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The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Eric Bomyea and Timothy Bish
58 episodes
12 hours ago
What does it mean to truly sound like yourself? In this episode of The Circle, we’re joined by baritone and voice instructor Colin Levin—who has performed over 50 operatic roles—to explore how voice connects to breath, gender identity, and the stories we carry about how we should sound. We unpack gender-affirming voice work, vocal embodiment, and the healing journey of uncovering your authentic voice—whether you’re singing, speaking, or simply learning to be heard.
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Self-Improvement
Education,
Health & Fitness,
Alternative Health
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All content for The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast is the property of Eric Bomyea and Timothy Bish and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
What does it mean to truly sound like yourself? In this episode of The Circle, we’re joined by baritone and voice instructor Colin Levin—who has performed over 50 operatic roles—to explore how voice connects to breath, gender identity, and the stories we carry about how we should sound. We unpack gender-affirming voice work, vocal embodiment, and the healing journey of uncovering your authentic voice—whether you’re singing, speaking, or simply learning to be heard.
Show more...
Self-Improvement
Education,
Health & Fitness,
Alternative Health
Episodes (20/58)
The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Finding Your True Voice: Vocal Embodiment with Colin Levin
What does it mean to truly sound like yourself? In this episode of The Circle, we’re joined by baritone and voice instructor Colin Levin—who has performed over 50 operatic roles—to explore how voice connects to breath, gender identity, and the stories we carry about how we should sound. We unpack gender-affirming voice work, vocal embodiment, and the healing journey of uncovering your authentic voice—whether you’re singing, speaking, or simply learning to be heard.
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15 hours ago
1 hour 7 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Celebrating One Year of the Circle Podcast: Reflections on Growth and Challenges
It’s our first birthday! In this anniversary episode, Eric and Tim look back on 58 conversations about men’s work, embodiment, and personal growth—told through a queer lens and grounded in community. We share surprising messages from listeners who felt less alone, and reflect on moments that changed us: Jonathan Scott’s “diamonds in the surf” tribute to queer lineage; Chef Ava’s practice of “scanning the room with love”; Hannah O’Rourke’s clarity on asexuality and sourcing confidence from within; and Gregory Ganymedes on projection—the pedestal and the villain, both born in us.We talk about nerves, training wheels, and what practice makes possible; moving from Provincetown to Denver; launching MyEmbodiment.com to bring live breathwork, meditation, and yoga to anyone, anywhere; and the relationships that made this show real—special gratitude to producer Chad Rossi and the Provincetown Recording Studio.If this conversation serves you, share it with someone you love. Leave a rating or review to help more folks find The Circle. And if you’re ready to go deeper, join us for live practices and community at MyEmbodiment.com. Our container is open, but not broken.Chapters00:00 Celebrating One Year of the Circle Podcast01:33 Reflections on Growth and Challenges03:26 Surprising Listener Connections05:28 The Importance of Community07:29 Personal Growth Through Podcasting09:04 Impactful Conversations and Highlights13:40 Navigating Change and Fear15:52 Self-Validation and Inner Confidence18:19 Understanding Projection and Its Impact18:49 Awareness and Projection in Relationships19:42 Exploring Energetic Perspectives on Health20:39 The Impact of Men's Work on Personal Growth22:49 Connecting Through Shared Experiences25:38 The Importance of Community in Healing27:58 Universal Themes in Personal Development29:50 Celebrating Relationships and Support Systems33:55 Looking Ahead: Growth and New Opportunities
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1 week ago
42 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Unlearning Shame: Healing Internalized Homophobia and Reclaiming Worth
Many of us grew up absorbing quiet messages about who we’re allowed to be. Even after coming out, those messages can live on — shaping how we love, express, and even how we see ourselves.In this episode, we’re joined by therapist, author, and speaker Chris Tompkins (Raising LGBTQ Allies) for a conversation about internalized homophobia: how early shame becomes part of our identity, and how to begin unlearning it.We explore:The difference between what’s said — and what’s left unsaid — in childhoodHow internalized shame shows up in relationships, sex, and self-imageThe role of the body and nervous system in healing old beliefsWhy “safe play” and conscious exploration are essential in reclaiming joyHow affirming environments can interrupt cycles of silence and neglectThis episode is a reminder that there’s nothing wrong with you — and that healing begins the moment you start to believe that. 🌐 Join The Circle community → www.myembodiment.com
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2 weeks ago
56 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
The Warrior Within: Courage, Discipline, and Heart with MJ Oshin
The Warrior archetype is one of the most iconic—and misunderstood—expressions of masculine energy. It’s the part of us that acts with courage, protects what’s sacred, and stays disciplined in pursuit of something greater than ourselves. But when disconnected from heart and purpose, the Warrior can turn destructive—hurting others or collapsing into self-erasure.In this episode of The Circle, Eric and Tim are joined by MJ Oshin—a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and active paramedic—to explore what it means to embody the Warrior with integrity. Together they unpack:The difference between strength and dominationThe shadow forms of the Warrior: Sadist and MasochistHow rhythm, movement, and discipline refine the Warrior’s energyWhat it takes to rebuild trust in healthy, heart-centered power—especially for queer menThis is a conversation about courage, purpose, and the art of taking right action.
