CYLS 135: Identity, Masculinity, and Fatherhood: An Entrepreneur Creates Community Change with Jason Rosario

Summary: About our Guest: Bronx native Jason Rosario is a social entrepreneur, content curator, and founder of The Lives of Men, an integrated media and lifestyle brand that covers the stories and the diverse interests of men of color. Early in life, he was taught the importance of hard work, sacrifice, resolve, and faith which have served as guiding principles in his life’s journey. Having witnessed first hand the socio-political norms that disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities of color, Jason dedicated his work to increasing the flow of opportunities to young men of color. Having earned his MBA from New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business, he previously worked with leading financial firms such as UBS, Deutsche Bank, and CBRE. Jason’s interests focus on the intersection of masculinity, identity, and self-actualization. Featured on numerous media outlets and delivering keynote speeches at international conferences and at colleges and universities in the tri-state area, he aims to inspire, activate, and nurture the development of well-rounded men. Episode Summary Many cultures dissuade men from expressing emotions, in favor of being the “strong, silent” type. This way of thinking has been carried down through generations, and it has a particularly telling effect on men of color. Jason Rosario and Kevin have a frank discussion about how Jason’s company, The Lives of Men, is promoting healthy masculinity. Additionally, Jason and Kevin share how they have worked to build healthy masculinity into their own lives.   Insight from this episode: Secrets to building a healthy perspective about masculinity. How to use your friends to stay accountable to your goals. Jason shares his path to becoming an entrepreneur with the hope that it inspires anyone just starting out or looking to take the first step. Strategies for giving back to the people who support you and have your back. Jason explains how emotions and accepting emotions fits into healthy masculinity. An unexpected strategy for deciding whether to take a huge risk in your corporate career.   Quotes from the show: “Just more importantly though, the maturity level that it instills in you. The level of discipline that you have to have to be able to move in spaces where you don’t have the basic comforts of home. That’s what all that experience at a young age taught me.” - Jason Rosario on helping caring for his family while growing up, Episode 135 “What you learn about yourself is, through those experiences, is not what you’re going to learn in any academics.” - Jason Rosario on fatherhood, Episode 135 “Education is something no one can even take away from you.” - Jason Rosario, Episode 135 “I try to keep people around me that are going to remind me that I am worthy just because I exist. My lived experience alone is what makes me enough.” - Jason Rosario, Episode 135 “Something that me and my friends, we talk about often is we have success amnesia. Sometimes we forget how far we’ve come and the great strides that we have made.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 135 “If we’re asking men to be more vulnerable and more in touch with their emotions, then that’s something that women are uniquely positioned and prepared to be able to teach us.” - Jason Rosario, Episode 135 “What you resist, persists.” - Jason Rosario, Episode 135 “I think what I’ve realized is the biggest challenge I’ve ever had to face was not living and not subscribing to the notions of what other people think my life should be.” - Jason Rosario, Episode 135 “Authenticity, to me, is doing what you would do if nobody else was looking and being in alignment.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 135   Resources Mentioned:   In Touch: How to Tune In to the Inner Guidance of Your Body and Trust Yourself by John J. Prendergast, PhD and Rick Hanson, PhD Passion Planner Instagram Evernote Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice by Dennis Kimbro and Napoleon Hill     Favorite Book:   Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill To Be a Man: A Guide to True Masculine Power by Robert Augustus Masters, PhD   The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by Bell Hooks   The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho     Favorite Quote: “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” - Paulo Coelho   3 keys to Create Your Best Life: Be true to yourself. Believe in yourself. Surround yourself with the right people that will support you. Use failure as motivation and not as an excuse to stop.   Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series: https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/ https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/   Kevin: www.kevinybrown.com www.instagram.com/kevinybrown www.twitter.com/kevinybrown www.facebook.com/kevbrown001   Jason Rosario: www.instagram.com/kingkhepri www.facebook.com/jrosario79 www.linkedin.com/in/wjasonrosario   The Lives of Men: www.thelivesofmen.com/ www.instagram.com/thelivesofmen/ twitter.com/thelivesofmen www.facebook.com/thelivesofmen/   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  itunes, google play, stitcher and www.createyourlifeseries.com/podcast