221 – The Conversation Is Critical, And It’s Up To You! - a podcast by Alf Herigstad

http://www.beingabettermanpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_1240.jpg ()


The Conversation Is Critical, And It’s Up To You…
First…a word about our sponsor:
This is Friday, and we are privileged to have our Friday episodes brought to you by our sponsor, http://stumptownkilts.com (stumptownkilts.com).  Listeners of this show can get 10% off their entire purchase by using the code:  betterman at checkout.  Just go to http://stumptownkilts.com (stumptownkilts.com), do your shopping, pick out your new kilt and enter the code betterman at checkout to receive your discount.  That’s betterman, all one word, all lower case.I’m proud to have Stump town as a sponsor of this show because I believe in their company and their product.  I own three of their kilts myself and I plan on getting more because there are some colors I don’t have.  You don’t need to iron these kilts, they are made from the best materials with the most innovative designs.  Like the huge hidden pocket, adjustable sizes, and snap-on accessories.  So don’t wait, summer is here and it’s time to wear your kilt.  Support this show by going to http://stumptownkilts.com (stumptownkilts.com) today.
__________________________________________On this show we talk about things that have to do with the act of being a man.  The character of men.  We talk about the role men have and the responsibility that comes along with it.  The reason we do this, is because someone has to.  I think one of the problems of our society is that somewhere along the line people in general just stopped talking about what manhood means.  So, that’s one of the things we do here.
Before the modern era, before people were so busy and so engrossed in technology I think it was a more regular part of the conversation.  Sons grew up in their fathers shadows with uncles and neighbors and other male members of the community all around them, having conversations with them.  The expectations of becoming a man were clear, and spoken, and demonstrated. In those days a boy looked forward to becoming a man and being a contributing member of the community.  He looked forward with great anticipation to being recognized and regarded as a fellow man in the tribe.  Like I said though, somewhere along the line in the past hundred years I think people in general just stopped talking about it as much.
Nowadays Dads are too busy.  Uncles and neighbors are also busy, and not a constant presence in a boy’s life.  Much of a day’s time is spent with everyone starring at the television, or their phone, or a computer screen.  What little time is left for conversation is rushed and concentrated on immediate concerns.  There isn’t time to have deep meaningful, philosophical discussions about life.As a result, many boys grow up with no real guidance or direction.  They emulate their peer group, older boys, music and sport idols, people they see in movies.  These guys are instilled with an artificial and superficial concept of what masculinity is.  They lack confidence because they have never really done anything to develop it.  Self esteem and self awareness are in short supply because they have not taken the time to know themselves.  They eventually grow up, make babies, and then start the cycle all over again with their own children.  It’s all quite tragic from a societal standpoint.
That’s why this podcast exists; to re-ignite the conversation.  I’m generalizing a great deal here.  What I am describing is the worst situation, but there are many degrees of this.  Many of you listening will identify with all, or perhaps just parts of what I’m saying.  Some of you may not identify with it at all, but you are in the minority. You are the fortunate few who have a different experience, but this is everyones problem.  It’s everyones problem because it affects our society as a whole.  It affects the world our loved ones live in.
I want to acknowledge all of you guys who listen to this podcast.  All you

Further episodes of Being A Better Man

Further podcasts by Alf Herigstad

Website of Alf Herigstad