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3 weeks ago
1 hour 5 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Q&A [Pt. 3/3] — What Is Men’s Intuition and How Do We Access It?
In the final episode of our three-part Q&A series, we explore the often-overlooked topic of men’s intuition—what it is, how it works, and why it matters.Tim challenges the idea that intuition is gendered, reframing it as a universal human capacity rooted in embodied awareness. Together, we unpack how cultural conditioning teaches men to distrust their feelings, how gaslighting severs us from our body’s wisdom, and how embodiment practices help us rebuild that connection.Eric asks how “trusting your gut” actually functions in daily life, and Tim shares how sensations in the body—tightness in the chest, warmth in the gut, openness in the heart—can become reliable signals of intuitive knowing. The conversation closes with an invitation to practice: to notice, to feel, and to trust the subtle intelligence within.Short, honest, and grounded in lived experience, this episode invites you to see intuition not as magic—but as the language of the body learning to speak again.
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4 weeks ago
12 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Conscious Wizardry: AI, Archetypes, and the Magician’s Path with Stan Rain
This week on The Circle, we go all in on the Magician archetype through a queer lens with guest Stan Rain, founder of the Naked Dojo. Together we explore the Magician’s gifts of creativity, imagination, and transformation—and the shadow expressions of the manipulator and the innocent one—through real stories and Internal Family Systems. We also step into modern wizardry with Stan’s AI co-facilitator, TONI, and ask what it means to use powerful tools in service of intention rather than manipulation. This episode blends archetypal psychology, embodiment practice, consent-minded facilitation, and conscious technology to help you bring more clarity, play, and power to your Magician in daily life.Chapter Markers00:00 — Welcome and Intro to the Magician Archetype 02:00 — Meet Stan Rain 04:05 — Four archetypes overview and why they matter 07:18 — Painter’s palette metaphor for choice and balance 09:22 — Who is the Magician: creativity, imagination, manifesting 12:40 — Play as a practice: Lego blocks and adult tinkering 16:10 — Curiosity and experimentation in movement and art 18:45 — Shadow states: manipulator and innocent one 22:28 — Safety, queerness, and why shadow shows up 25:36 — IFS parts and relating to shadow without shame 28:30 — Using shadow skillfully and the Star Wars analogy 31:05 — Hypnotherapy as conscious influence and intention 34:02 — Awareness, intention, and skillful use of power 36:45 — Enter TONI: AI co-facilitator in a breathwork container 40:00 — How TONI runs timing, music, and context 42:30 — Boundaries: what AI should not say in a healing space 45:18 — Mirror effect of AI and why intention is everything 48:00 — Emptiness, projection, and staying grounded in purpose 50:35 — Practical takeaways: questions to invite your Magician 53:10 — Human creativity at the core, tech as a tool 56:05 — First steps for listeners new to archetypes 58:20 — Closing ritual and gratitude
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1 month ago
1 hour

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Q&A [Pt. 2/3] — What Does It Mean to Be a Man and What Is a Queer Man?
In part two of our three part Q&A series, we turn to two of the biggest questions our listeners ask: what does it mean to be a man? And what do we mean when we say queer men?Tim shares how his definition of manhood has evolved from fear and rigidity to a more expansive, skillful, and authentic engagement with life. Together, we explore how gender expectations shape our experience, how queerness challenges cultural norms, and how men's work can offer a place to wrestle with these questions in community.Eric asks what it means to belong in a men's circle and how queer men bring unique gifts like fluidity between energies, expanded empathy, and a broader sense of masculinity to these spaces. Along the way, we remind ourselves that ideas of manhood are not fixed: they change across cultures, across history, and across our own lifetimes.Short, sharp, and from lived experience, this episode unpacks the evolving conversation about what it means to be a man and why queer perspectives matter in men's work.Chapter Markers0:00 – Welcome & Episode Framing Eric introduces part two of the Q&A series, focusing on what it means to be a man and what we mean by queer men.1:10 – Defining Manhood Tim reflects on how his understanding of being a man has evolved through men's work, healing, and lived experience.4:25 – Who Belongs in Men's Circles? Expanding inclusion: identity, nonbinary men, and working with the masculine aspects of self.7:05 – What Does Queer Mean? Tim shares why he embraces the word queer and how queer men experience masculinity differently than straight men.10:20 – Unique Gifts of Queer Men in Men's Work Queer men’s fluidity between energies, empathy, and expanded perspectives on relationships and masculinity.12:50 – Manhood Through Time & Culture Tim and Eric reflect on how cultural ideals of men shift over history and why authenticity matters more than rigidity.14:00 – Closing & Invitation Eric invites listeners to continue the conversation and join practices at myembodiment.com.
