The word, "Overcoming" indicates that a process is "ongoing."  In the Present.  It's not a one day, one month, or one year conquering. Now, more than ever, young men in my Mentoring Circles are talking to me about Anxiety.  Today, firefighter, musician, and young father, Tanner Blake William Pabst, opens up about his challenges with Anxiety.  This native Kansan shares how the trauma of witnessing his brother being on fire in a freak accident, was one trigger to extreme anxiety in his life.  Now, a firefighter himself, Tanner reveals how his world began to crumble in divorce, after periods of isolation, ghosting, depression, suicidal feelings, and alcohol abuse.  While Tanner and Mark are not offering medical advice, they point out the importance of combining professional counseling, meds, medical science and the power of God.  How long does the restoration process take?  What is it like to become vulnerable to really face anxiety? Join us for this sobering and amazing testimony of ongoing victory.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/idrathertalk/message

Young men often tell me they are tired. Overloaded. One recently shared, "I am drowning." Rest need not be horizontal. In this episode, Mark personally examines how he "Anchors" - unplugs, and - shares some of your responses on how you take down time for your minds and bodies. Having Anchors is not optional if you are going to live long and live happy. What are Your Anchors? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/idrathertalk/message

One of the top 3 challenges I face as a mentor and friend to young men is their negative individual outlook on themselves. When you hate yourself, you can't achieve successful, healthy relationships with anyone else - at home, at work, with friends, or with your mate. My Co-Host, Musician David Camden Mueller and I, delve into his transforming journey from hating himself - to loving himself. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/idrathertalk/message

At a time when the COVID-19 Pandemic is changing the way we interact, now - more than ever - men need the strength, stability, camaraderie, and brotherhood that comes from healthy Lifelong Friendships. My Co-Host Christopher Rudolph and I uncover practical ways to nourish male friendships - with the desire and goal of sustaining a few friendships for life. Learn to overcome the fear of rejection. Experience the freedom and joy that vulnerability brings into your life as a man. We long to Know. And be Known. Trust. And be Trusted. Love. And be Loved. #westicktogether --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/idrathertalk/message

It can be overwhelming to parent 1 toddler. What about 4? Daniel Christopher Deal, in my Circle for 8 years, can definitely answer that for you... he has four, 8 and under! More than half the guys that follow IRT are married. Many of them have small children. Even if you're a Net Gen, and you don't yet have kids, you are going to identify with Daniel and his candor and honesty about the challenges of parenting 1, 2, 3, then 4.  Sibling rivalry, discipline, handling anger, still dating your spouse, keeping sex alive, finding down down - and other premium young dad hacks. Before you know it - you may be here! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/idrathertalk/message

There are three major struggles I observe weekly as I mentor young men: Self Loathing, Sexual Shame, and Isolation. This episode deals with Isolation. Today, we hit the reasons why we isolate. We compare the differences between isolation and healthy time alone. And we talk about a simple step for freeing yourself from The Isolation Trap. We were not meant to Journey alone. You can unlearn this destructive behavior. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/idrathertalk/message

There’s a colossal boatload of lonely males in America. Surrounded by buddies. Yet - having no authentic friends. It’s an epidemic really. With Americans spending an alarming 4.7 hours a day on The Glowing Rectangle (that thing you are probably reading this on), there’s little time for nourishing friendships face to face. Eye to eye. Smiling big on the outside. Big time empty on the inside. By empty, I mean their Man Tank is empty. The Man Tank is that part of a man’s soul that longs for healthy, wholesome, long-lasting relationships with other males. The happiest guys in my Circles have meaningful friendships on 3 Plains. You can too.  :: CO-HOST :  Mirazul Islam --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/idrathertalk/message

Listening is 80% of what a Mentor does. The rest is brotherly or healthy Father-like love, masculine affirmation, & words of encouragement.  Learn the art of listening between the lines :: and hearing what he does not say. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/idrathertalk/message