ManTalks Podcast

Talking points: mindset, purpose, military, masculinity A sincere honor to chat with J.R., and I’m blown away by his perspective and honesty on the hardship he’s faced—and overcome. We cover a lot of ground: the importance of male friendship, the struggles veterans can go through, the importance of vulnerability AND accountability. Throughout it all, J.R.’s outlook shines through. Listen in, team. (00:00:00) - JR’s defining moment (00:11:45) - What happened to JR during his deployment (00:23:58) - How men and veterans get stripped of purpose and identity, what contributes to that, and how we can do better  (00:38:04) - What JR would say to men who see the state of things and retreat into isolation, and the importance of building emotional for yourself (00:55:50) - What JR would teach the next generation of men J.R. Martinez’s life story is one of resilience and transformation. A Louisiana-born Army veteran and Iraq War survivor, Martinez faced tragedy early in his military service when a roadside bomb explosion left him with severe burns covering over a third of his body. His recovery included 34 months of treatment and 33 surgeries, a challenging journey that revealed his strength and inspired a new purpose. Martinez began sharing his story, quickly becoming a sought-after speaker, captivating audiences at military bases and for major organizations like Delta and Wells Fargo. His personal mantra, “Adapt & Overcome,” resonated deeply, embodying his commitment to resilience and gratitude. He’s also become an advocate for organizations like the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors and Glasswing International, earning awards like the Ivy Award and the National Red Cross Spirit Award. In 2008, Martinez ventured into acting with a role on All My Children, which opened doors in entertainment. He won the 2011 season of Dancing with the Stars, capturing audiences nationwide. His memoir, Full of Heart, became a New York Times bestseller, and he later pursued higher education, a milestone for his family. Today, Martinez continues to inspire through speaking engagements, acting, and advocacy, sharing his journey of strength and hope with audiences worldwide while balancing family life with his wife, Diana, and their children. Connect with JR -Website: https://jrmartinez.com/ -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjrmartinez -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamjrmartinez -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jradapt/ *** 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/ Check out some 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? If so, please 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 episodes, visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Talking points: attachment, psychology, relationships Men tend to underestimate how important the feeling of safety is for their partners. Not a dig, just something I’ve seen time and time again. And if you’re partner has an avoidant or anxious attachment style, your part in creating a sense of safety in the relationship can be complicated. Listen in for some straightforward tips. (00:00:00) - Intro, and why women sometimes “test” you (00:03:45) - Here’s what changes when she has an avoidant or anxious attachment style (00:06:39) - And here’s what to do if she’s anxious (00:10:14) - Tactics if she’s avoidant *** 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/ Check out some 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? If so, please 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 episodes, visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Talking points: mindset, psychology, meditation, spirituality Meditation and mindfulness get a lot of air time these days, especially on the more “crunchy” side of wellness spectrum. But is it all it’s cracked up to be? I sat down with Shai to really dig into this, from the wildly esoteric and spiritual side of the question to the more practical, tactical side. Because what’s the point of enlightenment if it doesn’t make things, well, a little lighter? (00:00:00) - Shai’s feeling of being “outside” the usual human experience, the difference between detachment and dissociation, and using things like meditation to avoid life (00:09:52) - What IS consciousness, and the West’s obsession with enlightenment (00:25:45) - Why are humans even capable of self-reference? What’s the point?  (00:34:16) - Do these complex, philosophical ideas help with our day-to-day lives? (00:43:20) - How can men develop greater mental flexibility and combat closed-mindedness? (00:56:55) - What to do to get your calm back in a conflict (01:02:07) - The ultimate test of mental flexibility: putting yourself in a loved one’s shoes (01:09:41) - On reigniting imagination and using it for good Shai Tubali is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Leeds, UK. He has a doctorate in philosophy of religion from the School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science at the University of Leeds. He’s the author of the monograph Cosmos and Camus: Science Fiction Film and the Absurd (Peter Lang) and a contributor to the Routledge Companion to Absurdist Literature, as well as a prolific published author, having written over twenty books, including award-winning and bestselling titles. Among his diverse publications, one can find prose, poetry, practical books on meditation and self-development, and philosophical treatises on South-Asian philosophy and classical Greek philosophy.  Connect with Shai -Website: https://shaitubali.com/ -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaitubali/ -Flexible Mind: https://yourflexiblemind.com/ -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQwf6sSC-F2sH4uDOmJkKsw *** 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/ Check out some 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? If so, please 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 episodes, visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Talking points: mindset, psychology Aristotle said, “I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self.” Speaking from my own experience, he’s definitely wasn’t wrong. Here’s what nearly every man on the planet has to battle—and how to reclaim your power. (00:00:00) - Intro and why this is an important topic (00:03:37) - What causes a lack of impulse control? Two massive reasons (00:10:40) - How to actually develop a deep, quality capacity for impulse control *** 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/ Check out some 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? If so, please 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 episodes, visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices