695. Why Strength Still Matters: Masculinity, Honour & Identity – With Jack Donovan

695. Why Strength Still Matters: Masculinity, Honour & Identity – With Jack Donovan

Author: Mark Walsh April 24, 2025 Duration: 47:48

I'm joined by author and men's work coach Jack Donovan for a deep, honest chat about modern masculinity. We get into why strength matters, how weakness is being sold as virtue, and why the idea that we're all "blank slates" might be doing more harm than good.

We talk martial arts, the value of tactical virtues, and what honour really means in a world that often dismisses it. Jack also breaks down the meaning behind "far right" labels, internet culture clashes, and how Nietzsche's ideas can actually help when you're trying to raise strong, grounded boys today.

Lots of practical wisdom in this one—whether you're a dad, a mentor, or just figuring out what it means to be a man in 2025.

Read more about Jack's work here: jack-donovan.com

------------------------------------------------------

Jack Donovan is a writer and speaker who has spent over a decade exploring masculinity and masculine philosophy. Known for his "gonzo" anthropological approach, he focuses on big ideas and cultural patterns around male identity. His bestselling book The Way of Men has become a go-to read for soldiers, athletes, fathers, and leaders around the world. His latest work, Fire in the Dark, dives into mythic masculine roles and introduces his evolving philosophy of Solar Idealism. Jack is also the founder of the international men's group The Order of Fire and a frequent guest on podcasts and stages like the 21 Convention.

----------------------------------------------------------

Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos

Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques 

Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events

Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark

Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram 


For seven years, The Embodiment Coaching Podcast has been a gathering place for a curious community. Host Mark Walsh sits down each week with pioneering thinkers and practitioners from across the globe, exploring the profound intelligence of the human system. While it’s essential listening for coaches and embodiment teachers, this series truly speaks to anyone who senses the body is far more than just a vehicle for the brain. Conversations flow naturally through a rich landscape of topics-from the practicalities of coaching and the subtlet of somatics to the grounded wisdom found in martial arts, yoga, and various movement practices. You’ll also find deep dives into mindfulness, meditation, and trauma-informed approaches, all discussed with a light-hearted and accessible tone. The focus remains on tangible, real-world application, stripping away unnecessary jargon. Tuning into this podcast feels like joining a thoughtful, ongoing dialogue where theory meets practice, offering insights you can feel in your bones and apply in your daily life. Mark’s genuine curiosity and the diverse range of guests ensure that every episode brings a fresh perspective on what it means to live fully in our skin.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Embodiment Coaching Podcast
Podcast Episodes
727. The True Depths Of Coaching - With Steve March [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:17
I sat down with Steve March, founder of Aletheia Coaching, to explore what it really means to coach beyond surface-level change. We talked about his unique developmental model, how it integrates somatic, emotional, and c…
726. Why You Are Not Living in Reality – with Dr Srikumar Rao [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:10
I sat down with Dr. Srikumar Rao, one of the most popular speakers from the Embodiment Conference, to explore what really makes people happy or unhappy. We talked about why most of us aren't living in the "real world", h…
725. The Most Effective Embodiment Coaching Tool - With Mark Walsh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:43
If you've ever wondered what the most powerful coaching tool is, you won't find it in a book or behind a paywall. It's you. In this solo episode, I unpack the real heart of coaching - not just techniques or tricks, but t…
724. What I Learnt About Trauma In Ukraine - With Mark Walsh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:27
I've spent the past two years teaching trauma education in Ukraine - sometimes in classrooms, sometimes in basements, and once or twice with air raid sirens going off overhead. In this solo episode, I share what that's a…
723. Staying Human in a Time of Collapse  - With Stephen Jenkinson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:33
Stephen Jenkinson doesn't offer comfort. He offers presence, precision and poetry. In this wide-ranging and unsparing conversation, we explore what it means to live in a time of endings, and why grief isn't something to…
721. Fitness That Feels Good Inside and Out - With Marcus Filly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:16
I sat down with Marcus Filly to talk about what happens when training stops being about beating records and starts being about feeling better - mentally, emotionally and physically. We explored how Marcus shifted from el…
720. How to Think Better in a Noisy World – With Jonny Thomson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:34
What does it mean to think clearly in a world full of noise? Philosopher Jonny Thomson joins me for a rich conversation about thinking, meaning, and the messiness of being human. We explore how to sharpen reasoning witho…