"My Badge Was a Mask": The Breaking Point That Ended a 19-Year Police Career
In this powerful episode of 13 Minutes (The Podcast), B sits down with Jared Wosmek, a retired police officer with a remarkable story of healing and transformation. Jared is a gentle soul—an artist, a helper, a peacemaker. So how did he end up spending 19 years in law enforcement? To fill a void, he put on the badge like a mask, hoping the uniform would make him feel noble and special. For nearly two decades, Jared absorbed the trauma of the streets. As a natural empath, the constant negativity manifested in over 30 debilitating physical and mental symptoms. He was the department's peer support expert, yet he was the last person to see how broken he had become. This is the story of his shattering. Jared shares the vulnerable moment he finally asked for help, walking away from his career and feeling completely fractured. But in that brokenness, he discovered a profound truth: it was his persona, not his spirit, that had been destroyed. His healing journey began with an unusual retirement gift from his fellow officers: not a gun, but a yoga study. Today, Jared has turned his pain into purpose. He is the founder of Second Response, a peer support organization dedicated to helping first responders find connection, heal from trauma, and learn that they are not alone. In This Episode, We Discuss:(02:45) Jared's identity as a peacemaker and why he became a police officer to "fill a void."(09:30) Nicknamed "Father Was" because of his unique ability to get confessions.(12:15) As an empath, how he took on the negative energy of the job, leading to 30+ physical symptoms.(24:00) "I was invincible until I wasn't": The slow breakdown and burnout from years on patrol.(29:00) Being the department's peer support expert while completely ignoring his own trauma.(33:43) The moment he realized, "I can't do this alone anymore."(39:00) Leaving his career and feeling completely broken, fractured, and in despair.(44:00) The unusual retirement gift he received from his fellow officers that started his healing journey.(49:15) His new mission founding Second Response to bring peer support to first responders.(55:00) The embarrassing, vulnerable story he kept secret for years and the healing power of sharing it with peers. About the Guest:Jared Wosmek is a retired 19-year veteran of law enforcement and the founder of Second Response, an organization providing peer support and resources for first responders. After a medical retirement due to cumulative PTSD, Jared dedicated himself to a journey of healing, embracing modalities like yoga and peer connection. He now uses his experience to help other first responders navigate the unique traumas of their profession. Website: https://www.secondresponse.net/ Connect with Jared on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-wasmek-3b4a53230/ About the Host:The host of the podcast is B HaLevi, a Logotherapist (meaning-centered therapy), men's coach, and co-founder of Men's Peer Groups. Drawing from his personal journey as a third-generation suicide survivor and his professional experience as a former rabbi, B is on a mission to help men discover, articulate, and live their "Why." Learn More About Men's Peer Groups: https://www.menspeergroups.com/B's Website: bhalevi.com#FirstResponders #MentalHealth #Police #PTSD #TraumaRecovery #PeerSupport #LawEnforcement #HealingJourney
2 Okt 1h 2min
This Isn't About Suicide; It's About Thriving. My Manifesto for Men.
