Many men build their lives around performance—measuring their worth by what they achieve rather than who they are. In this episode, Jesse French and Cody Buriff sit down with Shae McCowen, the chairman of the board at Restoration Project, to unpack the hidden costs of striving. Shae shares his journey from being a skeptical participant at his first Restoration Project gathering to discovering the power of authenticity, brotherhood, and self-awareness. Through laughter, deep reflection, and a few wild stories from early retreats, we explore how men can step out of the performance trap and into something richer.
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Manhood can feel like uncharted territory, most of us are figuring it out as we go. From September 25–28, 2025, the Restorative Manhood Digital Summit brings together voices like Dan Allender, Dude Dad, Mark Batterson, Curt Thompson, and more to talk identity, fatherhood, friendship, and becoming the man you were made to be. You’ll get honest, practical conversations you can watch or listen to on your own schedule. Best of all, it’s completely free! Sign up at restorationproject.net/RMDSummit.
