What happens when an 8th-grade math teacher, who often felt more comfortable in the presence of women than talking sports with men, enters the deep woods of Minnesota and reconnects with his own sense of masculinity?

In this twenty-sixth episode of Follow Me to the M-R-O-P!, host Brian Mueller sits down with Ken Beck for an incredibly honest and refreshing conversation about his 2013 initiation at Osprey Wilds. Ken shares his journey of overcoming his intimidation by other men, discovering his own unique "flavor of masculinity," and the profound relief of releasing a long-held secret shadow in council.

Ken reflects on the Midwest "John Wayne" stoicism he grew up with, the slow "ironing board" process of true transformation, and the power of learning to hold space for others without trying to cure or fix them. Whether you are a young man still building your container or an older man feeling stuck despite your outward accomplishments, Ken’s insights offer a beautiful invitation to step into radical vulnerability.

Episode Highlights

• The Ticks and the Boulder: Ken recalls finding a liminal rock between the forest and the plains for his wilderness solitude. He spent the time sharing the space with ticks that had fallen from the oak trees where the deer fed.
• A Different Shadow: Ken attended the rites intending to grieve his father's death, but unexpectedly found himself releasing a hidden, shameful story from his teaching career instead.
• His Own Flavor of Masculinity: Moving past the cultural expectation of the "protector/fixer," Ken discusses finding comfort in his unique identity and moving past the fear of male spaces.
• The Ironing Board: Why transformation isn't always a sudden light switch, but a slow, gradual process of smoothing out the wrinkles over time.
• Advice for Young Men: The importance of building a strong container in your 20s and 30s, while recognizing that those achievements won't save you when a real crisis eventually hits.

Links & Resources

• Choosing Presence (Sponsor)
• Practicing Presence App
• Illuman MROP
• Adam's Return by Richard Rohr
• Brian Mueller (Host)

Credits

• First and foremost, thank you to Ken Beck for sharing his journey and his heart with us today.
• Thank you to Fr. Richard Rohr and the men of Illuman who have stewarded the Men’s Rites of Passage since 1996.
• Thank you to Jim Heaney and Jim Taylor for their dedication to Choosing Presence.

Music Credits:

• Slow Mo Dreams by Soundroll
• Becoming a Legend by Vens Adams