Buckle up, buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into the chaotic world of modern masculinity and the tangled mess of gender roles! Forget the polite conversations and sugar-coated truths – we're ripping off the bandaid and exposing the raw anxieties and challenges men face today.

The #MeToo movement shook the foundations, and we're not shying away from the tremors it left behind. We're talking about the minefield of dating and relationships, where fear and confusion reign supreme. We're calling out the outdated scripts that leave men feeling lost and unsure of their place in the world.

Men have lost the rites of passage – Mikaal introduces ways modern men are forging their own path and reclaiming true masculine energy. It's time to unleash the primal power within, not the toxic version society tries to shove down our throats. We're talking about the raw, untamed energy that drives us to create, to protect, to lead.

And let's not forget the pressure cooker that women are facing today. They're expected to be the boss babe, the nurturing partner, and everything in between. It's a recipe for disaster, and we're calling out the double standards that fuel the flames.

But hey, it's not all doom and gloom. We're also dishing out some real-world advice on how to build genuine connections, even in this crazy world. We're talking about how women can empower their partners to step up and lead, if that's what they crave.

So, if you're ready to ditch the safe space and embrace the brave chaos, grab a martini, crank up the music, and let's get this revolution started!

Visit https://www.mikaalbates.com to see Mikaal's next workshop and event itinerary.

This show is produced by 🎥 Ruby Riot Creatives | Austin, Texas + Charleston SC Based Production Studio specializing in B2B + B2C Visual content marketing campaigns. If you need a fractional creative director to bring your brand narrative to life, need to get on camera but don't know where to start, or your tired of "winging it" with your marketing campaigns; email heyruby@rubyriotcreatives.com or visit https://www.rubyriotcreatives.com to level up your brand positioning. Live a story worth telling today.

#MasculinityRedefined #FeminismForAll #ModernRelationships #GenderDynamics #RitesOfPassage #TheModernMan #SocietalShift #EmotionalIntelligence #BeyondGenderRoles #PersonalGrowthJourney #MenAndFeminism #EvolvingMasculinity

Exactly how you pick yourself up, after your heart has been brutally ripped out of your chest? When your entire world becomes pressurized and catapulted into unexpected change? How do you find hope beyond a life with someone you thought was your person?

I had my dear friend, mentor, and colleague Jessica Rueger on the show a few months back to discuss exactly this. Reinventing her world after a decade-long marriage came to a close, Jessica shares answers to the most intimate questions I, ironically, now find myself seeking for myself.

• How do we move through grief?
• How do we not get lost in the abyss of loss?
• How do we shift our focus from beating ourselves up, blaming and shaming and replaying… to accepting and clarifying what does light our spirit up?
• What are ways to rebuild hope in an unknown chapter?

This conversation is empowering, uplifting, intimate, and vulnerable on both of our parts. Jessica is one of the most talented executive coaches I have ever had the pleasure of working with in the past decade. She taught me tools yeeaarrrss ago that I continue to use daily to create the reality my heart and body desire for me to build. My hope is that you or someone you love who may be going through a tough time of self-examination or loss may find a vein of courage and strength from this tender conversation. Sending you so much love in this season, - Shelby

Is there a part of you that feels like you're playing it "small," settling for "good enough" in your creative field or business? Do you ever have that tinge of "you're made for SO MUCH MORE!" in your soul? That's because you ARE. In this inspiring video, music composer Sebastian Zuleta shares his story of refusing to back down and pursuing his art even when it's difficult.

Sebastian Zuleta's journey is an incredible example of how to never stop pursuing your dreams no matter what challenges come your way.

Through his music, he's meshed his love for music with his passion for entrepreneurship, and he's inspiring others to do the same. Watch this video to learn more about his story and the lessons he's learned!

This episode will encourage and challenge you to think BIG and go after what you REALLY want in your art.

Today's guest, Sebastian Zuleta, is an award-winning composer, and an Emmy-nominated and MPSE Golden Reel award-winning music editor -- our paths crossed last month in L.A. at a Film Premiere Q&A for his latest music composing work in the full-length feature Sci-Fi drama, "Unidentified Objects" - his soundscapes in this film BLEW. MY. MIND. Ten out of ten, y'all! Watch it on Amazon + be sure to LEAVE A REVIEW here, it helps this film immensely! : https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0B8TZSZ3R/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r !!

Sebastian has over 15 years of experience scoring and music editing for a variety of films and television series, and has even collaborated with award-winning composers like Hans Zimmer, Gustavo Santaolalla, Germaine Franco and Terence Blanchard.

Most recently, Sebastian composed the music for the upcoming feature film Unidentified Objects, which has won several Best Feature awards at film festivals throughout the world. Sebastian also created the music for the animated short, Dreamsheep for which he won Best Original Score at the San Diego International Kids Film Festival and Cora, which was nominated for Best Music at the Santa Monica Film Festival.

He also produced the song Colombia, Mi Encanto composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and performed by Carlos Vives for the international trailer of the Academy Award winning animated film Encanto. In addition to his distinguished work as a composer, Sebastian has had a fruitful career as music editor. Most recently editing the music for season 3 of Hulu’s hit series Wu Tang: An American Saga, HBO’s Father of the Bride featuring Andy Garcia and Gloria Estefan; and was part of the music team for Disney’s Strange World.

