Podcast interview about the strength in vulnerability
Jason MacKenzie is an author, speaker & coach who teaches people how to find the courage to create new and deeper relationships with people, including their kids. And if they want to use those relationships to power personal and professional growth, he shows them how to do that too. He knows first-hand that there is tremendous strength in vulnerability.
Jason and I were able to relate to each other almost instantly when we met a few weeks ago. I felt that much of his story reflected parts of my own, and I was immediately curious to learn more about his passion for exploring and sharing vulnerability. He certainly came through in this podcast discussion, offering a very honest, raw and heartfelt perspective on a journey that has been both dark and light, heart-warming and heart-wrenching. I’m convinced that Jason’s willingness to openly share his experiences is going to help a lot of people.
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Jason is a survivor of his first wife’s battle with bipolar disorder and subsequent suicide. He’s also overcome a decade-long battle with alcohol and eventually stopped running from grief and fear, which allowed him to become the husband and father he is today.
After creating a website called “The Book of Open” to share his own gratitude journals, his efforts soon evolved into one of encouraging and empowering others to share their stories through his site. As Jason went on curating and connecting the experiences of others, the project caught the attention of Hogan Hilling, who approached him about writing a book. That turned into “The Dadly Book of Open: How Cultivating Vulnerability Makes You a Stronger, Wiser & More Courageous Father.”
When you finally break free of these crazy masks you think you’re supposed to wear and you connect as one human being to another, man there’s nothing like it. It’s the best feeling in the world.
– Jason MacKenzie
So much of Jason’s story resonates very clearly with me: growing up with an idea of leading a “stereotypical” life, how he thought that “real” guys “sucked it up” and pushed their feelings down. His battle with alcohol and the way it fit into his life sounds very similar to mine, and the fact that he “woke up” to embrace and share his authentic self only fairly recently is also something to which I can relate. Perhaps you can, too.
Having said that, Jason’s path has taken some twists and turns – both really, really good and completely, crushingly awful – that I have not experienced, and he describes those in a very candid fashion during our conversation.
Highlights from this conversation about strength in vulnerability:
- Growing Together – We discuss this at a few different points in the conversation, related not just to parents with their kids, but with their parents as well. As the generations turn and learn, we are all growing together.
- You will know when it is time for you to know – His description of the peace and the clarity of the moment when he knew he was done drinking is a great example of how, with any large, looming issue in your life that you’re not sure how to handle, you will know when it’s time. You’ll just know. And when that time arrives, you’ll know it.
- The power of vulnerability – Authentically sharing our true selves with others almost never pushes others away. It has the reverse effect: it almost always brings us closer together. When someone else shares and listens with authenticity, non-judgement and kindness, there is no greater way to deepen or create a connection with another human being. Jason has discovered this and you’ll clearly hear that in this discussion.
- Perseverance – He does a terrific job of describing the process of actually creating the book and what it took. Listen to that carefully because it’s an important lesson for just about anything that you do in life
I’ve become a person who sees hope and possibilities more so than he ever has been.
– Jason MacKenzie
Here is my conversation about the strength in vulnerability with Jason MacKenzie:
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The founder of No Schedule Man Brand Media, Kevin Bulmer is a Strategic Marketing and Mindset Coach and Keynote Speaker. He is the producer and host of the momondays London inspirational event series, strategic marketing coach for Awesomepreneurs and is also host of the podcast, “Journeys with the No Schedule Man.”
Day-to-day, Kevin helps heart-centered entrepreneurs find their “REAL” success so they can feel free to live and work happy. His overarching purpose is to uplift through a shared example of continual growth.
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o Schedule Man podcast!
Maybe I should get a book. Recently, I had faced a lot of tremendous stress apart from work and feel like broken down and hopeless. I just need some motivation and this book may seem to be a good idea in regaining my confidence level. Thanks a lot.
Wishing you the best in your journey. If you’re feeling as low as you describe, I might gently suggest to listen to Jason describe his story in the podcast. You’ll hear that he was feeling the same way. There is hope and there is a way forward.
Wishing you strength and peace in your heart.
Kevin
It’s always great to hear a comeback story. I appreciate that Jason took the time to share his story. I can relate to some of what he had to say.
On A side note. I really like the layout of your site. Was it hard to getting started in podcasts? Thank you for your time.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your time and your comments, and for the kind words on the site. I’m glad you like it!
Getting going with a podcast was hard only in deciding to finally do it. There is a ton of great information out there for anyone interested in podcasting. If I were starting out now, however, I’d have followed along with the instructions of someone like Cliff Ravenscraft (PodcastAnswerMan) or John Lee Dumas. I didn’t really know what I was doing when I started. Still don’t, to some extend. But at least I got myself started! Lol. I’ll keep tweaking it.
Good luck with all your endeavors!
Best wishes,
Kevin
Hello Kevin, that podcast with Jason and yourself was refreshing to listen to.
What an amazing turn around in his life. He has gone from a heavy drinking husband and father who was hiding his pain, to an inspiration to many. It has been painful for him in many places but he knew when to seize the moment and make the change. Who would have thought that something as ‘seemly simple’ as his 9 year old telling him she ‘was disappointed with him’, could have had such a life changing effect on him, to the point of changing his life for the better.
He is now an author with an Amazon #1 best selling book, now being more inspired to help others walk free from their own inner pain. What a bright outlook for the future he has created for himself, his family and all those he will impact. Thank you for sharing.
Hi EJ,
Thank you for that and thank you for listening! The podcast has led me to know many people like Jason and each story is encouraging and empowering. Thank you for your very kind observations.
Best wishes to you,
Kevin
What a sad life Jason had before he turned it around. Looks like it just spiralled out of control for him. I am glad that he was able to turn it around and be an inspiration for others.
Comes to something when your own child turns you around. But I suppose that is what made Jason change his life around.
I always try to project my true self to people. Deep down I am a nice person, maybe too nice if I am honest. But I treat people how they treat me. And they do me something nice then I will return the favor.
Sorry I prorbabky digressed there. I am good at that, lol. But seriously Jason is an inspiring person that can change so many lives. I wish him nothing but the best.
Thanks for your kind words toward Jason, Owain. The sad part is how many people are living life as Jason was before he changed, but never get around to being honest enough with themselves to do anything to change it. I was in that group, until life crashed down around me and gave me the opportunity to look at it a different way. I’m so glad I took that chance to change my perspective, but we all have that choice.
Thank you for your visit and your comments!
Best wishes,
Kevin