These responses were prompted only by "Any last thoughts you'd like to share?".
We knew there were concerns about having men at a women's retreat for some when developing the event, so we made sure to ask about it in our feedback survey. Here are ALL the FULL responses in the ORDER we received them:
- Yes yes yes yes yes!!!! We need more strong men leaders and teachers, especially about these topics. It was powerful, fun, super impactful, and beyond meaningful to have men lead us. Especially for the “caretakers” to be taken care of! One of my biggest takeaways was recognizing how that felt to be taken care of and wanting that in my life and marriage. Thank you!!!!!
- It was amazing seeing men who were confident, comfortable, strong, and emotional. I really loved meeting Brannon and Tyler. Since I listen to their podcast, they are kind of like celebrities to me so I was a little intimidated. But I was very comfortable around them because I already "knew" them. Chase was an amazing permission-giver for me to show emotions. I don't think it detracted from the experience or made me feel unsafe in any way.
- I was honestly a little skeptical going to the conference, wondering what you all had in store, but it was actually one of the many beautiful things about this conference. I feel like it was very restorative for many people to see men that understood, felt, cared, and believed in all of us like you guys did.
- It was a odd a couple of times, but It was mostly so needed. There were many moments they each voluntarily stepped up as proxy where our husbands have failed. Both in word and deed.
- It was SO HELPFUL and encouraging to see what true and healthy masculinity is. That a man can be depended on and can be safe. It has helped restore my faith that good men do exist. And that every woman is deserving of that.
- I thought it was amazing! I could see that you were all really intentional in making sure there were women there if we needed to process, but I was super impressed by how comfortable you all were around all of us women. I do think it would be cool to hear from a women who has been through her own recovery journey in one of the presentation sessions or something, but while I suggest that I know what you guys did was perfect and I have zero complaints.
- I wasn't sure how it would be, and I wondered if it would be more effective to have women guiding, but the actual experience was especially helpful in restoring faith in the type of man I know my husband can become, and who he really is behind all the pain and masks. I would have liked to have the experience of being guided by both men and women. (Sorry guys...there might be some things that we need a women's perspective to lead us towards.)
- I wondered how that would be for me because I still have a bit of difficulty with men, but I was so tenderly surprised!! The gentleness and care from the men was so good for me to see and experience.
- I think it was really impactful for all of us to have "permission" from a man to be angry, to be hurt, or to have a space to heal. (name removed) wasn't alone in how she felt when she expressed at the last sunrise how all of you restored her faith in men.
- Honestly, I didn’t give it much thought. If I think about the conference being led by women, therefore only women present, it would have had a different vibe. I think the four men there offered a good balance. Hard to put into words, but I thought it was good and it didn’t bother me. I must admit, it was good to see stable men living and functioning in their security in an environment with lots of women. Does that make sense?
- Since I have a deep respect for all of those men, it was great. I am lucky to have known them prior so I was already comfortable with them.
- This could be a long response… the short version is that I appreciated it more than I thought I would. It brought safety and a different vibe…I kinda want to describe it as a lower sound wave that brought stability and it brought a long train increased trust for many of us who have struggled with the men in our lives. Maybe a better way to say it is having men there as therapists, guides gave us a chance to trust ourselves and work on our intuition.
- It was interesting.. and I think necessary. I really appreciated the guidance and then allowing all of us to work through and do the experiences . It was really amazing
- I appreciated it a lot! I am always so grateful when men are willing to show and talk about emotional health.