Ancient Intelligence

I’ve been mentioning how much I have been impacted by Stephen Jenkinson’s work for a while on this show now, and here he is in honor of Ancient Intelligence’s 150th episode (you can access all 150 via Spotify or Apple).We discuss themes from his work, particularly his forthcoming book Trembling, Still: The Awful Clarity of a Mind in Eclipse - a book shaped by a difficult neurodegenerative diagnosis. We explore culture work, the meaning of animism and paganism, beauty, and maintaining our humanity in this postmodern world.LINKS: Pre-order Stephen's latest book: https://orphanwisdom.com/trembling-st...Stephen has two upcoming in-person events: https://orphanwisdom.com/event/stagge... https://orphanwisdom.com/event/brain-...Learn more at: https://orphanwisdom.com/TIMESTAMPS:00:00 — Introduction04:00 — Artificial Intelligence Versus Reality12:00 — Why are the youths convinced?17:30 — Animism and Paganism30:00 — Beauty and Duality46:00 — Cultural Poverties50:30 — Trembling Still and Closing Wisdom ____________________ Stephen Jenkinson, MTS, MSW, is a teacher, author, culture worker, farmer, and founder of the Orphan Wisdom School. He is the author of Die Wise, Come of Age, A Generations Worth, Matrimony, and most recently Trembling Still: The Awful Clarity of a Mind in Eclipse. His work explores grief, elderhood, dying, and the deep obligations of being alive in a time of unprecedented consequence. He has a master's degree in theology from Harvard and a master's in social work from the University of Toronto, and spent years as a program director in a major Canadian hospital, where his work focused on the care of the dying. He lives on a farm in the Ottawa Valley with his wife Nathalie Roy.Resource: FREE 50 Essential Books & Films - https://ancientintelligence.kit.com/t... Weekly newsletter - https://anyashakh.substack.com‍ ‍Beyond the podcast, I work 1:1 with men: Read what other men have said - https://share.google/oScXWNergQbnLknbABook a free consultation today - https://calendly.com/anyashakh/discov...

In this episode I highlight the pervasive heteropessimism that exists in the culture today (on both sides of the aisle). Inspired by this recent article written by Mana Afsari - https://thepointmag.com/examined-life... I dive into one of the blind spots I see happening in dating: categorical thinking. I wrote a short piece about this - find it here: https://anyashakh.substack.com/p/the-... Listen in to learn about what categorical thinking looks like and how we’ve decoupled humanity from the opposite sex. I also link this idea to the historical example of what was happening in the Weimer Republic in Germany 100 years ago and how today's struggles can be an analogue to that time (inspired by https://www.louiseperry.co.uk/p/weima...) One thread I’d like to continue to pull on is how to separate romantic love and pair bonding. Romantic feelings won't get people to their gold wedding - this is an important piece of the conversation.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 — Intro02:18 — Setting up the main idea04:42 — Where people misunderstand this07:05 — The emotional dynamic at play09:29 — What this reveals about relationships11:53 — The deeper psychological layer14:17 — How this pattern shows up in real life16:41 — Why most people miss this19:06 — The consequence of ignoring it21:30 — What actually changes things23:54 — The core takeaway26:25 — Outro___________________________Beyond the podcast I'm a men's mental health coach. I help you reprogram the patterns and belief systems that are sabotaging your power, peace, and love life. Ready to make some life changes? Book a free consultation today - https://calendly.com/anyashakh/discov...If you found some value today then help me spread the word! Share this episode with a friend or leave a review. This helps the podcast grow.You can also watch the episodes on youtube hereFollow me on Instagram @anyashakhSubscribe to my weekly newsletter: https://anyashakh.substack.com (Insights about men and women in your inbox every week)

