OMEGA MALE – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Dan Mackenzie interviews Dan Millman, author of the massive, perennial best-seller WAY OF THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR. Their conversation delves into Millman's use of the character Socrates in the context of his own real-life mentors, how his life path and work have evolved in tandem, and how the author has boiled down his insights into simple, accessible yet deeply transformative teachings. Dan Millman is a former world champion athlete, university coach, martial arts instructor, and college professor.

After an intensive, twenty-year spiritual quest, Dan’s teaching found its form as the Peaceful Warrior’s Way. His work continues to evolve over time to meet the needs of a changing world.

Dan’s eighteen books, including Way of the Peaceful Warrior, have inspired and informed millions of readers in 29 languages worldwide. The feature film “Peaceful Warrior” was adapted from Dan’s first book, based upon incidents from his life.

Much of Dan’s time is devoted to speaking. His keynotes, seminars, and workshops span the generations to influence men and women from all walks of life.

ANDRAS JONES is a multi-disciplinary artist (songwriter, actor, author, podcast host & producer, sometimes artist rep) and the kind of rabble-rousing critical thinker who is the bane of partisans of all stripes. His podcasts The Radio8Ball Show and The World Is Wrong both seek to re-contextualize art (in the case of Radio8Ball with music, and film with The World Is Wrong) in a more thoughtful way than is the industry standard. This is the spirit that motivates his other creative endeavors, including his latest album “Recognize, De-escalate & De-code”.   In this conversation we delve deeply into what it means for an artist to hold fast to higher ideals, and the profound personal cost of publicly rejecting and calling out the evils of partisan extremism.

Spoiler alert - this episode gets deeply esoteric! Lisa brings a uniquely spiritual perspective to our topic, leading into new territory for the podcast. Speaking from a point of view that incorporates considerations of karmic purpose and mission, she discusses the connection between violence and subverted sexual energy and how the capacities inherent to a male incarnation might differ from those of a female one. Her take on the terms "masculine" and "feminine" as referring to forces available to all humans is revelatory. It's a pleasure to hear how Lisa manages to translate nuanced spiritual concepts into straightforward, comprehensible language.

Teaching through story, song, metaphor and poetry can be so much more powerful than the mere intellectual transference of ideas. Stephen Jenkinson employs his extraordinary mastery of language in loyal service of that more creative, illustrative sharing of wisdom in ways only a true elder is equipped to do. In so doing, he is an inspiration and a pleasure just to listen to. While the willingness to cast off outmoded ways of being and thinking is crucial to the envisioning of new paradigms and forms, so is also the consideration of what elements of past forms still merit retention and incorporation. Who could be better endowed than an elder with the wisdom to make that discernment? Stephen talks about the responsibility of linguistic prowess and reframes the contemporary conversation about patriarchy. Breaking the term down to its roots, he lays out a unique understanding of patriarchy as a function rather than an identity or a system and later explores Vladimir Putin as an example of someone who falls egregiously short of that function.

John Hamburg writes - and sometimes directs - Hollywood blockbuster comedy films. His "best known for" list is nearly identical to his entire filmography: the "Meet The Parents" trilogy, the "Zoolander" films, "I Love You, Man", "Along Came Polly" and "Why Him?". Whether he is exploring more mundane scenarios with everyday characters or the outlandishly satirical world of Zoolander, Hamburg evokes hilarity while also giving us plenty of cultural food for thought - particularly about the challenges that come with being a guy. While he is far too humble to acknowledge the immense cultural impact of his own work, a deep dive into his films reveals how Hamburg's thematic exploration of "guyhood" has helped us evolve in our conception of and reflections about men. In his interview we explore how he exploits men's discomfort with intimacy, vulnerability, conflict and societal expectations for comedy gold by simply reflecting his own experiences and what he observes in the world around him.

