Podcast · Society & Culture

The Arka Talks Podcast

by Arka Brotherhood · English · Society & Culture

Arka Talks is a podcast from the ARKA Brotherhood — a global community of men committed to growth, truth, and conscious leadership. Hosted by rotating voices from within the brotherhood, each episode explores the inner and outer work of modern masculinity: purpose, power, leadership, relationships

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 1 hr 26 min
Latest: 16 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

16 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 41 min

#13 - Men’s Health Is More Than Testosterone: Dr. Rigobert Kefferputz on Burnout, Brotherhood, and Whole-Person Healing

Men’s health is often reduced to testosterone, supplements, lab results, and quick fixes. But what if low energy, burnout, insomnia, sexual health challenges, anxiety, and loss of vitality are pointing to something deeper? In this episode of Arka Talks, Ben Goresky sits down with Dr. Rigobert “Rigo” Kefferputz - naturopathic doctor, father, ARKA captain, breath worker, and longtime practitioner of men’s work - for a conversation about men’s health, performance, burnout, testosterone, nervous system regulation, leadership, and whole-person healing. Rigo shares his own story of growing up in…

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Earlier episodes 13 most recent

E12 · 2 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 35 min
#12 - Choosing Life After Trauma: Todd Johnston with Matt Cooke
Some stories take years before they can be spoken. In this episode of Arka Talks, Matt Cooke sits down with Todd Johnston for a deeply honest conversation about trauma, sexuality, leaving religion, sexual abuse, courage, healing, and the decision to choose life after years of carrying pain alone. Todd shares what it was like to grow up in a small town in British Columbia, leave the Jehovah’s Witness church and lose connection with much of his family, and later come out as a gay man after years of confusion, fear, and self-protection. He also speaks openly about being sexually abused and…
E11 · 4 Aug 2026 · 2 hr 15 min
#11 - You Have to Join Men’s Group Twice: Brady Kirk on Brotherhood, Truth, and Leadership
A man can walk into a men’s group and think he has joined. But according to longtime ARKA captain Brady Kirk, that is only the first joining. The second joining happens later, when something hidden gets seen. When a man is exposed in front of other men. When the old instinct to defend, leave, attack, or disappear rises up. That is the moment the real work begins. In this episode of Arka Talks, Ben Goresky sits down with Brady Kirk, one of ARKA’s longtime leaders and original members, for a conversation about brotherhood, trust, leadership, archetypes, faith, fatherhood, and the deeper work…
E10 · 8 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 44 min
#10 - The Wound That Almost Took His Life: Joel Crneck on Brotherhood, Forgiveness, and Fatherhood
There are wounds a man can carry for decades without knowing how deeply they are shaping his life. In this episode of Arka Talks, Ben Goresky sits down with longtime ARKA leader Joel Crneck for an honest conversation about childhood, father wounds, suicidal ideation, brotherhood, forgiveness, leadership, and becoming a father. Joel speaks openly about growing up with intense energy, conflict with masculine authority, and the belief that men did not care about him. He shares how that story followed him into adulthood: into burnout, depression, suicidal darkness, and the ways he tested men to…
E9 · 10 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 24 min
#9 - When Freedom Becomes Responsibility: Geoff MacKenzie on Yoga, Fatherhood, and Men’s Work
Geoff MacKenzie is a yoga teacher, men’s work leader, father, and longtime member of the ARKA Brotherhood. In this episode of Arka Talks, host Matt Cooke sits down with Geoff for a grounded conversation about yoga, freedom, adventure, fatherhood, brotherhood, and the moment a man’s life begins to shift from self-direction into deeper responsibility. Geoff shares the early experiences that shaped him: discovering yoga on a forest floor in France, chasing snowboarding in Chamonix, surfing in Bali, studying Ashtanga yoga in India, and building a life around discipline, movement, and freedom.…
E8 · 27 May 2026 · 1 hr 21 min
#8 - From Anger to Brotherhood: Bobby Hakkarainen on Men’s Work, Healing, and Leadership
Bobby Hakkarainen is a therapeutic counsellor, men’s work leader, father, and longtime member and leader in the ARKA Brotherhood. In this episode of Arka Talks, host Matt Cooke sits down with Bobby for a raw and grounded conversation about anger, shame, fatherhood, brotherhood, and the long road from self-destruction to self-respect. Bobby shares his early years working in construction, getting kicked out of school, entering the trades young, and eventually finding himself in the film industry, where he began to see that he was capable of more than the identity he had inherited. But the…
E7 · 8 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 35 min
#7 - What Real Brotherhood Looks Like - with Steve Parr
