loader from loading.io

Your Self-Narrative: Hero or Hostage?

Imperfect Mens Club

Release Date: 07/24/2025

Your Self-Narrative: Hero or Hostage? show art Your Self-Narrative: Hero or Hostage?

Imperfect Mens Club

Mark introduces the topic of one’s self narrative. He says you either take personal responsibility or seek blame. Mark reads the definition. He says it’s important to know what you can and can’t control. Jim relates the topic to the wheel. The self’s in the center. Jim says he’s been more aware of the self narratives of other people he’s encountered. He thinks conflict in this country is at an all time high. Jim brings up a recent encounter where trust was lost. He feels like he’s being judged as a white man. He said that this encounter was unnecessary. Mark thinks we’ve made...

info_outline
Your Inner Critic - Rewriting the Story You Tell Yourself show art Your Inner Critic - Rewriting the Story You Tell Yourself

Imperfect Mens Club

Mark introduces the deep dive Jim took into the writing of Carl Jung and the specific topic he writes about - self talk Mark thinks most us have more negative self talk than positive Jim adds context - Jim likes stuff related to our podcast and our wheel. Particularly the self. He goes around our flywheel. When you’re challenging yourself, self talk can creep in Mark says this voice is powerful and not always positive. It’s also often subconscious. Mark reads the definition Mark reads Jung’s 5 archetypes The Good Student The Silent Healer The Starving Artist The Invisible One The Over...

info_outline
Navigating Our Response To Trauma With Grace show art Navigating Our Response To Trauma With Grace

Imperfect Mens Club

Mark introduces the topic of trauma and how we respond to trauma This topic came up from some family events and aging and how people respond to trauma Jim brings a framework to the discussion…The 5 “F’s” Jim fits trauma into our flywheel framework. He breaks down the 5 areas and we decide to focus on relationships and The Self We can’t seem to discuss anything without coming back to self awareness Jim got this framework from a podcast he listened to about trauma. The 5 F’s of trauma response are Fight Freeze Fawn Flop Flight Jim thinks most people opt for flight. They run Mark says...

info_outline
Self Alignment Toward That Self Alignment Toward That "One Thing"

Imperfect Mens Club

Mark brings in the topic in the context of our Wheel. The concept of focusing one only one thing until you momentum and can diversify with only the cash flow from that one thing. Simplicity Jim brings up the idea of focus and how that is bolstered with simplicity. He expands on our wheel and the five areas of life and the center of the wheel, the self Jim and Mark share their experience with the mainstream news. Both guys share that they have tried life with it and without it…and the impact is real. It’s a massive distraction Jim brings in self alignment in the context of being self...

info_outline
Self Identity - It's Hard To Look In The Mirror show art 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...

info_outline
Reinventing Yourself At Any Age - How To Be Clever About It show art 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...

info_outline
Worldview: Politics, Perspectives & People Who Still Talk to Each Other show art 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...

info_outline
Trump Derangement Syndrome And The 10 Commandments show art 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...

info_outline
90% Of Life Is Just Showing Up show art 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...

info_outline
The Disingenuous Epidemic - Cowards, Clowns, and Characters show art 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...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Mark introduces the topic of one’s self narrative. He says you either take personal responsibility or seek blame. Mark reads the definition. He says it’s important to know what you can and can’t control. Jim relates the topic to the wheel. The self’s in the center. Jim says he’s been more aware of the self narratives of other people he’s encountered. He thinks conflict in this country is at an all time high. Jim brings up a recent encounter where trust was lost. He feels like he’s being judged as a white man. He said that this encounter was unnecessary.

Mark thinks we’ve made victimhood acceptable. Even fashionable. Marl explains where his values come from and that blame was never his thing. Jim agrees about victimhood. It’s giving your power to others. Both guys feel like being a white man is now worthy of judgement and negative. Jim thinks both sides are doing it. Mark disagrees. Jim brings up privilege in the context of other current issues

Mark likes the notion of treating people as humans and not by the “groups” they can be put in. Mark reads the definition of “privilege”

White, male and class. Mark shares the injustice he experienced in the domestic justice system. Mark shares that everyone has privileges and hardships and to focus on the equity or inequity is silly. Jim throws out that we all have looks, weight, height…they could be either advantages ir disadvantages. Mark thinks advantage should be appreciated. The guys get into sports analogies, black swimmers and hockey players

Next is toxic masculinity and male privilege. The definition is really more of an opinion. AI has male bias!  They breakdown and disagree with the definition. Mark shares the opinion that what is important is what you do with your gifts, not what gifts you were granted. Jim brings up confidence. Some people are intimidated by the confidence of others. Both guys feel like a lot of success and failures are just choices

Mark shares some of his choices. Self awareness helps people make better choices. Both guys know rich kids that got crushed by their “privilege. Drugs and alcohol”. Highly competitive and shame as a weapon

Mark talks about the reality that we all have two lists. Gratitude and complaints. Jim brings up DEI in relation to his recent encounter with the person who disappointed him

Mark doesn’t believe that “equitable” is not a reasonable goal. Mark thinks the only way to change people is with actions not words.  He quotes John Wooden and success and peace of mind. “Are you bringing your best”. How are we doing?  Am I giving my best?  Are we winning the argument or striving to be the best you can be?  Mark calls it childish. Mark thinks affirmative action has done the opposite of its intended purpose. Mark shares the story of his brother and his female copilot…it’s bullshit

Jim says some people are elevated because of optics and not merit. Mark shares about what he wants to accomplish. Mark quotes MLK. Have we gone full circle. Mark says racism and discrimination will never go away, but we should strive to say and do things the same way. Life can happen to you or for you. You can get bitter or better