Sandra Dewey was until recently president of business operations and production at Warner Media's HBO MAX, TBS, TNT and TruTV. In this interview host Dan Mackenzie encourages Sandra to explore the sociological culture and power structures in the entertainment business as she has observed and experienced them. From the expansive vantage point of of an exemplary career marked both by material success and humanitarian contribution, Sandra offers compelling insights about everything from the women's support programs she initiated to sexual harassment to boardroom dynamics and beyond. She specifically addresses how the power imbalance between the genders is slowly shifting in Hollywood, how she has personally endeavored to move that needle, and what still needs to happen. Along the way Sandra shares entertaining anecdotes, observations and advice for both young women and men in the business.

Daniel Mackenzie interviews multi-media creator Steve Connell about his personal background, experience in various performative art mediums, the often radically outspoken creative advocacy for women in his work and his evolving understanding about the changing role of men in contemporary society.

“The Most Interesting Man In The World” from the Dos Equis commercials has nothing on this guy! A feature in the Guardian described his life as a "rock 'n'roll fairytale full of worldly quests and romances", but even that may not do him justice. In the 1960’s, Prince Stash (née Stanislas Klossowski De Rola, aristocratic son of the renowned painter Balthus) figured prominently as a twenty-something musician/socialite/gadabout in Europe’s eclectic counterculture scene. He played percussion on Beatles records, was pranked by Edith Piaf, introduced Anita Pallenberg to Brian Jones, dated Catherine Deneuve's sister Françoise Dorléac, was also linked to Nico and Marianne Faithful, dropped acid with Pink Floyd, was involved in two different drug busts with members of the Rolling Stones, bailed out by Keith Moon and taken in by Paul McCartney. Stash's youthful libertine ways transmuted over time into a more expansive exploration and mastery of Tantra, and his interest in Alchemy flourished from curiosity into significant literary contribution to the ancient esoteric tradition. Now in his 80’s, Stash lives in a Castle in Italy, and has recently become an INSTAGRAM influencer with a massive following. He is full of wit and old-world charm, his opinions blend wisdom with controversial mischief, and his writings are provocative verging on scandalous. It was a wild ride talking to this entertaining and generous soul! Follow him on Substack and INSTA, both under “Prince Stash”.

Most of us are familiar with the concept of a men's group, which generally brings to mind a small, intimate circle of men sharing openly with each other, supporting each other and generally connecting on a deeper level. The concept of a bigger men's club might, in contrast, evoke images of sports-related organizations, poker nights, or even those old hunting clubs with men sitting in leather armchairs chomping cigars and drinking scotch in oak-paneled rooms with moose antlers on the walls. The idea of a men's community that fosters personal connection and support much like a smaller men's group, but also quite expansively includes a variety of support resources, talks, community activities and professional connections is, however, a whole new concept that METAL is forging new ground with, so to speak. Kindness and connection are the elements that weld this group together, and the only rule is: no politics and no religion! In this inspired conversation, partner and CEO of METAL Will Henshall shares both his own story and a thorough explanation of what METAL is all about and how it serves both its members and humanity. 

Theo Wilson, a.k.a slam poet, Lucifury, is a founding member of the Denver Slam Nuba team, who won the National Poetry Slam in 2011. He began his speaking career in the N.A.A.C.P. at the age of 15, and has always had a passion for social justice. Theo attended Florida A&M University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Theater Performance. He returned to Denver and is now the Executive Director of Shop Talk Live, inc. The organization uses the barber shop as a staging ground for community dialogue and healing. Theo fulfilled a very particular political role in 2024 as the "black voice of the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. campaign".

After viral video success beginning in 2015, Theo grew his social media following to well over 68,000 people. Due to audience demand, he published his first book in 2017, “The Law of Action.” The book addresses some of the misconceptions about the law of attraction, and the role direct action plays into manifestation. In 2017, his TED Talk entitled, “A Black Man Goes Undercover in the Alt Right,” was seen worldwide, amassing a total of over 12 million views. He has been featured on BuzzFeed, CNN, Good Day Canada, and TV One. Theo and I discuss the abuse he suffered at the hands of the Denver police, his background in slam poetry, the story behind his controversial TED talk, the inspirations and disappointments of working for the Kennedy campaign, fatherhood ...and more!   follow Theo at @theoejwilson on instagram