In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with his brother Yancy "YD" Comins, co-founder of Hands In The Soil, for a powerful conversation on men’s healing, brotherhood, and the medicine of gathering in community. Rooted in their shared experience building the men’s circle at DENA Heals, this conversation explores why so many men are hurting, and how nature, ritual, and honest connection can help us return to ourselves. Together, Mike and Yancy reflect on what happens when men are given space to breathe, to feel, and to heal in community. 

In this episode of&nbsp;Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with his brother&nbsp;Yancy "YD"&nbsp;Comins,&nbsp;co-founder of Hands In The Soil, for a powerful conversation on men&rsquo;s healing, brotherhood, and the medicine of gathering in community. Rooted in their shared experience building the men&rsquo;s circle at DENA Heals, this conversation explores why so many men are hurting, and how nature, ritual, and honest connection can help us return to ourselves. Together, Mike and Yancy reflect on&nbsp;what happens when men are given space to breathe, to feel,&nbsp;and to heal in community.&nbsp;

Sacred Lessons in Brotherhood: Nature, Ritual & the Power of Community

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/23cd3b2f-1bfb-4573-a9ee-b41c0147f4fe/transcript

In this deeply personal episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with his longtime friend Tad Nakamura, an award-winning filmmaker, father, and son of pioneering Asian American cinema icon Robert A. Nakamura. Having known each other for over 25 years, Mike and Tad reflect on growing up as sons of movement fathers, carrying both the gifts and the wounds of legacy. Through Tad’s film Third Act, they explore filmmaking as a bridge between grief and healing, fatherhood as a practice of presence, and storytelling as a way to reclaim generational memory. This intimate conversation is a reminder that art can open doors between fathers and sons and that healing often begins when we find the courage to tell our most vulnerable truths.

In this deeply personal episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with his longtime friend Tad Nakamura, an award-winning filmmaker, father, and son of pioneering Asian American cinema icon Robert A. Nakamura. Having known each other for over 25 years, Mike and Tad reflect on growing up as sons of movement fathers, carrying both the gifts and the wounds of legacy. Through Tad&rsquo;s film&nbsp;Third Act, they explore filmmaking as a bridge between grief and healing, fatherhood as a practice of presence, and storytelling as a way to reclaim generational memory. This intimate conversation is a reminder that art can open doors between fathers and sons and that healing often begins when we find the courage to tell our most vulnerable truths.

Sacred Lessons in Film: Legacy, Fatherhood & Generations of Healing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d496c423-f880-466c-a6d8-b411010ab05f/transcript

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Ernesto Yerena, renowned movement artist, cultural storyteller, and truth-teller whose work has shaped a generation of organizers and creatives. Together, they explore how art can become both resistance and medicine, born from the frontera, ancestral memory, and the search for identity. Ernesto speaks candidly about anxiety and his health, offering a rare and vulnerable conversation about mental health among men of color. This episode is a powerful reminder that healing happens in community and that creativity, culture, and lineage can guide us back to ourselves.

In this episode of&nbsp;Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Ernesto Yerena, renowned movement artist, cultural storyteller, and truth-teller whose work has shaped a generation of organizers and creatives. Together, they explore how art can become both resistance and medicine, born from the frontera, ancestral memory, and the search for identity. Ernesto speaks candidly about anxiety and his health, offering a rare and vulnerable conversation about mental health among men of color.&nbsp;This episode is a powerful reminder that healing happens in community and that creativity, culture, and lineage can guide us back to ourselves.

Sacred Lessons in Mental Health: Art, Identity & Healing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d710aa5f-e870-4b99-a3a9-b40a00eeff88/transcript

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Jose Arellano, entrepreneur, community leader, Vice President of Operations at Homeboy Industries, and Mike’s business partner at Tepito Coffee. Together they reflect on Jose’s journey from the streets and incarceration to becoming a leader helping others rebuild their lives. This deeply personal conversation explores second chances, brotherhood, and the power of unconditional love to transform a life. Through his work at Tepito Coffee and Homeboy, Jose reminds us that healing is possible, dignity can be restored, and sometimes a simple cup of coffee can bring people from different worlds together.

