can we take anything away from actors who have lived that life? Can you have sexual intimacy in a relationship while being a porn star as your profession? Do porn stars think that everyone should be watching porn? This episode is a mix of questions I was curious about asking Erik, as well as some very critical questions and perspectives around this being a job, sexual mastery, and porn as being a negative influence on young men. This had always been a conversation I’ve wanted to have since starting the podcast. I think sex and porn really do have a much larger impact on manhood and masculinity and sexual performance than we think. About Erik: Erik Everhard is one of world’s top male porn stars, having starred in and directed over 3,000 films. Erik is a professional coach and one of the most decorated adult performers of the 21st century. He is a leading authority on sexual and mental techniques which can empower men and bring them success in the bedroom as well as in all other aspects of their lives. In addition to his wealth of practical knowledge, he holds a Masters level certification in Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP). You can find out more about Erik through his https://www.erikeverhard.com/ (website) where you can https://www.amazon.com/Unleash-Your-Sexual-Superpowers-Mastery/dp/1950367320 (pre-order his book), join his https://www.facebook.com/groups/2367323036891595 (Facebook page), and more! And make sure to follow him on Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/erikeverhardofficial/ (erikeverhardofficial) and on Twitter @https://twitter.com/erik_everhard (ERIK_EVERHARD)

34. How To Increase Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence with Alan Stein, Jr. thumbnail

34. How To Increase Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence with Alan Stein, Jr.

07/15/2020 57 min 13 sec

How can you increase self-awareness and emotional intelligence? And what does this have to do with leadership? How can you be in control of your emotions? How can therapy and meditation be used as tools to learn more about yourself? What can we do to turn of the negative self-dialogue we have? These are some of the questions that https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAACAGW5QBxjczLNAJv4A8jV24kBlDbkT4_us (Alan Stein, Jr.) answer's on this week's episode. But we also talk about the stigma of seeking help and counselling and how to have patience with yourself in your growth process. About Alan Stein, Jr: Alan teaches proven strategies to improve organizational performance, create effective leadership, increase team cohesion and collaboration, and develop winning mindsets, rituals, and routines. A successful business owner and veteran basketball performance coach, he spent 15 years working with the highest-performing athletes on the planet (including NBA superstars Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Kobe Bryant). With the skills he acquired in the basketball world, Alan is now a successful Keynote Speaker with client like Pepsi, Starbucks, FDA and many sports programs. He is also the author of the book "https://raiseyourgamebook.com/ (Raise Your Game: High Performance Secrets from the Best of the Best)". Make sure to check out more of his work on his website https://alansteinjr.com/ (here). Make sure to connect with him on all socials @AlanSteinJr as well!

33. The Dating World For Young Men with Jordan Paris thumbnail

33. The Dating World For Young Men with Jordan Paris

07/08/2020 51 min 21 sec

This week's episode is all about the dating world. When it comes to dating, the world seems to be very confused. With access to all the dating apps - all being used for seemingly different purposes - it can be hard to understand everyone's intentions. The age of marriage seems like it has risen substantially. People want to focus on their careers while they are young. Hook up culture has made the dating scene more about "fun" but also leads to a generation that seems to not be able to communicate their true intentions. As feminism continues to grow and women are focused on their careers, who pays for the first date? Do "Nice Guys" really finish last? What does the term friendzone mean? Jordan and I talk about all these things and how young men navigate these spaces. I really hope you enjoy! About Jordan: https://jordanparis.com/ (Jordan Paris) is a 22-year-old author, podcast host, and entrepreneur featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Men’s Health, Yahoo! Finance, and Market Watch. Jordan’s podcast, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growth-mindset-university/id1372479190 (Growth Mindset University), is ranked #6 in Apple’s Self-Improvement category, #3 in the Training category, #5 in the How-To category. In Education, one of Apple’s most competitive categories, the show was ranked #15. The show is also ranked highly in 40+ countries worldwide. On the show, he interviews young up-and-comers and the most successful people on planet earth like James Altucher, Grant Cardone, Robert Greene, Mark Manson, Dan Millman, Ryan Serhant, Dean Graziosi, and Naveen Jain. Jordan is the founder and creative director of Trend Up Media, a one-stop podcast agency that produces profitable podcasts to help businesses grow in both profit and influence. His approach to life and business is simple yet powerful: Don’t make a living, design a life. With this creator’s mentality, Jordan has been able to produce outstanding results for himself and challenge others to rise above circumstances, break the mold of society, and take control of their lives. You can connect with Jordan on https://www.instagram.com/i.am.jordan.paris/ (Instagram), https://www.facebook.com/JordanTParis (Facebook), https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordantparis/ (LinkedIn) and more. And make sure to tune into his podcast!

32. Questioning What You Think About Masculinity with Timothy Wenger thumbnail

32. Questioning What You Think About Masculinity with Timothy Wenger

07/01/2020 53 min 12 sec

Timothy is a photographer, writer, business consultant, and a lover of living life. He founded The Man Effect out of a desire to find answers for what it means to be a man, this sent him literally around the world. This journey has not stopped and he continues to press on and create a conversation around what does it mean to be a man. On this episode, we discuss how themes of masculinity transcend cultures or take different forms in different cultures, how to confront ideas of masculinity straight on, and why the definition of masculinity masculinity will never truly exist. His project of travelling the world to discover these ideas is a long-term goal of mine and this podcast. So it was really cool to speak with him about his journey and process. There's a lot of wisdom packed into this episode so I hope you enjoy. You can follow his blog http://themaneffect.com/ (The Man Effect), follow https://www.instagram.com/themaneffect/ (his Instagram), and follow his https://www.facebook.com/themaneffect/ (Facebook page) for more insights! I hope you enjoy the episode!

