Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Art of Manliness
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go Ahead and Feel Envious (It Can Be a Positive Force) | 10 Nov 2026 | 00:49:51 | |
Envy is a universal human emotion, but it's one we don't like to admit we feel. When a friend gets a promotion, a neighbor buys a bigger house, or someone you follow on social media seems to be living a better life than you, you might feel a pang of envy. And then you probably feel bad about feeling envious. But what if envy isn't necessarily a bad thing? What if, instead of trying to suppress it, you could use it to build a better life? My guest today says that's entirely possible. Her name is Dr. Stacy Kim, and she's a social scientist, a coach who works with high achievers, and the author of Envy: Why Wanting What They Have Is the Key to Getting What You Want. Today on the show, Stacy explains the difference between benign and malicious envy, how envy can reveal what we really want out of life, and how envy is experienced and expressed differently in the U.S. versus Korea, where Stacy was born. We also discuss why you can't simply stop comparing yourself to others, how to turn envy into motivation and meaningful action, and how this uncomfortable emotion can actually help you build stronger relationships with others. After the show is over, check out the show notes at aom.is/goodenvy Related
Connect With Stacy Kim 0:00 Introduction 1:43 What Kickstarted the Envy Project 4:28 Defining Envy: Benign vs. Malicious 11:08 Envy vs. Jealousy vs. Admiration 13:54 The SIREN Framework for Exploring Envy 19:17 Envy in Korea vs. America 24:50 Collective Envy: Nations & Groups 27:59 Why You Can't Stop Feeling Envy 31:45 Discovering What You Really Want 39:59 Learning From Those You Envy 46:25 Turning Envy Into Service 48:29 Where to Find More & Closing See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Treat Your To-Do List Like a River, and Other Mindset Shifts for Making Better Use of Your Time | 03 Nov 2026 | 00:51:51 | |
Note: This is a rebroadcast. When people think about living more fully and making better use of their time, they typically think of finding some new organizational system they can structure their lives with. Oliver Burkeman says that what you really need instead are perspective shifts — small, sustainable changes in how you view and approach your day-to-day life. He provides those mindset shifts in his new book, Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts. And we talk about some of them today on the show, including why you should view life’s tasks and problems like a river instead of a bucket, stop feeling guilt over your “productivity debt,” make peace with your decisions by embracing an unconventional reading of the poem “The Road Not Taken,” aim to do your habits “dailyish,” be more welcoming of interruptions, and practice “scruffy hospitality.” Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Oliver Burkeman :00 Introduction 0:23 Welcome & Book Overview 1:45 Continuation of Four Thousand Weeks 3:40 Why Productivity Makes Us Feel Dead Inside 9:04 The Efficiency Trap 11:09 Productivity Debt 14:56 Treat Your Reading List Like a River 18:58 Your To-Do List Is a Menu, Not a Bucket 23:47 Accepting You'll Always Have Problems 27:43 The Pressure to Solve the World's Problems 34:05 Making Decisions & "The Road Not Taken" 37:32 Daily-ish Habits, Interruptions & Scruffy Hospitality See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The New Dark Ages: The Death of Reading and the Dawn of the Post-Literate Society | 27 Oct 2026 | 00:55:34 | |
You can't help but notice, in yourself and in others, how much less people are reading these days. When it comes to content consumption, we're often replacing articles and books with videos and, well, podcasts. My guest says that this shift is having consequences, not only for our shrinking individual attention spans, but for society, and Western civilization writ large. His name is James Marriott, and he's a columnist at The Times of London and the author of The New Dark Ages: The Death of Reading and the Dawn of the Post-Literate Society. Today on the show, James explains how people thought and interacted before the rise of reading and writing, how literacy changed our minds and made possible everything from democracy to modern science, and how television and smartphones may be returning us in some ways to a preliterate age. We then explore how our increasingly visual culture is making public debate more emotional and influence more personality-driven, and what it might mean for the future. After the show is over, check out the show notes at aom.is/darkages Resources Related to the Show
Connect With James Marriott 0:00 Introduction 0:39 The Decline of Reading 5:14 The Golden Age of Mass Literacy 8:24 How Literacy Changed the Mind 12:06 The Preliterate Mind 14:51 Truth and Conflict in Oral Culture 19:18 How Literacy Built Civilization 21:34 The Gutenberg Press & the Reading Revolution 30:45 Television and the Decline of Reading 33:16 Amusing Ourselves to Death 42:03 The Smartphone & the Post-Literate World 50:50 The Future of Reading See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The Lost Art of Mingling: How to Talk to Anyone, Anywhere | 20 Oct 2026 | 00:41:52 | |
It's always been intimidating to enter a room where you don't know everyone, or anyone, and to initiate conversation with people at a wedding, holiday party, or work event. But it's never felt more potentially awkward and anxiety-generating than in an age dominated by screen-mediated interactions, when we don't get much practice in mixing at social events and making small talk in real life. Here to help us get a lot more confident and comfortable in this area is Jeanne Martinet, author of The Art of Mingling, which is out in a newly updated edition. Jeanne last joined me on the podcast nearly a decade ago, and today she's back to share why the ability to mingle is more important than ever and how to get better at it. We discuss why small talk is more valuable than you might think, and can not only lead to finding a potential romantic partner or lifelong friend, but is something worth doing for its own sake. Jeanne then shares practical tips you can put to use at your next social gathering or simply when you're out and about. She explains how to identify people who are open to conversation, four ways to break the ice with them, as well as an opening line to avoid, how to keep a conversation going, how to gracefully extract yourself from an interaction that's gone on too long, how to recover from putting your foot in your mouth, and more. We end our conversation with how to find more opportunities to socialize and practice your mingling skills. After the show is over, check out the show notes aom.is/artofmingling Related
Connect With Jeanne Martinet 0:00 – Introduction 1:19 – Why a New Edition of The Art of Mingling 5:23 – What Is Mingling and Why It Matters 7:14 – The Value of Small Talk 11:10 – What Holds People Back from Mingling 12:43 – How to Spot Someone Open to Conversation 16:17 – The Thin Room, Wingmen & Arriving with a Partner 19:14 – Four Ways to Break the Ice 23:21 – Keeping the Conversation Going 26:41 – Navigating Politics and Sensitive Topics 28:56 – How to Gracefully Exit a Conversation 33:54 – Mingling Anywhere & Finding Opportunities to Socialize See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Brandon Flowers, Frontman of the Killers, on Family, Faith, and Becoming a Thrasher | 13 Oct 2026 | 00:39:25 | |
If you’ve been following the Art of Manliness for a while, you know that I typically interview the authors of books on this podcast. But, if you’ve been following the Art of Manliness for a while, you’ll know why I had to make an exception for today’s guest. Brandon Flowers is my very favorite musical artist. He is the frontman for the multi-platinum-record-earning band The Killers and has also put out three solo albums. I recently had the chance to talk to Brandon backstage before one of his shows in Las Vegas. My wife Kate, as well as a couple of friends, were also on hand, and you’ll hear me allude to them a couple times during the interview. Brandon and I had a great conversation. We discuss his third and latest solo album, Thrasher and why he went country-western on it, what his dad taught him about what makes a good man, what he’s currently reading (hint: it involves the author of my all-time favorite novel), his top five favorite country songs, the influence of faith in his life and music, what’s on his mind in midlife, and how he balances work and family. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Brandon Flowers See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Silence, Solitude, Stillness: The Spiritual Disciplines We Need in a Noisy World | 06 Oct 2026 | 00:53:04 | |
We live in a world of pervasive noise. Even when we're alone and our surroundings are quiet, our devices bombard us with an endless stream of inputs — messages, news, opinions, entertainment — and we feel constantly connected. My guest argues that this lack of both silence and solitude isn't just generating stress and fragmenting our attention, but doing real damage to our souls. His name is John Mark Comer, and he’s a pastor and the author of Into the Quiet. Today on the show, we discuss what noise is doing to the deepest parts of us and how engaging in silence and solitude can help us cultivate inner stillness. We explore the monastic tradition behind these spiritual disciplines, why engaging in them can sometimes feel like a negative experience, and what happens when all our usual distractions disappear. We also get into simple ways to bring more quiet into everyday life. After the show’s over, check out the show notes at aom.is/silence. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With John Mark Comer 0:00 Introduction 1:33 What Prompted "Into the Quiet" 5:42 Soundless Noise in the Digital Age 7:39 What Noise Does to Our Souls 11:02 Loneliness vs. Solitude 13:57 Cultivating Inner Stillness 19:02 The Eremos: Jesus' Practice of Solitude 23:58 The Desert Fathers & Monastic Tradition 29:06 What Happens in the Silence 39:17 Confronting Inner Demons in Solitude 47:36 Practical Ways to Practice Silence & Solitude 51:47 Outro See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Why Modern Convenience Feels So Inconvenient | 29 Sep 2026 | 00:52:53 | |
