The Masculine Journey: Unpacking the Six Stages of Development

The Confidential with Simone Gisondi

Simone welcomes special guest Dr. Russ Irwin, a renowned clinical psychologist and expert in human behaviour, who shares his insights on masculinity and the stages of the masculine journey.

He discusses the importance of the beloved son stage in boyhood, where a young boy needs to feel his father's delight in him. He also explores the cowboy stage of adolescence, the warrior stage of young adulthood, the lover stage of awakening the heart, the king stage of wholeheartedness and wisdom, and the sage stage of mentoring and passing on wisdom.

Dr. Irwin also addresses the impact of social media on society and the challenges of finding true identity in today's world.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The masculine journey consists of six stages: beloved son, cowboy, warrior, lover, king, and sage. These stages help shape a man's understanding of masculinity and his development throughout life.
• Masculinity is not solely defined by societal norms or physical attributes. It involves a combination of physiological, cultural, and personal factors that contribute to a man's sense of identity and understanding of what it means to be a man.
• The role of fathers and male figures in a boy's life is important in the development of masculinity. While single parents, including single mothers, can successfully raise children, the presence of both masculine and feminine energies can provide a balanced upbringing.
• Society's portrayal of masculinity in media, such as Hollywood, can create confusion and unrealistic expectations. It is important to recognise the influence of social media and its potential negative effects on mental health, including increased envy, depression, jealousy, and anxiety.

BEST MOMENTS

"There is a great deal of role confusion out there...but I think to most appropriately come to some form of a working definition of what is masculinity or more so what does it mean to be a man."

"I think masculinity is, and of course you referred to various organ parts, so there are certain things that make you a woman that do not make me a woman. There are certain things that make me a man that would not make you a man, simply because of physiological attributes."

"I think it's being strong, it's being assertive, it's being protective, it's having that healthy sense of identity, knowing who you are, but in the same sense, having that willingness and security of heart to cry when you need to cry."

"The lover stage is the stage where we learn to, I think, accept, to understand, to recognise that this is culturally, it should be culturally acceptable. This is where we start to discover our heart."

HOST BIO

Meet the remarkable Simone, a seasoned coach, published author, and the dynamic host of The Confidential. With a life story that includes surviving a brutally communist regime, enduring a tumultuous family life, and even facing a stroke amidst divorce, Simone embodies the true essence of strength and resilience.

As the driving force behind The Confidential, and an honorary graduate of the school of hard knocks, Simone offers a powerful blend of personal experience and professional coaching insights. Each episode is a source of empowerment, enlightenment, and encouragement, designed to inspire listeners to overcome life's hurdles.

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