Ben Goresky sits down with longtime friend and brotherhood leader Steve Parr for a conversation about struggle, mentorship, leadership, and what real brotherhood looks like between men. Steve shares the early years of his life: a childhood marked by boundary-testing, a lack of strong containment, painful lessons around discipline and repair, and a long search for structure, belonging, and masculine guidance. He opens up about depression, anxiety, self-destruction, risky self-initiation in his twenties, and the absence of older men who could help him make sense of his path. Ben and Steve also…
E6 · 25 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 35 min
#6 - How Men Get Unstuck: Brotherhood, Mental Health, and Masculinity - with Lee Hettig
In this episode of Arka Talks, Arka Co-Director Matt Cooke sits down with Lee Hettig - longtime brotherhood member, and senior leader/trainer - for a grounded conversation about how men get stuck, and what actually helps them move again. Lee shares the turning points that shaped his path through men’s work: opening up about alcohol, money, anxiety, isolation, and the lone wolf mentality that keeps many men trapped behind competence, performance, and secrecy. He speaks candidly about mental health, functional freeze, hyper-independence, masculinity, and the role brotherhood has played in…
E5 · 11 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 26 min
#5 - The Lone Wolf Trap: Why Men Struggle to Open Up - with Nick Solaczek
Matt Cooke sits down with longtime Arka leader and relationship teacher Nick Solaczek to talk about the path many men take into brotherhood. For Nick, it started in a difficult period of life: no money, no clear direction, and a sense that something needed to change. An invitation into a men’s group became a turning point. The conversation explores what men’s work actually gives men: confidence, groundedness, honest feedback, and the ability to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other men without competition or posturing. Matt and Nick also dig into the deeper challenges men face in…
E4 · 25 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 26 min
#4 - The Founder’s Story: Phil T. Mistlberger on The Making Of Arka
Phil T. Mistlberger is a transpersonal therapist who founded The Arka Brotherhood. He is the author of 7 books, founder and facilitator of Conscious Relationship Trainings, and an avid painter. In this episode, Ben Goresky sits down with Phil, covering Phil’s early life, the roots of his transformational path through martial arts and inner work, and the turning points that lead him to begin his journey with men’s work. Phil breaks down men’s competitive and egotistical instincts, and how to combat those with intentional brotherhood and inner work. They also break down key Arka elements like…
E3 · 11 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 23 min
#3 - From Rehab to Leadership: Ben Goresky’s Men’s Work Story
Ben Goresky - Arka Brotherhood co-director - shares about the road from addiction and loneliness to co-leading a global brotherhood. It’s a raw conversation about men’s mental health, leadership, and the art of living a life full of chosen responsibilities. In this episode The journey from teen addiction and difficult family dynamics to men’s leadership Why accountability, not advice, changes men How relationships challenge men to grow beyond avoidance The role of brotherhood in facing criticism, father wounds, and emotional pain Stepping up to leadership - deciding to run your own men’s…
E2 · 11 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
#2 - Leadership, Service, and Impact: The Men Who Raise Men - with Matt Cooke
He walked into men's work not knowing what he was signing up for, and left with a deeper sense of purpose and a mission to serve. In this episode, we explore brotherhood, leadership, and what changes in a man's life when he takes responsibility for those around him. Today’s guest is Matt Cooke, co-director of The Arka Brotherhood. In this episode The origin story: a festival invitation and the power of first impressions How men’s work revealed hidden patterns, judgments, and real connection Stepping into leadership - uncertainty, imposter syndrome, and how confidence gets earned The role of…
E1 · 11 Feb 2026 · 19 min
#1 - Men’s Work: The Mission and Principles of Arka Brotherhood - with Ben Goresky
In this episode, we set the foundation for The Arka Talks men’s work podcast. Ben Goresky breaks down the story and principles behind our brotherhood, inviting men from around the world to step into one of our leadership training circles for the first time. In this episode The origin and purpose of Arka Brotherhood Why authenticity and vulnerability matter among men How squads create discipline, accountability, and support The 14 Point Code of the Conscious Warrior Why Arka is non-religious, apolitical, and member-focused What brotherhood looks like when it’s not a social club The power of…
6 Feb 2026 · 5 min
Arka Talks Trailer
Welcome to the Arka Talks Podcast from the ARKA Brotherhood — a global community of men committed to growth, truth, and conscious leadership.We're looking forward to sharing conversations with depth and inspiration.Real men. Real stories. The path of the conscious warrior. Come with us at arkabrotherhood.com

About The Arka Talks Podcast

The Arka Talks Podcast is a English society & culture podcast from Arka Brotherhood. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Arka Brotherhood
Language: English
Category: Society & Culture
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 1 hr 26 min
Latest episode: 16 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1875409666

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