August 22, 2026 · Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The First
Gathering
We held our first meeting at a member's home, and author Ed Hinman joined us for two hours. Fathers and sons met to introduce themselves and ask the author questions. His ideas set our course for the rest of our discussion.
Who Are You?
An icebreaker opened the night: name a skill, habit, or passion that defines who you are.
Possibility Over Probability
A challenge to avoid risk-averse, conformist paths and to live intentionally rather than letting life happen to you.
Character Over Currency
The measure of a life is the character you build and the people you help grow, not money or metrics.
Vigor, Wonder, Fellowship
Ed closed with the book's three pillars of a happy life. Humans are built for community; modern life isolates us. These pillars are the way back.
Bonds Through Adversity
Real fellowship is forged in shared challenge: camp, sport, hard work, not in comfort. Deep bonds take active effort to maintain.
The True Self
Living authentically means embracing flaws and strengths alike. The ego seeks approval; the true self pursues what it loves whether anyone watches or not.
Mastery & Persistence
Pick one passion and commit to it fully. Mastery, worked at like training over years, helps define who you are.
Identity Beyond the Career
A job is not an identity. Fulfillment needs a constant hill to climb, something that moves you mentally, physically, and spiritually.