Modern life is filled with conveniences designed to make things easier. We can order dinner without leaving the couch, check ourselves out at the grocery store, communicate instantly with anyone, and stream nearly every movie and song ever made. So why do we often feel busier, more stressed, and more, well, inconvenienced than ever? My guest today argues that many supposed advancements don’t actually save us time, money, or energy — and that even when they do, they can eliminate forms of friction that made life richer, more enjoyable, and more human. His name is Gabe Bullard, and he’s the author of Against Convenience. Today on the show, Gabe and I discuss how self-checkout, mobile ordering, digital communication, streaming services, food delivery, and even smartphone cameras can paradoxically make life more annoying and less satisfying. Gabe also shares questions to ask yourself to decide which conveniences are worth keeping, and why deliberately adding a little friction back into your life can sometimes make it better. 0:00 Introduction 1:45 Why Convenience Isn't Working 4:22 Self-Checkout & Starbucks App Failures 11:29 The Illusion of Technological Progress 17:28 Phones as a Single Point of Failure 18:20 How Digital Communication Hurts Relationships 23:49 Dating Apps & Making Friends 27:15 Smartphone Cameras & the Value of Photos 32:41 Streaming & Entertainment Disappointment 40:10 Food Delivery Problems 46:30 Wendell Berry's Questions for New Tech 50:12 Practical Tips for Embracing Friction See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The One-Skill-a-Year Plan for a More Interesting Life | 22 Sep 2026 | 00:54:23 | |
We all have things we’ve always wanted to know how to do, but have never gotten around to learning. Speak a foreign language. Play an instrument. Write a book. Take up surfing. Maybe you’ve even started one of these pursuits a few times, only to drop it after a couple of weeks. My guest calls this collection of abandoned or deferred desires your “invisible list” and is the author of a book of the same name. Today on the show, Ravi Gupta presents a plan for tackling the things on your invisible list by picking one hobby-like activity each year and working your way to an intermediate level in it. He explains the different categories these pursuits can fall into, from the liftoff project to the mental marathon to the skillbatical, and how to pick the right one for your season of life. We also discuss how camps for grownups can make skill acquisition more enjoyable, why you should consider taking up an adult-appropriate sport like tennis, why Ravi decided to take the MCAT even though he doesn't plan to become a doctor, and how working on your invisible list can give your life chapters and, over the course of a decade, turn you into a Renaissance-man badass. After the show is over, check out the show notes at aom.is/invisiblelist 0:00 — Introduction 1:45 — What is the Invisible List? 4:38 — Examples & Bucket List Comparison 8:46 — Why a Year Creates Life Chapters 11:10 — Making Time: Family & Constraints 15:44 — Five Rules of the Invisible List 18:39 — Why Aim for Intermediate? 21:19 — The Five Archetypes 26:50 — Liftoff Year: Powerlifting & Journaling 37:30 — Skill-Batical: Surfing & Adult Camps 43:17 — Age-Appropriate Sports: Tennis 45:46 — Mental Marathon: Taking the MCAT See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The 3-Step System for Simplifying Your Work and Life | 15 Sep 2026 | 00:46:29 | |
When people are faced with problems and complexity, our instinct is to add instead of subtract. As a result, we have a tendency to make our work and our lives more and more complex, and less and less effective and fulfilling. Even when what we add is new technology that promises to make us more productive, it often only seems to bog us down and give us even more to do. My guest says that to fight this drift toward complexity, especially in the modern age, you’ve got to be ruthless about cutting out the superfluous and focusing on what’s most important. His name is Jim VandeHei, and he’s the co-founder and CEO of Axios and the co-author of Simplify. Today on the show, Jim explains how to simplify your work and personal life using a three-step process: confront, delete, and amplify. We discuss how to identify the “slop” we’re all inundated with (and he’s not just talking about what’s generated by AI), rules of thumb for what to say no to, why you should spend more time developing your strengths than fixing your weaknesses, and the importance of getting clear on what you want out of life, both personally and professionally. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Jim VandeHei 0:00 Introduction & Website Redesign 0:48 The Problem with Complexity 1:56 Interview Begins: Why Another Book on Simplifying? 3:00 How AI Makes Life More Complex 5:42 The Confront, Delete, Amplify Framework 8:14 Why Complexity Creeps Into Everything 11:35 Identifying Slop in Work and Life 17:43 How to Confront Your Habits 24:59 Rules for Saying No 29:48 Amplify Strengths Over Weaknesses 37:35 Simplifying Communication at Work 42:29 Using AI to Simplify Your Life See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| If I Don’t Return: A General's Wartime Journal for His Sons | 08 Sep 2026 | 00:48:02 | |
When Mark Hertling learned he was deploying for Operation Desert Storm, he decided to start a journal. Back then, Mark was an Army major and cavalry officer with two young sons. His unit would be out in front of the main force, and during an intelligence briefing, he was told it could suffer casualties as high as 50 percent. Mark realized there was a real chance he might not come home. So he began writing down what he was experiencing, along with the lessons about life, leadership, and character that he wanted his boys to know if he wasn’t there to teach them himself. Mark did come home, and went on to serve 38 years in the Army, including as an assistant division commander in Baghdad and later commander of the 1st Armored Division in Iraq during the 2007–2008 surge, before finishing his career as commander of U.S. Army Europe. Decades later, that wartime journal became the basis for his new book, If I Don’t Return. Today on the show, retired three-star General Mark Hertling and I talk about the reflections it contains on making every day count, planning for friction, marriage and friendship, handwritten notes, casual profanity, the moral weight of war, and what it means to build a man. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Mark Hertling See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| To Change Yourself, Change Your Situation | 01 Sep 2026 | 00:55:59 | |
Professor of psychology Angela Duckworth is famous for her work on grit — the combination of passion and perseverance that leads to high achievement. But she’s come to an increasing appreciation for the fact that success isn't just a matter of the qualities inside you; it's also driven by what's outside you — your peers, your mentors, and even your zip code. Today on the show, Angela, whose latest book is Situated: Find the People and Places That Bring Out Your Best, shares how our environments play a much bigger role in shaping us than we realize. She explains the three-box model of behavior, why relying on willpower is a fallible strategy for altering your habits, and why the most effective way to change yourself is to change what’s around you. We discuss how different situations bring out different versions of ourselves and how to shape your surroundings to encourage good habits, mitigate bad ones, and become who you want to be — whether that means rearranging what’s on your desk or moving across the country. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Angela Duckworth 0:00 Introduction 1:42 From Grit to Situated 4:18 Michael Phelps: Grit Meets Environment 8:43 The Three-Box Model Explained 12:28 Why Willpower Fails 19:18 Multiple Selves & Code Switching 26:30 Saving a Marriage Through Situational Change 31:51 Curating Your Physical Space 38:26 Shaping Your Digital Environment 43:14 Social Environment & Accountability 47:05 Culture, Microcultures & the Flywheel 53:15 Start With Situational Awareness See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The Lost Virtue of Thumos (And Why Men Need It) | 25 Aug 2026 | 00:53:05 | |
