182. Why Deadpool and You are the same person

Fire Forged Leader Podcast | Hosted by Steve Baumgartner

Why do high-performing men relate to a vulgar, reckless anti-hero like Deadpool?

Because behind all the chaos... he's hurting, armored, and afraid to be known—just like too many of us.

In this raw solo episode, Steve Baumgartner exposes the masks that men wear to survive: humor, silence, anger, and control. He introduces the UNMASK Framework, a six-step blueprint for reclaiming leadership from the inside out—at home, at work, and within.

If you’re leading at work but feel invisible at home, this is your wake-up call.

🔖 CHAPTER MARKERS:

00:00 – Deadpool: The Anti-Hero Men Secretly Relate To
02:10 – The Mask You Wear: Humor, Control, Silence, or Anger
04:35 – Childhood Survival Skills That Turn Into Adult Walls
07:00 – Jesus: The Example of Controlled Power & Authentic Leadership
09:20 – UNMASK Framework: Step 1 – Uncover the Mask
10:45 – Step 2 – Name the Wound
11:50 – Step 3 – Meet God in Your Mess
14:15 – Step 4 – Align in Brotherhood
15:40 – Step 5 – Stand in the Fire (Have the Hard Conversation)
16:35 – Step 6 – Keep the Damn Standard
17:56 – Two Roads: Keep the Mask or Step into the Fire

💥 Inside This Episode:

✅ Why so many men live behind emotional armor
 ✅ How sarcasm and success can hide brokenness
 ✅ The connection between your wounds and your leadership gaps
 ✅ What scripture says about masculinity and emotional presence
 ✅ The 6-step UNMASK Framework to rebuild from the inside out

🔥 Key Takeaway:

You don’t need more performance. You need more presence—and that starts by taking off the mask.

🎯 This Episode Is For You If:

• You lead at work but feel distant at home
• You feel misunderstood or disrespected in your marriage
• You use humor, control, or anger to hide pain
• You want to lead with integrity—in front of your kids, wife, team, and God

🎧 LISTEN NOW on the Fire Forged Leader Podcast
📲 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & more