Breaking the Silence: Addressing Men's Mental Health and the Unique Ways Men Heal by Martin Brossman

In 1995, after a painful divorce, I found myself plunged into a deep depression. The only thread keeping me connected to life was the thought of my parents and the pain my loss would cause them. This personal crisis and realizing of the absents of support for men in our society became the catalyst for my lifelong passion: helping men navigate the often-overlooked struggles they face. I started a men's discussion group, authored books on men's issues, and volunteered for the proposed White House Council on Boys and Men. Through these efforts, I've come to understand how society is often blind to the pains of men and the unique ways they heal.

The Alarming Statistics of Male Suicide

Men are disproportionately affected by suicide. Statistics reveal that young men today have a higher chance of suicide than ever before. For ages 10 to 14, the suicide rate for boys is 60-70% higher than for girls. This disparity increases with age:

• Ages 15 to 19: 70-80% higher for young men.
• Ages 20 to 24: Young men account for 75-80% of suicides versus 15-20% for young women.
• Overall: Approximately 75% of all suicides are men.

These numbers highlight a critical issue that demands our attention and action.

Understanding the Unique Ways Men Heal

Society often fails to recognize that men grieve and heal differently than women. My friend Tom Golden, author of The Way Men Heal, emphasizes that men often process emotions through actions rather than words. For example, a man might channel his grief into physical activities or projects.

I recall a friend whose father had passed away. His wife, a nurse, believed he hadn't grieved because he wasn't openly emotional. However, he was transforming their backyard—the place where he had shared countless moments with his father. This was his way of healing. Men need space to grieve through doing, not just feeling.

The Importance of Purpose and Meaning

Hope is intertwined with purpose and meaning. During my darkest times, the purpose of staying alive for my parents kept me going. It's essential to find something—no matter how small—that gives life meaning. It doesn't have to be a grand calling; it just needs to be significant enough to get you through the next day at times.

I believe one of the many reasons young people are more vulnerable to suicide is because they haven't had the opportunity to develop the fortitude in their character to survive difficult times. I've spoken with many young people who, despite being loved and cherished, lack confidence because they haven't faced enough challenges. Failure can be a powerful teacher. Embracing discomfort can lead to growth. As I often say, "Life begins outside your comfort zone." This is especially true for young men where most of the ways young men win in their early school days have been taken away from them. I jokingly say when I was in my early days of elementary school they gave us recess versus just tagging us as a boy that needs medication. Where we would run and play hard outside at least twice during the day, giving us the ability to sit down and participate in class. The only place they get a sense of winning is often through video games. 

The Role of Love, Compassion, and Fierceness

Sometimes, helping someone requires a fierce form of love and compassion. I had a friend contemplating suicide, believing his daughter would benefit from his life insurance. Knowing that mere words wouldn't reach him, I told him I would ensure his daughter never received the money if he took his own life. This tough stance is what ultimately saved him.

Love isn't always gentle; it can also be about setting firm boundaries and taking decisive action to protect those we care about. 

Building Trust Among Men

Creating safe spaces for men to connect and support each other is vital. Trust doesn't come easily. It takes courage for men to open up to one another. Activities like hiking, playing sports, or even going to the shooting range can provide opportunities for men to bond and share experiences in a comfortable setting.

Advocating for Change

We need to recognize and honor the unique ways men grieve and heal. This includes:

• Creating Support Networks: Establishing men's groups where they can speak openly without fear of judgment.
• Educating Society: Promoting understanding that men's expression of grief may differ from women's but is no less valid. 
• Encouraging Action-Oriented Healing: Recognizing that men may prefer to process emotions through activities rather than verbal expression.
• Validating:  the unique gifts and value the masculine brings to society.

By addressing these areas, we can begin to reduce the alarming rates of male suicide and improve overall mental health for men.

Conclusion

Addressing men's mental health is not about taking anything away from women; it's about acknowledging and supporting the unique needs of men. Society must move past its discomfort with focusing on men's issues and recognize the critical state of men's mental health today.

We are at a pivotal moment where understanding, compassion, and action can make a profound difference. By embracing the ways men heal and providing the necessary support, we can help prevent unnecessary losses and build a healthier society for everyone.

