Why Every Man Needs a Why: Justin Smith on Fatherhood, Midlife, and Men’s Mental Health

About this sermon

Every 13 minutes in America, a man takes his own life. In this powerful episode, Dr. Baruch “B” HaLevi goes straight to the deep end with guest Justin Smith—an actuary and father—on how stats, fatherhood, and men’s peer groups can move us from numb survival to purpose. They unpack the cost of never stating your preferences, why midlife math matters, and how modeling emotional fitness at home can change generations. Join our Own Your Number Enneagram Program just for 98$, and well, own your relationships. Check out here: https://ownyournumber.defiantspirit.org/pages/home 🔹 What You'll Learn: Purpose is practiced, not guessed. Use data to inform your life, not replace your humanity. Stating preferences is intimacy work; silence breeds unfair resentment. Model what you want your kids to emulate: movement, honest emotion, and community. Midlife math is motivating: your time isn’t infinite—act accordingly. Peer groups give men consistent, skilled relationships beyond acquaintances. 📌 Timestamp Highlights: [00:00–00:36] Why “13 Minutes” — Every 13 minutes a man dies by suicide; Dr. B sets the gravity of the show. [01:06–02:06] Actuary’s take — Justin explains risk groups, isolation, veterans, and nuance behind the statistic. [07:44–08:55] Fatherhood as a mirror — Becoming a dad forces him to confront his habits and live with purpose. [09:03–10:01] Advice to 13-year-old self — Passion matters more than money; today you can build a life doing almost anything. [15:18–17:13] Raising a son differently — Affection, roughhousing, agency, and modeling emotional availability. [18:26–22:13] “Chinese vs. tacos” story — How avoiding preferences builds hidden resentment that later erupts. [24:20–26:21] Therapy & repair — Couples and individual therapy open space for honesty in his marriage. [27:58–29:32] Midlife math — At 39–40, your “life left” becomes less than what you’ve lived—true midlife. [36:19–39:11] Model it, don’t preach it — Kids learn fitness and emotional expression by seeing it lived. [39:42–40:48] Dad’s note on joyless sacrifice — A generational shift in parenting and purpose. [41:47–44:00] The email that changed their relationship — Vulnerability with his father deepens their bond. [44:31–46:12] Peer group breakthrough — From resisting connection to craving it monthly. [47:27–48:46] Zero→One courage — Breaking generational patterns by being the first to step into peer groups. 🔔 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baruch_halevi/ Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/TheDefiantSpirit #Enneagram #EnneagramType #EnneagramTest #Man #Men #DefiantSpirit #DrBaruchHaLevi #Communication #PersonalDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #SpiritualGrowth