Jason Gaddis is a relationship coach, therapist, founder of Relationship School, author of Getting to Zero, and host of a relationships podcast. He has worked with thousands of people over 20 years helping men and women build stronger partnerships through conflict repair and communication skills.

Most men avoid conflict because they've set it up as an impossible choice: speak up and risk losing the relationship, or stay silent and betray yourself. Jason reveals what men are really defending when they get defensive (hint: it's not their position), why conflict avoidance destroys intimacy, and the exact framework for repairing disconnection after fights. This conversation challenges fairy tale thinking about relationships and shows how interpersonal skills are learnable for any man willing to get in the game.

Expect to learn why 45 percent of young men have never approached a woman in person, what defensiveness is really protecting you from, the getting to zero framework for conflict repair, how to know if your partner is actually healthy or just good at hiding problems, why you might be receiving way more feedback than you give and what to do about it, the difference between judgment and feedback in relationships, how to commit to learning conflict skills like you'd commit to any other skill, what interpersonal intelligence actually means and how to develop it, and much more.

Jason's Links:-Instagram: @JaysonGaddis (-Website: RelationshipSchool.com

Get in touch in the comments below or head to...Website: www.weslambert.meEmail: wesjlambert@gmail.comSubstack: https://substack.com/@weslambertSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Yv1ciX90C3zdPxD67kjyY?si=7591bc0f32da4f23Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mature-male/id1805978833

Peter Shankman is an entrepreneur, author, speaker and the host of the Faster Than Normal podcast about ADHD.

Most men with ADHD hear it called a superpower, but the reality is far more complicated. Peter reveals the brutal truth about living with ADHD - the moments when you think you're crushing it only to realize you've completely missed the mark, the imposter syndrome that never fully goes away, and why he'd be dead without therapy. This conversation goes beyond the highlight reel to explore what it actually takes to manage an ADHD brain while building companies, maintaining relationships, and raising a daughter.

Expect to learn why feeling broken never fully disappears even after diagnosis, how extreme activities like Ironman triathlons became a way to prove self-worth, the difference between ADHD as an excuse versus a reality to manage, why Peter believes everyone should be in therapy, how to make decisions that your future self will thank you for, what to tell your 12-year-old self who feels like an outsider, why medication alone isn't the answer without therapeutic skills, how to break negative cycles before they compound into weeks of poor choices and much more.

Get in touch in the comments below or head to...-Website: www.weslambert.me-Email: wesjlambert@gmail.com-Substack: https://substack.com/@weslambert-Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Yv1ciX90C3zdPxD67kjyY?si=7591bc0f32da4f23-Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mature-male/id1805978833

Brad Gage is a TV producer, podcast host and modern masculinity advocate who runs Real Feels - conversations exploring what it means to be a man today through vulnerability, humor, and honest dialogue.

Most men in their 30s can't name two close friends they could call in a crisis. Brad Gage treats friendship like a part-time job - from organizing monthly diner gatherings to planning his 20-year high school reunion. In this conversation, he breaks down why male loneliness isn't just painful, it's dangerous, and reveals the practical systems that keep him connected across decades and cities.

Expect to learn why treating friendship as essential rather than optional changes everything, the trauma-informed roots of social success and what being prom king reveals about connection, how to organize gatherings that actually bring men together consistently, the science of rough-and-tumble play in male bonding and child development, why American culture fundamentally misunderstands the necessity of male community, practical tactics for making friends as an adult from taking classes to complimenting strangers, how male friendship directly improves your romantic relationships, why bullying is actually misexpressed play and what that means for accountability and much more...

Get in touch in the comments below or head to...Website: www.weslambert.meEmail: wesjlambert@gmail.comSubstack: https://substack.com/@weslambertSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Yv1ciX90C3zdPxD67kjyY?si=7591bc0f32da4f23Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mature-male/id1805978833

Duey Freeman is a psychotherapist with over 80,000 client hours, former professor at Naropa University for 31 years, founder of the Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies, and specialist in attachment theory and equine-assisted therapy.

