Practicing love gets easier as you learn tools to communicate and connect consciously. Today’s episode is full of wisdom from a man who has worked hard to evolve. Christopher Veal’s path from being a Marine Corps officer to the host of the Vulnerable Man podcast has been raw and deep. He is full of wisdom for those who want to create a conscious, loving, fulfilling relationship.
A Conscious Man’s Foundations For a Conscious Relationship: Show Notes
I have already interviewed men, women and couples for the podcast and I decided to start the first episode with a conversation with a man. Somehow this feels like a smooth transition from Man Alive to Practicing Love. Or perhaps I’m just having a moment of nostalgia!?
As I focus more on love, relationships, dating, sex and intimacy, I’m excited to share guests with you who are great communicators, emotionally intelligent, and inspiring humans. AND, they have challenges in their relationships! Because who doesn’t??
I hope my guests help you see you’re not alone, and that facing challenges in relationships does not make you weak, wrong, bad, unlovable, or any of the mean things you tell yourself.
Navigating human dynamics up close is real and raw. It takes courage and commitment. It’s not easy, but when we do this, there is a pay off. Relationships have the potential to grow, open, and heal us. We can learn to love better, and receive more love!
On today’s podcast I talked with Christopher Veal, author of The Whole Man: Evolving Masculinity and host of The Vulnerable Man podcast. Christopher is a father, an executive coach, a Marine Corps officer, a TEDx speaker, an organizational development professional, a facilitator, traveler, keynote speaker, podcast host, student of life, music lover, and explorer!!
It’s hard to summarize what we talked about, since there is so much incredible wisdom in this episode, but I’ll say that Christopher is a conscious man who has done his work to be able to create honest and deep connections. We discussed…
- Ending a relationship in the healthiest way possible
- The unhealthy pattern or prioritizing others and putting oneself at the bottom of the list
- The resentment that builds when you don’t ask for what you want
- The fantasy that others will read our minds and how to be interdependent rather than codependent
- How to be a giver in relationship AND receive
- The difference between sharing impact vs. blaming someone for how you feel
- The power of the PAUSE in the middle of a conflict
- What kind of apologies actually work
- The reality that you’ll never be perfect and don’t have to try to be
- What’s happening when you’re giving to a partner but they don’t feel given to
- The practice of staying connected to someone you haven’t yet forgiven, rather than distancing or punishing
- And more…
Here’s a powerful question Christopher and I both love that you can bring back to a current relationship, or store for a future date or relationship:
How can I love you better?
This is one of the most generous and loving questions you can ask someone, and it tends to create more and deeper intimacy.
I have to admit that talking with Christopher, and recognizing his relational skills, had me wonder about helping conscious people meet and date each other! It’s not always easy to find other conscious people to connect with. For now though, whether he’s a potential partner for you or not, I highly recommend absorbing and using the wisdom Christopher brings to relationship dynamics.
Let me know if you have any questions and I love hearing your aha’s or insights!
Links:
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Get a Free copy of Honest Sex: A Passionate Path to Deepen Connection and Keep Relationships Alive.
Whether you’re dating or in a relationship it shows you how to take the self-doubt, struggle and shame out of your love life.
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For Women: Modern dating doesn’t have to be a nightmare for women
Connect with Christopher
Find out more about Christopher and his book
Christopher’s podcast: The Vulnerable Man
Bio:
Christopher works deliberately each day to live into his purpose of creating authentic connections. He knows that some days he does better than others at leaning in to being vulnerable, and aims to improve with every interaction. In his life he’s worn many hats: father, executive coach, Marine Corps officer, TEDx speaker, organizational development professional, facilitator, traveler, keynote speaker, podcast host, student of life, music lover, and explorer. He is excited to finally be adding Author to that list with the publishing of The Whole Man: Evolving Masculinity, which is the latest iteration of his quest to destigmatize the word ‘vulnerability’ for men. When he’s not busy with these other pursuits, he loves spending time with his amazing daughter, listening to music, playing piano and (a little) guitar, mountain biking, riding his motorcycle, and is somewhat successfully training their Boxer, Apollo.
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