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 We're calling out the outdated scripts that leave men feeling lost and unsure of their place in the world.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.