Self Discipline - A Stoic View of Imperfection
Imperfect Mens Club
Episode 43: Self Discipline. A Stoic View of Imperfection Summary In this episode, Mark and Jim explore self-discipline through the lens of Stoic philosophy. They unpack five timeless rules that still hold up in a world full of distractions, dopamine hits, and excuses. The conversation spans modern habits, mental toughness, guilt, accountability, voluntary discomfort, and the deeper connection between self-awareness, self-trust, and real personal growth. The core message: self-discipline isn’t perfection. It’s the small, unglamorous, repeatable reps you keep showing up for. What We...
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Self-Projection, Narcissism & Radical Accountability
Imperfect Mens Club
Short Episode Description In this episode, Mark and Jim unpack self-projection: how it shows up consciously and unconsciously, how it damages relationships, and what radical accountability actually looks like in real life. They explore narcissistic patterns, the difference between healthy self-presentation and fake personas, and why the simple act of pausing might be one of the most powerful tools you have. Along the way, Mark shares hard-won lessons from a deeply toxic relationship and how he rebuilt his emotional maturity in the years that followed. Episode Summary Mark and Jim start from...
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Why 2025 Could Be the Most Consequential Year of Our Lifetime
Imperfect Mens Club
Episode Overview In this episode, Mark and Jim zoom out to the worldview arena of the Imperfect Men’s Club framework and connect four generations, American innovation, AI, capitalism, and historical cycles into one big through-line. The jumping-off point is Jim’s recent trip with his 85-year-old mom to meet his new granddaughter. That experience, paired with a talk he watched about 2025 being a “tipping point year,” sparked a conversation about why history really does repeat itself in 25- and 80-year patterns, how America’s unique mix of freedom and capitalism unlocks innovation, and...
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"I'm Not Good Enough" The Origins And Impact Of Self Limiting Beliefs
Imperfect Mens Club
Episode Summary Mark and Jim dive into the belief that quietly caps potential: “I’m not good enough.” They trace where it starts (childhood messages, school systems, fear, past misses) and how it shows up in adult life: promotions we never ask for, relationships we avoid, work we don’t share, skills we won’t try. Along the way: stories from recruiting, entrepreneurship, parenting after divorce, and reframing regret as proof you care. The Conversation Explores What a self-limiting belief system is Thoughts that feel like facts, internalized from fear, old messages, or past...
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Introspection Without the Spiral: 5 Moves to Get Unstuck
Imperfect Mens Club
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Reframing The Differences Between Men And Women
Imperfect Mens Club
Summary Mark and Jim dive into the “relationships” spoke of the wheel, using a simple moment in a tire shop to unpack a bigger idea: reframing. From there they explore the difference between loving and longing, how past relationships shape current ones, what men and women tend to seek at different life stages, and why self-awareness is the only way any of this works. Mark shares hard-won perspective as a single dad of two daughters and a son; Jim brings a long-married vantage point and a field report from that fish-tank-by-the-waiting-room conversation. The conversation explores...
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Self-Discipline, Routines, and the Quiet Power of Consistency
Imperfect Mens Club
Summary Mark and Jim dig into self-discipline as a daily practice, not a personality trait. They walk through their real-world morning and evening routines, how gratitude and breathwork change your state, why partnerships create accountability, and how three tightly chosen priorities per day compound into a better year. Practical, free, and doable. The conversation explores: What self-discipline actually is: controlling impulses and short-term urges to align with long-term values and intentions, built through practice and simple systems. Morning routines that stick: hydration, oil pulling,...
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Are You A Leader Or Simply In A Position Of Authority?
Imperfect Mens Club
Quick Summary Mark and Jim unpack leadership through the lens of “seasons.” Drawing on John Maxwell’s idea that everyone has a book inside them, they explore how winter, spring, summer, and fall map to personal growth, responsibility, and impact. They also get candid about humility, credibility, and why leadership is more than holding a title—it’s taking responsibility for the well-being of other people. The conversation explores Leadership ≠ Title: The difference between positions of authority and true leadership that models behavior, brings clarity, and takes responsibility for...
