I dive into Carl Jung’s concept of the Puer Aeternus—the eternal child, or what we might call the “man-child.” I explore how this archetype shows up in our lives through procrastination, fantasy, and avoidance of responsibility. I share myths like Icarus and Peter Pan, the shadow side of this archetype, and practical steps to move from the eternal boy to the integrated man.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:01 – The Puer Aeternus: Eternal Child

02:42 – Fixation on Youth vs. Responsibility

04:12 – The Provisional Life

07:01 – Myth of Icarus

08:12 – Peter Pan and Neverland

10:33 – The Seduction of Youth

13:24 – The Shadow Side

16:34 – Step 1: Accept Limitations

18:47 – Step 2: Embrace the Ordinary

20:14 – Step 3: Facing Failure

21:50 – Step 4: Commit to the Process

23:29 – Step 5: Seek a Mentor

25:28 – From Eternal Boy to Integrated Man

26:21 – Brutal Honesty and Feedback

27:43 – Closing Thoughts

***

Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-worth with help from this free guide: https://training.mantalks.com/self-worth

Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Heard about attachment but don’t know where to start? Try the FREE Ultimate Guide To Attachment

Check out some other free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your Relationship

Build brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from around the world. Check out The Alliance.

Enjoy the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the tools and training they’re looking for. And don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

For more, visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram

I sit down with Sandy to explore how childhood experiences and family dynamics shaped the way he shows up in his marriage and new role as a father. We dive into themes of complex trauma, feeling alone, and learning how to connect in the moment rather than after the fact. Together, we work through practical exercises on presence, nervous system awareness, and building safety in relationships. This is a raw, vulnerable dialogue about healing, fatherhood, and not carrying old patterns into the future.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 – Introduction

00:37 – Childhood patterns and family role

04:07 – Struggles in marriage and fatherhood

07:34 – Feeling unseen as a boy

11:17 – Working through tension in the body

15:51 – “I’m not alone anymore”

23:58 – Understanding complex trauma

31:08 – Daily connection practice with partner

36:50 – Breaking the freeze cycle

42:05 – Learning from fatherhood

44:30 – Closing reflections

***

Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-worth with help from this free guide: https://training.mantalks.com/self-worth

Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Heard about attachment but don’t know where to start? Try the FREE Ultimate Guide To Attachment

Check out some other free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your Relationship

Build brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from around the world. Check out The Alliance.

Enjoy the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the tools and training they’re looking for. And don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

For more, visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram

Today, I discuss the common belief that men are intimidated by successful women. We explore where this narrative comes from, why it persists, and what’s really going on beneath the surface. Instead of intimidation, attraction often breaks down when certain traits and behaviors enter the relationship dynamic. Tune in for an honest look at success, gender roles, and what makes relationships thrive or fail.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 – Are men really intimidated by women?

01:04 – The origins of this narrative

01:58 – Success vs. attraction in relationships

03:52 – Clarifying the message about women’s accomplishments

04:38 – What men actually get frustrated with

06:59 – Influence, power, and attraction dynamics

07:42 – Traits that push men away

08:32 – Why “intimidation” isn’t the real issue

10:14 – Relationship struggles with role balance

11:00 – Closing thoughts and reflections

***

Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-worth with help from this free guide: https://training.mantalks.com/self-worth

Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Heard about attachment but don’t know where to start? Try the FREE Ultimate Guide To Attachment

Check out some other free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your Relationship

Build brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from around the world. Check out The Alliance.

Enjoy the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the tools and training they’re looking for. And don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

For more, visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram