What if the most game-changing shift in your life is a three-letter word you’ve been afraid to use?

In this episode of Men Talking Mindfulness, hosts Will Schneider and Jon Macaskill sit down with Jim Alling—former President of Starbucks, COO of T-Mobile USA, and CEO of TOMS—to explore how the simple word yes, paired with gritty gratitude and servant leadership, can transform the way men lead, live, and relate.

Jim shares how saying yes to the right things—family, values, service, and curiosity—helped him navigate massive responsibility: tens of thousands of employees, billions in revenue, and the pressure of leading globally recognized brands. He also gets honest about the real cost of hustle culture, what burnout feels like at the top, and why the most effective leaders are often the most human.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:
• How one mentor at Starbucks taught Jim the “power of yes”
• Why he chose family and his child’s health over a secure corporate path
• What gritty gratitude looks like when life is hard—not polished
• The difference between performative leadership and servant leadership
• Why men who “have it all together” often feel empty inside
• How to say yes without becoming a doormat (values, boundaries, clarity)
• How humility, humor, and service kept Jim grounded across Nestlé, Starbucks, T-Mobile, and TOMS

If you’re a man caught between success and burnout—or you lead people and want to make a real difference without losing your soul—this episode is for you.

You’ll walk away with:
✅ A new understanding of yes as a doorway to purpose
✅ A servant-leadership blueprint that still delivers results
✅ Tools to integrate gratitude into pressure and responsibility
✅ Encouragement to lead as your whole self—not just your title

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Release Dates
• Medical Edition Vol. 1: December 22, 2025
• Consumer Edition Vol. 1: January 20, 2026

Discount Code: PFH25

Offer Windows
• Medical Edition: Dec 20, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
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Proceeds support the development of the Children of Veterans Program.
Preview both editions:
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Links & Resources
🔗 More episodes & resources: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com
💼 Mental fitness & coaching with Will: https://willnotfear.com
🎤 Book Jon to speak with your team: https://jonmacaskill.com

If this episode resonates, please follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share it with one man who needs to hear it.

This episode was co-produced by Robert Lopez of https://www.cratesaudio.com/

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

If you’ve been dealing with constant dizziness and brain fog and you can’t figure out why you feel off, spacey, or not fully in your body, this episode is for you.

Dizziness and brain fog are not just random symptoms or signs of aging – they’re often your brain’s way of screaming that your balance system is overloaded and undertrained.

Constant dizziness and brain fog can also quietly wreck your focus, drain your energy, spike your anxiety, and sabotage how you show up at work, in the gym, and in your relationships.

In this episode, you’ll learn why what feels like a “mind problem” is often actually a balance problem – and how to start changing it from the ground up.

Human Performance Specialist Caydrick Bloomquist breaks down the hidden role of your brain’s balance network in mood, focus, stress, and sleep, and why most guys never get taught how to train it on purpose.

Caydrick’s work in Neuro-Functional Training and Mental Fitness shows that when you start working directly with your balance and awareness systems, you can shift how you feel faster and more powerfully than just trying to “think positive” or meditate harder. Instead of floating through your day half-present and half-dissociated, you learn how to get back in your body, stabilize your system, and actually feel like yourself again.

You’ll hear how balance drills and vestibular-focused work – including spinning, head movements, and targeted visual-vestibular exercises – can literally help rewire your brain. These inputs tell your nervous system, “You’re safe and in control,” which can calm anxiety, clear brain fog, and reduce that ongoing dizzy, floaty feeling in a way that sitting still often can’t touch.

If meditation has felt too slow or frustrating for you, this conversation gives you a more active, body-based way to train awareness, presence, and emotional regulation.

We also explore why your balance system is really your awareness system – constantly feeding your brain information about where you are in space. When that system is off, your brain feels unsafe and ramps up symptoms like dizziness, weird vision, brain fog, irritability, and emotional overreactions. When you tune this system up, you don’t just stand steadier; you think clearer, react calmer, and sleep deeper because your brain finally trusts your body again.