Most men struggle with deep feelings of being misunderstood, isolated, and inadequate - but they don't know why. Duey reveals how boys receive half the physical touch that girls do by age two, how this creates a fundamental lack of self-confidence, and why the mental health system's focus on protocols and diagnosis completely misses what actually heals: deep relational connection. This conversation explores the attachment wounds most men carry, the grief work required to heal the gap between the father you wanted and the father you got, and why horses' natural herd behavior reveals everything wrong with how modern men handle crisis.

Expect to learn why boys develop slower than girls and how this creates vulnerability, the two questions every human asks from birth to death, what it means to feel "gotten" versus just heard or seen, why horses come together in crisis while men isolate, how touch deprivation shapes masculine self-worth, the difference between archetypal parents and real parents, why integrated attachment matters more than secure attachment, how prey animals can teach predators about relationship, the five core needs in any intimate bond, why patriarchy and privilege actually hurt men, and much more...

Get in touch in the comments below or head to...Website: ⁠www.weslambert.me⁠Email: ⁠wesjlambert@gmail.com⁠Substack: ⁠https://substack.com/@weslambert⁠Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5Yv1ciX90C3zdPxD67kjyY?si=7591bc0f32da4f23⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mature-male/id1805978833⁠

Dr. Dominick Shattuck is a Research Fellow at the American Institute for Boys and Men, Johns Hopkins faculty member, men's health researcher and a consultant specializing in friendship dynamics.Most men optimize their gym routine but neglect the one thing that actually keeps them alive. Why do men avoid healthcare until it's too late, and why does the healthcare system fail them when they finally show up? Dr. Shattuck reveals the structural and psychological barriers keeping men from seeking help, and shares the surprising truth from Harvard's longevity study: relationships, not fitness optimization or supplements, are what actually keep you healthy and fulfilled.Expect to learn why medical schools don't teach men's health and how that affects your care, the vulnerability perception gap and what other men actually think when you open up, how to optimize relationships the same way you optimize your fitness routine, why men leave mental health services dissatisfied and what needs to change, the impulsive nature of male suicide and why emotional range matters, how to build and maintain male friendships through different life stages, what the latest Movember research reveals about men seeking help, why the healthcare system isn't prepared to receive men effectively and much more...Get in touch in the comments below or head to...-Website: www.weslambert.me-Email: wesjlambert@gmail.com-Substack: https://substack.com/@weslambert-Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Yv1ciX90C3zdPxD67kjyY?si=7591bc0f32da4f23-Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mature-male/id1805978833

What happens when the masculine identity built on strength and achievement crumbles? Daniel from Beyond Equality shares his journey from pro athlete to bed-bound, revealing how rigid masculinity definitions harm men themselves.

• Why achievement-based masculine identity leads to crisis when challenged by injury, unemployment, or aging
• How to break through the defensive "arms crossed" stance men take in masculinity conversations
• What modern masculinity could look like: connection and care over constant self-proving

Daniel conducts 1,000+ workshops yearly with men across the UK and is releasing major masculinity research in November 2025. His anthropology background brings nuance to discussions about protector roles, male vulnerability, and redefining manhood for Gen Z.

RESOURCES:

• Beyond Equality: Instagram/LinkedIn/X
• UK Masculinity Report (November 2025)

Subscribe for weekly episodes challenging and redefining modern masculinity.

Jonathan Jacobs discovered his dad was an alcoholic on his deathbed—revealing the isolation that killed him and the pattern Jonathan was repeating.

• How father-son relationships create your template for all male connection
• The Be a Pal framework: practical steps to build real friendships as an adult
• Why you don't need solutions to share your pain—and why that belief keeps men isolated

Jonathan Jacobs is a marketing strategist and co-founder of Walking Talking Men LA who helps men build authentic friendships and challenge toxic cultural expectations of manhood.

