Are you looking for the 2025 Restorative Manhood Digital Summit, where we interviewed experts, including scientists, psychologists, spiritual leaders, and more?
Bad news: the Summit is over.
Good news: All of that content is now available in our online community, the Grove Collective. It isn’t free, but we’ve kept it super affordable, at just $5/month. And not only do you get lifetime access to the Summit interviews, you also get access to all of our e-courses and archives, including the Restorative Man Pathway, our No-Regrets Fathering series, and more. You also get to join live gatherings, engage in our private forums, and find your tribe of like-minded men.
You want to be a strong, loving, dependable man—faithful to your calling as a husband, father, and friend. But let’s be honest: for most of us, the path forward isn’t clear.
Culture is loud with extremes—hypermasculinity that crushes vulnerability, or a disconnected model of manhood that denies strength and risk. Too often, the messages we receive—from society, and sometimes even from the church—leave men with silence, shame, or shallow answers. And for many of us, no father, mentor, or guide ever walked us through what it really means to be a man.
Manhood feels muddy.
That’s why we created thE restorative manhood digital summit.
To offer men something more than hype, shame, or silence.
You’ll hear honest, story-rich conversations with therapists, pastors, scientists, artists, adventurers, and sages.
The kind of guidance that doesn’t lecture—but walks with you.
The kind of wisdom you wish your dad had offered.
It’s a space to rediscover a hopeful, grounded vision of masculinity—and the man you were created to be.
Meet some of our Guest speakers!
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Curt Thompson, MD
is a psychiatrist and author who integrates interpersonal neurobiology with a Christian vision of wholeness, helping people tell their stories more truly so they can experience deeper connection, healing, and the joy of being fully known.
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Dr. Mark Batterson
serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC. Mark holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times bestselling author of 24 books.
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Dr. Dan Allender
is a pioneering therapist, author, and professor. He is the co-founder of The Allender Center and The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, and the author of The Wounded Heart, To Be Told, and Redeeming Heartache, among other works.
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Jon Tyson
is a New York City based Pastor and Author of the best selling books Fighting Shadows, The Intentional Father, and Beautiful Resistance.
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Pablo Ceron
is the Founder of WILDSONS, a movement helping men recover their wild hearts and become the husbands, fathers, and leaders they were created to be.
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Cathy Loerzel, MA
is the co-founder of the Allender Center, a story work coach, speaker, and co-author of Redeeming Heartache with Dr. Dan Allender.
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Col. Jason Constantine
is a U.S. Air Force officer and former fighter pilot with experience in several overseas operations. He also serves on the board of Restoration Project, and is a dedicated husband and father of 3.
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Taylor Calmus (Dude Dad)
is a viral YouTube creator who makes hilarious and poigniant videos that tap into the relatability of parenthood.
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Dr. Paul Sharp
is a Senior Lecturer at UNSW whose research focuses on how sociocultural and gender factors influence men’s health, with a focus on mental well-being, social connection, and peer support.
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Sam Eldredge
co-founded And Sons, a podcast and magazine for young men & co-authored Killing Lions. Sam is the founder of Noble Workshops - a retreat based in Colorado helping men & women go deeper into healing.
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Sam Jolman, MA, LPC
is a trauma therapist with over twenty years of experience specializing in men’s issues, and author of The Sex Talk You Never Got
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Chris Bruno, LPC
is the founder of ReStory Counseling, co-founder of Restoration Project, and author of Sage, Man Maker Project, and Brotherhood Primer. He has decades of experience in helping men rediscover who they were made to be.
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Dr. Angie Cameron Schultz
is a Professor of Sociology and Executive Director of the Social Research Lab at the University of Northern Colorado, where she leads national research on sex trafficking and exploitation. She has presented her findings at the United Nations, and serves on the National Advisory Committee on Trafficking of Children and Youth.
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Jeff Zaugg
is the founder and lead cheerleader at DadAwesome, a movement dedicated to activating dads to lead with wonder. He is also host of the DadAwesome podcast.
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John Ortberg
is a pastor, author, and speaker. He’s been in ministry for over 40 years and teaches around a central theme of spiritual formation.
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Darron HIlaire
Darron Hilaire Jr. is an Afro-Caribbean storyteller, writer, speaker, consultant, and men’s recovery coach from Turks and Caicos and is the author of Fatherfullness: Redeeming the Fatherless Heart.
