095 | Transcending Walls (Guest: Rachel McMullen)
Date: December 27, 2021
Welcome back to short series we're doing in December called: Conversations with Family
This is the final week!
Week 1: Allie on: Climate change, global warming and all things environment
Week 2: Tammy and I talked about Long Distance Relationships
Week 3: Tyler talked about going through major life changes and the impact it has on your mental health
So here we are - the final week - and Rachel is up!
Today's Topic: Transcending Walls
Rachel & The Man Enough Podcast:
Podcast Description: "What does it mean to be a man, or really a human, in the world today? We’re changing that together. You have the ability to change it with us. If you’re interested in deepening your connection with yourself and others, evolving your understanding of the impacts of traditional masculinity on all people, and being reminded that you are enough, this is the podcast for you. We go deep and it gets real, and it’s all so beautiful, even the messy, uncomfortable parts…maybe especially those parts.”
First episode we listened to: Justin Baldoni interviewing his father Sam Baldoni
The ways traditional masculinity (or quite possibly "toxic masculinity") led to a divide between him and his dad in the past
Justin had documented all this and more in his tell all book, Man Enough
At some point his father read the book and learned things about himself, his son and their relationship that he never knew
The podcast episode was them discussing the new place this brought them to, and the work they are doing to repair that relationship
Episode impacted me in a variety of ways:
Made me question:
My relationship with my dad
My relationship with my spouse
My relationship with my kids
And it became obvious that we're no different
Walls exist in our home too - Family Secrets exist in our home
And whether they stemmed from traditional or toxic masculinity or not - they were still there
I wrestled with this in a recent podcast episode called: Transcending Secrecy
In that episode I struggled to unearth the damage this might have caused in our family
But also if there were ways to repair the damage and do better in the future
And that brings us to today. And our conversation about the walls we build in our families, and in our relationships...
QUESTION 1: What first drew you to the Man Enough Podcast?
QUESTION 2: A big thing that came out of the episode with Justin's father was this whole idea that walls were built, and secrets kept. Do you see the same pattern in our family?
QUESTION 3: The podcast tied a lot of the issues in Justin’s family back to traditional masculinity. Did you see that in me, or in our family growing up?
QUESTION 4: Let’s spend a few minutes on feminism. Is it just the opposite of masculinity?
QUESTION 5: Let's bring all of this back to our doorstep. Where do you see our family right now - today? And what are your hopes for your future family?
Landing the Plane:
First - I want to thank you for coming back on the podcast - that was so much fun.
And finally - for those listening:
Does any of this sound familiar?
Do you see these things in your own family of origin? In your immediate family?
If so, what damage is it causing? And what damage has already been done?
As we close out 2021 - make a list of the negative, or toxic things you see happening in your home
Next, come up with a "healthy alternative" list. New ways of thinking and behaving that are positive, and encouraging
Then, as we dive into 2022 - work on implementing these new patterns in your home
Thanks again for joining us on the podcast this year - and for indulging me in the month of December. It's been so much fun having my family members on to discuss things that are important in their lives. Hopefully helping you in the process...
We've come a long way this year.
Happy Holidays to each of you. Looking forward to Transcending Human with you again in the new year.