What if rest was the most dominant thing you could do? In this episode of the Circle, trauma-informed BDSM educator, licensed life coach, and former Dominatrix Ms. Elle X joins us to explore the hidden cost of leadership—and why so many men, Dominants, and space-holders burn out before they ever give themselves permission to stop. We talk about the shame that makes rest feel dangerous, how insecurity fuels overwork, and why true power comes from knowing when to say “no.” Ms. Elle reframes rest a...
Jul 24, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 42
Urgency doesn’t have to mean rushing. In this episode of The Circle , Eric Bomyea and Timothy Bish explore urgency and embodiment , unpacking how to move quickly with purposeful action instead of reactive rushing. Drawing from personal stories—airport chaos, bartending mishaps, and even Tim’s professional dance training—they discuss how urgency impacts the nervous system , why it often feeds perfectionism , and how to regulate it through embodiment practices . You’ll learn: The difference betwee...
Jul 17, 2025•49 min•Ep. 41
What does it mean to feel free, connected, and authentic in queer spaces—without the crutch of alcohol or drugs? In this episode of The Circle , Eric and Tim are joined by Dave Becker, founder of Sober Gay Sunday , to explore queer sobriety, nightlife, and what it means to connect without substances. Dave shares his personal story—from circuit parties and addiction to building a sober community that celebrates authenticity and nervous system regulation. Together, they unpack why so many queer pe...
Jul 10, 2025•55 min•Ep. 40
In this episode of The Circle , Eric and Tim explore how personal growth and spiritual practice can quietly slip into another form of hustle. Why do we sometimes treat healing like a to-do list? What happens when our breathwork, yoga, or journaling stops being supportive and starts becoming performative? Together, they unpack perfectionism, self-trust, and the radical permission to just be . From Tim’s morning breathwork dilemma to Eric’s meditation hall ego trip, this episode is a heartfelt, hu...
Jul 03, 2025•56 min•Ep. 39
In Part 2 of our conversation with Amir Khalighi, we move from uncovering the father wound to exploring what it takes to heal it. Why are so many men with this wound quick to judge—others, themselves, and especially other men? How does hypervigilance become a way of life? And what does it take to re-father ourselves and trust again? We talk about the lone wolf archetype, how judgment protects what we’re not ready to feel, and why healing doesn’t require reconciling with your father—but it does r...
Jun 26, 2025•55 min•Ep. 38
In this special two part episode of The Circle , we’re joined by our mentor and teacher Amir Khalighi—founder of Embodied Masculine —for a deep conversation about the father wound, masculine lineage, and the path to healing. Together, we explore how emotional or physical absence from a father figure can shape a man’s identity, disrupt his relationship with power, and perpetuate patterns of codependency, people-pleasing, addiction, and emotional disconnection. Amir shares his own story of growing...
Jun 19, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 37
In this episode of The Circle Podcast , Eric and Tim go all in on the many dimensions of trust —from how we cultivate trust within ourselves to how we navigate the messy terrain of trusting others, institutions, and even the universe. With personal stories, embodiment reflections, and real-world examples from breathwork, therapy, and men’s work, they unpack why trust is so deeply linked to safety, regulation, consistency, and surrender . Whether you're rebuilding self-trust after a rupture, disc...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 36
In this episode of The Circle Podcast, we’re joined by Jonathan Scott—also known as Wild Blue Yonder and Esther the Village Mermaid—for a deeply moving conversation about queer resilience, the Radical Fairy movement, and the healing power of gathering in circle. A longtime community organizer and founder of the Victory Programs, Jonathan shares his lived experience from the height of the AIDS epidemic, when queer communities, abandoned by institutions, created sacred spaces for care, grief, brea...
Jun 05, 2025•52 min•Ep. 35
Why is it so hard to simply take it in —a compliment, a gift, a moment of care, or even a deep breath? In this episode of The Circle Podcast , Eric and Tim unpack the cultural, emotional, and personal blocks that make receiving feel vulnerable, awkward, or even shameful. Whether it’s feeling unworthy of love, fearing hidden strings, or being conditioned to always give and never rest, many men—especially queer men—struggle to let themselves receive without guilt or defensiveness. Drawing from men...
