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MenLiving Facilitators

Each MenLiving Facilitator brings unique life experiences and expertise to their role creating a diverse and rich learning experience within the MenLiving community. Explore our Facilitators’ profiles below.

Todd Adams MenLiving Member

Executive Director

Todd Adams

Email: todd@menliving.org
Phone: 773-251-6344

Todd is the Co-founder and Executive Director of MenLiving and is the host of Zen Parenting Radio, a top-ten kids and family podcast on iTunes.

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Biography

Todd is a life and leadership coach for men and is certified through 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, Tony Robbins Core 100 Life Coaching Program, and certified instructor for the Institute of Heartmath. Todd is a member of The Mankind Project, a staff member for the New Warrior Training Adventure, and a blogger for The Good Men Project. Todd is married to Cathy and are the parents of three wonderful daughters.

Zen Parenting- https://zenparentingradio.com/

Todd Adams Coaching- https://toddadamscoaching.com/

Andre Bouey

Andre is school counselor for Joliet Central High School. He received his bachelor degree from North Central College and his Master’s degree from Lewis University.
Phone: 312-925-9935

Dan Bulf

Email: danbulf@me.com
Phone: 773-251-6344

Dan is an expert facilitator and awareness generator.  He’s dedicated to raising consciousness and action in people’s lives by creating meaningful experiences focused on self-discovery and connection. His core areas of exploration include death and dying, fatherhood and masculinity. His passion fires up through yoga both as a Registered Yoga Teacher and practitioner. Dan is at his best when he brings play and tenderness into tough conversations.

Board Member

Michael Eatmon

Email: michael@menliving.org
Phone: 312-925-9935

The journey I’m on is that of the alchemist. I’m not interested in transforming iron into gold, though, nor am I searching for a fountain of youth. What compels my quest is the alchemy of the soul. How might a man’s baser elements be transformed into a nobler essence? What are the philosopher’s stones that can help him achieve so great a work? One of them, I’m convinced, is true friendship—a substance I’ve found in MenLiving.

Phone: 312-925-9935

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Biography

Michael’s a career educator. For 30 years, he’s studied and taught language, philosophy, and theology. He’s taught high-schoolers and grad students, but he’s just as comfortable on the other side of the teacher’s desk. He’s a lifelong learner who never tires of meeting new subjects, new people, and new experiences.

Michael invests a lot of time in developing curriculum and training teachers. What feeds his embodied soul, though, are art, music, poetry, yoga, and the warmth of close friends. He and his wife of 30 years live in central Florida, where they’ve raised four children.

Shaun Emerson MenLiving Stakeholder

Board President

Shaun Emerson

Email: Shaun@menliving.org
Phone: 312-925-9935

For the last 30 years, I have engaged individuals in personal and professional development. My approach? I listen and am curious. I ask lots of questions. I will suggest ideas and practices and help you maneuver through this work, but I am just the guide.

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Biography

Shaun grew up in New England and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross. He has been in the Chicago area since 1986. He is a father of three and has been married to his wife, Lisa, since 1993.

For over twenty-five years, Shaun was engaged in a variety of corporate and entrepreneurial businesses.  He now dedicates his time to non-profit initiatives serving in board leadership and volunteer positions for multiple organizations. Shaun currently serves as the MenLiving’s Board President, Board Vice President for the PiEproject and Treasurer for Learning to Be Human.

In 2012, Shaun was introduced to the transformational practice of yoga. Moved by the philosophy and the power of the practice, Shaun trained to guide others and has been leading yoga and meditation classes since 2014.

Edward Gudas

Email: edward@menliving.org
Phone: 312-925-9935

Edward grew up in the northern suburbs 40 minutes outside of Chicago.  He is married and has 2 teenage daughters.  He enjoys being in the mountains or lost on a lake in Quetico Provincial Park.

MenLiving gives him the space to be authentic and be around guys that are looking to get real by going deeper into conversations.  If you ask him how he is doing, he won’t give you the canned “I’m good, how are you” answer.  You can expect a 1-3 minute answer explaining what is happening in his life.  In turn, he expects the same from you.  Facilitating allows Edward to create a space for men to feel comfortable to share what is really on their minds.  When we start to reveal, we start to feel.

Phone: 312-925-9935

Bill Hattendorf

Email: bill@menliving.org
Phone: 312-925-9935

Bill grew up in the northwest Chicago suburbs, did college and law school in Georgia, and has lived in New England for the last three dozen years. Married with three kids and four grandkids (so far). His personal development journey began with service in Vietnam, and he’s still looking for some of the answers to life’s persistent questions. Facilitating fraternal, veteran, and spirituality groups for four decades has helped him with his own work, and MenLiving was the piece he needed to bring it all together.

He joined MenLiving [The Tribe then] as Covid began, seeking new connections when other friend groups became unavailable. He got hooked and created new bonds of friendship with men around the world. Bill feels privileged to help other men connect, support, and have a space to feel seen and heard.
Phone: 312-925-9935

Jim Herbert

Email: Jim@menliving.org 

Phone: 312-925-9935

Jim is passionate about life and he explores his individual hero’s journey with curiosity and zeal. Jim is a father, husband, yogi, mystic, storyteller, author, coach, teacher and student who sees himself as a spiritual being having an amazing human experience.

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Biography

Jim is the founder and director of The MindSmith Academy, a platform for mindset work, mindfulness training and self-development. Over the years Jim has had the benefit of working with countless teachers and mentors that have helped him synthesize his own signature brand of teaching. Jim’s method of doing the work is highly spiritual in nature, but it is not tied to any one specific spiritual tradition.

With three decades of experience teaching yoga, martial arts and meditation, Jim brings mindfulness into every aspect of the journey of life. One of his particular focuses is on helping people discover which mindfulness tools best suit them in finding more peace within their everyday lives.

Over the last decade, Jim has directed much of his focus into helping men find the support they need as they learn to embrace their emotions and lean into life further by being vulnerable and asking for help. Jim is actively involved in a number of impactful men’s organizations including MenLiving, The Water of Life Men’s Community and Path to Spirit Warrior training weekends.

In addition to running the MindSmith Academy programs, Jim does one-on-one and group coaching. Jim is a highly regarded speaker and storyteller who has competed in and won numerous Toastmasters competitions and he is a regular participant at The Moth storytelling events. Jim creates custom mindfulness programs for individuals, businesses and social organizations. He is the co-host of the It’s About life podcast and in recent years, Jim has added
ancestor and angel oracle work such as readings and house blessings to his toolkit.

Jim splits his time between Chicago, Illinois and New Buffalo, Michigan with his Divine wife Christiana and his Magical daughter Emma. In addition to yoga and martial arts, Jim is passionate about all aspects of physical, emotional and spiritual fitness. He is an avid cook, a lover of all things nature and is at his most peaceful state when he is in or near water. Plunge!

Dan Kemp

Email: dkdankemp@gmail.com
Phone: 312-925-9935

Dan is a Dad, an entrepreneur, innovative educator, business owner, and is also proud to be a MenLiving facilitator.  Dan found Men Living several years ago; he is a strong believer and fierce advocate of a “learning life”.  I have witnessed firsthand the power of the self, of others, of the journey, and of having a space where one is heard, and attempted to be understood.  I have so often seen this lead to a depth of knowledge earned through these opportunities.  I am dedicated to doing my best to continue learning and supporting other men in those efforts as well.

Martin McLeish

Email: africanexpat@westnet.com.au
Phone: 312-925-9935

Martin has been doing focused personal growth work for a long time now. He is big advocate of, among other things, breath work and lovingkindness meditation. Grateful for the support he has received from MenLiving, he is thrilled to give back and share his experiences with the other men in our spaces.  

Phone: 312-925-9935

Kyle Mitchell

Email: mitchekr136@gmail.com
Phone: 312-925-9935

As a facilitator I am eager to grow and learn alongside anyone seeking to be the best version of themselves.  MenLiving has been a safe space for me to take off my mask, step into my vulnerability, and take ownership of my feelings and actions.  This is the same type of space I will aim to create in the meetings that I lead.

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Biography

Kyle is a father of two children and has been married since 2009.  Prior to the pandemic, he was on the verge of losing his family due to his victim mindset and inability to take ownership of his own feelings.  Meditation practice, self compassion, devotion to personal growth (both cognitive and real life application), and friendship/connection through MenLiving has given him a new outlook on life.

Board Member

Tony Molina

I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect with other men and engage in meaningful conversations on a regular basis.  There was a time when my normal way of dealing with pain and struggle was to stuff it down or manage it alone.  I decided years ago to make changes by way of self discovery and actively seeking healthy relationships.  I found MenLiving along my journey.  Through the organization, I’ve established incredible bonds with other men.  These men have been my sounding board and support.  We’ve laughed and cried together.  We’ve also made time to just have fun.

I’m excited every time I join a meeting and see a new face or two.  It’s rewarding to hear men describe hope and connection when they check out at the end of their first meeting.  As I continue to make progress in my own growth, I welcome the chance to be a part of other men’s support.

