Never stop seeking your purpose - that's the most critical lesson about purpose. The most distressed and distraught people are those who have stopped looking, settling into careers or talents while something dies inside them.

• The richest place in the world is the graveyard, filled with unwritten books and unrealized ideas
• Finding purpose requires ongoing self-reflection and evaluation
• Most men struggle with connection, being physically present but emotionally isolated
• There's a crucial difference between passion (which burns out) and purpose (which sustains)
• The "American Dream" should be a stepping stone to purpose, not the final destination
• Men need to assess their history, understand their motivations, and commit to authentic change
• Community is essential for finding purpose - men cannot successfully navigate this journey alone
• Everyone's ultimate purpose may be the same, though our paths to it differ greatly
• Self-reflection through journaling, reading, or spiritual practices creates space for purpose discovery
• Your gifts aren't just for your fulfillment but could impact generations to come

Follow Mista Yu here: https://theycallmemistayu.buzzsprout.com and find all the episodes from our podcast brand.

Driven 2 Thrive Social Media Channels:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PurposeDrivenMenfacebook

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefallibleman

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Drive2ThriveBroadcast

• Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/Driven2Thrive

Brent Dowlen Social Media Channels:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidbdowlen/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-dowlen/

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What happens when generations of men are taught to suppress their emotions? Aaron Gambel knows firsthand. After a childhood marked by trauma and neglect, he built a successful 15-year career in Hollywood—using the high-stress environment to stay in "survival mode" rather than confronting deeper issues. Until it all came crashing down.

Five days before his 43rd birthday, Aaron found himself holding a bottle of pills, contemplating ending it all. The image of his children playing downstairs saved his life and launched him on a journey of profound transformation. His "mental health college experience"—30 days in treatment—gave him tools that would not only heal himself but also help other men struggling with emotional disconnection.

Aaron's story illuminates a silent crisis: suicide is now the second leading cause of death for men under 45. The root cause? Generations of men raised by war veterans, taught never to speak about their experiences or emotions. "You can't open up emotionally, you're not truly connecting with another human being," Aaron explains. This epidemic of loneliness is literally killing men.

Through his men's groups and life coaching, Aaron now helps others break these destructive patterns. He shares powerful insights about fatherhood, co-parenting after divorce, and the importance of modeling emotional intelligence for the next generation. His practical approach combines meditation, breathwork, and physical movement to help men "get out of their heads and into their hearts."

Aaron's vulnerability offers a roadmap for other men seeking authentic connection. Discover how creating safe spaces for brotherhood can transform lives, break generational trauma, and perhaps even save lives. Visit aarongambel.com to learn more about his work with men and fathers.

• Growing up with childhood trauma and neglect shaped Aaron's understanding of parenting and relationships
• Working in the film industry for 15 years kept Aaron in "survival mode" but ultimately distracted him from addressing deeper issues
• Men struggle with emotional presence because they're conditioned to "fix" rather than feel
• The alarming statistic that suicide is the second leading cause of death for men under 45
• How generational trauma creates patterns of emotional disconnection among men
• The power of brotherhood and men's groups in creating safe spaces for connection
• Aaron's mental breakdown and 30-day "mental health college experience" transformed his approach to life

Have a question for Mista Yu? Text the show and he’ll answer it personally.

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Thank you for listening to the They Call Me Mista Yu brand of podcasts! We love hearing from you!

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YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Theycallmemistayu

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The real problem in troubled relationships isn't poor communication – it's what couples are actually communicating to each other. Dr. Bruce Chalmer upends conventional wisdom about couples therapy in this eye-opening conversation that challenges everything you thought you knew about relationship struggles.

Drawing from over 30 years as a psychologist and couples therapist, Dr. Chalmer explains why the traditional advice to "communicate better" misses the mark entirely. "The couples are communicating perfectly effectively," he notes with gentle wisdom. "They're just communicating that they don't like or trust each other." This profound insight forms the foundation of his approach to helping couples reconnect and rediscover intimacy.

At the heart of relationship challenges lies the tension between stability and intimacy. While stability requires predictability, intimacy demands vulnerability and risk. Most couples, especially those with established lives together, prioritize stability so heavily that they avoid anything that might "rock the boat" – including honest conversations. Over time, this avoidance creates emotional distance that extinguishes the spark that originally brought them together.

The conversation takes unexpected turns as Dr. Chalmer discusses his journey from statistician to therapist, explains how infidelity affects nearly half his clients, and shares his concept of "sacred sex" as a transcendent connection that reaches beyond the couple to something larger. His compassionate approach acknowledges men's common reluctance toward therapy – not from lack of caring, but from fear of being judged or blamed.

