What happens when a man searching for a "mystical" vision in the desert instead discovers a hidden, intergenerational wound—and decides to end his family's lineage of pain with a single pound of his fist?

In this twentieth episode of Follow Me to the M-R-O-P!, host Brian Mueller sits down with Bill McElroy for a powerful conversation about his 2004 initiation at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. Bill reflects on his spiritual journey leading up to the desert and speaks openly about redefining masculinity. Whether you are carrying the weight of a "father hunger" or simply looking for men to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with in the second half of life, Bill's story is a brilliant reminder to trust your intuition and enter the sacred container.

Episode Highlights

• No Kings in My Life: How discovering the four masculine archetypes made Bill realize he lacked mature male mentors.
• "It Stops With Me": The powerful moment in a grief ritual where Bill took on the pain of his patriarchal lineage and dropped to his knees.
• Beyond John Wayne: Unlearning the toxic toughness of popular culture to embrace a healthy masculinity that is present and generative for others.
• Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Why Bill continues to return to the rites year after year as an elder, setting up chairs and holding the space for new men.

Links & Resources

• Choosing Presence (Sponsor): https://choosingpresence.org
• Practicing Presence App: https://choosingpresence.org/app
• “Healing” by D. H. Lawrence: https://justiceconversation.org/2018/12/28/healing-by-d-h-lawrence
• Illuman MROP page: https://illuman.org/mrop
• Adam's Return by Richard Rohr: https://amzn.to/3PzVESH
• Falling Upward by Richard Rohr: https://amzn.to/4uUM64P
• Breathing Under Water by Richard Rohr: https://amzn.to/47qLNVp
• From Wild Man to Wise Man by Richard Rohr: https://amzn.to/3PKkHmj
• Brian Mueller (Host): https://brianmueller.com

Credits

• First and foremost, thank you to Bill McElroy for sharing his journey and his heart with us today.
• Thank you to Fr. Richard Rohr and the men of Illuman who have stewarded the Men’s Rites of Passage since 1996.
• Thank you to Jim Heaney and Jim Taylor for their dedication to Choosing Presence.

Music Credits:

• Slow Mo Dreams by Soundroll
• Becoming a Legend by Vens Adams