First things first...

Disclaimer: Talking Stick Utah does not, in fact, feature a giant magical tree branch.

If that's what brought you here, we hate to disappoint you.

If you were expecting Jeff Dunham, Mr. Stick from South Park, or some ancient artifact that grants wisdom to anyone who holds it...you're going to be slightly disappointed there, too.

What you will find is something we think is a whole lot more interesting.

Why We Exist

Talking Stick Utah was born from a simple observation:

Men aren't doing all that well.

We see it in the statistics surrounding mental health, suicide, loneliness, addiction, fatherlessness, relationship struggles, and the growing sense that many men simply don't know where they belong anymore.

At the same time, conversations about masculinity have become increasingly polarized. Everywhere you look, people seem determined to argue over what a man should be instead of creating places where men can actually become healthy, responsible, compassionate, and authentic.

We figured there had to be a better way.

So we decided to build one.

The Village

Brandon likes to joke that Talking Stick is still a little kid.

Like any child, it takes a village to raise it.

That's where you come in.

Talking Stick isn't just another nonprofit asking people to sit quietly while experts lecture from a stage. It's a growing community where everyday people help shape what this organization becomes.

If we're going to build healthier men, healthier families, and healthier communities, we think the community itself should have a seat at the table.

What We Do

Talking Stick Utah is (almost) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit bringing together men, women, local organizations, professionals, and community leaders to rethink how we approach men's health, relationships, purpose, and personal growth.

Our mission isn't to tell men what to think.

It's to create places where they can think, question, learn, laugh, struggle honestly, and grow together.

We believe real change happens through conversation, accountability, education, service, and meaningful relationships, not shame or ideology.

How We Build Community

We're intentionally starting small.

Right now that means face-to-face connection through things like:

Eventually, we hope to expand into a permanent community space offering workshops, seminars, mentoring, emotional performance coaching, communication training, and partnerships with organizations doing incredible work throughout Utah.

We also envision fundraising efforts that support domestic violence awareness, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, scholarships, and programs that strengthen families—including single-parent households.

Our Philosophy

We aren't interested in fighting culture wars.

We're interested in building good men.

Men who are emotionally intelligent without losing their strength.

Men who are dependable.

Men who can lead when leadership is needed, listen when listening is needed, and ask for help when help is needed.

Men who build healthy relationships with women, children, other men, and themselves.

We believe masculinity isn't something to fear or apologize for.

It isn't something to worship, either.

It's something worth cultivating.

Pull Up a Chair

Whether you're looking for community...

Trying to become a better father...

Recovering from a difficult season...

Looking for meaningful friendships...

Or you're simply curious what all this "Talking Stick" business is about...

You're welcome here.

No secret handshake required.

(Although if someone eventually invents one, we'll probably give it a shot.)

Because at the end of the day, we're just a group of people who believe healthy men build healthy families, healthy families build healthy communities, and healthy communities change the world.

Welcome to the village. Pull up a chair.