Letting Go of Who You Were to Become Who You Are
Brave Men Dare
What would happen if you let go of every identity you’ve ever clung to? In this deep and honest episode, Craig sits down with longtime friend Steven Roccazzella to explore life after letting go—of jobs, roles, identities, and old versions of self. They talk about what it means to live with no safety net, to reinvent who you are, and to surrender to what’s next… even when you don’t know what that is. 🎧 Topics include: Identity, work, and why it’s so hard to let go Fatherhood and the illusion of control Safety, fear, and being okay in the unknown Attachment, ego...
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What Starting Over Really Looks Like
Brave Men Dare
How do you rebuild your life from the ground up—and actually enjoy it? In this episode, Craig sits down with Michael Blanton for a conversation about starting over. From leaving California and healthcare to raising a family in Tennessee and brewing beer for a living, this is a story about burnout, fatherhood, and making peace with change. 💭 Topics include: The chaos of working in emergency medicine Fatherhood fears and learning to let go Brewing as a creative & therapeutic craft Moving cross-country and planting roots Social media, overstimulation, and reclaiming your...
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Why Men Struggle to Connect (And What Our Sons Learn From That)
Brave Men Dare
What do kids really learn by watching their dads? In this episode, Craig and Ben dive into the funny, awkward, and meaningful parts of being men, husbands, and fathers. From gift-giving disasters and love languages, to how boys learn emotional expression (or don’t)—this is one of those laid-back conversations with deeper layers underneath. They talk about the things that get passed down without us even realizing it—and how to be more intentional about the kind of men (and fathers) we are. 🔥 In this episode: •Why men need more emotional connection than they think...
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Adventure, Resilience & Lessons from a Life Less Ordinary
Brave Men Dare
What does it mean to truly live your own story? In this episode, Craig sits down with Rob Dake—Peace Corps volunteer, world traveler, jiu-jitsu practitioner, and lifelong Tennessean—to explore a life packed with adventure, resilience, and real-world lessons. From evacuations in West Africa, to disaster relief after the Haiti earthquake, to building a life and community back home in Tennessee, Rob shares his powerful and hilarious stories of growth, loss, service, and survival. 🔥 What You'll Discover: ✅Growing up in small-town Tennessee after the loss of his father...
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Becoming the Father I Never Had
Brave Men Dare
What happens when a man chooses to rewrite his story? In this episode of Brave Men Dare, guest co-host, Joe Young, joins Craig for a deeply honest conversation about growing up with an absent father, breaking generational cycles, and learning what it really means to show up as a man, husband, and dad. Joe shares personal stories about: His father’s time as a POW in WWII Growing up in a chaotic, loving household as the youngest of seven Becoming a father later in life—and the fear that came with it What he's learned in 26 years of marriage Letting go of...
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Jurassic Park 8: The Return of Dire Wolves
Brave Men Dare
In this episode, Ben and Craig catch up after a much-needed vacation and dive straight into the weird, the wild, and the wonderfully honest. From sunburns and dolphin sightings to ditching caffeine and prepping for a new job—this one covers it all. But it wouldn’t be Brave Men Dare without a little controversy. What happens when tech bros start bringing back dire wolves? Are we living in Jurassic Park? And what does this all say about where humanity is headed? You’ll hear: A deep convo about quitting caffeine and what it does to your body Honest reflections...
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How Much of Your Personality is Shaped by Patriarchy?
Brave Men Dare
Ever stop to wonder: How much of who I am was shaped by patriarchy? In this thought-provoking episode of Brave Men Dare, Craig and Ben explore how masculine identity is formed—from the first car you’re told to love, to the pressure to “man up” instead of feel. Through personal stories and deep reflection, they unpack: ✅ How boys are taught to perform masculinity early in life ✅ The subtle (and not-so-subtle) influence of patriarchy on our personalities ✅ Why men struggle with emotional vulnerability—and how to change that ✅ The power of self-inquiry in becoming a better man...
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Caffeine, Sleep & The 90-Day Challenge-Can We Function Without It
Brave Men Dare
How much caffeine do you actually need? Are you truly awake—or just running on stimulants? In this episode, Craig and Ben take on the challenge of quitting caffeine and stimulants for 90 days, diving deep into the effects of coffee, energy drinks, and sleep deprivation. From their personal habits to the science behind caffeine addiction, they explore whether life without stimulants leads to better focus and energy—or just misery. 🔥 What You'll Hear in This Episode: The truth about caffeine, sleep, and nervous system regulation Quitting caffeine – what happens...
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Faith, Spirituality & Purpose- What Do You Believe In?
Brave Men Dare
Have you ever questioned what you truly believe? Is faith something you're born into, or something you discover? In this episode, Craig and Ben dive into faith, spirituality, and purpose—challenging old beliefs, exploring new perspectives, and reflecting on the experiences that shape us. From religion and childhood influences to addiction, healing, and self-discovery, this conversation takes a deep and honest look at what it means to believe in something bigger than ourselves. 🔥 What You'll Hear in This Episode: Growing up in religion & questioning long-held...
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Healing, Brotherhood & the Power of Therapy
Brave Men Dare
How do you rebuild after loss? How do you find meaning after your world has been shattered? In this powerful episode, Craig and Ben sit down with Mike Neff, a Marine Veteran and therapist, to discuss surviving trauma, rediscovering purpose, and the importance of male friendships in healing. Mike opens up about his journey through loss, military service, and finding his path as a therapist after struggling with identity, grief, and self-worth. He shares how brotherhood, Jiu-Jitsu, and meaningful conversations with men helped him break cycles and step into a new purpose. ...
info_outlineWhat’s your worst best drunk story? How do you cope when life gets hard?
In this candid and reflective episode, Craig and Ben dive deep into the topic of coping mechanisms, revealing how their pasts have shaped the ways they deal with stress, anxiety, and physical pain.
They explore the balance between acknowledging vulnerabilities and maintaining control, sharing personal stories of injuries, medical challenges, and the mindsets they developed to cope.
From childhood experiences to adulthood, they reflect on how these patterns have played out, shedding light on the importance of self-awareness, humor, and resilience in navigating life’s challenges.
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In this episode:
02:53 Exploring Asthma and Allergies
08:47 Personal Health Journeys and Medical Experiences
11:52 The Role of Self-Healing and Body Awareness
18:07 Pain Management and Coping Mechanisms
20:59 Reflections on Medical Interventions
24:04 The Humor in Health Struggles
34:40 Helicopter Experiences and Motion Sickness
37:39 The Vulnerability of Vomiting
39:58 Psychedelics and the Need to Release
40:26 Birthday Celebrations and Drinking Stories
46:28 Drunk Moments and Life Changes
51:53 Family Camp and Alcohol Misadventures
56:55 Growing Up with Alcoholism
01:01:00 Reflections on Childhood and Family Dynamics
01:11:01 Navigating Parental Divorce and Its Impact
01:13:20 Childhood Memories and Alcohol Exposure
01:20:38 Personal Experiences with Alcohol in Adolescence
01:31:35 Finding Purpose After Adversity
01:47:40 Navigating Male Friendships and Vulnerability
01:50:49 The Healing Power of Relationships
01:53:36 Experiences in Jiu-Jitsu and Personal Growth
02:00:20 The Role of Yoga in Healing
02:02:28 Challenging Self-Perceptions and Narratives
02:12:08 Reframing Personal Stories and Identity
02:20:49 Engaging with the Audience and Future Topics