Episode 21: This Ain't Your Dad's Holy Grail: Men and Meaning (A Conversation with Dane Anthony)

Pause, Purpose, Possibility

Each episode of the old TV show "Red Green" would end with the all-male cast gathering for the opening of the regular meeting of the Possum Lodge by bowing their heads for the Man’s Prayer:

I’m a man.

But I can change.

If I have to.

I guess.

While it may be true that some things have changed since then, men still have a lot of work to do – a lot of inner work, a lot of relational work, a lot of anti-racist and anti-misogynist justice work, a lot of maturing and transformation and vulnerability to embrace, a lot of posturing and armor to let go.

My guest this week, Dane Anthony, explores with me some of the ways that change, growth, transformation can happen, and not only among men, starting with questions like: How would you describe who you are without referring to your professional role or title? What might you need to “unlearn” in order to open doors and pathways to understanding yourself and your work in the world more deeply and with greater authenticity and joy? How might exploring new images of God or the holy in one’s life open up access to one’s unique “soulprint,” the sliver or spark of the divine in each of us that invites our truest selves into lives of mattering and belonging?

Dane’s professional path focuses on facilitating conversations of meaning and purpose, helping others to explore the deeper connections that bring awareness and grounded practices to work and relationships. He has fostered engagement-centered leadership in the following contexts:

• more than 30 years in Higher Education jn university chaplaincy, as a student services administrator, and as a faculty member.
• spiritual guide and mentor for more than 30 years through spiritual direction, vocational discernment, men’s groups and retreat leadership.
• 20+ years’ experience teaching and consulting with the StrengthsFinder Inventory for individuals and businesses.

Dane earned his bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University, and his Master of Divinity from Midwestern Seminary. In addition, he holds certifications in Spiritual Direction. My primary connection with Dane has been as a Facilitator in the Circle of Trust Retreat process in association with Parker Palmer and the Center for Courage & Renewal.

He has been married to Maggie for 30 years. They have 3 grown children.