In every man's life, there's a phase where questions outnumber the answers and understanding oneself feels like solving a never-ending puzzle. Today's episode is a raw, insightful look into men’s journeys from adolescence to adulthood.

In this episode, Jared explores how we become the men we are today, starting from birth when we absorb everything around us. As we progress, we notice differences between boys and girls and model ourselves on the men in our families, learning by mimicking. Early wounds shape our self-perception, and as we grow, we seek identity beyond family, influenced by peers and cultural figures. Adolescence introduces new dynamics like dating, and we try on various identities to see what fits. This quest for self continues into early adulthood, often causing friction with our family's expectations as we seek independence and authenticity.

We also reflect on how stepping into adulthood is more than just a biological milestone; it’s a call to question, heal, and redefine who we are. We discuss how our early experiences have sculpted our identities and the necessity of finding authenticity amidst societal expectations.

Are we products of our environment, or is biology our destiny? We argue that the soul's unique spark pushes us to question and break free from societal expectations.

Our episode today has scratched the surface of what it means to navigate the turbulent waters of growing up and finding personal authenticity. Listen in, and let's explore more of these themes together.

Specifically, this episode highlights the following themes:

• Teenage rebellion and the search for identity
• The impact of early experiences on personal growth
• Redefining authenticity and questioning societal norms

If you're interested in finding answers to your most pressing questions, or to submit a question of your own for an upcoming episode, go to jonsymes.com/drop-in. We host a free monthly drop-in for you to join the discussion!

👉🏻To watch all episodes, head over to jonsymes.com/podcast
👉🏻Feel free to drop Jon a line at jonsymes.com/contact
👉🏻To connect with Jared, visit jaredarchbold.org