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About the Author

Martin Brosman is a success coach, trainer, and professional speaker dedicated to helping individuals and small businesses achieve a competitive advantage. With over 18,000 pages of indexed content on Google, he is a prolific author and advocate for men's mental health issues. His upcoming book, "Taboo: The Lost Codes of Men," explores the societal components necessary for men's maturation and the consequences of their absence.

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Resources

• Books by Tom Golden:

  • The Way Men Heal https://a.co/d/fIO4TqU 
  • Helping Mothers Be Closer to Their Sons https://a.co/d/7ioQyWp

• Martin Brosman's Works:

• Finding Our Fire (A compilation of 12 years leading a men's discussion group)
  https://a.co/d/cfGU0FI 
• Taboo: The Lost Codes of Men (Upcoming in 2025) - Will be announced on Martin's Mens Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/thematuringman

This was produced from excerpts of Martin Brossman speaking on the panel discussion about addressing the crisis of suicides and how to solve the problem. He focused on the issue around men and boys and suicide. Link to that video https://youtu.be/jP3xxP4EINk?si=cnrgqvAigb2FSSzC and the video:

Subscribe to Martin Brossman's Mens YouTube channel for updates: https://www.youtube.com/@findingourfire/featured 

The Evolution and Importance of Fatherhood: Insights from Dr. Anna Machin

 The Evolution and Importance of Fatherhood: Insights from Dr. Anna Machin

In the realm of human development and family dynamics, Dr. Anna Machin emerges as a vanguard, challenging the traditional narratives surrounding fatherhood. With a decade-long commitment to understanding the nuances of becoming a father, her work, including the seminal book "Life of Dad," sheds light on the profound changes men undergo upon entering fatherhood.

The Biological Evolution of Fatherhood

Dr. Machin's research illuminates the extraordinary biological transformations a man experiences as he transitions into fatherhood. A significant drop in testosterone, observed across diverse cultures, marks this transition, refocusing a man's attention from competing for mates to nurturing his family. This hormonal adjustment not only enhances a father's sensitivity and empathy towards his child but also optimizes the brain's reception to dopamine and oxytocin, fostering a deeper bond between father and child.

Neurological Adaptations in Fatherhood

Fatherhood also heralds significant changes in the brain's structure, mirroring those observed in mothers. Increases in gray and white matter in areas associated with emotional regulation, empathy, and cognitive functions like planning and problem-solving underscore the brain's adaptation to meet the demands of parenting. These changes are pivotal, equipping fathers with the necessary skills for nurturing and protecting their offspring.

The Unique Contributions of Fathers

Moving beyond biology, Machin's work also emphasizes the distinct contributions fathers make to their children's development. Fathers play a crucial role in introducing their children to the world and fostering independence, resilience, and social skills. Through activities like rough-and-tumble play, fathers not only strengthen their bond with their children but also aid in their emotional and cognitive development.

Challenging Stereotypes and Advocating for Inclusion

Machin challenges the outdated stereotypes that restrict the father's role to that of a provider or disciplinarian. By highlighting the evolutionary importance of fatherhood, she advocates for a more inclusive understanding that recognizes fathers as integral to their children's psychological and emotional well-being. Her work underscores the need for societal and policy changes that support fathers' involvement in child-rearing, such as paternity leave and parenting programs that address fathers' unique experiences and contributions.

A Call for Reevaluation

Dr. Anna Machin's research and discussions call for a reevaluation of fatherhood's role in modern society. By combining insights from genetics, neuroscience, and psychology, she not only enriches our understanding of what it means to be a father today but also highlights the indispensable role fathers play in nurturing healthy, happy, and resilient children. In doing so, Machin not only challenges prevailing stereotypes but also lays the groundwork for more supportive structures that recognize and facilitate the multifaceted contributions of fathers to family life.

