In this conversation on Motivated Masculine Men, Chris sits down with Jesse Boulden, director of the International Alert Academy, a 32-year-old nonprofit gap year program that trains young men aged 17 to 25 in emergency response skills, leadership, and what it truly means to become a man.

Jesse has been with the program for 18 years since graduating from it in 2008. He shares how the organization addresses the struggles young men face today, from father wounds and identity crises to the impact of instant gratification, technology overload, and growing up in a culture that has confused masculinity with toxicity.

They explore how the loss of traditional father figures has created a vacuum filled by figures like Andrew Tate, why both men and women are struggling with shifting gender roles, and how young men can develop healthy self-identity through delayed gratification, trauma processing, and finding purpose beyond themselves. Jesse also shares practical tools the academy uses, including generational trauma mapping, breathing techniques, and the concept of living amends, to help young men prepare for high-stress careers in firefighting, law enforcement, and the military.

This is a conversation about mentorship, resilience, and helping the next generation of men find their identity in something deeper than external success.

About Jesse Boulden

Jesse Boulden is the director of the International Alert Academy, a Christian-based gap year program that has been training young men for over three decades. The program combines military-style discipline, emergency response training, and deep mentorship to help young men navigate identity, trauma, and purpose. Jesse has dedicated nearly two decades to guiding young men through one of the most critical seasons of their lives, equipping them not just with skills but with the character and resilience to lead well.

Connect with Jesse Boulden

🌐 Website: https://alertacademy.com/
📸 Instagram: @alertacademy
📘 Facebook: @alertacademy
📺 YouTube: @ALERTAcademy

Connect with Motivated Masculine Men

🌐 Website: www.motivatedmasculinemen.com
✉️ Email: brotherhood@motivatedmasculinemen.com
📱 Social: @MotivatedMasculineMen

Want to be a guest or know someone who would be great for the show?

Email us at brotherhood@motivatedmasculinemen.com. We're always looking for men with powerful stories and real conversations to share.

⭐ Leave a rating and review to help more men find these conversations
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What You'll Learn

• How father wounds and absent fathers shape a young man's identity
• Why the push for gender equality has created unintended consequences for both men and women
• The impact of technology, instant gratification, and post-COVID challenges on young men today
• How figures like Andrew Tate fill the vacuum left by confused masculinity messaging
• The balance between passive weakness and aggressive control in healthy masculinity
• Why strength and capability should be used for protection and provision, not personal gain
• How to help young men develop identity beyond their job, status, or achievements
• The importance of delayed gratification in building mental resilience
• Practical trauma processing tools including generational trauma mapping and breathing exercises
• Why gratitude rewires the brain and shifts perspective during hard times
• How to prepare young men for high-stress careers in first responder and military roles
• Why finding identity in Christ provides the foundation for real manhood

Young men today are growing up in a world that tells them masculinity is toxic while also offering no clear path to what healthy manhood looks like. This conversation offers real answers, practical tools, and a vision for raising men who lead with strength, serve with purpose, and live with integrity.

In this conversation on Motivated Masculine Men, Chris sits down with Ezra Vancil, a musician whose life became a cycle of addiction, broken relationships, and feeling trapped in patterns he could not escape. Ezra describes his journey as being like a never-ending game of Donkey Kong, where every time you think you have conquered one challenge, another barrel comes rolling down.

But Ezra's story is not just about struggle. It is about transformation. After hitting rock bottom, he made the decision to acknowledge his pain, step away from toxic patterns, and rebuild the relationships that mattered most. His marriage nearly fell apart during his recovery when his wife could not handle the changes he was making, but through commitment and community support, he found his way back to his family and to himself.

This conversation explores what it takes to break free from the past, prioritize your own growth without guilt, and build a life rooted in purpose and connection. Ezra proves that change is possible, even when it feels impossible.

About Ezra Vancil

Ezra Vancil is a musician who has lived through addiction, personal crisis, and the hard work of rebuilding his life and relationships. His journey from rock bottom to recovery shows that transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous process of growth, accountability, and surrounding yourself with the right people. Through his music and his story, Ezra inspires others to face their struggles head on and rewrite their own narratives.