31. The Power of Empathy In Your Life's Journey with Jason Lee thumbnail

31. The Power of Empathy In Your Life's Journey with Jason Lee

06/24/2020 47 min 39 sec

Why is empathy so important in the discussion of masculinity? For one, it's important to understand but also interpret back another person's feelings. But it also allows you to walk in their shoes and understand how they feel. For Jason, Empathy is at the core of the work he does with Jubilee Media as the CEO. Jubilee is a digital media company that believes in the power of empathy for human good. With over 5 million subscribers, Jubilee is creating a global movement. Some of the topics we discuss on this week's episode include why Jubilee discusses the topic of masculinity so much, the importance of empathy in the masculine journey, how we've created unhealthy systems of manhood and dating, and the grey area in conversations about consent. They are one of the inspirations behind me starting this podcast in the first place, and they've done many many many videos talking about masculinity which I have linked bellow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccin6oZfTyI (Spectrum with NFL Player) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_5F4rWtemwandt=2s (Do All Men Think The Same?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOUGNGWmN0kandt=4s (Men's Rights and Feminists) and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E37swnRU2fs (Feminists and Non-Feminists) You can find Jason on https://www.instagram.com/jasonylee_/?hl=en (Instagram) and https://twitter.com/jasonylee_?lang=en (Twitter) at @jasonylee_ and you can find all of Jubilee's videos https://www.youtube.com/user/jubileeProject (here). Jason has also given a Ted Talk on following your dreams which you can find https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCY_k3uka1E (here). If you want to join a group of other Jubilee fans, you can find their https://www.facebook.com/groups/407942859721012/ (FB group here)! Lastly, https://blacklivesmatter.carrd.co/ (here) is a link to BLM donations and petitions in order to continue the mission. I hope you enjoy the episode!

30. Growing Up in Foster Care with Roman Roberts thumbnail

30. Growing Up in Foster Care with Roman Roberts

06/17/2020 90 min 1 sec

What is it like to be raised in foster care and how does that affect a young person's confidence? What is the difference between a good and bad foster care home? How do alcohol and pill addictions affect your life? And how can the military save you, shape you, but also hurt you? These are all themes that Roman and I discuss on this week's episode. As a man who had been through foster care, the military, and had an affair on his wife, Roman's story fascinated me when he reached out, and I thank him so much for his authenticity and transparency of his story. I really enjoyed this conversation with Roman Roberts and how he lives by the words of his wife “you can’t have a testimony without a test”. And I’m so thankful that Roman reached out to me and shared his test! You can find Roman on LinkedIn at Roman Roberts, and you can hear more of his story on his video podcast Real Talk with Roman which you can find https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu7Qir_0qdwHHQieIp47dTg (here). I hope you enjoy!

29. Reflecting on Black Lives Matter as a White Man thumbnail

29. Reflecting on Black Lives Matter as a White Man

06/10/2020 28 min 39 sec

This past week I've been more angry than I can remember. With everything going on regarding Black Lives Matter, it was an emotionally exhausting week. But I must remember that, as a white man, four days of anger is nothing compared to those in my life that have felt this anger their entire lives. This episode is a reflection on the past week, what's been going through my mind, how we can continue the conversation, this podcast's role in that conversation and more. It's also a conversation about how white men need to be allies, how I've worked in my life to fix racist thoughts when I have them, and why it's not okay for white people to tell black people how to protest. Here are https://blacklivesmatter.carrd.co/ (links) that you can use to donate to the cause or sign petitions, depending on what you think is most important. We will get back to the "usual" programming next week, but I felt this was an important conversation to have with myself and my audience and how I can be better moving forward. Thanks for listening!

28. Fraternities and Masculinity with Jordan Gross thumbnail

28. Fraternities and Masculinity with Jordan Gross

06/03/2020 53 min 5 sec

Hey everyone, I know it's a crazy time right now but I wanted to make sure I was posting consistently on my podcast. But before going into who my guest is here, I wanted to link to a thread of some great organizations that have been doing amazing work during the protests and #blacklivesmatter movement. Please feel free to donate if you can here. Now onto the episode. This conversation with Jordan is a surface level look at fraternities and his experiences participating in them in university. As someone who has always had an unfair judgement of them, I wanted to challenge my views on them. The way they are presented in movies isn't 100% accurate and I know I have unfair thoughts about them. Jordan, being a guy who was in one in America, shares his experiences with them and how they helped form his identity in both positive and negative ways! I hope you enjoy and make sure to connect with Jordan on LinkedIn here. Jordan is a Northwestern and Kellogg School of Management graduate, a startup founder, a 2x TEDx speaker, and a #1 best-selling author. His new book, The Journey to Cloud Nine, provides a new approach to the personal development world by using fictional storytelling to reveal some of life's most meaningful principles. Jordan has been blazing new trails for people around the world, and he cannot wait to share this with all of you! You can find his book on amazon here.

Just the TIP | The Power of Psychology in Overcoming Alcoholism thumbnail

Just the TIP | The Power of Psychology in Overcoming Alcoholism

05/29/2020 9 min 57 sec

Follow up Friday is back this week! I wanted to discuss this week's episode with Andrew Metz and two important things that stood out to me: the oddity of the conversations we have around quitting alcohol and how leaders can win big or completely fail! I want to get back into these as they allow me to reflect on this week's episode and share my own voice a bit more. I hope you enjoy :)

27. How to Quit Drinking with Andrew Metz thumbnail

27. How to Quit Drinking with Andrew Metz

05/27/2020 61 min 29 sec

Drinking and alcohol intake can often be seen as a taboo topic. Binge drinking, over indulgence, and debauchery are typically what we think is "too much". But what if you're just having casual drinks everyday? Is that such a bad thing? For Andrew, it's not that it was bad, but he realized that it wasn't serving him. There are many reasons he quit alcohol: Health and well being, realizing it wasn't pushing him towards his goals, but the large picture was that he realized that his kids were watching his every move. As such, he decided to quite once and for all. For Andrew, it wasn't really a long process. He read a book and within a few days and made the decision to stop drinking. There were awkward moments along the way including fear of judgement from his friends, being in a sales culture where that behaviour can be encouraged, and even growing up in Milwaukee culture which is heavily influenced by the beer industry. But he decided to stick with his guns and document his journey of quitting alcohol. In our conversation we talk about his grandfathers impact on his life, why he chose to quit alcohol, fatherhood, what leadership is, and how anyone can take active steps to take a step beyond their vice. About Andrew: In a little over a decade Andrew Metz has risen from an entry level lead generation position to vice president, overseeing all new business generation and a team of 30 at a SaaS based InsureTech company in Milwaukee, WI. Andrew’s tremendous hard work, desire for continuous learning and improvement, generosity and humility have earned him recognition as a catalyst for growth within his organization. Metz invests in the people around him and inspires and encourages them to attain their own personal bests. His willingness to share the early lessons of his business career and personal mistakes make him a remarkable public speaker. His abilities have resulted in regular speaking requests from UWM’s Lubar School of Business, Marquette University’s School of Communication and local high schools. His generosity and accomplishments post-graduation from UW-Milwaukee has earned him “Graduate of the Last Decade” award from his alma mater. Metz is active on LinkedIn always sharing personal and business lessons through humor and entertaining story telling. You can connect with Andrew on https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-metz-sales/ (LinkedIn) or through his http://www.andrewmetz.net/my-story/ (website)! And as allows, if you want to see tidbits of the show, feel free to follow me on IG @theimperfectpod. This episode was recorded on video so you will get to see some exclusive video content there!

26. How Asking Questions Can Provide Clarity with Brian Morgan thumbnail

26. How Asking Questions Can Provide Clarity with Brian Morgan

05/20/2020 57 min 13 sec

Understanding who we are is something that we all struggle with. But does it have to be? How do we start? For myself, I've always understood that asking questions is the key to unlocking who we are. But how do you ask the RIGHT questions? And that's what fascinated me so much about Brian. On this podcast, you will hear about making mistakes, human psychology, and how you become the person you are! Brian Morgan is the President of Think Deeply, Write Clearly, a writing training organization that focuses on improving corporate reports and communications, as well as marketing and content deliverables. But on a personal level, Brian is a great question asker. So on this episode, we kind of take a different approach where Brian flips a lot of questions around on me and I'm able to share a bit more about my life and perspectives! More about Brian: Brian was the 16+ year managing editor of one of New York City's premier planning and engineering firm, and he is also a professor at 2 NYC-area colleges. You can connect with him on https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmorganthinkdeeplywriteclearly/ (LinkedIn) and visit his company's website https://www.thinkdeeplywriteclearly.com/ (here). And as always, don't forget to subscribe or leave a review on iTunes! Hope you enjoy!

25. The Challenges of Being a Woman in the Military with Amanda Huffman thumbnail

25. The Challenges of Being a Woman in the Military with Amanda Huffman

05/13/2020 49 min 0 sec

What is it like to be a woman in the military? Is the culture of the military changing and becoming more accepting of female leadership? How is the importance of have male allies in supporting women? How much more did she have to prove herself and her toughness while being deployed? These are all topics that discuss on this week's episode. I am extra excited because Amanda is my first female guest! Yes, I know. Masculinity and manhood is not ONLY a men's discussion. Women can talk about it for hours and have deep insights into it. Especially working in a male dominated industry like the military and the importance of loving fathers in their lives, which we also talk about! This week's guest is Amanda Huffman. Amanda is a military spouse and veteran who served in the Air Force for six years as a Civil Engineer including a deployment to Afghanistan. She traded in her combat boots for a diaper bag to stay home with her two boys and follow her husband’s military career. She published her first book in 2019 titled https://www.amazon.com/Women-Military-Compilation-Stories-American/dp/1079328440/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=women+of+the+militaryandqid=1580841656andsr=8-1 (Women of the Military), sharing the stories of 28 military women. In 2019 she also launched her podcast also titled http://www.airmantomom.com/podcast/ (Women of the Militar)http://www.airmantomom.com/podcast (y). On the podcast there has been representation from all five military branches and featured stories from the 23rd Secretary of the Air Force, the Women Air Force Service Pilots to present day. You can learn more about Amanda at her blog http://www.airmantomom.com/ (Airman to Mom). You can connect with Amanda on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Patreon. And as always, don't forget to subscribe or leave a review on iTunes!

24. How Men Can Overcome Their Body Issues with Adam Pecoraro thumbnail

24. How Men Can Overcome Their Body Issues with Adam Pecoraro

05/06/2020 44 min 0 sec

Why is it that body building can get such a bad wrap? Is it healthy to come at fitness from an angle of insecurity? How can you get over your daily battle with food and the struggles that come with it? Can therapy be good for your business, not just your personal life? What do you do if you don't feel like you fit in? These are all questions and topics we discuss on this week's episode of (im)perfect! These week's guest is Adam Pecoraro. Adam is a fitness coach who helps people loss weight and fat and build strength and health! He’s also doing some amazing things with at home workouts right now. He has a podcast himself called “The Fittest Guy in the Office” so if that’s something that interests you, feel free to check him out on all streaming platforms. You can also find him on TikTok @thefitadam for some great fitness techniques and hilarious mythbusters and on Instagram @thefitadam for more content! Lastly, he is very active on LinkedIn as well at https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefitadam/ (Adam Pecoraro) If you enjoyed this episode, please let me know by reaching out on LinkedIn at Luke West, on IG @theimperfectpod, or leave a review on iTunes!

23. Managing A Business and Leading A Family with Armando Cruz thumbnail

23. Managing A Business and Leading A Family with Armando Cruz

04/29/2020 52 min 13 sec

How do you run a business with your wife and stay in a healthy relationship? How do you recover from a mid-life crisis? Why is it important to know the kind of woman you're looking for? What can entrepreneurs do to feel less trapped by the product and business they create? And how can men show up in their marriages and families more actively? All these topics will be discussed on this week's episode with Armando Cruz. Armando is a husband, father, adventurer, author,ultra-marathoner, lifestyle physical therapist, and legacy coach. Armando helps growth-minded, married men live happier, more connected, and more fulfilled lives. He does this with his immersive coaching program that helps men show up powerfully in their marriage, in their health, in their business,and in their purpose. Armando's unique approach helps strip away the clutter both internally and externally that is stopping men from showing up daily as the greatest and grandest version of who they are for themselves, their family, and their legacy. Armando has climbed mountains, run over 50 miles in a day (I haven't even ran 50 miles in my life) in swamps filled with snakes and alligators, has lived out of his car, and has surfed in hurricanes, but his biggest adventure has been fatherhood. He is the creator of the Cleanse and Renewal Program, the Modern Man Virtual Summit, and the R.I.C.H. Man Experience. He is the co-owner of Cruz Country Fitness and Physical Therapy with his wife, Christian. If you enjoyed this episode, please let me know by reaching out on LinkedIn at Luke West, on IG @theimperfectpod, or leave a review on iTunes! Armando can be contacted through emailor online at: Email: acruz@cruzcountry.com Website: http://www.armandocruz.com/ (ArmandoCruz.com) Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thearmandocruz/ (thearmandocruz) Twitter: https://twitter.com/Armando_Cruz (armando_cruz) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cruzarmando/ (Armando Cruz)

Just the TIP | How to Build Your Legacy thumbnail

Just the TIP | How to Build Your Legacy

04/24/2020 5 min 14 sec

As I continue on my journey, I want to start implementing more of the practices I learn from the men I interview on a weekly basis. For this week, I had Clay Smeltzer on who talked about owning your stuff, loving your story and living with purpose. Well this week, I owned a piece of myself posting a body photo on Instagram for the first time with the caption about how I've felt insecure because of my body my entire life. It was weighing heavy on my heart to do and I had to put it into action and I did! And it wouldn't have been possible without the lessons I've learned along the way. Follow Up Friday where I take one clip or soundbite from this week's episode and respond to it. I wanted to reflect a bit more on my recordings and thought this was the perfect way to go about doing it. It allows me to analyze what my guest said, what I said, go deeper into topics, or just be like "wow this was a horrible take, Luke". Anyways, here is the latest episode! Let me know what you think over at @theimperfectpod on IG!

22. How Men Can Find Their Purpose and Create Legacy with Clay Smeltzer thumbnail

22. How Men Can Find Their Purpose and Create Legacy with Clay Smeltzer

04/22/2020 69 min 56 sec

How can men find their purpose in life? How can we discover our identity? At heaven's gate, will we recognize the man we are supposed to become? This episode is all about dreaming about the man you are trying to become and how we can build our legacy everyday. Clay Smeltzer is a man who owns himself, loves his story, and lives with purpose. He does this as a Man, husband, father, teacher, baseball coach, author, speaker, and with his company Purpose Infused Coaching. Clay has lived a pretty normal life nothing fancy and nothing too out of the ordinary. He followed what he was supposed to follow, did what he was supposed to do but at the age of 35 sat on a couch next to his wife having a panic attack over a TV show. With everything going great around him he still felt lost, floating, ashamed, and not where he expected himself to be in life at 35. There were two roads derived in the woods and he chose the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference. You can find Clay on LinkedIn at Clayton Smeltzer, at his website, http://www.purposeinfusedcoaching.com/ (www.purposeinfusedcoaching.com), and on Instagram at @clay_smeltzer. If you enjoyed this episode, please let me know by reaching out on LinkedIn at Luke West, on IG @theimperfectpod, or leave a review on iTunes!