This summary was produced by ChatGPT by drawing on those sources. Reviewed and modified by Martin Brossman:

• We need to change the conversation about fathers | Anna Machin | TEDxClapham https://youtu.be/cul4L441x9o?si=0dxNPve9WYstpVyu
• Why Fathers Matter - Dr Anna Machin | Modern Wisdom 680 https://youtu.be/4vN8XfMlWxI?si=eiFNEqpUiRrKZ5L5
• DR ANNA MACHIN - THE EVOLUTION OF DAD 
  https://youtu.be/DHWm5eyId9w?si=dFvNpv_-EcznhaCO
• The book: Life Of Dad https://amzn.to/3wik4Xf #AD 

Subscribe to Martin Brossman's YouTube channel on Men 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2bZJ31nMEhLkbQ2qfRXVdA

The Four Components for Young Men to Mature in Our Society

The Four Components for Young Men to Mature in Our Society - By Martin Brossman

If our society is to have more stable men and effective fathers, then we must allow our sons to mature in a healthy manner that values, honors and supports masculinity and its unique, positive qualities instead of negating them. Problematically, boys are too often encouraged to develop their feminine side before they’ve come to understand their inherent masculinity.  In my experience, this is the root cause of many problems in our society, including passive-aggressive and violent behaviors.

Through their maturation process, males acquire: 

• Socialization Skills.  Boys and men need to be socialized in a manner that teaches them how to interact with others in a healthy and productive way.  This includes learning how to communicate effectively, resolve conflict, and build strong relationships.

• Role models.  Boys and men need positive role models to look up to and learn from. These role models can be parents, teachers, coaches, or other adults in their lives.

• Responsibility.  Boys and men need to be given opportunities to take on responsibility and learn from their mistakes. This can include things like chores around the house, part-time jobs, or volunteer work. 

• Integrity.  Boys and men need to be actively encouraged to develop a deep understanding of “honoring one's word” and to value commitment as a means of maintaining their personal integrity.

We've become a society that is quick to blame others and to make excuses for our own behavior. We are less likely to teach our children the importance of responsibility and integrity, resulting in a generation of men who are less mature and unprepared for adulthood.

This lack of socialization skills, role models, responsibility, and integrity leads to many–if not most–of the problems we see with youth today. How and where does a boy find these core, fundamental components to support him in his maturation process?

A boy needs sufficient maternal energy.  I view the essence of maternal energy as affection, compassion, and emotional and verbal love that supports socialization and the development of verbal skills that effectively communicate emotion. The mother’s focus is the emotional realm, radiating her fierce protectiveness to the child, which in turn creates a sense of a permanent safe harbor to which the child can always return.   

A boy needs sufficient paternal energy.  The father has experienced coming of age as a male and understands its challenges.  He teaches his son how to become an adult in the world by imparting the virtues of responsibility and integrity.  He gives love through attention and action and encourages calculated risks,since he knows the importance of allowing his son to learn by both failing and trying again. This is how he prepares his son for a challenging world and positions him to prevail. 

Maternal and paternal energies are just the beginning, but they are essential for a young man to grow into a healthy and well-adjusted adult.  Of course, a significant number of men have been raised by single mothers or fathers, and not all of these men are immature: However, boys need role models from both genders in order to mature successfully.  Boys without fathers can acquire paternal energy from uncles, grandfathers, teachers, or coaches.

A boy needs to find his place among men and in society.  In the past, this was traditionally accomplished through rite of passage, a symbolic process in which the young man left his mother and went with the men to learn the rules and codes of manhood.  The purpose of this process was to disrupt the boy's relationship with his mother and to mark the completion of his childhood in a healthy manner.  

At the outset of this rite of passage, the boy was in the dark about what would happen.  The mystery added to his apprehension, keeping him fully engaged, which was crucial to the process.  The male elders challenged the boy to overcome obstacles designed to push his limits and build his confidence.  By completing this challenge, he gained the right to work, play and collaborate with men. He was certain that he’d earned his place in his society and discovered his unique contribution to the whole in the process.

You might ask, “Why don’t we offer boys such rites of passage today?”

Currently, the primary socially acceptable rite of passage for boys is sports.  Sport is not just a microcosm of society; it is an experience rich with structures and intangible qualities whose impacts have yet to be fully understood. 

Team sports challenge participants, delay gratification, and provide a sense of accomplishment and belonging.  Boys and men learn to look in the eyes of other males and determine whether they’re trustworthy.  Participating in sports allows them to face fears and emotions that often go unexpressed and to learn how to assess their standing in a group at any given moment and consequently determine where they fit into the big picture.  The significant number of boys and men who don’t play sports typically miss out on this key component of socialization.

