The Secret Lives of Men

“The Mankind Project” GEORGE DARANYI. The Chairman of the ManKind Project, George Daranyi, discussed various aspects of the organization. This includes: Mature Masculinity, men's rite of passage experiences, and the importance of mentoring. More than 45,000 men have experienced the "New Warrior Training Adventure," over the past 25 years.

Based upon a survey of over 600 boys from across the U.S., the authors offer an in depth look at what boys are watching, reading, hearing. "Packaging Boyhood" offers keen insights and advice on how to talk with sons about media images and notions of masculinity (e.g., the jock, slacker, cool pose, etc).

"The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" is a beloved spiritual saga and coming-of-age story. This multimillion-copy word-of-mouth bestseller has been translated into more than twenty languages and has inspired men and women of all ages worldwide. Dan Millman is a world-champion athlete, gymnastics coach, martial arts instructor, and college professor.

The Body Beautiful ideal induces feelings of inadequacy not only among women and girls, but, also increasingly, among men and boys. Drawing upon clinical work, research, Olivardia suggests that a growing numbers of males are exhibiting compulsive behaviors, chronic depressions, eating disorders, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and are engaging in the use of dangerous steroids and "supplements" to assuage their feelings of inadequacy.

GUY GARCIA, “The Decline of Men: How the American Male is Turning Out, Giving Up, and Flipping Off His Future.” Garcia explores disturbing trends of men leading increasingly socially isolated lives and dropping out of high school and college in record numbers. According to the author, modern men have failed to forge a new and productive role. Garcia charts the changing societal roles of both men and women, illustrating how and why men have become so confused about what defines masculinity; some men flirt with hollow substitute identities: (e.g., Jackass cutlure, gangster culture, etc). These have reductively led men away from compassion, responsibility and family. Garcia offers how men might reclaim their identity and place in modern America.

Columbia University Clinical Psychology Professor GEORGE BONANNO takes on the conventional wisdom about grieving. There's little evidence to support the existence of stages of mourning or the corollary that if the stages aren't followed completely, there's cause for alarm. What Bonanno does find is a natural resilience that guides us through the sadness of loss; it also elicits the compassion and concern that humans are hard-wired to offer in response to another's suffering. Bonanno acknowledges that grief is sometimes extreme and requires treatment but he approaches his work in a thoughtful, kindhearted way; stories of loss go far beyond striking a familiar chord—they give us hope.

"Slowing Down to the Speed of Life: How to Create a More Peaceful, Simpler Life from the Inside Out." With sage tips reminiscent of those in Jon Kabat-Zinn's Wherever You Go, There You Are, Joseph Bailey recommends a "Psychology of Mind" approach that involves being fully present in each situation and not letting the attitudes of others ruin your day. This way, your thoughts become more organized--wiser, if you will--and you get more work done without even trying. This time management trick is what he says will improve your life--not a cell phone or an electronic scheduler or a personal assistant.

Taking lessons from classic gentlemen such as Benjamin Franklin and Theodore Roosevelt, authors Brett and Kate McKay have created a collection of the most useful advice every man needs to know to live life to its full potential. This book contains a wealth of information that ranges from survival skills to social skills to advice on how to improve your character. Whether you are braving the wilds with your friends, courting your girlfriend or raising a family, inside you’ll find practical information and inspiration for every area of life.

Frank Miniter, a former Senior Editor of "Outdoor Life,” discusses “The Ultimate Man's Survival Guide.” Presented in seven sections--survivor, provider, athlete, hero, romantic, cultured man, and philosopher--Miniter teaches guys the skills, attitudes, and philosophies that include: how to fight off a bear; how to set a dislocated joint; how to pick the perfect cigar and bottle of wine. Clearly written and packed with real-life anecdotes, as well as how-to illustrations, “The Ultimate Man's Survival Guide” teaches men that any guy can be the ultimate man whether he is rescuing a lost hiker, plucking a child from a swift stream, or standing up against injustice.

"The Good Men Project: Real Stories from the Front Lines of Modern Manhood" is a collection of first-person stories about what it means to be a man in America today -- from Pulitzer winners and Poet Laureates to ex-cons, Pro Football Hall of Famers and just regular guys. The authors describe their defining challenges, losses and triumphs through honest and simple truths, and are hoping to spark conversations about what it means to be a good man today. The stories in The Good Men Project are powerful, poignant, funny, and courageous.

Based in New York, Jeff Wilser has been researching the Maxims of Manhood for over 25 years, A former USMC Reserves squad leader, Wilser has been a regular online contributor to sites like GQ, MTV, and VH1, writing about dating, sex, nightlife, and pop culture.

According to author Loren Cordain Ph.D., modern health and diet problems didn't start with the advent of packaged snack food, but much earlier--back at the dawn of the agricultural age many thousands of years ago. As humans became less nomadic and more dependent on high-carbohydrate diets, we left behind the diet we had evolved with, which is based on low-fat proteins and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Sugars, fats, and carbs were rare, if they were present at all, and survival required a steady, if low-key, level of activity. Cordain's book The Paleo Diet blends medical research with a healthy sprinkle of individual anecdotes, practical tips, and recipes designed to make his suggestions into a sustainable lifestyle, rather than a simple month-long diet; he even includes cooking recommendations and nationwide sources for wild game.

Daryl Wizelman's personal story is that of a man who lived both a troubled and rewarding life. He has overcome a challenging childhood and ADD. Daryl built an incredibly successful business and married the woman of his dreams. Blinded by the attraction of money he saw the company that he built disintegrate before his eyes, leading to serious health conditions. From this personal rollercoaster, Daryl has developed practical tools and lessons that all of us can employ in our own lives and businesses. URL of the Web page to go to http://www.darylwizelman.com/

Joel Schwartzberg "The 40-Year-Old Version: Humoirs of a Divorced Dad." Amusing, vulnerable essays about how a recently divorced guy learns how to be "Dad" while also growing as a human being. A great read for all fathers.

Join Ryan McKelley and I for a secret lives of men 2009 year in review. We will be discussing some of our favorite moments from the program and the world around us.