The Arka Talks Podcast

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...

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 ...

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 depre...

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 comp...

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 fee...

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 ...

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 a...

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 th...

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
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