I am growNman 128 Unlearning Bad Information

Confronting the toxic "player" mentality that defines so many young men's experiences is at the heart of this deeply personal episode. I open up about growing up in an era where music, media, and even family advice celebrated casual relationships as a rite of passage before marriage. This cultural programming—what I now recognize as fundamentally bad information—shaped my approach to relationships for years.

The dangerous simplicity of "just be responsible and wear protection" failed to prepare me for the emotional complexities and potential life-altering consequences of intimate relationships. Through honest reflection, I share how this mindset impacts not just our romantic partners but our own development as men. True maturity, I've learned, isn't about conquest or avoidance of commitment—it's about recognizing your worth and making choices that honor that worth.

My journey took an unexpected turn when an unplanned pregnancy connected me with the woman who would become my wife—someone I describe as "the smartest person I've ever met." This blessing helped me recognize how differently my story could have gone. Now, as I raise my son with entirely different values, I'm passionate about breaking cycles of misinformation. When we teach young people they're "too important" to engage casually with others, we give them permission to demand more for themselves. The hardest part of being a man isn't living up to cultural stereotypes—it's having the courage to question and unlearn them. Whether you're a parent, mentor, or someone still finding your way, this episode challenges you to examine what information you've accepted about manhood and relationships, and whether it truly serves your highest good.

Listen, share, and join the conversation about how we can create better futures by believing we're important enough to deserve better information.