If you’re a man who’s tired of living with constant dizziness and brain fog, feeling like your brain is always half a second behind, this episode gives you a new map for what’s actually going on – and a path forward. You’ll walk away with a new understanding of why you feel the way you feel, plus practical ideas and a fresh respect for the “hidden hardware” driving your mood, focus, and performance.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This episode is a deep dive into why having fun is not optional for men’s mental health—it is the silver bullet that so many guys are missing. From the outside, men are told to grind harder, stay stoic, and carry everything alone, but inside, loneliness, stress, and emotional exhaustion are quietly stacking up. 

Having fun becomes a radical act of rebellion against isolation, shame, and emotional numbness. John and Will unpack how having fun and playful presence can pull men out of their heads and back into their hearts, bodies, families, and communities, opening the door to real connection, creativity, and relief.

Loneliness in men is now recognized as a genuine health risk, not just a feeling to tough out, and it is strongly linked to anxiety, burnout, depression, and even physical illness. 

In this conversation, John and Will explore how lightening up and making space for joy can interrupt that spiral. When men stop treating life as a never-ending performance review and start allowing play, silliness, and hobbies that feel good, their nervous systems calm down, stress chemistry shifts, and it becomes easier to open up, reach out, and let people in.

You’ll hear how simple practices—like reclaiming old passions, trying new playful activities, or bringing a sense of humor into daily routines—can build resilience and emotional flexibility. 

Research shows that enjoyable leisure and playful mindsets boost mood, sharpen focus, improve problem-solving, and enhance relationships, all of which are crucial for men who feel stuck, burnt out, or alone. This episode connects those insights directly to real life: how having fun with friends, partners, kids, or even solo can be the bridge from isolation to intimacy, from rigid seriousness to grounded presence.

The tone is honest, unpolished, and real—no fake positivity, no macho posturing. 

If you’re a man feeling the weight of loneliness, or you love a man who seems checked out, this conversation offers both language and tools to shift the story. You’ll walk away with a new understanding of why having fun is not childish or trivial—it is a serious strategy for protecting men’s mental health, rebuilding friendships, and rediscovering what it feels like to be fully alive.

Feeling stuck? If you need help getting out of your rut, Will can help - head to willnotfear.com to learn more about his coaching to get you off the hamster wheel. 

More from MTM at: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction

02:54 - Playfulness as a Tool for Connection

05:45 - The Consequences of Losing Playfulness

08:57 - Creativity and Brain Development

11:51 - Playfulness in Adulthood

14:51 - The Role of Fun in Mental Health

17:41 - Breaking Free from Societal Expectations

20:36 - Finding Joy in Everyday Life

23:41 - The Courage to Be Playful

26:53 - The Connection Between Play and Success

29:47 - Embracing Vulnerability and Fun

32:44 - The Adventure of Playfulness

35:28 - The Playful Spirit of Jesus

38:32 - Final Thoughts on Playfulness

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

If you’ve ever laid in bed wired, exhausted, and dreading tomorrow’s alarm, this episode is your playbook on how to improve sleep quality as a man who actually has things to do.

In this no‑BS conversation, we dig into how to improve sleep quality so you can boost recovery, calm your mind, and stop feeling like you’re running on fumes. You’ll hear how to improve sleep quality using simple, repeatable habits instead of gimmicks, and why better sleep might be the most powerful “performance enhancer” you’re not truly using yet.

Sleep is way more than closing your eyes; it’s your nightly reset for testosterone, mood, focus, and emotional resilience, and guys who short-change sleep pay for it with anxiety, irritability, weaker gains, and a higher risk of burnout and health issues.

That’s why this episode with Sleep Genius founder and former Navy SEAL Robert Sweetman goes deep on practical sleep hygiene, stress management, and recovery tactics designed for high-performing men who still want to show up strong for their families, teams, and missions.