When you attend a meeting that I facilitate, you’ll find I’m an open and empathetic man who’s not afraid to dive right into vulnerability or discuss serious topics while knowing when to bring levity to the room.   Let’s connect soon!

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Biography

Tony joined MenLiving in 2018 after attending his first MenLiving weekend event.  Today he serves as a board member and meeting facilitator.  Tony’s journey has taken him from Air Force “Brat” to Navy Sailor, traveling and living around the world and country, where he’s learned to embrace the similarities and differences of the many cultures he’s experienced.  He’s been a police officer for almost twenty years and served 7 of it as a homicide detective.  In conjunction with the many tools he’s picked up on his path of self discovery, he largely credits the support and experience of MenLiving for his ability to hold space for the community and officers he serves, and his balanced blend of work and personal life.

Frank Naugo MenLiving Member

Board Member

Frank Naugo

Email: frank@menliving.org
Phone: 312-925-9935

My own personal development story began when a dear friend lent me a book on yoga. That book opened my eyes to a whole new perspective and world of possibilities. Since then, I’ve been embarking on a journey of self-discovery and exploration of mind, body and spirit.

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I started my first men’s group in 2008 during a particularly challenging period of life…the dissolution of my first marriage. This was my awakening to the power and value of having a circle of support…hence, the 1st iteration of MenLiving was born. I’ve been facilitating support, connection and purpose for men through retreats, one-on-one’s and group meetings ever since.

My coaching sessions are unique in that they incorporate the elements of Air (breathwork) and Earth (being in nature and grounding).

While each session is customized to align with the individual’s preferences and abilities, my clients are open to and can expect an integrated body and mind experience. My sincere belief is that many of our limitations and imbalances can be positively impacted by the immersion into these proven and powerful channels.

I’m experienced in working with all men’s topics, particularly parents of young children, divorcees, and those interested in cultivating a practice of “presence” and self-compassion.

Biography

Frank founded his first men’s group in 2009 after the realization that traditional means of supporting, challenging and connecting men weren’t readily available. In 2012, with current co-founder Todd Adams, MenLiving evolved into what it is today. He has been leading and learning from the men’s group experience ever since. Frank is also a member of The ManKind Project and staff member of the New Warrior Training Adventure. He’s been organizing and leading both co-ed and men’s weekend retreats since 2011. Part of his vision for MenLiving is to one day bring some of the self-awareness and emotional intelligence tools he teaches now to a younger generation of men.

Mike Patterson

Email: mike@leaderchampions.com
Phone: 312-925-9935

Mike grew up in the Chicagoland area and now resides in the Siskiyou Mountains of Southern Oregon, where he lives in community and is part of the back to the land movement. He is a long-time student of Brene’ Brown, Tony Robbins, Simon Sinek, and hosts a weekly podcast on personal growth called Embrace Growth.

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Biography

Certified as a leader, leader-trainer & facilitation instructor in The Mankind Project, a worldwide organization that transforms men’s lives. Mike has over 20 years of firsthand experience in men’s growth work. His work ranges from shadow work to regressions, diving into limiting beliefs to childhood wounds. His time spent learning and leading in this capacity has uniquely prepared him to help guide clients through the tough inner work that this path requires.

In His Own Words:

Decades ago, I was struggling with bankruptcy and a family being torn apart by addiction. I was trying to fix everything myself and didn’t know what to do with any of it. This made me feel as though I would never make it through to the other side.

I felt like I failed as man and as a human. I felt like my life was over. But I didn’t want my life to be over. I decided to stop struggling on my own and surrender to a mentor who I trusted. This began the intense journey into my own growth and the passion to help others soon followed. I had the desire to reach a life of fulfillment and meaning; I am still on that path today.

Self-Understanding and potential are the key components of personal growth. Diving deep into this growth allows us as humans to connect in ways unimaginable to ourselves and others. Whether in crisis, or stasis I can help you get the fulfillment in life you deserve.

Mike Rosen

Email: mikerosen13@gmail.com
Phone: 312-925-9935

Mike leads the weekly Separation/Divorce support calls. As a divorced father of 3, he understands the benefit and value in creating and sharing a space with other men who are experiencing the same thing. Although he has no formal training in social work or therapy or counseling, he aims to help men feel supported along the process, wherever they may be, due to whatever circumstances.  Divorce and separation can be a lonely, painful, frustrating, sad, and isolating process, one that doesn’t need to be traversed alone.

Phone: 312-925-9935

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Biography

Mike was born outside Philadelphia, though has resided the majority of his life in the Chicago area. He has been running competitively since the age of 12 and continues to run, ride, and practice yoga. He graduated from Loras College in 1993 and received his Masters in Education in 2012. Mike is the proud Dad of 3 young men and is happiest when they’re all laughing at something absurd.