A boy needs mentoring and to master skills.  The movie Star Wars provides a great example of this core component of male maturation: Yoda and Obiwan mentor young Luke Skywalker as he struggles to develop his skills as a Jedi Knight.  At first, Luke shrugs off their sage advice but, once he learns to trust them, he starts to open up and allows their wisdom to sink in, ultimately mastering that which had been elusive.

Yoda and Obiwan pass on a lot more to Luke than practical techniques of a warrior.  As his mentors guide him in wielding his lightsaber with authority, they simultaneously impart the virtues of honor, respect, integrity, and personal accountability.  Since his path to mastery requires some struggle, Luke experiences the natural ups & downs involved in any meaningful quest and enjoys the satisfaction of delayed gratification.  He feels the full brunt of failure more than once, faces his biggest fears and discovers what really matters to him.  In doing so, he also reveals the true depth of his character.

By the time he achieves mastery as a Jedi Knight, his feet are firmly planted in his clearly defined core principles.  Young men today similarly need mentoring to develop mastery in a subject that’s meaningful to them in order to mature successfully.

With maternal and paternal energies, mentoring, and mastery in place, a young man becomes more effective at managing his emotions.  Such emotional effectiveness differs between males and females.  Words may come more slowly to a man. Thus, at times, actions may be chosen as the primary form of communication. Yet, a mature man will retain the ability to experience, identify and label his emotions without verbally lashing out or becoming lost in an attempt to avoid his feelings. 

Possessing these four core components gives a young man a strong foundation from which to live his best life and to make positive contributions to himself, his family, his profession, and society at large.  This foundation also supports his emotional effectiveness and conflict resolution skills, informs his core principles and life mission, and gives him both compassion and strength.  

The final key component that fuels the positive momentum of male maturation is having a supportive group of grown men to meet with on a regular basis in order to discuss issues and explore emotions and by which to be held accountable.   

When a young man has a solid foundation, he instinctively knows the best time to use one of his three metaphorical tools: the lantern, the shield, and the sword.  His maturity tells him which to apply first and when to switch and his instincts serve him well in any context.  Meeting with mature male friends on a regular basis reinforces his core principles and keeps his instincts sharp.

What happens when a young man does not receive these four core components?  I see three common patterns: 1) the soft male, 2) the dominating male, and 3) the avoiding male.

1. The soft male is sensitive, in touch with his emotions and with his feminine side, but lacks a spine.  Certain women are attracted to this man at first, but sooner or later start to feel unsettled about him because his core is empty.  This type of man sometimes acts passive aggressively.

2. The dominating male is hard, out of touch with his emotions and is all spine.  This man compensates for his empty core by trying to control every aspect of his life.  He is more difficult to spot at first because he’s winning by societal standards.  He hides behind his money and power.  He doubles down on what he can control to disguise all that he cannot.   

Surface level success is no match for depth of character.  The dominator’s strength is fixed and brittle, more akin to a pine tree than bamboo.  Bamboo’s flexibility allows it to bend with the wind, but a dominator’s stubbornness splinters under pressure.  This man relies on superficial means instead of core principles.

In contrast to the dominator, I consider my core principles sacred and unquestionable.  One of my core principles concerns the unfaltering protection of my loved ones.  For example, if anyone hurts or offends my beautiful wife, I will jump in to deal with it without any hesitation.  

Another of my core principles involves friendship and my duty to remain true to myself.  For example, I’m not willing to hate another person for another person, even if they’re a close friend of mine.  If a friend is hurt or offended and wants me to join in their hate of the offending party, I will offer my friend comfort but refrain from hating on their behalf as hate goes against my core principles.

3. The avoiding male.  This man has checked out.  He feels resigned and numb.  He gives in to his addictions, such as tv, gaming, gambling or substances.  He loses his connection to society because he’s figured out he can’t win there, so he stays where he can win.  He recoils from the toxicity we all perpetuate with our male bashing.

Stop for a minute and really hear the comments being made about men and boys in our culture as of late.  If we were to substitute the words “women” and “girls” for “men” and “boys,” our society would be offended instantly.  This double standard is dangerous.  It’s important to recognize that not all men behave violently, and that when we make sweeping negative comments about an entire gender, we’re throwing the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak, and blaming all men for the crimes of a small percentage.  This causes serious harm to everyone.