21. Why Rites of Passage are Important with Jason Vana thumbnail

21. Why Rites of Passage are Important with Jason Vana

04/15/2020 71 min 2 sec

During this time, it is hard to feel hope. Even pre-COVID it was hard. For young men, we can really feel lost as we navigate life. Why might this be? Jason's theory? One key aspect of it is the idea of having a verbal right of passage. A real life declaration that "you are a man". In his religion, that means a type of Father's Blessing. When this happens is really important. It is has roots in tribal cultures but it all comes around from being told that you are ready for the world. And I think that's really important for men to hear. To know that we are ready. To have the trust that we are ready. Otherwise, we feel lost throughout our entire lives. I really hope you enjoy this conversation with Jason. Jason is the owner of SHFT Marketing, a brand and marketing consultation firm that helps small and growing businesses generate leads and increase revenue with custom marketing strategies. He also runs Ignite, a nonprofit geared to helping youth and young adults find their identity and live out their calling both in the U.S. and in Europe. He is a dog dad to a rescue pitbull, an avid lover of coffee, and Superman in disguise. You can find Jason on LinkedIn at Jason Vana, on Instagram at @jasonpaulvana, on TikTok @jasonpaulvana or on Twitter @jasonvana If you enjoyed this episode, please let me know by reaching out on LinkedIn at Luke West, on IG @theimperfectpod, or leave a review on iTunes!

20. The Habits and Values You Need to Succeed with Marques Ogden thumbnail

20. The Habits and Values You Need to Succeed with Marques Ogden

04/08/2020 38 min 43 sec

In this week's episode we have Marques Ogden. Marques is an Ex-NFL player, husband, father of two daughters, and a keynote speaker. In this episode, we talk a lot about his childhood and how he was raised by a single father and how that shaped his life. We also discuss the habit and values that are important for young men to succeed, the mental strength you need to survive the NFL, the importance of communication in relationships and marriage, and how he has grown as a father. At the age 27, Marques also founded a construction company called Kayden Premier Enterprises. The company had fast growth and in 2010, Marques won The African American Subcontractor of the Year Award in the state of Maryland. Eventually his business went bankrupt, losing almost 2 million dollars on one project in a matter of 90 days. During his darkest hours, he pulled himself together, got a part-time job as a custodian and with hard work and determination became an inspirational keynote speaker, and business leader. Where you can find Marques: Instagram: @marquesogden Website: https://marquesogden.com/ (https://marquesogden.com/) Youtube: Marques Ogden Book: https://www.amazon.com/Success-Cycle-Achieving-Goals-Business/dp/1642931748 (The Success Cycle: 3 Keys for Achieving Your Goals in Business and Life)

Just the TIP | Own Your Culture thumbnail

Just the TIP | Own Your Culture

04/03/2020 9 min 54 sec

When you grow up in a culture that makes fun of your traditional culture, it's not easy to embrace that side of you. You learn to hate it. To distance yourself from it. To refuse that you are that. For Savantloup, it was much of the same thing. He hated the fact that he was Sri Lankan because no one celebrated that side of him. As such, he became "white washed". He hated that he was brown. He wished he was white or black. However, that has recently changed. He grew to want to learn more about that side of himself and even the "SL" in his name represents his home country. It hasn't been an easy process, but this is something that happens to so many immigrants, and we as a society need to learn how to help our friends and fellow people be comfortable with who they really are, rather than shaming them for it! Follow Up Friday where I take one clip or soundbite from this week's episode and respond to it. I wanted to reflect a bit more on my recordings and thought this was the perfect way to go about doing it. It allows me to analyze what my guest said, what I said, go deeper into topics, or just be like "wow this was a horrible take, Luke". Anyways, here is the latest episode! Let me know what you think over at @theimperfectpod on IG!

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19. How to Make A Difference With Your Art and Creativity with Savantloup

04/01/2020 84 min 13 sec

To Savantloup, his art is more than just rapper and it's more than just music. Born and raised in Toronto, Savantloup has been exposed to a wide variety of musical influences from around the world, which directly relates to the city’s multicultural demographic. Using the music theory he’s acquired through years of experience playing various instruments, Savantloup has been able to successfully integrate techniques from different musical backgrounds. From performing concertos at 11, to helping lead his congregation at 13, he has been immersed in music from a young age. With this is mind, he looks to generate a sound that matches his upbringing and cultural influence. His goal is to bring together people from all walks of life, and he hopes to be a source of inspiration, especially to those who feel that their voices are not always heard. With this, Savantloup is trying to change the game the way he knows best. Attempting to stand out and compete in a sport with many greats. He wants to go beyond that which is known and be a voice for many. On this episode, we talk racism, the importance of standing up for yourself, how to make music that makes you proud and the journey of trying to become one of the best. It's real talk about loneliness, doubt, pressure, learning, ego and growth. Stick around until the end for his music. Also, you can find Savantloup and his music on Apple Music and Spotfy and on Instagram @Savantloup.

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Just the TIP | Why Are Asian Men Seen As Less Masculine?

03/27/2020 9 min 22 sec

Why is it that Asian men are seen as "weak" in Western Culture? Is it the lack of representation in media? Is it because they are seen as thin/beta? Is it because of their "timidness"? Why are they always seen as nerds and doctors rather than as sexy and heroic? These are some of the themes of this week's Follow Up Friday where I take a small clip from this week's episode, play it back, and then share my thoughts on it. This is definitely something I want to have an entire podcast episode in the future, but for now, this roughly 5 minute clip will have to do! Let me know what you think over at @theimperfectpod on IG!

