When was the last time you stopped to really think about what it means to “be a man”?
In today’s world, masculinity is being reimagined—and not a moment too soon. On the latest episode of The Wild Sage Society Podcast, Marcie Walker sits down with regenerative farmer and father, Jesse Carstairs, to explore how farming, family life, and emotional growth are all connected—and why that matters more than ever.
Whether you're a parent, a partner, or someone on a healing journey, this conversation offers fresh insights into living with intention, leading with love, and reconnecting with what really matters.
From Soil to Soul: What Regenerative Farming Taught One Father About Life
Jesse’s journey into regenerative agriculture began with a desire to nourish—not just the land, but his family.
Regenerative farming goes beyond “organic.” It’s a holistic, sustainable approach that heals the soil while supporting long-term health for people and the planet.
“Regenerative practices take us back to our roots.” – Jesse Carstairs
Through farming, Jesse found a deeper connection to nature—and to himself. He quickly noticed how soil health and family health are more connected than we think. The more intentional his farming became, the more grounded and present he felt as a father and partner.
Rethinking Masculinity: Presence Over Performance
Let’s be honest: traditional masculinity hasn’t always made space for vulnerability. But Jesse believes the tides are turning—and that’s a good thing.
“There’s nothing toxic about masculinity,” he shares. “But leadership is missing in the household.”
For Jesse, healthy masculinity means showing up fully—emotionally, physically, and relationally.
Gone are the days when being a good dad or partner just meant “providing.” Today’s real leaders in the home are those who:
- Are emotionally available
- Take responsibility for the tone of their household
Lead by creating emotional and physical safety
Emotional Safety Is the New Superpower
One of the most powerful takeaways from this episode is the idea that vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s strength.
Jesse believes that healing masculinity means learning to truly listen, especially in relationships. Not to “fix” or defend, but to hold space.
“Communication should prioritize listening to understand rather than responding to defend.”
This shift creates room for trust, healing, and real connection. It also teaches our children—especially sons—that feelings matter and that leadership includes compassion.
3 Practical Ways to Redefine Masculinity in Your Own Life
Inspired by Jesse’s story? Here are a few small, meaningful shifts you can start making today:
1. Step Into Conscious Leadership
Ask yourself: How can I be more present and intentional in my household? Leadership starts at home—and it looks like presence, empathy, and follow-through.
2. Listen First
Next time you’re in a tough conversation, pause before you reply. Try validating your partner’s emotions before offering a solution. (It’s a game-changer.)
3. Reconnect With Nature
Whether it’s through a backyard garden, shopping local, or simply learning where your food comes from—get curious about sustainability. What’s good for the planet is good for your body and your family.
Final Thoughts
Masculinity is not broken—but it is evolving. And that’s something to celebrate.
By leaning into presence, emotional safety, and sustainable living, men like Jesse Carstairs are showing us that real strength is rooted in self-awareness, not stoicism.
It’s time to redefine what leadership and love look like in modern families—and to cultivate the kind of emotional intelligence that nourishes everyone around us.
Resources:
Reclaiming Pleasure, Confidence, and Connection: A Midlife Awakening with Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers
Have you ever felt like something was missing in your relationship with your body or your pleasure—but couldn’t quite put your finger on it?
You’re not alone.
In our latest episode of The Wild Sage Society Podcast, I sat down with the brilliant and compassionate Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers, renowned sex therapist, researcher, and author of Sex, God, and the Conservative Church and Shameless Parenting. Together, we peeled back the layers of silence, shame, and cultural conditioning to explore what it really means to live with embodied confidence, sensual wholeness, and radical self-worth—especially in midlife.
The Hidden Impact of Sexual Shame
Dr. Sellers opened our eyes to a profound truth: sexual shame is a visceral experience that lives in the body, not just the mind. For many of us, this shame started early—through silence, confusion, or punitive reactions to our natural curiosities as children.
“We are hardwired for connection and pleasure,” she said. “But when those needs are shamed, we internalize a belief that something is wrong with us.”
The result? Disconnection. From ourselves. From our desires. From the deep emotional and physical intimacy we all deserve.
Why Midlife is a Portal to Reclamation
Dr. Sellers believes midlife is not a crisis—it’s an invitation. An invitation to reflect, reconnect, and reclaim the parts of ourselves that were buried under people-pleasing, performance, and patriarchal programming.
Whether you’re experiencing shifts in libido, navigating menopause, or finally confronting long-held wounds, this season of life offers a sacred opportunity to rewrite your story.
“Your power is in your pleasure,” she reminded us. “Your pleasure can heal you.”
Healing Begins with Emotional Safety
So how do we begin? Dr. Sellers lays out a powerful four-step model for healing called FRAME:
- Frame: Re-educate yourself with comprehensive, affirming, sex-positive information.
- Name: Share your story with someone who can meet you with empathy.
