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From Broken Boy to Mended Man: A Positive Plan to Heal Your Childhood Wounds and Break the Cycle
A Simple and Hope-filled Blueprint to Break Free from a Hurtful Childhood that May Be Holding You Back― Secret Hurts, Destructive Cycles, Buried Anger , and More
Hiding inside every man is a little boy. For some this kid is healthy and strong. For others he’s insecure. Afraid. Angry. And broken. This describes Patrick Morley. Successful entrepreneur and businessman, Patrick ignored the pain of his childhood wounds for decades. This book tells his story and offers a surprising remedy. An ironclad promise of wholeness. Today, millions of men are suffering silently and not breaking the cycle because they’ve never processed the pain of their father and mother wounds. Does that describe you?
If so, you are not alone. And there’s hope. A better way. You can find healing and finally break free from a lifelong cycle of pain and smoldering rage. You can, by God’s grace, re-write the script for your future and achieve so much more. Can you imagine?
In From Broken Boy to Mended Man , Patrick Morley describes his own revealing and healing journey and offers answers on how to safely uncover wounds that may have fueled destructive patterns for decades. This book will help you You can move forward from unprocessed pain. Discover today how to start brand new.
Hiding inside every man is a little boy. For some this kid is healthy and strong. For others he’s insecure. Afraid. Angry. And broken. This describes Patrick Morley. Successful entrepreneur and businessman, Patrick ignored the pain of his childhood wounds for decades. This book tells his story and offers a surprising remedy. An ironclad promise of wholeness. Today, millions of men are suffering silently and not breaking the cycle because they’ve never processed the pain of their father and mother wounds. Does that describe you?
If so, you are not alone. And there’s hope. A better way. You can find healing and finally break free from a lifelong cycle of pain and smoldering rage. You can, by God’s grace, re-write the script for your future and achieve so much more. Can you imagine?
In From Broken Boy to Mended Man , Patrick Morley describes his own revealing and healing journey and offers answers on how to safely uncover wounds that may have fueled destructive patterns for decades. This book will help you You can move forward from unprocessed pain. Discover today how to start brand new.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published March 19, 2024
108 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 2, 2025
Though it took me a while to finish this book just due to life happening and work, the books message is not one to forget or even go back reread and reflect on. The tie in of knowledge and scripture shows not just healing from a psychological side but a healing through Christ.
A wonderful book that is simple to read and grasp. Hopefully I can incorporate it into my men's small group!
A wonderful book that is simple to read and grasp. Hopefully I can incorporate it into my men's small group!
September 10, 2024
This book is an absolute treasure for not just Christian men, but all men to read and digest. Understanding how your childhood wounds plays a larger part of who you are today and identifying the “why” to the patterns of your behaviors and thoughts. Patrick Morley digs deep to help boys who have been wounded to face their own traumas, negative experiences, and pain to mending relationships with themselves and families to begin their healing process and help others in their journey.
May 19, 2024
Summary: The author takes us through his own journey of healing childhood wounds and leads through a process of reflection to identify childhood wounds, the ways they manifest in destructive behaviors, to finding healing and to shift perspective toward parents, other adults and one’s own children.
Patrick Morley, leader of an effective ministry with men called Man in the Mirror discovered something was off in his own life. His mother died of cancer when he was 53. And he felt nothing. This led him to seek counseling which revealed wounds in his life from his childhood. He was never hugged, told he was loved, or that his parents were proud of him. And so he washed his hands of them. But those experiences of abandonment turned up in unexpected and unhealthy ways in his own work marriage and parenting. As the old saying goes, “Hurt people hurt people.”
Morley believes healing of these wounds is possible, leading to changes in how we relate to those closest to us–and in some instances, even with those who inflicted the wounds. In this book, written primarily for an audience of other men, he guides through a process of unraveling childhood wounds, of healing, and breaking the cycle. The book is designed as a text one interacts with, with short chapters interspersed with reflection exercises and concluding reflection and discussion sections. This makes it ideal for working through with a supportive group of men. It’s not meant to replace therapy, which the author sought out in his own life but as a helpful adjunct to that process.