In this powerful solo episode of 13 Minutes (The Podcast), host B lays his soul bare to reveal the raw, personal mission behind his work with men. He starts with the tragic statistic that gives the podcast its name: every 13 minutes, a man in America takes his own life. For B, this isn't just a number, it's the story of his father, his hero, who he lost to suicide 18 years ago. B shares his unapologetic views on accountability, why he refuses to "whitewash" his father's legacy, and how that loss fueled his life's purpose. He then reveals for the first time his own journey to the brink, standing on the 13th floor of a building in Israel, feeling worth more dead than alive after leaving a successful career as a rabbi. This episode is a manifesto for life. It's about facing the inevitable "shatterings" of life, divorce, disease, death, despairand diving into the darkness to find the sparks of meaning. Learn why men isolate themselves, the difference between "buddies" and "brothers," and how finding your "Why" is the ultimate antidote to despair. This isn't just about surviving; it's a roadmap for thriving. In This Episode, We Discuss:(00:45) The story behind the podcast's name and B's father's suicide.(04:36) Why true friendship for men means dropping the mask and creating a brave space.(07:55) "The Shattering": How all great things, from the Big Bang to personal growth, begin in brokenness.(11:25) Darkness Diving: The Logotherapy practice of finding meaning in life's most difficult moments.(13:21) Reframing midlife challenges, like dropping testosterone, as an opportunity for deeper intimacy.(18:05) The shocking statistic: 80% of all suicides are male—one every 13 minutes.(20:26) B's personal story of almost committing suicide in Israel and the "Why" that kept him alive.(25:08) This isn't a podcast about suicide; it's a podcast about life and why you need "Why Awareness."(30:39) The mission of Men's Peer Groups and how they create a tribe of brothers to hold men accountable. About the Host:The host of the podcast is B HaLevi, a Logotherapist (meaning-centered therapy), men's coach, and co-founder of Men's Peer Groups. Drawing from his personal journey as a third-generation suicide survivor and his professional experience as a former rabbi, B is on a mission to help men discover, articulate, and live their "Why." Learn More About Men's Peer Groups B's Website#MensMentalHealth #FindingYourWhy #SuicidePrevention #Logotherapy #ViktorFrankl #PersonalGrowth #Thriving #Podcast
25 Sep 34min
The Antidote to Being Left Out: How Men's Peer Groups Create Unconditional Support
In this powerful episode of 13 Minutes (The Podcast), B and Dave sit down with Steven Ziegler, a man known as the ultimate connector who builds community wherever he goes. But what drives him? A deep-seated desire to ensure no one ever feels left out—a feeling he knew intimately as a kid. Steve shares his 25-year journey with men's peer groups, which began with the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) in 2000. He reveals how a group that started with a business focus quickly evolved into an essential source of vulnerability, brotherhood, and unconditional support. He found that the draw might be business, but you stay for the vulnerability. Dave, B, and Steve explore:•The hidden loneliness entrepreneurs face and why business talk is just the "velvet curtain."•The pain of losing a close friend who wasn't in a peer group, and the tragic, preventable outcome.•The battle with the inner critic: Why his harshest judge is himself and the difficult work of self-forgiveness.•A deeply moving story about taking his 80-year-old father on a final trip to Europe to heal old wounds and create a lasting legacy. This episode is a testament to why men can't and shouldn't go it alone. It’s a story about evolving as a man, breaking negative patterns, and the profound impact of having a safe place to share your journey. In This Episode, We Discuss:(01:09) Why Steve joined his first peer group 25 years ago (it wasn't for pain).(04:55) The draw was business, but he stayed for the vulnerability.(08:45) Why some men were scared to go deeper and eventually left the group.(11:20) Life without a peer group: "It'd be like going to the gym and just not having a plan."(13:45) Hitting rock bottom after leaving a toxic business partnership.(25:30) Steve's Superpower: The childhood reason he never wants anyone to feel left out.(28:45) The challenge of self-forgiveness and cringing at past parenting mistakes.(36:20) The tragic death of his friend Kurt, and why a peer group could have saved him.(42:23) Steve Ziegler's "Why."(44:12) A final, beautiful trip to Europe with his 80-year-old father. Learn More & Get Involved with Steven:Professional Bio of StevenCompany Website About the Host:The host of the podcast is B HaLevi, a Logotherapist (meaning-centered therapy), men's coach, and co-founder of Men's Peer Groups. Drawing from his personal journey as a third-generation suicide survivor and his professional experience as a former rabbi, B is on a mission to help men discover, articulate, and live their "Why." Learn More About Men's Peer Groups B's Website #MensPeerGroup #Connection #Brotherhood #Vulnerability #Entrepreneurship #MentalHealth #Fatherhood #Legacy
