Men sometimes have a way of pulling back during the holidays. The gifts, cooking, and decorating may feel like domestic tasks in which women usually take the lead. Guys, you need to be fully engaged in the holiday season – for yourself, those you lead, and those around you. Listen to this episode for some quick encouragement and a challenge. May you be changed by the giving, loving, and celebrating of Christmas. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at htt...
Dec 04, 2018•11 min•Ep. 62
Imagine a football team whose coaching philosophy centered on one issue: “Don’t get penalties!” The players would be so focused on avoiding penalties that you’d end up with a team of hesitant guys worried they shouldn’t play too hard. The team would be terrible. Many pastors and leaders take a similar approach in speaking to men. They berate men for not being good husbands or fathers, for looking at porn, for over-eating, over-drinking… the list goes on. Yes, those are issues that need to be add...
Nov 27, 2018•16 min•Ep. 61
Story is a powerful vehicle. When we learn through a story our brains use less energy to absorb information. We are even more likely to recall that information when learned via story. Part of being a great man is being a great storyteller. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Story is simple. Something lights you up and moves you, then you share it with those around you. This holiday season, share noble stories with your friends and family. Your stories will have the power to change the culture ...
Nov 20, 2018•13 min•Ep. 60
Knowing how to extend honor is one of the great arts of manhood. Smack talk and cutting up with the guys is great, but those can’t be your only gears all the time. As the holidays approach, let’s learn and practice the art of honoring others. In this episode, you’ll learn how to identify and commend what’s honorable in the lives of your father, friends, and family. This is a practice that will ennoble your own soul while also drawing out the best in others. It doesn’t have to be weird or accompa...
Nov 13, 2018•16 min•Ep. 59
Michael Fletcher is a man’s man. He has run over 27 marathons and impacts thousands of men through Manna Church, located in Fayetteville, NC, on the edge of Fort Bragg. Michael is the first guest to appear on the GreatMan Podcast, and today he’s going to challenge you to fulfill your purpose as a leader and as a man. His message is clear, humorous, powerful, and shaped by a deep understanding of men. (And, who knows, maybe you’ll discover you’ve got more in common with a guy holding a rifle in a...
Nov 06, 2018•15 min•Ep. 58
A shooting at a synagogue, a series of pipe bombs… the violence continues to infiltrate our daily lives. If you’re a young man, in particular, it’s increasingly likely that at some point in your life you could be exposed to an act of terroristic violence: a threat in your local school, mall, restaurant, bar, church, or synagogue. It’s time that we talk about what manhood looks like in a time of crisis. What does a man do in the face of these threats? How does a man prepare himself for a crisis? ...
Oct 30, 2018•15 min•Ep. 57
Mark your calendar! October 25 is St. Crispin’s Day, made famous by King Henry V’s rousing speech given in 1415 at the Battle of Agincourt. While we don’t know all of the actual words spoken that day, William Shakespeare filled in the gaps with his imagination nearly 200 years later in his play, Henry V. From this speech we get that immortal call to arms, “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.” This October 25, read the speech for yourself (available here). See Privacy Policy at https://art...
Oct 23, 2018•11 min•Ep. 56
About 30 young men were on a discussion board looking for information that they just couldn’t find anywhere else… no fathers or brothers to talk to. Sadly, they were all completely wrong about the topic. Men, if we want to restore noble manhood, we have to foster a culture where conversations can happen. Older men, develop a culture around you in which you’re willing to share the lore of manhood. Younger men, find older, noble men who can teach you things. Nothing should be laughable or off limi...
Oct 16, 2018•18 min•Ep. 55
What does the Kavanaugh confirmation process tell us about great and noble manhood in our generation? Stephen posits that our lasting challenge is not so much the politics of left and right, but the legitimate issue that women are often abused and the people who most often abuse them are often untethered, unprincipled, and unfathered men. Gentlemen, this is not a moment to be offended, but a moment to realize that there are legitimate claims being made and society isn’t hearing them. See Privacy...
Oct 09, 2018•16 min•Ep. 54
There are many types of pride, but the kind of pride most endemic to men is the kind that results from not receiving affirmation earlier in life. You probably know a guy like this who lives in a Palace of Self. He gets a sentence quoted in the paper and then puts the clipping on his wall and talks about it for weeks. In this episode, you’ll be challenged to take an inventory of your own self and susceptibility to pride. Furthermore, you’ll learn why a GreatMan can call out the praiseworthy featu...