Sebastian’s diverse portfolio further includes editing the music for Netflix’s animated film Next Gen starring John Krasinski for which he earned the MPSE Golden Reel Award. He was also nominated for an Emmy for his work on HBO’s documentary Cries from Syria. Sebastian is also co-founder of Blue Rabbit Films, a production company based in Los Angeles.

Follow along with his latest work here: https://sebastianzuleta.com/ If you love this episode, let us know what stories or message stood out to you, and be sure to share with a fellow creative who could use a little boost in their trajectory.

This episode is recorded, produced, and edited by our company, Ruby Riot Creatives. Visit https://www.rubyriotcreatives.com to see our latest projects and hear more episodes in The Ruby Hour Podcast and visit our previous season episode archives.

"I'm stuck in mom-mode/career mode/"I’m-too-busy mode” ...Why can't I get turned on?" Sound familiar? Today's episode is FOR YOU. Today we have the pleasure of having sensuality and sexuality educator Angie Byrd, on Ruby Hour Podcast. Discovering your erotic blueprint — what actually turns you on? The practical world of KINK! How do you PRACTICALLY bring up something you want to try with a partner that you’re scared they might FREAK OUT ABOUT? Learn how unbalanced masculine and feminine polarity in your sex life — shows up in other parts of your life, and how you can actually drop into your feminine energy to create polarity with your masculine partner as a go-getter/driven/I-Got-It/Miss Independent woman (with real-time tips and feedback around what that looks like, and stumbling blocks us power-women tend to revert to.) This is a girls’ girl conversation if I’ve ever heard it, and it’s a wildly delicious episode with some big takeaways you can apply to your sensual journey either solo or with your partner(s). Visit https://www.rubyriotcreatives.com/podcast for more juicy episodes.

How do you settle and recharge into the feminine [ease, gentleness, softness] while still conducting power as a woman entrepreneur when it comes to your business?

In this episode, I interview Maren Liv Anderson Moore around:

• balancing the masculine and the feminine energy you bring to the table as a woman entrepreneur,

• how to "come down" from being in your head or in the masculine chronically in your business

• how to steward your "creative tension" or discomfort working through a struggle in your life

• all things inner-development/ shadow work / spiritual work and some things to look for to find a safe group setting to explore those deeper levels of yourself and

• life as a "textbook" enneagram Seven.

If you've ever spent any time with Maren, you immediately feel her warm, inclusive mama energy. In this episode we explore her journey with redefining the childcare space in Charleston. Maren founded Play Garden, creative arts learning center with a focus on childcare that appeals to different children's intrinsic learning styles and educational learning theories, AND complements so many parents who are no longer doing the nine-to-five work schedule and need something different for their family.

EMBRACING YOUR INNER B!TCH. ...Whaaat!?! 😈🙊💋😳 I stumbled across Canada-native Scarlet Jaxen one day going on some kind of feminine empowerment wormhole and saw her moving and embodying her "inner bitch". I was appalled, confused, inspired, and offended all at the same time. Embrace my inner bitch? What? She's allowed? We can speak about her? We can acknowledge we have some kind of ugly, ruthless bitch in us? Really? And, of course, I had to get her on the show.

In this podcast episode, Scarlet shares some thoughts that will invite you to a new level of compassion for yourself you may not have even thought was allowed.

Understanding that part of you that is ruthless, gnarly, UGLY even -- can actually be one of your most faithful warriors, servants, and allies in helping you not settle into complacency in your personal and professional life and relationships. Have a listen!!

I want you to meet one of Charleston’s biggest rays of sunshine — Trinidad scorpion pepper delinquent, Surfer Babe, and one of Charleston’s top up-and-coming chefs — Lauren Furey. See more details about this episode over on https://www.rubyriotcreatives.com/podcast Lauren’s been coming up under the radar in the culinary scene here in Charleston this past few years - training under culinary legend Nathalie Dupree (one of the most prolific cookbook authors and James Beard award-winning chefs of our generation.) Lauren has such vibrant, soulful energy she brings to her cooking and conversations. In this episode, we talk shop around who she is in and out of the kitchen: - A visit to the principal’s office incident that deemed her the “pepper dealer” of her high school. - Mentors who taught her subtle details of elevating what she’s learned in the kitchen - Cocktails that have changed our lives This episode will make you hungry and thirsty not only physically but creatively, too, in your kitchen and craft! And if you’re not already following Lauren’s delectable Instagram feed or need a private chef for your upcoming event — connect with her over at @laurensfurey

Emmy award-winning cinematographer John Barnhardt swaps stories today The Ruby Hour. From close call wildlife adventure stories in the field as a filmmaker to roughing the wilderness and challenges of creative entrepreneur's mind-- we cover some ground. John shares candid stories about "soul pieces" he's filmed in his life, and we discuss how you can keep those meaningful "why" projects into your creative workflow to keep your creative fire burning hot.