Mike has been a member of the Tribe Men’s Group since its inception in 2012. Though initially hesitant to participate, the idea of a safe, supportive, forward-thinking group of men to help foster growth was enough to get him to go to the first meetings held in Todd’s living room. Since then, he’s been fortunate to consider members of the Tribe amongst his closest friends.

“At first I thought ‘Nah, I have it (life) figured out. I don’t need this’. But after a moment’s reflection I realized that usually the speed at which I dismiss an idea is likely the inverse of how much I need it.’ Since then I haven’t looked back since and the experience, knowledge, support, and fun I’ve had with other members is immeasurable.

Rob Rubin

Email: rsrmgt@gmail.com
Phone: 312-925-9935

Rob currently resides in Elmhurst, IL is married and has 2 children.  He has been making a big shift from real estate brokerage & property management and feeling called into the well being / consciousness practices / personal growth space. Over the past 5+ years, Rob has been doing some deeper self work, re-visiting societal and familial programming from his past 5 decades, and shifting or dropping the ways that no longer serve well.  He enjoys learning about many different perspectives and discovering new ways which align with his authentic being.  He is joining as a MenLiving facilitator to gain more experience leading groups, sharing wisdom and connecting with others.  Rob really appreciates connecting on an authentic level while inspiring and being by others.  He believes a strong and supportive community is an amazing place to grow and is glad to be an active part of it.

Phone: 312-925-9935

Jason Samatas

Email: jason@menliving.org
Phone: 312-925-9935

A long-time Chicagoan, Jason now lives in a part of the country he’s always dreamed of living: near the mountains. Just outside of Boulder, CO, Jason now enjoys all that living in the West provides, although he will always have Chicago in his blood.

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Biography

Jason is a part of MenLiving because of how much it has been a part of his personal development over the past number of years. Having gone through a difficult divorce and a number of family and career challenges, Jason reevaluated aspects of his life that were no longer serving him with the love and support of MenLiving members behind him. As he went through the process (and still is!), he realized how many men were there to support his journey. Now, in any way he can, he tries to give back that same support which was so critical to his own well-being.

What inspires Jason most is seeing men open up, be vulnerable, and take chances. Jason took the “safe path” in so many ways for much of his life, and now gets pumped to see men take the “edgier path” in any aspect of one’s circumstances. He’s eternally grateful to all that have supported him in his journey and seeks to reciprocate that same support to other men as they embark on their own journeys.

Board Member & Technology Lead

Tony Schmidt

Email: tonys@menliving.org
Phone: 312-925-9935

Tony is a Midwesterner who grew up in MN, WI, and lived in Chicagoland for the last 25+ years. He is married and has a son in high school and college.

Phone: 312-925-9935

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Biography

Tony has a 8-year daily meditation practice that helps keep him on a path of mindfulness and self-discovery. Tony is co-leader of the North Shore Meditation Community meetup and co-founded a contemplative practice Enterprise Resource Group called “Peace of Mind” at his workplace. Tony has found a real passion in championing the benefits of meditation and contemplative practice in his and personal and professional communities.

Tony is a Board Member and co-facilitates the weekly Tuesday morning meditation sessions for MenLiving in addition to weekly meetings, and small batches.  He serves as the Tech Lead supporting the backend digital MenLiving platform.  He is an active member of MenLiving local and virtual communities that connect men worldwide.

Board Member

Myles Slaughter Fey

Email: smyleslaughter@gmail.com
Phone: 312-925-9935

Along my path I’ve discovered a personal mission to connect the head, heart and feet. For me that’s thoughts, feelings/spirit and action, both within myself and others. The Men Living organization is one way I’ve embraced as a way to live that mission. I look forward to more connection, sharing the gifts I have and receiving the gifts you have to share.

Phone: 312-925-9935

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Biography

I have called the suburbs of Chicago home my whole life, with the exception of 8 months in Orlando FL. working for Disney as a “good friend of” Captain Hook, Goofy, Woody… and more” I now call Berwyn IL home with my wife and tabby cat. I studied human services in college, and my path took me back to my family business my dad started over 40 years ago. I’m now the owner of Superior Awards & Promotion, an awards and branded products company. I take pride in running a business with good values and it’s challenging. In 2021 I co-founded a business support circle that supports its members to define and create success. This group is a mix between interpersonal work and business development. My personal growth work started at a young age and honestly I’ve been sidetracked multiple times, I tend to learn the hard way. I’ve been in some dark places, and I had support finding my way through them. I have some outstanding teachers, mentors and facilitators helping me with my work. I strive to spread the gifts I’ve received and that I continue to receive with others. I’ve developed an eclectic approach on doing so that is always evolving.I was raised by a single mother and I met the man I now call dad when I was in 6th grade. I was adopted at the age of 32. My parents will always be my greatest teachers.