- Claim: Reconnect with your body as good, just as it is—no changes required.
- Aim: Decide how you want to live and love moving forward.
This framework isn't just about sexuality—it's a call to return home to your truth, wholeness, and worthiness.
From Performative Sex to Sacred Intimacy
Dr. Sellers also unpacked the difference between performative sex (what culture teaches us) and true intimacy (what we actually crave). Through emotionally intelligent communication, couples can co-create experiences that feel nourishing, playful, and connected—whether that’s a sensual bath, a cuddle session, or full-on passion.
We’re not talking Cosmo tips. We’re talking soulful, attuned, healing intimacy.
For the Women Who’ve Been Told to "Give, Give, Give"
Let’s get real: Many of us have been conditioned to be givers—to everyone but ourselves. And it shows up not just in our relationships, but in our bank accounts, our energy, our boundaries.
Dr. Sellers beautifully reframed this dynamic: “Your job now is to become a gracious receiver. Let others experience the joy of giving to you. You're worthy of that.”
This hit home for me—and for many of you, I’m sure.
What If Your Sexuality Was Sacred?
Whether you were raised in silence, shame, or a culture that told you your pleasure was dangerous, this conversation is a balm and a breakthrough.
You are not broken.
You are not too much.
You are not too late.
You are worthy of love, connection, and radiant pleasure—right here, right now, in the body you live in today.
✨ Ready to Dive Deeper?
💌 Download Dr. Sellers’ free resource The Sexual Reclamation Project and begin rewriting your story with compassion and clarity.
📚 Explore her transformative books:
- Sex, God, and the Conservative Church
- Shameless Parenting
📲 Connect with her on Instagram @DrTinaShameless
As we close this transformative year, I reflect deeply on the parallels between my journey with money and my emotional healing. Rewinding the tapes of my life, I see pivotal moments where unresolved beliefs about abundance held me hostage. These moments became the seeds of self-doubt, where shame whispered that I wasn’t good enough.
Christmases of my past come to mind—when both of my parents used grand gestures to mask their own struggles. Looking back, I see how those moments planted subconscious money mindset beliefs about material wealth being a tool for validation and love. As I’ve untangled these abundance blocks, I’ve learned to see the credit card debt and emotional spending of my past not as failures but as calls for help from a younger version of myself yearning for peace of mind.
This past Thanksgiving, I traveled to Bozeman, Montana, to spend the holiday week with the Walker side of the family. It was an experience I deeply cherished but also one that brought unfiltered truths to the surface. Watching my cousins with their families—their kids running in and out of homes situated on 200 acres, their well-built houses, their seemingly successful and lucrative careers—stirred a storm within me. My observations of their lives turned into comparisons, and comparison mindset became my suffering. I measured my self-worth against theirs, believing for a moment that my lack of material abundance or a conventional life path meant I had failed.
Comparison mindset is a killer. It robs us of gratitude, fuels our insecurities, and suffocates our souls. Measuring our self-worth monetarily or materially is soul death. In those raw, painful moments, I felt the truth of that lesson deeply. I realized that my worth isn’t defined by bank accounts or property. My Empire—my operating system—is built on purpose, morals, goals, and values. It’s a self-governance that ensures everything in my life aligns with my highest calling, from the way I show up for my son to how I contribute to my clients' holistic transformation.
As Deepak Chopra beautifully stated in The Spiritual Laws of Success:
"Success in life could be defined as the continued expansion of happiness and the progressive realization of worthy goals. Success is the ability to fulfill your desires with effortless ease."
He reminds us that material wealth is just one component of success. True abundance includes health, enthusiasm for life, meaningful relationships, creative freedom, emotional stability, and peace of mind. It’s a journey, not a destination, and I’m learning to honor the unique path I walk.
As I prepare for 2025, I invite you to reflect on the stories you’ve told yourself about money, worth, and success. How often have you compared your life to others, only to feel diminished? What would happen if you rewrote your narrative? Let’s step into this New Year with compassion for our past decisions and the courage to embrace a new paradigm—one rooted in abundance, alignment, and self-love.
Imagine a radio, its dial fine-tuned to a myriad of stations. Some frequencies bring vibrant melodies, others poignant talk shows, and yet others, mere static. Similarly, deep within us, there's a station attuned to our purpose. It's not lost or distant; it's right here, playing the symphony of who we truly are. The hypothesis is clear: you don't have to find your purpose. You already embody it. The song of your soul is about the frequency you're attuned to most of the time.
Every Heartbeat is a Note
Each of us carries a unique rhythm, a vibration that's distinctly ours. Our passions, values, and innate talents are not just clues; they are the melodies of our purpose. When we listen closely, our life's purpose isn't a distant echo but the very heartbeat that sustains us.
