The Intersection of Culture and Parenting: How To Raise Safe Sons with Kirby Garry

The Masculine Wilderness Podcast

In today's digitally driven, amplified, and hyper-connected world, our children face unprecedented challenges, making it crucial to equip them with the tools to navigate societal pressures. By modeling empathy, resilience, and a strong moral compass, we can help them thrive and become respectable individuals. This involves a deliberate effort to model empathy, encourage open communication, and create an environment where boys feel supported and understood. As parents, it's our responsibility to raise well-rounded kids capable of facing life's challenges and making positive contributions to society.

In today’s episode, Kirby Garry and Tom talk about the wider culture, the places that formed us as men, and how those experiences impact the way we raise our children. Kirby offers simple, profound, and hopeful advice on preparing the young generation of kids to show up and become the compassionate, resilient leaders of tomorrow

Entering his tenth year as Athletic Director and 16th overall at Cal State Monterey Bay, Kirby has played a role in shaping nearly every aspect of Otter Athletics as an NCAA DII intercollegiate athletics program. In the process, Kirby has emerged as nationally respected leader in athletics administration, becoming an influential voice on topics of leadership, student-athlete well-being, development, marketing, and social media.

Kirby provides leadership and support for the Otters’ 13 sports as well as the department’s more than 40 full and part-time administrative and coaching staff members. A native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Kirby was a football team captain and All-North Central Conference wide receiver at the University of North Dakota.

Tune in!

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

World Without Exploitation: https://www.worldwithoutexploitation.org/

Key Highlights From The Show:

● [00:01] Intro and a quick bio of the guest, Kirby Garry

● [05:22] Kirby's backstory and how he got to the place he is today

● [10:48] How Kirby’s wife’ a girl from California ended up in North Dakota

● [14:38] Kirby’s experience as a dad raising sons in today’s culture

● [16:45] How to cultivate empathy in your sons as a superpower

● [18:44] Differences in model and nurturing empathy in boys Vs. girls

● [19:43] Differences in cultivating empathy in teenagers Vs. younger kids

● [21:08] How to be a better man and how Kirby helps men achieve their goal

● [26:57] Kirby’s formative years and how the experience shaped his life

● [30:53] The pros and cons of growing up in a competitive environment

● [39:03] Things that give Gary pause and hope in the world today

● [44:05] Being present and building your muscle for showing up for your sons

● [46:50] Life-giving things that fill Kirby up as a man

● [51:55] Kirby’s heart for men and the message he wants to pass to them

● [55:04] Kirby’s final words of encouragement to young men

Standout Quotes:

● “With everything digital and amplified, high school and teenage years are hard enough, and preparing and positioning our sons to persist through these challenges when appropriate is critical.” - [15:54]

● “A competitive environment is worthwhile for incremental results; keep showing up, putting in work, and getting the results.”- [32:06]

● “Winning and losing in competition fades away quicker than you think; the connections you make and the person you become are the most important.”- [32:35]

● “Joy is finding ways to express gratitude and continuously reminding our kids of what they have, not trying to dictate but to show up for them unconditionally.”- [40:47]

● “Our kids can get caught up in the height of anxiety and amplified noise in our world; trying to get them out of that loop can help them be present.”- [44:53]

Let’s Connect

www.epikproject.org

@epikproject

Kirby Garry

Website: https://otterathletics.com/staff-directory/kirby-garry/4

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirbygarry/?hl=en