The ancient Greeks believed the human soul had three parts: reason, appetite, and something called thumos. Thumos is difficult to translate into English. It encompasses anger, noble spiritedness, pride, ambition, a sense of honor, and the drive to act. The Greeks thought it was essential to living a life of manly virtue, and my guest thinks we could use a lot more of it. His name is Mike LeBlanc, and he’s a decorated Marine, a Harvard Business School grad, a tech founder, and the author of What If Anger Is the Answer? Today on the show, Mike and I discuss how the angry energy of thumos can help you close the gap between who you are and who you should be. We discuss why physical training helps cultivate thumos, how it can be an aid in overcoming appetites, overthinking, passivity, and cynicism, and the role it can play in being an effective leader. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Mike LeBlanc 0:00 Introduction 1:42 Meet Mike LeBlanc: Marines, Great Books & Robotics 5:45 A Letter to His Son: What It Means to Be a Man 8:07 Socrates' Metaphor: The Little Man, the Hydra & the Lion 15:26 The Attributes of Thumos: Dignity, Pride & Shame 17:36 Thumos and Action: The Soul's Three Parts at Work 20:19 Thumos in Defending Boundaries 25:31 Thumos and the Physical Body 31:36 Thumos vs. Overthinking: The 70% Solution 36:03 Thumos, Power & Authority in Leadership 44:42 Overcoming Cynicism with Thumos 49:46 Raising Boys with Thumos & Where to Find the Book See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The Secrets of Supercommunicators | 18 Aug 2026 | 00:45:06 | |
Note: This is a rebroadcast. Have you ever known one of those people who seemed to be able to connect with anyone? The kind of person who had the ability to make others feel understood and smoothly navigate even the trickiest of conversations? Charles Duhigg calls these folks “supercommunicators,” and he’s the author of a new book by the same name. Today on the show, Charles explains that what underlies supercommunicators’ skill in connection is something called the matching principle, and he unpacks how it works and how you can put it to use in your own conversations. We discuss several techniques for how to figure out what kind of conversation you’re having, so you can align your language and energy with the other person. And because emotional conversations can be particularly difficult, we dig into tactics for successfully navigating them, even when they contain a high degree of conflict. We also get into how to carry the skills of connection into your digital conversations. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Charles Duhigg 0:00 — Intro & Rebroadcast Notice 0:32 — Why Communication Matters 2:08 — The Matching Principle 5:07 — Deep Questions & FBI Negotiator Felix Sigala 9:50 — Identifying What Kind of Conversation You're Having 10:52 — Setting Goals & Preparing for Conversations 15:06 — Conversations as Quiet Negotiations 19:07 — Navigating Emotional Conversations 24:11 — Turning Shallow Questions Into Deep Questions 28:00 — Mood, Energy & NASA's Emotional Intelligence Test 32:34 — Looping for Understanding & High-Conflict Conversations 38:38 — Digital Communication & Closing See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The Joy of Touching Grass (and Knobs, Buttons, and Boarding Passes) | 11 Aug 2026 | 00:51:30 | |
Remember the old hotel ice machines? The kind where you'd slide your bucket under the chute and hear the avalanche of cubes crashing into it? There was something so fun and strangely gratifying about that thing. Or think about breaking an icicle off the edge of a roof. Such a gratifying feeling from such a small act. My guest has written an ode to the outsized pleasures that arise from these kinds of everyday interactions with the physical world. His name is Ian Bogost, and his new book is The Small Stuff. Today on the show, Ian argues that a fulfilling life isn't built solely by chasing the big components of happiness but also by embracing the small moments of gratification that are woven throughout ordinary life. We discuss how those moments can be found in tactile experiences like shifting a manual transmission, turning a well-made knob, or flipping through the pages of a real menu. We explore how these small opportunities for engagement — for contact, connection, and control— have been disappearing as the world becomes more digitized and automated and everything becomes a touchscreen. And Ian shares how opportunities for "sensory enchantment" can still be found in our increasingly dematerialized world. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Ian Bogost 0:00 Introduction 0:40 Ian Bogost and 'The Small Stuff' 2:25 What Kickstarted This Book 6:38 Happiness, Satisfaction, and Gratification 14:58 Gratification Is Everywhere — But Disappearing 18:28 Dematerialization: How the World Is Losing Sensory Richness 26:41 How Work Has Become Less Gratifying 33:09 How to Reclaim Your Sensory Life 38:35 Keep More Junk Around 44:38 Talk About Small Pleasures 48:17 Living Life Sideways (Orthogonality) 50:03 Wrap-Up See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Big P vs. Little P Purpose: Why You Don't Need to Find Your One True Calling | 04 Aug 2026 | 00:50:49 | |
People are told their whole lives how important it is to find their purpose. But many find the search frustrating. They feel there's one true calling or one grand goal they're supposed to be pursuing, but they can't seem to discern what it is. My guest, Jordan Grumet, author of The Purpose Code, says that searching for what he calls your big P purpose can be fruitless and even harmful, and that a better path is to embrace a life of little p purposes. Today on the show, Jordan explains the difference between big P and little p purposes and argues that the former can lead to anxiety while embracing the latter can be the path to meaning, satisfaction, connection, and even the legacy you were looking for in the first place. We discuss how Jordan found his way to this philosophy after burning out as a doctor, practical ways to discover your own little p purposes, what he thinks we get wrong in making family our purpose, and what his work in hospice has taught him about living a life without regret. Connect With Jordan Grumet 00:00 Intro & Show Overview 0:41 Meet Jordan Grumet 1:46 From Doctor to Purpose Writer 5:00 Big P vs Little P Purpose 8:32 Why Purpose Talk Makes People Anxious 11:15 What the Research Says 13:42 Burnout and Big P Purpose 16:18 The Podcasting Example: Process vs Goals 19:42 Legacy Through Little P Purpose 28:24 Finding Your Purpose Anchors 38:01 The Climb: Building Your Purpose 43:14 Family, Regrets, and Final Thoughts See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Restless, Rooted: What the Odyssey Reveals About Americans' Divided Souls | 28 Jul 2026 | 00:52:37 | |
With the release of Christopher Nolan's adaptation of the Odyssey, it seems like everyone's been talking about a 3,000-year-old epic again. But my guest thinks this ancient tale offers a framework for understanding our modern lives that you probably haven't heard before. Patrick Deneen is a professor of political science and the author of American Odyssey. Today on the show, Patrick argues that Odysseus embodies a tension that has defined the human experience, and especially the American experience: we're both home-seeking and exploring, rooted and restless. We long to settle down somewhere, yet we're equally driven to push beyond the horizon in search of something new. Patrick shares how Alexis de Tocqueville made this observation about our country two centuries ago, how Odysseus navigates the temptation to become both more than human and less than human, and the surprising act Patrick thinks is the most heroic thing Odysseus does. We end our conversation with the idea that having a home can give us the confidence to explore, or as David Brooks put it, "All of life is a series of daring explorations from a secure base." Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Patrick Deneen 0:00 Intro & sponsor plugs 0:41 Patrick Deneen's American Odyssey & Nolan's film 2:28 Nolan's changes to Odysseus's character 4:56 Dante's Odysseus in hell 7:33 Why Odyssey keeps drawing Patrick back 13:02 The most American text: home-seeking vs exploring 17:15 Tocqueville's restless Americans 20:03 Restlessness as source of American unhappiness 21:03 Odysseus vs the temptation to be more/less than human 26:14 That temptation in modern American life 31:26 Odysseus's underworld talk with Achilles 39:41 What today's Americans can take from that 41:24 Does Odysseus stay home? The "sequels" to The Odyssey 45:49 Home as the foundation for risk-taking and adventure 51:14 Where to find the book See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The Secret Skills of Master Negotiators | 21 Jul 2026 | 01:00:25 | |
When most people think of negotiation, they picture big, high-stakes moments: haggling over the price of a house, negotiating a starting salary, or hammering out the terms of a business deal. But negotiation is also something we do every day. It’s working out who’s taking on which chores with your spouse, convincing a coworker to help on a project, or even deciding where to go for dinner with friends. The better you understand negotiation — which is really about influencing other people’s decisions — the better you’ll be at navigating conflicts and opportunities both big and small. My guest has spent decades studying the art and science of wielding that influence. John Richardson teaches negotiation at MIT’s Sloan School of Management and is the co-author of Never Settle. Today on the show, John shares what he learned from negotiation legends like Roger Fisher, co-author of Getting to Yes, and FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss. He unpacks the skills of master negotiators, including how to build reciprocity, uncover what people actually want, and keep your emotions from hijacking your judgment. We also get into the part of negotiation that makes people the most uncomfortable: the back-and-forth over hard numbers like price and salary and how to handle those conversations with greater confidence and better results.