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1 month ago
14 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Nourishment as Devotion w/ Chef Ava Malazian: Scan with Love, Serve with Heart
What does it mean to truly nourish someone—body and soul? Chef Ava Malazian joins us to explore cooking as a sacred practice, where structure creates safety and play brings the meal to life. We talk about scanning the room with love (not fear), setting intentions for others and for ourselves, and how mastery lets the right-brain “dance” in the kitchen.From reiki-through-hands to grocery-store scavenger hunts, Ava shows how food becomes “the perfume of the elixir” that keeps working long after the plates are cleared. We also get practical: build strength to support your craft, choose the feeling you want now, and bring reciprocity to every act of service. Come hungry—leave resourced.Chapter Markers00:00 – Welcome & Why Nourishment Matters in Men’s Work Eric frames the episode for queer men’s embodiment, introducing Chef Ava and the idea of nourishment as devotion within retreat containers and embodiment practices.01:02 – Meet Chef Ava: Intuitive Cooking & Sacred Kitchen Ava shares her process as a retreat chef—setting intention, scanning the field with love, and turning the kitchen into a somatic, sacred space for healing and community.05:30 – Container Work: Masculine Structure, No-Leak Energy Tim and Ava define “leaky energy,” how to hold a clear container, and why grounded masculine structure enables safety, presence, and deeper embodiment work.10:40 – Reciprocity & Flow: The Right-Brain Dance of Cooking From “the perfume of the elixir” to color-rich plates, Ava describes intuitive cooking as art you can eat—an embodied practice that continues to nourish after the meal.18:30 – From Resistance to Wonder: Yin/Yang in Daily Practice How masculine/feminine energy (yin/yang) translates beyond gender; shifting from resistance to curiosity to access presence, creativity, and somatic regulation.24:30 – Divine Feminine & the Fertile Dark Ava explores goddess energy (Annapurna), the creative “dark” as fertile ground, and how honoring the feminine essence elevates nourishment and men’s embodiment work.29:20 – Motherhood, Oxytocin & Many-Body Nourishment Food as medicine across the physical, emotional, and subtle bodies; the science–spirit bridge (oxytocin) and how love-infused meals build trust in retreat containers.34:30 – Practical Tools: Intention, Reiki Hands, Chant & Media Hygiene Actionable practices—heart tapping, reiki-through-hands, mantra/chant, and mindful consumption—to bring sacred attention to everyday cooking and self-care.38:50 – Strength for Your Craft: “Huggers,” Training & Consistency Embodied strength as capacity (not aesthetics): why training, posture, and consistency build self-trust men can feel—on the mat, in the gym, and in the kitchen.46:30 – Blessing & Close: Scan with Love, Serve with Heart Gratitude for community (Embodied Masculine retreats), Chef Ava’s closing blessing, and an invitation to keep practicing presence, reciprocity, and nourishment.
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1 month ago
49 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Q&A [Pt. 1/3] — What Is Embodiment and Why Does It Matter in Men’s Work?
This is part one of our three-part Q&A series, where we answer the questions you’ve been sending since we launched The Circle.We start with the big one: what is embodiment, and why does it matter in men’s work?Tim unpacks embodiment as the practice of listening to the body’s wisdom—our inner dashboard of sensations, emotions, and signals. Eric connects the dots to mindfulness and asks how embodiment helps us meet life with more choice and clarity. Together, we explore how ignoring our body’s signals leads to collapse, reactivity, or numbing, while embodiment practices—like yoga, breathwork, and challenging postures—help us build skillful responses instead.Short, sharp, and from lived experience—this is your entry point into understanding embodiment and why it’s foundational for men’s work.Chapter Markers0:00 – Welcome & Series Intro Eric frames the Q&A series and introduces the first question: what is embodiment and why does it matter in men’s work?1:45 – Defining Embodiment Tim explains embodiment as the practice of listening to the body’s wisdom and signals.4:10 – Embodiment vs. Mindfulness Eric asks how embodiment compares to mindfulness and meditation; Tim uses the “car dashboard” analogy.7:00 – Signs of Disembodiment Exploring what happens when we ignore feelings—overeating, drinking, depression, collapse, or reactivity.10:15 – Starting an Embodiment Practice Practical entry points: yoga, posture work, curiosity about sensations. Eric closes with recap and invitation to myembodiment.com.