You’ll learn how to lock in a consistent sleep schedule without feeling like a monk, how to set up a “sleep cave” that’s dark, cool, and distraction‑free, and how to use light, timing, and movement during the day so your brain actually wants to shut down at night.

Rob unpacks battle-tested tools from elite environments—like deliberate wind‑down routines, mental off‑loading, breathing, and mindfulness—to help calm your mind before bed so you’re not replaying your to-do list at 2 a.m.

You’ll also hear how better sleep accelerates muscle recovery, reduces injury risk, and improves decision‑making and reaction time, giving you an edge in training, career, and life. We link the science to real‑world habits you can use tonight—no magic supplements required. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear, simple plan for how to improve sleep quality, boost recovery, and calm your mind so you can wake up more energized, more grounded, and more dangerous—in all the right ways.

Buy Robert’s book here - https://www.amazon.com/62Romeo-SLEEP101-Weeks-Sleep-Restoration/dp/B0F8MLZQM2

Feeling stuck? If you need help getting out of your rut, Will can help - head to willnotfear.com to learn more about his coaching to get you off the hamster wheel. 

More from MTM at: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/

Chapters:
00:00 - Introductions
02:50 - Rob Sweetman on Improving Sleep
12:19 - Sleep Hygiene and Mental Health
26:31 - How Light and Sound Affect Sleep
29:06 - Light, Sound, and Sleep Quality
32:29 - Brown Noise for Better Rest
33:50 - Noise, Temperature, and Sleep
37:50 - Building Consistent Sleep Routines
40:00 - New Sleep Solutions for the Military
41:58 - Developing Military Sleep Pods
43:37 - Better Sleep Tools for Warfighters
48:45 - Coaching High Performers on Sleep
52:02 - Common Sleep Disruptors
53:26 - Healthy Sleep Habits
58:11 - Sleep Tracking: Pros and Cons
01:01:06 - Why Deep Sleep and REM Matter
01:02:36 - How Meal Timing Affects Sleep
01:05:02 - Processed Foods, Obesity, and Health
01:07:27 - Intermittent Fasting Insights
01:08:51 - Eating Habits That Support Sleep
01:11:13 - Closing Thoughts and Giveaway

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Welcome to George’s Self-Discovery Journey—a raw, real conversation inspired by the acclaimed movie, The Subtle Art of Losing Yourself. In this episode, George blazes a trail through the wild Scottish Highlands, bringing to life the core themes of his transformational film. If you’re ready for something beyond the usual self-help chatter, this self-discovery Journey plunges you into discomfort and uncertainty—where letting go of control is the only way to discover your truth.

George shares moments of falling apart and finding strength, trading comfort for courage. Be prepared for stories of surrender, of inner critics silenced in the mud and rain, and of what happens when you lose yourself to finally find what matters.

No filters, no perfection—just the honesty of starting over, learning to cope, and the gritty reality of rediscovering yourself from the inside out. Whether you’re struggling with burnout, searching for meaning, or daring to break old patterns, let The Subtle Art of Losing Yourself be your invitation to real personal change.

Here is the Youtube link to he Subtle Art of Losing Yourself : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KArWcMldPM

More about George and his work here: https://www.youtube.com/@George-Thompson

Feeling stuck? If you need help getting out of your rut, Will can help - head to willnotfear.com to learn more about his coaching to get you off the hamster wheel. 

Looking for a great Speak or Coach - Jon Macaskill can help - learn more here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonmacaskill/

More from MTM at: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/ 

Chapters:
00:00 – Introductions
03:00 – How Film Mirrors Personal Discovery
09:29 – Creativity, Presence, and the Filmmaking Flo
15:43 – Parts Work Explained & Our Link to Nature
24:09 – Staying Authentic While Creating Online
28:38 – Leadership, Purpose, and a Shifting World
29:32 – Finding Meaning in Service Through Social Platforms
32:02 – Responding to Criticism with Self-Affirmation
35:11 – The MMA Method for Daily Growth
36:06 – Rewriting Self-Image Through Affirmations
37:27 – Facing Fear with Presence and Mindfulness
40:13 – The Practice of Returning to the Present
41:51 – Nature, DNA, and Interconnected Life
46:11 – Holding Unity in a Dualistic World
48:27 – Personal Growth and Accepting the Self
51:01 – Vulnerability, Openness, and Community Connection

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Step into the next frontier in healing as we unravel the transformative world of ibogaine therapy in this groundbreaking conversation with Jonathan Dickinson of AMBIO Life Sciences. 