Connect With John Richardson 0:00 Everyday Negotiation & Meet John Richardson 2:18 John's Path Into Negotiation 9:50 Why People Fear Negotiation 12:34 Roger Fisher's Philosophy (Getting to Yes) 17:46 Chris Voss & Hostage Negotiation Tactics 22:54 Give Them a Sandwich (Reciprocity) 30:06 Using Someone's Name 33:59 Managing Your Emotions 39:00 Figuring Out What Everyone Wants 46:29 Distributive Negotiation & Anchoring 54:52 Alternatives, Saying No & Closing See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The Art of Easy Discipline | 14 Jul 2026 | 00:53:50 | |
Most people assume that if a goal is hard to achieve, getting there has to feel hard too. We tend to believe that extraordinary results require extraordinary suffering. But my guest says the secret to success isn't gritting your teeth; it's making the path enjoyable. His name is Jia Jiang, and in his new book, Easy Discipline, he argues that consistency comes from designing your work and your life so that doing the right thing becomes something you actually want to do. Today on the show, Jia explains the difference between hard and easy discipline, why "eating bitterness" isn't the best way to go after your ambitions, and how to make your work feel more like play without lowering your standards. Along the way, we discuss Soviet hockey, Japanese tea ceremonies, rejection therapy, one-action goals, and the power of pursuing aims that are an expression of who you are. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Jia Jiang 0:00 Introduction to the AOM Podcast 0:41 Introducing Jia Jiang and Easy Discipline 1:36 Welcome Jia Jiang / The Myth of Sisyphus 6:05 Hard Discipline vs. Easy Discipline 9:36 Eating Bitterness 10:44 Soviet Hockey: Tarasov vs. Tikhonov 16:02 The EASY Framework: Enjoyment 31:02 Artistry and Ichi-go Ichi-e 33:54 Systems and One Action Goals 41:22 Repetition with Variation 44:18 Why: Being True to Yourself 52:33 Where to Find Jia Jiang's Work See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Beyond Midlife Myths: Why Middle Age Can Be Your Prime Time | 07 Jul 2026 | 00:50:07 | |
Many of us grow up believing that midlife is when things start going downhill. Your body's breaking down, your best work is behind you, and you may fall into a full-blown existential crisis. But a lot of what we think we know about midlife turns out to be based more on pop culture than actual research. My guest says the reality is much more encouraging. Her name is Margie Lachman. She's a professor of psychology, the Director of the Lifespan Lab at Brandeis University, and the author of Primetime: A New Vision for Midlife. Today on the show, Margie discusses what age range constitutes midlife — and how it's not just a matter of chronological age — and whether people really become less happy and experience a midlife crisis during these years. She explains the surprising ways your mind continues to improve even as some abilities slow down, and why this stage of life often represents a peak combination of creativity and judgment. We also talk about the real challenges that come with midlife and how adopting the right mindset and habits can mitigate those downsides while helping you make the most of what Margie argues can truly be a sweet spot in life — a time when you still have much of your physical and mental vitality, and it's coupled with seasoned experience and wisdom. Resources Related to the Podcast
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| George Washington: The Man Behind the Monument | 30 Jun 2026 | 01:13:45 | |
George Washington is perhaps the most familiar figure in American history. But most people really only know the image of him they see in marble statues and patriotic paintings. Behind those symbols was a real man: ambitious, self-taught, intensely concerned with honor, and constantly wrestling with the immense responsibilities history placed on his shoulders. In celebration of America's 250th birthday, we're taking an extended look at the life of the man more responsible than anyone else for the nation's founding. Here to unpack that life for us is H.W. Brands, a historian and the author of a new biography of Washington, American Patriarch. Brands traces Washington's journey from a young Virginia surveyor to military commander, founding father, and first president. Along the way, we discuss how Washington's upbringing shaped his character, why he became a surprisingly effective military leader despite losing more battles than he won, how he held together a fragile revolutionary army, how he shaped the presidency through the precedents he set, and whether a leader like Washington could still succeed today. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With H.W. Brands
00:00 Introduction 01:53 About the book American Patriarch 03:03 Washington's childhood & Virginia gentry upbringing 06:54 Self-education, surveying, and early ambition 11:47 First military mission to the Ohio country 17:11 The French and Indian War & Washington's baptism under fire 24:44 Washington marries Martha Custis 33:57 Washington takes command of the Continental Army 40:17 Military strategy: how Washington won by not losing 46:41 Holding the army together at Valley Forge 55:57 Washington as first president & setting precedents 1:09:56 The Farewell Address & legacy 1:10:15 What Washington teaches us today See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The Retirement Trap: Should You Really Stop Working at 65? | 23 Jun 2026 | 00:33:19 | |
The modern idea of retirement was built on a bet that turned out to be wrong. It assumed people would spend most of their lives working and only a relatively short period of time retired. Instead, many Americans now reach 65 healthy, active, and with an entire third of their life ahead of them. Yet we're still using a retirement model designed for a world in which old age was shorter and fewer people expected decades of life after leaving the workforce. My guest says that outdated assumption creates some unfortunate unintended consequences. It causes people to stress excessively about money, postpone meaningful experiences with family and friends, and sometimes sacrifice the very things that make life worth living in the first place. He argues that by rethinking retirement — not necessarily eliminating it, but reimagining it — we can enjoy more of our lives now while actually feeling more secure about the future. His name is Derek Coburn, and he's a financial advisor and the author of Let's Retire Retirement. Today on the show, Derek explains why the traditional retirement model came about, why it may no longer make sense for many people, and how working even a few years past 65 can dramatically change the math of retirement planning. We also discuss the surprising psychological challenges many people face after they stop working, why purpose matters more than leisure, and how thinking differently about retirement can free you up to spend more time on what matters most right now — whether that's traveling, strengthening your marriage, or making the most of the limited summers you have left with your kids. Connect With Derek Coburn
0:00 - Introduction 1:22 - The Outdated Origins of Retirement (Bismarck's 1889 Social Insurance Plan) 4:12 - Why the Traditional Retirement Model Creates Stress and Anxiety 6:13 - The "Arrival Fallacy" — Why Retirement Isn't What You Think It Will Be 8:42 - The Psychological Crisis of Stopping Work Cold Turkey 11:05 - The Math: How Working 10 More Years Cuts Your Savings Requirement by 96% 13:21 - Enjoying Life NOW Instead of Deferring It to Retirement 14:22 - Maximizing the Limited Summers You Have with Your Kids 19:48 - Sponsor Break 20:07 - What If You Hate Your Job? Find One You "Don't Hate" 22:37 - Side Hustles as an On-Ramp to Work You Love 24:09 - Physical Jobs and Mandatory Retirement — What Then?
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| Belonging Without Conforming: The Path From Pseudo Self to Solid Self | 16 Jun 2026 | 00:58:52 | |
We all want two things that can seem at odds with each other: to be our own person and to belong. We want to stand apart from the crowd, but we also want to be connected to it. When that balance gets out of whack, we either lose ourselves in tribalism or drift into isolation. My guest today says many of the problems in modern life stem from our inability to hold these two impulses in tension. His name is Luke Burgis, and he’s the author of The One and the 99: Forging Identity in the Age of Social Contagion. Today on the show, Luke explains how becoming a true individual can give you the strength to be a part of a community. We discuss the difference between a solid self and a pseudo self — and what role families and rites of passage can play in moving us toward one or the other — why modern politics feels like a dysfunctional family, the dangers of performative religion, and much more.
