Summary
Just let boys be boys! In this episode, Robert talks with Mark Hancock, CEO of Trail Life USA. Trail Life is a Christ-centered, outdoor adventure program that teaches young men biblical values and outdoor skills through character and leadership development. Here, Mark describes how Trail Life stands out among other outdoor adventure programs by being Christ-focused, the three things boys need to give them a sense of fulfillment in life, and how dads’ relationships with their sons have been strengthened through participating in Trail Life troops. After his conversation with Mark, Robert takes a sobering look at the increase in suicidal thoughts among teen girls and, in the “Classical Crypto” segment, provides an overview of the token ATOM by Cosmos.
Quote
“Boys today are so purposeless in our culture because we don’t believe in them anymore. But when you can get a group of boys together and let them know who’s in charge and make that clear, who’s with me and make that clear, and give them a mission and make that clear, you have their hearts. And that’s why they will engage in Trail Life in ways they won’t in a classroom or some other kind of setting where those questions aren’t being answered.”
Mark Hancock
Topics
- Intro to Mark Hancock [0:49]
- Mark’s definition of truth [1:33]
- What is Trail Life USA? [2:45]
- How is Trail Life different from the Boy Scouts of America? [4:48]
- Trail Life troops are an outreach of each local host church [7:41]
- The skills and values boys learn at Trail Life [8:29]
- The origins of Trail Life: coming up with a strategy and facing challenges [11:01]
- Why it’s important for boys to learn skills together in a group; the three things boys need to give them a sense of purpose [13:31]
- Mark’s favorite stories with his own boys in Trail Life [19:23]
- Mark’s family life: from homeschooling to starting a Christian alternative to Boy Scouts [21:55]
- How dads’ relationships with their sons can be strengthened through experiencing outdoor adventure together; how Trail Life serves a ministry to both boys and dads [26:13]
- Farewell to Mark [29:57]
- “Current Events Discussion”: An increase in the number of teen girls having suicidal thoughts [31:38]
- Ad: 2023 Practicum: Registration is now open! [35:10]
- “Classical Crypto”: ATOM and Cosmos [36:30]
- Outro [40:54]
Mentions
- Trail Life USA
- Why Are We Sitting Here Until We Die? by Mark Hancock | Amazon
- Let Boys Be Boys: 3 Winning Strategies for Leaders of Boys and 5 Critical Needs of Boys eBook by Mark Hancock | Trail Life USA
- American Heritage Girls
- Boy Scouts of America
- Raising Godly Boys: A Proven Process for Growing Boys into Godly Men by Mark Hancock | Trail Life USA
- Crossroads Pregnancy Center
- Liberty University
- Episode 8: Overturning Roe v. Wade? with Michael Farris | Refining Rhetoric
- Find a Troop | Trail Life USA
- Start a Troop | Trail Life USA
- Raising Godly Boys Minute | Apple Podcasts
- “Nearly a third of teen girls say they have seriously considered suicide, CDC survey shows” | CBS News
- The Cosmos Network (ATOM)
