Are you being too hard on yourself for things that may just be really hard for everyone?

On today's episode, Craig and Ben open up about the challenges of building and maintaining meaningful friendships. They explore the vulnerability required to show up authentically in relationships, the coping mechanisms they’ve developed over time, and the importance of navigating friendships with intention.

They also take turns sharing their thoughts on aliens and what in the hell is going on with all these drones.

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In this episode:

03:07 The Power of Community and Connection

05:51 Reflections on 75 Hard Journey

11:55 The Role of Yoga in Daily Life

18:00 The Alien Phenomenon and Cultural Reflections

45:36 Will Smith: A Complex Relationship

52:41 Understanding Celebrity Dynamics

56:54 Navigating Friendships and Relationships

01:01:50 The Challenge of Codependency

01:12:30 Future Aspirations and Intentions

01:23:53 Navigating Change in Relationships

01:31:24 The Importance of Transitioning Spaces

01:35:09 Understanding and Meeting Emotional Needs

01:49:27 The Journey to Emotional Maturity

01:55:23 Building Emotional Connection Through Communication

What have you learned about yourself this year?

In this year-end episode, Craig and Ben reflect on the highs and lows of 2024, exploring the challenges they’ve faced, the lessons they’ve learned, and the personal growth they’ve experienced along the way.

Thank you to everyone who’s supported the podcast this year and a special thanks to our wives, Jamie & Steph, for their unwavering support.

We’re deeply grateful and excited for next year and excited to see where the podcast takes us.

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In this episode:

02:50 Podcasting Journey and Growth

09:13 Reflections on Personal Growth and Change

15:10 Therapy and Mental Health

21:04 Recapping the Year: Challenges and Triumphs

27:13 Finding Joy in New Activities

35:55 The Role of Humor in Tough Times

43:14 Navigating Financial Challenges and Dreams

46:03 The Creative Journey and Content Creation

52:54 Reflecting on Personal Growth and Midlife Changes

01:08:08 Career Transitions and Life Milestones

01:28:38 Navigating Sales Leadership and Enterprise Challenges

01:34:03 Parenting Lessons and Life Skills

01:39:08 Understanding Adversity and Resilience

01:45:11 Creative Aspirations and Future Goals

Life Lessons From The Men Who Inspired and Guided Us.

Who are the men that have shaped you the most throughout your life?

In this reflective and personal episode, Craig and Ben explore the impact of influential men in their lives.

They share heartfelt stories about father figures, mentors, friends, and even unexpected influences who have shaped their perspectives on manhood, resilience, and connection.

They discuss the lessons learned, the relationships that left lasting impressions, and the importance of surrounding yourself with good people who push you to grow.

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In this episode:

00:49 Memorable Experiences at the Football Game

09:52 Influential Figures in Life

22:05 Reflections on Male Role Models

36:14 Cherished Childhood Memories and Friendships

40:55 Influential Figures in Education

45:12 Lessons from Mentors

57:00 Therapeutic Influences

01:02:40 Building Connections and Community

01:11:40 The Impact of Relationships on Personal Growth

01:18:21 Awareness and Impact in Jiu-Jitsu

01:21:23 The Importance of Feeling Seen

01:28:27 Lessons from Influential Men

01:32:24 Spiritual Teachings and Personal Reflection

01:40:53 The Power of Connection and Validation

What’s some of your favorite moments around a campfire?

In this laid-back and unscripted episode, Craig and Ben embrace the vibe of a campfire conversation and sit down for the first Brave Men Dare After Dark episode.

Diving into a wide range of topics, they share stories about their past experiences, from Craig’s days in law enforcement and Ben’s days in the military, to reflecting on how those roles shaped their lives.

With humor and candid reflections, they discuss everything from favorite campfire memories and Boy Scout adventures to the challenges of aging and staying active. It’s a raw, unfiltered look at life, connection, and the moments that make us who we are.

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In this episode:

05:53 Law Enforcement Insights: Miranda Rights and Communication

09:08 Personal Stories: Alter Egos and Identity

12:02 Military Experience: Flying the CH-53 Echo

14:57 Exploring the Matrix: Reality and Perception

18:09 Yoga Journey: Finding Balance and Flexibility

24:07 Camping Memories: Core Experiences Around the Fire

40:45 The Importance of Connection

44:51 Social Media and Personal Presence

50:35 Diving into the Penguin Series

01:01:40 Movies and Personal Experiences

01:08:16 The Book Era and Learning Styles

01:12:58 Evolution of Communication: From Oral to Written

01:18:09 Perception and Individual Experience

01:20:45 Left Brain vs Right Brain: Understanding Thought Processes

01:29:24 Travel Adventures and Future Plans

01:42:18 Disaster Response and Humanitarian Efforts

01:45:39 Camping Adventures and Family Bonding

01:49:58 Childhood Camping Experiences

01:53:38 Creating Lasting Memories with Family

01:58:21 Personal Growth and Emotional Connections

02:02:12 Friendship Dynamics: Wartime vs. Peacetime

What’s your Dad story?

In this heartfelt and humorous episode, Craig and Ben reflect on their experiences with fatherhood and the life-altering moments that come with it.

They share personal stories of fatherhood, the shared experience of being stay at home dads, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

From unexpected pregnancies to the struggles of balancing responsibilities, this episode dives deep into the emotional and practical realities of being a father.

It’s an honest look at how fatherhood shapes identity, relationships, and personal growth.

