Real life. Real questions. The Paradox.

The Paradox | The Journey. Vulnerability is a Paradox. Raw & Radical Vulnerability. Dan against forged steel with a glowing orange seam.

Full-body sketch of Dan, standing and looking to the left

The Walks

Big ideas. Unfinished project. Garage is open. Watch or come lend a hand.

The Talks

I’m shining a light on my shadows, hidden patterns, and my scared feelings. Let’s see if it illuminates yours.

The Builds

A boat & motors? We HAVE ’em.
A channel with build challenges? We HAVE that too.
A clue? About HALF.

Come join us for real builds, real obstacles, real people and honest Moments.

I’m Dan.
I’m still in
the middle of it.

Before I had the words

As a kid, I was softer and less aggressive than other boys. I’d rather laugh, have fun and goof off than play video games, sports or chase tail. The child of 2 undiagnosed, untreated and largely unknown neurodivergent, teacher parents. I barely graduated high school in 1998 and by then I knew I wasn’t to be a student of higher learning. It was my junior year that I both caused a fire in my home and brought up ADD for the first time.

My mom’s baby couldn’t have that…no…an almost exact quote. The trauma from the fire left my nights sleepless and led to my first therapist. I can’t remember if I sat for 2.5 or 3.5 sessions of him telling me it was an accident. I politely stood up, said I believe I need help, but I know it was an accident and this isn’t working for me. That was the start of the long road of therapy: fired by 2, program ended on 1 and AI told me I was too much or too vulgar and cut me off.

People tend to like me. Getting close is more complicated. The confidence, the sweetheart, the sharp tongue…all me. It isn’t a tough exterior with something softer underneath. It’s both, and sometimes the distance between them is smaller than I care to admit.

Growing up nobody knew how to recognize an emotion let alone have a relationship with one, good or bad. Fear was running my life behind the scenes, and I wasn’t a part of it. I’ve always known I have a lot to offer the world. Not only how I see the world but how I interact within it. In my heart of hearts I look and see this amazing opportunity within most days. If I can stop long enough, our world is filled with awe and wonder…I can’t stop shit…my mind won’t quiet!

Not surprising, I found comfort in booze and pot, they worked until they didn’t. Sobering up the first time was easy and I guess I thought I had it figured out. Nicotine and money are my only 2 regrets. I started smoking and it is still causing suffering over 3 decades later. Money was never a problem because I can earn…but after years of earn and burn I started to realize money was a problem.

Another fresh start

I’ve reset more times than most people move, I’ve climbed from the bottom to (relative) success on three occasions, including being a professional in the self-help field. I have every reason to not struggle. I tried moving through life as a recluse...it's a shame most of us can’t get through life on our own. So I moved back to Michigan to be with my aging mom. We all gotta work, so I picked up a very good sales job…

I love selling but I’m in Michigan to be with my mom, and my pets are getting older. I’m not being on call 70 hours for 6 figures, not now. Good job. Wrong fit. I’m here for family. Two fresh starts in six months. This time, I couldn't get shit done, I couldn’t get things rolling, I couldn’t come up with any reason or any excuse.

30 years, countless therapies, professional in the field, meds here and there, asking for help and watching the unraveling in real time with nothing to do about it. This is starting to piss me the fuck off, there is no reason I should be battling everyday. I can’t be the only one.

Brené Brown has this vulnerability thing... I love irony, how ironic would it be if I put my life into the world? Do I think the men’s mental health arena wants to hear from me? I recorded two podcast episodes. The content is there, but I don’t know how well this will carry on with me being the only one carrying on. The goal is to serve an underserved market, not just give myself a microphone. I think this plays better with a woman across from me—her own perspective, something to say, and a willingness to challenge mine.

Let’s see what we can build

Nobody wants to hear a guy droning on about his story, and I’ve already walked away from the normal life that we all think we want. It’s time to build my dreams in a fun, entertaining and (hopefully) captivating way. The Walks and Talks are the moving parts. The Walks are the outside stuff…projects, possibilities and too many balls in the air. The Talks show the parts moving from the inside out.

Maybe you’re here to see what we can build out of a couple of motors. Maybe you’re here for a living autopsy on the human condition. Either way, you’re catching me in the middle of it.

I’m Dan. Life is a Paradox and a Journey.

The Walks

This is where it gets good…well that’s the plan anyway.

A motor that won’t start. A business that needs customers. A driveway full of possibilities. And me...46, offbeat, and convinced I can make something out of all this. Got a few unfinished dreams yourself? You’ll fit right in.

The Walks are ADHD, depression and unbridled ambition. Starting four businesses. Learning skills most guys acquire in their 20s. Letting you see what I don’t know while I figure it out. Finding out what happens when an idea finally meets a wrench.

