Stephen was recently asked, “What are the five essential things a young man under 20 should know?” As we head into the summer, with the generations mixing and free time to spare, think about how you can work these five concepts into the life of a young man (especially in the 12-14 age range). Stephen illustrates concepts like power, duty, and wildness in ways that can transform the life and direction of a young male. This episode originally aired November 26, 2019. This week, Stephen is on assig...
Mar 30, 2021•24 min•Ep. 182
The average man can dominate the average woman. If men are not taught the principled use of power, they will become barbarians: murderers, rapists, and marauders. Gentleman, we must teach our sons how to wield power. We must teach them to stand guard and to protect women. Let’s make teaching about the principled use of power a cornerstone of what we do. Otherwise, we unleash a generation of barbarians in our society. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice a...
Mar 23, 2021•14 min•Ep. 181
Whatever kind of man your father was (or wasn’t), it’s important that you are rightly aligned with him. In fact, it’s one of the great arts of noble manhood. Seek out help from God and other men as you do this. To get started, Stephen strongly encourages watching this performance of the song “Fall on Me” by Andrea Bocelli with his son Matteo. Get in a quiet place, and let this song bring up your relationship with your father. Write down what you felt. Discuss it with your band of brothers. If yo...
Mar 16, 2021•12 min•Ep. 180
Stephen shares his passion for the honor, rituals, and bonds between men. From the haka dance of the Maori people to Viking burials to the Jewish saying of “running Masada,” tune in for a discussion of rituals across cultures and generations. How are you building rituals with your band of brothers? How are you welcoming men into manhood? Start thinking in terms of liturgies and symbolism. Weave this powerful force into your life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pri...
Mar 09, 2021•19 min•Ep. 179
There’s hardly any characteristic more admirable or powerful in the life of a man than humility. It’s not weakness. Humility is the self-awareness that you are a flawed and incomplete human being. It causes you to recognize what you don’t have and what others have that you need. Humility allows you to approach life with an openness, and openness produces growth. Listen to this podcast, embrace humility, and embrace the truth about yourself. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cal...
Mar 02, 2021•23 min•Ep. 178
Stephen sits down with his wife, Beverly Mansfield, to get a female perspective on the current state of manhood and what we’re doing here at GreatMan. Bev discusses the “higher truths” of a GreatMan, the actions of a GreatMan, and her own advice for listeners. Don’t miss this episode! Let’s allow the wisdom of women into our lives as we seek to become GreatMen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Feb 23, 2021•18 min•Ep. 177
Fasting has always been a part of manhood. In the Middle Ages, knights fasted before they were commissioned or went into battle. In some cultures, men fasted before marriage. Fasting is a manly art to purify the body and soul. A man ought to be able to fast everything, outside of relationships, at some point in his life. The ability to fast something is how you know that thing hasn’t worked itself into your soul. Check yourself. Ensure that nothing rules or dominates you. Take charge, and learn ...
Feb 16, 2021•19 min•Ep. 176
A GreatMan is quick, skilled, gentle, and wise about confronting people. He is also willing to be confronted. The GreatMan understands he alone is responsible for surveying his field and addressing that which needs correction. Some of the biggest disasters in businesses, families, and relationships occur when a man sees a problem and fails to confront it. Don’t let a fear of confrontation invite the destructive forces of non-confrontation. Do the pruning. Be vigilant in the upkeep. See Privacy P...
Feb 09, 2021•18 min•Ep. 175
It’s said that “water is thicker than blood.” So, what should happen when a member of your band of brothers dies? First, a band of brothers should encourage one another to grieve. As you grieve, turn yourself to serving the bereaved family. (Reminder: urge your guys beforehand to have life insurance, burial insurance, and a will.) From small practical actions (mowing the yard) to engaging the sons, Stephen offers advice that can help men grieve properly, make an impact, and remain present. See P...
Feb 02, 2021•19 min•Ep. 174
It’s an art of the GreatMan that he processes what he hears and ponders whether it is a fact or not. When you hear something juicy about politics, ask yourself, “Could this be true? What’s the source? How do we know this?” You don’t need to be the constant, irritating village skeptic. But you do need to know the facts and help those around you arrive at a calm understanding of the facts. A man emanates calm, truth, and decided action. Master this manly art. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.co...
Jan 26, 2021•16 min•Ep. 173
Are you in the shape that YOU want to be in? Look at yourself in the mirror. Get real. Is this who you are? Stephen is concerned about the health of Western men, as well as the generation of men getting older. No doubt, COVID lockdowns have taken their toll on the health of many guys. This can be fixed. In this episode, Stephen challenges you to integrate body weight exercises into your daily routine. These exercises are highly effective, uncomplicated, and require nothing more than your own eff...
Jan 19, 2021•14 min•Ep. 172
On January 6, 2021, the U.S. Capitol was invaded. We saw what happens when men do not have noble values set before them. They beat a policeman to death with a fire extinguisher. They sought out politicians, thirsty for blood. Young men were given a cause, however misguided. In this episode, Stephen unpacks the historic event from a manly perspective. Give a man a righteous cause, or he will take up a false one. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at http...
Jan 12, 2021•17 min•Ep. 171
A listener recently asked, “What is a ‘GreatMan’ by our definition?” Great question! Stephen kicks off a new 2021 season of the podcast with a clear definition of GreatMan. Every man born into this world has the opportunity to live according to his higher nature or his lesser drives. Every man has greatness in him. Activate it. Discover what it means to live in the power of what you were made to be. In this episode, find yourself inspired and also spurred on with specific actionable items you ca...
Jan 05, 2021•20 min•Ep. 170
Big changes are coming to GreatMan in 2021! For starters, we are excited to share we are officially a 501(c)(3) organization, which means all donations are tax deductible. And, we’re going to do something we have rarely done here at GreatMan: ask you to give. Why? Tune into this episode to hear Stephen share the big dreams and goals propelling GreatMan forward over the next several years. From distributing millions of books and audiobooks to men around the world, to organizing a premiere men’s e...
Dec 29, 2020•17 min•Ep. 169
As 2020 wraps to a close and we set our sights on the year ahead, Stephen encourages men to add these eight goals for 2021. They aren’t big, and they can be layered onto whatever other goals or intentions you have for the year. Working on these eight simple goals can have a profound impact on your mind, body, relationships, finances, and overall sense of peace and purpose. You’ll be a better man for it. So, grab a pen and paper or open up the Notes app on your phone, and get ready! See Privacy P...
Dec 22, 2020•19 min•Ep. 168
Welcome to the annual gift edition of the GreatMan Podcast. (Also known as “Stephen’s favorite things!”) If you’re looking for great gifts for the men in your life, this is a must-listen episode. Learn how you can give strategically so as to ignite fires within the souls of the men you love. Giving gifts that help others clarify and achieve their goals is one of the great arts of great manhood. From books and movies to art, workout gear, and self-defense tools, these nine items shouldn’t be miss...
Dec 15, 2020•24 min•Ep. 167
We are likely entering into the worst of the pandemic. In this episode, Stephen encourages listeners to keep at bay the darkness of depression, disillusionment, and despair. Every man who wants to live a meaningful life has to push back against this darkness. Tune in to learn about the seven specific things you should do to keep the darkness away in this season. This is an episode not to be missed! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com...
Dec 08, 2020•24 min•Ep. 166
Friendship is vital to noble manhood. It’s one of the great gifts and abilities men possess. Yet the typical man walks alone – to his own destruction. In this episode, Stephen shares seven truths about noble, manly friendship. Tune in, and evaluate your total body of friendships from this perspective. Then, find yourself inspired and emboldened to build a tribe and culture around you that’s rooted in noble manhood. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at ...
Dec 01, 2020•20 min•Ep. 165
Watch this video on YouTube. Last week, Stephen told a brief version of the Thanksgiving story. Today, he asks, what’s with the modern controversies surrounding Thanksgiving? Why is the simple, sweet, faith-filled story of Thanksgiving so attacked? Tune in as Stephen debunks the would-be debunkers! Above all, may you remember the good, noble, and true parts of our heritage during this holiday. Let’s honor those who paved the way by continuing to tell the Thanksgiving story to the next generation...
Nov 24, 2020•13 min•Ep. 164
Watch this episode on YouTube. The first Thanksgiving story begins in the North of England with a congregation. In it, we see people who desire to be a stepping stone to the light of Christ. They’re also credited with writing one of the first civil compacts in history. “We sailed for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith,” wrote the Pilgrims in the Mayflower Compact during that frigid transatlantic journey. In this episode, Stephen shares the cherished story of their experi...