May 29, 2025•44 min•Ep. 34
In this episode of The Circle , Eric and Tim sit down with Jonathan Hammond —author, spiritual teacher, and trained shamanic practitioner—to explore how earth-based spirituality and Hawaiian wisdom can help us reclaim authenticity, heal limiting beliefs, and reimagine a more connected world. From the ancient role of queer people in shamanic cultures to the modern practice of manifestation, the conversation weaves together collective consciousness, two-spirit identity, imagination, and the sacred...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 33
In this episode of The Circle Podcast , Eric and Tim explore the transformative power of imagination—not as a childhood relic, but as a radical tool for adult healing, creative expression, emotional intelligence, and personal growth. From visualizing future goals to softening interpersonal conflicts, they unpack how reconnecting with our imaginations can help queer men reclaim authorship over their lives. Drawing from their own experiences in embodiment practice and men’s work, they reflect on t...
May 15, 2025•52 min•Ep. 32
Curious about kink—but unsure where to start? In this episode of The Circle Podcast , Eric and Tim are joined by Mr. R, a rope rigger, dominant, and BDSM educator, to explore how consent, communication, and trust form the bedrock of safe and empowering experiences in BDSM and beyond. Through real stories, thoughtful analogies, and insights from kink practice, they unpack how risk, sensation, and psychological safety are negotiated in scenes—and why clear communication is a form of radical care. ...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 31
Ever found yourself snapping in traffic or spiraling over something small? In this episode of The Circle Podcast , Eric and Tim unpack the deeper truth behind irritation and annoyance—and how these emotions often reveal unmet needs , unconscious beliefs , and moments where we fall out of integrity with ourselves . With personal stories, embodied insights, and practical tools, they explore how common irritants—like getting cut off in traffic or feeling disrespected—can be invitations to pause, re...
May 01, 2025•56 min•Ep. 30
Projection is a fundamental yet often unnoticed aspect of human experience. We see in others what we cannot yet recognize in ourselves, whether in moments of conflict, admiration, or even within the mysterious landscapes of our dreams. In this episode of The Circle , Eric Bomyea and Timothy Bish welcome dream worker Gregory Ganymedes to go all in on the nature of projection—how it operates in our subconscious and how it influences our waking interactions. Through an insightful conversation, they...
Apr 24, 2025•54 min•Ep. 29
Anger is a powerful and often misunderstood emotion, especially among men. While society may encourage its suppression or view it negatively, anger, when acknowledged and channeled appropriately, can serve as a catalyst for personal growth and transformation. In this episode of The Circle, hosts Eric Bomyea and Timothy Bish go all in on the complexities of anger, exploring its origins, manifestations, and potential as a force for positive change. Through an insightful conversation, they discuss...
Apr 17, 2025•57 min•Ep. 28
Many men grow up feeling othered —whether due to cultural differences, personal identity, or societal expectations. This sense of disconnection can shape their emotional landscape, leading to shame, isolation, and a struggle to express their true selves. But what if those experiences could be transformed into a source of clarity, strength, and purpose? In this episode of The Circle , we sit down with Alex Lehmann , Men’s Leadership Coach and host of The Heart of Man podcast, to explore the power...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 27
In this episode of The Circle Podcast , we go all in on the often-overlooked role of joy in men’s work and embodiment practices. While grief, anger, and fear frequently dominate men’s spaces, joy remains an underdeveloped muscle—one that, when cultivated, can become a profound source of purpose and connection. Eric and Tim unpack why many men struggle to access joy, how societal conditioning stifles its expression, and why joy is just as essential as any other emotion in personal growth. They ex...
Apr 03, 2025•53 min•Ep. 26
In this episode, Tim and Eric sit down with real estate entrepreneur and environmental engineer Steve Azar to explore how leading with heart can shape not just businesses, but entire communities. From high-rise developments to Provincetown’s historic Gifford House, Steve’s work is deeply rooted in impact, intention, and connection. We discuss his journey through men’s work, embodiment practices, and spiritual surrender—how listening to universal signals led him to unexpected yet powerful opportu...
Mar 27, 2025•51 min•Ep. 25
Judgment is a natural human response, but how often do we pause to examine its impact on our lives? In this episode, Eric and Tim go all in on the role of judgment in men's work, exploring how it can disrupt presence and hinder personal growth. They discuss the nuances of self-judgment and the fear of being judged by others, particularly within the queer community. By sharing personal experiences and insights, they offer strategies to transform judgment from a reactive habit into a conscious too...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 24
In a world that rewards quick reactions, what happens when we choose calmness as a form of resistance ? In this episode of The Circle Podcast , we sit down with Massachusetts State Senator Julian Cyr to explore how steadiness, patience, and emotional regulation shape leadership, activism, and personal growth. Senator Cyr shares his journey from growing up in a small town on Cape Cod to becoming a leading advocate for public health, LGBTQ+ rights, and economic development . He reflects on the imp...
