The conversation delves into the impact of unresolved trauma on men's lives, highlighting how it affects their relationships, health, and ambitions. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of healing and building, providing practical steps for addressing trauma and building a stable foundation for growth.

Takeaways

• Unresolved trauma affects men's lives in various ways
• Healing and building go hand in hand

Chapters

• 00:00 Understanding Trauma
• 04:51 How Unresolved Trauma Shows Up
• 12:53 The Cost of Unresolved Trauma

The conversation delves into the noise around masculinity, defining masculinity, men's mental health, accountability and integrity, three key areas for men, the importance of follow-through, and a relational check-in.

Takeaways

• Defining masculinity goes beyond traditional norms
• Men's mental health is impacted by societal expectations
• Accountability and follow-through are crucial for personal growth

Chapters

• 00:00 The Noise Around Masculinity
• 06:08 Men's Mental Health
• 11:51 Three Key Areas for Men
• 17:47 Relational Check-In

What does it actually look like to build a creative business, make music, raise a family, and stay grounded in faith — all at the same time?

In this episode, XO sits down with Alexander Boykins — Seattle-based photographer, music artist, and creative entrepreneur — for one of the most honest and wide-ranging conversations in SAUNAIE history. Alexander has photographed 70+ weddings, been recognized as a 2025 Best of The Bash photographer, and been featured in Canvas Rebel, all while building multiple income streams and showing up as a present father and man of faith.

This is not a how-to conversation. It is a real conversation about what the building actually requires — the sacrifice, the doubt, the moments of almost quitting, and the faith that kept him moving.

What you'll hear in this episode:

→ How photography and music feed each other creatively — and why Alexander went deep on both

→ What 70+ weddings taught him about people, relationships, and what actually matters

→ The '95% customer service, 5% camera skill' philosophy that built his business

→ How he manages multiple creative ventures without losing depth or direction

→ His honest take on AI, social media, and what real success looks like vs. what performs online

→ Faith under pressure — the real version, not the testimony version

→ How fatherhood clarified everything he is building and why

→ Direct advice for every creative who has the gift but hasn't fully bet on themselves yet

Alexander Boykins
Photographer • Music Artist • Entrepreneur

Instagram: @KingBoykinsOfficial
KingBoykins.com
Portfolio: The Bash / Boykins Photography
Alexander@KingBoykins.com