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1 month ago
13 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Moving from Physical to Embodied Intimacy with Tom Bruett
Queer therapist Tom Bruett joins us to explore what it means to move from connection that’s just physical to intimacy that’s truly embodied. We unpack how early messages around fear, secrecy, and performance shape desire, and what becomes possible when we bring awareness back into the body. Together we get practical: the “thumb out” signal for pausing when you’re overwhelmed, Dan Siegel’s hand model of the brain, the window of tolerance, and simple brain-stem tools like breath and sensation to come back online. We talk consent using Betty Martin’s Wheel, sensate focus as a no-pressure practice, and why owning your own pleasure can reduce shame and resentment. Eric shares on sober intimacy and using kink/BDSM as a bridge to presence; Tim translates models into day-to-day micro-practices you can try over dishes, on a walk, or in moments of closeness. We also name app fatigue, hypersexualized spaces, and how to de-emphasize the finish line without losing the fun.Chapter Markers00:00 – Welcome & Introductions: Eric sets the stage, introduces Tom Bruett and his work at the Queer Relationship Institute.03:20 – Queer Men, Bodies, and Hypermasculinity: How early messages about masculinity and secrecy shape our relationship with embodiment.08:45 – Differentiation & Authentic Expression: Tom explains how attachment, differentiation, and experimentation help queer men reconnect with themselves.14:30 – Adolescence Delayed: Emotional, Sexual, Spiritual: Exploring the unique timing of queer men’s adolescence and what that means for intimacy.18:55 – Physical vs. Embodied Connection: Tim and Tom define embodied intimacy, contrasting it with purely physical encounters.23:15 – Sober Intimacy & BDSM as a Bridge: Eric shares his transition into sobriety and how kink created space for embodied connection.28:40 – Desire Differences & Myths in Gay Culture: Unpacking desire discrepancy, app fatigue, and the hypersexualized pressures queer men face.34:20 – First Steps into Embodiment: Practical entry points: body scans, breathwork, yoga, dance, and sensate focus exercises.40:05 – The Nervous System & Dan Siegel’s Hand Model: Understanding hyperarousal, hypoarousal, and tools to return to regulation.45:00 – Consent, Communication & the “Thumb Out” Signal: Introducing Betty Martin’s Wheel of Consent, shorthand for pausing, and reframing performance pressure.49:20 – De-Emphasizing the Finish Line: How to shift focus away from orgasm as the marker of success and expand intimacy through experimentation.52:00 – Closing Reflections: Tom, Tim, and Eric share final takeaways on vulnerability, practice, and ongoing exploration.53:08 – Closing Ritual: Tim leads the gratitude and release, “container open but not broken.”
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2 months ago
53 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
When Care Doesn’t Land: Recognizing Love Even When We Don't See It
Why is it that sometimes, even when care is offered freely, it doesn’t land? In this episode of The Circle, Eric and Tim unpack the messy, beautiful complexity of giving and receiving care.From family dynamics and love languages to roommates, ex-husbands, and Provincetown coffee shop connections, they explore why care often misses the mark—and what we can do to better recognize and receive it. They share personal stories of frustration, vulnerability, and breakthrough, reminding us that effort, transparency, and trust go a long way.This is an invitation to practice revealing what you need, honoring how others show care, and making sure the people you love actually feel it. Because if tomorrow never comes, will they know how much you cared?Chapter Markers00:00 – Welcome & Introduction: Why care is such a tender and complicated subject02:45 – When Care Doesn’t Land: Eric’s family Christmas story06:30 – Care Requires Vulnerability: Tim on courage and the glamorization of “not caring”11:00 – “It’s Just a Yoga Class”: When dismissal misses the mark15:25 – Different Languages of Care: Roommates, partners, and communication gaps21:10 – Effort vs. Perfection: Why trying matters more than getting it right26:05 – Love Letters to Friends: Tim’s reflections on Gordon and the power of reassurance32:40 – Accepting Care as It’s Given: Shifting perspective with empathy and trust37:00 – Closing Reflections & Sow: Care as ongoing practice and communicationLearn more, ask questions and practice along with us at www.myembodiment.com
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2 months ago
40 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Intimacy Without Sex: A Queer Conversation on Asexuality With Hannah O'Rourke