Real strength does not need to dominate or acquiesce; it just is.  The core strength of a mature man allows him to experience the full spectrum of feelings and a wide range of appropriate actions in both himself and his partner.

How does a mature man continue growing and maturing?  He meets regularly with other grown men who know him, listen to him, inspire, and challenge him to be a better man.  Having a group of quality male friends is absolutely necessary to keep the momentum of maturation going, because buddies will let you get away with anything!  A real friend holds you to the standard of living as the man you respect the most. 

This summary explains what I've discovered from my own direct experience, which is typically undervalued today.  At the start of scientific study, people used common sense and their observations to make sense of the world.  Now, we’ve let our experts and statistics overshadow the power of anecdotal evidence.  I hope that the knowledge I gained from my own struggle to mature and from 12 years of leading a men’s group can help illuminate a way forward for those who are struggling today.

Please know that my main intent here is to start a new conversation.  I do not claim to have all the answers!  This subject is very complex and will not be solved quickly.  I ask you to consider the components that you might have found annoying or even offensive, and look inside yourselves to see if it challenges your reality.  Often, when something challenges our reality, it offers improvement in some way.  

 

This article draws on content from my upcoming Men’s Book: Taboo, The Lost Code of Men.

I look forward to hearing your comments below. And thanks to all the people who have liked, followed and shared.  I appreciate your interest.

Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@findingourfire/featured

and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thematuringman

This is Martin Brossman

Men and Grief

I am honored to be mentioned in Tom Golden's new book  The Way Men Heal on Kindle and am blessed that I knew about his work before my Fathers passing so I did what I needed to do to honor the loss of my Father last year. This book is not a one trick to solve all grief but it is a way to let women understand the boys and men in their lives that are facing loss. It is also a way for men to understand how to deal with loss in a way that honors their souls.

Who should read it? Every man and woman and most important every therapist that deals clients that have had loss. If you get value from the book, that is less than $10.00 on Amazon, then do the right thing and write a review for Tom on Amazon, I did. This video gives you a window into what Tom had provided in the book and take a moment to see it:





Here is the link to the book The Way Men Heal on Kindle:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Way-Men-Heal-ebook/dp/B00B0OKZ3W

And the link to the Facebook page that I created in honor of the passing of my Father referenced in the book. Consider Liking that page and saying hello:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Three-Martin-Brossmans-I-II-III/501557776551494

- Martin Brossman
  FindingOurFire.com

Dealing with Aging Parents - The relationship is worth more than making sense

Martin Brossman II and Julia McLean Brossman my parents.

Last weekend when I was home to visit my Father and Mother who have 24hr in-home care I was reminded of what my good friend T. Ho Haryadi said about relating being more important than making sense when dealing with people that have a decline in mental abilities.

I used to try to point out to my parents what was "right" as their mind started slipping and often lead to them just feeling criticized or my father getting emotionally upset. My father has become more emotionally vulnerable and my mother more feisty with aging.

I was sitting next to my Dad watching an action movie (he still likes them) and from his recliner chair he looked at me and asked how his parents were doing. I just answered "fine" (they died years ago). Then he asked if they were still in Allentown PA and I said they moved to Womelsdorf PA and were doing well (where they were buried but that was not said as well). He smiled and looked back at the TV.

After the show he was ready to go to sleep and I talked to the caregiver a bit then went upstairs myself.  At the top of the steps my Mom scared me half to death. She was hiding behind the banister at the top of the steps and said, "Ssh, they don't know I am still up". I just replied, in a soft voice, "I understand, I will help you back". I took her arm under mine and lead her back to her bed where she went to sleep. I think she thought she was 12 years old listening in on her parents conversation.  My friend John Z. pointed out how he had a similar situation with his grandmother and how he realized that in that moment the 90+ year old women got to be  young again.

What a gift that I discovered that relating is more important than making sense, so I could be with them in their aging process. I need to tell you I still have a lot of stress with the responsibility of taking care of them but these are precious moments that should not be missed.

