We started Gent's Journey in 2020 as a weekly men's group between five friends looking for a way to bond, motivate each other, and have meaningful (but manly) conversations.

We documented every group meetup.

Then, we sifted through hundreds of hours of meetings to find our most thought-provoking questions and conversations...

And eventually, we came up with our flagship product, The Journey Deck—52 conversation cards with 52 essential questions to inspire men of all ages to become the best version of themselves through meaningful (but manly) conversations.

These cards contain the same inspiring questions that helped us improve our own personal + professional lives.

Our mission is to help men like you unlock the same magic we did when we started Gent's Journey.

Here's to becoming the best version of yourself...

To helping you and your crew grow stronger.

To forging a bond + brotherhood.

...And to have a damn good time doing it.

— Dean, Chris, Matt, Steve + Rob

Our Why

Men today stand at a crossroads. They carry the weight of a world that often leaves them questioning who they are. Once, confidence and camaraderie seemed as natural as breathing. Now, many men drift in a sea of expectations. They are unsure of what it means to be a man. They struggle to build meaningful bonds. They search for a place where they feel completely seen.

It’s no secret that friendship has become a rare currency. In a world that’s more connected than ever, somehow, men are feeling lonelier. Where there once were close friends to lean on, now, many face silence. And beneath that silence? The heavy truth that more men are struggling with mental health than ever before. Confidence has been replaced by doubt. Purpose, once clear, has become clouded by the pressures of a changing world.

But brotherhood—that’s where the magic happens.

When men come together and speak their truth, something powerful unfolds. They drop the mask. It’s in these moments, when walls crumble, that growth begins. When you share a conversation that matters, you’re not only talking, you are healing. You’re finding the strength you didn’t know you had. And you’re not doing it alone.

That’s why we created The Journey Deck. Not to give you all the answers, but to help you ask the right questions. To give you the courage to explore the unknown. There, you'll find more than yourself—you'll find a brotherhood. These aren’t just a deck of cards; they’re a path forward. Each one is a step toward becoming the kind of man you know you can be.

So here’s to you—the men who feel the struggle, who wrestle with doubt, but who keep going. You’re not alone on this journey. You’ve got the strength within, and you’ve got brothers beside you. Let’s take the next step together.

The Gents

Dean Bokhari 

Dean is a best-selling Author, Speaker, Performance Coach, and Host of the popular Personal Development & Motivation podcast, Dean Bokhari’s Meaningful Show. He’s also an entrepreneur, award-winning presenter, and narrator of over 200 audiobooks. Dean is known as one of the world’s top professional and personal development trainers. His research-backed products and programs help people & organizations maximize their motivation, build strong habits, do meaningful work, and accomplish their goals.

 

Chris Samai

Chris is basically Captain Planet in new balance Dad shoes—except instead of capes, he’s launching wildflower revolutions and hosting fart competitions with his boys, Orion and Kai. A serial social entrepreneur, Chris has built everything from urban farms to global hospitality networks like CouchSurfing. He’s planted over 20 billion wildflowers with Seedles, proving he’s as good at saving the planet as he is at dodging wrestling takedowns from his kids. Known in the men's group as the "armchair psychologist," Chris has been leading guys into deeper conversations for over a decade. His secret? A blend of empathy, mental health struggles, and enough dad jokes to bring down the house. He self-admittedly owes 100% of his adult maturity to his partner Ei Ei Samai.

Matt McManus

My name is Matt McManus, and as one of the co-creators of The Journey Deck, Steve assigned each of us the task of writing a bio for the site's launch. However, in crafting my own, I realized that my individual journey isn't as significant in this endeavor as our collective story—a tale of gentlemen, brothers in arms, trailblazers.

Our group came together during a fragile time for humans, meeting every other Monday for what has spanned over three years—an experience that transcends mere camaraderie. My role in this group personifies The Journey Deck's purpose. As an actor, you might catch my goofy face in three movies currently streaming on TUBI, two of which held the #1 spot for over a month. My professional journey, unlike the others', reflects an eclectic resume from RuPaul's Drag Race to leading roles in films.

Among us are accomplished entrepreneurs: Dean, with his self-help empire; Steve, a marketing and PR expert; Chris, dedicated to environmental sustainability; and Rob, whose life's trajectory changed profoundly after September 11th, shaping his work against workplace bullying through his father's legacy foundation.

While these men had established anchors in business, I initially felt like an outsider. Yet, they welcomed me warmly, making me realize that my thoughts, feelings, doubts, and aspirations held value. Our meetings were marked by deep discussions, where we shared insights and perspectives like tossing a ball, realizing the collective value we brought to each other—and now, to you.

In this group, no one is out of place or beyond sharing a moment. I was embraced by these gentlemen to grow together, offering an experience that is tangible, enriching, and genuinely enjoyable. We hope you find it as compelling as we do.

Steve Seidel 

Steve is the kind of guy who turns ideas into gold—whether it’s building businesses, producing top podcasts, or helping brands inspire positive change. As the founder of The Seidel Agency, he’s worked with Fortune 500 companies, startups, and even launched a podcast with 4M+ views (casual flex). With over 15 years in media and PR, Steve has mastered the art of making things happen, but he’s all about keeping it real—truth and transparency are his go-to tools. When he’s not growing brands or writing best-sellers, Steve’s on a mission to unlock the good in everyone he meets.

 

Who We Aren't

• We aren't here to fix you—we're not mechanics. But if you want to tune up your mindset, we’ve got the tools.
• We aren't a bunch of guys who pretend they have all the answers. What we do have is a space where your questions (and answers) matter.
• We aren't interested in surface-level chats about the weather or last night’s game. We're here for the real stuff—life, purpose, growth.
• We aren't the types to shove advice down your throat. We're more into asking the right questions, and letting you find your own way.
• We aren't convinced there's something "broken" in you. What we believe is that you've got untapped potential waiting to be unleashed (without actually saying unleash).
• We aren't here to outdo each other—no chest-pounding competition. We lift each other up, because when one rises, we all do.
• We aren't therapists, but we do know how to listen, really listen. Sometimes, that’s all a man needs.
• We aren't shy about vulnerability. Real strength? That’s when you can drop the act and be yourself, no mask required.
• We aren't just about talk. We’re about action—showing up for ourselves and each other, in life’s big and small moments.
• We aren't satisfied with going it alone. Brotherhood is our strength, and together, we’re stronger, wiser, and better.

 

1. D. Cox, 'Why Men’s Social Circles Are Shrinking', American Survey Center, Washington, DC, Survey Center on American Life, 2021, https://www.americansurveycenter.org/why-mens-social-circles-are-shrinking/ (accessed 26 September 2024).