Proverbs 27:17 - "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
This is a familiar verse for men; even for non-Christians. It speaks directly to the heart of men telling them that in order to keep their edge they need other men in their life. However, we can't expect other men to sharpen us if we don't have a defined edge already. This is a quick discussion on the subject, but one that we need to have at the forefront of our minds on a daily basis. Feed the Wolf. Be the Iron. - Yarbrough
My pal Warren Peterson has experienced the ups and downs of life. He chased after success in the way most men do, and lost it all. That experience was a wake up call that he desperately needed, and now he is using it as a catalyst to help men get on the right track and lead a life that is truly significant.
John Eldredge's book Wild at Heart sparked a fire in Christian men, and called out churches for neglecting and misleading men's souls. He not only clarified the heart of men and defined the call which God put within us, he pointed to the wounds from our earthly fathers and the impact it has on every facet of our lives. Mr. Eldredge was a big inspiration for my change of direction, and we cover a number of points in this episode on Wild at Heart, the greatest longing in the heart of a man (or boy), how to recognize and deal with woundedness, and more. Show notes and other links at wolfandiron.com/018
I have two sons, both teens, and of course they love their game time. Heck, I was raised the Nintendo, so I completely understand. However, I can't help but feel that it's a waste of time. But should I? Is there something answered in playing video games that we are not getting from the real world? And, is there some benefit to gaming that we are overlooking?
In this episode I talk to Kyle Blessing, better known to gamers as Blessious, famed for his YouTube channel where he plays Destiny and other games to the enjoyment and amusement of many. It was my boys that introduced me to Blessious, and I was really taken in by his genuineness and humor. So, I reached out to him and this podcast is the result. It's a fun conversation, and it's one that needs to continue. As always, I would appreciate any feedback on this subject!
The supposed Cherokee myth of two wolves has been a popular motivational tale in the manosphere, but something about it just didn't sit well with me. While I appreciate the moral that the proverb gets across, I don't think it gets us headed in exactly the right direction. In this episode, I share some thoughts on the two wolves myth and an alternative view that I think a man should have regarding the wolf residing within.
The first time I heard Aaron Walker (known as "Big A") speak I knew I had to have him on the podcast. I didn't know anything about him, I just loved his enthusiasm. Before I read his book or had really taken a look at his site, I reached out to him and asked him to be a guest, to which he gladly obliged. If you know, or have seen Aaron talk, you likely feel the same. He is a man you want to be around and have in your life. What's more, he has an amazing story and a big heart.
Before the interview I asked Big A if had any questions for me. I'm such a down to business kind of guy, I sometimes -- no, all times -- forget to slow down and take people in. Anyhow, Aaron said he did, that he wanted to get to know me and my family a bit. He's a man that cares, folks, and it's genuine. We talked for a bit before jumping in to the official podcast. A few days after the interview I got a handwritten note in the mail. Class!
Aaron has a great story of being a successful entrepreneur at a young age, then looking for meaning in life. He brings years of experience to the table and it was an honor to speak to him. This is one podcast episode you don't want to miss, and Aaron Walker is the guy you need to be following.
At then end of the podcast Aaron surprised me by offering something to my audience (that's you). Here's the link to check it out.
http://www.viewfromthetop.com/wolfandiron
Website: http://viewfromthetop.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AaronWalkerVFTT/
Aaron's Iron Sharpens Iron Mastermind: https://viewfromthetop.leadpages.co/isi-sales-page/
I don't know when it happened, but at some point we denigrated the enlightened, renaissance man and esteemed the stoic, ridged, emotionally detached man instead. Introspection and a genuine understanding of our gifts and our failings, can lead a man to be better. It requires a good deal of humility for a man to see his shortcomings, but also to be himself (once he knows himself) around others.
My guest and friend for this podcast is Jason MacKenzie. He's the author of the Dadly Book of Open and founder of The Book of Open, both of which spotlight the unexpected power of authenticity and vulnerability in a man's life.
Website: http://thebookofopen.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebookofopen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookofopen/
Head over to http://thebookofopen.com/wolfandiron
Author, speaker, podcaster, and founder of The Good Dad Project, Larry Hagner, joins me on the Wolf & Iron podcast to talk about one of the most important topics a man can succeed in: Fatherhood. Larry is such an open guy and we covered a lot of ground in this episode. The piece on Fathering Forward (we didn’t call it that but that is what I am calling it now) was really impactful for both of us and was something that evolved from the conversation. One of the things I really respect about Larry is his dedication to fitness, which is where a lot of dads fall short. We tend to put fitness on the back burner once kids come along, though this is precisely the time we need to be fit (kids are a lot of work).