In the first part, Morley describes his own process, calling the outcome both healing of wounds and “walking with a limp,” but with joy. He explores the different ways parents wound and naming wounds. Often, the out-of-character or disproportionate ways we react as adults point to the wounds of childhood. He spends two chapters on naming wounds, things like “you are oversensitive and often misread what people intend” or “you can’t get rid of the negative voices in your head.”
Part two explores the process of healing. He walks people through stages of healing. Overcoming denial and facing the truth of how one has suffered. Grieving what one lost or missed out on and working toward acceptance. Rethinking the stories of one’s parents and forgiving–hurt often passes from generation to generation until the cycle is broken. Making amends for what we have done without accepting responsibility for another’s abusive behavior. Working to rehabilitate the relationship where possible (he offers very helpful guidelines for when this is appropriate) and setting boundaries against further wounding.
Part three is about breaking the cycle. Here, he returns to face honestly the fact that healing may or may not be totally. We may walk. Our pain may be less. But we may limp–we may always struggle with abandonment or other wounds. But we may know the joy of God’s strength in our brokenness, like kintsugi pottery, where cracks are repaired with gold. We own the ways we’ve weaponized our wounds with spouses and children, sincerely apologizing for the wrong we’ve done. We learn to husband and father from a healed and loving heart that affirms the great worth and unique gifts of those we love. Finally, we realize that there are other men facing similar childhood wounds and walk as “wounded healers” among these wounded men.
I appreciate how Patrick Morley models this throughout this book, transparently sharing his own wounds, the ways he has inflicted pain, and his own process of healing. As noted earlier, the book is of greatest benefit if one does and discusses the reflection exercises with a group of men. Morley taps into something often overlooked in a culture that highlights men’s failures. That is that there are a number of men who want to be better colleagues, husbands, and fathers yet are a mystery to themselves as they engage in self-defeating behaviors that connect back to childhood wounds. Morley offers a path toward unraveling the ways men are mysteries to themselves and toward healing and transformed relationships. He avoids traps of self-pity or bitterness as he coaches men in how they may exercise both agency and self-care in their healing process.
Morley debated how public to make his own journey. Yet by doing so, he has offered hope and a pathway for others who harbor within a “broken boy.”
____________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.
Patrick Morley, leader of an effective ministry with men called Man in the Mirror discovered something was off in his own life. His mother died of cancer when he was 53. And he felt nothing. This led him to seek counseling which revealed wounds in his life from his childhood. He was never hugged, told he was loved, or that his parents were proud of him. And so he washed his hands of them. But those experiences of abandonment turned up in unexpected and unhealthy ways in his own work marriage and parenting. As the old saying goes, “Hurt people hurt people.”
Morley believes healing of these wounds is possible, leading to changes in how we relate to those closest to us–and in some instances, even with those who inflicted the wounds. In this book, written primarily for an audience of other men, he guides through a process of unraveling childhood wounds, of healing, and breaking the cycle. The book is designed as a text one interacts with, with short chapters interspersed with reflection exercises and concluding reflection and discussion sections. This makes it ideal for working through with a supportive group of men. It’s not meant to replace therapy, which the author sought out in his own life but as a helpful adjunct to that process.
In the first part, Morley describes his own process, calling the outcome both healing of wounds and “walking with a limp,” but with joy. He explores the different ways parents wound and naming wounds. Often, the out-of-character or disproportionate ways we react as adults point to the wounds of childhood. He spends two chapters on naming wounds, things like “you are oversensitive and often misread what people intend” or “you can’t get rid of the negative voices in your head.”
Part two explores the process of healing. He walks people through stages of healing. Overcoming denial and facing the truth of how one has suffered. Grieving what one lost or missed out on and working toward acceptance. Rethinking the stories of one’s parents and forgiving–hurt often passes from generation to generation until the cycle is broken. Making amends for what we have done without accepting responsibility for another’s abusive behavior. Working to rehabilitate the relationship where possible (he offers very helpful guidelines for when this is appropriate) and setting boundaries against further wounding.
Part three is about breaking the cycle. Here, he returns to face honestly the fact that healing may or may not be totally. We may walk. Our pain may be less. But we may limp–we may always struggle with abandonment or other wounds. But we may know the joy of God’s strength in our brokenness, like kintsugi pottery, where cracks are repaired with gold. We own the ways we’ve weaponized our wounds with spouses and children, sincerely apologizing for the wrong we’ve done. We learn to husband and father from a healed and loving heart that affirms the great worth and unique gifts of those we love. Finally, we realize that there are other men facing similar childhood wounds and walk as “wounded healers” among these wounded men.
