Real Men Hug

26/12/2024

This is it! The final episode of Real Men Hug. Ben and Jim had a blast sharing this past year with you. We are grateful for the impact we had - but it’s time to move on to bigger, better things. Thanks for listening.

Special shout out to our guests this year Dr. Matt Zakreski and Round Table Mindset Podcast. May your podcasts be blessed with an ever growing listenership!

Podcast Episode · Real Men Hug · 12/26/2024 · 46m

05/12/2024

Cornerstone concerns - Jim and Ben talk about some of the controversy currently surrounding their Alma mater, Cornerstone University. We inevitably talk about inclusivity, Christian nationalism, and how politics have somehow become the tail that wags the dog of our religious beliefs.

We do not hold back as we hold a critical lens up to a school that is still near and dear to us in many ways, but has unfortunately become a source of embarrassment of late. If you’re new to the controversy, the liner notes have some explanation and external links on the topic.

Podcast Episode · Real Men Hug · 12/05/2024 · 44m

04/12/2024

Whew! Tomorrow's episode is extra salty. You definitely will want to tune in!!

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21/11/2024

Special holiday episode is live today! We talk about our favorite holidays, family traditions, and how sometimes trauma, loss, and obligation can make the holidays tough.

Podcast Episode · Real Men Hug · 11/21/2024 · 31m

14/11/2024

Sorry, no new episode today—Ben and Jim have been busy with the demands of life.

But we’ll be back next week with a special holiday episode! Whether you’re all about keeping traditions alive or breaking the mold to create new ones, this episode has something meaningful for everyone. Stay tuned, and we’ll see you soon!

31/10/2024

Jim and Ben are absolutely loving the new, shorter episodes. We've been hitting our stride and love that we can dive deep on your morning commute!

Check out our latest episode where we talk about how we see ourselves vs. how others see us... and why it seems that we listen to the negative voices on surround sound, but tend to ignore those encouragements along the way.

Check it out below, or on your favorite podcast player!

Podcast Episode · Real Men Hug · 10/31/2024 · 24m

17/10/2024

We are back with Ep. 22! Ben shares about walking off the weight (physical and otherwise), while Jim brings the insight and humor you know and love.

Listen in as we discuss why pills alone aren’t the answer to our maladies, mental or physical, and how real progress comes from connecting with people, finding purpose, and yes, maybe a few miles here and there. Ben shares what he's learning from an audiobook a friend recommended, and Jim offers wisdom on finding balance in the chaos.

Let’s walk this path together—no shortcuts, but plenty of community and purpose.

Podcast Episode · Real Men Hug · 10/17/2024 · 23m

14/10/2024

What a great weekend! Jim Van Stensel and Ben Kraker got a chance to record a couple new episodes, and our latest guest Dr. Matt Zakreski’s book has arrived!
Be sure to check it out on Amazon! Pre-order available now 👇👇

This book represents a summation of a decade’s worth of therapy, research, workshops, and presentations around the unique aspects of social-emotional development in the neurodivergent community. The book grounds its approach in neuroscience and then applies those data to how our brains impact our....

17/09/2024

Good morning loyal listeners! Ben and Jim are taking a little hiatus from the podcast for an indeterminate length of time. We plan on recording soon but with Jim trying to finish his classes for his appraisal certification, and Ben starting up his classes for his spiritual director certification (not to mention work, school, family, et cetera), neither of us want our recording schedule to add any pressure to our already busy lives! We'll be back soon, but no episode this Thursday. We'll keep you posted!

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05/09/2024

Episode 21 is live! Ben and Jim chat about empathy. Can you have empathy for friends going through amazing things? Can empathy ever be a bad thing?

Send us fan mail!In this episode of Real Men Hug, hosts Jim and Ben take a deep dive into the concept of empathy, highlighting the crucial difference between em

22/08/2024

New Episode! 🎙️

In our 20th episode of *Real Men Hug*, Ben and Jim dive into the real power of gratitude. From life lessons to practical tips, we explore how thankfulness can reshape your perspective. Tune in for personal stories and strategies to cultivate gratitude in your daily life.

Check it out here!

Send us fan mail!In this 20th episode of Real Men Hug, Ben and Jim explore the multifaceted nature of gratitude. Ben shares his unique perspective from a life s

08/08/2024

If you’re a fan of our page and are a few episodes behind, hurry up and catch up - because this one will have you typing up notes while you listen. Whether you are neurodivergent yourself (which let’s be honest is pretty much everybody), have kids you’re struggling to understand, or want to know what neurodivergent means - this is a can’t miss episode!!
Dr. Matt Zakreski was such a pleasure to talk to and provided some amazing insights that just might change how you look at the world.
And if you like what you heard, be sure to tell someone you know who you think might benefit from it. More resources and contact information for Dr. Matt are in the comments below 👇👇

‎Show Real Men Hug, Ep Ep. 19 || Moving from What If to What Is: Thriving with ADHD and Other Forms of Neurodiversity (w/ Dr. Matthew Zakreski) - Aug 8, 2024