The Symphony of Community
In the orchestra of life, every instrument has its role, its moment to shine. Similarly, each of us contributes to the collective rhythm. When we align with our authentic frequency, we not only find our individual purpose but also understand our role in the larger community. Every time we inspire, support, or connect with someone, we’re reminded that our vibrations have the power to resonate with others, creating harmonies that uplift and heal.
Fine-Tuning to Clarity
However, amidst life's hustle, it's natural for our radios to sometimes lose tune, to stray away from our intrinsic frequency. That’s where guided practices, like hypnotherapy, alternative healing modalities, and self-transformation retreats, come into play. They are not just tools but gentle hands that help us recalibrate, to tune back into our authentic frequency.
A Journey Inwards, Not Outwards
The quest for purpose is not an outward expedition but an inward journey. It's about listening intently, feeling deeply, and recognizing the frequency that feels most you. The more you align with this frequency, the clearer your purpose becomes, guiding you towards actions and paths that resonate with your true self.
In conclusion, your purpose isn't a puzzle waiting to be solved or a peak to be reached. It’s the song that’s always been playing, waiting for you to dance to its rhythm. As you immerse yourself in transformative experiences, remember that you're not searching for something new but reconnecting with something eternal. Tune in, embrace your unique melody, and let it guide you towards the harmony you were always meant to be a part of. 🎵🌌
Author: Sharon Spann is a transformative coach and consultant with a passion for empowering individuals on their unique paths to success in business and fulfillment in life. With a holistic approach, Sharon bridges critical intersections between personal and professional growth. Through her insightful writings, she aims to guide readers toward impactful self-discovery, goal attainment, and creating a life infused with purpose.
After a deeply transformative pause, Season 2 of The Wild Sage Society Podcast has officially begun. In this solo episode, I invite you into my journey of self-discovery, healing, and alignment—a journey that has reshaped not just my business, but my entire outlook on life. Let’s dive into the lessons learned, the challenges faced, and the profound shifts that brought me back to the mic with a renewed sense of purpose.
Honoring the Power of the Pause
Taking a step back can feel counterintuitive in a culture that glorifies hustle and relentless productivity. For me, stepping away from the podcast was not a sign of failure, but a courageous act of self-preservation. Over the past year, I faced challenges that pushed me to honor my mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Choosing to pause allowed me to recalibrate and realign with what truly matters.
During this time, I rediscovered the importance of balance and the necessity of listening to our inner wisdom. It was a sacred pause that opened the door to deeper self-awareness and growth. My message for you: It’s okay to step back. Sometimes, pausing is the most powerful step forward.
A New Chapter: Redefining Purpose and Identity
One of the biggest shifts during my time away was the decision to leave behind the financial coaching model of Marcie Walker LLC. While it served its purpose, it no longer aligned with who I was becoming. This pivot was both challenging and liberating. Transitioning fully into my role as a holistic healer within The Wild Sage Society was a bold move—a leap into authenticity and alignment with my calling.
This season, I’m embracing my multidimensional purpose: blending holistic healing, spiritual support, and entrepreneurship. It’s a heart-centered approach that reflects my core values and serves the women I’m here to empower. If you’ve ever felt the need to shed an old identity to make room for something greater, I’m here to tell you it’s possible—and worth it.
Redefining Success: Beyond the Material
In our society, success is often measured by external achievements: financial gains, accolades, and milestones. But over the past year, I’ve redefined what success means to me. True success now includes health, creativity, emotional safety, and living in alignment with my deepest values.
This shift has been a game-changer. It’s not about rejecting material success, but rather integrating it with a holistic sense of fulfillment. Success, for me, is now a harmonious blend of purpose, passion, and well-being. I invite you to reflect on your own definition of success. What truly matters to you, and how can you align your life to reflect those priorities?
Actionable Steps to Transform Your Life
This episode isn’t just about my story; it’s an invitation for you to embark on your own journey of transformation. Here are three steps to get started:
- Redefine Success: Take time to reflect on what success means to you beyond material gains. What brings you joy, fulfillment, and peace?
- Embrace the Sacred Pause: Identify areas in your life where a pause might be necessary. Trust that stepping back can create space for clarity and realignment.
- Adopt Holistic Practices: Begin exploring holistic approaches to running your business and life. Integrate practices that nurture your mind, body, and spirit.
Join Me on This Journey
As we embark on this new season together, my goal is to blend healing, integrity, and entrepreneurship in a way that uplifts and inspires. Through The Wild Sage Society Podcast, we’ll explore the intersections of personal growth, spiritual wisdom, and conscious business practices. Whether you’re navigating a career pivot, seeking deeper alignment, or simply curious about holistic living, this space is for you.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Let’s redefine what it means to thrive—together.
About Marcie Walker
Marcie Walker is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Shamanic Practitioner passionate about helping individuals transform their inner landscapes. Through her work, she empowers clients to heal past traumas, embrace their authentic selves, and step into lives filled with purpose and fulfillment.
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