Testimonials from the Tending Fire Men’s Groups

I find the regular reflection in circle to be a critical stepping stone in my week, month, year as I follow my path of leadership development and learn to step more into my power.

I value the other men and the work they are doing, as one man's work is every man's work - and I find wisdom and inspiration in sharing and hearing from them. Lev is an amazing facilitator whose intuition is spot-on and is full of helpful resources and recommendations.

“I am leading the creation of a grassroots  nonprofit land trust as someone who had never before built an organization from scratch, and having a space for personal reflection to help raise my game has been invaluable.

My life is not simple and this circle has been a space where I feel safe to bring my whole self as I struggle with diet, health habits, relationships, and more. It has helped me to keep my balance amidst all the pressures buffeting me, and it has given me solid clues as to my immediate next steps as well as space for more spiritual reflections.

I am becoming a grounded, peaceful presence moving gracefully through challenges before me. I stand for the healing of ourselves, our neighborhoods and Earth.

—Orion Kriegman, Executive Director | www.BostonFoodForest.org

This circle saw me through a break up with my girlfriend of four years, a solo move across the country, starting a new life in a new town, beginning a new job, a new relationship; and, ultimately, gave me the support to launch my new business of online consulting and transition out of a 20+ year career in plumbing and construction.

“The weekly circle established a huge source of consistency and support in my life during this time of rapid change. I had cut ties with almost everything I knew and leaned heavily on the circle for guidance, familiarity and continuity. The calls gave me a sense of hope that I was making progress building the dream that I was holding for myself and steadily moving beyond my daily construction job.


One week passes by fast and it really helps to re-gather focus and hold myself accountable for how I have followed through with my goals and intentions of the week before. I could begin to see my own patterns of distraction and resistance. It was so encouraging to start my day speaking to my highest prayers for my life and receiving valid reflections and support from other men.

Now, I have started my own business, Oshoruah Consulting and embarked on a joint business venture, Hollow Bone Retreats, with my girlfriend Becky. I was surprised to see how the leadership qualities that I wanted to cultivate for my business were going to touch every aspect of my life. The structure and discipline needed to build a new business was going to grow out of my daily habits and beliefs. I was able to experience firsthand how truly invaluable it was to have a counsel of men support me weekly towards my goals.

I have created a life that more honestly and transparently reflects who I am. I have become someone who creates a unique vibration in the world that attracts a resonant tribe and community. I began hosting weekly meditation circles, monthly men’s circles, week long spiritual health retreats and one-on-one private consultations to assist people through major life transitions.

I stand for honoring the spiritual growth of the individual and the collective evolution of our species. I support people in staying true to their spiritual path when it puts them at odds with their current relationships or lifestyle structures. I stand for people claiming their powers of creator-ship and working towards a reality they believe in, not just becoming ‘successful’ in society as it is.

—Shane Oshoruah Alexander, Spiritual Evolution Consultant | Retreat Facilitator

I was starting an entrepreneurial venture and felt that having a men's group of like minded individuals would be inspirational and supportive. The circle gave me a support group that I could bounce business ideas off of and gain insight into the technical and psychological challenges of starting a business. Some members of the group were more experienced in these matters and I gained greatly from their wisdom. The circle carved out a moment in the week that I would collect my thoughts, learn from others, and approach the challenges I was facing with the comradery of a men's group. The simple act of sharing my ideas instead of keeping them to myself, opened up moments of vulnerability, insight, and transformation.

I gained a tool which is the understanding of how inspiration, vision, and deep listening can be harnessed towards greater clarity, focus, and authenticity which gave me strength and momentum in the direction of my vision. I am more aware of the process of how deep visions manifest into our everyday behavior and lives' work and have gained the awareness of how to keep this process tuned and in proper alignment.

David Zomer, Real Estate Entrepreneur & Health Sciences Researcher

“I was looking to get in alignment with my personal values in terms of respecting nature and personal growth and was recommended to connect with Lev. The consistent structure of sharing myself in a community of supportive men is invaluable.

“The circle has been very supportive in key moments of transition. Moving homes, shifting roles at work, challenges in my relationship. It has been a place where despite the changes in my life I can receive support to remain grounded.

“The men's circle focus on gratitude has made a difference in my staying connected to a deep sense of gratitude. I have continued to keep my focus on expanding my own coaching business and done so consistently. I have created a sense of continuity, community, and grown more resilient and balanced.”

—Noah Diamond, Coach for Successful Creatives

At the time of joining, I was going through transitions in life and had a sense of being disconnected to myself and ungrounded in the world – I joined to gain a better footing and orient myself towards what new challenges I would take on in the coming years.

“The ritual of sharing a space with other men with structured and supportive conversations, has helped me gain a better footing and orientation, during a time of transition and new challenges.
Over the last year and a half, I have slowly cultivated a stronger connection with myself and my voice. I’ve found conviction - slowly formed over time.

Originally when I began participating, I had a tenuous connection with myself and what I wanted. This was reflected in my participation in the group, how I communicated and what I communicated. I have slowly cultivated a stronger connection with myself and my voice and I believe this has reflected positively in how I participate in the group – supporting my journey and that of the other men.

Now I have more confidence about who I am and what is important to me. The sense that “I am, in fact, the captain of my ship” has grown stronger and I experience a greater sense of freedom regardless of the “weather patterns” that come my way.

— Andrew M, Real Estate Entrepreneur / Student of Philosophy & Sustainability (Joined in August of 2018)