The Will Spencer Podcast

This week I interview clinical psychologist, coach, and author Shawn T. Smith, Psy.D.   Shawn is an outspoken critic of the “woke”  ideology spreading through the field of clinical psychology, and speaks up courageously against the American Psychological Association, the governing body propagating it. Because psychology and psychotherapy is one of my core interests, I felt having Shawn on the podcast was essential. I wanted to get his wisdom and insight into this rapidly changing field, and how men can best take advantage of its gifts, while protecting themselves from its growing anti-masculine dangers. In our conversation we discuss: • The manosphere, or as I call it "The Renaissance of Men", and how Shawn found his way into the rich world of male personal development  • The power of shame, and how it can help us in our social interactions, and hurt us when it goes too far • The difference between being men living in service to an ideal, versus men living in servitude • The dangerous ideology spreading through the APA and how it could be leading to an unchecked disaster down the line • His background growing up with a father who owned a truck stop bar, and how his childhood observations of human interactions helped propel him towards a career psychology I try to conduct my podcasts in an interview style, where I do minimal talking and lots of listening. But this turned out to be the most conversational podcast yet. And that makes sense, because Shawn is a listener too. So I hope you enjoy this episode with two men finding their way around some of their favorite and most familiar subjects. To watch Shawn’s popular 21Convention Speech, "How To Keep The Wrong Women Out of Your Life", click here To visit Shawn’s YouTube channel, where he discusses the APA, click here To purchase Shawn's book "The Tactical Guide to Women", click here To follow Shawn on Twitter, click here To visit Shawn’s website, click here To read Robert Bly’s classic “Iron John”, click here Visit https://renofmen.com to sign up to be notified about exciting upcoming news. Connect with us on Instagram and Twitter.

This week I read "The Collar” by the English poet George Herbert, who lived during the 1600’s. This poem depicts one man’s struggle with his chosen calling of the priesthood versus his burning desire for freedom and adventure. I also discuss the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Counter-Reformation, and the flows of history that connect Herbert with our modern age. This poem is proof that we’re not disconnected from history, and that the more things change, the more some things stay the same. To read "The Collar", click here. To learn more about George Herbert, click here. To order "The Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart", click here To order “Poems That Make Grown Men Cry”, click here. To order “The Best Poems of the English Language”, click here Visit https://renofmen.com to sign up to be notified about exciting upcoming news. Follow The Renaissance of Men on Instagram and Twitter.

This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, I interview the host of the Universe Within Podcast, Jason Grechanik. Jason is a facilitator at the acclaimed Peruvian ayahuasca healing center The Temple of the Way of Light, which is where we met in 2016. Jason also leads his own tobacco healing ceremonies in Peru’s Sacred Valley and is an experienced martial artist and yoga practitioner. Naturally we had a lot to talk about. In our engaging three-hour conversation, we discuss: Jason’s background, and how he arrived at the Temple of the Way of Light and why he stayed The nature of ayahuasca: what it means, where it comes from, and how best to prepare Being, Identity, and Meaning, and how they combine to produce our experience of reality, as individuals and a species Why it's important to avoid expectations when encountering ayahuasca, and how every person's journey will be unique Personal responsibility when it comes to healing traumas from our lives and our families The fascinating nature of plants, and how many familiar plants embody powerful healing potential   I planned this episode as a gift to the many men I’ve met that have sincere questions about ayahuasca and the idea of gnosis, or direct spiritual knowledge. But the conversation actually became a gift to me as I got to partake in Jason’s wisdom and perspective. Doing so helped me relive some special times in my life, which I look forward to sharing someday. To learn more about the Temple of the Way of Light, click here. To check out The Universe Within, visit the following links: YOUTUBE — INSTAGRAM — APPLE PODCASTS — SPOTIFY To learn more about Jason's tobacco healing ceremonies in Peru, click here To purchase to the full album of Ikaros from the Temple maestros, click here To read Jed McKenna's book "Spiritual Enlightenment: The Damnedest Thing" click here Visit https://renofmen.com to sign up to be notified about exciting upcoming news. Connect with us on Instagram and Twitter.

This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews master sculptor Sabin Howard, America’s foremost practitioner of Modern Classicism. Sabin's works are owned by museums and private collectors around the world, and he's been favorably reviewed in the New York Times, Washington Post, and many international journals. He's currently in the process of sculpting the U.S. National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C — a 60-foot wall of bronze with 38 figures, scheduled for completion in 2023. In our engaging conversation, Sabin and I discuss: - The story behind the Memorial, and the technological and traditional processes that have gone into making it - Sabin's bi-cultural childhood in the US and Italy, and how they combined to make them the artist he is - How a bit of insight from his wife Traci transformed the memorial into something greater and more universal than he could have imagined  - How failure can be a gift and a sign of the orderliness of the universe, and how that's come true in his life over and over again - Why his war memorial isn't a war memorial, but a piece to heal humanity.   Sabin Howard makes artwork that will outlive us all, so it was deeply moving to me to speak to a man who not only shares my Humanist values, but who also labors so tirelessly and skillfully to bring them forward into our modern era, which is so desperately in need of them. Special thanks to Mark Puchinsky and Traci for making this conversation possible. To visit Sabin Howard on the web, click here. To visit Sabin Howard on Instagram, click here. To learn more about the National World War I memorial, click here. To listen to Sabin give a fascinating lecture about the process of developing the memorial, click here. To see Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment”, click here. To see the Riace bronze sculptures claimed from beneath the sea, click here. To order “Drawing On the Right Side of the Brain”, click here. To order “Has Modernism Failed” by Suzi Gablik, click here. To visit Mark Puchinsky on Instagram, click here. To learn more about Sabin’s wife Traci Slatton, click here. Visit https://renofmen.com to sign up to be notified about exciting upcoming news. Connect with us on Instagram and Twitter.