RESOURCES:

• Jonathan's website: JonathanJacobs.com
• Walking Talking Men: walkingtalkingmen.com

Subscribe for weekly episodes on masculinity, mental health, and building authentic male community.

Career burnout before 30? Alex Pang reveals why working 80-hour weeks in your 20s destroys long-term success and how your brain is built for 5 focused hours, not 14.

- The neuroscience proving long work hours kill learning and memory- Why social media comparison warped our entire career timeline- How to build sustainable success that peaks in your 40s-60s instead of burning out by 35Alex Pang is the author of Rest and a researcher on work-life balance. His work challenges Silicon Valley hustle culture with hard science.RESOURCES:- Rest by Alex Pang- Connect with Alex: https://www.strategy.rest/

Subscribe for weekly deep dives on modern masculinity, career, and mental health.

In this solo episode, Wes breaks down one of psychology's most influential frameworks as a tool for understanding what's actually blocking your growth.

In this episode, we cover:

• The five levels of human needs and why order matters - From physiological needs to self-actualization, understanding which needs must be met first before higher-level growth becomes possible, and why skipping steps keeps you stuck.
• The propensity principle vs. absolute prerequisite - Why Maslow's hierarchy isn't strictly linear in real life, how situational needs can temporarily override the typical progression, and when it's appropriate to address higher needs before lower ones are fully met.
• Common mistakes in modern self-help culture - How overexposure to social media and 24-hour news cycles creates false urgency around self-actualization, why many people try to introspect their way out of problems that require basic stability first, and the danger of compensatory satisfaction.
• The personal hierarchy audit process - A practical step-by-step method for identifying which needs are met vs. unmet in your life, prioritizing what to address first based on your circumstances, and creating a development plan that actually works with human psychology instead of against it.

Get in touch in the comments below or head to...

• Website: www.weslambert.me
• Listen:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Yv1ciX90C3zdPxD67kjyY?si=cf6bec6d6e874108Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mature-male/id1805978833
• Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@themature_male
• Email: wesjlambert@gmail.com

Episode Highlights:

• Ish shares his remarkable journey from illegal immigrant to US Army veteran, and how this shaped his approach to men's work
• How growing up in a fear-driven, conservative household taught survival through conformity, and the liberation that came from breaking free
• The transformative power of a post-divorce celibacy period as a "dopamine detox" and its lessons on intimacy
• Why "comfort is not safe" and how meaningful rites of passage create necessary thresholds for men's development
• Creating authentic modern rites of passage and why they matter for men seeking purpose
• Information on our guest's 3-month preparation program for men's journeys in Peru, plus his coaching offerings for individuals and couples

Ross Morales Rocketto is a political organizer and consultant with over 20 years in electoral politics. He co-founded Run for Something, helping elect 1000+ progressive candidates, organized White Dudes for Harris (200k participants, $5M raised), and was named to Time's 100 Next list in 2022. Now he's shifting focus to The Man Project, working to facilitate healing for 100 million men.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Male Isolation Crisis - How 65% of men feeling "unknown," economic changes undermining traditional provider/protector roles, and the death of third spaces contribute to political radicalization and cynicism toward democratic institutions
• Political Communication Failures - Why the left has struggled to authentically connect with men, the difference between policy alignment and authentic messaging, and how grievance politics exploits male frustration more effectively than empathetic outreach
• Online vs. In-Person Community - The fundamental differences between digital echo chambers that incentivize outrage and real-world relationships that build empathy, accountability, and genuine dialogue across ideological differences
• Scaling Empathy and Healing - Moving beyond political solutions toward authentic community-building, the importance of showing up to uncomfortable spaces, and creating tension that facilitates growth rather than comfort that enables stagnation

Resources - Find Ross's Work:

• Instagram: @rossmoralesrocketto
• Substack: Ross Morales Rocketto
• LinkedIn: Ross Morales Rocketto

Get in touch in the comments below or head to...