In this episode of The Circle, we explore asexuality and the many ways intimacy can thrive outside of sexual expression. Eric and Tim are joined by Hannah O’Rourke—a yoga teacher and early childhood educator—who shares her experience identifying as asexual and how it reshaped her understanding of romance, validation, and connection. Together, they unpack the difference between romantic and sexual orientation, what it means to be demisexual, and how embodiment practices can help people attune to their true desires. This conversation challenges cultural assumptions about sex and identity, and offers a liberating lens for queer folks navigating their own intimate lives.Chapter Markers/Time Stamps00:00 What If Sex Isn’t the Center of Intimacy? 00:24 What Is Asexuality? A Conversation with Hannah O’Rourke 01:06 Discovering Asexual Identity: Hannah’s Story 02:28 Romantic vs. Sexual Attraction Explained 05:23 How Asexual People Navigate Relationships 15:03 The Asexuality Spectrum: Demisexual, Graysexual & More 28:10 Redefining Intimacy: Love and Connection Beyond Sex 29:38 The Opposite of Sex? Rethinking Intimacy Through Film 32:17 Being Asexual in Queer Spaces 35:43 Self-Love Without Sexual Validation 41:02 Debunking Asexual Myths and Misconceptions 50:58 Healing the Inner Child Through Self-Understanding 55:49 Final Reflections on Identity and Intimacy
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2 months ago
56 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Softening the Story: Forgiveness, Resentment, and Relational Repair
In this episode of The Circle, we explore forgiveness not as a final destination, but as a living, breathing process. From unspoken resentments to painful memories of being let down, Eric and Tim share personal stories about parental wounds and what it means to carry the weight of hurt for years.This conversation unpacks:Why forgiveness isn’t the same as forgettingHow resentment impacts our nervous systems and relationshipsThe role of safety, grief, and compassion in the forgiveness processWhat it looks like to forgive without needing the other person to changeIf you’ve ever struggled to let go of a grudge, or felt the pressure to "just move on," this one’s for you. What’s one weight you’ve been carrying that might be ready to soften?Practice with us and explore embodiment tools for relational repair: 👉 https://myembodiment.comChapter Markers / Time Stamps:00:00 - Intro: Forgiveness as a Practice01:00 - What Forgiveness Really Means03:05 - Forgiveness ≠ Forgetting06:42 - The Weight We Carry: Resentment and Memory08:58 - Not Letting Go, but Lightening the Load11:31 - When Forgiveness Isn’t Closure13:30 - Parental Wounds and Resentment15:50 - Reframing the Past: Seeing with Softer Eyes18:10 - Tim’s Story: Turning Mom into Wonder Woman20:42 - The Cost of Idealization and the Gift of Reality24:30 - Bragging as a Search for Safety27:25 - From Villainizing to Understanding30:01 - Big Hurt, No Villain: How Forgiveness Actually Starts33:40 - Beliefs that Block Forgiveness36:15 - The Band Camp Story: When They Didn’t Show Up
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2 months ago
48 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Parts Work with Tim Neal: Meeting Your Inner Critic and Finding the Centered Self
In this episode of The Circle, Eric and Tim are joined by Tim Neal, a men’s transformation coach and embodiment facilitator, to explore the power of parts work. Drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS) and shadow work, Tim explains how the voices inside us, like the inner critic or perfectionist, are not problems to fix, but parts to understand, honor, and integrate.Through personal storytelling, emotional insights, and a live parts work practice, the conversation reveals how embracing these inner parts can lead to emotional intelligence, self-trust, and what Tim calls the “centered self.” Whether you’re new to IFS or deep in your healing work, this episode will shift how you relate to your inner world.You’ll learn:What parts work is and how it relates to shadow workThe difference between exile parts and protector partsWhy trying to eliminate parts of yourself doesn’t workHow emotional awareness is the foundation of growthHow to meet your parts with compassion and curiosityChapter Markers / Time Stamps:0:00 – Intro to the episode and Tim Neal2:15 – What is parts work? Tim’s childhood story of emotional shutdown6:50 – Origins of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and blending with shadow work9:30 – Shadow work as a subset of parts work12:00 – Tim’s inner critic origin story and the rise of the achiever part15:20 – The Tony Robbins experience as a pattern interrupt18:10 – Masculinity, vulnerability, and redefining strength20:40 – The pressure to be one thing vs. embracing many parts24:00 – Mono-mind vs. multi-mind: the freedom of “a part of me”27:30 – Introducing the capital-S Self / Centered Self29:50 – Pattern interrupts, neural pathways, and belief shifts34:00 – Manager parts, exiles, and protectors explained38:00 – The fruit salad metaphor: integration, not elimination41:00 – What is the Centered Self? The goal of living from calm, clarity, and compassion43:30 – Why we can’t “cut off” our inner parts (like a sprained ankle)46:20 – The role of emotional intelligence in working with parts48:00 – Live guided practice: meeting your inner part with compassion52:15 – Eric meets his inner critic, Tim meets his inner director54:30 – What our parts are really afraid of—and how they’re trying to help56:00 – Closing reflections: parts work as a path toward self-compassionStay Connected with The CircleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/queermensembodiment/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDCAp8OFjLrGaAwycfGmydgWebsite & Community: www.MyEmbodiment.com
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3 months ago
1 hour 1 minute

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Belonging vs. Fitting In: How to Stop Abandoning Yourself to Be Liked