Connect with Ezra Vancil

eravancil.com

https://open.spotify.com/artist/53DBJZYKrYOYUGz0co8XLQ?si=9ZR1oPXmRX6Kd_Ja2p4gog

Connect with Motivated Masculine Men

🌐 Website: www.motivatedmasculinemen.com
✉️ Email: brotherhood@motivatedmasculinemen.com
📱 Social: @MotivatedMasculineMen

Want to be a guest or know someone who would be great for the show?

Email us at brotherhood@motivatedmasculinemen.com. We're always looking for men with powerful stories and real conversations to share.

⭐ Leave a rating and review to help more men find these conversations
🎧 Subscribe so you never miss an episode

What You'll Learn

• Why acknowledging your struggles is the first step to transformation
• How hitting rock bottom can become a catalyst for real change
• The impact addiction has on relationships and how to rebuild trust
• Why stepping away from toxic patterns requires courage and support
• How to surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage growth
• Why continuous growth means accepting that challenges never stop coming
• The importance of prioritizing yourself without guilt
• How to move from surviving to thriving
• Why community and shared stories matter in recovery
• The power of rewriting your story no matter how stuck you feel

Life may feel like a never-ending game where challenges keep coming. But you have the power to level up, break free from the past, and build a life filled with purpose and connection. This conversation is for the man ready to stop repeating the same cycle and start thriving.

In this episode of Motivated Masculine Men, Chris sits down with Sean Carey, a single dad, author, speaker, and coach who rebuilt his life from the ground up after losing everything. Sean shares his journey through divorce, addiction, and the devastating loss of his ex-wife to alcoholism. Through it all, he discovered what it really means to take responsibility and reclaim masculine identity.

Sean breaks down the RISE framework he developed to regain control of his life: Responsibility, Intentionality, Strategy, and Empowerment. This conversation explores why men must lead themselves before they can lead others, how to build sustainable habits starting small, and why vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.

They dive deep into the importance of authentic masculinity, the dangers of suppressing emotions, and how men can create real change through intrinsic motivation and intentional action. This is a raw, honest conversation about what it takes to rebuild your identity and show up as the man you are meant to be.

About Sean Carey

Sean Carey is a single dad, author of "A Single Dad's Comeback," speaker, and coach who helps men reclaim their identity and build resilience. After overcoming personal crisis, addiction, and family loss, Sean developed the RISE framework to guide men toward clarity, purpose, and sustainable growth. Through his coaching and speaking, he empowers men to take responsibility, lead authentically, and create lives of meaning and impact.

Connect with Sean Carey

📸 Instagram: @coachseancarey📘 Facebook: coachseancarey✉️ Email: coachseancarey@gmail.com📖 Book: "A Single Dad's Comeback" (available on Amazon)

Connect with Motivated Masculine Men

🌐 Website: www.motivatedmasculinemen.com✉️ Email: brotherhood@motivatedmasculinemen.com📱 Social: @MotivatedMasculineMen

Want to be a guest or know someone who would be great for the show?

Email us at brotherhood@motivatedmasculinemen.com. We're always looking for men with powerful stories and real conversations to share.

⭐ Leave a rating and review to help more men find these conversations🎧 Subscribe so you never miss an episode

What You'll Learn

• How to rebuild your identity after rock bottom
• The RISE framework: Responsibility, Intentionality, Strategy, and Empowerment
• Why men must lead themselves before leading others
• The difference between intrinsic and external motivation
• How to build sustainable fitness and life habits starting small
• Why vulnerability and transparency strengthen masculinity
• The importance of positive language and mindset in personal growth
• How to be multidimensional: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health
• Communication patterns between men and women and the concept of "meadowing"
• Why living authentically creates the legacy you want to leave

You cannot pour from an empty cup. You cannot protect and provide for others if you have not first taken responsibility for yourself. This conversation is for the man ready to stop making excuses and start rising up.

In this conversation on Motivated Masculine Men, Chris sits down with Eric Tan for a real conversation about masculinity, relationships, and stepping up as a man when life does not go to plan.

Eric shares his journey through uncertainty, including being separated from his partner during COVID lockdowns and visa challenges, and how that period forced him to take ownership of who he was becoming as a man. What followed was a shift in how he approached commitment, leadership, and responsibility in his relationship.

They dive deep into one of the biggest turning points in Eric’s life. Going from never wanting kids to becoming a father in his 40s. He opens up about how that decision changed everything. His mindset, his priorities, and how he now shows up as a husband and a man.