Website: www.weslambert.me

Listen:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Yv1ciX90C3zdPxD67kjyY?si=cf6bec6d6e874108
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mature-male/id1805978833

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@themature_male

Email: wesjlambert@gmail.com

THE GUIDE TO GROWING UP - Your Year-Long Journey to Masculine Mastery

If you're tired of living reactively and want to become the man you're meant to be, this is your roadmap.

The Problem: Most men today are stuck in unconscious patterns—drifting through life without direction, struggling with relationships, lacking purpose and authentic confidence.

The Solution: A scientifically-designed 50-week transformation program that combines ancient masculine initiation wisdom with modern psychology and behavioral science.

What Makes This Different:

• Not another quick-fix—this is deep, lasting transformation
• Follows the proven 3-phase initiation model used for millennia
• 32 systematic lessons with practical exercises and accountability
• Complete system: video lessons + workbook + curated readings
• Strategic integration breaks so you actually internalize the changes

Your Transformation Path:🔥 Break free from inherited patterns and build rock-solid foundations💪 Develop systems for lasting change and emotional mastery❤️ Master relationships, communication, and authentic leadership👑 Integrate everything and create a legacy worth leaving

Time Commitment: Just 2-4 hours per week spread across focused sessions.

From understanding your story to creating your mission—this program takes you through the complete journey from unconscious living to conscious mastery.

Ready to grow up? Get the complete program at https://payhip.com/b/MyFwn

Ancient wisdom meets modern psychology. One year to the man you're meant to become.

Stuart Motola is a men's relationship coach with over 15 years of experience helping thousands of men break free from frustrating relationship patterns. Unlike traditional therapy approaches, Stuart focuses on explicit action and reprogramming old relationship dynamics through his unique system that offers men a clear roadmap to lasting positive results.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Perfect Storm: How the "nice guy" and "martyr" archetypes create a toxic dynamic where men pivot onto their partners instead of themselves, leading to emotional absence and relationship breakdown
• Little Boy Wounds: Understanding how childhood attachment trauma and family-of-origin patterns unconsciously drive adult relationship behaviors, and why 90% of college-educated divorces are initiated by women citing emotional unavailability
• The Three-Level System: Stuart's practical framework for healing core wounds through story work (voice dialogue), inner child integration, and somatic practices that transform unconscious enemies into conscious allies
• Assertiveness vs. Aggression: Learning to communicate boundaries and needs without dominating or people-pleasing, plus the crucial difference between showing up powerfully versus trying to control outcomes

Find Stuart's Work:

• Website: StuartMotola.com
• YouTube: Stuart Motola (200+ videos on men's relationship work)
• Weekly Men's Call: Tuesdays at 12 PM Eastern
• Book: "Fixing You Is Killing Me"

Get in touch in the comments below or head to:

• Website: www.weslambert.me
• Listen: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Yv1ciX90C3zdPxD67kjyY?si=cf6bec6d6e874108 or Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mature-male/id1805978833
• Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@themature_male
• Email: wesjlambert@gmail.com

Lee is a business psychologist, male allyship specialist, and founder of Male Allies UK and Essentialized Workplace Wellbeing. Inducted as a Kavli Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences in 2023 and recognized as a gender equality changemaker by UN Women, Lee is one of the UK's leading voices on male allyship and gender equity. He's also the author of "Momentum: 13 Ways to Unlock Your Potential."

What We Cover:

• The Modern Male Crisis - Why traditional masculine stereotypes are failing men and boys, leading to declining mental health outcomes, addiction rates, and life satisfaction across all age groups
• Technology's Impact on Male Development - How digital connectivity is replacing real-world social skills and why 50% of boys find online worlds more engaging than real life, plus the dangerous rise of AI companions
• Research Insights from 1000+ UK Boys - Key findings about what young men actually think about masculinity, why they're not interested in Andrew Tate, and their desperate need for physical spaces and authentic role models
• Building Male Advocacy Skills - Why men need to develop self-advocacy abilities to challenge systems that aren't serving them, and how caregiving can transform masculine identity and leadership capabilities