What’s the difference between truly belonging and just fitting in? In this raw and resonant episode of The Circle, Eric and Tim unpack the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways we abandon ourselves in order to be accepted—and what it takes to stop. They explore how social conditioning, internalized fear, and curated identities shape our choices around how we show up in community, especially in queer spaces.Eric shares his personal experience of feeling isolated during Bear Week in Provincetown, while Tim opens up about the cost of being too playful, too much, or too real. Together, they discuss the relationship between control, safety, and self-trust—and how embodiment practices, affirmation, and conscious spaces can help us come home to ourselves.This is a must-listen for anyone navigating identity, authenticity, or the messy middle between self-protection and self-expression.Timestamps:00:00–04:20 — Intro: The difference between belonging and fitting in04:21–14:10 — Tim’s fashion story: authenticity vs. curation14:11–20:50 — Expertise vs. people-pleasing, and the role of intention20:51–27:45 — The hidden cost of hiding parts of ourselves27:46–36:10 — Embodied loneliness: fitting in but still feeling alone36:11–44:30 — Tim’s story: playfulness, performance, and the pain of not being seen44:31–52:40 — The illusion of belonging on Instagram; the craving for connection52:41–59:00 — Embodiment and nervous system tools to anchor authenticity59:01–1:05:10 — Safe spaces vs. performative ones: building real community1:05:11–1:13:30 — Inner belonging, affirmations, and the challenge of loving all parts1:13:31–1:22:00 — The need for community, checking in, and not feeling like a burden1:22:01–End — Wrap-up: Sass, solitude, and the sacred work of showing upStay Connected with The CircleInstagram: @queermensembodimentYouTube: Queer Men’s EmbodimentWebsite & Community: www.MyEmbodiment.com
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3 months ago
52 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
The Dominant Way to Avoid Burnout: Ms. Elle X on Rest and Radical Self-Advocacy
What if rest was the most dominant thing you could do?In this episode of the Circle, trauma-informed BDSM educator, licensed life coach, and former Dominatrix Ms. Elle X joins us to explore the hidden cost of leadership—and why so many men, Dominants, and space-holders burn out before they ever give themselves permission to stop. We talk about the shame that makes rest feel dangerous, how insecurity fuels overwork, and why true power comes from knowing when to say “no.” Ms. Elle reframes rest as radical self-advocacy, drawing a bold parallel between consent and rest: you can’t authentically say yes if you’re unwilling to say no.Whether you lead in the bedroom, the boardroom, or at home, this episode will challenge everything you think you know about strength, power, and the courage it takes to rest.___Glossary of Terms:What is BDSM? – An acronym for Bondage, Discipline, Dominance, Submission, Sadism, and Masochism. It refers to consensual practices that explore power exchange, sensation, and psychological play. At its core, BDSM is about communication, consent, and creating safe, intentional spaces for exploring power and desire.What is a Dominant (Dom/Domme)? – The person who takes the leadership or guiding role in a BDSM dynamic. A Dominant holds space, sets structure, and creates safety, allowing the Submissive to fully let go. In healthy dynamics, the Dominant’s power is rooted in consent, responsibility, and respect.What is a Submissive (Sub)? – The person who consensually surrenders control in a BDSM dynamic. For many, this surrender can feel deeply restful, freeing them from decision-making or the pressure of constant responsibility. Submissives are not passive; their active consent, communication, and boundaries are essential to the dynamic.What is D/S? - Refers specifically to the dynamic or relationship between a Dominant and a Submissive. This can be sexual or non-sexual and is centered on consensual power exchange, clear communication, and trust.What is a Switch? – A person who enjoys both Dominant and Submissive roles, depending on the context or partner. Switches may move fluidly between roles, and this flexibility often gives them deep empathy and insight into both sides of the power exchange.____Rest, burnout, and radical self-advocacy—Ms. Elle X on why leaders struggle to slow down and how boundaries restore power.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview00:23 Exploring the Hidden Cost of Leadership01:33 The Struggle with Rest and Insecurity05:41 The Importance of Consent and Boundaries13:31 Self-Awareness and Embodiment Work21:40 The Role of Rest in BDSM24:58 Being Seen and Valued in Relationships29:06 Dominance and Submission (D/S) Dynamics32:53 The Universal Lessons of BDSM34:56 The Importance of Humility in Leadership37:50 Navigating Trust and Safety in Relationships39:58 Understanding Rejection Sensitivity43:53 Balancing Dominance and Vulnerability49:56 The Power of Rest and Boundaries59:32 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections____Connect with Us & Ms. Elle XStay Connected with The CircleInstagram: @queermensembodimentYouTube: Queer Men’s EmbodimentWebsite & Community: MyEmbodiment.comConnect with Ms. Elle XShow more...