I know my quirks and chaos...and I like my chances. I’ll keep the garage door open.

Watch The Walk on YouTube

The Talks

Let's drop into real time living

Men have a tendency to internalize their emotions. Too bad emotions aren’t allowed to stay stuck…they tend to come show themselves through escalated behaviors.

The Talks are where I stop to open my own hood. What I’m avoiding. Why rejection lands so hard. The man I think I am and the way I live don’t line up.

We’re all a little broken, and rest assured I’m not here to fix you.

My sincerest hope is some of this will smack right where it needs to. Awareness alone can be a powerful agent for change.

Watch The Talk on YouTube

The Builds

Colored-pencil sketch of Dan and Sally working inside a boat — Boats

Pencil sketch of Dan and Sally working together on an outboard motor — Motors

Colored-pencil sketch of Sally inspecting a trailer wheel — Trailers

Two motors. Two creators. Let’s see what happens.

Can we turn what’s in my driveway into a boat, $1,000 and a show?

I bring the vision, shop, tools, business side and years of performing live theatre. You bring your own ideas, interests and personality. We’ll both have things to teach…and things to learn.

Let’s start by getting one motor running. See how we work together. Your channel. My channel. Something we build together.

Think you could be our Sally Showstopper? Let’s talk.

Audition for the pilot

Your Creators

Sketch of Dan standing between two motors on stands, with a hand on each — I can see the show before I know how to finish the project. I’ll show up with vision, hustle and enthusiasm. My mechanical education is still catching up with my imagination…and I’m willing to look like a rookie.
Think build challenges, DIY and lifestyle…a channel we build together and an audience you can cross-pollinate with yours.
Drop a reel.

Sketch of Sally working on a motor — Think this is you?
Sally is an actor and lifestyle creator with an eye for style and a weakness for projects that sound fun before anyone reads the instructions. She’s playful, curious and usually the first to laugh when the plan falls apart. Off-camera, she’s raising two kids and negotiating for more space in the garage. Check out her channel below.

The Podcast

Not Therapy…An Honest Conversation.

Teacher parents with good insurance. Probably the only high school kid looking for Ritalin as medication. Over the years, I had therapy, religion, self-help books and the need.to.just.go. from my insides wanting to burst.

I have zero quit. I refuse to bitch and moan...fuck it…I’m all in.

I’m chin up and putting it out. Solo, this podcast could read whiny…that’s where you come in. Let’s create dynamics and help a man or two feel better. I’ll bring the gritty struggle, and together we can help fill the men’s mental health space.

Your Hosts

Sketch of Dan speaking at a podcast microphone — Ever pondered men’s mental health and started cracking up? I have. When it comes down to laugh or cry…I’ve done both.
Instead of another book telling us how the modern man should be, let’s experience it. Real time, real honest, real stories, really real.
Chest out, chin up…fuck you, depression. I’m not putting my life on hold. I’m willing to open my heart, head and gut on-air so your shit can air out in private

Sketch of Madison at a podcast microphone — Your opinion wanted.
Maddy splits her working week between seeing clients and helping run a community mental-health program. She earned her master’s while working full-time and still hasn’t quite learned how to take a proper day off. Away from work, she likes long dinners and conversations that get past the polite answers. Check out her socials below.

Another perspective
changes the conversation.

The Builds / Creator Cohort

Got some showstopper in you? Let’s see if we vibe.

Are you a woman with camera presence, charm and ideas that won’t leave you alone? Got a channel of your own you want promoted and a willingness to get your hands dirty?

We’re blending several styles for a primarily male audience:

Story/lifestyle — Two people willing to learn new skills and how to use new tools.

DIY/showcase — We’re building boats and motors, with a showcase as the finale.

Challenges — Simple…can we beat the clock?

The builds are real, the learning is real, the hype is real. The audience is specific…think you can fill this niche?

Your channel. My channel. Something we build together.

The Talk / Professional cohost

WANTED: THE OTHER HALF OF THE PARADOX.

Somewhere, a man is wondering if he’s the only one. Let’s give him a reason to think otherwise.

I’m looking for a woman already involved in the men’s mental health space and armed with something to say.

I’ll bring my stories, contradictions and gritty struggle. You bring your perspective, your wit and the question I didn’t see coming.

We’re not here to turn the microphone into a therapy session. We’re here to make a difference…and help a man or two feel better.

Psychology · Behavioral science · Mental health · Related fields

Other channels / Creative collaborations

Got a channel that could work with ours?

Let’s trade ideas, bring our audiences together and make something worth watching.

Come along for the journey.

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