Jed Diamond can’t think of anything more important for the peace and well-being of the world than deepening the dialogue of what it means to be a good man.
___
I’ve been involved with the men’s movement since November 21, 1969 when my son, Jemal, was born. His birth energized me to try and be the best father I could and to help others be the man they have always wanted to become. I felt immediately drawn to The Good Men Project when I first heard about it in 2009.
I loved what the founder, Tom Matlack, said about how and why he began the program. He collected stories about the defining moments in men’s lives. He found that what connected all the stories was that all men had a time when they “woke up, looked in the mirror and said, ‘I thought I knew what it meant to be a man. I thought I knew what it meant to be good. And I realize that I don’t know either.’”
The Good Men Project has allowed me to explore a variety of topics important to me, from my father’s depression and bipolar illness to why men commit suicide. At a time where it’s difficult for writers to get published or to explore new areas of interest, The Good Men Project has been extremely supportive in allowing me to write from the heart and explore what it means to be a good man in today’s world.
I’ve been able to examine new issues such as love and addiction, gentle men and abusive women, and how to love an angry man. The Good Men Project has been having the kind of discussions that I’ve never had in my years doing men’s work. They tackle a wide variety of issues in ways that stimulate engagement and discussion, passion and problem-solving.
♦◊♦
One of the many things I enjoy about being a writer for The Good Men Project is that every Friday we have the opportunity to be on a phone call with the CEO of the Project, Lisa Hickey. One of the writers who was attending for the first time said to Lisa, “I’m surprised that a woman is heading up a program that focuses on what it means to be a good man. How did that happen?” Lisa shared a bit of her own story.
Long before she became CEO of The Good Men Project, Lisa Hickey had a clear vision of what she wanted to do in life. “I like to create things that capture the imagination of the general public and become part of the popular culture for years to come.” Hickey clearly has a passion for creating an international discussion on what it means to be a good man today. The Good Men Project cuts across the various factions of the men’s movement and brings them together on common ground.
Lisa is also a savvy business woman, great marketer, and understands that good works and a good income are not incompatible. She says she likes to look at the numbers: How many people are visiting the site, how many people are reading certain articles, how many make comments, how many re-post on social media sites. I’ve never been a big numbers person, but Lisa has taught me that numbers can tell us how effective we are in reaching our audience, something all writers need to learn how to do.
I’ve been involved with businesses that are more interested in bottom line profits than in their original mission to help and engage people. I’ve also been involved in businesses that have a great vision, but are poor at expanding their reach and making money at what they do. They go out of business before they accomplish much. Lisa heads a business that does good works and is successful doing it.
I love working with Lisa and her leadership team. They share my vision and they also want to expand the readership to touch the lives of more and more people. I can’t think of anything more important for the peace and well-being of the world than deepening the dialogue of what it means to be a good man.
♦◊♦
I find it energizing and engaging to meet and interact with some great men and women, under the Lisa’s leadership. I can’t wait to tell more of my writer friends about The Good Men Project so we can all have “The conversation no one else is having,” as described in the “about us” section on the site. “The Good Men Project is a glimpse of what enlightened masculinity might look like in the 21st century, the press raved when we launched. We had set out to start an international conversation about what it means to be a good man in the 21st century. And with over 3 million visitors coming to join in every month, it looks as if we’ve done exactly that.”
I believe it is important and significant that this “glimpse of what enlightened masculinity might look like in the 21st century,” is being led by Lisa Hickey. Come join the discussion and get on board.
For those of you who would prefer to be a deeper part of the conversation—you can become a premium member and enjoy our articles without ads. Sign up as either a Platinum, Gold or Bronze member—and every time you log in, the ads will be gone. You’ll also get access to exclusive groups, classes, and phone calls. Find out more and sign up below!
—
Register New Account
—
What Now? Participate. Take Action. Join The Good Men Project Community.
We have pioneered the largest worldwide conversation about what it means to be a good man in the 21st century. Your support of our work is inspiring and invaluable.
◊♦◊
“Here’s the thing about The Good Men Project. We are trying to create big, sweeping, societal changes—–overturn stereotypes, eliminate racism, sexism, homophobia, be a positive force for good for things like education reform and the environment. And we’re also giving individuals the tools they need to make individual change—-with their own relationships, with the way they parent, with their ability to be more conscious, more mindful, and more insightful. For some people, that could get overwhelming. But for those of us here at The Good Men Project, it is not overwhelming. It is simply something we do—–every day. We do it with teamwork, with compassion, with an understanding of systems and how they work, and with shared insights from a diversity of viewpoints.” —– Lisa Hickey, Publisher of The Good Men Project and CEO of Good Men Media Inc.
Questions or Feedback? Email [email protected]
Photo— DieselDemon/Flickr
Yvette, Thanks. Glad you’ve enjoyed reading and contributing here.
Thank you for sharing the mission and some of the background with us. I have been reading many articles over the last couple of months and have gained a vast insight into many of the issues and problems both men and women have in our society. If greatly affects our relationships, families and the interactions we have with each other. I cheer your dedication and I am proud to support this cause. I hope many more will see the value and support it with their wallets too.
Steve, Let’s hear it for the fellow strugglers. We’re all on the path together, teaching and learning, living and loving.
I believe that our path to healing and getting our heads screwed on straight has to go through the valley of honestly admitting where we have made mistakes in life. Until we realize that we aren’t perfect, that we still struggle, we will be doomed to repeat our mistakes, perhaps hoping for different outcomes, which is the definition of insanity. That is part of what drove me to become a blogger, because most people identify far more with fellow-strugglers than they do with “heroes”. I am a struggler, not a victorious over-comer. People from all over the world are being… Read more »