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18. How Being An Introvert Can Affect Your Self Image with Godwin Chan

03/25/2020 37 min 56 sec

On this episode, Godwin and I discuss how being an introvert can reflect your image of masculinity in both positive and negative ways. We also discuss his podcast, https://open.spotify.com/show/7eWFM8KvuVliqBPY502qtt?si=RCEIb7--R4-DkaFSC-2gWQ (Digital Introverts), therapy, how you can uncouple rewards and self-esteem, being an Asian man in a Western culture, and the affects of COVID-19 on racism. Godwin is a recent grad with over three years of experience in nonprofit organization management, event planning, and molecular biology and bioinformatics research. He is currently the Assistant Event Manager of Discover Your Personal Brand (DYPB), a startup that offers personal branding events, development, training, and resources to empower working professionals to kickstart and maintain their personal brand journey. He is also writing his first book, titled “Digital Introverts: Why Today's Most Successful Individuals Harness Introversion to Thrive," which is expected to be published in December 2020. You can find or contact Godwin at any of the following: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/godwinhschan Twitter: twitter.com/godwinhschan Instagram: instagram.com/godwinhschan Facebook: facebook.com/godwinhschan Medium: medium.com/@godwinhschan Podcast: linktr.ee/digiintroshow YouTube: youtube.com/user/godwinhoksumchan If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy the episode!

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Just the TIP | What is Toxic Masculinity?

03/13/2020 8 min 31 sec

This episode of Follow Up Friday is about Toxic Masculinity and trying to decode what it even means. The term is thrown around so loosely and can make good men feel isolated. However, we need to take a harder look in the mirror about whether or not we are part of it and how we can help men get out of it! Hey (im)perfect listeners. Welcome to my series called Follow Up Friday where I take one clip or soundbite from this week's episode and respond to it. I wanted to reflect a bit more on my recordings and thought this was the perfect way to go about doing it. It allows me to analyze what my guest said, what I said, go deeper into topics, or just be like "wow this was a horrible take, Luke". Anyways, here is the first episode! Let me know what you think over at @theimperfectpod on IG!

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17. Screw Being Shy: How to Overcome Social Isolation with Mark Metry

03/11/2020 49 min 42 sec

On this episode, Mark Metry and I discuss his experiences with social isolation, suicidal thoughts, success, toxic masculinity and his upcoming book titled "Screw Being Shy: Learn How to Manage Social Anxiety and Be Yourself in Front of Anyone" which is available for pre-order https://www.amazon.com/Screw-Being-Shy-Anxiety-Yourself-ebook/dp/B0851NFSZW/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=screw+being+shy+mark+metryandqid=1583324694andsr=8-1 (here). Mark Metry is a Tedx speaker and hosts a global, top 100 podcast called "https://www.markmetry.com/humans-2-0-podcast (Humans 2.0)", where he interviews some of the worlds top minds including Mark Manson, Seth Godin, Marc Randolph and more! His book comes out on March 14th and I highly recommend purchasing it. You can find him on LinkedIn at Mark Metry, on IG at MarkMetry, as well as his website https://www.markmetry.com/ (here). If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy the episode!

Just the TIP | You Are Enough thumbnail

Just the TIP | You Are Enough

03/06/2020 5 min 39 sec

Hey (im)perfect listeners. Here's episode two of my new series called Follow Up Friday where I take one clip or soundbite from this week's episode and respond to it. I wanted to reflect a bit more on my recordings and thought this was the perfect way to go about doing it. It allows me to analyze what my guest said, what I said, go deeper into topics, or just be like "wow this was a horrible take, Luke". Anyways, here is the first episode! Let me know what you think over at @theimperfectpod on IG! The intro music is by @Savantloup, podcast coming out March 18th. Thanks for tuning in.

16. How To Overcome Bullying with Troy Rice thumbnail

16. How To Overcome Bullying with Troy Rice

03/04/2020 54 min 39 sec

How do you recover from being bullied at a young age? How do you learn that you are enough? What can young men do to learn empathy? How can young men and children learn patience? On this episode, Troy and I go deep into conversations about marriage, bullying, growth mindset and more. You can find Troy on Instagram @troyricemi or on LinkedIn at Troy Rice. You can also find out more about him and his companies at https://www.troy-rice.com/ (https://www.troy-rice.com/) and https://www.farmbrigge.com/ (https://www.farmbrigge.com/) If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy the episode!

Just the TIP | Anger thumbnail

Just the TIP | Anger

02/28/2020 9 min 30 sec

Hey (im)perfect listeners. I'm starting a new series called Follow Up Friday where I take one clip or soundbite from this week's episode and respond to it. I wanted to reflect a bit more on my recordings and thought this was the perfect way to go about doing it. It allows me to analyze what my guest said, what I said, go deeper into topics, or just be like "wow this was a horrible take, Luke". Anyways, here is the first episode! Let me know what you think over at @theimperfectpod on IG! Thanks for tuning in.

15. Balancing Feminine and Masculine Traits with Ahmad Jabbir thumbnail

15. Balancing Feminine and Masculine Traits with Ahmad Jabbir

02/26/2020 37 min 30 sec

Are there still spaces for men to come together on their own? What are the benefits of male models? Do those who are distant have the same effect on us? What is the significance of feminine and masculine energy balances? These are just a few of the topics discussed on this episode. If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy the episode!

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Media Monday: Reviewing Born A Crime by Trevor Noah

01/31/2020 10 min 28 sec

Starting this Friday I'm starting my new series Media Friday which reviews one form of media that I consumed that week that relates to masculinity (or just something fun that I learned to be honest). On this episode, I talk about Trevor Noah's book: Born A Crime. A fascinating memoir about his time growing up in apartheid South Africa. It's funny, it's sad and it's reflective! I've never read a book that covers language and race so intriguingly and self-assured. Definitely a must-read for everyone interested in what it's like to grow up black, not just in South Africa, but in the States as well. I'm sure the experiences are much similar! If you have any ideas for what I should review next, shoot me a message on IG at @theimperfectpod. Until then, see you next Wednesday for a conversation about #BellLetsTalk and mental health!