This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews Rob, Founder of the Grounded Athlete, inventor of the popular Gaia Grounding Sandals, and sponsored professional sprinter. In our engaging conversation, Rob and I discuss: His background as a pro athlete, and how it led him to discover grounding Details about the many surprising health benefits of the deceptively simple practice How our bodies are as much electrical as they are chemical The spiritual dimensions of grounding and how they link to his Native American heritage His journey learning how to make his bestselling Gaia Sandals by hand It was inspiring for me to speak to a man who believes in his mission to the degree that Rob does, and who chose to express it so creatively. It's my wish that all men find such a powerful purpose. And I hope by listening to him, his passion for grounding inspires you to find your mission, and to find out for yourself what the Earth has to say to your body, through your feet. To visit The Grounded Athlete website and order Gaia Sandals, click here. To follow The Grounded Athlete on Instagram, click here. The see The Grounded Athlete’s fascinating YouTube video on Vagal Tone, click here. To learn more about grounding and the the "Umbrella Effect" from the physicist Richard Feynman, click here. Visit https://renofmen.com to sign up to be notified about exciting upcoming news. Connect with us on Instagram and Twitter.

This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews a kung-fu master, mystic, teacher, and psychedelic adventurer fusing esoteric spirituality with a warrior ethos, AlphaStarseed. In this mind- and possibility-expanding two hour conversation, we discuss: How a mystical experience in childhood marked AlphaStarseed for a life of greatness How he's used psychedelics to radically advance his spiritual and physical evolution The philosophy of how he's using his new-found Internet celebrity to help people advance towards their training goals His recommendations for safe and natural ways to become a beast before your workout The growing Gulf between people living in responsibility and people living in fear The Academy of skilled martial artists, and spiritualized warriors, that he's building for the future.   One of the best parts of having a podcast is getting to have conversations with fascinating men pushing the edge, pushing themselves, and pushing the boundaries of thought and what's possible. And this man is no different. But I have to warn you, don't try his techniques at home. To see AlphaStarseed in action, check out these incredible videos: Video 1 Video 2 Video 3 To follow AlphaStarseed on Instagram, click here Visit https://renofmen.com to sign up to be notified about exciting upcoming news. Connect with us on Instagram and Twitter.

In this episode of “Poetry for Men," I read "Eulogy To A Hell of a Dame” by the legendary American poet Charles Bukowski. This poem about Bukowski's long deceased muse, Jane, demonstrates not just his mastery of poetic techniques, but his sense of romantic devotion. Despite being set in his familiar environment of the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles, Bukowski demonstrates that the values of beauty, love, and goodness nevertheless still apply. The poem is a testament to how one man loved one woman, and how her love for him lived on, long after she'd passed away. To read "Eulogy, To a Hell of a Dame", click here. To learn more about Charles Bukowski, click here. To visit Charles Bukowski's website, click here. To order "The Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart", click here. Visit https://renofmen.com to sign up to be notified about exciting upcoming news. Follow The Renaissance of Men on Instagram and Twitter.

In this engaging conversation, the anonymous figure behind The Howling Void, a popular Instagram presence, explores the significance of having a 'Telos' or soul-purpose in life. He discusses the most fulfilling paths often being the hardest and shares his passion for martial arts and psychedelics. Influenced by Marcus Aurelius, he emphasizes the importance of resilience, personal growth, and maintaining a clean sink! The dialogue illustrates the fusion of philosophy and modern challenges, urging men to seek deeper connections and embrace excellence.

In this episode of Poetry for Men, I read the exquisite "Last Gods” by the 20th century American poet Galway Kinnell. This graphic poem depicting a man and woman making passionate love weaves together both personal and mythological themes to produce a result that attains, to me, the status of high art. It has become one of my favorite poems of all time, and though it's taken an act of courage to read, the process was very much worth it. I hope you agree, and that this poem moves you as much as it does me. To read "Last Gods" online, click here For more about Galway Kinnell, click here To watch Galway Kinnell on YouTube, click here To hear Galway Kinnell read this poem on Spotify, click here To order "The Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart", click here. Visit https://renofmen.com to sign up to be notified about exciting upcoming news. Follow The Renaissance of Men on Instagram and Twitter

This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews one of the most capable, dangerous, and deeply wise male leaders today, Mr. Swift. In a wide-ranging and entertaining conversation, we discuss: His history as a paramedic and at multiple levels of law enforcement, and how he evolved into the mentor and leader of men he is today His Christian faith, the Bible, our shared love for CS Lewis, his perspectives on religion, and how his faith shows up in all aspects of his life—including how it applies to the moral application of violence in our lives and towards the advancement of civilization His family lineage of warriors, and some of the challenges he faces with passing on his family's traditions and values in today's political climate The vital differences between killing & murder, and force & violence The breadth of what "holistic masculinity" means to him His journey with PTSD, and the unseen burdens that first responders take onto themselves to ensure the smooth running of our society His surprising artistic and creative hobbies, and the story behind his new Garden Club, coming soon What it means to kick your wife out of bed to make room for your girlfriend Information about the book "Left of Bang" (click here) Follow Mr. Swift on Twitter (click here) Follow Mr. Swift on Instagram (click here) Visit https://renofmen.com to sign up to be notified about exciting upcoming news. Connect with us on Instagram and Twitter.