3 months ago
1 hour 2 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Urgency Without the Rush: Moving Quickly with Presence and Purpose | Men’s Work Podcast
Urgency doesn’t have to mean rushing. In this episode of The Circle, Eric Bomyea and Timothy Bish explore urgency and embodiment, unpacking how to move quickly with purposeful action instead of reactive rushing.Drawing from personal stories—airport chaos, bartending mishaps, and even Tim’s professional dance training—they discuss how urgency impacts the nervous system, why it often feeds perfectionism, and how to regulate it through embodiment practices.You’ll learn:The difference between rushing vs. moving with purposeHow to recognize physical signs of urgency in the bodySimple mindfulness and nervous system tools to stay grounded under pressureHow to turn urgency into an embodied spark for action rather than a source of stressPerfect for anyone navigating busy days, high-pressure moments, or exploring men’s work and embodiment practices to stay present and steady.Chapter Markers0:00 – Welcome & Introduction2:10 – Urgency as a Learned Survival Tool7:35 – The Difference Between Moving Quickly and Rushing11:50 – Physical Signs of Rushing vs. Purposeful Movement17:05 – Ayurvedic & Yogic Perspectives on Natural Pace22:40 – Airport Stories: Regulating in High-Pressure Moments30:55 – Internal vs. External Urgency: Creating It from Care & Purpose38:20 – Fitness, Perfectionism, and Rushing the Body44:10 – Urgency as a Spiritual Spark (Kirtan & Longing)50:25 – Embodiment Tools to Work with Urgency55:40 – Closing Reflections & Takeaways
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3 months ago
48 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Belonging Without the Buzz: Queer Sobriety & Connection
What does it mean to feel free, connected, and authentic in queer spaces—without the crutch of alcohol or drugs? In this episode of The Circle, Eric and Tim are joined by Dave Becker, founder of Sober Gay Sunday, to explore queer sobriety, nightlife, and what it means to connect without substances. Dave shares his personal story—from circuit parties and addiction to building a sober community that celebrates authenticity and nervous system regulation. Together, they unpack why so many queer people seek connection through bars and substances, and how alternative spaces like sports leagues, podcasts, and sober events can offer deep belonging. Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or just navigating your place in queer community, this conversation invites reflection, honesty, and compassion.We go all in on:Why nightlife became the default way queer people connectHow sobriety opened new dimensions of joy, clarity, and nervous system awarenessWhat a more inclusive queer social landscape could look likeHow to listen to your body, set boundaries, and honor your own paceWhether you're sober, sober-curious, or just reflecting on your relationship to community and connection, this episode offers insight, honesty, and hope.Rate, review, and subscribe to The Circle to keep exploring men’s embodiment, queer healing, and personal growth.Chapter Markers:00:00 – Welcome to The Circle01:07 – Introducing Dave Becker & Sober Gay Sunday04:50 – First steps into gay nightlife and early alcohol use08:20 – When partying turns into dependence11:15 – The loop between alcohol, identity, and belonging15:35 – Queer nightlife and double lives18:55 – What are we seeking in nightlife and substances?21:50 – The “chip on the shoulder” of queer identity26:00 – The pandemic and Dave’s path to sobriety30:25 – Community support & the surprise of being celebrated sober34:05 – Advice for those navigating sobriety alone39:35 – The power of shared experience44:50 – What is a sober coach? How Dave found his50:00 – Why Dave started Sober Gay Sunday54:25 – What makes the queer sober experience unique58:40 – Social anxiety, nervous systems & knowing when to leave01:05:20 – Embodiment, boundaries & the wisdom of the body01:12:30 – Inclusive queer spaces: from bars to kickball fields01:19:15 – The structure of sport as a new kind of container01:24:00 – Sobriety as a practice, not a perfect01:27:00 – Closing reflection & breath practice with Tim
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3 months ago
55 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
Doing vs. Being: When Growth Becomes Another Grind