18 Sep 49min
From a 9mm in His Mouth to Saving Veterans' Lives | Deke Letson's Journey
On this episode of 13 Minutes (The Podcast), B and Dave sit down with Army veteran Deke Letson. Waking up in a jail cell after a DUI was just the beginning of his downward spiral. It led to losing his job and a moment of ultimate despair with a 9mm pistol in his mouth. In that darkest moment, the thought of his children became his reason to live. In this raw and powerful conversation, Deke opens up about the invisible wounds of war, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) he didn't know he had, a painful relationship with his alcoholic father, and the crushing loneliness that pushes so many men to the brink. This is a profound story about breaking generational cycles, turning pain into purpose, and the incredible healing power of the outdoors. Deke shares how he went from the edge of suicide to founding Veterans Exploration Therapy (VET), a nonprofit that uses adventure to help veterans and their families reconnect and heal. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt hopeless, struggled to find their purpose, or wants to understand the battle many veterans face after returning home. In This Episode, We Discuss:(0:00) Introduction to Deke Letson's journey.(5:15) The pain of an estranged relationship with an alcoholic father.(8:30) Rock Bottom: The DUI that changed everything.(10:05) The 9mm Moment: Why he chose not to pull the trigger.(18:45) The shocking TBI diagnosis that explained everything.(22:10) How a class project became a life-saving nonprofit: The birth of VET.(29:00) Using adventure therapy to push past fear and build trust.(35:25) His kids saw him at his worst; now they see him as a role model.(40:10) How you can support VET and save lives. Learn More & Support:Support Deke's Mission at VET: https://www.vetxtherapy.org About the Host:The host of the podcast is B HaLevi, a Logotherapist (meaning-centered therapy), men's coach, and co-founder of Men's Peer Groups. Drawing from his personal journey as a third-generation suicide survivor and his professional experience as a former rabbi, B is on a mission to help men discover, articulate, and live their "Why." Learn More About Men's Peer Groups: https://www.menspeergroups.com/ B's Website: bhalevi.com #MensMentalHealth #Veteran #SuicidePrevention #Podcast #Inspiration #FindingYourWhy #PTSD #TBI #RecoveryStory
11 Sep 40min
From Boys' Home to Zadie: A Story of Adoption, Fatherhood, and Generational Healing with Brian Rosen
How do the defining moments of our youth, the ones shaped by absence and adversity, forge the men we become? On this episode of 13 Minutes (The Podcast), B sits down with his "brother outlaw," Brian Rosen, for a profoundly honest conversation about a life journey few could imagine. Brian shares his experience of being sent to a boys' home at age 11, the "father hunger" that shaped his path, and a life-altering choice he made as a high school senior that remained a private part of his story for years. This is a raw and vulnerable exploration of generational healing, the power of adoption, and what it means to take responsibility for your past in order to build a better future. It’s a story about how a man can transform his own wounds into a source of strength for his children—and his children's children—by showing up in a way he never experienced himself. This episode is a testament to the fact that our past does not have to define our future, and that the hardest choices can lead to the most beautiful outcomes. Key topics explored in this discussion include:-Life in a Boys' Home: The jarring reality of being parent-placed in an institution at a young age.-Healing "Father Hunger": Navigating a distant relationship with his biological father and finding other male role models.-A Teenager's Choice: The incredible story of choosing adoption for his birth daughter and the astonishing, "small world" connection to his past.-From Relinquishment to Reunion: The emotional journey of handing his daughter over and reconnecting with her 13 years later.-Becoming a "Zadie": How a teenage decision led to him becoming a young grandfather and embracing a new family role.-Generational Healing in Action: Consciously parenting his two sons in the way he wished he had been.-The Power of a Peer Group: Why having a safe, intimate space with other men is an essential tool for modern masculinity. Our guest, Brian Rosen, shares his personal story of resilience, fatherhood, and the beautiful, unexpected turns on the path to finding his why. 🔔 Stay Connected:Follow us on InstagramJoin our Facebook community  #AdoptionStory #GenerationalHealing #Fatherhood #MensWork #Resilience #MentalHealth #PeerSupport #FindYourWhy #PersonalStory #Masculinity