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Civil Discourse In A Divided World
Imperfect Mens Club
In this episode of the Imperfect Men’s Club Podcast, Mark Aylward and Jim Gurulé dive into the lost art of civil discourse—why it matters, how we’ve strayed from it, and what it takes to bring it back into everyday life. The conversation explores: Why civil discourse is more than politeness Civil discourse goes beyond surface-level politeness or avoiding conflict. It’s about creating space for real dialogue that expands knowledge, challenges assumptions, and strengthens community. Mark and Jim unpack why this practice is critical for healthy democracies, strong relationships,...
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“Do It Anyway” - The Key To Mining Your Own Personal Gold
Imperfect Mens Club
Short Description Mark and Jim unpack “self-alchemy”—turning your life’s raw materials (skills, reps, scars, notes, half-finished ideas) into something valuable. They connect it to the IMC wheel (Profession, Relationships, Money, Health/Well-Being, Worldview), talk about aligning work with values, and make the case for creating consistently despite criticism, delays, or imperfect outcomes. AI shows up not as artificial intelligence but as amplified intelligence that helps curate and ship your life’s work. The refrain: Do it anyway. What We Cover Self-Alchemy defined:...
info_outlineMark 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 name comes up
Both guys say they’ve never seen anything like it
Neither guy feels that he’s a bad guy. He’s not treated fairly in their opinion
Neither guy is interested in defending Trump
Mark says if you can’t talk about this guy without losing your shit…it’s likely some form of mental illness
Both guys are more interested in issues than personality
Jim shares another story about his mom and common ground. He also doesn’t tell people who he voted for
He also shares his daughter’s experience and some friends
Mark says people are more nuanced. Liking one issue doesn’t necessarily put you in any other groups, but people do assume and presume
Mark asked Jim’s opinion on what the political climate is like living in California
Mark shares his opinion on living in Florida
Mark shares his experience wearing a Trump shirt
Both guys are entertained by people with TDS
Jim says, in CA people take immediate positions. Red team or blue team
He shares his recent encounter with a woman who got emotional when she discovered Jim’s friend was a Trump guy. She mellowed a bit after getting into the discussion. She expressed pride in being an “American”
The woman brought up the pending law in Texas about hanging up the 10 Commandments in public schools
Jim’s position is against it and Mark disagrees
Mark shares his view of how nuanced this woman was after getting deeper into the discussion
People aren’t as obvious as they might seem to be
Both guys respect people with strong positions. That stand for something and have some humor and self deprecation. Jim has no time for the passive aggressive people who get lost in emotion. He seeks common ground
Mark reminds people that Trump behaves on purpose. It’s a strategy that people with TDS don’t even understand
Jim’s friend asked her where she was from and she dug into being an American
The discussion became more interesting after a few drinks
Mark cites this an another example of why we can’t assume things about people and their beliefs
Mark feels that Trump has repositioned the US as a strong nation
Jim explains the political landscape of different areas of CA. Red and blue areas
Jim voted more against the blue team than he did for the red team. He feels his vote didn’t matter, but he also believes in voting. His was a “protest” vote
The guys introduce the 10 Commandments topic that this woman asked about
Jim agreed with the woman. No religion in the school
Mark disagrees. He feels that the US was founded on Judeo Christian values so putting the Commandments in schools is OK. It’s different than teaching religion
Both guys add context to their positions. They agree to disagree go deeper into their respective positions
Mark shares the 10 Commandments and each guy gives his thoughts about each and some of the hypocrisy around sins
Mark feels like the TDS people hold Trump to a higher standard than others
Mark share the last 7 Commandments and suggests they would provide for a good life without the religious flavor
Mark feels that Christianity can’t be watered down
Mark shares his position on his faith and his awareness that other people might push their beliefs on others
He shares his opinion on Notre Dame’s celebration of Pride month and his response
He shares his response about the difference between “accepting” others and “promoting” others