Shows
Intelligent MasculinityIntelligent Masculinity with The Opinionated Ogre“I’m a big guy. I take up space whether I want to or not. Intelligent masculinity means understanding what that looks like to other people and moving through the world with that in mind. I don’t get to pretend I’m not threatening just because I don’t mean to be. With the power I have comes the responsibility not to abuse it—especially in a world already designed to cater to my ego.”~ The Opinionated Ogre ~Take a dive into The Opinionated Ogre’s backstory — be forewarned this article contains instances of child...
2026-02-061h 23
Walter Rhein PodcastIntelligent Masculinity with Walter RheinNick Paro is on fire and this is a brilliant project. He’s been interviewing a bunch of flawed dudes who are trying hard, and I’m honored to be among them. I listened to his previous interview with Sharad Swaney and I was super impressed! Also, that gave me some insight into the questions, but I didn’t get to the Mulan part (I’m quite pleased with my spontaneous answers).A lot of my readers provide me encouragement when I try to offer solutions. I think these dialogues about intelligent masculinity are a big part of that...
2026-01-231h 00
Intelligent MasculinityDefining Intelligent MasculinityOne of the most reliable ways fragile masculinity avoids accountability is by refusing to be given a definition. When masculinity is left vague — purposely reduced to feelings, instincts, dominance, or traditions — it becomes impossible to challenge. Harm hides inside these vague abstractions while men are allowed to mindlessly gesticulate toward strength without ever naming what that strength actually requires of them. Vagueness does not then soften masculinity — it protects the worst expressions of it.Across the first six Intelligent Masculinity conversations, a clear understanding has emerged — when masculinity is left undefined, it always defaults to power without responsi...
2026-01-2109 min
Intelligent MasculinityWho Shapes A ManOne of the most durable, yet destructive, myths in modern masculinity is the idea of the ruggedly individual, self-made man — the belief that a man’s character is forged alone, that his strength emerges when he is in self-imposed isolation, and that his masculinity and dominance is something he is due rather than something he must first inherit, then constantly work at. This myth of being owed something is appealing for many because it removes responsibility for where we come from. It is also very dangerous – it allows men to reproduce and inflict harm without ever examining its source – themself...
2026-01-1907 min
Sick of this ShowIntelligent Masculinity with Dr. Eric LulloveMasculinity in Review“Power without restraint is destruction.”~ Dr. Eric LulloveIn this fifth interview of Intelligent Masculinity, I (Nick Paro) and Dr. Eric Lullove explore masculinity from a slightly different angle than before — as patience in action. Through reflections on Eric’s own experiences with fatherhood, medicine, loss, partnership, and self-regulation, we reframe strength as restraint, leadership as modeling, and accountability as an internal discipline rather than a performance for the public. Eric provides another dimension to intelligent masculinity — not through urgency or dominance; rather, a consistent, measured presence over time.
2026-01-1659 minIntelligent MasculinityIntelligent Masculinity with Dr. Eric LulloveMasculinity in Review“Power without restraint is destruction.”~ Dr. Eric LulloveIn this fifth interview of Intelligent Masculinity, I (Nick Paro) and Dr. Eric Lullove explore masculinity from a slightly different angle than before — as patience in action. Through reflections on Eric’s own experiences with fatherhood, medicine, loss, partnership, and self-regulation, we reframe strength as restraint, leadership as modeling, and accountability as an internal discipline rather than a performance for the public. Eric provides another dimension to intelligent masculinity — not through urgency or dominance; rather, a consistent, measured presence over time.
2026-01-1659 min
Sick of this ShowIntelligent Masculinity with Sharad SwaneyMasculinity in ReviewThis second discussion of Intelligent Masculinity we move inward. In a grounded, reflective conversation, I (Nick Paro) and Sharad Swaney dive into intentionally intelligent masculinity as an active discipline built on self-regulation, integrity, and internal alignment. Where my first discussion — Intelligent Masculinity with Shane Yirak — focuses on external violence and authoritarian powers, this conversation drills down into what masculinity must actively practice.Sharad Swaney, 19-years-old, does not enter the conversation as a person who just “arrived at masculinity;” rather, as someone who treats masculinity as an interactive process which includes other men within h...
2026-01-101h 26Intelligent MasculinityIntelligent Masculinity with Sharad SwaneyMasculinity in ReviewThis second discussion of Intelligent Masculinity we move inward. In a grounded, reflective conversation, I (Nick Paro) and Sharad Swaney dive into intentionally intelligent masculinity as an active discipline built on self-regulation, integrity, and internal alignment. Where my first discussion — Intelligent Masculinity with Shane Yirak — focuses on external violence and authoritarian powers, this conversation drills down into what masculinity must actively practice.Sharad Swaney, 19-years-old, does not enter the conversation as a person who just “arrived at masculinity;” rather, as someone who treats masculinity as an interactive process which includes other men within h...
2026-01-101h 26
Sick of this ShowSick of this Show: Setting Goals for 20 Years and 20 MonthsShow NotesOn today’s Sick of this Show, I am joined by Sharad Swaney, co-director at Centered America, for a continuation of a discussion started on Banner & Backbone Media’s The Window of Discussion, E8. By the end we landed on 2 main points where we have the power to attain change within our 20-month timeline:* The hard part — Fracture the Republican Party. Encourage people like Rick Wilson, Bobby Jones, Adam Kinzinger, Joe Walsh, Tara Setmayer — to take-over the Party power structures of an existing, nationally recognized 3rd Party which chooses to caucus with the Republic...
2025-11-201h 02
Sick of this ShowSick of this Show: Radicalization PipelinesShow NotesToday’s on the Sick of this Show, I discuss radicalization pipelines and accountability with my good friends Sharad Swaney and Gavin Faivre, the Directors of Centered America.Our discussion covers three main topics:* Social pressure for bad and good — specifically around Shane Yirak’s note and the response from MeidasTouch Network — the need for fans/subscribers to demand they use their platforms and funding for actionable good (you know, blocking the destruction of the East Wing of the White House is something Meidas could have spearheaded with a team of lawyers...
2025-10-241h 22
Rock Paper PodcastEpisode 1102 - saint chuck (Indie Pop)Today's episode I caught up with Saint Chuck to get to know them a little better. They are about to relelase a brand new ACTING LIKE ADULTS EP this week! We deep dive into the EP, stories behind the songs, play one live acoustic, and all the details for the Release Party! On this episode you'll hear: Ohio (live) Love Hate Letter See them LIVE: April 4th at Blueberry Hill Duck Room ACTING LIKE ADULTS EP RELEASE PARTY with special guests The Tropic of Cancer & Sharad Swaney. Tickets at Ticketmaster.com o...
2025-04-031h 01