Stephen Seidel is a PR/media agency founder who believes in prioritizing connection, in a world that says “say it in a sentence or move on.” This healthy authenticity is a balm for modern masculinity, which is adrift in awful platitudes and misunderstandings. Please take a listen to our interview, in which Stephen addresses his “Reconnect, Rebuild, Reclaim” model for forging strength out of grief, both honoring the departed and fortifying our inner sense of self and purpose.
Voices on Grief, Connection, and Showing Up (Quotes from our Podcast)
Steve: “Vulnerability is invincibility. And only when we share our story do we allow ourselves to step into our power.”
Steve: “When you get to a place where you’re willing to let go and take your fists and undo them and you can put your hand over your heart instead of being stuck in your head.”
Jeremy: “Trauma was never your fault, but healing is always your choice and responsibility.”
Jeremy: “Bitterness really slows you down, not the person who hurt you.”
Steve: “It’s not what you do for people, it’s how you made them feel that they’re gonna remember the most.”
Jeremy: “When kids know you’re there and that you care, at their core, they know that nothing’s gonna shake them. That buffers like a probiotic, a force field from trauma.”
Steve: “Who do I identify with? Somebody who’s going to let the past dictate who I am, or somebody who’s going to lead by example for my daughter.”
Jeremy: “What you practice, you become. We build ourselves through habit.”
Steve: “On the deathbed, a lot of people who talk about their regrets, they just wish that they spent more time with their family.”
Steve: “People are gonna say no. Try anyway.”
Jeremy: “Being mindful means becoming the forecaster for the weather in our mind.”
Steve: “Those fries at the bottom of the bag, which we overlook so much, those are the special moments that we look back on to savor.”
Steve: “Goodbyes are for those who love with their eyes, because for those who love with their heart and soul, there is no such thing as separation.”
Note: an essay that aggregates our conversation into a compendium of choice quotes is forthcoming, as well.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Grief and Connection
02:55 Transforming Grief into Action
05:46 The Ongoing Relationship with Grief
08:43 Finding Glimmers in Grief
11:39 Men’s Mental Health and Balance
14:19 The Power of Connection and Legacy
23:15 The Importance of Male Emotional Connections
24:47 Exploring Masculinity in Modern Times
25:39 The Journey Deck: A Tool for Self-Discovery
26:35 Healing and Responsibility in Trauma
28:10 The Role of Journaling in Emotional Healing
29:32 Navigating Childhood Trauma and Parental Influence
31:39 Creating a Safe Emotional Environment for Children
33:15 Understanding Trauma and Identity
35:43 Overcoming Medical Trauma and Identity
38:47 The Impact of Medical Experiences on Mental Health
40:04 Curiosity vs. Judgment in Emotional Connections
42:34 The Power of Eye Contact and Connection
43:48 Mindfulness and the Present Moment
45:16 Creativity and Boredom: A Path to Self-Discovery
47:10 Fries at the Bottom of the Bag: Cherishing Moments
49:31 Creative Exercises and Their Impact
52:24 Lessons from the Entertainment Industry
57:02 The Importance of Connection and Community
59:49 Mindfulness and Mental Health
01:02:21 Reconnecting with Purpose
01:05:17 Experiences with Impractical Jokers
01:13:24 Upcoming Projects and Community Engagement