Connect With Luke Burgis Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MANLINESS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/MANLINESS Timestamps 0:00 Introduction 0:54 Guest Intro: Luke Burgis & The One and the 99 4:48 The Parable of the Lost Sheep & the Book's Framework 10:17 Defining the Self (vs. Identity & Soul) 14:37 The Pseudo Self Explained 19:40 How to Develop a Solid Self 25:35 Louis L'Amour & Education for a Solid Self 28:18 Curiositas vs. Studiositas (Ordered vs. Disordered Knowledge) 44:30 Tribalism, Politics, & the Pseudo Self 45:08 How Undifferentiation Fuels Political Dysfunction 51:13 Religion, Performative Piety & the Digital World 54:15 What Monasteries Teach Us About Community & Solid Selves See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| How to Try Again | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:55:59 | |
Life rarely unfolds according to plan. A relationship implodes. A move or job change doesn't work out. Or you simply fail in a goal you've set for yourself. My guest has spent almost two decades researching and field-testing how to get back on track when smaller slip-ups and larger upheavals knock you off course. His name is Steve Kamb, and he's the founder of Nerd Fitness and the author of How to Try Again: An Approachable Guide to Navigating Chaos and Making Change THAT STICKS. Today on the show, Steve shares practical principles for dealing with life's frustrating and demoralizing setbacks. We discuss why sometimes the best move is to pause rather than push harder, how to accept reality without resigning yourself to it, why treating change as an experiment can help you beat paralysis and take action, why you should treat consistency with your goals the way you do showering, and more. Resources Related to the Podcast
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| Built to Walk: How Modern Shoes and Weak Feet Are Holding You Back | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:58:51 | |
Walking is one of the most powerful health tools we have. It improves cardiovascular fitness, boosts mood, sharpens cognition, and can even be a predictor of how well you'll age. But all those benefits depend on something we rarely think about until it starts hurting: our feet. For many of us, walking is so automatic that we never consider the mechanics that make it possible. Yet the way we move, the shoes we wear, and the strength of the muscles in our feet can have a profound impact on how comfortably and efficiently we walk. When something goes wrong at our physical foundation, the effects can ripple upward, leading to pain not just in the feet, but in the knees, hips, and back. My guest today is Dr. Milica McDowell, a physical therapist and the co-author of the new book Walk. Today on the show, Milica explains why walking speed may be a hidden vital sign, what gives you your signature walking style, and how to spot and address injury-inducing inefficiencies in your gait. We then talk about feet: whether you should worry about pronation, how to rehab plantar fasciitis — and no, it's not stretching — the best kind of shoes to wear, and much more. Resources Related to the Podcast
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| How to Turn a Boy Into a Man | 26 May 2026 | 01:12:02 | |
Note: This is a rebroadcast. A lot of young men today struggle in finding their footing in adulthood. They feel lost, directionless, and unsure of who they are and how to confidently and competently navigate the world. Part of the reason for this is that most young men today lack something which was once a part of nearly every culture in the world, but has now almost entirely disappeared: a rite of passage. My guest today didn’t want his son to flounder on the way to maturity, nor to miss out on having an initiation into manhood, so he set out to create a 6-year journey for him that would help him move from boy to man. His name is Jon Tyson, and he’s the author of The Intentional Father: A Practical Guide to Raise Sons of Courage and Character. Today on the show, Jon unpacks the components of the years-long journey into manhood he created for his son, beginning with how he brainstormed those components by doing “The Day Your Son Leaves Home” exercise. We then discuss how old Jon’s son was when he started his rite of passage and why it began with him having a “severing dinner” with his mom. We get into what his rite of passage consisted of, from the kickoff ceremony to the challenges, experiences, trips, and daily rituals Jon used to impart values and teach his son the “5 Shifts of Manhood.” Jon shares how moving his son’s focus from being a good man, to being good at being a man, helped him get remotivated to continue the process, why his rite of passage included a gap year after high school, and how Jon celebrated the end of his son’s journey into becoming a man. We also discuss whether Jon did something similar with his daughter. We end our conversation with some key principles any dad can use to start intentionally helping their kids become well-rounded individuals who can confidently step out on their own and into the world. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Jon Tyson 0:00 Introduction 0:29 Guest Introduction: John Tyson & The Intentional Father 2:28 The Research on Fatherless Boys 4:54 What Men Lack Without a Rite of Passage 8:37 The "Day Your Son Leaves Home" Exercise 10:47 Building an Asset Map & Community of Fathers 13:37 The Severing Dinner with Mom 17:10 The Beach Initiation Ceremony at Age 13 20:42 Taking Your Son Back to Your Roots 28:14 The Five Shifts of Manhood 31:52 Daily Morning Talks, Books & Movies 42:32 Good Man vs. Good AT Being a Man 46:28 The Archetypes: Lover, Leader, Warrior, Brother, Sage 50:01 The Life Arc Interview 56:03 The Gap Year as the Ordeal 1:01:16 The Capstone Ceremony on the Camino de Santiago 1:04:44 Doing Something Similar for His Daughter 1:09:09 Key Principles Any Dad Can Start With Today That's 17 — let me trim to the 12 most distinct: 0:00 Introduction & Why Rites of Passage Have Disappeared 2:28 The Research on Fatherless Boys 4:54 What Men Lack Without a Rite of Passage 8:37 The "Day Your Son Leaves Home" Exercise 13:37 The Severing Dinner & Beach Initiation Ceremony 20:42 Taking Your Son Back to Your Roots 28:14 The Five Shifts of Manhood 31:52 Daily Talks, Books & Movies 42:32 Good Man vs. Good at Being a Man 50:01 The Life Arc Interview 56:03 The Gap Year as the Ordeal 1:01:16 The Capstone Ceremony & Key Principles for Any Dad See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Inside With the Old Breed: A Conversation With Eugene Sledge’s Son | 19 May 2026 | 00:58:52 | |
With the Old Breed is widely considered one of the greatest war memoirs ever written. Penned by Eugene Sledge, a Marine who fought with the 1st Division — the old breed — in the Pacific campaigns of Peleliu and Okinawa, the book is unflinching, deeply human, and so vividly written that you can practically feel the heat, mud, exhaustion, and terror coming off the page. But Sledge wasn't a professional writer. He was a biology professor who started jotting notes on scraps of paper tucked inside the New Testament he carried in his breast pocket. He wrote the book decades later, partly to process his own trauma, partly to leave a record for his sons. One of those sons is my guest today. Henry Sledge has spent years carrying his father's legacy forward, and he's written his own book — The Old Breed: The Complete Story Revealed — that pairs his father's combat experience with previously unpublished material and his own perspective as Eugene's son. Today on the show, Henry and I talk about why his dad wrote With the Old Breed, what made fighting in the Pacific uniquely hellish, and how Eugene managed to come home and live a full, honorable life despite carrying the war with him for the rest of his days. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Henry Sledge Thanks to This Week's Sponsor! Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MANLINESS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/MANLINESS 0:00 - Introduction 0:41 - About With the Old Breed: Eugene Sledge's War Memoir 1:15 - Why Eugene Wrote the Book 3:07 - How He Kept Notes in Combat 4:20 - Writing & Publishing the Book 6:03 - Eugene's Writing Style 9:44 - Why Eugene Enlisted as a Private 16:03 - Boot Camp Training 21:35 - Why Peleliu Is the "Forgotten Battle" 27:49 - What Made Fighting on Peleliu Hell 31:40 - The Japanese as an Enemy 43:10 - Life After the War: Coming Home 50:00 - Lessons from With the Old Breed See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| How Constraints Help You Focus, Create, and Finish | 12 May 2026 | 00:45:02 | |
Back in 2019, David Epstein joined me to talk about his book Range and why generalists often thrive in a specialized world. Now he’s back with a new book that explores a seemingly opposite idea: the power of constraints. In Inside the Box, David argues that limits — deadlines, boundaries, and even setbacks — are often the very things that spark creativity, sharpen focus, and help us actually get meaningful work done. Today on the show, David shares how, in a world of endless freedom and options, constraints might actually be the thing you need most. He shares the surprising true story behind the creation of the periodic table, explains how a broken arm changed the course of his own life, and explores why giving people too much leeway can actually kill innovation. We discuss what Pixar did right that doomed companies like General Magic got wrong, why brainstorming sessions are usually ineffective, how to identify the bottlenecks holding back your work and life, and why learning to settle for “good enough” may be the key to getting more great things done.
