Frameworks: The Invisible Structures Behind A Well Lived Life
Release Date: 04/18/2025
Frameworks: The Invisible Structures Behind A Well Lived Life
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark 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...
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The Freedom of Solitude: Evolving Beyond Our Old Personas
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topics of solitude and one’s persona Jim jumps in to help contextualize this discussion Mark reads the definitions of “Persona” and “Solitude” Mark asks Jim about his trip Jim separates being alone for a few minutes from the very different version of a 7 day solo trip Jim has chosen solo trips in the last few years He reflects on how his roles and personas have changed as he’s aged He talks about not caring what others think and how freeing that is Mark reflects on the solitude that can from his divorce. He didn’t choose that but did choose how to...
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The Science of Self-Talk: How Thoughts Shape Our Reality
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic of the power of the mind and self-talk The idea that we now have science and data to support the value of positive talk, visualization and vibration in influencing our happiness and peace of mind Jim got the idea from Billy Carson’s appearance on Lewis Howe’s Greatness podcast Jim shares the story of how we met. He was struggling mentally and emotionally and had some evidence that concussions might be part of his challenge. In his research, he found me. He flew out to Orlando and we met. Jim tells his concussion story and the details of his journey toward a...
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How Sensitivity And Unconscious Bias Shape Us As Men
Imperfect Mens Club
We just started talking. No Intro! Mark brings up human nature. He suggests that men and women have unique natures as well He says recognizing and acknowledging human nature is necessary as part of any discussion of behavior Jim asks Mark his opinion about homosexuality Mark shares his ignorance and his opinion as well as his curiosity Mark brings up the Catholic Church Jim shares his significant skepticism about the Catholic church, but he doesn’t want to go any deeper So Mark shifts the topic to “standing”. Who has it, how we give it to people and how it impedes our progress He say...
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The Power of Agency: How Writing a Book Can Build Trust and Elevate Your Brand
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic of agency. Jim thinks Mark is a great example of what an agent is He reads a definition and adds some context to what an agent is and how he may, in fact, be one The value of having an objective third party negotiating on your behalf Jim thinks AI will make being an agent much more valuable He discusses the agents he uses. His patent agent, for example. Agents are not as close as we are to our capabilities and competencies Agents can be particularly helpful negotiating your price. What you’re worth He talks about his most recent projects to operate as an agent Jim...
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Finding Strength in Adversity: Navigating Suicide and the Power of Self Fortitude
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark leads with the definition of “fortitude” and “self fortitude” He suggests the one is more internal and the other more external Jim shares his recent difficult week due to 4 or 5 people he is close to are experiencing hardship. From illness to the loss of a young man to suicide Jim puts his experiences in the context of our “Flywheel of Life” “When you’re healthy you have hundreds of things on your mind. When you’re ill, you have one” Jim shares some of the challenges his friends have. His mom is in pain, his cousin has cancer and another has upcoming surgery. Finally...
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Unconditional Service: Navigating the Complexities of Helping Others
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic of serving others and connects it to the flywheel of life in the category of relationships/others. Jim brings up the wheel and discusses each of the 5 areas - Money, worldview, relationships, health and career/profession This episode is about others. Men and women He says there are two types of service and then shares his recent event KBIS in Las Vegas. He was selected as #1 membership chair in the country Two types of service are paid and unpaid He talks about the unpaid type - how different it is to serve for pay and to serve simply to serve “Unconditional”...
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How Are You Serving Others? What Does That Look Like?
Imperfect Mens Club
Jim - the most important conversation you’ll ever have is with yourself…and that person is a crazy person Jim frames service in the context of bringing a product or service to the market to help people in some ways He frames this in the context of his most recent project that he asked Mark for help with - his talk about the kitchen and bath industry Jim asks. If it’s not just money, why do we seek to serve. What’s the bigger picture Both guys feel strongly that they have something to offer the world and the world has things to offer them Our experience leaves us with knowledge and...
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Growth Is On The Other Side Of Resistance
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic and both guys have personal accounts of dealing with making themselves vulnerable Jim thinks that most of us don’t put ourselves out there Jim brings in our flywheel and the 5 areas of life and then uses his 5 W’s approach (Why, who, when, where and what) Mark reads the definition of self-vulnerability that Jim provides from his online searches about the topic Jim says acknowledging your strengths is easy, but sharing your weaknesses is much harder Jim shares his fear he experienced getting ready for a recent webinar presentation. He wonders why he put himself out...
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Mentorship and Volunteer Work - Just A Nudge
Imperfect Mens Club
Today Jim and I welcome a special guest. Paul Carroll was my mentor in the start-up staffing space at the beginning of my career and he joins us today to talk about his latest work volunteering with young men in the foster care system We started recording before my introduction:). It sounded good so we decided to keep rolling. Sorry for any confusion Pauls shares his sense of urgency and the “signs” that showed up for him that got him interested in this work initially He shares how the work went from theoretical to practical Jim asks Paul if this is similar to the problem/solution approach...
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