Special thanks to my good friend Thomas Golden for encouraging me to write this both for others and so I remember it. He is the author of the must read book on men and grief: "Swallowed by a Snake: The Gift of the Masculine Side of Healing"
http://www.amazon.com/Swallowed-Snake-Gift-Masculine-Healing/dp/0965464911/

- Martin Brossman
Author of the book - Finding Our Fire: Enhancing men's connection to heart, passion and strength.
http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Our-Fire-Enhancing-connection/dp/0615163858/

Official Google Blog: Ten years later

Official Google Blog: Ten years later

Want to share a story written by a friend that was in New York City about the Firemen of NY on 9/11:

http://inside919.ning.com/profiles/blogs/in-honor-of-911-two-post-from

I honor all that was sacrificed since 9/11.

Martin Brossman

In Honor of Fathers Day, A Poem: Remembering Dad

Remembering Dad

I heard my Father speak through me today

It's a good thing

A business conversation with me appreciating them at the end

He was always the cheerleader of his officemates 

Will call him and tell him when he gets back from dialysis today

May not understand it, so little of him left

Dad, you are welcome to live on through me

My Father is still with me and is moving a bit slower due to so many challenges he has overcome. He goes to dialysis three times a week and is tough on him. I have been blessed to move from the Son to the person overseeing their well being. I never had my own children but not under what it means to be a parent more then ever.  It has given me flashes of memories and insights. This poem is one of those insights. I want to honor the important an vital energy of Fatherhood in the world. I am also blessed to have good people helping both parents.

If you want to see my first book: http://FindingOurFire.com

Men and Grief

We often criticize men for not grieving in an open way, but that is not how most men grieve.

Men typically grieve by doing, vs. the open showing of tears, and this should be valued just as we need to have room for people grieving their loss through tears. Men in history have done many great things out of great loss as have women, but I hear more complaints about men not showing feeling at a loss than women. What is missed is the beauty of men creating something out of grief with great action.

I propose that the geodesic dome by Buckminster Fuller many never have existed if he had not lost his daughter. “Fuller's young daughter Alexandra died from complications from polio and spinal meningitis. Allegedly, he felt responsible and this caused him to drink frequently and to contemplate suicide for a while. He finally chose to embark on "an experiment, to find what a single individual [could] contribute to changing the world and benefiting all humanity."” (Wikipedia)

In 1927 Fuller resolved to think independently which included a commitment to "the search for the principles governing the universe and help advance the evolution of humanity in accordance with them... finding ways of doing more with less to the end that all people everywhere can have more and more."

After this time came Buckminster Fuller’s invention of the geodesic dome, “the lightest, strongest, and most cost-effective structure ever devised”.

To paraphrase my good friend Tom Golden who wrote the leading book on men and grief, Swallowed by a Snake: The Gift of the Masculine Side of Healing:  Don’t ask a man who has had a loss how do you feel; ask him what do you need to do to deal with this loss?

By Martin Brossman Author of: Finding Our Fire - Enhancing men's connection to heart, passion and strength. 
FindingOurFire.com

Martin Brossman featured in a Cary New's article

Martin Brossman featured in a Cary New's article
By Vickie Jean DeHamer, Staff Writer

One of the questions asked:

"What can I do for my son, who doesn't have a father?

The answers varied, but one key point was clear: Women have a lot of power over their men. Brossman said men have a basic need to be honored. Women have a need to be cherished. It made me think of my husband surprising me with a laptop and a desk when I wanted to revive my writing career. I told him he was my hero, and I felt like a brainy princess. It worked out for both of us.

Brossman was bold in his statements about what he calls "icky, passive males." He gave an example of when a friend broke an important promise. He said he left a message on his answering machine that masked how he really felt which was angry and hurt."

Read the entire article at:

http://www.carynews.com/opinion/columns/story/12458.html

Men in the Workplace… What are they really thinking?

More about KNOW: http://bit.ly/iwIj2

Men in the Workplace… What are they really thinking? At the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce by the group KNOW - Knowledgeable Network of Women

