As I move further in this series about new language for male friendship, we begin this guided journey to real friendship for men where every trip must start: with an honest look at where you are right now. Our first stop in this 12-week adventure is to look at your “man cave” — the place of retreat that most men don’t notice until they’ve been in it for far too long.  This post, and the ones ahead, aren’t just content to read by yourself. They are designed for a time of personal reflection, and a rime to gather together with other men to discuss the topics. As you traverse this journey, you will develop deeper, more authentic friendships.  Now it’s time to step onto the path. Are you ready to go? Men Were Not Meant to Do Life Alone The first question every man must face on this journey: What

My prior posts in this series has set you on the path toward deeper, more authentic connections with other men. Now, it’s time to take an important step with your small group of men: agreeing to confidentiality. In this next post, I explain why your group needs to agree to confidentiality. Having a strict code about keeping what is shared during your discussions within your group is critical to building trust. I also provide a sample covenant to review –and possibly even sign as a group. This solid commitment to maintain confidentiality (with one exception described below) will help the group support and encourage each other in ways that help us become better men. About The Journey This series with New Language for Male Friendship includes The Male Friendship Creed, which was my core statement about the characteristics of better male friends. I wrote my Manifesto Against Male Isolation, since

This next post in my series with new language for male friendship is the map for your journey for making better friends—the practical ways to use my upcoming posts to develop deeper, more authentic connections with other men. About The Journey to Better Friends This journey evolved from my initial post of the year, which suggested we need a New Language for Male Friendship. I began with a Male Friendship Creed that describes the type of friends who help each other become better men. I then wrote a Manifesto Against Male Isolation about the dangers of seclusion and withdrawal, which are major reasons why too many boys and young males today struggle with education, at the workplace, with their families, and with romantic relationships. My Call to Action was for men to get out of their proverbial “man cave” and start engaging in friendships with other men. I then briefly described