Mainely Men 89 — Spring 2026

More workshops will be added as they come in — stay tuned for updates!

“Big Boys Don’t Cry”—Really? Men and Emotions – This workshop will open with a brief look at emotions, emotional intelligence, and the mixed messages many of us absorbed from family, peers, and culture growing up. We’ll reflect on questions such as: When did I first notice cultural messages about emotions? Did those messages match how I actually felt? How did these influences shape my life? Who or what (people, events, books, etc.) supported my emotional growth? What lessons about emotions would I want to pass on to other men? Led by Muncie.

Extreme Friendship – Is it possible to truly love another man without sexual interaction? What about societal stigma affecting two men who are constant companions but not in a ‘gay’ relationship? How does homophobia restrict their interactions? Let’s discuss the many types of non-sexual love and strong friendship between male friends, brothers, and guys we care about on many levels. Led by John, long time MM attendee and MM Board member.

Dealing with Stress and Anxiety – Stress and anxiety are almost unavoidable in today’s world. In this workshop, we will cover tools and steps that are found to be helpful. Chi Gong exercises, expressive writing, walking meditation, and other ideas will be presented and discussed. We will have time to practice the exercises and discuss what has worked for others. This is part one of a two-part workshop, led by Mike.

Reincarnation: What Do You Think? – Reincarnation is a broad concept rooted in beliefs about living multiple lives — sometimes as animals, sometimes shaped by good or bad karma. What people describe as “past-life memories” can also be viewed as tapping into a collective unconscious or even a symbolic connection to one’s family line, similar to ideas like the Biblical “sins of the father” or western medical genetics. Come with your ideas and beliefs to discuss. There are questions and ideas but no RIGHT answers. Led by Ralph.

Self-Reflection Through Music – In this workshop, we’ll explore songs that hold personal meaning and discuss what makes them impactful. Each participant will write the title of a meaningful song on a slip of paper, and leaders will draw selections for group discussion. We’ll play the songs, listen for any strong emotions that arise, and talk about them together. Choose a song that evokes powerful feelings of any kind — joy, nostalgia, anger, comfort, sadness, excitement, anything that resonates deeply. Sharing is encouraged but never required, and you’re free to participate in whatever way feels comfortable. Singing is optional. This is a two‑part workshop led by Charles and Keith.

Walking Meditation – You may have tried other forms of meditation with little success — until you try walking meditation. It’s simple: choose a landmark and quiet your mind until you reach it, maybe just 20 or 30 seconds. Movement helps, and natural sounds make it easier to stay mentally still. When you reach the landmark, you can return to your inner chatter, then choose the next one or two points where you’ll repeat the practice. Over time, your quiet moments can grow longer and your chatter shorter. This is part two of a two-part workshop, led by Mike.

Walking the Tightrope of Getting Older – None of us are the only one at Mainely Men who gets winded on a staircase and thinks, “When did that start?” This workshop will become a space to talk honestly — and constructively — about the surprises, frustrations, and lessons of getting older. We will kick off with a spark question, build a quick list together, and dig into what’s challenging, what’s changing, and what’s actually helping. We’ll hear how other men are navigating the same terrain. We’ll pick up a few practical ideas, share some laughs, and leave feeling more grounded — and a lot less alone — in the adventure of aging. Led by Rudy.