July 15, 2009 | Read all about the event at: http://bit.ly/KEeow

Panelist Bios

Martin Brossman is a certified business coach, specializing in career direction, communication, conflict resolution and relationships. He has more than 20 years of professional experience, including seven years with IBM and 13 years developing and operating small businesses. Martin has a passion for enhancing relationships. Founder of the Men's & Women's book, “Finding Our Fire—Enhancing Men’s Connection to Heart, Passion and Strength,” Inquiry discussion groups in Raleigh, he applied years of compelling insights to create his which is now in international distribution on Amazon.com. He has been interviewed on national talk shows, published in local and national magazines, and assisted with relationship courses at Esalen Institute in CA. He has served as vice president of the Triangle Men’s Center. His personal training in 'Men's Work' includes The Sterling Men's Weekend and the ManKind Adventure-New Warrior Training. As a business and personal success coach, he has helped men and women enhance their prosperity and their relationships for over 14 years. In 2000, he was honored with the NC Governor’s Volunteer of the Year Award for his contribution to Carolina Health & Humor Association. In 2007, Martin received the Ron Hering Mission of Service award for living his mission in the world.


Nicoa Dunne brings 16 years of experience in strategic human resources (HR) and global corporate communications. As a strategic business partner and coach, her collaborative approach to innovative problem solving is refreshing and motivating. A graduate of NC State University, Ball State University and Charles Sturt University (Australia), her background includes 8+ years with General Electric, where she graduated from the GE Human Resources Leadership Program (HRLP). Her 4+ years with Thermo Fisher Scientific spanned 20 countries and included over 10,000 employees in her client group created through the two large acquisitions. Most recently, as the SVP of HR for Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, provided key leadership in the transformation of Misys Healthcare, positioning the company and culture for growth and the ultimate merger with Allscripts -- creating the NEW Allscripts (MDRX). Nicoa has proven success with effective coaching techniques resulting in attraction, growth and retention of key talent, immediate results applying process improvement techniques to the growth of her HR teams and unprecedented execution examples during her involvement with multiple mergers and acquisitions. Her strong work ethic and intensity has resulted in long term strategy traction by defining cultures, enhancing employee engagement and upgrading human resource functions providing a solid foundation for holland archer. She has aligned her experience, lessons learned and sound, plain talk philosophy with an infectious energetic personality to the professional speaking circuit as well. A member of the National Speaker’s Association, she has the ability to provide both antics and advice to those willing to listen as one of her passions. This offering has become a key element of how holland archer motivates teams and individuals to take ownership of their actions in order to create legacies for which they can be proud! Nicoa lives with her husband Mert, a stay at home dad, and their three daughters Justice, Pippa and Campbell in Raleigh and Wilmington.

Henry Hinton has a 36-year career in broadcasting that began in the campus radio station and spans radio and television in Norfolk, Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Greenville, NC. He founded New East Communications in 1989, which has been the parent company of three radio stations and other related companies in eastern NC. He currently serves as president of Inner Banks Media with four radio station properties in eastern NC. Henry hosts the daily radio and television show ‘Talk of the Town’ on WTIB 94.3 FM in Greenville and Cable 7 and is a frequent host and panelist for statewide political talk show ‘NC Spin’ which airs on 13 TV and 20 radio stations across the state. He is the former president of the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters and former chairman of the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce. Henry was formerly on the Board of the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research and is currently on the ECU School of Fine Arts, Music and Communications Advancement and Advisory Council. Henry has been honored with several awards including the Distinguished Service Award by the ECU Alumni Association in 2000, the Earl Gluck Distinguished Service Award by state broadcasters in 2001 and was named Greenville’s Business Leader of the Year by the Chamber in 2002. Henry is a proud alumni of ECU and lives in Greenville with his wife Debbie. They have a 30-year-old son Hank and a 27-year-old daughter Courtney.

Gerald Mosely, PhD has over 23 years experience in the global pharmaceutical industry holding various sales, marketing and senior leadership roles. Most recently has the General Manager, Anesthesia & Critical Care, at Baxter Healthcare with a focus on medication delivery. Prior to Baxter, Gerald spent several years at GlaxoSmithKline and quickly progressed from sales representative to sales management to various senior level executive roles. He has both domestic and international experience in sales, marketing and commercial operations; leading teams in Asia, Europe and the US. Gerald has developed multuple programs for career development and has been a champion for multicultural and women’s leadership initiatives throughout his career. Gerald is known for his commitment to mentorship as evidenced by his ability to help others discover their passions and his willingness to help them think ‘outside the box’ to discover flexible paths for career advancement. Gerald holds a B.S. in Biology from Loma Linda University and a Ph.D. in Pathology from the University of Washington. He resides in California with his wife and daughters.

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