If you have ever felt like you are doing everything and still wondering whether you are enough, this episode is for you. I sat down with Joshua Fineman, founder of Mensch, a men’s community that helps guys show up more fully for themselves, their families, and the world around them. We talked about burnout, identity, fatherhood, and the simple practices that pull you out of pressure and back into presence.
Meet Joshua: From Achievement to Alignment
Joshua’s path ran through finance and a successful creative agency before a personal breaking point forced a reset. After his mother survived a horrific car crash, he realized work still dominated his headspace. His wife’s honest prompt — “you need help” — became a turning point. That moment set him on a path toward men’s work, coaching, and eventually building Mensch, where integrity, connection, and real conversation are the core.
“I was repeating the same pattern. One foot on the accelerator, the other on the brake. The brake was fear of not being enough.”
What Is Mensch?
Mensch is a community for men who want to live with more integrity, presence, and connection. It is not about perfect performance or a bigger highlight reel. It is about showing up as you are and doing the work together.
Mensch Mornings capture the vibe:
- Drop the kids at school
- Gentle yoga to arrive in your body
- Cold swim and sauna to reset your nervous system
- Coffee in a circle where each man gets five minutes to share
- Back to work and family with more energy and clarity
It is small by design. Some weeks it is two guys. Other weeks it is a dozen. Growth matters less than depth.
The Patterns Men Bring
Across backgrounds and careers, similar themes keep showing up:
- Purpose: “I feel lost. What am I building toward now?”
- Relationships: Tension between being present at home and producing at work
- Worth: A quiet, constant hum of “not enough”
Joshua’s take is simple and practical. The problem is rarely the problem. If you woke up grounded and resourced, you would meet the same issue differently. The work is learning to meet yourself first.
Presence Over Pressure
Joshua now structures his days around presence instead of pressure:
- Early mornings without the phone
- Regular exercise
- Weekly cold swims with the community
- Consistent in-person connection that helps him hear himself again
None of this requires a dramatic life overhaul. It does require intention and consistency.
A Simple Inner Practice That Helps
During the episode, we talked about a short forgiveness practice popularized as the Ho’oponopono prayer. It can help you shift long-held feelings of blame, shame, or “not enough.”
Repeat slowly, speaking to the younger part of you that still feels the sting:
I am sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.
I love you.
You can even place a hand by your side and imagine holding your younger self’s hand. This small act softens the nervous system and makes the next right action easier to see.
First Steps If You Feel Burned Out or Disconnected
- Notice your resistance
Fear and self-judgment often show up right before a meaningful change. Treat those signals as signs you are near the edge that matters. - Start smaller than you think
Do not hunt for the perfect solution. Take the smallest step that gives you energy. A local group. A short call. A weekly practice you will actually keep. - Choose people who lift you
In the beginning, pick environments that leave you lighter and more hopeful. Stretch work can come later.
Favorite Moments From The Conversation
- On redefining success: “As long as I am growing through the process, that is more important than chasing numbers.”
- On men’s groups: “Real strength is connection, not isolation.”
- On integrity: “Mensch means a person of integrity. There is no bypass. Take your time. Do it honestly.”
Episode Highlights and Timestamps
- 00:49 Joshua’s Friday ritual and why ritual matters
- 05:45 Why Mensch stays intentionally intimate
- 10:20 Leaving the agency world and repeating old patterns
- 12:51 The moment his wife said “you need help”
- 21:05 Tracing “not enough” back to childhood
- 31:30 A practical forgiveness practice you can use today
- 38:08 First steps for men who feel overwhelmed
Connect With Joshua
- Website:
- LinkedIn: Joshua Fineman
He offers a no-pressure 30-minute call to help you explore the right next step, even if that step is with someone else.
Final Word
You do not have to carry it all alone. Start small. Choose presence over pressure. Find your people and keep showing up. That is the work. And it is worth it.
