How Play and Connection Drive Personal Growth and Transformation

men's retreat

How Play and Connection Drive Personal Growth and Transformation At the heart of personal growth lies a potent duo that can significantly transform our experiences and perspectives: connection and play. While these elements might seem simple at first glance, their impact on our development is profound, offering pathways to unlock our potential and foster substantial […]

The Friendship Crisis Men Don’t Talk About

The Friendship Crisis Men Don’t Talk About As I have become older and continue to speak with more men and study the research, a stark reality has become clear: we are losing friends, and it is not a biological inevitability — it is a social phenomenon. Consider the profound friendship between Abraham Lincoln and Joshua […]

The Power of Connection: How Men’s Groups Enhance Relational Skills

A man's legacy

The Power of Connection: How Men’s Groups Enhance Relational Skills We recognize the profound impact that structured men’s groups (also group therapy) and peer-to-peer interactions have on personal growth and healing. Inspired by the successful therapeutic community (TC) model[i], MELD men’s groups offer a space where participants can develop the relational skills that may have […]

Who Do You Laugh At?

man laughing

Who Do You Laugh At? Laughter can be a powerful tool for connection, a harmless joke, or a shield we use to protect our vulnerabilities. In Adam Grant’s insightful book Think Again, he presents a compelling look at how the target of our laughter often mirrors our deepest insecurities and our personal sense of security. […]

Overcoming Mid-life Career Stagnation — Strategies for Emotional Resilience

Emotional Resilience

Overcoming Mid-life Career Stagnation — Strategies for Emotional Resilience Overcoming Mid-life Career Stagnation — Strategies for Emotional Resilience The Challenge of Mid-life Stagnation In the lives of many professionals, particularly men aged 40-55, mid-life brings a unique set of emotional and career challenges. While career success might peak, personal fulfillment often wanes, creating a sense […]

Reimagining Social Connection in an Age of Disconnection

men disconnected

The Hidden Costs of Outdated Models: Reimagining Social Connection in an Age of Disconnection We find ourselves at a crucial intersection where traditional narratives about social challenges – particularly those facing men – have become inadequate and potentially counterproductive. The rising rates of loneliness, depression, and suicide among men aren’t just men’s issues – they’re […]

How Men’s Groups Enhance Relational Skills

men's group

The Power of Connection: How Men’s Groups Enhance Relational Skills We recognize the profound impact that structured men’s groups (also group therapy) and peer-to-peer interactions have on personal growth and healing. Inspired by the successful therapeutic community (TC) model[i], MELD men’s groups offer a space where participants can develop the relational skills that may have […]

Men’s Training 3.0

men in desert - MELD retreat

Men’s Training 3.0 Create a powerful group and life from a men’s retreat that goes beyond experience. Men’s groups have long been recognized as powerful spaces where men can come together, open up, and experience profound growth. From the early days of the Sandpoint Men’s Group to the global reach of EVRYMAN, and now, through […]

Beyond the Traditional Men’s Retreat

MELD men's group

Beyond the Traditional Men’s Retreat Most retreats follow a familiar script: a few days away, bonding through shared experiences, maybe some insightful conversations, and the feeling of connection that fades as quickly as you return to everyday life. It’s a powerful experience in the moment, but often it leaves you wondering, What’s next? You leave […]