01/17/2022
Psychologist Daloisio has astutely blended his professional knowledge as a practicing psychologist and his personal life experiences to create this self-help guide for men looking to make the first steps toward change, such as better connecting with a significant other, being a better friend, becoming more open and less guarded, and more. With a warm, open, and can-do demeanor, The Journeyman Life balances the practical and the thought-provoking, arguing that it’s possible to defuse anger, frustration, and other negative emotions, and always writing with an attentive eye to the ever-shifting cultural assumptions and standards that men face. Daloisio knows the impact of change, saying, “Our quest for the evolution of our own life is at stake, but in truth, the stakes are much higher than that.” For readers committed to bettering themselves, Daloisio’s stand-out guide offers a simple, inviting place to start.
Writing with a professional’s authority but the welcoming voice of a patient coach, Daloisio offers research, understanding, and personal stories to help motivate readers, always keeping the material accessible. Similarly, he demonstrates aptitude for targeting different types of learners—he provides functional outlines, tells personal stories, and practical guidelines as he demonstrates the power of engaging in “true dialogue” or how to reveal the inner self.
“There are three thousand words in the English language related to feelings, and they are perhaps some of the least understood of all words for men,” Daloisio writes. That’s overstating the case a bit, of course, but The Journeyman Life acknowledges that personal reflection, self-care, and change can be challenging, particularly for men, who are often not encouraged toward this kind of growth. Daloisio’s clear-eyed program lays out the stages of change, how change works in the brain, and how the behavior of change looks practically. His stages of change and his posture while guiding readers through change are universal.
Takeaway: This inviting guide coaches men in facing emotions, connecting with people, and making changes.
Great for fans of: Garrett Munce’s Self-Care for Men, Robert Garfield’s Breaking the Male Code.
Production grades Cover: A- Design and typography: A Illustrations: B Editing: A Marketing copy: A
2021-12-27
A psychologist focuses his attention squarely on men in society in this guide.
Journeyman, a quaint, somewhat archaic word, takes on new meaning in Daloisio’s expansive exploration of the literal journey of a man in the modern world. The author takes a deep dive into his own life; he exposes his feelings and frailties with a genuine candor that is likely intended to get other men to unapologetically admit their vulnerabilities. Daloisio weaves his personal story into chapters that are heavy on psychology but instructive rather than clinical. Beginning with a chapter entitled “The Story of You,” the book opens with a discussion of persona, “the hidden self” and “the unknown self,” transitioning to the “four archetypes of the masculine psyche.” While such jargon may be intimidating to some, the author is careful to define all of these terms in layperson’s language, using solid examples for clarification. In a man’s journey, writes Daloisio, he must cope with his “inner versus outer selves,” both of which are covered in significant detail. Additional concepts that appear with appropriate explanations include “voices of the reactive mindset” and “moments of truth.” Perhaps most important, though, are the author’s prescriptions for personal improvement. For example, he writes insightfully about self-awareness, self-regulation, mindfulness, self-respect, “your inner guidance system,” and the growth mindset. When discussing transformation, Daloisio lays out a helpful 12-step process designed to steer readers through positive change. He also puts forth a unique way of individualizing his counsel, employing a three-part approach to change—a story, a formula, and a framework—“to accommodate varying learning and thinking styles.” The author veers into Buddhist teachings at the end of the book, but not without a purpose, aiming to illustrate a man’s contemporary odyssey via 10 stages defined by a 12th-century Zen master. In closing, Daloisio again references his personal challenges, noting that his transformative experiences formed “the impetus to dig deeper, to learn, to practice, to teach others.” The author’s heartfelt revelations lend a very human aspect to the manual, helping to reassure those men who might find the paths of their own journeys difficult.
Perceptive and wise self-improvement advice.
