Today I sat down for a conversation with my core steward Trevor Mervin and collaborator Simon Yugler to pull back the veil on the upcoming Cascadia Men’s Conference.
We’re two months out from our gathering in the Squamish Valley (August 6-9), and the momentum is beginning to build.
Announcement: Price Drop, Scholarships & the Patron Fund
Our conversation explores the origins of the gathering and the spirit of the mythopoetic lineage. We talked about why we are doing this now, at a moment when masculinity is heavily scrutinized and calls for meaningful change, particularly from women, and swelling worldwide.
And we speak on how we might reclaim a mature, soulful way of being a man in right relationship the world.
SHOW NOTES
The Mythopoetic Lineage: Tracing the thread from the 40th anniversary of the Minnesota Men’s Gathering and the influence of Robert Bly, Michael Mead, and James Hillman on our West Coast vision.
Soul Work vs. Movement: Why we prefer Michael Mead’s characterization of “soul work” over “movements,” focusing on the internal “cooking” and refining of the masculine psyche.
The Power of Affinity Spaces: A balanced look at the value (and the “edginess”) of temporary separation—how men gathering together in an affinity space can actually empower the broader culture and the families they return to.
Read the full essay ‘Who Might Be Served By A Men’s Conference?”
Cultural Ingredients: An overview of what actually happens in the cauldron—from morning lectures and myth-telling to afternoon workshops on accountability, grief work, and physical connection to the land.
Courting the Divine Spark: An exploration of this year’s theme—the idea of a reunification with a sense of purpose or betrothal that many men first felt at age 14 or 15 but lost in the distractions of adulthood.
Elders as Practice: How we are moving beyond just inviting elders to actually practicing the relational work required to make an elder, including the formation of our advisory board.
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If you are feeling the call to join us this August - whether you are a veteran of the mythopoetic scene or brand new to this kind of work - you can find more details and tickets on the official conference page.
