Influences
Daring Greatly, The Gifts of Imperfection and other books by Brené Brown
Showed me the perfection of imperfection and the importance of vulnerability.
I Need Your Love—Is That True? by Byron Katie
Helped me question and challenge my false beliefs and replace them with true, accepting, authentic beliefs.
Mankind Project
Getting involved with the Mankind Project changed my life forever. It opened me up and showed me a strength inside me I was not aware I had. I recommend every man to attend a Mankind Weekend.
Iron John by Robert Bly
Helped me understand what mature masculinity is and how desperately the world needs more men that are healthy.
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette
I have given this book out to more people than any other book. Understanding the archetypes in their mature and immature forms has been a guidepost for my day-to-day activities.
A Circle of Men by Bill Kauth
Provided me a guide to bring men together to form a container, support each other, grow and heal.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
—Theodore Roosevelt
Feel the Fear…and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers
One of the most influential books I have read. It taught me how to make difficult choices and step through fear during very difficult times in my life. It guided me on how to fill my life with a richness and complexity I had not had before. I owe a lot to this book.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
I read this book when I am really struggling with an issue or stress. The story of Viktor’s struggles and survival through concentration camps juxtaposes horrible tragedy and the ability for humans to survive and heal and do so with gratitude. It inspires me.
The Dark Side of the Light Chasers by Debbie Ford
This book helped give me compassion and empathy to others and made me realize I am much more similar to people than I am different from them.
Rites to a Good Life by Frederick Marx
As a parent, this book has given me lots of ideas on how to support my kids’ transformation into mature adults. It also pointed out to me what I lacked growing up and offered ways to achieve that transformation now.
Shadow Work with Cliff Barry, Vicki Woodward and Judge Mattocks
Helped me better understand archetype interactions, which, in turn, has helped me understand myself and those around me. Shadow work has also helped me heal and understand the impact of my words.
Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples by Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt
This book introduced me to Imago Relationship Therapy and helped me understand why I was attracted to certain people at an unconscious level.
“Follow your bliss” video of Joseph Campbell
The phrase “Follow your bliss” has become a mantra and guidepost for me in making day-to-day and larger-than-life decisions.