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14. Conversations with Myself: Reflecting on the First 14 Episodes

01/22/2020 21 min 0 sec

After 13 episodes of (im)perfect, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on the good, the bad, and the future of the podcast. There's been a lot to think about. A lot of amazing discussions with friends. And a lot of ideas I have in my head. It's been hard to balance it all with work and still living my life, but I'm excited about the future of this podcast and the guests I'm currently speaking with about having on. It's only going up from here but is going to take a lot more dedication and time to fill these podcasts with guests. I'm excited to bring new ideas like Friday Media to light where I will be discussing some sort of media I watched, read or experienced throughout my week and making my conversations more theme-oriented rather than general discussions! Tag along for the ride. I believe 2020 will see amazing things :)

13. Why Family Is So Important In Shaping Young Men with Rene Klein-Horseman thumbnail

13. Why Family Is So Important In Shaping Young Men with Rene Klein-Horseman

01/15/2020 85 min 5 sec

How important is a young man's relationship with his father? How does divorce affect his growth? What are the impacts of traditionalist thinking on a young man? Is blood really thicker than water? Who's role is it to create stronger relationships with their parents? Or our siblings? And what does it mean to contribute to the home as an adult? These are just a few of the topics we discuss in this episode of the (im)perfect podcast! If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy the episode!

12.2. How The Church Is Failing Men with Jonathan Bello thumbnail

12.2. How The Church Is Failing Men with Jonathan Bello

01/10/2020 40 min 27 sec

How important has mentorship been in Jonathan's life? How have other men supported him in his journey? What have been some of the strengths that the church has provided young men? What about the weaknesses? Why does the church think that they hold more say over the sanctity and values of marriage when the failure rate is just as high in the church as outside? These are some of the questions that we discuss on part two of this episode. I hope you enjoy our conversation about some of these insanely personal topics, our "truths", and how we take a critical objective and subjective views of our experiences. If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy the episode!

12.1. Overcoming Sex Addiction and Pornography with Jonathan Bello thumbnail

12.1. Overcoming Sex Addiction and Pornography with Jonathan Bello

01/08/2020 54 min 57 sec

Is too much sex a bad thing? What have been some of the effects of pornography in us and some of our friend's lives? Why is the church so scared of discussing the meaning and relationship we have with sex and our bodies? What does sex education mean anymore and who is in charge of it's teaching? In part one of this episode, Jonathan and I discuss his sex and drug addiction and how it played a huge impact on his relationships with women in his young adult and formative years. We discuss the impact of pornography. The culture of clubbing. And how partying like a rockstar, dating apps and playing the "game" affected his relationship with sex and himself. Through his coming to Christianity, he feels like a changed man and has re-learned what it means to be a man and treat women and himself in healthy ways. I hope you enjoy our conversation about some of these insanely personal topics, our experiences and our "truths", and how we take a critical objective and subjective view of how the Church has failed in so many aspects of teaching young men and women about sex, drugs, and pornography. If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy the episode!

11. Owning Yourself and Overcoming Loss with Noah Gould thumbnail

11. Owning Yourself and Overcoming Loss with Noah Gould

01/01/2020 67 min 47 sec

What does being a male cheerleader teach you about your masculinity? How did being the youngest of 4 shape your life? How do you deal with the death of a parent? Why did you quit work to support your sister's political career? How can we remove our judgments of people to see who they really are? These are just some of the questions I discuss with Noah on the "eppy" of the podcast. Noah is one of the kindest and most genuine people I've ever met and I really hope you take away something from this episode. Happy Holidays everyone! If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy the episode!

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10. Being Gay In A Religious, Immigrant Family with Jofo Domingo

12/18/2019 65 min 3 sec

How hard was it to be gay at an all-male school? What are the challenges you face in your coming-out story growing up in a Catholic home? What are some ways you can build better relationships with your parents despite these differences? On this episode, Jofo and I go deeper into all of these questions, trying to navigate how you can "agree to disagree, agreeably". A bit about the guest: Jofo is a great friend of mine that I've known very well for the last 5 years. We lived together in our first and third year of university. We've been through a lot together. We've seen each other at our worst and at our best but we still support each other through it all as we know we're both driven to be the best we can be. It was great to sit down and discuss some really personal things with him. Excited for you to hear! If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy the episode!

9. The Impact of Divorce on Young Men with Scott Berty thumbnail

9. The Impact of Divorce on Young Men with Scott Berty

12/11/2019 94 min 41 sec

Why are men teased and made fun of for being sensitive and emotional? How does divorce affect young men? How can selfishness lead to happiness for everyone? These are some of the topics that Scott and I talk about on our episode. A bit about the guest: Scott Berty is the Chief Growth Officer of Trufan, https://www.trufan.io/ (www.trufan.io), helping brands activate grassroots communities of super fans and micro-influencers with data. We met about 3 years ago through LinkedIn and have stayed close ever since. I was so excited to have him on my podcast as he was one of the first people and encouragers behind this mission. It was great to sit down and discuss some really personal things with him. Excited for you to hear! If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy the episode!

8. The Power of Good Fathers with Pablo Milandu thumbnail

8. The Power of Good Fathers with Pablo Milandu

12/04/2019 67 min 16 sec

On this episode, Pablo and I go deeper into our conversation creating things we're passionate about, mental health, and the importance of fathers and mentorship in a young man's life. Pablo also talks about growing up in the Rexdale neighbourhood and how that affected him and his friends and how he’s constantly trying to dig deeper into himself with meditation, reading and creativity. Pablo's honesty, sincerity, and soft-spokeness is endearing. He clearly is self-reflective in all aspects of his life which allows him to give a lot of authentic and clear opinions about how he sees his life and how accountability has been one of his biggest assets. If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy the episode!