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Ben Bennett
is an Author, Speaker, and the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Resolution Movement–a trauma-informed movement for mental health, healing, and sexual wholeness anchored in the bible and neuroscience.
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Alan Briggs
is the author of Antiburnout, and a leadership guide who helps catalytic leaders navigate pivotal moments and build lasting impact through coaching, training, and connection.
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Dr Andrew Bauman
is a psychotherapist and author of SAFE CHURCH (2025), leads the Christian Counseling Center for Sexual Health & Trauma and specializes in addressing sexism and abuse in the Church.
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Tracy Johnson
Tracy Johnson is a storywork coach and supervisor for ReStory Counseling, and founder of Red Tent Living.
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Chuck Degroat
is a therapist, consultant, and renown author, who serves as Professor of Counseling and Christian Spirituality and Executive Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Western Theological Seminary Holland MI.
What is a Restorative Man?
A restorative man is a man who gives life—
not just to his kids, but to his community, his marriage, his work, his friends.
He is a son, receiving identity.
A brother, offering strength.
A father, blessing with intention.
He doesn’t perform masculinity—he embodies it.
This summit is an invitation to become that kind of man.
Day 1:
Legacy Starts at Home
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Jon Tyson names the modern lie that men aren’t needed and calls fathers—and fathers-at-heart—to intentionally guide boys into manhood through rites of passage, mentorship, and spiritual formation. Rooted in beauty and awe, his vision moves from personal revival to community impact, inviting men to show up with purpose, courage, and a renewed sense of calling.
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Fatherhood is restoration in motion: vision, wonder, and intentionality shaping the next generation. Jeff Zaugg shares how to break generational cycles, cultivate soft-but-strong masculinity, and build brotherhood that supports dads. Men will be encouraged to lead with presence, delight, and daily decisions that build a legacy.
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Chris Bruno joins Jesse French to unpack what it means to be a restorative father—both in the lives of our children and within ourselves. He explores the reality of “father hunger,” how unmet emotional needs can leave lasting wounds, and why healing your own story is essential before you can father well. This conversation dives into the difference between external provision and internal presence, the power of intentional father-child experiences, and how men can bring the fathering heart of God into the world. It’s a call for fathers to lead with delight, blessing, and wholehearted presence.
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Manhood is often forged—or fractured—through the mother–son relationship. Tracy Johnson explores differentiation, unspoken wounds, and how maternal dynamics ripple into marriage, fatherhood, and identity. This conversation offers men a path to name their story, heal well, and love their families with greater strength and tenderness.
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Creative dreams, real fatherhood, and male friendship collide in an honest look at modern dad life. Taylor Calmus talks vulnerability, redefining success, and building a lifestyle that prioritizes presence at home. Men will walk away with permission to be curious, connected, and fully engaged as fathers.
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Sam Eldredge reflects on the transition from boyhood to manhood, highlighting the importance of initiation, father-son connection, and intentional guidance. Through stories and practical wisdom, he shares how fathers can help their sons discover identity, resilience, and purpose in a world that offers confusing messages about masculinity. This is an encouraging and challenging conversation for any man raising boys—or seeking to heal the boy within himself.
Day 2: Stronger Together
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Psychiatrist and author Curt Thompson unpacks how shame isolates us—and how authentic connection can heal and transform the way men see themselves and each other.
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Ben explains how hidden wounds harden into false beliefs that drive compulsive behaviors—and how Scripture, neuroscience, and brotherhood can interrupt the cycle. Expect clear language, hopeful practices, and next steps to move from secrecy to being known.
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In this powerful conversation, Pablo Ceron unpacks the deep wounds of fatherlessness and the cultural confusion surrounding masculinity. Drawing from his work with Wild Sons and his own story, Pablo reveals how emotional health, rites of passage, and the embrace of God as a true Father can transform a man’s identity. This is an invitation for men to grieve what was lost, reclaim their role as beloved sons, and walk with strength, humility, and purpose.
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Pace, work, and rest are spiritual issues that shape a man’s identity. Alan Briggs offers practical rhythms to resist adrenaline, choose delight over duty, and live beyond productivity as a measure of worth. It’s a blueprint for sustainable impact and wholehearted presence at home and at work.
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In this conversation, Colonel Jay Constantine—a former Air Force fighter pilot and current Pentagon leader—explores what it means to lead with courage and humility in both the cockpit and at home. From managing fear in high-stakes missions to leaning on prayer, brotherhood, and faith, Jay shares how true legacy is built not through career achievements but through presence with family and community.
