Here and There with Twin Cities Men

Thomas R. Smith has donated a copy of his book of poems, Medicine Year, to the Men’s Center library “with best regards”. In its 133 pages we find between 5 to 7 poems about health and being alive for each month of the year 2020 including the last week of 2019 and the first week of 2021, attuned to nature and significant events. – Thomas R. Smith, 2025-12-01.

Rich Tosi, one of the three men who started the New Warrior Adventure Training and New Warrior Network (later: ManKind Project) in Milwaukee in 1985, has written a book entitled Seeing the Beauty in the Hearts of Men — How My Wounds Became My Gift which appeared in September, 2025 for the 40th anniversary of what evolved to become ManKind Project USA: <https://mkpusa.org> and Worldwide <https://mankindproject.org>. – Rick Gravrok, 2025-12-13.

“Thanks so much, Tom [Maher]! This [Anger Management] class has been amazingly beneficial for our whole family. Thanks for doing such great work to help the community!” – Nicole Brilakis, 2025-12-11.

Beyond Anger: Reclaim Your Spirit!  In-person course. Winter Semester. The ultimate course for emotional healing skills and support. Monday nights, adults of all genders are welcome. February 9 - March 23. 7 Mondays, 6-8PM.  Mendota Heights. Register at: www.warriorvox.com – Dan Gorbunow, 2025-12-22.

Len Felder, PhD licensed psychologist of Los Angeles, CA whose practice has centered on how to help men open up to be more compassionate and mindful in their delicate relationships and high-stress workplaces. His new book: When a Good Man Cares Enough to Change Something Crucial. He describes it as “a non-shaming book about moment-to-moment mindfulness that a man can read without feeling attacked or insulted.” Available from Barnes&Noble or Amazon. – Len Felder, 2026-01-01

Scott Lewis of ManKind Project Minnesota has Open Men’s Groups & NWTAs for 2026:
We are looking for men to attend our Open Men's Group that meets on Sundays in St Paul. 
Regular facilitators will model being authentic and vulnerable for the men who are new to men's work. Other men already in our community are welcome to show up and be yourself. 
RSVP to attend through our Meetup group at <https://www.meetup.com/mkpmplsstp/>.

Open Men’s Groups
Day & Time: Every Sunday, 6:30-8:30 PM
Location: North Star Mini Storage, 2356 University Ave W, St Paul, MN
Use the entrance on the east side of the building (not the glass door entrances): the solid door to the right of the garage door. There will be a man waiting there to let you into the building.

2026 ManKind Project Minnesota (Central Plains) Weekends
Spring: ManKind Project Minnesota is enrolling men for the next Central Plains New Warrior Adventure Training, in Melcher-Dallas, Iowa, outdoors the weekend of May 29-31, 2026 (Friday-Sunday, meals and lodging included). Cost is $695 before May 15.
Fall: Central Plains New Warrior Adventure Training, in Redwing, MN, outdoors the weekend of September 25-27, 2026 (Friday-Sunday, meals and lodging included).

Call or text me at 651-442-9181. – Scott Lewis MKP Central Plains Enrollment Coordinator, 2026-01-09.

Jed Diamond’s weekly MENALIVE online newsletter has posted a multi-part article:
The Evolution of Sex, part 1: What Boys and Men Need to Survive and Thrive “After more than eighty years of life and sixty years as a healthcare provider, I believe our major problem is our mistaken belief that we are separate from nature and the community of life on planet Earth. In many ways our modern life is an illusion of separation, an illusion that is causing boys and men and all humanity to suffer and sicken. It is time we woke up and embraced the truth.”
https://menalive.com/the-evolution-of-sex-what-boys-and-men-need-to-survive-and-thrive/

The Evolution of Sex, part 2: The Biology of Maleness “The admonition to “know thyself” is a philosophical Delphic-maxim which was inscribed upon the Temple of Apollo in the ancient Greek precinct of Delphi. Understanding the biological roots of maleness is a key to knowing the essence of who we are as males and being guided by that wisdom.

To make sense of our biology, we have to understand something about how life evolves. Theodosius Dobzhansky was a prominent Ukrainian-American geneticist and evolutionary biologist, and a central figure in the field of evolutionary biology for his work in shaping the modern synthesis.”
https://menalive.com/the-evolution-of-sex-part-2-the-biology-of-maleness/
– Jed Diamond, 2025-12-07 and 2025-12-14.