Happy International Men's Day!

The theme for this year’s International Men's Day is Positive Male Role Models. Do you have positive male role models in your life? Are you a positive male role model? Name three men who are, or have been positive male role models in your life - then list three things that they each did to gain your respect. Then tell them!

And to honour yourself, what are the three things that make you a positive (male) role model? Now take a deep breath - and tell yourself out loud, or on paper, or on a screen, in the mirror, in your heart. Does it feel good? Then go wild and don't limit yourself to three...

The objectives of International Men’s Day are:

• To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sports men but every day, working class men who are living decent, honest lives.
• To celebrate men’s positive contributions to society, community, family, marriage, childcare, and to the environment.
• To focus on men’s health and wellbeing; social, emotional, physical and spiritual.
• To highlight discrimination against men; in areas of social services, social attitudes and expectations, and law.
• To improve gender relations and promote gender equality.
• To create a safer, better world; where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential.

I interviewed Jo Swinson MP, deputy leader of the Lib Dems, ex-minister for women, author of Equal Power: Gender Equality and How To Achieve It (chuffed to say that Jo interviewed me for her book) and the first to take her baby into a House of Commons debate. She brought baby Gabriel to our wee chat, where we explored all things equality.

I’ll soon interview founder of International Men's Day, Dr Jerome Teelucksingh to celebrate how the world has taken part in his global love revolution this year. He previously stated:

"The observances of International Men's Day are part of a global love revolution... to heal scarred hearts, seek solutions to social problems, reform the social outcasts, uplift the dysfunctional and mend troubled minds.

"International Men's Day is designed to promote positive role models in society and develop wholesome individuals.

"Such developments are badly needed in today's wounded communities which reflect... the clashes among men, women and children which unravel the fabric of the family and the society."

Here’s an insight into Dr Jerome Teelucksingh's perspective and an insight into men and women from other counties that took me way beyond my western world experience. You've got to check out the “CELEBRATE! …show men some love” song right at the end!

The social problems that I (Kenny) work with relieves male isolation with conscious social connection. Connection with self and connection with other men, using simple communication tools and a conscious inner space to transform ‘am I?’ to “I am”.

Whether men have community or not, men can isolate and so easily get lost down the obsessive warrens of their minds, running into mental and emotional health issues while trying to fix themselves before whole-heartedly taking part in life.

Professor Green told me he wouldn't go to a men's group, he'd rather the depth showed up with his mates. I also look forward to the day that men's groups are so normal that they don't need a name, because the qualities they bring become a natural way of daily life.

I’m taking my “MAN-UP…and talk about it!” message out into the world with gusto!

I'm intent on meeting with the NHS, local councils, social and commercial organisations to train their male and female trainers and punters to effectively and respectfully connect with men and save the NHS a small fortune, while empowering men in their own lives, in their own families, in their own communities - and in time.

For International Men's Day, let's remember the men for whom we were too late.

My FREE MenFacilitate resources will get you up and running with your own men’s group in two shakes of a talking stick (though we don’t use talking sticks!) so feel free to share freely and get your show on the road with total strangers, or with a group of friends, just like I did sixteen years ago. One or two other men are enough to make a start.

MenCelebrate INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY With A Special Open Men's Group

Thu 19th November, 6.45pm for 7pm-ends 9.30pm

Tonight we'll celebrate ourselves, our stories, our experiences, our achievements, our fears and our fantasies as we sit in a circle and share the space. 

We'll celebrate the good men in our lives who walk by our sides and whisper in our ears when we get distracted. We check in, hang out, get real, have a laugh, proverbial pennies will probably drop and we'll go home fulfilled.

→ Book your place now

International Men's Day Conference: "Taking Charge Of Your Wellbeing"

Fri 30 November, 10am-1.30pm

I'm hosting the All Women's Network's International Men's day Conference at the end of the month, where my special guests and I will demonstrate a men's group and answer all your questions.

We'll explore our relationships to stress, anger, depression and suicide, sharing our stories, exploring perspective, gaining insights, picking up tools for daily life and sharing our videos so you can see men for who we truly are, turning mask-uline into masculine. 

→ Book up before it's full up

 MenSpeak Events

November

IMD Special - MenSpeak Open Men's Group - Camden Town 

Mon 19th, 6.45pm for a 7pm start, ends 9:30pm

MenSpeak Open Men's Group - South Kensington

Thu 29th, 6.45pm for a 7pm start, ends 9:30pm

December

MenFlirt Workshop - Expression, Body Language, Authenticity

Sat 1st, 10:30am-4:30pm

MenSpeak Open Men's Group - Camden Town

Mon 3rd, 6.45 for a 7pm start, ends 9:30pm

MenSpeak Online Men's Group Christmas Connection

Fri 28th, 12:45 for 1pm-3:30pm

January

MenSpeak Online Men's Group Christmas Connection

Thu 3rd, 12:45 for 1pm-3:30pm

MenFacilitate - How to Facilitate a Men's Group

Sat 12th, 10:30am-4:30pm

MAN-UP and be the love...

…soften up and share the love! Please share this newsletter with all the men you care for, wish them a Happy International Men's Day and name three ways they are positive male role models in your eyes.

love - Kenny

P.S.

'Newsweek' called me The Man Whisperer describing my work with men in MenSpeak men's groups for the past 16 years. My full day MenFacilitate train-the-trainer workshops empowers facilitators and helps me pass it all on. To fast track your personal progress you can work with me privately and in total confidence, though I'd encourage you to record our session - or I'll record it for you should we choose to work online.