In this episode of Waking Up Bipolar, Chris Cole speaks with Dan Griffin—addictions expert, public speaker, and host of the Man Rules podcast.

Dan has dedicated his life and work to exploring and redefining what it means to be a man in the 21st century. He is committed to helping men be better men, by understanding the impact of the Man Rules on their lives. Dan also helps men find the success in their personal lives they are striving for in their professional ones. Griffin’s book, A Man’s Way through Relationships, is the first book written specifically to help men create healthy relationships while navigating the challenges of the “Man Rules™” — ideas men internalize at very young ages about how to be real boys and men.

Griffin’s professional background includes over two decades in the mental health and addictions field. In addition, he is the author of A Man’s Way through the Twelve Steps, the first trauma-informed book to take a holistic look at men’s sobriety. He co-authored Helping Men Recover, the first comprehensive gender-responsive and trauma-informed curriculum for addiction and mental health professionals. Dan served as a senior fellow at The Meadows, world-renowned experts treating addictive disorders and trauma, from 2015 to 2017. Dan earned a Master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Kansas. For his graduate work, Dan completed the first qualitative study centered on the social construction of masculinity in the culture of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Dan grew up in the DC area and lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Nancy, and his daughter, Grace. He has been in long-term recovery from addiction since he graduated college in May of 1994.

As you’ll hear in our conversation, Dan Griffin embodies authentic masculinity in his daring articulations of mens’ trauma. Due to my own location in nonbinary gender advocacy, I find men like Dan refreshing and warm as we all try to come to terms with our own gender and healing.

Visit Dan Griffin's website: http://dangriffin.com

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Chris Cole hosts the Waking Up Bipolar podcast, focused on the intersection of bipolar disorder and spiritual awakening. He is the author of The Body of Chris: A Memoir of Obsession, Addiction, and Madness, inspired by his own journey of spiritual unfolding and mental health challenges. Chris Cole offers life coaching for any number of mental health conditions, specializing in bipolar disorder and spiritual emergence. Chris’s experience with addiction, disordered eating, body dysmorphia, psychosis, and spiritual emergency allows him to relate to a wide range of clients. He utilizes a holistic approach to mental health which views wellness in physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual domains. Learn more about Chris and his work at colecoaching.com.

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