Resources - Find Lee's Work:

• Website: LeeChambers.org
• LinkedIn: Lee Chambers
• Book: "Momentum: 13 Ways to Unlock Your Potential"
• Organizations: Male Allies UK, Essentialized Workplace Wellbeing

Jake Stika is the co-founder and executive director of Next Gen Men, where he's passionate about changing how we see, act, and think about masculinity. He's spoken at the United Nations, co-authored a children's book about masculinity, and recently became the new publisher of Voice Male magazine, continuing a 40-year legacy of the pro-feminist men's movement. Currently completing his master's in social business and entrepreneurship through the London School of Economics.

In this episode, we explore:

• The "paper cuts of patriarchy" - How boys are systematically disconnected from emotional intimacy and physical touch from early childhood, creating the foundation for men's mental health struggles later in life
• Why "undefining" masculinity matters more than redefining it - Moving beyond toxic vs. healthy masculinity binaries toward recognizing 4 billion different ways to be a man, as long as they don't cause harm
• The self-improvement trap vs. community-based growth - How the culture of individual optimization and extreme challenges can perpetuate isolation, and why sustainable change happens through consistent community practices
• Building authentic male friendships and challenging social norms - Practical strategies for creating deeper connections while navigating the tension between authenticity and belonging in male peer groups

Resources - Find Jake's Work:

• Next Gen Men: nextgenmen.ca
• Social: @NextGenMen on major platforms
• Voice Male Magazine (new publisher)

Tripp Lanier is the author of "This Book Will Make You Dangerous" and host of The New Man podcast, which has garnered millions of downloads. He coaches high-achieving men—from small business owners to startup founders to Navy SEALs—helping them escape the rat race and build meaningful careers aligned with their authentic selves. Tripp lives a quiet, simple life with his wife and daughter near the beach in North Carolina.

In this episode, we explore:

• The "finish line" trap - Why successful men often feel empty despite achieving their goals and how the "religion of careers" keeps them stuck in unfulfilling patterns
• Moving from performance to essence - The critical shift from asking "who am I?" to "who am I really?" and how to shed the false identities that no longer serve you
• Fear, integrity, and taking up space - How catastrophic thinking paralyzes high achievers, the importance of developing relationship skills, and what it means to live with true integrity
• From purpose to meaning - The evolution from self-focused achievement to generative contribution, and why meaning trumps purpose in the second half of life
• Resources: Find Tripp's work at triplanier.com, grab his book "This Book Will Make You Dangerous" on Amazon, and listen to The New Man podcast on all major platforms

Get in touch in the comments below or head to...Website: www.weslambert.me
Listen: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Yv1ciX90C3zdPxD67kjyY?si=cf6bec6d6e874108 or Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mature-male/id1805978833
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@themature_male
Email: wesjlambert@gmail.com

Nick Firchau is a journalist, podcast producer, and creator of Paternal, an acclaimed podcast featuring conversations about fatherhood, manhood, and masculinity. Over six years and 120+ episodes, Paternal has been featured in the Washington Post, Apple Podcasts, and Lifehacker, exploring the complexities that unite men across different backgrounds through conversations with psychologists, bestselling authors, entertainers, and professional athletes.

In today's discussion we covered:

• The isolation crisis among new fathers - Why men struggle to find community and resources during the transition to fatherhood, and how cultural conditioning prevents them from seeking vulnerability and support
• Generational patterns and father wounds - How becoming a dad forces men to examine their own fathers, with 40% of guests having absent or negligent paternal relationships, and the challenge of breaking cycles without positive role models
• Creating authentic male friendships - The shift from surface-level conversations to identifying 3-4 key male friends for deeper connection, and why making new friends as fathers often works better than relying on old relationships
• Identity transformation and self-care - Navigating the loss of independence when becoming a father while maintaining individual identity and finding healthy outlets beyond family responsibilities

Resources:

• Paternal Podcast: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and paternalpodcast.com
• Instagram: @paternalpodcast
• Email newsletter signup at paternalpodcast.com
• Contact for story submissions: paternalpodcast.com

Marlo Pedroso is a licensed independent clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience specializing in integrative approaches including somatic focusing, psychedelic-assisted therapy, and internal family systems. As a queer child of Portuguese immigrants, Marlo brings a unique perspective to helping men transform their relationship with masculinity and develop authentic connections.