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Jose Arellano, entrepreneur, community leader, Vice President of Operations at Homeboy Industries, and Mike&rsquo;s business partner at Tepito Coffee. Together they reflect on Jose&rsquo;s journey from the streets and incarceration to becoming a leader helping others rebuild their lives. This deeply personal conversation explores second chances, brotherhood, and the power of unconditional love to transform a life. Through his work at Tepito Coffee and Homeboy, Jose reminds us that healing is possible, dignity can be restored, and sometimes a simple cup of coffee can bring people from different worlds together.

Sacred Lessons in Second Chances: Brotherhood, Healing & Purpose

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3c7d4fbd-75ac-4d3f-a1e9-b4050189b9ac/transcript

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Salvador Santana, musician, producer, and son of the legendary Carlos Santana, for a deeply personal conversation about fathers and sons. This isn’t about fame or Grammys. It’s about fatherhood, legacy, and the vulnerability it takes to love across generations. For the first time, Salvador speaks candidly about his own son and the pain of almost losing him, reflecting on how that experience reshaped his understanding of love, responsibility, and healing. Together, Mike and Salvador explore what it means to grow up with a larger-than-life father and the lifelong work of understanding, accepting, and redefining that relationship on your own terms.

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Salvador Santana, musician, producer, and son of the legendary Carlos Santana, for a deeply personal conversation about fathers and sons. This isn&rsquo;t about fame or Grammys. It&rsquo;s about fatherhood, legacy, and the vulnerability it takes to love across generations. For the first time, Salvador speaks candidly about his own son and the pain of almost losing him, reflecting on how that experience reshaped his understanding of love, responsibility, and healing. Together, Mike and Salvador explore what it means to grow up with a larger-than-life father and the lifelong work of understanding, accepting, and redefining that relationship on your own terms.

Sacred Lessons in Legacy: Music, Fatherhood & Finding Your Voice

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/eca71e19-721d-4a3f-9003-b3fa01437ea7/transcript

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Chris Rivas for a powerful conversation about identity, belonging, and the quiet lie that so many of us carry: that we are not enough. Actor, author of Brown Enough, and cultural storyteller, Chris challenges harmful notions of supremacy and masculinity while inviting us to reclaim our stories as medicine for ourselves and for our communities. Together, they explore awakening, intimacy, consumption, and the courage it takes to unlearn what we were taught about taking up space. This episode is for anyone who has ever asked, Am I enough?

In this episode of&nbsp;Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with&nbsp;Chris Rivas&nbsp;for a powerful conversation about identity, belonging, and the quiet lie that so many of us carry: that we are not enough. Actor, author of&nbsp;Brown Enough, and cultural storyteller, Chris challenges harmful notions of supremacy and masculinity while inviting us to reclaim our stories as medicine for ourselves and for our communities. Together, they explore awakening, intimacy, consumption, and the courage it takes to unlearn what we were taught about taking up space. This episode is for anyone who has ever asked,&nbsp;Am I enough?

Sacred Lessons in Identity: Masculinity, Intimacy, and Belonging

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/78d089e6-1b0d-4e4c-9bc5-b3f500d06fce/transcript

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Vic Mensa and his father, Edward Mensah, for a rare, intergenerational conversation about becoming a father, becoming a son, and becoming accountable to something greater than oneself. Vic reflects on how fatherhood has ushered in a quieter, more intentional chapter of his life, grounded in ancestry, purpose, and love. Two men. Two lineages. One shared responsibility: raising sons who know they are loved.

In this episode of&nbsp;Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with&nbsp;Vic Mensa&nbsp;and his father,&nbsp;Edward Mensah, for a rare, intergenerational conversation about becoming a father, becoming a son, and becoming accountable to something greater than oneself. Vic reflects on how fatherhood has ushered in a quieter, more intentional chapter of his life, grounded in ancestry, purpose, and love. Two men. Two lineages. One shared responsibility: raising sons who know they are loved.