MenLiving Coach Erik Treese

Erik Treese

Email: etreese@gmail.com
Phone: 312-925-9935

Heart-centered, mission-driven! Dad of 4 Daughters and Initiator of Men. My mission is to create a safe and healthy world by leading with consciousness, with vulnerability, and with grit.

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Biography

I have decades of experience helping men and women from diverse backgrounds and experiences do their personal growth and addiction recovery work.

MenLiving I am a long time MenLiving member and I also have the honor of serving on the Board of the Directors. For the past 2 years I have co-lead our annual MenLiving Men’s Retreat and occasionally lead the Monthly MenLiving Meetings. The connections with men in MenLiving are some of the most important relationships in my life!

Family For 15 years I have had the honor to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with an incredible woman and family physician on Chicago’s west side. We parent 4 amazing daughters age 3-13. They are by far my greatest teachers. Thanks to them I am in touch with my inner feminine. My role as their father has been to love, serve, teach, listen and hold space, and support them to live empowered lives as their inspired selves!

Men’s Work and Leadership Development I have over 20 years of leadership experience with the ManKind Project, an international men’s organization that fosters emotional literacy and personal missions for men. As a certified Co-Leader, I have led over 50 of the hallmark MKP offerings, The New Warrior Training Adventure, all over North America. As a Certified Leader-Trainer, I am also responsible for teaching and mentoring the next generation of MKP leaders.

Diversity and Inclusion I was fortunate to grow up in Hyde Park on Chicago’s south side and serve in the US Army, and as a result inter-cultural competency coaching is a strength of my leadership. I have mentored and facilitated many tough conversations on many multi-cultural topics, including workshops on Diversity and Inclusion, Homophobia and Sexism, Racism and Ableism, Power, Privilege and Difference. for men’s groups, and many public and private organizations and businesses. I recently earned in a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.

Erik Treese – Leadership and Life Coach 

US Army I served 4 years as a 101st Airborne paratrooper during Operation Desert Shield and Storm. Being a solider taught me the importance of physical and mental toughness, duty, mission, clear, and direct leadership, service, accountability, commitment, and teamwork. My military career was cut short due in large part due to alcohol and PTSD. While enlisted I was awarded a Combat Infantryman Badge, the Army Commendation Medal, a Humanitarian Service Ribbon, and a Liberation of Kuwait Ribbon.

Education Upon completion of my active duty enlistment I earned an Associates in Liberal Arts from the City Colleges of Chicago. From there I went on to graduate cum Laude from Northwestern University with a degree in Communications. I am few classes short of a master’s degree in Education from Northeastern Illinois University, and in April 2020 I completed a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.

Business Consulting I got a taste of corporate America dot-com boom during Y2K. I was a consultant with Diamond Technology Partners, a premier global management consulting firm based out of Chicago. I worked on a variety of large-scale technology projects with Enron, Blockbuster, and the Deluxe Checks Corporation. Currently I work with a medium size nationwide real estate construction and development company, a smaller sized foreclosure law firm based in Chicago, and a newly opened chiropractic practice.

Recovery Work My shadow mission is to create a world without broken homes and wounded children. My own addiction had a rough bottom that brought me to my knees and had me homeless on the streets of LA and Chicago. With over 20 years of experience in addiction recovery, I learned a lot about suffering and trauma, perseverance, failure and success, growth and healing, and spirituality. With a dozen years sober today, I truly live life one day at a time, I am active in several 12-Step programs, carry a message of hope, and bring the principles of recovery into my coaching practice.

Shawn Woodin

Email: woodinshawn@gmail.com
Phone: 312-925-9935

Shawn became a MenLiving member is 2021. He left New York for a journey that eventually brought him to the Sunshine State. After many, many years with a dearth of close male friendship, MenLiving provides him a place to forge authenticate connections with men. Shawn and his wife Chero, along with their son and daughter, live and meditate in Florida. He published his novel, Father, Son, Broken Spirit, in 2022—a book he began in over 20 years ago and finally has the courage to release into the world.

Phone: 312-925-9935

What Topics Do You Discuss?

Each meeting, we choose a different impactful, consequential, and thought-provoking topic that gets us talking about things that matter and could lead to change within us or the world around us. Here are example past topics:

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