Ibogaine therapy isn’t just another trend—it’s a revolution for people who are ready to conquer TBI, PTSD, depression, anxiety and addiction. From the battlefield to the homefront, veterans and special operators are discovering how ibogaine therapy is changing everything they thought they knew about recovery, healing, and hope. 

With Stanford University’s groundbreaking research at the center of this episode, and the buzz from Netflix’s new documentary "In Waves and War," the world is finally waking up to how powerful ibogaine therapy can be. This documentary lays bare the real struggles and triumphs of veterans making the courageous choice to reclaim their lives—shining a spotlight on stories that echo everything Jonathan and AMBIO are living day after day.

Get ready to challenge what you think about addiction and trauma as Jonathan shares with Men Talking Mindfulness the science, the stories, and the remarkable outcomes that make ibogaine therapy a true game changer. 

Whether you’re struggling with the invisible wounds of traumatic brain injury, haunted by memories, or fighting to break free from depression or addiction, ibogaine therapy might just be the lifeline you’ve been searching for. 

Hear how brave veterans and special operators stepped up as pioneers, partnering with Stanford to unveil the brain-healing, life-rebuilding power of ibogaine therapy.  

We dive deep into integration, mental wellness, and why men are flocking to ancient solutions like ibogaine therapy. This isn’t about magic bullets or shortcuts—it’s about stepping you’re of isolation, getting help, owning your journey, and finally healing. Welcome to a new era of recovery, one where courage and connection drive true healing.

More about Ambio Life Sciences and your Work with Ibogaine here:
https://www.ambio.life/

Feeling stuck? If you need help getting out of your rut, Will can help - head to willnotfear.com to learn more about his coaching to get you off the hamster wheel. 

More from MTM at: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

03:52 – Ibogaine’s Effects on PTSD and the Brain

08:59 – What Makes Ibogaine Healing

13:08 – Ibogaine’s Cultural Roots and Modern Use

18:24 – Ibogaine and the Ancestral Mind

24:50 – Compassion, Pain, and Ibogaine Recovery

30:15 – How the Brain Heals in Recovery

33:11 – Misconceptions About Ibogaine Therapy

38:05 – Global Legal Status of Ibogaine

44:41 – Inside the Ibogaine Treatment Journey

52:24 – Navigating Post-Psychedelic “Gray Days”

57:34 – Integration After Psilocybin

01:02:36 – High-Dose Ibogaine: Intensity & Control

01:04:17 – Staying Aware Through Ibogaine’s Intensity

01:09:28 – The Arc of Psychedelic Transformation

01:14:06 – Healing and Mindfulness in Chaos

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Meditation changed everything for Chris Lee. From Green Beret to father and high-performance coach, meditation wasn’t just a tool—it was a lifeline that helped Chris thrive on the battlefield and at home. 

In this episode, you’ll discover how meditation gave Chris an edge when pressure mounted, and how meditation helped him become a better leader, a more connected dad, and a genuinely fulfilled human being. Chris’s journey proves that meditation isn’t just about sitting still—it’s about transforming anger into calm, stress into resilience, and uncertainty into clear purpose.

Hear real stories of how Chris Lee used meditation to push past old limits and unlock patience, clarity, and strength. He combines insights from elite special forces training with practical meditation advice fit for any man navigating work and family life. With hard-won lessons and a dose of humor, Chris shows us why meditation belongs in your daily routine—whether you’re chasing success, battling overwhelm, or simply looking to be a stronger, more present man.