0:00 - Introduction 0:40 - David Epstein & "Inside the Box": Overview 1:50 - How Range and Constraints Are Connected 3:14 - The Real Story Behind the Periodic Table 7:00 - How a Broken Arm Changed David's Life 10:22 - General Magic: What Happens With No Constraints 20:14 - Pixar vs. General Magic: Constraints Done Right 25:37 - This American Life's Editing Process 31:10 - Finding Your Bottlenecks (The Goal) 38:10 - Why Brainstorming Doesn't Work (And What Does) 43:00 - The Case for Satisficing (Good Enough) 51:11 - When Maximizing Makes Sense See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Why Screen Time Leaves You Exhausted: And How to Reverse Its Effects | 05 May 2026 | 00:50:56 | |
You hear a lot today about how our ample screentime is affecting our mental health. But how is it affecting our bodies, and how is that impact on our bodies affecting, well, our mental health? My guest today will unpack the ways that digital technology is sapping our vitality, and offer a simple protocol to get it back. Her name is Manoush Zomorodi, and she's the host of the TED Radio Hour and the author of Body Electric. In our conversation, Manoush explains why a day spent sitting in front of screens can leave you exhausted, even though you haven't really done anything, and how small bouts of movement throughout the day can counteract that drain and keep you feeling energized and focused. She shares how much activity you need to offset periods of being sedentary, and how to realistically incorporate these movement breaks into your routine. We also get into the specific effects digital technology is having on our eyes and ears — and what you can do to prevent the damage. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Manoush Zomorodi 0:00 - Introduction 0:41 - Meet Manoush Zomorodi & Body Electric 1:10 - Why Are We So Tired After Sitting All Day? 5:30 - The Physical Effects of Sitting & Screens on the Body 10:02 - Walt Whitman, Clerks & the History of Sedentary Work 16:42 - Keith Diaz's Study: 5 Minutes of Movement Every 30 Min 20:07 - Testing the Protocol: Manoush's Lab Experience 21:15 - The Global Clinical Trial Results 29:11 - How to Actually Integrate Movement Breaks Into Your Day 32:11 - Even Exercise Isn't Enough If You Sit All Day 37:50 - What Screens Are Doing to Your Eyes 46:10 - What Earbuds Are Doing to Your Hearing 49:22 - How Screens Disrupt Sleep (It's Not Blue Light)
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| A Map for Finding Direction and Purpose in Life (Again and Again) | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:58:15 | |
While we often think of life as linear, my guest’s own life, along with a decade of research, has taught him that it’s anything but. In his latest book, What to Make of a Life, Jim Collins unpacks the cyclical pattern life actually unfolds in, and how to navigate it. He explains how we all go through periods of “fog” — times of disorientation and uncertainty — at least three times: in youth, after a life-changing “cliff” event, and as we move through midlife into older age. We find our way out of these fogs by what Jim calls coming into “frame” — aligning what you're built to do with what you actually do in a way that feels enlivening and meaningful. And Jim unpacks the three elements that help you find, and re-find, this frame over the course of your life. Along the way, Jim shares case studies of these principles at work, and we explore the role of luck, the inevitability of drudgery (even in work you love), and how to keep your inner fire lit over the long haul. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Jim Collins 0:00 - Introduction & Guest Overview 0:41 - What Is "What to Make of a Life"? 2:17 - The Three Seeds That Started the Research 7:26 - What Are "Encodings"? Finding What You're Built For 8:58 - John Glenn & Gordon Cooper: Encodings in Action 14:32 - It's Never Too Late to Find Your Frame (Eisenhower & Franklin) 19:34 - Multiple Frames: Alan Page's Second Life in Law 25:56 - Navigating Cliffs: Expected vs. Shocking Life Changes 31:09 - The Fog: Why Feeling Lost Is Normal 40:58 - Simplex Stepping: How to Navigate the Fog 49:32 - Flipping the Arrow of Money & Building a Flywheel 57:34 - Thriving in the Second Half of Life See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Become an Automatic Millionaire | 21 Apr 2026 | 00:51:41 | |
Building substantial personal wealth can feel difficult and out of reach. But my guest says that even those with modest means can, with a few simple decisions and strategies, become millionaires, and even multi-millionaires. David Bach is the author of the bestselling, newly updated personal finance classic, The Automatic Millionaire. Today on the show, we talk about the money management framework that will put you on the path to a free, secure, rich retirement. David explains his controversial "Latte Factor" principle, the astonishing power of compounding interest, how setting your finances on autopilot may be the most important financial move you can make, why he still believes in buying a home as an incomparable way to build wealth, the best way to pay down your debt, and more. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With David Bach 0:00 - Introduction 0:41 - Meet David Bach & The Automatic Millionaire 2:18 - The McIntyre Story: How Ordinary Income Built Millions 7:37 - The Latte Factor Explained 17:37 - The Power of Compound Interest 20:27 - The Rule of 72 & Rate of Return 23:32 - Why Starting Early Is the Key to Wealth 33:55 - How Much to Save: The Millionaire Formula 36:05 - Setting Up Automatic Investing (401k & IRAs) 44:23 - Why Homeownership Still Builds Wealth 50:22 - How to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early 47:14 - Paying Down Debt While Saving for Retirement See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Truths Your Therapist Won't Tell You About How to Get Your Mind Right | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:55:49 | |
When people visit a therapist's office for help with their depression, they often don't find the relief they're seeking. That's because much of the counsel that is traditionally given doesn't offer the context people need to make sense of and preserve their mental well-being. Here to share these missing pieces of perspective and strategy is Dr. Scott Eilers, a clinical psychologist and the author of The Light Between the Leaves: 6 Truths Your Therapist Won't Tell You About Healing Depression and Trauma. Today on the show, Scott shares why the world of psychology doesn't always offer the most useful explanations for why people can sometimes feel alienated from their own lives. We then talk about insights Scott has gleaned from science, nature, and lived experience as to the mindset shifts and habits that can help you stay sharp, steady, and engaged in life — whether you're struggling with chronic depression, or just adrift in a low-grade funk. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Scott Eilers 0:00 - Introduction 0:41 - Meet Dr. Scott Eilers & His Book 2:09 - Scott's Personal History with Depression 6:23 - What Actually Causes Depression? 8:28 - Neurotransmitters & the Biology of Mood 14:45 - Why Traditional Therapy Falls Short 25:50 - The Road to the Cabin: A Mental Health Metaphor 30:22 - Sleep, Nutrition & Self-Care as Treatment 31:15 - Exercise: The Most Powerful Tool for Depression 40:35 - Envy Is Ignorance: You Can't See to the Bottom of Others' Lives 44:23 - Pull the Weeds: Removing Invasive Pleasures 51:10 - Keep the Water Flowing: The Power of Having Goals
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| You’ve Been Pooping Wrong: Here’s How to Do It Better | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:49:42 | |
Pooping. Everybody does it, but a lot of people are embarrassed to talk about it. That's a shame, my guest says, not only because your digestive health is incredibly linked to your overall health, but simply for the fact that there is much happiness to be found in an easy, worry-free constitutional. Harvard gastroenterologist Dr. Trisha Pasricha is the author of You've Been Pooping All Wrong: How to Make Your Bowel Movements a Joy. Today on the show, Trisha and I have a fun and frank conversation about the art and science of bowel movements, including the color of healthy stools, how often you should be pooping, if laxatives are safe to use, the food to eat that's even better than prunes for getting things going, why you feel the urge to go poop at Barnes and Noble, the wonders of the bidet, the danger of using your smartphone on the toilet, how to get more comfortable pooping in a public restroom, and more. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Trisha Pasricha 0:00 - Introduction 0:41 - Meet Dr. Tricia Pasricha & Her Book 1:37 - Why We Need to Talk About Poop More 6:48 - What Does Healthy Poop Look Like? (Color Guide) 12:58 - Shape, Consistency & Why Poop Floats 20:44 - How Often Should You Poop? 25:05 - What Causes Constipation (& The Laxative Question) 28:44 - The Squatty Potty: Does It Actually Work? 30:26 - Why You Have to Poop at Barnes & Noble 35:07 - Smartphones on the Toilet & Hemorrhoids 39:22 - Pooping in Public & While Traveling 44:52 - The Case for the Bidet 48:41 - Diet for Optimal Gut Health See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The Mystery of Courage | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:56:51 | |
Courage is one of our most prized and celebrated virtues. But once you really start exploring it, the nature of courage is surprisingly hard to pin down. Here to help us explore the fascinating complications of courage is William Ian Miller, a historian, professor of law, and the author of The Mystery of Courage. Today on the show, Bill explains how centuries of philosophers, soldiers, and storytellers have approached courage and the hard-to-answer questions its manifestations raise. We discuss why courage has long been ranked among the highest virtues, the relationship between fear and courage, the fuzzy line between courage and cowardice, the association of courage and manhood, whether or not courage is domain specific, the difference between offensive and defensive courage, whether martyrs are courageous, whether deeds with evil ends are courageous, how fear, shame, and honor shape brave action, and more. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With William Ian Miller Thanks to This Week’s Podcast Sponsor Incogni. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MANLINESS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/manliness 0:00 - Introduction 0:41 - What Is "The Mystery of Courage"? 1:57 - Why Courage Is Hard to Define 6:27 - The Good Coward: A Civil War Story 14:00 - Why Courage Is Ranked the Highest Virtue 17:20 - The Politics of Courage: Who Gets to Claim It 23:00 - Offensive vs. Defensive Courage 28:27 - Is Courage Domain-Specific? 30:04 - Courage, Manhood & The Female Gaze 50:34 - Fear, Shame & Honor in Courageous Acts 57:00 - Is Courage Finite? Combat & Exhaustion See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The Mental Skills for Becoming an Everyday Genius | 24 Mar 2026 | 00:49:11 | |
