MELD Reviews

Onny Loisel 2026.04.28

     

Incredible experience. My first introduction to MELD, with Owen & Mike travelling to NZ for this 3 day workshop. Awesome space holding, guidance, wisdom shared, and truly powerful collective journey... was foundational, and I continue the work in my day to day. Authentic support, neutrality, caring and loving kindness... with serious grit. Anyone considering personal/professional development work, uncovering and facing stuff no matter what level you're at or how long or how little you've thought about this kind of influence – highly recommend getting on one of these courses, joining or starting a regular circle! They are an open book incredibly responsive, with many years of experience and practice going into this format. Awesome, well developed and a very real offering. Thank you! Onny NZ

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Jeff Kang 2026.04.08

     

The experience with Owen and Mike and the men we gathered together was truly life-changing. The model and somatic training itself are hugely helpful. The magic is in the container that they create for us individually and for us as a group to work together for each other and for our ourselves. The work extends far beyond the program, As I am reading, exploring, and finding healthier supports in my struggles — big or small. I love the experience, and I love the guys I went through it with. They were mostly strangers to me, as I traveled to another continent to work with them, but in 3 days we became bonded in ways I’ve not experienced with other men. Thanks Owen and Mike.

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Michael Anderson 2026.03.12

     

This was my second year attending the PRIME retreat. To witness how much my life has changed, entirely for the better, from last year to this, was an amazing journey in itself. The experience to connect with other men on a deeper and more whole level, in a safe and professional setting, allowed the self-work to get done that had been waiting for me but never given the time. I could not recommend the experience more to any that are ready to take on the work and discover the truth they know is waiting for them.

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Reply from MELD

Michael, thank you for sharing your journey with us over the last year. You certainly are a different man a year later.

Paul Dashevsky 2026.03.12

     

Their retreat was nothing short of "life-changing". Highly recommend to men struggling with challenges or just the weight of every day life.

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Reply from MELD

Paul, you've. been on your path for a while, to say the retreat was life-changing is huge -- thank you.

David Diaz 2026.03.12

     

Incredible life changing experience.

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Reply from MELD

David, you put a lot into your experience. I am glad you got a lot out of it.

Matthew Waugh 2026.03.12

     

I went to the Prime retreat near Joshua Tree and it was life changing. I felt much freer after allowing myself to go to old deep wounds. I felt like the 4 day retreat was more valuable than all of the individual therapy I have been through in my life (and I am a therapist myself).

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Reply from MELD

Matthew, to say that 4 days of Prime was more powerful than therapy, and you’re a therapist, is big. Thank you.

George Faller 2026.03.12

     

MELD offers the rare opportunity for meaningful change in an inspiring and safe environment!

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Reply from MELD

George, it was an honor to have you join us and dive in like all the other men. You nailed it -- for men to get deep change, the space first must feel safe. As powerful as our method may be, if men don't feel safe, not much happens. The old model of pushing or its opposite, coddling men, doesn't work.

Andrew Feeley 2025.09.11

     

MELD is truly life-changing. Every man should be exposed to this type of men’s work and community. The depth of connection, vulnerability, and growth that takes place here is something every man deserves to experience. It’s rare to find a space where you’re fully seen, heard, and supported by a brotherhood committed to healing and transformation. The impact it’s had on my life, relationships, and sense of self is profound. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of this work—this is what real growth looks like. Updated 9/11/25: The Forge Program in particular gave me the chance to slow down, reflect, and step into a deeper level of clarity and purpose. The brotherhood, the guidance, and the challenges pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect, and the support I felt along the way was unmatched. I walk away not just with lessons, but with lifelong connections and a renewed sense of who I am.

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Reply from MELD 2025.04.21

Andrew, thank you for your heartfelt review. I wish I had had this experience when I was a young man; it would have certainly shortened my learning curve.

Craig Coogan 2025.08.22

     

Meld has been a wonderful way for me to connect on a deeper level with other men, and thus myself. I highly recommend it. Starting with reading Owen Marcus’ book “Grow Up - A Man’s Guide to Emotional Intelligence”, there were many chapters that resonated with me. In October of 2024 My ex-fiance had asked me to be more mindful and so the journey began. I took Owen’s suggestion in the book and did a Mindfulness weekend, and then I emailed Owen to thank him for the work. He reached out to me, and I coached directly with him one to one for several weeks. He is extremely accessible and I gained wonderful new insights into myself that I could apply in my relationship. I went on to do Core, then Meld, then Forge. I attended a couples retreat with my fiance in Costa Rica at Imiloa, and then attended the men’s Joshua Retreat. Every one of these sessions has profoundly helped me to grow up as a man. The work is now going to help get me through my separation as I learned that my relationship was not working out for me. I can use the tools from MELD to become an even better me. Get involved. Just do it. You need it and you know it. What are you waiting for? Read the reviews. This is real. God bless Owen and his team.

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Reply from MELD 2025.08.23

Craig, thanks for such a positive and thorough review. You went for it, and the ROI is obvious. You got out of this work because you put a lot into it.

Noah Abelson-Gertler 2025.08.21

     

MELD is a gift to our world and men at large. I am wildly excited about Owen, Mike, and Duncan continuing to empower men to be their best selves!!! As a group facilitator myself I can say with assuredness that Owen and Mike's group facilitation is the best I have ever come across in my entire life. The three of you are using your superpowers to empower men- thank you deeply for it.