Nov 17, 2020•11 min•Ep. 163
As the holiday season approaches, it’s time we talk about rituals. Men have a unique gift for rituals and are deeply impacted by them. In this episode, Stephen shares some of his own rituals, as well as those he’s observed in families, companies, and bands of brothers. Discover the importance of rituals and learn how to build them into every aspect of your life. When you embed rituals into your life, you engage in constantly reaffirming what kind of man you are. See Privacy Policy at https://art...
Nov 10, 2020•12 min•Ep. 162
I’m proud of my country this morning. During a pandemic, and with 400 million opinions to consider, most election results are in, there is no major violence, and by nearly all accounts there is no corruption and no system breakdown. Our politics are divided, but our system works. In this morning’s episode, we’ll cover the “Blue Wave,” President Trump’s late night announcement, polling, and more. Above all, I urge you to be peacemakers in the hours and days ahead. See Privacy Policy at https://ar...
Nov 04, 2020•16 min•Ep. 161
“How do we react during this continued COVID-19 crisis?” many of you have asked. In this episode, Stephen gives his very personal response, sharing the questions and challenges that he has personally faced down in 2020, as well as advice for men who are yearning to be better. Now is a time to practice discipline and learn how to do with less. Join us in “thinking from the finish line,” as we pursue noble manhood in the face of the coronavirus, societal unrest, economic uncertainty, and political...
Oct 27, 2020•16 min•Ep. 160
Last month, Stephen asked for your manly music recommendations. What songs ask us to be great men or raise a noble, manly vision? And, wow, did you guys deliver! Stephen discusses some of the 100+ songs you shared in this episode of the GreatMan Podcast. Thanks to Gary, Andrew, Mike, Justin, Alex, Clay, Ben, Larry, Jason, Mac, Chuck and many others. Tune in and welcome these noble themes into your heart. Let’s not just build great manhood in ourselves, sons, and bands of brothers, but let’s buil...
Oct 20, 2020•11 min•Ep. 159
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 ...
Oct 13, 2020•13 min•Ep. 158
Men are often told they should be good or noble primarily in the context of their roles as husbands and fathers. While, yes, your wife and children deserve to have a good man, a noble man in their lives, they are not the main reason why you should be a good man. You’re called to be a great man simply because that is who you’re meant to be – regardless of culture, religion, place in time and history, or family structure. This week, Stephen’s challenging men to own themselves first. You are called...
Oct 06, 2020•15 min•Ep. 157
We should have manly music playing in our hearts and ears, music that will inspire us to be GreatMen. So, where is it? In this episode, Stephen describes a few of his favorite “manly” songs and asks for you to submit your favorite manly songs. In a future episode, Stephen will share your submissions with other guys. Send us the songs that inspire noble manhood within you! Email info@greatman.TV. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pr...
Sep 29, 2020•14 min•Ep. 156
“Oh yeah, my buddy’s done that before.” “I read it in a book.” “There’s a YouTube channel on that.” Many men are living their lives through secondary experiences. What they know of the world has come to them through a screen or secondhand report. But they’ve never done it themselves. In this episode, Stephen exhorts men to get out in the field and experience life firsthand. See, taste, smell, sweat, struggle, achieve, and feel. Live fully, and emphasize primary experiences in your life! See Priv...
Sep 22, 2020•14 min•Ep. 155
In most men’s movements or ministries, there’s an assumption that men are meant to be outdoorsy hunters who are into sports, motorcycles, whiskey, and cigars. Of course, not every man fits that mold. Great manhood isn’t about certain behaviors or stereotypes. Great manhood is like jazz. There are a few certain core truths – themes, if you will. Outside of those, there are infinite variations. Find your groove and be the man you’re made to be. We’ll be proud of you, encourage you, bond with you, ...
Sep 15, 2020•24 min•Ep. 154
Stephen has spoken often on the subject of fathers and sons. But how should a noble, righteous man relate to his daughter? In this episode, Stephen illustrates four essential things every man should do in building a healthy, effective relationship with his daughter. Men, if you’re a father of a girl, no matter the age, this is essential listening! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sep 08, 2020•22 min•Ep. 153