This is a conversation about growth, adapting to change, and choosing to step into the man you are meant to be.

Who is Eric

Eric Tan is a husband and father who has gone through a powerful personal transformation in how he approaches masculinity, relationships, and family. His journey reflects what many men experience but rarely talk about. Navigating uncertainty, stepping into commitment, and redefining what it means to lead in a relationship.

Connect with Eric

email : writetoeric@gmail.com

x account : https://x.com/AlphaLionBrah

Connect with Motivated Masculine Men

🌐 Website: www.motivatedmasculinemen.com✉️ Email: brotherhood@motivatedmasculinemen.com📱 Social: @MotivatedMasculineMen

⭐ Leave a rating and review to help more men find these conversations🎧 Subscribe so you never miss an episode

What You’ll Learn

• How uncertainty can shape you into a stronger man• The impact of COVID separation on relationships and commitment• Why taking ownership is key to masculinity• The shift from avoiding fatherhood to embracing it fully• How becoming a father later in life changes perspective• What it means to lead in a relationship• How men can grow through challenge instead of avoiding it

Life will test you. The question is whether you avoid it or step up and grow through it. This conversation is for the man who knows he is capable of more and is ready to become it.

In this conversation on Motivated Masculine Men, Chris sits down with Idaho Senate candidate Denny LaVe for a powerful and honest conversation about faith, responsibility, and the courage it takes to step forward and serve.

Denny shares the unlikely path that led him here. From a difficult childhood in Montana, to years living in a French monastery, to building a life as an ironworker, husband, and father. After nearly two decades of prayer and mentorship, he believes he has been called to run for the United States Senate.

This is not a typical political interview. Chris asks direct and challenging questions about reckless government spending, transparency in military operations, the national debt, and what real leadership should look like. Denny explains why he believes Washington has lost touch with everyday Americans and why a blue collar voice is needed to challenge the system and bring accountability back to government.

The conversation also dives into masculinity, suffering, mental health, and why men must be willing to carry responsibility even when the cost is high.

A Bit About Denny

Denny LaVe is an ironworker, business owner, husband, father, and Republican candidate running for the United States Senate in Idaho. His life journey includes years spent in a French monastery, decades working in the skilled trades, and building a successful ironworking company that he is now preparing to pass on to the next generation.

Grounded in his Christian faith and a belief in servant leadership, Denny is running to challenge reckless government spending, bring transparency to Washington, and represent the voice of hardworking Americans.

Connect with Denny

🌐 Campaign Website: dennyforsenate.com

📘 Book: Blue-Collar Blessed Book - https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Collar-Blessed-Humble-Life-Idaho/dp/1510785922

You can learn more about Denny’s campaign, support his run for Senate, and get a copy of his book through his campaign website.

Connect with Motivated Masculine Men

🌐 Website: www.motivatedmasculinemen.com

✉️ Email: brotherhood@motivatedmasculinemen.com

📱 Social: @MotivatedMasculineMen

⭐ Leave a rating and review to help more men find these conversations

🎧 Subscribe so you never miss an episode

What You’ll Learn

• Why Denny believes he was called to run for the U.S. Senate

• How a life in the trades shaped his view on leadership and responsibility

• Why reckless government spending and national debt must be addressed

• The importance of transparency in military and government systems

• Lessons from living in a monastery and embracing sacrifice

• Why suffering and hardship can build stronger men

• The mental health challenges many men carry silently

• Why real leadership requires humility, courage, and service

Real leadership is not about power. It is about responsibility. In a time when many people have lost trust in government, this conversation explores what it means for an ordinary man to step forward and fight for change.

In this second conversation with Stephen Paul Edwards, Chris and Stephen shift the focus toward financial freedom, investing, and the mindset required to build long term wealth. They break down why most people are never taught how money actually works and why relying on income alone will rarely create true financial security.

Stephen shares practical insights on leveraging time and money, paying yourself first, and building assets that grow over time. The conversation explores why saving alone is not enough, how wealthy people make money work for them, and why understanding investments is one of the most important skills men can develop.

They also discuss the importance of creating a financial statement, understanding your net worth, and learning to think differently about money, time, and opportunity.

About Stephen

Stephen Paul Edwards is a coach, author, and speaker focused on personal development, wealth thinking, and human potential. Through his work he encourages people to challenge limiting beliefs, take responsibility for their financial future, and build lives based on purpose, ownership, and long term thinking.