Dig into Chris Lee at: https://fieldofresilience.com/About

or on his IG at: https://www.instagram.com/coach_chris.lee/?hl=en

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction
01:48 - Engaging in Meditation
02:50 - One Breath Grounding Practice
03:32 - Chris's Journey to Meditation
04:11 - The Evolution of Chris's Practice
06:11 - Walking Meditation Insights
08:44 - Self-Compassion in Meditation
10:20 - Meditation's Impact on Relationships
12:14 - Realizing the Benefits of Meditation
14:40 - Transition from Military to Mindfulness
18:27 - The Need for Awareness
21:13 - Career Shift to Coaching
23:33 - Meditation as a Superpower
25:00 - The Journey to Inner Peace
27:25 - Removing Labels Through Meditation
30:02 - Resistance in Meditation
31:41 - Non-Doing in Meditation
34:18 - Finding Time for Meditation
36:02 - Tracking Progress and Metrics
39:15 - Mindful Choices and Alcohol
42:57 - Creating a Daily Meditation Protocol

Feeling stuck? If you need help getting out of your rut, Will can help - head to willnotfear.com to learn more about his coaching to get you off the hamster wheel. 

Looking for a great speaker or Coach hit up Jon Macaskill at https://jonmacaskill.com/

More from MTM at: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/

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Self-doubt. It’s loud, it’s sneaky, and it’s the voice in your head that tells you you’re not enough - even when you’re crushing it.

In this episode, we dive deep into self-doubt, unpacking how it grips men and secretly drives our choices, our relationships, and the stories we tell ourselves. If you've ever found yourself second-guessing your instincts, replaying that conversation (again), or holding back because of that relentless self-doubt, you’re definitely not alone. We’ll get brutally honest about where self-doubt comes from, why it sticks around, and how you can finally break its grip and reclaim your personal power.

Get ready for candid stories about the internal wars men fight every day, actionable strategies for smashing self-doubt, and a few laughs at the absurd stuff our brains conjure up when no one’s watching. Expect practical takeaways, surprising insights into men’s mental health, and tools you can use to step out of the self-doubt shadow—starting right now. If you’re tired of self-doubt stealing your confidence and joy, this episode is your call to take back your manhood and make your mind your ally, not your enemy.

Chapters:
00:00 – Introductions

05:19 – Embracing Worth and Authentic Leadership

19:31 – Owning Your Inner Voice

23:43 – The Journey to Confidence and Well-Being

25:26 – Power of Personal Affirmations

27:04 – Purpose, Brotherhood, and Self-Belief

32:16 – Growth Through Self-Doubt

33:51 – Seeking Feedback, Building Confidence

35:09 – Vulnerability and the Strength to Ask for Help

36:07 – Men and Overcompensation: Rewriting the Narrative

37:04 – Redefining Vulnerability with Courage

40:26 – Emotional Connection and Brotherhood

41:20 – The Illusion of Confidence

42:38 – Insecurity vs. True Confidence

45:13 – Legacy and the Path of Growth

46:40 – Strategies for Self-Reflection and Empowerment

Feeling stuck? If you need help getting out of your rut, Will can help - head to willnotfear.com to learn more about his coaching to get you off the hamster wheel. 

More from MTM at: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/ 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Most men fear what they don’t understand - and nothing confuses or frustrates them more than the hormonal changes women experience in midlife.

Jon and Will sit down with renowned women’s health expert Dr. Lisa Larkin to decode the menopause transition and reveal how understanding it can transform relationships, health, and communication. From navigating mood shifts and libido changes to recognizing breast cancer risks and the benefits of lifestyle and hormone therapy, Dr. Larkin exposes how women’s health - especially between ages 40 and 55 - has been neglected for far too long. This eye-opening conversation challenges stigma, empowers both partners to talk openly about menopause, and shows men why knowledge is the key to stronger, more connected relationships.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
03:02 - Bridging the Gender Gap in Midlife Women’s Health

06:12 - How Menopause Shapes Relationships

10:04 - What Every Woman Should Know About Midlife Health

13:41 - The Truth About Breast Cancer Risk

20:53 - Genetics, Sex, and the Overlooked Sides of Women’s Health

27:19 - Menopause at Work: Why Support Matters

32:13 - Treatment, Awareness, and Real Support for Menopausal Women

34:13 - The Real Story Behind Menopausal Hormone Therapy

51:03 - The Hidden Risks of High-Dose Testosterone Pellets

54:48 - How Hormonal Changes Affect Love and Connection

Feeling stuck? If you need help getting out of your rut, Will can help - head to willnotfear.com to learn more about his coaching to get you off the hamster wheel. 

More from MTM at: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this deeply personal piece, Jon shares something raw and different ... a song born straight from his journaling practice.

After years of living by duty, discipline, and performance, Jon found himself realizing he’d lost touch with the part of him that once felt fully alive.
That reflection became a song called “Called Home to Yourself.”

Through honest storytelling and emotional depth, Jon opens up about what it means to wake up after years on autopilot... to remember the child you once were, the fire you once carried, and the freedom of feeling seen again.

This song isn’t about perfection (nor is it perfect)... it’s about presence.
It’s about rediscovering who you are beneath the roles, the ranks, and the noise of everyday life.

If you’ve ever felt that quiet ache... that pull toward something real... this episode is for you.
Because sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is stop running, listen, and come home.

Listen to “Called Home to Yourself” — written and performed by... well, AI!!
Hosted by Jon Macaskill | Men Talking Mindfulness

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode with Karen Salmansohn, discover how thinking about death can be your greatest inspiration for living a purposeful, to-die-for life. “Your To-Die-For Life” flips the script on death, showing how embracing mortality turns every day into an urgent call to action—ditch regrets, seize your bucket list, and put meaning first. Death isn’t just an end; it’s a catalyst for bold choices, authentic relationships, and a legacy that matters. Learn practical, research-backed tools to let death fuel your courage, passion, and authentic self-expression. If you want to move from living on autopilot to a life that thrills you, tune in and let death motivate you to live fully now.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:16 - The Stories We Leave Behind
00:36 - Introducing Karen Solomonson and Her Insights
01:39 - Grounding Practice: Centering Ourselves
02:33 - Contemplating Mortality for Value-Based Decisions
03:11 - Aristotle's Wisdom: Starting with the End in Mind
04:06 - Learning Lessons for Personal Growth
05:09 - The Importance of Core Values
05:51 - Legacy: How We Show Up in Life
06:48 - The Impact of Feelings on Memory
07:30 - Living Authentically vs. Seeking External Validation
08:01 - Writing Your Eulogy: A Path to Clarity
08:13 - The Power of Mortality Awareness
09:05 - Identity-Based Habits: Who Do You Need to Become?
10:30 - Creating Identity-Based Statements
12:05 - Finding Core Values: A Practical Approach
14:07 - The Seven Core Values to Avoid Regrets
15:14 - Authenticity: The Key to True Expression
16:07 - Bravery: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
16:47 - Curiosity: The Path to Growth
18:23 - Discernment: Prioritizing What Matters
19:24 - Empathic Love: Building Meaningful Connections
20:55 - Fun: The Importance of Enjoying Life
23:53 - Gratitude: Appreciating What You Have
25:14 - The Role of Mortality in Urgency and Action
26:28 - Living with Intention: Making Every Day Count
30:23 - Breaking Free from Negative Narratives
32:33 - The Lab of Life: Embracing Growth
34:00 - The Struggle for Fulfillment: Eudaimonia vs. Hedonia
36:40 - Reawakening Your Identity: The Power of Self-Reflection
42:11 - Surrounding Yourself with Supportive People
45:03 - The Importance of Positive Influences


Feeling stuck? If you need help getting out of your rut, Will can help - head to willnotfear.com to learn more about his coaching to get you off the hamster wheel. 

More from MTM at: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.