7. How Experiencing Homelessness Can Affect A Young Man with Olaf Bujny thumbnail

7. How Experiencing Homelessness Can Affect A Young Man with Olaf Bujny

11/13/2019 75 min 21 sec

This is by far the most personal episode yet. Olaf goes into depth about his relationship with his parents, his love for bodybuilding, and how he has been affected by periods of homelessness in his life. Olaf shares the raw emotions he has felt throughout his life and how much power and determination it's taken to get where he is now. At the end of this episode, you will hear his beautiful poem, "He's Hiding", which he wrote after we recorded our podcast as a reflection on his relationship with his parents. It's a beautiful moment. I hope you get as much from it as I did. If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy the episode!

6. Adapting to Life After University with Andre Mass thumbnail

6. Adapting to Life After University with Andre Mass

11/05/2019 103 min 26 sec

Is karma and spiritually real? What does religion mean to us? Is therapy a legitimate option in today's age? Making the shift from University to "real life" can be challenging, especially if you're outgoing, social fellows like me and Andre. We talk about our struggles to adapt and what life has been like for us since. We also discuss social media, mental health, therapy, and what living ethically means. Listen as we share some serious thoughts on how life can feel empty without a focused goal and how we have to continue to chase our dreams. If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy the episode!

5. Why Traveling Alone Is Important For Young Men with Godwin Lee thumbnail

5. Why Traveling Alone Is Important For Young Men with Godwin Lee

10/30/2019 83 min 37 sec

Traveling alone and joining the reserves can have a profound effect on your life. Godwin has led a really interesting life in this regard. I really wanted to dive deep into his perspective on industries that seem to get a lot of hate in terms of the types of masculinity they build/promote. However, I don't think those accusations are always fair, and getting an outlook from someone who has been in these moments, and who the world sees as traditionally "unmasculine". Also, just due to my schedule, I've gone back to doing one long-form episode. If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy the episode!

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4.2. How To Impress People and Find Happiness

10/25/2019 34 min 58 sec

On part 2 of this episode, Marco and I discuss our first perceptions of each other, the importance of happiness, and how hard it is to find relationships nowadays. I apologize for the audio throughout the episode too. There were a few workflow issues I ran into during the recording process and I hope to have that sorted out for the next episode. If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy episode #4 part 2!

4.1. Is Creativity Masculine? With Marco Pedri thumbnail

4.1. Is Creativity Masculine? With Marco Pedri

10/22/2019 28 min 6 sec

On part 1 of this episode of (im)perfect, Marco and I discuss cancel culture, our time in Communication Studies, and the masculinity and feminity of certain passions and how we can move away from discussing those interests in that way! If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy episode #4 part 1!

3.2. Why Dating Can Be Challenging For Young Men with Nick Saang thumbnail

3.2. Why Dating Can Be Challenging For Young Men with Nick Saang

10/18/2019 47 min 40 sec

On part 2 of this episode of (im)perfect, Nick and I go deeper into our conversation about how to become your own person, how women have been hurt in the dating process, and how in a relationship, you share a responsibility to each other to make each other better. There's a lot of truth on this episode of how to value one's self within and without a relationship that I think will be useful to everyone. Also, listening to your feedback, I decided to turn this episode into a two-parter. As most of my interviews have gone over an hour, splitting them into two 30-45 minute segments makes sense. If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, iTunes, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy episode #3 part 2!

3.1. Becoming Comfortable In Your Masculinity with Nick Saang thumbnail

3.1. Becoming Comfortable In Your Masculinity with Nick Saang

10/15/2019 41 min 46 sec

On part 1 of this episode of (im)perfect, Nick shares his journey to being comfortable with his masculinity, how much he loves human beings and connection, the importance of vulnerability and trust and more! I had so much fun editing this podcast and re-living the recording of this podcast. As I edit, I like to make little clips of moments that would offer value to people in smaller segments and I came away with 26(!!!!) small clips... That's how much value I felt came in this episode. Also, listening to your feedback, I decided to turn this episode into a two-parter. As most of my interviews have gone over an hour, splitting them into two 30-45 minute segments makes sense. If you have any more feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectpod/ (@theimperfectpod). You can also find (im)perfect on Google Play, iTunes, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy episode #3 part 1!

2. Why Father's Are Important For Young Men with Josh Loong thumbnail

2. Why Father's Are Important For Young Men with Josh Loong

10/09/2019 73 min 38 sec

On this episode of (im)perfect, Luke and Josh talk about their relationship from high school, Josh's passion and interest in reading, the impact of our fathers in our lives and more! If you have any feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod. It's also on Google Play, iTunes, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. I hope you enjoy episode #2!

1. Men Have Body Image Issues Too with Gautham Rajendra thumbnail

1. Men Have Body Image Issues Too with Gautham Rajendra

10/02/2019 82 min 5 sec

On this episode of (im)perfect, Luke and Gautham talk about the maturation of their friendship, body image, how important alone time and self-reflection are, and more. If you have any feedback, want to be on the show, or have ideas about potential topics of conversation, please feel free to message me on Instagram @theimperfectpod. It's also on Google Play, iTunes, Spotify and more so make sure to follow and subscribe on whichever platform you prefer. Now let's enjoy episode #1! Also, I apologize for the clicking throughout the episode. Gautham is a fidgeter and was playing with his water bottle too much.