What do you get when five guys pile into a car in a foreign country with nothing but Google Maps, a Bible, and a sense of humor?
In our case: a deeper sense of brotherhood, a reminder of the value of male friendships—and a whole lot of Hulk Hogan impressions.
I recently returned from a five-day whirlwind road trip through Türkiye with friends. Somewhere along the way, one of the guys broke out the classic Hulk Hogan "Brother!" line. That single word, shouted with exaggerated bravado, quickly became our group's inside joke. We repeated it everywhere—in some ancient cities, at a gas station, over meals, and while sitting on the rooftop of our AirBnb at the end of the day. And the more we said it, the more it started to mean something.
Because underneath the humor, something was happening: we were forging stronger bonds. This wasn't just a trip. It was a shared journey that stripped away distractions and allowed real connection to grow. Sadly, in today's American culture, this kind of male bonding doesn't happen nearly enough.
Why not?
Here are a few root causes I've identified—and maybe you've seen them too:
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Tyranny of the Urgent: Back home, life is a relentless prioritization machine. Urgent tasks take precedence. And let's face it, male friendship rarely breaks into the top three priorities. A change of scenery is often required to reset those priorities and create space for meaningful connection.
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Time Scarcity: We're busy, at home, at work, and in our communities. Developing deep friendships takes time, and we often don't make that investment. Brotherhood, like anything of value, requires intentionality.
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The Social Divide: Let's be honest, women tend to outpace men when it comes to social connection. Sometimes, for guys to truly open up and connect, it helps to be in a male-only setting. It's not about excluding others; it's about creating a context where vulnerability can take root.
So how do we change that?
Start small. Plan a short trip. Host a no-agenda coffee night. Go fishing. Ask another guy how he's really doing—and wait for the second answer.
Brotherhood doesn't have to be built on a foreign road trip. It just has to be built.
And yes… maybe throw in a "Brother!" or two along the way.