Frameworks: The Invisible Structures Behind A Well Lived Life
Release Date: 04/18/2025
Self Identity - It's Hard To Look In The Mirror
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic of self identity The guys joke about their lack of Biblical knowledge around God’s statement to Moses “I am who I am” Jim refers to a podcast he heard that mentioned the we’re never ready and you just have to face your fears Mark reflects on his career and how he speaks with everyone he helps about their self identity. It’s the most important part of his work. You have to be able to tell your own story. He thinks most people cannot tell their own story. Jim agrees Mark reads the definition of self identity Mark reflects on the 1000’s of people he’s...
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Reinventing Yourself At Any Age - How To Be Clever About It
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic of reinventing yourself in the context of a personal brand. Both guys have been working on their brands. Jim is finishing up a formal effort with his brand Mark puts his career up as a reinvention experience Jim shares his view of how stories and brands have evolved over time and explains why he has made his recent investment of time and money working out his brand and messaging. Contextually he explains this journey as one with three parts. The past, present and future. He talks about the work and the advisor he hired. He brings our 5 key areas of life framework Mark...
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Worldview: Politics, Perspectives & People Who Still Talk to Each Other
Imperfect Mens Club
“You cannot kill a thought. It needs to die of old age or natural causes” Mark introduces the topic of worldview and the different belief systems we all have…and where we get them Jim adds the influence of the political distress specifically in LA and brings in the flywheel Mark clarifies the politics of it all and both guys laugh at how everything is about politics Jim says most of us don’t like to have our belief systems challenged, but agree it’s important to do so Mark reads Jim’s 5w’s assessment…What, why, where, when and who Jim brings up self awareness and Mark agrees...
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Trump Derangement Syndrome And The 10 Commandments
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic by reading the definition and symptoms As much as the guys believe it to be real, it’s also funny Jim asks Mark what “Psychic pathology” means and he takes a shot Jim shares his opinion about friends and family that seem to struggle with this Jim talks about his mom. She exhibits physical manifestations Mark thinks this physical reaction indicates a pretty severe condition Jim calls it impulsive Mark calls Trump insensitive and crass. He’s a fighter and not a politician Mark talks about one friend who is very smart, but can’t remain objective when Trump’s...
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90% Of Life Is Just Showing Up
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic and frames it in the context of his recent experience with having a plumber show up at his home to do some work He shares how gratitude plays a part in the discussion. He expresses a concern that the topic is so rich that staying on topic might be tough Jim reflects on the story Mark has already told him Jim expands on the “Showing up” concept Jim shares his perspective having been a tradesman and having gone into many homes and being treated poorly, more often than not. He applauds Marks treatment of the plumber Jim expands on the notion of appreciation and gives...
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The Disingenuous Epidemic - Cowards, Clowns, and Characters
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic of disingenuous people. Both guys have had recent experiences with people who were being disingenuous. Mark asks whether he thinks people are born this way or do become this way based on environment or circumstance. Jim says he’s been using that word more often lately Mark reads the legal definition of the word Jim shares his definition. He clarifies the nuance of this activity being intentional Mark says there are different levels of it, but that some people are just stupid Jim shares his recent encounter with a disingenuous neighbor Deception from the get go. Jim...
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How A Simple Framework Can Help Us Communicate With Candor And Clarity
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark brings up the topic of communication in the context of self talk and self reflection Then he shares a framework Jim brought that he uses for communication. The triple A method Assumptions/Agreement/Action Mark is a fan Jim brings up a favorite quote of his - “The most important conversation you’ll ever have is the conversation you have with yourself”…and that’s a crazy person Mark shares his self talk routine Jim - simply…you have to turn the channel He shares how his mind works. He finds or creates tools to help him. That’s where this AAA framework came from. He uses it to...
