WORKSHOPS & TRAINING

Courageous Conversations. Clear Insights. Compassionate Change.

Turning Awareness Into Action With Practical, Skill-Based Workshops

Brendan offers engaging, research-based workshops and trainings—delivered virtually or in-person—on topics related to boys, men, masculinity, social-emotional learning, mental health, wellbeing, and gender equity.

His workshops build on many of the themes from his keynotes and are highly practical and skill-focused, designed to meet the specific, real-world needs of each audience. Sessions are interactive and experiential, incorporating hands-on activities, guided reflection, role-play scenarios, and practical tools that participants can immediately apply in their personal, educational, or professional contexts.

Most workshops include optional take-home resources, worksheets, and supplementary materials that support ongoing learning, reflection, and sustained action long after the session ends.

Workshops and trainings are available for all-gender or single-gender groups and tailored for:

Examples of Previous Workshops Brendan Has Facilitated:

EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT LEADERSHIP, GENDER, AND THE TRAUMA TRIANGLE
Audience: Leadership Teams, School Administrators

This session explores leadership dynamics through the lens of the Trauma Triangle (Victim–Villain–Hero roles) and its impact on school or workplace culture. Leaders will reflect on their own relational patterns, how to support their teams, and learn strategies for navigating emotionally charged issues related to gender, power, and conflict with clarity and integrity.

ENGAGING MEN IN CHANGE AND HEALING: NAVIGATING ENTRY POINTS AND ROADBLOCKS
Audience: University Staff, Partnering Organizations, Volunteers, Coaches

This training focuses on effectively engaging men in violence prevention and intrapersonal healing. It offers practical strategies, activities, and frameworks to help participants approach this work with greater clarity and impact—especially amid the polarized conversations around men and masculinity. Topics include engaging defensive men, balancing shame avoidance with holding space for it, fostering accountability, reaching men involved in harmful behaviors, and tailored recommendations for the client’s programming.

COACHING BOYS BEYOND THE GAME: BUILDING EMOTIONAL AWARENESS, CONNECTION, AND POSITIVE MASCULINITY IN MALE TEAMS
Audience: Coaches of male athletes

This 2-hour workshop equips coaches with practical tools to foster emotional development, connection, and leadership in male athletes. Participants learn strategies to lead gender-conscious conversations and activities that enhance players’ self-awareness, regulation, and team cohesion—both on and off the field.

“I KNOW I SHOULD SHARE…BUT IT FEELS TOO MUCH LIKE WEAKNESS”: NAVIGATING MASCULINITY, MENTAL HEALTH, AND SUICIDE RISK
Audience: Educators, Parents, and Youth-Serving Professionals

This 3-hour workshop explores how gender dynamics—particularly masculinity—impact the mental health and wellbeing of boys and young men. With suicide rates significantly higher among males in many age groups, this session sheds light on developmental pathways where disconnection, emotional suppression, and isolation increase vulnerability. Participants gain practical, research-informed strategies to promote emotional connection, purpose, resilience, and help-seeking behaviors, equipping them to foster environments where young people feel seen, valued, and supported.

UNDERSTANDING AND ADDRESSING THE “BOY CRISIS” AND MASCULINITY CHALLENGES IN SCHOOLS
Audience: Educators and School Staff

This practical session helps educators recognize distinct and overlapping gender-related challenges facing students—especially boys—and how to create classroom environments that foster social-emotional health for all. Participants receive post-workshop resources for immediate classroom application.

TRAINING THE TRAINERS: HOW TO LEAD BOYS’ GROUPS WITH INTENTIONALITY & IMPACT
Audience: Male Educators and Youth-Serving Professionals

A deep-dive, hands-on training focused on how to intentionally design and lead gender-conscious, skill-building groups or programming for boys. Covers emotional awareness, regulation, relationship skills, conflict resolution, and healthy masculinity. Participants experience sample activities firsthand and receive resources for running their own groups.

GROWING UP MALE TODAY: FINDING PURPOSE AND PAIN
Audience: Male Students

This skill-based workshop creates a safe space for boys to explore compassion and vulnerability as a foundation for personal growth. Through discussions on emotional expression, respect, and prosocial behavior, participants examine how challenges like sexism, homophobia, and racism shape their peer culture—including group dynamics like “walking in packs” and safety concerns. The session invites boys to reflect on their own experiences of pain and purpose while building connection and empathy within the group.

STUDENT WORKSHOP (MIXED GENDER STUDENT LEADERS): LEADING PEERS IN GENDER EQUITY AND WELLBEING
Audience: Student Leaders of All Genders

An interactive workshop preparing student leaders to facilitate and model positive conversations around gender, respect, and emotional wellbeing among their peers. Focused on building leadership skills for promoting equity and fostering safe, inclusive school climates.

MASCULINITY AT A CROSSROADS: A PATH TO JUSTICE AND EQUITY
Audience: Students, Educators, General Audiences

In the pursuit of gender equity and justice, masculinity often sits at the center of these conversations. This workshop unpacks socialization messages around gender—both positive and negative—and explores actionable steps to promote wellbeing for all genders, including ourselves.

CLOSER THAN YOU THINK: BUILDING THE FATHER-SON CONNECTION
Audience: Fathers, father-figures, and male caregivers

Most boys want a closer, more open relationship with their dads—even if they rarely say it. And most fathers want that same connection with their sons—even if they feel unsure, awkward, or unprepared for how to build it. This workshop offers a rare space for dads and male caregivers to pause, reflect, and explore the kind of relationship their sons truly need—and the kind of father they themselves once longed for. Through honest conversation, guided reflection, and practical tools, participants will learn how to foster emotional safety, strengthen trust, and open up communication—while breaking old patterns of silence, disconnection, or misunderstanding. Walk away with renewed confidence and clarity to become the kind of positive male role model your son needs—and the kind of man your younger self would be proud of.

If you’re interested in bringing one of these workshops or trainings to your organization, school, or community, or want to explore a custom program tailored specifically to your needs, please reach out to start the conversation.

Brendan’s workshops are a must for all who care about the socio-emotional development of students. His kind and empathetic approach led to so many meaningful discussions and deepened my understanding of the messages that our students are being inundated with regularly via social media.

— PARENT & TEACHER

It’s easy to see why Brendan’s workshops are so popular and impactful. He is welcoming and respectful of his audience. He listens with genuine curiosity, humility, and care. He shares insights that are thoughtfully considered and well-informed, and offers practical recommendations that reflect his empathy and understanding of the challenges that boys, men, and our society now face. In short, Brendan is a grounded, responsible, and trustworthy leader who teaches and inspires by example and who helps people find ways to heal and reasons to hope.

— Judy Y. Chu, Ed.D., author of When Boys Become BOYS: Development, Relationships, and Masculinity

Brendan’s workshops offer impactful, evidence-based training that resonates and drives real change. Schools, organizations, and community groups alike benefit from his practical, engaging approach, with participants walking away equipped with tools they can use immediately. To learn more or explore how Brendan can support your team or event, don’t hesitate to get in touch—he’d be happy to connect.