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Dr. Paul Sharp shares groundbreaking research on men’s health, revealing why social connection and emotional openness are essential for male well-being. He and Cody Buriff discuss the silent epidemic of loneliness, how generational beliefs about masculinity shape men’s willingness to open up, and practical ways to cultivate meaningful male friendships. The conversation challenges men to move beyond surface-level bonds toward deeper brotherhood that fuels mental, emotional, and physical health.
Day 3: discovering Who We Are
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In this conversation, best selling author Pastor Mark Batterson unpacks what it means to embody restorative manhood through faith, presence, and leadership. He explores how a bigger view of God fuels courage, why being a “student of your kids” matters, and how non-anxious curiosity, counseling, and vulnerability can redefine success as respect from those who know you best.
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In a bold and deeply thoughtful conversation, Chris Bruno explores the theology of the penis—not as a crude topic, but as a sacred reflection of God’s design for men. He unpacks how physical anatomy reveals truths about identity, relationship, and mission, and why reclaiming the goodness of our bodies is essential for a healthy masculinity. This episode will challenge and inspire men to see themselves in a new, redemptive light.
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Cathy Loerzel reveals how engaging the deep stories of our lives—especially the painful ones—can lead to profound restoration. She shows how cultural blocks keep men from emotions, how unengaged stories leak into life, and how parents can model healing. This conversation invites men to face their past so they can lead their families into a better future.
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Masculine sexuality needs more than behavior management; it needs formation, meaning, and the heart of a lover. Sam Jolman tackles shame, distorted scripts, and the poetics of sex that center emotional connection and beauty. Men will discover a vision of holy desire that restores intimacy and dignity.
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Counselor-theologian Chuck DeGroat joins Greg Ehlert to unpack restorative manhood through authenticity, attachment, and emotionally honest community—naming how shame, anxiety, and old stories keep men hiding. With practical grounding practices and a compassionate path forward, this conversation shows men how vulnerability heals, relationships deepen, and purpose reemerges beyond performance.
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DJ Hilaire unpacks how fatherlessness shapes—but doesn’t have to define—a man’s identity. Drawing from DJ’s Fatherfullness journey, they explore how community, mentorship, and cross-cultural friendship reveal the Father’s heart and call men into action—“father” as a verb. Expect a hopeful path toward restorative manhood marked by belonging, purpose, and unity.
Day 4: Restoring the Whole Man
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Your story—its harm, hope, and heartache—shapes your masculinity. Dr. Dan Allender explores strength and weakness, the courage to face futility, and the artistry of living as a man in relationship. This is a hopeful call to engage your story with kindness and creativity so who you’re becoming matters more than what you do.
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This conversation reframes restorative manhood around spiritual growth, community, and honest vulnerability. John Ortberg and Greg Ehlert unpack unlearning performative spiritual practices, embracing transforming disciplines, and building friendships that tell the truth. It’s an invitation for men to move out of isolation into hope-filled community that actually forms character.
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Within church culture, masculinity can carry hidden trauma, sexism, and shame—often reinforced by purity narratives. Dr. Andrew Bauman names these realities, defines what a safe man is, and outlines honest accountability that leads to change. Men will find a courageous way forward: doing their own work, telling the truth, and healing what harms.
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In this conversation, researcher and professor Dr. Angie Cameron-Schultz unpacks the links between masculinity, shame, and the demand side of sex trafficking. She explores how curiosity, vulnerability, and authentic community can help men break cycles of unhealthy intimacy and step into restorative manhood.
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Chris Bruno unpacks the Sage stage of manhood, offering a roadmap for men in the later chapters of life. He explores how wisdom is cultivated through decades of lived experience, how men can transition from achievement-driven living to legacy-focused influence, and why the Sage years hold unique power for shaping future generations. Mid-life doesn’t have to be a crisis. This conversation equips men to embrace their role as guides and truth-tellers while continuing to grow in depth, humility, and purpose.
and Join us every evening for a LIVE daily debrief, hosted by Chris Bruno.
Is this you?
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You’re doing your best to be a good dad—but if you're honest, you often feel emotionally distant or unsure if it’s making a difference. You want to be more than just present—you want to connect.
The Restorative Manhood Digital Summit helps men become intentional, grounded fathers who lead with strength, love, and clarity.