We tend to think of genius as something you’re born with — a rare trait possessed by the Einsteins and Teslas of the world. But what if many of the abilities we associate with genius — a great memory, quick problem-solving, mental math, creative insight — are actually trainable skills? My guest today says that’s exactly the case. His name is Nelson Dellis, and he's a six-time USA Memory Champion and the author of the book Everyday Genius. In our conversation, Nelson explains why memory is the foundation of thinking well and why having information stored in your head still matters in the age of ChatGPT. He shares a practical technique for improving your memory, how to read with greater focus and retention, and how to study to actually make information stick. We then talk about the importance of developing “number sense” and how to convert imperial measurements to metric in your head, strategies for solving problems more effectively, and even how to gain an edge in the games of Monopoly and Connect Four. At the end of the conversation, we get into more esoteric territory, including intuition, dreams, and the idea of remote viewing. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect With Nelson Dellis Thanks to This Week’s Podcast Sponsor Incogni. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MANLINESS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/manliness 0:00 - Introduction 0:41 - What Is "Everyday Genius"? Nelson's Background 3:47 - How Did Nelson Get Into Memory Competitions? 7:34 - Memory as the Foundation of Genius 14:22 - The SEE, LINK, GO Memory Framework 22:53 - How to Actually Apply the Memory Palace 26:10 - Focused Reading: How to Read Faster & Retain More 35:15 - How to Study Effectively (Active Recall & Spaced Repetition) 27:05 - Mental Math & Number Sense 31:19 - Converting Imperial to Metric in Your Head 35:45 - Problem-Solving Like a Genius 43:20 - Remote Viewing, Intuition & Dream Journaling See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The Hidden Power of Heat: How a Good Sweat Heals Your Body and Mind | 17 Mar 2026 | 00:47:33 | |
Cold exposure has gotten a lot of attention the past few years, with people dunking themselves in ice baths for the sake of their health and well-being. But, good news here, exposing yourself to heat by sitting in the sauna or even a hot tub, might actually be even better for you, not to mention more pleasant. In his new book, Hotwired: How the Hidden Power of Heat Makes Us Stronger, Bill Gifford unpacks the dichotomy of heat: how it can be both a danger and a healer. In the first part of our conversation, we dive into that former side, discussing what happens when your core temperature gets too high, why some people handle the stress of hot temperatures better than others, and how heat tolerance can actually be trained. We then talk about the advantages of heat exposure over cold exposure, and the benefits of heat for both body and mind, including how it can boost athletic performance and heart health, and may even be an effective treatment for depression. We also talk about how to get the most out of your sauna sessions and how Bill and I like to sauna. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect with Bill Gifford Thanks to This Week’s Podcast Sponsor Incogni. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MANLINESS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/manliness 0:00 - Introduction 1:46 - Meet Bill Gifford & Hot Wired 3:50 - What Extreme Heat Does to Your Body 11:49 - The Korey Stringer Institute & Heatstroke Treatment 13:13 - Heat Tolerance: Why Some People Handle It Better 16:13 - Heat Training for Athletic Performance 17:24 - Cardiovascular Benefits of Sauna 19:03 - The Finnish Sauna Heart Study 26:30 - Cold Plunges: Overhyped? 30:57 - How to Do Sauna Correctly (Temperature & Duration) 33:36 - Heat Therapy for Depression 41:33 - What Americans Can Learn from Nordic Sauna Culture See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The Invisible Limits Holding You Back (And How to Change Them) | 10 Mar 2026 | 00:51:45 | |
When we fail to make desired progress in life, most of us put the blame on physical and environmental limits. But my guest says that what's really holding people back is what's in their heads. Nir Eyal is the author of Beyond Belief: The Science-Backed Way to Stop Limiting Yourself and Achieve Breakthrough Results. Today on the show, he argues that much of how we think about ourselves, our abilities, and what’s possible becomes our reality, and that getting what we want in life often comes down to changing how we perceive it. Drawing on research in neuroscience and psychology, Nir shares the three powers of belief, and how they direct your attention, alter your expectations, shape your sense of agency, and determine whether you stick with hard things long enough to see results. Along the way, he shares ways to identify and challenge the limiting beliefs that can sabotage your goals and relationships. Resources Related to the Podcast
Connect with Nir Eyal Thanks to This Week’s Podcast Sponsor Incogni. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MANLINESS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/manliness 0:00 - Introduction 1:41 - Meet Nir Eyal & Beyond Belief 2:04 - Nir's 30-Year Struggle with Weight 5:04 - The Missing Factor in Motivation (Belief Triangle) 7:49 - Beliefs vs. Facts vs. Faith 9:16 - Beliefs Are Tools, Not Truths 13:15 - Power of Belief #1: Attention (We Don't See Reality Clearly) 17:46 - Seeing Isn't Believing — Believing Is Seeing 22:46 - Rumination & How It Deepens Limiting Beliefs 24:27 - The Turnaround: 4 Questions to Challenge Faulty Beliefs (Nir's Mom Story) 36:10 - Power of Belief #2: Anticipation (Placebo Steroids & Wine Study) 45:00 - Power of Belief #3: Agency (Internal vs. External Locus of Control) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The Power of a Purpose-Driven Life | 03 Mar 2026 | 00:53:16 | |
When it comes to building a happy and meaningful life, most of us rely on a grab bag of strategies — habits and goals around work, relationships, and health. But my guest today would argue that in the quest for true flourishing, there’s a deeper element that not only ties together those efforts, but organizes and energizes them: purpose. Vic Strecher is a professor of public health, a behavioral scientist, and the author of Life on Purpose: How Living for What Matters Most Changes Everything. We begin our conversation with Vic's powerful story of how losing his 19-year-old daughter led him to discover how purpose can fundamentally reshape your life. Vic then unpacks the dramatic impact purpose has on your physical and mental health. He shares some guideposts on finding your own purpose, what kinds of aims foster the most fulfillment, why finding purpose isn't a one-and-done process, and why becoming purposeful can make life feel less like a tug-of-war and more like stepping into a strong current that carries you forward. Resources Related to the Podcast
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| Born to Carry: How to Build Strength, Stamina, and Sanity Through Rucking | 24 Feb 2026 | 00:51:31 | |
If you're looking for a way to improve your fitness, boost your mental health, and reconnect with a deeply human activity — all without going to the gym or pounding your knees on a daily run — then rucking may be the practice you've been looking for. Rucking is simple: throw some weight on your back and start walking. But a little context and a few key tips can make it a safer, more effective, and more satisfying experience. Here to unpack those principles and practicals is Michael Easter, author of Walk With Weight: The Definitive Guide to Rucking. Michael and I first explore the evolutionary and military history of carrying load. We then dive into why rucking is perhaps the most accessible form of training for strength and stamina, and such an effective tool for alleviating back pain, building bone health, and fostering fat loss. We get into using a backpack versus a weighted vest, how much weight you should carry, and how you can get started today with stuff you've probably already got lying around. Resources Related to the Podcast
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| How to Have the Conversations You’ve Been Avoiding | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:48:55 | |
The awkward silence at work when everyone knows a project is going off the rails. The simmering resentment in a marriage over an issue neither spouse will confront. The dysfunction in a church where certain topics are understood to be off-limits. My guest, Joseph Grenny, says that some of the biggest problems in every organization, from businesses to families, aren't the issues themselves, but people's inability to talk about them. Joseph is a business social scientist and consultant, and the co-author of the bestselling book Crucial Conversations. For decades, he’s studied why people shut down or blow up when the stakes are high, emotions are strong, and opinions differ. Today on the show, we talk about what makes a conversation “crucial,” why our brains betray us in conflict, and how to escape the false choice between maintaining a relationship and speaking honestly. From figuring out what kind of conversation you need to have, to creating the right conditions for connection, to dealing with criticism, we unpack how to have the conversations you’ve been avoiding — at work, at home, and everywhere else. Connect With Joseph Grenny See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ecclesiastes on Enjoying Our Weirdly Unsatisfying Lives | 10 Feb 2026 | 00:55:35 | |
Of all the books in the Bible, Ecclesiastes is arguably the most philosophical. Dark, experiential, existential, and unsparingly honest about the human condition, it wrestles with work, money, ambition, pleasure, time, and death — and it does so in a way that feels uncannily modern. Whether you approach it as sacred scripture or simply as ancient wisdom literature, Ecclesiastes has something to say to anyone who’s ever chased success, gotten what they wanted, and then wondered, Is this really it? Here to unpack this ancient philosophy is Bobby Jamieson, a pastor and the author of Everything Is Never Enough: Ecclesiastes’ Surprising Path to Resilient Happiness. We discuss why Ecclesiastes resonates so strongly in our age of acceleration and control, why so much of life can feel absurd and unsatisfying, and how the book ultimately shows us how to enjoy — and even embrace — what first appears to be vanity of vanities. Resources Related to the Podcast
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| How to Help Disengaged Young Men Reclaim Drive and Direction | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:44:30 | |
