The Restorative Man Podcast

Welcome to the first-ever episode of The Restorative Man Podcast! Today, Chris Bruno and Jesse French share an exciting announcement: after years of building community and resources through The Forge Podcast, they're re-centering around the vision of “The Restorative Man.” In this conversation, Chris and Jesse dive into what this shift means and the heart behind the new name. They reflect on how the “forge” concept captured the process of growth, while “The Restorative Man” captures the goal—a lifelong journey to become men who actively bring restoration to themselves and the world around them. Join us as we explore what it means to become restorative men and how that mission shapes everything Restoration Project is about. Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project Want a thriving marriage? If your relationship feels more like roommates than lovers, or if you're struggling with connection and intimacy, you're not alone. Thrive Marriage Lab is a 12-month guided journey—offering practical tools, live sessions, and expert guidance to help you build a stronger, more connected marriage. Doors open just once a year, so don’t miss out! Use code RP for $20 off and join today at restory.life/thrive.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-datesHow healthy is your marriage? Take our FREE marriage assessment!Instagram: @ThriveMarriageLabYouTube: @ThriveMarriageLabLinkedIn: Thrive Marriage Lab

In this deeply emotional episode of The Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno and Jesse French are joined by Bart Lillie as he courageously shares the profound story of losing his father. Bart reflects on the tragic day his father was taken from him in an unexpected act of violence and how this pivotal moment shaped his life and faith journey. He recounts precious memories, including the last moments he spent with his dad during a trip to Turkey. As Bart opens up about the grief and the enduring impact of his father's legacy, he offers a poignant reminder of the power of love, loss, and hope. Join us for a raw and heartfelt conversation that explores the depths of sorrow and the resilience that follows.Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project Want a thriving marriage? If your relationship feels more like roommates than lovers, or if you're struggling with connection and intimacy, you're not alone. Thrive Marriage Lab is a 12-month guided journey—offering practical tools, live sessions, and expert guidance to help you build a stronger, more connected marriage. Doors open just once a year, so don’t miss out! Use code RP for $20 off and join today at restory.life/thrive.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-datesHow healthy is your marriage? Take our FREE marriage assessment!Instagram: @ThriveMarriageLabYouTube: @ThriveMarriageLabLinkedIn: Thrive Marriage Lab

In this episode of the Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno and Jesse French sit down with Bart Lillie to explore the legacy of fathering and how it has shaped their lives. Bart reflects on his father's journey from a Michigan farm to Chicago, where he worked at an orphanage and eventually helped launch Spring Hill Camps. He discusses how these stories, some of which were lost to time, have recently come to light, revealing deeper connections between his father’s life and his own work with Restoration Project. Bart also shares how his father’s example of intentionality and care for children foreshadowed his own heart for fathering.Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project Want a thriving marriage? If your relationship feels more like roommates than lovers, or if you're struggling with connection and intimacy, you're not alone. Thrive Marriage Lab is a 12-month guided journey—offering practical tools, live sessions, and expert guidance to help you build a stronger, more connected marriage. Doors open just once a year, so don’t miss out! Use code RP for $20 off and join today at restory.life/thrive.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-datesHow healthy is your marriage? Take our FREE marriage assessment!Instagram: @ThriveMarriageLabYouTube: @ThriveMarriageLabLinkedIn: Thrive Marriage Lab

In this episode of The Restorative Man Podcast, Jesse French and Chris Bruno sit down for a second conversation with Brayden Lans, a man deeply invested in his community through his coffee business and his ministry, Half Step Ministries. Brayden shares the origins of his calling, how he and his wife, Abby, built their outreach to high school students from the ground up, and the risks they've faced along the way. He reflects on the fear of responsibility that comes with success and how stepping into vulnerability has shaped his journey. This episode is a deep dive into the challenges and rewards of following a dream, and the importance of support from a close-knit community. Connect with Brayden Lans:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brayden.LansInstagram: @sirlansalotGet to know more about Half Step Ministries:Website: www.halfstepministries.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/halfstepministriesInstagram: @halfstepministriesAccess the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project Want a thriving marriage? If your relationship feels more like roommates than lovers, or if you're struggling with connection and intimacy, you're not alone. Thrive Marriage Lab is a 12-month guided journey—offering practical tools, live sessions, and expert guidance to help you build a stronger, more connected marriage. Doors open just once a year, so don’t miss out! Use code RP for $20 off and join today at restory.life/thrive.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-datesHow healthy is your marriage? Take our FREE marriage assessment!Instagram: @ThriveMarriageLabYouTube: @ThriveMarriageLabLinkedIn: Thrive Marriage Lab

In this episode of The Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno and Jesse French dive into the importance of creating an intentional plan for the year ahead. Through personal stories of adventure and unexpected encounters in the wilderness, they explore how God shows up in surprising ways—whether it’s through a bear in the woods or a cooler of cold beers floating down a river. What’s your plan for the next year? Are you carving out time for meaningful experiences with your kids, or are you letting the year slip by? Join Chris and Jesse as they challenge us to think deeper about how we spend our time and why intentionality matters for the journey ahead.Join our 2025 Experiences! Head to restorationproject.net/experiences for details and to secure your spot today!Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project Want a thriving marriage? If your relationship feels more like roommates than lovers, or if you're struggling with connection and intimacy, you're not alone. Thrive Marriage Lab is a 12-month guided journey—offering practical tools, live sessions, and expert guidance to help you build a stronger, more connected marriage. Doors open just once a year, so don’t miss out! Use code RP for $20 off and join today at restory.life/thrive.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-datesHow healthy is your marriage? Take our FREE marriage assessment!Instagram: @ThriveMarriageLabYouTube: @ThriveMarriageLabLinkedIn: Thrive Marriage Lab

