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Unmasking: Growing into your True Self

Group for Self-Study or 1-on-1 or Marriage Coaching
You will need to purchase Life Passages of Men and The Solution of Choice.  

Spring 2026 9:00 pm Eastern on Thursdays

  • January 22

  • February 12 & 19

  • March 5 & 19

  • April 9 & 23

  • May 7 

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Unmasking: The Science and Spirit of Growing Into Your True Self

This group is built on a simple but profound premise: genuine transformation is relational, not just rational . Many men, particularly those navigating neurodiversity, have spent years trying to "white-knuckle" their way to a better life through willpower and logic, only to find themselves stuck in the same cycles of frustration.

By integrating the works of Dr. Jim Wilder (Passages of Men, Renovated) with the foundations of RARE Leadership and The Other Half of Church, we provide a roadmap for "neurological renovation".

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Why These Materials Work Together

  • Beyond Willpower (The Problem): We often believe that if we think correctly and choose rightly, our habits will fall in line. However, neuroscience shows that the "fast-track" emotional side of the brain acts before our logic even kicks in. If your relational circuits are "off," willpower alone cannot turn them back on.

  • Neuroplasticity (The Solution): The right prefrontal cortex retains a high degree of neuroplasticity throughout your life. This means your "identity center"—the Orbital Prefrontal Cortex (OFC)—can physically restructure itself through new, joyful experiences.

  • Joy as the Engine: In this framework, joy isn't just a feeling; it is the biological fuel for maturity. Defined as "knowing someone is glad to be with me," joy trains the brain to return to connection rather than retreating into isolation or "enemy mode" during stress.

  • Hesed: The Relational Glue: Growth requires a "low-fear, high-joy" environment. By practicing Hesed, God’s loyal, enduring love, we create the secure attachment necessary for neurodiverse men to safely explore their maturity gaps and "unmask" their true selves.

  • The Path of Maturity: We walk through the "Passages of Men," identifying where emotional development may have been stunted by trauma or neurodiversity. Whether you are at the "Infant," "Child," or "Man" stage of emotional maturity, these materials provide the tools to fill those gaps and move toward becoming a life-giving "Father" and "Elder".

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The Result: A Transformed Marriage and Legacy

This isn't about learning more "marital techniques". It is about becoming the kind of man who naturally remains relational, acts like his true self, and stays connected to his spouse even when things are hard. When you renovate your heart, the change naturally spreads into your marriage and your legacy.

Sessions

Introduction

Introduction Materials from the Workbook: Laying the Foundation
Watch Rare Leadership Lessons 1 to 4

Session 1

Watch Session 1 Video

Session 1
Rest of Rare Leadership Videos (5-8)
Solution of Choice Chapters 1-4

  • Enlightenment Shift

  • Skewed Models

  • Truth

  • Choice

Workbook Pages Introduction & Lesson 1

Session 2

Watch: Our Interview with Dr. Jim Wilder: Development Basics Part 1 & Part 2

Read: 

Solution of Choice 5, 6 & 7 

  • Power 

  • Tolerance 

  • Hesed Solution 

Life Passages of Men: Introduction & Chapter 1 Becoming a Boy 

Workbook: Lesson 2 

Session 3

Watch: Dan & Stephanie- Attachment- What Should Have Happened  

Read: 

Passages of Men Chapters 2-4 

  • A boy and his mother 

  • A boy and his father 

  • The man who was never a boy 

Extra material: Maturity from the heart Jesus Gave You 

Workbook: Lesson 3 

Session 4

Watch: Video Dan & Stephanie on Maturity Gaps 

Read: 

Life Passages of Men: Chapters 5-7 

  • Becoming a Man 

  • Three Killer Myths 

  • How Sons Become Men 

Workbook: Lesson 4 

Session 5

Watch: Dan & Stephanie: Roles of Men 

Read: 

Life Passages of Men: Chapters 8-10 

  • Life-Giving Manly Roles 

  • Becoming a father 

  • Fathers and their children 

Workbook: Lesson 5 

Session 6

Watch: Our Discussion with Dr. Jim Wilder on Fear Bonds vs. Joy Bonds 

Listen: Podcast: Just the Guys: Mad, Meltdowns & Mopey 

Read: 

Life Passages of Men: chapters 11-12 

  • Father’s World 

  • Single and Childless Men as Fathers 

Workbook: Lesson 6 

Session 7

Watch: Two Interviews with Dr. Karl Lehman on Unresolved Trauma.  Part 1 & Part 2

Read: 

Life Passages of Men: chapters 13-15 

  • Becoming an Elder 

  • The Elder and his sons 

  • The Elder and his daughters 

Workbook: Lesson 7 

Session 8

Watch: Dan & Stephanie: Intentional Growth Is Possible! You are Defined by Your Neurotype, Your Choices or Your Childhood. Who Defines You? 

Read: 

Life Passages of Men: Chapter 17-16 

  • Elders and the Church 

  • Death of an Elder 

Workbook: Lesson 8 

Appendix

Wanna go deeper? Hear from some of the contributing authors? Or authors mentioned in the text or endorsements?

Shame- healing in community

Curt Thompson 1 and 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIAq85DjYYA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiQIc2tBRgo

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Dr. Jim Wilder Resource "Changing Motivation from Fear to Love"

 

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©2025 by Autism Spectrum Resources for Marriage & Family.

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