Whether you're struggling in your relationship or simply curious about human connection, Dr. Chalmer's insights offer a refreshing perspective that honors the complexity of intimate partnerships while providing practical wisdom for navigating their challenges. In his words: "Be kind, don't panic, and have faith."

PARENTAL GUIDANCE ALERT: (Some language used in this interview may not be fit for minors or some adults may find objectionable so please advise with my apologies!)

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Thank you for listening to the They Call Me Mista Yu brand of podcasts! We love hearing from you!

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YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Theycallmemistayu

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We conclude our "Seed to Significance: Building Big with Little" series by exploring how to stay committed through quiet seasons of growth while focusing on the legacy we're quietly planting today.

• Overcoming the fear of starting small requires understanding that everything significant starts with a seed
• Learning to endure the "darkness" of growth seasons when progress feels invisible
• Recognizing that quiet seasons aren't isolation - you're in development, not abandonment
• Finding a community that lifts you up rather than holds you back
• Taking wisdom from Steve Jobs: "Don't lose faith when life hits you with a brick."
• Starting humble with limited resources can still yield extraordinary outcomes
• Building from your existing skills rather than waiting for perfect conditions
• Your dream is valid regardless of your current resource limitations
• The Wright brothers created flight with limited tools, shaped into extraordinary outcomes

Check out our website at theycallmemistayu.buzzsprout.com to continue the conversation about your seed to significance journey. I'd love to hear about where you're trying to build big with little resources!

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Apple Podcasts: Https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/they-call-me-mista-yu/id1535535535

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Theycallmemistayu

Here’s how you can help us financially if you’d like---> www.buzzsprout.com/1222796/supporters/new

We're exploring the journey from seeds to significance in our continuing series on Building Big with Little. Diving deeper into overcoming the fear of starting small and recognizing the value in your current resources, we examine why these mindset shifts are crucial for success.

• Everything that is of greatness begins with a seed
• How we view our resources determines how we treat them
• The fear of starting small often comes from limited vision and experience
• Changing your community is key to pushing beyond your current limitations
• Surrounding yourself with people doing what you aspire to do creates immersion learning
• Your current resources hold more value than you realize
• Simple tools can build monumental achievements (pyramids, Great Wall of China)
• Limitations can become invitations for growth when properly perceived
• Wealth only amplifies who you already are - generosity starts now, not later
• Your vision determines how far your resources can take you

Join us for the final episode in this series, where we'll complete our exploration of staying committed through quiet seasons of growth. Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/theycallmemistayu and share your thoughts on this series!

Find all past episodes at theycallmemistayu.buzzsprout.com and follow Mista Yu on all major social platforms.

You are growing. You are becoming. And you are not alone.

Have a question for Mista Yu? Text the show and he’ll answer it personally.

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Thank you for listening to the They Call Me Mista Yu brand of podcasts! We love hearing from you!

Apple Podcasts: Https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/they-call-me-mista-yu/id1535535535

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Theycallmemistayu

Here’s how you can help us financially if you’d like---> www.buzzsprout.com/1222796/supporters/new

“From Seed to Significance: Building Big with Little”

Welcome, beautiful souls. In today’s episode, we explore the sacred truth that everything great begins with a seed. From David’s humble beginnings as a shepherd to the mustard seed of faith that moves mountains, history and Scripture remind us: small starts birth great legacies.

No matter your resources, your dream is valid. Like the Wright brothers who built flight in a bicycle shop, your limited tools can still shape extraordinary outcomes.

We’ll explore how to:
🌱 Overcome the fear of starting small
🌱 Recognize the value in your current resources
🌱 Stay committed through the quiet seasons of growth

Plus, we’ll reflect on:
🌱 What seed has God already placed in your hands?
🌱 How can limitations become invitations for growth?
🌱 What legacy are you quietly planting today?

Find all past episodes at theycallmemistayu.buzzsprout.com and follow Mista Yu on all major social platforms.

You are growing. You are becoming. And you are not alone.

We explore the sacred truth that everything great begins with a seed and how small starts can birth great legacies regardless of your current resources.

• Overcoming the fear of starting small instead of waiting for ideal circumstances
• Recognizing the value in your current resources rather than waiting for future ones
• Staying committed through the quiet seasons of growth when progress isn't visible
• King David's story as an example of humble beginnings leading to significant legacy
• The Wright brothers making "a bicycle fly" with limited tools yet extraordinary outcomes
• Understanding God's perspective where "little is big and big is little" in the kingdom
• Identifying what seeds God has already placed in your hands that remain undeveloped
• Many great ideas die because we let discouragement or time pass without nurturing them
• The best things in life grow at their proper pace, just like fruit needs the right time to ripen

Join us for the next episodes as we dive deeper into overcoming these three challenges on your journey from seed to significance.