In this episode of The Restorative Man Podcast, co-hosts Chris Bruno and Jesse French discuss the final stages of a man’s journey: “The Restored King” and “The Sage.” The "Restored King" emerges from his wounds, not by force or effort, but by finding inner peace and accepting his scars as part of his story. This stage is marked by wisdom, humility, and leadership that invites relief and trust from those around him. In the final stage, “The Sage,” a man divests from external importance and embraces a life of guidance and presence, offering wisdom without the need for recognition. Both stages reflect a man’s evolution from striving to embodying his true purpose.Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project Want a thriving marriage? If your relationship feels more like roommates than lovers, or if you're struggling with connection and intimacy, you're not alone. Thrive Marriage Lab is a 12-month guided journey—offering practical tools, live sessions, and expert guidance to help you build a stronger, more connected marriage. Doors open just once a year, so don’t miss out! Use code RP for $20 off and join today at restory.life/thrive.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-datesHow healthy is your marriage? Take our FREE marriage assessment!Instagram: @ThriveMarriageLabYouTube: @ThriveMarriageLabLinkedIn: Thrive Marriage Lab

In this continuation of the '’6 Seasons of a Man's Life’' series, Jesse French and Chris Bruno dive into the 'Zealous Warrior' stage in a man's life. Jesse kicks things off with a hilarious story from his college days, where he and a friend test the limits of a John Deere Gator by stacking hay bales far beyond capacity. This sets the stage for a deeper discussion on the Zealous Warrior phase—a time when young men feel the need to take responsibility, push boundaries, and conquer their battles. Chris explains why this stage is crucial for developing grit and purpose, and what happens when it's bypassed. They also tease the next episode, which will explore the often-overlooked 'Wounded Man' stage, adding layers to the journey of masculinity.Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project Want a thriving marriage? If your relationship feels more like roommates than lovers, or if you're struggling with connection and intimacy, you're not alone. Thrive Marriage Lab is a 12-month guided journey—offering practical tools, live sessions, and expert guidance to help you build a stronger, more connected marriage. Doors open just once a year, so don’t miss out! Use code RP for $20 off and join today at restory.life/thrive.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-datesHow healthy is your marriage? Take our FREE marriage assessment!Instagram: @ThriveMarriageLabYouTube: @ThriveMarriageLabLinkedIn: Thrive Marriage Lab

In this episode of the Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno and Jesse French dive into the first two of the "6 Seasons of a Man’s Life," starting with the Innocent Boy phase. They reflect on how this stage, marked by naivety and learning, shapes a man's identity and understanding of the world. Chris shares a story about Jesse's son, Case, to illustrate the pure focus and joy of childhood. They also discuss the transition into the next phase, the Phallic Man, where a boy starts becoming aware of his strength, sexuality, and relationships.Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project Want a thriving marriage? If your relationship feels more like roommates than lovers, or if you're struggling with connection and intimacy, you're not alone. Thrive Marriage Lab is a 12-month guided journey—offering practical tools, live sessions, and expert guidance to help you build a stronger, more connected marriage. Doors open just once a year, so don’t miss out! Use code RP for $20 off and join today at restory.life/thrive.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-datesHow healthy is your marriage? Take our FREE marriage assessment!Instagram: @ThriveMarriageLabYouTube: @ThriveMarriageLabLinkedIn: Thrive Marriage Lab

In this episode of the Restorative Man Podcast by Restoration Project, hosts Jesse French and Chris Bruno explore the idea of aiming lower to set realistic, human-sized expectations as we transition into fall. They recount a humorous yet insightful story about a child advising a teacher to "aim lower" and discuss how this philosophy can alleviate the pressures of performance and productivity. Reflecting on personal experiences and societal pressures, Jesse and Chris share strategies to prioritize presence and intentional living over busyness. Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project Want a thriving marriage? If your relationship feels more like roommates than lovers, or if you're struggling with connection and intimacy, you're not alone. Thrive Marriage Lab is a 12-month guided journey—offering practical tools, live sessions, and expert guidance to help you build a stronger, more connected marriage. Doors open just once a year, so don’t miss out! Use code RP for $20 off and join today at restory.life/thrive.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-datesHow healthy is your marriage? Take our FREE marriage assessment!Instagram: @ThriveMarriageLabYouTube: @ThriveMarriageLabLinkedIn: Thrive Marriage Lab

In this episode of the Restorative Man Podcast, Chris Bruno and Jesse French discuss the exciting launch of the Sage audiobook. Chris shares the unique challenges and joys of recording the audiobook, including the meticulous process of bringing the written word to life through his voice. They explore the deeper themes of the book, particularly the passage from manhood to becoming a sage, and the importance of intentionality in this journey. Chris also reflects on how revisiting the content of Sage through the recording process brought new insights and personal growth.Get your copy of Sage: A Man's Guide Into His Second Passage today on Amazon: https://a.co/d/3hOtBXi.Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:Website: www.restorationproject.netInstagram: @restorationprojectcoFacebook: Restoration ProjectLinkedIn: Restoration Project Want a thriving marriage? If your relationship feels more like roommates than lovers, or if you're struggling with connection and intimacy, you're not alone. Thrive Marriage Lab is a 12-month guided journey—offering practical tools, live sessions, and expert guidance to help you build a stronger, more connected marriage. Doors open just once a year, so don’t miss out! Use code RP for $20 off and join today at restory.life/thrive.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-datesHow healthy is your marriage? Take our FREE marriage assessment!Instagram: @ThriveMarriageLabYouTube: @ThriveMarriageLabLinkedIn: Thrive Marriage Lab