Oct 02, 2018•17 min•Ep. 53
Let’s talk about Kavanaugh. Not about whether or not the allegations are true or whether or not he should sit on the Supreme Court. Instead, let’s focus on how the sexual revolution of the 1960s changed manhood and on how it’s harming men who have lived all these years without a code. Society is correcting itself (as it should) through the #MeToo movement. Today, there is a reckoning. Women are right. And men are paying a price for living the unprincipled lifestyles that society urged upon them....
Sep 25, 2018•19 min•Ep. 52
The strength and glory of a man are exhibited when he takes responsibility. It’s at the heart of noble manhood. Owning your responsibility is more than just checking off a list of household chores. (Though that’s part of it.) Being responsible in a manly way includes taking charge in the broader sense of your “field” – that is, your relationships, obligations to community, and self. Take responsibility and prosperity will follow. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pri...
Sep 18, 2018•15 min•Ep. 51
We talk often on this podcast about a man’s role in fostering a culture of noble manhood. But women also play a critical role in this area. In today’s episode, Stephen shares how his mother (and perhaps yours, too) had a special ability to articulate the world. Mothers often provide a lens through which their children view the world. While it may be your father’s example that you remember, it is likely your mother’s voice that resounds the most. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy an...
Sep 11, 2018•11 min•Ep. 50
Maybe you’ve seen another guy make a stupid decision? If so, the error may not have been in the actual decision so much as the process he took to get there. Fact is, a lot of men shrink from decision. They avoid the process. They shove it in a drawer, hoping someone else will show up and make it for them. Of course, this isn’t the way YOU want to live your life. In this episode: four steps to manly decision-making. This episode starts with an exercise that every man should complete and ends with...
Sep 05, 2018•18 min•Ep. 49
Earlier this year, Stephen spoke at an event in California. Before thousands of men of all ages, he issued a challenge: men, bless your sons. One young man pulled out his phone, recorded the talk, and sent it to his father. The son received a blessing, and the experience changed their relationship. Tragically, this young man lost his life shortly after the conference while on a hiking trip. Whatever your religion, whatever your father/son relationship (even if you no longer have a father), this ...
Aug 28, 2018•14 min•Ep. 48
Cowardice can make us weak, unreliable, and even dangerous. You know it when you see it, and you know it when you feel it. In this episode, you’ll learn how to identify the source of cowardice in your own life. Plus, you’ll learn tactics for eliminating cowardice so that you can become the great man you’re meant to be. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 21, 2018•12 min•Ep. 47
A lot of guys are working hard to serve their wives, kids, jobs, causes, etc. But it’s been a long time since they’ve read a book, been in the wild, hung out with the guys, or explored an interest. They’re bored, uninspired, overweight, exhausted, and distracted. Men, you need to create some margin in your lives. It might mean getting up earlier or setting aside one evening a week. However you structure it, find time to work on yourself first so that you can serve others. See Privacy Policy at h...
Aug 14, 2018•12 min•Ep. 46
Stephen loves chocolate cake, he has strong opinions about chocolate cake, and today he’s going to tell you about them! You see, chocolate cake is under attack in this world. (Maybe you didn’t know?) The good news is, we’ve got two choices about how we can handle this attack. Even if you live a sad, sugar-free existence, you need to hear this episode! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 07, 2018•10 min•Ep. 45
Many of you saw the dramatic rescue of the boys trapped in a cave in Thailand. In a similar way, we need a rescue of boys today. Boys are in free fall, and their spiral reflects what’s going on with men around the world. For most of history, civilizations fell to “barbarians from the outside.” Today, however, our greatest concern should be the “barbarians from within.” Men, let’s intervene and save our boys. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https:/...
Jul 31, 2018•14 min•Ep. 44
Churches are often the only organizations that budget to impact men on a regular basis. But most churches miss the mark. This week, Stephen speaks directly to men’s ministries. (Though, as always, all are welcome here in the GreatMan Podcast.) Listen in to discover how a men’s ministry should function, who’s doing it well in the U.S., and why you can’t afford to miss out on bringing in the men. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pri...