Not long ago, the primary concern people had about boys was that they were wild, impulsive, and out of control — getting into fights, pushing limits, and stirring up trouble. Today, the problem has flipped. The more common challenge isn’t reckless behavior, but inert passivity. More and more young men are anxious, apathetic, socially isolated, and seemingly uninterested in doing much of anything at all. Vince Benevento, the founder of Causeway Collaborative — a male-specific counseling center — and the author of Boys Will Be Men: 8 Lessons for the Lost American Male, has spent nearly two decades working on the front lines of this shift. As a therapist, coach, and mentor who specializes in helping young men between the ages of 14 and 30, Vince has worked with both the combustible and the checked-out and developed a clear, experience-honed framework for what actually helps guys get unstuck, take ownership of their lives, and move forward with purpose. In today’s conversation, we unpack what Vince has learned through years of work with boys and men, and how his approach — which is rooted more in action than in talk — can be applied not just in the therapist’s office, but by parents and mentors. We dig into why traditional therapy often fails young men, and how to give them the drive, accountability, and sense of connection they crave. We discuss the importance of teaching young men to build life “brick by brick” and helping them find their wild, their thing, and a good group of friends. Resources Related to the Podcast
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| The Click Effect: Inside the Science and Magic of Social Chemistry | 27 Jan 2026 | 00:54:06 | |
We’ve all had that feeling — you meet someone new, and the conversation just flows. You’re in sync. You click. But what’s really happening when that magic occurs? My guest today is journalist Kate Murphy, author of Why We Click: The Emerging Science of Interpersonal Synchrony, and she says this experience isn’t just a vibe, it’s a measurable physiological phenomenon and the most consequential social dynamic most people have never heard of. In our conversation, we dig into what happens when people click, why syncing with others feels so good, and how it influences everything from friendships to teamwork to romantic relationships. We also talk about why some people have a knack for connection, how you can become more “clickable,” and why video calls are the worst. Resources Related to the Podcast
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| How Football Took Over America — and Could Collapse | 20 Jan 2026 | 00:57:40 | |
American football is so big — so braided into our weekends, our language, and our culture — that it can be hard to see it clearly as a whole. In his new book, Football, Chuck Klosterman helps us see the game from unexpected angles, and argues that football isn’t just a sport, it’s a kind of national operating system. Chuck explains how it became the dominant televised spectacle in America, despite having elements that should count against it. We then explore football as a simulation — of war, of reality, and even of itself — and how its simulation through video games has actually fed back into the sport itself. We also talk about who Chuck thinks is the GOAT (hint: it's not Tom Brady), and the difference between achievement and greatness. At the end of our conversation, Chuck lays out a compelling argument for why football may be headed for a steep and surprising fall. Resources Related to the Podcast
Thanks to This Week's Podcast Sponsor Incogni. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MANLINESS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/manliness See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Money and Meaning: What Faith Traditions Teach Us About Personal Finance | 13 Jan 2026 | 00:45:20 | |
We usually think of money as something very practical, concrete, and secular; we earn it, save it, spend it, and crunch the numbers behind it. But money is never just about money: it reflects our values, our priorities — and even our spiritual life. My guest today, Tom Levinson, knows this well. He’s a financial advisor who studied religion at Harvard Divinity School and thought about becoming a rabbi. Now, he helps people navigate not just their portfolios, but the deeper questions that come with them. In today’s conversation, Tom shares the greater meaning around money, what the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic religions say about it, and how financial practices like budgeting can be spiritual disciplines. Resources Related to the Podcast
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| Strong, Conditioned, and Ready for Anything: How to Become a Hybrid Athlete | 06 Jan 2026 | 00:59:16 | |
For decades, fitness culture has tended to break people into two categories: you’re either a strength guy or an endurance guy. You lift heavy or run far — but not both. But my guest today says you don't have to choose; you can excel at both modalities and be ready for anything. Alex Viada is a coach, a physiologist, and the author of The Hybrid Athlete. He’s a powerlifter who's also completed Ironman triathlons, and he's deadlifted 700 pounds and run an ultramarathon in the same week. Even if your goals are much more modest — you'd like to, say, set some weightlifting PRs in the gym and be able to run a decent 5k — Alex's training philosophy can help you combine lifting and endurance in a smart, sustainable way that builds true all-around fitness. In our conversation, Alex explains how to combine training for strength with distance sports like running or cycling, how to test your progress, how to recognize and avoid the two kinds of fatigue, and why becoming a hybrid athlete will help you live more adventurously — and more capably. Resources Related to the Podcast
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| How to Use Probability Hacking to Achieve Your Goals | 30 Dec 2025 | 00:50:50 | |
Most of us chase goals — starting a business, running a marathon, getting a promotion — without ever asking: What are the actual odds this will work? My guest today says those odds aren’t just graspable — they’re hackable. Kyle Austin Young is a strategy consultant and the author of Success Is a Numbers Game. He argues that every goal comes with a hidden probability of success or failure, and by thinking strategically — rather than just hoping for the best — you can tilt the odds in your favor. In the first part of our conversation, Kyle explains the three common ways people pursue goals and their potential downsides. We then unpack how to approach your goals through probability hacking. We discuss how to spot the weak links in your plan, how to map out a “success diagram” that helps you avoid common pitfalls and pursue goals more intelligently, and how to use these same principles to know when you should quit a goal. Resources Related to the Podcast
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| Escape the Happiness Trap | 23 Dec 2025 | 00:51:18 | |
Note: This is a rebroadcast. Happiness is the subject of thousands of articles, podcasts, and scientific studies. Yet all this focus on happiness doesn’t seem to be making people any happier. In fact, the more they try to be happy, especially by fighting to get rid of bad feelings and cling to good ones, the more unhappy people often become. My guest would say that the first step in escaping this negative cycle is redefining what happiness even means — thinking of it not as a state of feeling good but of doing good. His name is Russ Harris and he’s a therapist and the author of The Happiness Trap. Today on the show, Russ explains how struggling against difficult feelings and thoughts just makes them stronger — amplifying instead of diminishing stress, anxiety, depression, and self-consciousness — and how simply obeying your emotions doesn’t work out any better. He then unpacks the alternative approach to happiness espoused by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. With ACT, you allow both hard and pleasant feelings to coexist, and unhook from the latter so that they no longer jerk you around. This allows you to focus on taking action on your values to create a meaningful, flourishing life, or in other words, real happiness. Resources Related to the Episode
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| The Idea Machine: How Books Changed the World (and Still Matter) | 16 Dec 2025 | 00:55:42 | |
Books are everywhere. They're so common, they're easy to take for granted. But my guest argues that they’re worth fully appreciating — because the book isn’t just a container for content; it’s a revolutionary technology for shaping culture and thought. Joel Miller is a former publishing executive, an editor, a book reviewer, and the author of The Idea Machine: How Books Built Our World and Shape Our Future. Today on the show, Joel argues that to appreciate the power of the book, you have to look at its design: how it's constructed, how we interact with it, and how its evolution transformed the way we think, learn, and communicate. He walks us through a fascinating history of the book as a physical object, from Augustine reading under a fig tree, to medieval monks introducing word spacing and punctuation, to the printing press’s world-altering explosion of information. We also explore how novels changed our emotional and social intelligence, how silent reading birthed individual interpretation, and why, even in an age of video and AI, books still matter. Resources Related to the Podcast
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| Why You Don’t Follow Through on Your Health Goals — and How to Fix It | 09 Dec 2025 | 00:51:11 | |
Most of us know what we should do to be healthier: eat better, move more, sleep well. The real challenge? Actually following through. On today’s show, I talk to behavioral psychologist Amantha Imber, author of The Health Habit, who argues that the missing piece in most health advice isn’t more information — it’s learning how to bridge the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. Amantha first outlines four “habit hijackers” that sabotage your best-laid plans and shares practical, research-backed tactics to overcome each one. We then dive into some specific health habits that will give you a lot of transformative bang for your buck. We discuss how restricting your sleep can help you sleep better, the truth about the popular 10,000 steps a day recommendation, the underrated power of an after-dinner walk, and more. Resources Related to the Podcast
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| Masculinity as Confident Competence | 02 Dec 2025 | 00:49:59 | |
There’s a lot of debate these days about what it means to be a man. But maybe the answer is simpler than we think, and a lot of masculinity just comes down to confident competence. A broad set of know-how. The ability to get stuff done. The capacity to move through the world with purpose and skill. As someone who's lived several lives in one, Elliot Ackerman certainly embodies that ethos. He's a decorated Marine, a former CIA paramilitary officer, a National Book Award-nominated novelist, and now the writer of A Man Should Know, a column at The Free Press that explores the small but significant skills that shape a man’s life. Today on the show, Elliot and I talk about why young men are struggling, how intention, discipline, and competence can change the way a man carries himself, and a few of the specific skills a man should know — from how to wear a watch to how to give a eulogy. Resources Related to the Podcast
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