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Thank you for listening to the They Call Me Mista Yu brand of podcasts! We love hearing from you!

Apple Podcasts: Https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/they-call-me-mista-yu/id1535535535

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Theycallmemistayu

Here’s how you can help us financially if you’d like---> www.buzzsprout.com/1222796/supporters/new

What happens when your children turn your household into a battleground? For Yusef Marshall, known as "The Incredible Mr. Yu," the solution came through a radical shift in perspective that transformed his family dynamics forever.

Join us for a candid, eye-opening conversation with a father of three grown daughters who made it through nearly 30 years of marriage by discovering the power of the united front. Mr. Yu shares the turning point when he and his wife realized they were "winging it" through parenthood and how their decision to prioritize their marriage above everything else changed everything.

"They can be a prince or princess, but they can't be the king or queen," Mr. Yu explains, challenging the common notion that children should be the center of family life. With remarkable honesty, he reveals how this commitment helped them weather manipulation attempts, intense resistance, and even moments when they wondered if their marriage would survive.

This episode offers practical wisdom about creating a family strategy instead of just reacting to daily challenges. You'll hear how establishing clear boundaries prevented their children from playing parents against each other and how maintaining unity provided stability through tumultuous times. For fathers who feel caught in the day-to-day struggles of parenting, Mr. Yu's perspective offers both encouragement and a roadmap.

Beyond parenting strategies, the conversation touches on the importance of community for fathers, the reality that loving your children doesn't always mean liking them in every moment, and how modeling a strong partnership sets children up for future relationship success.

Whether you're just starting your parenting journey or navigating the complexities of older children, this episode provides honest, sometimes uncomfortable truths about what it takes to build a family foundation that lasts. Connect with The Incredible Mr. Yu on his YouTube channel or through his website to continue the conversation and discover resources for strengthening your most important relationships.

• A united front between parents is crucial to effective parenting
• Prioritizing your marriage over your children creates a stronger family structure
• Children will naturally try to divide parents to get what they want
• Having a family strategy prevents "winging it" through challenging situations
• A healthy marriage provides modeling for children's future relationships
• Working through difficult parenting

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Thank you for listening to the They Call Me Mista Yu brand of podcasts! We love hearing from you!

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Gina Economopoulos didn't plan to become an author or an end-of-life doula—these callings found her through a lifetime of struggle, surrender, and eventual transformation. Born into a large Italian-Greek family on Long Island as one of eight children, Gina's early years were marked by physical limitations that left her comparing herself unfavorably to siblings and feeling like "the black cloud" of an otherwise loving home. Despite growing up surrounded by unconditional love and the warmth of New York hospitality (contrary to popular stereotypes), young Gina struggled with self-acceptance.

Everything changed when her mother died from cancer when Gina was just 23. Having no personal spiritual foundation—she describes her parents as having been "her God"—this loss sent her spiraling into a decades-long search for meaning. Her journey took remarkable turns: becoming a Catholic nun seeking peace within convent walls, returning to civilian life as a bartender, falling in love with an alcoholic who later died from the disease, and finally confronting her own alcoholism after hitting what she calls her "dark pit" of complete surrender.

The most powerful revelation in Gina's story isn't just her ten years of sobriety, but how her personal healing transformed naturally into a calling to help others. Now working as an end-of-life doula, she brings presence and peace to those transitioning from life—offering what she herself lacked when watching her mother die: faith, hope, and spiritual support. Her understanding of forgiveness as a choice that frees the forgiver rather than the forgiven demonstrates the depth of her spiritual evolution, including her process of forgiving God himself for what she once perceived as abandonment.

Through her memoir "Shake the Dust Off Your Feet," Gina offers hope to anyone walking through addiction, grief, or spiritual disillusionment. Her message is clear: sometimes our deepest pain becomes our most profound purpose, and the very experiences that break us can ultimately become the foundation for helping others heal. Download the first chapter free at ginaecon.com and discover how surrendering to what seems like darkness can sometimes be the first step toward an unexpected light.

Visit www.ginaecon.com to download the free first chapter of Gina's memoir "Shake the Dust Off Your Feet and Walk: Faith, Sobriety, Self-Discovery and Healing."

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Thank you for listening to the They Call Me Mista Yu brand of podcasts! We love hearing from you!

Apple Podcasts: Https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/they-call-me-mista-yu/id1535535535

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Theycallmemistayu

Here’s how you can help us financially if you’d like---> www.buzzsprout.com/1222796/supporters/new