In this episode I am joined by Igor Vasilevitsky, a counselor, father, and exceptional writer on all things healing, masculinity, and femininity. He works with archetypes to help men and women heal and grow (he has helped me on my own journey).We dive into the benevolent or divine father archetype and unpack why he is so important in our world. The father represents guidance towards what is good and it’s very clear how we as a society deeply long for our collective 'dad' to come home to us. Listen in as we dissect the masculine archetypes, demystify the healthy father, discuss power and love, how anyone can learn to father themselves, and so much more.Igor, as a father himself, has created an online community hub for men who are seeking to mature into the healthiest, most benevolent and generative versions of masculinity. You can find the group here:   / 1599769308033077   Other ways to get in touch with Igor: Book a session: https://taplink.cc/igor_healing Find him and his writing on facebook:   / igor.vasilevitskyTIMESTAMPS:00:00 — Intro & The Journey to Fatherhood 01:05 — Welcoming guest02:06 — Defining Archetypes: Blueprints of the Soul 03:00 — The Evolution of Feminine Archetypes 03:45 — Cultural Conditioning vs. Inner Truth 06:40 — Healing the Father Wound07:45 — Embodying the Benevolent Father Energy 10:00 — Creating Safety for Women & Children 11:05 — Defining True Masculine Presence 13:40 — Reading Igor’s Writing on the Father 14:35 — From Atheism to Divine Fatherhood 16:15 — Surrendering the Ego to Something Greater 18:40 — The Rise of the Feminine & The Missing Masculine 20:00 — Moving Past "Bad Dad" Tropes & Misandry 21:00 — The Universal Longing for a Father 22:30 — Expressing Anger at the Absent Father 24:10 — Developing an Inner Moral Compass 24:55 — The Tyrant vs. The Nice Guy 26:15 — Shadow Work & Reclaiming Power 27:35 — Spiritual Atheism & The Narcissistic Ego 29:20 — Fathering Yourself vs. Being Run by Impulses 29:50 — Example: How the Benevolent Father Handles Anxiety 32:00 — Replacing Shame with Benevolent Guidance 34:05 — The NFL Statistic: Fathers & Success 34:40 — The King Archetype Defined 35:40 — King vs. Father: The Difference 37:45 — Developmental Paths: Lover vs. Warrior Boys 39:10 — Why We Need Guardrails 42:25 — The Purpose of the Warrior Archetype 44:40 — Why Boys Need Duality (Good vs. Bad) 46:25 — The Magician Archetype: The Alchemist 47:30 — The Shadow Magician: Intellectualization 48:40 — Example: Shaping Relational Reality 52:00 — The Lover Archetype & The Heart 53:35 — The Danger of Getting Lost in Emotion 56:00 — The Mother Wound & Failure to Launch 57:00 — Rites of Passage & Cutting the Cord 59:20 — The Benevolent Father Course Details 01:04:23 — final thoughts/Outro___________________________If you found some value today then help me spread the word! Share this episode with a friend or leave a review. This helps the podcast grow.You can also watch the episodes on youtube hereFollow me on Instagram @anyashakhReady to make some life changes? I offer 1:1 mentorship to help you get unstuck, experience your power, and find ease in love and relationships. Book a breakthrough session today - https://calendly.com/anyashakh/1on1se...Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: https://anyashakh.substack.com (Insights about men and women in your inbox every week)

Boys and men are driven by a foundational fear that modern culture has forgotten about - the enemy. The inner drive that boys and men have is to defeat the enemy and keep us safe - this is one of the most noble things that exists in our world and yet it is ignored and misunderstood today.In this episode I break down why boys are naturally drawn to competition, strategy fighting, and testing themselves against opposition. Based on Joyce Benenson’s book, ‘Warriors & Worriers’ I explain the natural skills and behaviors that boys have and why we should uplift and support them.Listen in to learn about how boys brains function differently than girls, why boys communicate, how they play, why they are such great innovators, and much more.Next week I will be diving into the psychology of girls.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 — INTRO; Fluid Intelligence Teaser 01:33 — Joyce Benenson & "Warriors and Worriers"02:54 — The Core Male Fear: The Enemy 05:32 — Rough & Tumble Play Psychology 06:00 — The Balloon Study: Hitting vs. Hugging07:58 — The Empathy Study: Brains & Electric Shocks 10:32 — Cultural Critique: Decriminalization & Safety 12:28 — "Killing the Dragon" & Securing the Family 14:38 — Peak Fluid Intelligence (Ages 18-25) 16:32 — Single Focus vs. Relationship Connection 18:19 — The Street Crossing Analogy 19:57 — The Education Crisis for Boys 21:33 — Male Communication Styles & Directives 22:54 — Conflict Resolution: The Valuable Relationship Hypothesis 27:07 — Outro___________________________If you found some value today then help me spread the word! Share this episode with a friend or leave a review. This helps the podcast grow.You can also watch the episodes on youtube hereFollow me on Instagram @anyashakhReady to make some life changes? I offer 1:1 mentorship to help you get unstuck, experience your power, and find ease in love and relationships. Book a breakthrough session today - https://calendly.com/anyashakh/1on1se...Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: https://anyashakh.substack.com (Insights about men and women in your inbox every week)

Happy New Year Everyone!In this episode I unpack why healthy male power is actually a force for good in the world and why the true danger lies in powerlessness.I trace how unacknowledged boys can grow into passive or angry men and I talk about the three most important ways that a young boy finds his healthy power as he grows up.Listen in to learn about the differences between male and female power, why being of service in the world is impossible without power, the difference between power and force, and so much more.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 — Intro: Power & Male Happiness 01:05 — Client Wins: Vision & Success 02:46 — The Healer’s Story: Releasing Trauma 03:38 — The Spectrum of Powerlessness: Rage vs. Passivity 05:37 — The "Nice Guy" & People Pleasing 06:41 — Defining True Power vs. Force 08:23 — The Extreme Consequence of Isolation 10:51 — Phase 1: Affirmation from Mother 12:52 — The Trap of the "Mother’s Son" 14:37 — Phase 2: The Father’s Nod of Approval 16:08 — Phase 3: Self-Mastery & Purpose 17:45 — The Impact of a Critical Father 18:44 — Three Traits of an Attractive Man 20:54 — Releasing Trauma from the Body 22:21 — Female Power: Devotion to Love 24:07 — Attraction: Male Power & Female Devotion 25:39 — Balancing Internal & External Worlds 27:07 — Mastermind Announcement 28:33 — New Year Wishes30:09 — Outro___________________________If you found some value today then help me spread the word! Share this episode with a friend or leave a review. This helps the podcast grow.You can also watch the episodes on youtube hereFollow me on Instagram @anyashakhYou can book a discovery call at https://anyashakh.com/mentorship