In this episode, we explore:

• Navigating cultural expectations - How immigrant family backgrounds and traditional masculinity create complex identity challenges for modern men
• Father-son relationship dynamics - Setting healthy boundaries while grieving the emotional connection you may never have, and accepting parental capacity limitations
• Breaking isolation through community - Why men's healing happens in relationship with others, and how to move beyond unhealthy self-reliance into authentic vulnerability
• Somatic approaches to emotional regulation - Practical body-based techniques to help men connect with their emotions and improve relational skills, moving from "neck-up" processing to whole-body awareness

Resources:

• Website: marlopedroso.com
• Substack: Find Marlo's writings, thoughts, and poems on his Substack profile

Get in touch in the comments below or head to...Website: www.weslambert.meListen: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Yv1ciX90C3zdPxD67kjyY?si=cf6bec6d6e874108 or Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mature-male/id1805978833Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@themature_maleEmail: wesjlambert@gmail.com

Jeff Hittner is an executive coach, leadership expert, and founder of Ambitious Dads. After learning he couldn't become a biological father, he redefined what fatherhood meant and now proudly parents two boys. The former founder of IBM's corporate social responsibility consulting practice has spent two decades coaching CEOs and, after interviewing over 200 modern fathers, now helps high-performing dads lead with presence, courage, and a version of success worth passing on.

In this episode, we explore:

• The 6 Dad Gaps - The most universal challenges facing modern fathers, from confidence issues to the brotherhood gap that keeps dads isolated in their struggles
• Good vs. Great Fatherhood - Why effort alone makes you a good father, but intentional growth and investment in yourself creates great fathers who lead with purpose
• Applying Leadership Skills at Home - How high-performing dads can transfer their professional coaching and feedback abilities to become better parents, including Jeff's powerful example of asking permission before giving feedback
• Redefining Success as a Father - Moving beyond traditional metrics to create a version of success worth modeling for your children, embracing imperfection, and building resilience through intentional parenting moments

Resources - Connect with Jeff Hittner:- Website: AmbitiousDads.com- Podcast: Ambitious Dads Podcast

Get in touch in the comments below or head to...
-Website: www.weslambert.me
-Listen: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Yv1ciX90C3zdPxD67kjyY?si=cf6bec6d6e874108 or Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mature-male/id1805978833
-Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@themature_male
-Email: wesjlambert@gmail.com

Davi Lazar is an award-winning film director, spoken word poet, and facilitator passionate about purpose-driven storytelling that explores vulnerability and resilience. In July 2025, he founded Yoga and Pints, a men's group in Waltham Forest, England, where men gather to stretch, talk, and connect authentically.

Key Discussion Points:

• Creating Spaces for Male Connection - How yoga serves as a gateway for men to access emotions and why physical movement breaks down barriers to meaningful conversation
• Masculinity Evolution - Davi's personal transformation from an isolated, angry man to someone who processes emotions healthily and maintains deeper relationships
• Accountability vs. Victim Mindset - Why taking ownership of your actions, even when you've been wronged, is essential for growth and relationship repair
• Creative Expression as Healing - How filmmaking, poetry, and storytelling become vehicles for processing trauma and connecting with others through shared human experiences

Resources:Learn more about Davi's work at davilazarfilms.com

Get in touch in the comments below or head to:Website: www.weslambert.meListen: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Yv1ciX90C3zdPxD67kjyY?si=cf6bec6d6e874108 or Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mature-male/id1805978833Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@themature_maleEmail: wesjlambert@gmail.com