It's Time to Step Up: An Ongoing Invitation, with Tony Coffey & Stephen Brown Hosted by Kevin Young. Produced by J'aime Rothbard.

In this episode, Kevin is joined by two friends and Compassionate Inquiry® colleagues for a full spectrum conversation that moves from desolation and helplessness, to grief, hope and laughter. They begin in grim terrain shaped by intergenerational trauma, measured by dismal statistics and broadcast through news stories and images of violence that shock us precisely because the perpetrators are so young. Then somehow, their focus shifts to tenderness.

Together they explore:

- How poverty, the collapse of community and the absence of healthy role models shape young men - Why we blame people in ways we'd never think to blame other creatures, structures or systems

- What it means to lose 'the village,' and what might replace it

- The influence of mentors; how men in privileged positions can actually step up

Personal stories are offered by all three men. Experiences that give rise to hope are shared. They conclude not with clear solutions but an intention to 'step up', in solidarity with the quiet conviction stated by Father Edward J. Flanagan over 100 years ago: "There are no bad boys. There is only bad environment, bad training, bad example, bad thinking."

About Tony Coffey

An Accredited Addiction Counsellor and Integrative Supervisor, Tony is also a certified Compassionate Inquiry® Practitioner and Mentorship Coordinator, his private, global practice offers clients a safe and compassionate environment in which to reconnect with themselves and move toward lasting growth.

Serving as Operations Manager of a state-funded, trauma-informed addiction and recovery programme based in Dublin, Ireland, Tony oversees a dynamic and client-centred service. He supports a multidisciplinary team, ensuring smooth, responsive delivery of compassionate, trauma-informed care; creating a safe, structured environment where both clients and staff can thrive.

As a supervisor, Tony supports a wide range of professionals; counsellors, psychotherapists, addiction workers, doctors, nurses, firefighters, social workers, and others working in the fields of mental health, addiction, and trauma. Deeply passionate about creating safe, collaborative spaces where those in helping roles feel seen, supported, and empowered in their work, Tony's integrative approach to supervision is rooted in reflective, ethical, and client-centred practice. Drawing on modalities such as the cyclical, seven eyed and Wisdom models of supervision, he keeps practitioners regulated, resourced, and aligned with their values, while fostering professional growth and well-being.

About Stephen Brown

A Compassionate Inquiry® Practitioner and Compassionate Inquiry® Faculty member, in addition to facilitating students' learning in the professional year-long training, Stephen trains new mentors, facilitates the Mentor Support Program and mentors students preparing for certification.

An Internal Family Systems Practitioner, (Level 3), Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Gestaltist, Stephen's private practice combines all of these modalities and approaches, along with what he calls the Four Pillars of Connection: Connection with Self, Connection with Community, Connection with Environment, and Connection with 'something greater than.'

His passion for working with groups extends into the corporate and community sectors where he provides training, retreats, and team development experiences for businesses, charities, and sport teams. He has travelled extensively throughout Europe and beyond for companies such as Google, Hugo Boss, Barnardo's, TKMaxx, Queen's University Belfast, Special Olympics, and The Tamer Group.

Stephen has led retreats in Ireland, the Sahara Desert and Bali, all of which typically involve nature, adventure, ceremony, and ritual, and utilize his therapeutic skills as well as those of a Master Firewalking Instructor and Experiential Educator.

Promotional Messages:

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Resources Websites:

Stephen's Professional Site

Stephen's Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner Profile

Tony's Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner Profile

Father Edward J. Flanagan

Book:

Edwardo, the Horriblest Boy in the Whole Wide World

Quotes:

"Men are in pain. Women are in pain. Young people are in pain. And who do you turn to?" - Tony Coffey

"I've always hated the cruel system that neglects boys until they're forced into breaking the law." - Stephen Brown

"There are no bad boys. There is only bad environment, bad training, bad example, bad thinking." - Father Edward J. Flanagan

"I certainly believe there are no bad people. There are just processes and systems that have forced them to survive in a certain way or force them to react in a certain way." - Kevin Young

" …it's about us as individuals, shaping what we can with what we've got in the moment. Because the other stuff, it's out of our power, out of our control from a bigger perspective. - Tony Coffey

"...every single man listening to this, if he is in any way conscious or involved in this world, knows another man or a young man who could do with a hand on their shoulder, and saying, hey, sit down, have a cup of tea.." - Kevin Young

Social Media

Tony's Facebook

Tony's Instagram

Tony's LinkedIn