In this episode of The Circle, Eric and Tim explore how personal growth and spiritual practice can quietly slip into another form of hustle. Why do we sometimes treat healing like a to-do list? What happens when our breathwork, yoga, or journaling stops being supportive and starts becoming performative?Together, they unpack perfectionism, self-trust, and the radical permission to just be. From Tim’s morning breathwork dilemma to Eric’s meditation hall ego trip, this episode is a heartfelt, humorous, and deeply honest look at what it means to grow without losing yourself in the process.Topics include:The trap of trying to “win” at healingHow spiritual practices can become performanceThe importance of intention vs. outcomeThe power of check-ins and body-based awarenessWhy doing less might be exactly what you needWhether you’re burned out from personal development or just curious about being more present, this conversation is an invitation to soften, slow down, and stop striving.00:00 - Intro: The Hustle of Healing02:03 - Why We Strive Even in Spiritual Spaces06:20 - Eric’s “Best Meditator” Moment09:45 - The Yoga Trap: Performing vs. Practicing13:10 - External Validation in Embodiment Work18:25 - The Slippery Slope of “Not Doing Enough”22:42 - Spiritual Checklists: Help or Harm?28:00 - Choosing What’s Right for *Today*32:48 - The Fine Line Between Fixing and Growing36:10 - Doing to Be: Yoga's Eight Limbs42:12 - Intention, Not Just Action46:40 - Is This Practice Serving Me?50:55 - The Gift of Showing Up (Even When You Don’t Want To)57:12 - Internal Validation: Can It Be Enough?01:02:40 - From Broken to Better: Shifting Motivation01:07:30 - Men’s Work & the Power of Just Being01:11:58 - Check-Ins: A Simple, Radical Practice01:20:00 - Feeling Without Explaining01:25:30 - App Behavior, Loneliness & Conscious Choice01:31:15 - Being with Discomfort Without Numbing01:37:20 - Embodiment Is Not Measured in Metrics01:41:00 - Closing Reflections: Let Being Guide Your Doing
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4 months ago
56 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
The Father Wound Part 2 w/ Amir Khalighi: Judgment, the Lone Wolf Trap, and Re-Fathering Yourself
In Part 2 of our conversation with Amir Khalighi, we move from uncovering the father wound to exploring what it takes to heal it. Why are so many men with this wound quick to judge—others, themselves, and especially other men? How does hypervigilance become a way of life? And what does it take to re-father ourselves and trust again?We talk about the lone wolf archetype, how judgment protects what we’re not ready to feel, and why healing doesn’t require reconciling with your father—but it does require showing up for yourself.🎧 If you’ve ever struggled to ask for help, receive love, or trust other men… this conversation is for you.🔗 Learn more about Amir’s upcoming free workshop on Healing the Father Wound: https://embodiedmasculine.com/healing-the-father-wound/Full Episode Time Markers00:00 – Welcome back & episode setup02:05 – How to know if you carry a father wound05:45 – Hypervigilance and nervous system regulation09:50 – The lone wolf archetype and self-isolation14:15 – What we miss without a present father figure18:22 – Re-fathering yourself as an adult man22:03 – The power of safe containers in men’s work27:45 – Why judgment blocks healing33:10 – Amir’s story: somatic reconnection with his father39:20 – Healing the wound without needing reconciliation42:30 – Projecting the father wound onto other men & leaders48:00 – Tim’s story: transformation through trust53:20 – How healing shifts generational lines57:45 – Breaking the sound barrier: a metaphor for inner work1:00:40 – Presence as true power1:03:55 – How to take your rightful place in your lineage1:07:10 – Resources, workshops, and how to beginFollow along and engage with us:YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@QueerMensEmbodimentInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/queermensembodimentApple Podcasts → https://apple.co/43INn27Spotify → https://bit.ly/thecirclespotifyMerch Store → https://bit.ly/thecirclemerch1:1 Coaching with Tim Bish → https://timothybish.com/coaching/Send a Voice Note to Tim & Eric→ https://bit.ly/thecirclevoicenotes#MensWork #QueerMen #QueerHealing #TheCirclePodcast #TimBish #EricBomyea #LGBTQMen #Embodiment #FatherWound #InnerChildHealing #ShadowWork #EmotionalHealing #Reparenting #Hypervigilance #MasculinityHealing #embodiedmasculine 
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4 months ago
55 minutes

The Circle: The Queer Men's Embodiment Podcast
What does it mean to truly sound like yourself? In this episode of The Circle, we’re joined by baritone and voice instructor Colin Levin—who has performed over 50 operatic roles—to explore how voice connects to breath, gender identity, and the stories we carry about how we should sound. We unpack gender-affirming voice work, vocal embodiment, and the healing journey of uncovering your authentic voice—whether you’re singing, speaking, or simply learning to be heard.