I appreciate how Patrick Morley models this throughout this book, transparently sharing his own wounds, the ways he has inflicted pain, and his own process of healing. As noted earlier, the book is of greatest benefit if one does and discusses the reflection exercises with a group of men. Morley taps into something often overlooked in a culture that highlights men’s failures. That is that there are a number of men who want to be better colleagues, husbands, and fathers yet are a mystery to themselves as they engage in self-defeating behaviors that connect back to childhood wounds. Morley offers a path toward unraveling the ways men are mysteries to themselves and toward healing and transformed relationships. He avoids traps of self-pity or bitterness as he coaches men in how they may exercise both agency and self-care in their healing process.
Morley debated how public to make his own journey. Yet by doing so, he has offered hope and a pathway for others who harbor within a “broken boy.”
____________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.
July 10, 2025
This book for me personally was mainly a review of things I've learned in the last several years through my own counseling and working through abuse, trauma, and emotional baggage, but it felt more like finding a friend who understands. Who gets it. Who is further in his journey than I am. It gives me hope as I seek to continue healing, turning from sinful habits, owning my decisions and behaviors and future, and building deep, meaningful relationships with others. Some of the first paragraphs in chapter 1 summarize very well the tone and content of this book, which I've included below, and I would recommend this book to other men who have come from broken or dysfunctional homes and want to move forward with their lives and relationships.
“When my mother died from cancer, I didn’t feel anything. I wasn’t sad. I didn’t cry. There was no emotional response. Nothing. At the time, I was fifty-three years old.
“Knowing something was off, I made an appointment with a counselor to figure out why. Over eight sessions, my counselor helped me process the father and mother wounds I had never been able to put into words. That allowed me to grieve the childhood I had missed. It empowered me to forgive, heal, and make beautiful, lasting changes.
“Not understanding our emotions is more common for us men than you might think. Researchers believe that many men are so emotionally impaired that not only do we struggle to express our feelings but we’re emotionally blind to what those feelings even are.
“Perhaps you also carry around the lingering, hard-to-put-into-words pain of childhood wounds. Maybe your father or mother was not in the picture. Or maybe one or both were neglectful and distant, or angry and abusive, or self-absorbed. Maybe they just didn’t know any better. But the result is the same, and you’ve never gotten over it.
“If that’s you, I want you to know you’re in good company. Most of the men with whom you will cross paths today had fathers or mothers who failed them. In fact, renowned addiction expert Terence Gorski wrote, ‘In the United States today . . . it is estimated that approximately 70 to 80 percent come from dysfunctional families.’
“As many as eight out of every ten men you cross paths with today in your neighborhood, workplace, gym, or church also grew up in dysfunctional homes. You are not alone. Together, we are the fraternal order of broken boys.
“What is your starting point today? Is it passivity, resignation, addiction, rage, a critical spirit, poor self-esteem, denial, or lack of confidence? Are you oversensitive to criticism, lashing out when it comes? Do you get moody and withdraw? Are you driven to win acceptance in the world because you didn’t get it at home? Are you an overachiever, a protector of the weak, or a champion of lost causes?
“Whatever your starting point, the process is the same. The Bible prescribes a process for healing (and preventing) childhood wounds that has been in constant, successful use for thousands of years. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors refine or restate the process, but it’s also true that there’s really nothing new under the sun. And this process works regardless of your beliefs about God” (from ch. 1).
“When my mother died from cancer, I didn’t feel anything. I wasn’t sad. I didn’t cry. There was no emotional response. Nothing. At the time, I was fifty-three years old.
“Knowing something was off, I made an appointment with a counselor to figure out why. Over eight sessions, my counselor helped me process the father and mother wounds I had never been able to put into words. That allowed me to grieve the childhood I had missed. It empowered me to forgive, heal, and make beautiful, lasting changes.
“Not understanding our emotions is more common for us men than you might think. Researchers believe that many men are so emotionally impaired that not only do we struggle to express our feelings but we’re emotionally blind to what those feelings even are.