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Reply from MELD 2025.08.23

Thank you, Noah. What you said means a lot to me. We love what we do. There is no greater reward in my life than seeing how quickly a man can change, then have that change grow after they finish a program of ours.

Thomas Miller 2025.08.14

     

From not being able to feel what was going on in my body, name and express emotions, tolerate intensity, to achieving somatic, emotional and relational competence and in some cases, mastery. This was my journey and that of others in the group I facilitated using MELD's *free* curriculum. It actually offered a framework rooted in neurobiology and things I could actually do, rather than the mostly conceptual pep talks I've encountered in some other places. Transformative! Deep, deep gratitude for all the work you are doing, MELD people!

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Reply from MELD 2025.08.15

Thomas, thanks for the review and for applying what we teach. You are right, succeeding in a men's group can be easy and fun with the right tools. There are moments when I get pissed -- why didn't someone teach me this? My life would have been much easier.:)

Please give us feedback on how this Functional Men's Work approach works for you and your group.

Michael Welp 2025.08.13

     

I have been in Owen Marcus's mens group for over 20 years and it has been one of the highlights of my life, freeing me up to be my authentic self and offer my gifts to the world. First by getting out of my head and into my heart and body. Second by offering my heart and wisdom to my fellow men. Having grown up with five sisters I now have my brothers. My life is balanced. Owen and MELD are on the cutting edge of what men need in our country to create a world that works for all.

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Reply from MELD 2025.08.13

Thank you, Michael. It's hard to believe what we started in my living room 20+ years ago has grown into a group with 500+ alumni and three businesses. Your support of the group(s), men and me has been a key part of our collective success.

Bradley Carrion 2025.08.11

     

MELD has had such positive impact on so many men in my life. Owen and the team have unlocked something incredible here that benefits men in all walks of life.

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Reply from MELD

Thanks, Brad! Nothing beats years of experience and all that it teaches us.

Curtis Foster 2025.08.04

     

My review is for the work of Owen Marcus, with whom I began my Men's work journey in the Sandpoint Men's Group in 2011. The work he does with Meld is what he has cultivated from his beginning SMG in 2005. This work has changed my life in so many positive ways - in my relationships a husband of 37 years and a father, as acounselor in the mental health field, and, most importantly, in relationship to myself - I love myself now when I didn't use to. The community of men I have in my life as a result of this is priceless and sacred to me. This work is changing men in our country for the better. If you've ever wondered what it can do for you, check out the website and take that next scary step! You can only grow from here!!!

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Reply from MELD 2025.08.05

Thank you, Curtis for the review and all you've given back to the Sandpoint Men's Group and the general community. Many men have benefited from your love and support.

Allen Sabey 2025.08.04

     

Owen and Mike have a deep wisdom that I have felt in my heart and body. They have helped me from stuck places to feel more capacity for joy and peace in my life.

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Reply from MELD 2025.08.04

Thank you, Allen, for your support and the excellent study you and Ellen published on our work. Your several years of commitment to your research will help other men.

Geoff Steurer 2025.08.04

     

Is it too bold to say that Owen Marcus and his team at MELD have pioneered THE most effective way to help 21st century men regain their emotional and relational mastery? I don't think so. It's the truth. I've experienced it for myself and it's literally changed my life for the better. And, please note that I wasn't starting at zero. I've been a licensed marriage & family therapist for 25+ years and have built great relationships with others. However, I've personally learned more about myself and how to really show up for those I love because of the incredible work of Owen and his MELD organization. This is an easy 5+ stars for me.

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Reply from MELD 2025.08.04

Geoff, thank you so much for your endorsement. So many men come to us after doing work, believing there is a better or easier way to grow. Our science-backed somatic approach done in emotionally safe community settings is what so many of us were missing, including me. It's like when we get the nutrients we need, suddenly we go from being weak to being strong.

Piere Nel 2025.08.03

     

MELD creates a safe community space for men to freely connect with who they are, to take the risk to be emotionally vulnerable and attuned to their somatic experience. I was guided by MELD to feel, learn and grow from my experiences.

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Reply from MELD

Thank you, Piere, for the endorsement and for bringing the work to South Africa.

Todd Crossett 2025.08.03

     

I entered men’s emotional leadership work in 2007 when I received an invitation to visit, and then join, Sandpoint Men’s Group - Owen’s first group that he started around 2005. I still show up every week. The work has given me tools to navigate and experience my life and a changing world, with intention as a whole man. It grounds me and connects me to community and to myself. It gives me a place to do my emotional work where I don’t have to either bottle it up or over-rely on my partner. And it gives me the gift of being able to support other men. It’s hard to imagine my life without the emotional connection and tools I have gained since that first invitation over 18 years ago. If you are invited, I recommend you accept.

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Reply from MELD 2025.08.03

Thanks, Todd -- you've been on the journey from the beginning!

Jim DeLuca (Regular acct) 2025.08.02

     

While I have not been to an onsite retreat, I have done some virtual events and receive their regular email connections. I have been doing men's work for years and can confidently state that the Meld work and leaders is stellar and would recommend any man working to become whole to check it out.

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Reply from MELD 2025.08.03

Thanks Jim. We attempt to have our virtual experiences be as much as possible like our live experiences.

Thomas Jenkins 2025.08.02

     

Owen Marcus is one of the most gifted facilitators doing men's work you will find anywhere.

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Reply from MELD 2025.08.03

Thanks, Thomas, for the heartfelt endorsement!