28 Aug 52min
Shining the Light: From a Warrior's Anger to a Life of Sacred Purpose with Phil Owens
What lies beneath a man's anger? And what happens when he finally finds a safe space to let it go—not just for a moment, but for good? In this powerful episode of 13 Minutes (The Podcast) with B, we’re joined by men’s coach and guide Phil Owens. Phil shares his incredible journey from a childhood in a religious cult and tumultuous military service—experiences that taught him to suppress his emotions—to a life dedicated to helping other men find their sacred purpose. This conversation dives deep into the complex relationship men have with anger, the transformative potential of intentional plant medicine ceremonies, and the irreplaceable role of community in healing ancestral trauma. Phil explains how a painful childhood memory of "holding the light" for his father became the central metaphor for his life's work, guiding others through their darkest moments. This episode is for any man who feels stuck carrying the weight of the past, and for anyone curious about the powerful synergy between men's peer groups and altered states of consciousness for profound personal growth. Key topics explored in this discussion include:-The Warrior & The Lover: Finding the balance between the masculine and feminine energies within.-Reframing Trauma: How to change your relationship with past pain rather than trying to eliminate it.-A New Use for Anger: Moving beyond anger as a default reaction to using it as a deliberate tool when necessary.-From Competition to Connection: The unique healing power of men’s peer groups.-Intentional Plant Medicine: The role of MDMA, psilocybin, and 5-MeO-DMT in a ceremonial group setting.-The Power of ""Letting Go"": How being supported by a community allows for deeper release and healing.-Finding Your ""Why"": Discovering the inner light that provides the strength to endure any challenge. Connect with our guest, Phil Owens, a guide who facilitates men's work, individual coaching, and altered states retreats. Follow Phil on Facebook🔔 Stay Connected:Follow us on InstagramJoin our Facebook community #MensWork #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealth #AngerManagement #PlantMedicine #Psychedelics #PeerSupport #FindYourWhy #Veterans #SpiritualGrowth
21 Aug 46min
The Spouse's Perspective: Rebecca Rosen on Vulnerability, Boundaries, and the Evolution of Men
What happens when a man commits to the deep, vulnerable work of personal growth? And what does that look like from the other side of the relationship?In this episode of 13 Minutes (The Podcast) with B and Dave, we’re joined by spiritual medium Rebecca Rosen, who offers a rare and insightful perspective as the wife of a Man Uprising participant.Rebecca Rosen, who will share the profound transformation she has witnessed in her husband, moving beyond the societal expectation for men to be stoic and self-reliant. This conversation explores why it's not only healthy but essential for men to have a sacred, confidential space to connect with other men—and how that commitment can be one of the greatest gifts to their marriage. It’s an honest look at the shift from ""head to heart,"" the power of being truly seen, and how one person's growth can elevate an entire relationship.This episode is for any partner who is curious about the inner world of the men in their lives and for any man considering a path of deeper self-awareness and connection.Key topics explored in this discussion include:-Why men need men: The unique and irreplaceable value of same-sex peer groups.-The energetic gift of boundaries: How a man processing challenges in a peer group first can relieve the burden on his partner.-From knowing to feeling: The crucial difference between intellectually understanding concepts and embodying them from the heart.-Breaking the shame cycle: How non-judgmental spaces allow men to articulate feelings they would otherwise internalize.-The evolution in parenting and partnership: Specific examples of how this work translates into deeper presence and authenticity.-Reframing ""Man Uprising"": Moving beyond fear and toward mutual growth.-The sacredness of confidentiality and why ""no pillow talk"" is a cornerstone of a successful peer group.Connect with our guest, Rebecca Rosen:Website:https://www.rebeccarosen.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mediumrebeccarosen/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mediumrebeccarosen/Podcast: Small Medium at Large-------------------------------------------------------------------------🔔 Stay Connected:Follow us on InstagramJoin our Facebook community #Enneagram #EnneagramType #EnneagramTest #Man #Men #DefiantSpirit #DrBaruchHaLevi #Communication #PersonalDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #SpiritualGrowth
14 Aug 42min