“Perhaps you also carry around the lingering, hard-to-put-into-words pain of childhood wounds. Maybe your father or mother was not in the picture. Or maybe one or both were neglectful and distant, or angry and abusive, or self-absorbed. Maybe they just didn’t know any better. But the result is the same, and you’ve never gotten over it.
“If that’s you, I want you to know you’re in good company. Most of the men with whom you will cross paths today had fathers or mothers who failed them. In fact, renowned addiction expert Terence Gorski wrote, ‘In the United States today . . . it is estimated that approximately 70 to 80 percent come from dysfunctional families.’
“As many as eight out of every ten men you cross paths with today in your neighborhood, workplace, gym, or church also grew up in dysfunctional homes. You are not alone. Together, we are the fraternal order of broken boys.
“What is your starting point today? Is it passivity, resignation, addiction, rage, a critical spirit, poor self-esteem, denial, or lack of confidence? Are you oversensitive to criticism, lashing out when it comes? Do you get moody and withdraw? Are you driven to win acceptance in the world because you didn’t get it at home? Are you an overachiever, a protector of the weak, or a champion of lost causes?
“Whatever your starting point, the process is the same. The Bible prescribes a process for healing (and preventing) childhood wounds that has been in constant, successful use for thousands of years. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors refine or restate the process, but it’s also true that there’s really nothing new under the sun. And this process works regardless of your beliefs about God” (from ch. 1).
December 6, 2024
Book Review: Broken Boy to Mended Man by Patrick Morley
Patrick Morley’s Broken Boy to Mended Man is an inspiring and raw memoir that takes readers on an emotional journey through pain, resilience, and healing. Morley masterfully recounts his life story, baring his vulnerabilities to show how he transformed his brokenness into a life of purpose and strength.
The book begins by delving into his tumultuous upbringing, where childhood trauma and hardships painted a bleak picture of his early life. He vividly captures moments of despair and confusion, making the reader feel his pain while reflecting on universal themes of struggle and identity. His candid narrative draws you in, as he describes not only his external battles but also the internal conflict that shaped his path.
What sets this memoir apart is his ability to seamlessly intertwine personal anecdotes with profound lessons. His journey from a place of brokenness to healing is filled with moments of clarity and hope. Through faith, self-discovery, and determination, he finds ways to rebuild his life and emerge stronger. His story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of self-awareness and support.
The writing is straightforward yet deeply evocative, making it accessible to a wide audience. His voice is authentic and relatable, allowing readers to connect with him on a personal level. Each chapter feels like a conversation with a trusted friend who has faced darkness but now walks in light.
Broken Boy to Mended Man is not just a memoir; it is a guidebook for anyone seeking healing and purpose. His transparency and wisdom offer solace to those who feel lost, reminding them that change is possible, no matter how dire the circumstances may seem.
This book is a must-read for anyone who has faced adversity and is searching for inspiration to overcome it. Richardson’s story serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of profound brokenness, we all have the capacity to mend and thrive.
Rating: 4/5
A poignant and empowering tale, Broken Boy to Mended Man will leave you feeling uplifted and ready to embrace life’s challenges with renewed hope.
Patrick Morley’s Broken Boy to Mended Man is an inspiring and raw memoir that takes readers on an emotional journey through pain, resilience, and healing. Morley masterfully recounts his life story, baring his vulnerabilities to show how he transformed his brokenness into a life of purpose and strength.
The book begins by delving into his tumultuous upbringing, where childhood trauma and hardships painted a bleak picture of his early life. He vividly captures moments of despair and confusion, making the reader feel his pain while reflecting on universal themes of struggle and identity. His candid narrative draws you in, as he describes not only his external battles but also the internal conflict that shaped his path.
What sets this memoir apart is his ability to seamlessly intertwine personal anecdotes with profound lessons. His journey from a place of brokenness to healing is filled with moments of clarity and hope. Through faith, self-discovery, and determination, he finds ways to rebuild his life and emerge stronger. His story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of self-awareness and support.
The writing is straightforward yet deeply evocative, making it accessible to a wide audience. His voice is authentic and relatable, allowing readers to connect with him on a personal level. Each chapter feels like a conversation with a trusted friend who has faced darkness but now walks in light.