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In this episode:

10:23 The Journey of Fatherhood Begins

26:05 Experiences of Being a Stay-at-Home Dad

42:30 Reflections on Parenting Challenges and Joys

44:56 Navigating Breastfeeding Challenges

47:28 The Birth Experience: A Father's Perspective

49:48 The Beauty and Complexity of Pregnancy

52:03 The Role of Non-Birthing Parents

54:31 Reflections on Parenthood and Presence

57:38 The Struggles of Relationships and Parenting

01:00:22 Memorable Moments in Parenting

01:05:14 The Surprising News of Fatherhood

01:10:43 Transitioning to Stay-at-Home Dad

01:18:47 Navigating Mental Health and Parenthood

01:20:14 The Joys and Challenges of Early Parenthood

01:24:05 The Birth of Lincoln: A Rollercoaster Experience

01:27:45 Teaching Life Lessons to Children

01:31:10 Navigating the Teenage Transition

01:39:22 The Journey of Blended Families

01:48:58 The Emotional Spectrum of Parenting

02:06:30 Sharing Passions and Experiences

02:14:39 Lessons in Imperfection and Growth

What’s Your Base Programming? Do you focus on what you do right or what you do wrong?

In this introspective episode, Craig and Ben explore the concept of shifting perspectives and moving beyond the default habit of focusing on mistakes.

They share personal stories about how ingrained beliefs, self-criticism, and unhelpful narratives have shaped their lives, and discuss the power of rewriting those scripts.

Through humor and vulnerability, they explore the importance of recognizing successes, celebrating wins, and finding balance between self-improvement and self-acceptance.

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If you enjoyed this episode, check out this recent one- https://youtu.be/KIJLFlLYVz4

In this episode:

00:00 Shifting Perspectives: From Self-Criticism to Self-Acceptance

05:47 Dental Health: Personal Stories and Experiences

11:52 Navigating Masculinity: Grooming and Self-Care

38:09 Personal Grooming and Sensory Experiences

46:30 Voting and Civic Engagement

54:36 Reflections on Personal Growth and Self-Perception

01:15:56 Navigating Self-Perception and Leadership

01:23:02 The Balance Between Humility and Confidence

01:30:34 Personal Projects and Achievements

01:39:15 Processing Trauma and Healing

01:54:25 Reflections on Vulnerability and Support

02:00:07 Navigating Personal Experiences and Sensitivities

02:10:42 Anticipating Future Collaborations and Growth

02:21:11 The Transformative Power of Podcasting

Does Doc say Huckleberry or Hucklebearer?

On today’s episode, Craig and Ben dive deep into one of their all-time favorite films, Tombstone.

They have fun unpacking its iconic scenes, quotes, and the life lessons woven throughout.

They explore how the film’s themes of loyalty, strength, and integrity have influenced their own lives and shaped their perspectives.

From memorable quotes to pivotal scenes, they share how Tombstone became a touchstone movie for both of them throughout their lives.

Join them as they have fun highlighting this classic film from the 90’s.

I’m your Huckleberry!

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If you enjoyed this episode, check out this recent one- https://youtu.be/KIJLFlLYVz4

In this episode:

09:06 Health Industry Insights and Conspiracy Theories

18:07 The Impact of Movies on Personal Identity

26:10 Breaking Down 'Tombstone': A Cinematic Journey

40:13 In Vino Veritas: The Truth in Wine

46:15 Fighting Spirit: Personal Stories of Confrontation

51:39 The OK Corral: Understanding the Stakes

54:55 Hollywood's Take on History: Wyatt Earp's Influence

01:01:21 Real Events vs. Hollywood: The Iconic Showdown

01:06:25 Life's Purpose: Reflections on Survival

01:12:02 The Evolution of Firearms: From Civil War to the West

01:16:10 The Complexity of Doc Holliday

01:18:04 Understanding 'Huckleberry' and Its Significance

01:24:39 Reflections on Westerns and Their Evolution

01:29:46 Personal Connections to Westerns and Their Impact

01:35:27 The Role of Guns in Our Lives

01:41:03 The Future of Movies and Cultural Reflections

Do you struggle with feeling, connecting to, or expressing your emotions? What about the ones you never want to feel again?

In this powerful episode, Craig and Ben open up about navigating midlife and the pressures of personal growth.

They discuss how their pasts continue to influence them, including financial struggles, family hardships, and the impact of a demanding work-life balance.

Ben opens up about what he's really afraid to feel and why he avoids those big emotions and Craig shares how tapping into his emotions saved his life.

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Brave Men Dare on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/bravemendare/

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In this episode:

00:00 Introduction & Light Banter

03:30 The Influence of Financial Struggles

08:00 The Reality of Work-Life Balance

15:00 The Concept of Survival Mode

21:00 Humor as a Coping Mechanism

28:45 Navigating Midlife Reflections

35:00 Defining Personal Goals Beyond the Past

42:10 The Importance of Self-Awareness and Reflection

51:44 The Midlife Crisis: A Time for Change

58:22 Confronting Baggage: The Emotional Journey

01:05:03 Work-Life Balance: The Struggle for Harmony

01:10:07 Creating the Life You Want: Intentional Living

01:17:43 The Challenge of Relaxation: Finding Calm

01:27:17 The Importance of Emotional Support

01:30:28 Catalysts for Change: Personal Experiences

01:32:52 The Power of Emotional Processing

01:34:41 Navigating the Fear of Emotions

01:37:02 Building Emotional Resilience

01:42:14 Taking Small Steps Towards Emotional Growth

01:45:10 The Fear of Unpacking Emotions

01:48:51 Understanding the Weight of Emotions

01:51:39 The Path to Emotional Freedom

01:55:30 Modeling Emotional Health for Future Generations

01:58:22 The Exploration of Inner Emotions