Connect with Stephen Paul Edwards

Website: VFT23.com

Connect with Motivated Masculine Men

🌐 Website: www.motivatedmasculinemen.com

📧 Email: brotherhood@motivatedmasculinemen.com

📱 Social: @MotivatedMasculineMen

⭐ Leave a rating and review to help more men find these conversations

🎧 Subscribe so you never miss an episode

What You’ll Learn

• Why saving money alone will not create financial freedom

• The importance of paying yourself first and investing at least 10% of your income

• How wealthy people make money work for them through assets

• Why financial education is rarely taught in schools

• The difference between earning money and building wealth

• Why understanding your financial statement is critical

• How time can be more valuable than money when building wealth

• Why investing in appreciating assets is key to long term success

Financial freedom does not happen overnight. It happens through discipline, knowledge, and consistent action over time. If you want to take control of your financial future and start making your money work for you, this conversation will challenge how you think about wealth.

In this conversation on Motivated Masculine Men, Chris sits down with relationship expert and certified sex therapist Monica Tanner to explore what it takes to build a strong modern marriage. They talk about communication, emotional intelligence, and why collaboration works better than compromise in relationships.

Monica shares how men can pursue women in today’s world with confidence and respect, why vulnerability creates deeper connection, and how couples can create safe spaces to talk about intimacy and sex. The conversation also explores how childhood wounds show up in adult relationships, the importance of gratitude, and why choosing your partner every day is one of the most powerful commitments a man can make.

Monica's Bio

Monica Tanner is a relationship expert, certified sex therapist, author, and marriage coach. For over two decades she has helped couples improve communication, strengthen intimacy, and build lasting marriages. She is the author of Bad Marriage Advice and works with couples to create relationships built on emotional intelligence, honesty, and collaboration.

Connect with Monica

Website: https://monicatanner.com

Book: Bad Marriage Advice

Connect with Motivated Masculine Men

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motivatedmasculinemen

Website: https://motivatedmasculinemen.com

Email: Brotherhood@motivatedmasculinemen.com

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. It helps more men find these conversations.

What You’ll Learn

• Why communication is the foundation of strong relationships

• The difference between compromise and collaboration in marriage

• How men can pursue women with confidence and respect

• Why emotional intelligence strengthens relationships

• How childhood experiences influence adult relationships

• The importance of creating safe conversations around intimacy

• Why gratitude can transform your relationship

Strong relationships don’t happen by accident. They are built through communication, honesty, and choosing your partner every day. If you want to build a deeper connection and a stronger marriage, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

In this conversation, Stephen Paul Edwards shares a raw and honest look at relationships, addiction, mental health, and personal growth. We explore how toxic relationships can become powerful teachers, why understanding values matters, and how men lose themselves when they ignore truth and intuition.

Stephen opens up about masculinity, self love, belief systems, and the inner work required to grow into a grounded man. This conversation moves through darkness and clarity, touching on purpose, environment, manifestation, and the responsibility men have to know themselves deeply.

About Stephen

Stephen Paul Edwards is a coach, author, and speaker focused on human potential, self discovery, and conscious relationships. His life journey includes working with Tony Robbins, navigating addiction and mental health challenges, and writing his memoir The Venus Flytrap, a deeply personal exploration of love, attachment, and self awareness.

Stephen brings a perspective shaped by lived experience, reflection, and a relentless commitment to truth.

Connect with Stephen Paul Edwards

Website: VFT23.com

Connect with Motivated Masculine Men

🌍 Website: www.motivatedmasculinemen.com
✉️ Email: brotherhood@motivatedmasculinemen.com
📱 Follow on social media: @MotivatedMasculineMen
⭐ Leave a rating, share and review to help more men find these conversations
🎧 Subscribe so you never miss an episode

What You’ll Learn

• Why healthy masculinity matters for relationships and society
• How toxic relationships can drive self discovery and growth
• The role values play in choosing partners and building trust
• Why self love is required before love with others
• How beliefs and language shape personal reality
• The importance of environment and influence on growth
• Why intuition is a skill men must relearn
• How masculinity and femininity need balance, not competition
• Why time matters more than money
• How letting go of attachment creates freedom and purpose

This episode is for men ready to stop looking outside themselves for answers and start doing the internal work that leads to truth, freedom, and deeper connection.