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Personal Stories Of Neurodivergence - The Ability To Think Different
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the guys and topic. He cites how aligned both guys are. As they enter the call they’re thinking of the same topics and thoughts Neurodivergence (See definition at the bottom of the show notes) Mark shares a call about his grandson and his current struggles which may well involve him being on the spectrum Jim shared his perspective about labels and crutches and his own story about being neurodivergent himself growing up Jim’s perspective is to reframe this label as an opportunity to think of things differently Neither guy likes meds, but do agree that in some cases they can...
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Beware The "Vortex". Aging Gracefully In Relationships
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic of male and female relationships. Jim had brought up the recent Bill Belichick interview with his new 24 year old girlfriend Jim covers our framework and the wheel of life. Relationships is one of the five and women is a subset of that Jim likes looking at life in increments of 10 years. Now we’re both in our 60’s and things have changed Jim brings up the Belichick interview in the context of self awareness and how he was not self aware at all Both guys lost respect for him Mark goes back to his relationship with his girlfriend and brings up how recently he...
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Confidence Isn’t a Trait, It’s a Practice
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic of confidence. Self-confidence The topic originated with Jim’s interest in elitism - entitlement - self-accountability - confidence In order to be self accountable, one must be confident Jim ties in the current news events and his recent book as he frames his view of confidence. Particularly sports and business He distinguishes between confidence and the competence required to be confident Jim brings up academia. See civically Harvard…and entitlements/elitism He shares the academic idea that perfection is attainable. We both support the reality of...
info_outlineMark shares the value of the “pregame” the guys use to prepare for the podcast
He introduces the topic of frameworks
How they can be good or harmful
Jim shares how frameworks evolve and how ours did. Our tagline “The Imperfection Is The Perfection”
Jim used this with his kids when they got frustrated with him
He thinks imperfections and failures make us who we are
Jim shares how when we started the podcast, we were thinking of “Civill Discourse” as a theme. Then we came upon our Wheel Of Life
Jim takes us around the wheel and digs into all 5 areas of life and then some deeper topics in each area. It’s our framework and it’s very helpful in keeping us on topic and consistent. That’s what good frameworks do
Jim adds that we spend a good bit of time in the center of our wheel “the self”…and all the value that comes from “self” exercises (awareness, reflection, talk…)
Jim talks about how he uses our framework in all walks of life. He thinks AI will only make frameworks more important
Mark shares his journey with frameworks. How structure is something humans need. He used to resist them and now leans on them hard. He thinks they help with clarity, resonance, consistency and credibility
Structure and order alone make frameworks valuable
Jim mentions context and calibration in the context of frameworks. He also mentions alignment
Jim talks about how helpful frameworks are with his dyslexia. He appreciates how we both compliment each other Mark shares how different both guys are and how productive it makes us. He talks about the ups and downs of “structure”. They can be helpful but also restrictive
Mark and Jim both appreciate the pushback and combined experience working together for so long
Mark thinks he is basically an opponent of “rules” and talks about how rules stay the same even when things change. Mark gets heated about his opposition to rules just for the sake of rules
Jim agrees and cites some examples of things being “out of date”
Jim brings up SWOT and SOARS as frameworks. He prefers a focus on positives only. Strengths, opportunities, aspirations…
What does success look like - manifest that
Mark likes the optimism of the SOARS acronym
Mark talks about guys and what guys feel comfortable talking about
Where can men go to talk about shit - The Imperfect Mens Club baby!
Mark feels like Jim’s SOARS acronym supports what we’re doling here at IMC
Jim sees how Mark uses frameworks every day in everything he does professionally
Jim digs a bit deeper into he idea that things change and frameworks need to change and clarity is critical. Adjustments to frameworks keeps them fresh
The guys talk more about the evolution of the podcast based on investigation and changes
Mark now uses frameworks for many practices during his day. Faith, work, family, exercise…
Jim reflects on what happens when we focus on only one area and neglect the others. Life get imbalanced
Mark reflects on Jim’s story about the wealthy woman who had no gratitude…not appreciation…no context. Politics took her down a one way street
Mark lets the audience know what they can get from the guys and their frameworks. Practical experience coupled with trusted frameworks