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You’ve hit a point where you're not sure who you’re supposed to be anymore. The old rules don’t work. You’re tired of pretending, performing, or guessing.
The Restorative Manhood Digital Summit helps you rediscover your identity and purpose—not by pushing harder, but by coming home to who you really are. -
You have people around you—but no one who really knows you. Most conversations stay shallow. You miss having real, honest friendships with other men.
The Restorative Manhood Digital Summit creates space for men to build real brotherhood—the kind of friendships that challenge, support, and sharpen you. -
Maybe you’ve been told you’re too much—or not enough. You're confused about what it actually means to be a man today, and you’re not alone.
The Restorative Manhood Digital Summit offers a better vision of masculinity—one that’s strong, grounded, and deeply good.
What to expect at the Restorative Manhood Digital summit:
Daily Sessions Delivered to Your Inbox
Each morning during the summit, you’ll get an email with that day’s speakers and stories—honest conversations, deep wisdom, and practical insight. Your free pass gives you 24-hour access to the video and audio versions of that day’s sessions, so you can engage at your own pace.
Join Us from Wherever You Are
The Restorative Manhood Digital Summit runs September 25-28th, with new sessions released each day. It’s a fully online event, so you can engage from home, the office, or wherever you find space to slow down and tune in on your schedule!
Resources to Go Deeper
Many of our speakers are offering free tools, guides, and gifts alongside their sessions—practical resources to help you take what you’re learning and live it out with greater clarity, courage, and purpose.
Did we mention its FREE?!
Yes. Seriously. Free.
Want access to the Restorative Manhood Digital Summit interviews afterwards? They will be accessible inside the Grove Collective.
Join The Grove Collective: Lifetime Access + So Much More
Want to go deeper than the Summit? With a low-cost membership to The Grove Collective—Restoration Project’s private online community—you’ll unlock lifetime access to all Restorative Manhood Summit sessions, plus a growing library of resources to support your journey.
Inside the Grove Collective, you’ll gain access to:
All of our online courses and interviews
The full No Regrets Fathering 13-module experience
The Restorative Manhood Pathway mini-course
Downloadable PDFs, tools, and resources
Live virtual gatherings with our team and community
A private forum for real connection with other men walking the same path
As a member, you’ll also get early access to register for Restoration Project’s in-person experiences and expeditions—which often sell out fast.
This isn’t just content—it’s a place for honest conversation, shared growth, and long-term brotherhood. And for just $5/month, it’s accessible for every man.
You’re not alone.
You’re not disqualified.
You’re not too late.
Come eavesdrop on the conversation your soul has been longing to hear.
“I want to be a good man, a faithful husband, a present father—but no one ever showed me how. I’m tired of pretending I’ve got it figured out. Manhood feels muddy. I don’t need hype or shame. I need a guide.”
That’s the voice we hear from men again and again—and it’s why we’re hosting the Restorative Manhood Summit.
Frequently asked questions
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The Restorative Manhood Digital Summit is a virtual-only event.
Sign up now, put the dates on your calendar, and then engage from the comfort of your office, man cave, or wherever works for you!
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We will send you a daily email during the Restorative Manhood Digital Summit at 7:00am EST with the video sessions for that day. You can watch on your device's Internet browser on your time.
Important: remember that access to each day’s content will expire after 24 hours, after which it can be accessed inside the Grove Collective.
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Yes! It is really free!
But your access is limited to 24 hours for each day’s content.
If you’d like more time to watch and digest the recordings, you’ll be able to find those (and WAY more resources, e-courses, forums, etc) in the Grove Collective, Restoration Project’s online community.
It sounds like it should be expensive, but we are keeping it super affordable! For just $5/month (or $50/year), you can have full access to the Grove Collective.
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Each day of the Restorative Manhood Digital Summit, you will receive an email with a link to a webpage hosting all of the interviews.
If you have schedule conflicts, or just want the convenience of watching the sessions later, you can get full access to all of the content plus SO much more with a membership to the Grove Collective (just $5/month!)
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Restoration Project is a non-denominational Christian ministry focused on helping men discover and recover the glory of who they were made to be.
Read more here.
The Restorative Manhood Digital Summit will host many voices, and we do not pretend to align with all of them on everything they say, have ever said, or ever will say, and likely nor will you. We hope to host a diverse and lineup of voices and perspectives to help us all think critically, ask good questions, and move towards the men we were made to be.