Mar 13, 2025•58 min•Ep. 23
In this episode of The Circle Podcast , we explore the discomfort that comes with breaking free from limiting beliefs and stepping into a more empowered way of being. Transformation isn’t instant—it requires patience, discipline, and a willingness to sit with discomfort rather than avoid it. Eric and Tim unpack why growth often feels unsettling and why staying committed to the process—whether in men’s work, fitness, or mindset practices—is essential for real change. They challenge the myth of in...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 22
In this episode of The Circle Podcast, we sit down with Soma Miller, founder of The Essential Man, to explore how unresolved wounds shape our lives and how men’s work, brotherhood, and embodiment practices help us step into maturity, integrity, and purpose. Soma shares his personal journey into men’s work, influenced by mentors like Francis Weller and Malidoma Somé, and discusses the importance of rites of passage, emotional maturity, and healing the wounds of masculinity. We dive into why many ...
Feb 27, 2025•55 min•Ep. 21
In this episode of The Circle, Eric and Tim explore how men can shift from living in a world of “shoulds” and obligations to consciously choosing their actions with clarity and intention. Drawing from men’s embodiment practices, Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication, and mindfulness techniques, they unpack the subtle but powerful difference between “I have to” and “I choose to.” Through personal reflections and recent men’s circles, they discuss how cultural conditioning shapes our inter...
Feb 20, 2025•57 min•Ep. 20
How do queer men reclaim fitness as a space of empowerment rather than exclusion? In this episode of The Circle , we sit down with Matt Boyles, founder of Fitter Confident You , a fitness platform designed specifically for gay, bi, and trans men. Together, we explore the intersection of body image, societal expectations, and movement—unpacking the hyper-focus on aesthetics in queer spaces and how it impacts our confidence, mental health, and relationship with fitness. Matt shares his personal jo...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 19
In this episode of The Circle, the Podcast for Queer Men's Embodiment, we take a deep dive into the strong man archetype—the societal expectation that men must always have the answers, never ask for help, and handle everything alone. These pressures often lead to overwhelm, isolation, and burnout, especially for queer men navigating mental, emotional, and spiritual growth. Tim and Eric explore how men’s work and embodiment practices provide essential tools for managing stress, recognizing when w...
Feb 06, 2025•52 min•Ep. 18
In this episode of The Circle, Timothy Bish and Eric Bomyea are joined by Mackenzie, a drag entertainer, philanthropist, and artist. Mackenzie shares their journey of navigating the balance between masculine and feminine energies, using drag as a powerful tool for self-expression and transformation. Together, they explore breaking societal norms, navigating gender expression, and using drag to embody both strength and softness. The conversation unpacks how embracing polarity can deepen authentic...
Jan 30, 2025•50 min•Ep. 17
In this episode of The Circle, Tim and Eric go all in on the emotional complexities of gratitude, exploring how to move beyond performative expressions and embrace authentic gratitude. Through personal stories and reflections, they unpack the challenges men face in connecting with genuine feelings of gratitude—particularly when societal expectations or past experiences make it feel like an obligation. They discuss how men’s work provides a framework for practicing gratitude authentically, allowi...
Jan 23, 2025•56 min•Ep. 16
In this episode of The Circle , Eric and Tim welcome Jeffrey Schaffer, a nurse and LGBTQ+ program manager, to explore how queer men can approach healthcare with confidence and authenticity. They dive into how men’s work provides tools to navigate medical spaces, unpack stigma, and advocate for oneself with courage and clarity. Discover practical advice on overcoming shame, working with fear, and finding your voice in the often-intimidating realm of sexual and overall health. With a focus on empa...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 15
In this episode of The Circle , Tim and Eric break down the difference between fear-based, control-driven power and a more authentic, heart-centered approach to strength. They challenge the “strong man” stereotype—where force and dominance prevail—and introduce men’s work principles that help men tap into self-awareness, conscious choice-making, and genuine leadership. From acknowledging bristling egos to exploring the warrior archetype in new ways, they show how queer men’s embodiment and perso...
Jan 09, 2025•57 min•Ep. 14
In this episode of The Circle Podcast, we dive into the world of superheroes with special guest Phil Jimenez, renowned comic book artist and writer. Together, we explore how the traits that define our favorite heroes—presence, authenticity, vulnerability, and courage—are also the “superpowers” everyday men can cultivate through men’s work. Phil shares his perspective on how these qualities show up in both his creative process and personal journey, offering insights into how men can embrace their...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 13
