The Dude Nation

01/04/2026

Another angel gone too soon…

My dear sweet friend, sober fellow, business advisor and coach, father, gay rights activist, brilliant singer, dancer, thinker, creative, husband, has now gone on broadway amongst the stars in heaven. Dear Bret, you’ll be missed more than you could ever know. There is nothing to fill the void but so much to receive from the love, light and power that you were / will always be in the world. Shine on. I’m sure the Magic Kingdom is WAY cooler up there. But seriously my heart hurts and my eyes are full of tears, yet so is my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you, his husband Stephen Hanna-Shuford & their son, Maverick. 🌈❤️‍🩹😭🫶🩷🤍

01/04/2026

Another one of our brothers gone too soon…

My dear sweet friend, sober fellow, coach, father, gay rights activist, brilliant singer, dancer, thinker, creative, husband, has now gone on broadway amongst the stars in heaven. Dear Bret, you’ll be missed more than you could ever know. There is nothing to fill the void but so much to receive from the love, light and power that you were / will always be in the world. Shine on. I’m sure the Magic Kingdom is WAY cooler up there. But seriously my heart hurts and my eyes are full of tears, yet so is my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you, his husband Stephen Hanna-Shuford & their son, Maverick. ❤️‍🩹😭🫶🩷🤍

12/31/2025

Here’s a reminder: do your best ❤️ Happy New Year Dude. You made it 👊

12/31/2025

It’s not about the burnt chicken. 🍗
It’s not about the toaster.
It’s not about the bill, the traffic, or that one text that “shouldn’t” have set you off.

That’s the spark.
The fuel is your nervous system.

Most adult blow-ups aren’t anger problems… they’re safety problems.

So before you “fix the relationship,” fix the state:
✅ eat
✅ sleep
✅ move
✅ breathe
✅ talk to a safe human

New Year’s move: not a resolution. A ritual. A purge.
Let go of being right. Let go of doing it alone.

If you want structure + brotherhood + real tools, I built Dude School for this.

Learn more [LINK IN BIO] https://thedudenation.com/dude-school

Comment “RITUAL” and I’ll send you a simple nervous-system reset I use.

12/17/2025

Most men aren’t “unmotivated.”
They’re leaking energy.

Quick check-in:
1. Where are you out of alignment right now?
2. What’s the one conversation you’ve been avoiding?
3. What’s one self-care action you’ll do today (15 minutes counts)?

If you want support, I’ll help you build a simple plan and follow through.
Book a quick call: https://thedudenation.com/dude-discovery

11/25/2025

Robin Williams made the world laugh but silently fought battles no one could see.

You never know what someone is going through behind the scenes. Choose kindness every time.

10/20/2025

The hardest conversations save lives.

Too many men stay silent, thinking no one will understand.
But connection is the medicine.

Text a brother. Call your dad. Message that friend who’s been quiet.

Speak up. Reach out.
Your life — and someone else’s — might depend on it.

⭕ Join the conversation inside The Dude Dojo every Tuesday (12–1 ET).
🔗 thedudenation.com/dude-dojo (link in bio)

10/19/2025

Sundays are for slowing down and checking in.

Where do you feel most connected in your life right now?
Where do you feel least connected?

This isn’t about judgment — it’s about awareness.
Because what you can name, you can change.

⭕ This Tuesday in The Dude Dojo (12–1 ET), we’re diving deep into connection — how to build it, repair it, and keep it alive.

Join the brotherhood → https://thedudenation.com/dude-dojo (link in bio)

10/07/2025

FINAL CALL: One Spot Just Opened! 🔥

Brother, this is your chance to step up and step in.

To drop the rock, leave lighter, and hit pause on the grind.

Join us this weekend for The Dude Deep Dive — a sacred reset in nature with powerful men ready to reconnect, release, and rise together.

🌲 October 10–12 | Freehold, NY
🎒 Bring your heart, your courage, and your truth.

This spot won’t last. Step into the fire.
👉 https://thedudenation.com/dudedeepdive

The Premier Men’s Development Organization & Brotherhood.

10/04/2025

Hey brother,

We’re down to one spot for the Dude Deep Dive next weekend — October 10–12 (Fri–Sun) near Red Hook, NY. If you (or a man in your life) has been feeling the call for a sacred reset, this is it.

This is not a workshop. It’s a full-body, full-heart, full-spirit reboot in nature: a space to breathe, reconnect, and step forward with clarity and strength.

What you’ll experience
• Grounding morning practices: breathwork, meditation, gentle movement
• Fire circle & ritual: release, reclaim, and recommit to what matters
• Real brotherhood: honest conversation, zero judgment, rock-solid support
• Integration: clear next steps you can actually live by on Monday

Who it’s for
Men who are ready to get unstuck, recalibrate their nervous system, and return to life with focus, integrity, and power—whether you’re navigating stress, transition, grief, or simply want to sharpen your edge.

Logistics
• Dates: Fri–Sun, Oct 10–12
• Location: private land near Red Hook, NY (address shared upon registration)
• Food & gear: simple guidance provided after you claim the spot

If this is for you—or for a man you care about—hit reply and say “I’m in,” or grab the last seat here:
👉 Register: https://thedudenation.com/dudedeepdive

Prefer to talk first? DM ME

With respect and brotherhood,
Ben Curtis
Chief Well-Being Officer & Coach, The Dude Nation™

P.S. Can’t come but know someone who needs this? Forward this email. Your nudge could change a life.

10/03/2025

Brothers—final call. We’ve got 2 spots left for our annual Dude Deep Dive: Men’s Sacred Reset, Oct 10–12 (Hudson Valley).

Come breathe, move, grieve, and rise together—no fluff, all heart. If you’ve been feeling the pull, this is your sign.

👉 Lock in your spot now: thedudenation.com/dudedeepdive

Reply here with any questions—see you by the fire.

The Premier Men’s Development Organization & Brotherhood.

09/30/2025

Men, we need to talk.

Most of us were taught that being vulnerable = weak. That if we feel too much, care too much, or cry too much, we’re failing at being men. But what if that’s the biggest lie we’ve been told?

The truth is, real strength comes from facing your feelings instead of running from them. Vulnerability is how we build connection. And connection is what keeps us alive.

Because when we suppress what we feel, it doesn’t disappear—it comes out as anger, stress, addiction, and distance from the people we love.

If you’re struggling with what it means to be a man, know this: You don’t have to do it alone. You’re not broken. You don’t need to ‘fix’ yourself—you just need a space where you can be real.

Drop a 💪 in the comments if you’re ready to rewrite the script. Let’s build a new kind of masculinity—together.