Jul 24, 2018•15 min•Ep. 43
There’s a certain list of people that every man needs to make: an enemies list. This isn’t bitter or vindictive. It’s actually an experience that will help you “uncrush” the soul and increase your capacity for living a life full of love and generosity. Listen to this episode. Identify who has harmed you. (Make sure this list is real and truthful.) Then gain victory over the wounding, damaging experiences. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://ar...
Jul 17, 2018•9 min•Ep. 42
Throw out whatever you may think about John McCain politically. Today we’re discussing one remarkable talent McCain developed as a boy – and how it prepared him to become a leader of men years later. This one habit even inspired Stephen to create a Notes folder on his iPhone called “The McCains.” Listen in to find out what’s in the folder and how Stephen uses its contents to inspire a GreatMan culture wherever he goes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice...
Jul 10, 2018•11 min•Ep. 41
Every man creates a culture by the way he lives. That culture can be positive or negative, constructive or destructive. If you’re listening to this episode, you’re being charged to create a culture around you in which men can bring the problems of their souls to the surface. You don’t have to be a “counselor” or have any special knowledge in psychology in order to do this. It can be really simple. All you have to do is listen and ask questions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and...
Jul 03, 2018•15 min•Ep. 40
Most men using foul language think it makes them cool and accepted. Why? What do you think that the habit of cussing is compensating for in your soul? Don’t let cussing compensate for lack of strong character or strong manhood in your life. Don’t let cussing make you intellectually or emotionally lazy. What aren’t you saying because you rely on these easy words? In this episode, Stephen unpacks much of the psychology around cussing, while challenging men on to new heights. See Privacy Policy at ...
Jun 26, 2018•15 min•Ep. 39
There’s a connection between pornography and the sexual abuse brought to light by the #MeToo movement. Most porn depicts women as willing for anything. It portrays women as “wanting it” – to put it in a crass locker room phrasing. Women in porn are typically shown as resistant, but willing to have their virtue compromised by a man who is persistent. This causes men to believe that women need to be urged or coaxed into becoming just as willing as the men are. Men, porn is abuse training. We have ...
Jun 19, 2018•13 min•Ep. 38
Suicide rates among middle-aged and older men are skyrocketing. According to a recent report from Esquire on suicide in the U.K., “…if you are a man between 20 and 49, you're more likely to die from [suicide] than cancer, road accidents or heart disease.” Gentlemen, suicide is closer to us than it’s ever been. This is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Let’s get the help we need. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#...
Jun 12, 2018•17 min•Ep. 37
Most guys have a hope that some man is going to come along and take them under his wing and teach them all the things they need to know about life. They’re waiting for superman. The reality is, the “super-mentor” or “super-dad” is not likely to show up. Good news: we can take a modular approach to mentoring. One of the arts of manhood is learning to pursue different mentors and father figures for different subjects. Men, you are not condemned to remain at whatever level you were left at when act...
Jun 05, 2018•16 min•Ep. 36
One of the things that distinguishes a mature man from an immature boy is his ability to get what he needs. Men, you’ve probably heard Stephen say this before: you need a certain amount of rowdiness and adventure in your lives. A reasonable pursuit of these things will make you a better man – for yourself and for those you lead. So, take stock of what you need. Figure out how to get it. And go after it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art1...
May 29, 2018•13 min•Ep. 35
We all sustain wounds in this life. But what are the messages we allow those wounds to inscribe upon our souls? Do you view an experience in your life as a profound injustice? Are you misinterpreting failures? Allowing harsh words or criticisms to define you? Where do your thoughts go when you’re alone and some memory of the past pops into your head? Men, the disease of self-pity is a cancer that can affect you on many levels. Stop. Turn. Face your past. Respond with intention. See Privacy Polic...
May 22, 2018•17 min•Ep. 34
Men are about twice as likely to become alcohol-dependent as women. They’re twice as likely to binge drink and twice as likely to be drunk drivers. This is not a campaign against drinking. But it is a campaign for being thoughtful about your stance on alcohol and in control of your consumption. This is an essential episode for all men. Listen now… Photo by Adam Wilson on Unsplash for the National Drug Helpline See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https...
May 15, 2018•15 min•Ep. 33
