Jake and Nick introduce the idea that we're all "meaning-making machines" who create stories—myths—about ourselves. These myths come in two forms: the Minotaur (shame-based stories like "I'm stupid" or "I can't get a break") and Higher Purpose (the inspiring impact we make when we're at our best).

Nick shares how his Minotaur shows up when he's triggered: "I'm all alone in this fucking world and I can't get a break." Jake traces his back to second grade when two classmates went as the Wright Brothers before he could. They discuss how these stories aren't bad—they're protective responses to pain that deserve empathy, not execution.

On Higher Purpose, Jake reveals his is "to guide people home," while Nick's is inspiring people to live purposefully and leave things better than they found them. They explain how to find yours: look at moments you're most proud of, notice what fills you up, and ask people around you when they see you most alive.

Their conclusion? You're always operating from either your Minotaur or your Higher Purpose—and that's what drives your behavior, not willpower alone.

🔑 Topics Covered

• Why we all tell myths about ourselves (Minotaur vs. Higher Purpose)
• How shame stories form and why they're protective, not evil
• Using humor and community to loosen the Minotaur's grip
• How to discover your Higher Purpose by looking backward
• Why identity shapes behavior more than willpower

💡 Reflective Prompt: What myth are you telling yourself right now—and is it serving you?

📍 Links + Resources

• Jake's website: www.jakefishbein.com
• Nick's website: www.coachnick.com
• The Arena Men's Group: www.arenamensgroup.com
• Novel "The Men's Group: A Novel of Messy Friendships" (June 9, 2026) at menssgroupnovel.com

💼 Connect: Jake Fishbein & Nick Papadopoulos on LinkedIn

With Love, Jake & Nick

Jake reflects on lessons from his father—leading with heart, embracing vulnerability, and making a difference without seeking credit. Nick shares his immigrant father's blueprint: being a man means contributing more than you take, not from unworthiness, but from trust that giving creates its own rewards.

They challenge the "Happy wife, happy life" mentality, clarifying that loving the relationship more than yourself isn't about self-betrayal—it's about full participation. Jake reveals how wedding industry norms expect grooms to be disengaged, and why he's intentionally showing up differently.

Their conclusion? Being a man in 2026 means being fully engaged—present, responsible, heart-centered, and actively shaping your experience rather than passively following someone else's script.

🔑 Topics Covered

• What fathers teach us about masculinity (for better or worse)
• Contributing more than you take vs. playing victim
• The difference between healthy giving and self-betrayal
• Why full participation matters in relationships and major life moments
• Coming from the heart vs. coming from unworthiness

💡 Reflective Prompt: Are you fully participating in your life—or are you following a script written by someone else?

📍 Links + Resources

• Jake's website: www.jakefishbein.com
• Nick's website: www.coachnick.com
• The Arena Men's Group: www.arenamensgroup.com
• Novel "The Men's Group: A Novel of Messy Friendships" (June 9, 2026)

💼 Connect: Jake Fishbein & Nick Papadopoulos on LinkedIn

With Love, Jake & Nick

In this episode of With Love, Men, co-hosts Jake Fishbein and Nick Papadopoulos explore why men chase money—and what they're really seeking beneath the surface.

Nick argues men are chasing self-worth and validation, measuring themselves against others to prove "I'm okay, I'm a real man." Jake adds that economic shifts have stripped away traditional pathways: only 15% of 30-year-olds own homes today (down from 50% in 1960), women graduate college at twice the rate of men, and younger generations face stagnating wages. Many men feel their masculinity and purpose eroding.

The hosts examine the toll: never being present, missing relationships, playing an endless game with no finish line. Nick quotes Pink Floyd—"dig that hole, forget the sun"—as the perfect metaphor for this exhausting chase.

Their solution? Ask better questions. Help men define what matters on their own terms, not what they've been told should matter.

🔑 Topics Covered

• What men are actually chasing: self-worth, validation, worthiness
• How economic shifts impact men's identity and sense of purpose
• The cost of chasing external validation: disconnection and exhaustion
• Why asking questions beats prescribing solutions

💡 Reflective Prompt
What are you actually chasing when you pursue financial success? Is it on your terms—or someone else's game?

📍 Links + Resources

• Jake's website: www.jakefishbein.com
• Nick's website: www.coachnick.com
• The Arena Men's Group: www.arenamensgroup.com
• Novel "The Men's Group: A Novel of Messy Friendships" (June 9, 2026)

💼 Connect: Jake Fishbein & Nick Papadopoulos on LinkedIn

With Love, Jake & Nick