Sacred Lessons in Becoming: Fatherhood, Ancestry & Purpose

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/61729934-8e06-46dc-8524-b3e7011c0a60/transcript

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Richie Reseda, artist, abolitionist, and CEO of Question Culture, for a raw and transformative conversation about masculinity, accountability, and healing. From co-founding Success Stories inside Soledad Prison to co-creating Songs From the Hole, Richie reflects on unlearning patriarchy and the radical belief that healing is possible anywhere.

In this episode of&nbsp;Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Richie Reseda, artist, abolitionist, and CEO of Question Culture, for a raw and transformative conversation about masculinity, accountability, and healing. From co-founding Success Stories inside Soledad Prison to co-creating&nbsp;Songs From the Hole, Richie reflects on unlearning patriarchy and the radical belief that healing is possible anywhere.

Sacred Lessons in Abolition: Masculinity, Integrity & Love

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7c4fd66a-baf4-4e6d-b938-b3e60112ec4c/transcript

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Selema Masekela for an intimate conversation about culture, nature, and the love between fathers and sons. From surfing, skating, and snowboarding to music and movement as medicine, Selema reflects on how the outdoors became a spiritual home and a pathway to belonging. Together, Mike and Selema explore legacy, grief, and healing, honoring their fathers’ impact while learning how to redefine manhood through tenderness, presence, and love.

In this episode of&nbsp;Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with&nbsp;Selema Masekela&nbsp;for an intimate conversation about culture, nature, and the love between fathers and sons. From surfing, skating, and snowboarding to music and movement as medicine, Selema reflects on how the outdoors became a spiritual home and a pathway to belonging. Together, Mike and Selema explore legacy, grief, and healing, honoring their fathers&rsquo; impact while learning how to redefine manhood through tenderness, presence, and love.

Sacred Lessons in Nature: Culture, Legacy & Father-Son Love

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e847a2f7-536b-4833-9d45-b3e10121a8c2/transcript

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Maestro Jerry Tello for a deeply grounding conversation on ceremony, culture, and healing. A community leader, healing practitioner, and internationally recognized voice for justice, Jerry shares wisdom shaped by his Mexican, Texan, and Coahuiltecan Indigenous roots and upbringing in Los Angeles. With over five decades dedicated to healing individuals, families, and communities, Jerry reflects on fatherhood, violence prevention, and the power of culturally-rooted practices to restore dignity and connection.

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Maestro Jerry Tello for a deeply grounding conversation on ceremony, culture, and healing. A community leader, healing practitioner, and internationally recognized voice for justice, Jerry shares wisdom shaped by his Mexican, Texan, and Coahuiltecan Indigenous roots and upbringing in Los Angeles. With over five decades dedicated to healing individuals, families, and communities, Jerry reflects on fatherhood, violence prevention, and the power of culturally-rooted practices to restore dignity and connection.

Sacred Lessons in Ceremony: Culture, Community & Healing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6eb6959b-08fc-4b6d-a0bc-b3da01736e24/transcript

Sacred Lessons with Mike de la Rocha is redefining what it means to be a man. Hosted by bestselling author and artist Mike de la Rocha, each episode explores masculinity, healing, and purpose through raw, honest conversations with men from all walks of life.

In a culture that teaches men to stay silent, Sacred Lessons creates a brave space where true strength begins with vulnerability. Whether you’re on a journey of self-discovery, healing generational wounds, or seeking deeper connection, this podcast invites you to reconnect with your purpose and rediscover the power of love and community.

Sacred Lessons with Mike de la Rocha is redefining what it means to be a man. Hosted by bestselling author and artist Mike de la Rocha, each episode explores masculinity, healing, and purpose through raw, honest conversations with men from all walks of life.
In a culture that teaches men to stay silent, Sacred Lessons creates a brave space where true strength begins with vulnerability. Whether you&rsquo;re on a journey of self-discovery, healing generational wounds, or seeking deeper connection, this podcast invites you to reconnect with your purpose and rediscover the power of love and community.

Sacred Lessons with Mike de la Rocha

Social links:

Follow the podcast:

22 clip(s)