Broken Boy to Mended Man is not just a memoir; it is a guidebook for anyone seeking healing and purpose. His transparency and wisdom offer solace to those who feel lost, reminding them that change is possible, no matter how dire the circumstances may seem.
This book is a must-read for anyone who has faced adversity and is searching for inspiration to overcome it. Richardson’s story serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of profound brokenness, we all have the capacity to mend and thrive.
Rating: 4/5
A poignant and empowering tale, Broken Boy to Mended Man will leave you feeling uplifted and ready to embrace life’s challenges with renewed hope.
July 29, 2025
This book is a needed resource in our time. So many men, myself included, struggle with poor or broken relationships with their fathers. Many men did not receive the affirmation and love needed to be healthy adults in their childhoods, and so are scarred as adults and struggle to be good and loving fathers to their own children. This book does a very nice job of helping readers assess their situation and level of brokenness. Often our fathers simply didn't know how to be good fathers because they didn't have good and healthy fathers to teach them. But once recognized, the book seeks to help men break the cycle, and become healthier men themselves and help them to be good fathers to their own children.
In the second and third parts of the book, the author seeks to guide readers along a path of healing. Much of this is in the spiritual realm. Thankfully, the author recognizes the value of therapy and counseling along with the encouragement and guidance of our faith. Each chapter ends with some reflection questions and exercises that can be helpful to readers to assess the material just presented. This book could be a wonderful resource for those who are seeking healing from the brokenness and emptiness felt by so many.
In the second and third parts of the book, the author seeks to guide readers along a path of healing. Much of this is in the spiritual realm. Thankfully, the author recognizes the value of therapy and counseling along with the encouragement and guidance of our faith. Each chapter ends with some reflection questions and exercises that can be helpful to readers to assess the material just presented. This book could be a wonderful resource for those who are seeking healing from the brokenness and emptiness felt by so many.
September 13, 2025
Was really a slog to get through the last half of this book. Spiritual health and wellbeing are certainly integral parts of a mental health journey like this, but when every section of the book is chock full of bible quotes and little scientific or clinical data, that’s going a bit too far. This book certainly isn’t helpful for broad-based, effective, or objective tools to process childhood trauma. Props to the author for finding a journey that seems to have worked for him, but I think the process he has described is rather niche and less informative than many would like.
June 8, 2024
This is my 2nd time reading a book by Patrick Morley. He was vulnerable in how he penned the
message.
I really loved how simple and straightforward his writing is.
I will be reading more of his works!
3.5 ⭐⭐⭐
message.
I really loved how simple and straightforward his writing is.
I will be reading more of his works!
3.5 ⭐⭐⭐
October 23, 2024
Part 1 of this book is a definite 5 star read. The other parts were so-so. I like how easy this book was to read and all the personal details the author shared in his journey to be a mended man.
November 1, 2024
I've read nearly all of Pat Morley's books. This one resonates with me the most. I wish this book were available to me when I was much younger. Highly recommend for every man to read.
January 24, 2025
I always enjoy reading Patrick Morley. I felt like he saw my life and wrote about it. Thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend.
May 10, 2025
Great book and worth the read. Valuable resource for men and men’s groups of 2 and up . And honest look at that which has wounded us and how to properly heal.
May 19, 2025
I will recommend this book to every man that I see who has dealt with any childhood trauma.
November 7, 2025
A great book on forgiveness and how what happens in our life affects us.
June 13, 2025
sound advice
Patrick’s book is filled with sound insights. Not only could I relate with the scenarios he presented his solutions are very attainable and encouraging.
Patrick’s book is filled with sound insights. Not only could I relate with the scenarios he presented his solutions are very attainable and encouraging.
June 8, 2025
Restauración espiritual
Agradezco que el Señor me haya permitido leer este libro, me ayudo a entender que así como el kintsugi restaura con oro las piezas quebradas, Dios me ha restaurado mis heridas del pasado con su sangre y me ha dado una segunda oportunidad de vivir mi vida en una mejor versión.
Agradezco que el Señor me haya permitido leer este libro, me ayudo a entender que así como el kintsugi restaura con oro las piezas quebradas, Dios me ha restaurado mis heridas del pasado con su sangre y me ha dado una segunda oportunidad de vivir mi vida en una mejor versión.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews