I sit down with Anthony Rispo to dive deep into social cognition, human behavior, and the cultural shifts affecting men and women today. We explore how disagreements can fracture relationships, the erosion of nuance in public discourse, and the role social media plays in polarizing people. Anthony also shares his insights on gender dynamics, the state of therapy for men, and the growing narrative around being “better off alone.” This is a thought-provoking conversation that isn’t afraid to push ...
Aug 11, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 564
I dive deep into the silent treatment often used by avoidant partners—and what it really means. I share why this behavior isn't always intentional, how it impacts you emotionally, and what practical steps you can take to respond in a grounded, respectful way. As someone who used to be avoidant myself, I get the struggle from both sides. If you’re trying to navigate this dynamic in a relationship, this episode will give you clarity and tools to build healthier communication. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00...
Aug 07, 2025•20 min•Ep. 563
I dive into the modern traps that disconnect men from their masculine core, like the "nice guy" culture and procrastination, which drain your inner fire. I share practical steps to rebuild momentum through small, daily habits, helping you reclaim your strength and direction without relying on motivation. Join me as I explore how to balance empathy with assertiveness and take action toward your goals. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS (00:00) - Introduction: Feeling Disconnected (01:04) - The Nice Guy Trap (02:46)...
Aug 04, 2025•13 min•Ep. 554
Talking points: relationships So many men fall into a very specific (and usually confusing) trap. They're asked to "be more vulnerable", they go way too far with it, and it ends up pushing the partner into the mother/caregiver/therapist role way too often. I've talked about this before, but let's go deeper. Here's how to interpret what's actually being asked of you. (00:00:00) - What a woman does NOT mean, and one of the paradoxes of dating (00:07:48) - What does she want, really? (00:09:01) - W...
Jul 31, 2025•15 min
Talking points: masculinity, culture Much like open pit mining, our culture has ravaged certain aspects of maturity and masculinity—and it's getting harder to remember what used to be the core components. Here are the most important principles I think most of us have forgotten to implement in our lives. I'd also love to get your thoughts on this. DM me on Instagram or if you're listening to this on Spotify, drop a comment! (00:00:00) - Learn to love and embrace the unknown (00:04:45) - Embrace d...
Jul 28, 2025•24 min•Ep. 553
I was asked recently what I'd say to men who've been thinking about giving up. Who are at the end of their rope. Not an easy topic, and I don't have a magic bullet or tactical steps for you this time. But I do have a gentle reminder. (00:00:00) - Intro, and choice (00:07:42) - On suffering and gauging what you can truly change (00:15:31) - The risk of convincing *** Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-worth with help from this free guide: https://training.mantalks.com/self...
Jul 24, 2025•21 min
Talking points: parents, anger, unavailability My guest this week came to work on how can't see any path other than "it's all on me", as well as a feeling of emotional distance from his father. But why? What's hidden in the shadow that connects the two? This is an excellent episode to get a feel for the work in action—and how we so easily bury certain parts of ourselves and others in the unconscious. (00:00:00) - Intro, what my guest is struggling with, and his family situation (00:10:30) - How ...
Jul 21, 2025•36 min•Ep. 552
Talking points: mindset, nervous system There's good, there's great, and then there's real mastery. I've had the privilege of working and talking with many extraordinary men. Masters of their craft. There's something that all of them do well—and it's what separates the great from the exceptional. Listen in. (00:00:00) - Intro (00:05:51) - What separates good from great, and great from exceptional (00:10:35) - The best part, and the crucial part (00:14:25) - The importance of slowness *** Tired o...
Jul 17, 2025•22 min
Talking points: trauma This week, I sit down with Tim Fletcher to explore the deep and often misunderstood world of complex trauma. We unpack how subtle childhood experiences like emotional neglect or identity suppression can shape our nervous systems, relationships, and sense of self for decades. Tim breaks down the science and psychology behind trauma and its complexity, and offers insights into how healing actually happens. If you've ever struggled with anxiety, emotional reactivity, or feeli...
Jul 14, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 551
Talking points: anxiety, attention, mindset What if the jitters aren't just from the extra coffee this morning? What if you're taking in too much info, courtesy of the never-ending scroll? There's something underneath it all, team, and building resiliency against that can be an absolute game changer. Here's how. (00:00:00) - What’s underneath all anxiety, and what it does (00:03:01) - Why this is relevant to men (00:06:38) - The Cheesecake Factory Effect (00:09:15) - So what do you do, and what ...
Jul 10, 2025•23 min
Talking points: relationship, attachment, culture I love Stan because he's able to cut through so much of the modern BS around relationships, and get straight to practical, tactical perspectives and advice. We covered a TON of ground here, from the importance of social contracts and mutual protection, to the need for shared vision and purpose in creating equitable and collaborative relationships. This is definitely a convo that will spark some discussion, so listen in, team. (00:00:00) - Intro a...
Jul 07, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 550
Talking points: relationships, infidelity Not the happiest of talking points today, team, but it's always worth discussing. There's no universal reason for it, but from my own experience and years of working with men, I've seen some common themes. Here's a quick breakdown of the top reasons, plus the underlying motivation for almost every man that's knocked on my door. (00:00:00) - Intro, and the underlying motivation for a majority of men (00:03:40) - Reasons that fall into this category (00:10...
Jul 03, 2025•16 min
Talking points: mental health, masculinity, culture When Movember reaches out, you answer the call. I'm grateful to have interviewed Professor John Oliffe on a recent report co-authored by him—and spearheaded by the Movember Institute for Men's Health. Some of the stats they've released left me a little surprised; like 2 in 5 men in Canada die prematurely, and from largely preventable casues. Listen to this one, team. (00:00:00) - Intro, and the premature mortality of men (00:10:29) - On co-cons...
Jun 30, 2025•52 min•Ep. 549
Talking points: relationships, culture This might bother some of you, but I think it needs discussing, because I get it all the time in comments, emails, and DMs: serious disappointment and frustration with dating. From men and women both. There are a lot of reasons for this, both surface-level and deeper, but here's what I'm seeing the most. (00:00:00) - Intro (00:05:04) - What we’re not actually teaching young men (00:08:14) - Where do we go from here? (00:11:04) - A gap I see in most relation...
Jun 26, 2025•18 min
Talking points: relationships, the shadow, psychology Every man casts a shadow, regardless of how much of "the work" he's done. But whether or not you let it negatively impact your relationships is up to you. Listen in for what shadow work actually means for your relationships, and straightforward advice on how to get started. (00:00:00) - Intro and the biggest misconception about shadow work (00:03:57) - How the shadow can manifest in a relationship (00:08:40) - But WHY does this happen? (00:12...
Jun 23, 2025•23 min•Ep. 548
Talking points: myth, psychology, purpose I've loved myths and legends since I was a kid. As a man, that love has only grown because they can serve up powerful, meaningful guidance. So this week, we're digging into what Arthur, Excalibur, and the Holy Grail teach about the journey of the mature masculine. (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:38) - Boyhood, coming of age, and crossing the thresholds of manhood (00:07:45) - The symbol and importance of Excalibur (00:16:04) - The sword in the stone CAN’T be p...
Jun 19, 2025•26 min
Talking points: inner child, fatherhood, abandonment, the shadow Fair warning, there's a lot of F-bombs in this one. We've kept them in because I want people to get a sense of how deep a father wound can go. My guest has struggled with a kind of dualistic life. One day, he's crushing it and confident. The next, he feels uncertain and lost. This is a heavy one, team, but absolutely worth checking out. *** Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-worth with help from this free gu...
Jun 16, 2025•36 min•Ep. 547
Talking points: fatherhood, psychology, mindset A while back, I put up an episode on the mother wound, aka healing your mommy issues. But there's always more to the story. There's also the "father wound", and it can have massive impact on everything from self-worth to relationships to skill at work. Listen in for a serious look at what it is, what creates it, and what to work on. (00:00:00) - Intro and defining the “father wound” (00:04:47) - The kinds of fathers/childhoods that create this (00:...
Jun 12, 2025•40 min
Talking points: genetics, culture, psychology, parenting I'm the kid who's always running to see what's over the next hill, so I'm both grateful and excited to have Alex on the show. His latest book is incredible, and gets to the science of how we're actually happier with a little less predictability in so many parts of our lives. If you're someone whose life feels kind of listless right now, this is YOUR episode. (00:00:00) - The “explorer gene”, dopamine, and the impact of modern tech on our a...
Jun 09, 2025•59 min•Ep. 546
Talking points: culture, psychology, masculinity I've covered the data behind this multiple times. A lot of men—not just in North America but globally—are struggling. Today I want to spark some dialogue by bringing some attention to what I think are just a few of the underlying reasons. And I want your thoughts, too. Comment if you're on Spotify, DM me on Instagram. This is worth talking about beyond the usual blame games or "it's always been like this" deflection. *** Tired of feeling like you'...
Jun 05, 2025•22 min
Talking points: sex, relationships, culture Editor's Note: FYI team, had some audio snafus that we did our best to remedy. Thanks for your understanding! Grateful that Jamie and I sat down to talk all things intimate relationships. From how culture keeps shaping what men and women respond to, desire, and miss out on, to helping both yourself and her feel not just comfortable but welcome. This is a great ep to listen to with a partner, my friends. (00:00:00) - What most men need to know about wom...
Jun 02, 2025•49 min•Ep. 545
Talking points: attachment, relationships, psychology If you're the more anxious type and you're dating someone more avoidant (or vice versa), it can create a whole realm of intensity that many people find hard to fathom. It's the best and worst of the old saying "opposites attract". Here's how to lower the temperature and move towards something more secure. (00:00:00) - Intro and what contributes to this dynamic (00:05:36) - The signs and signals that you’re in the cycle (00:07:20) - How you br...
May 29, 2025•20 min
Talking points: masculinity, mental health, friendship Short but important one, team. I'm sure you've seen the memes that go something like "Is the cure for male loneliness pickleball?" Maybe you've rolled your eyes at them more than once. I have. Nevertheless, the data is clear, and a lot of men out there are starved of quality friend time. Here's how to change that. (00:00:00) - Intro and why friendships are so important (00:02:11) - The challenges, and tips to overcome them (00:05:05) - The v...
May 26, 2025•14 min•Ep. 544
Talking points: relationships Yes, that's a provocative title. Yes, listen to the whole thing. No, this isn't men being mad at women. This is what I've seen time and again, plus what I've been told by multiple women and couples I've worked with, and it's something both parties are responsible for. (00:00:00) - The factor good men are missing (00:04:24) - Defining “emotional containment” (00:08:30) - The big caveat, and an example So like I said, listen to the whole thing. *** Tired of feeling li...
May 22, 2025•13 min
Talking points: psychology, attachment theory We've had a LOT of newcomers recently, and I'm getting some great questions around what attachment theory means for men specifically. To that end, I've made you all a compilation; an episode chock-full of info on the two most common styles! One that cuts through the jargon and gives you some things you can work on literally right now. (00:00:00) - The core of anxious attachment (00:06:33) - What causes anxious attachment, and how it shows up in a rel...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 543
Talking points: psychology, masculinity If you've ever found yourself in strange push-pull dynamics, self-sabotaged relationships, or just feel like you never get it "right" with women, this may be your podcast. I see a lot of men battle their mommy (and daddy) issues instead of healing them. Let's change that. (00:00:00) - Intro, what a “mother wound” is, and the most common variations (00:14:22) - How a mother wound shows up, from hypervigilance to underachievement to zero boundaries (00:21:19...
May 15, 2025•34 min
Talking points: history, psychology, mindset, culture Like George Santayana said, those who do not learn from the past are condemned to repeat it. There's so much we can learn about ourselves, where we come from, and what needs our attention when we study the past. Grateful for the host of Cost of Glory, Alex Petkas, coming back on the show to lay down some real history, difficult truths, and deep insights on ol' Gaius himself. (00:00:00) - What the modern man can learn from Julius Caesar (00:17...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 542
Talking points: relationships, mindset I see so many men struggle with this, without ever knowing why. Part of it's the realities of modern dating, but there's a few things you can do to rise above. Listen in. (00:00:00) - Here’s the situation (00:04:32) - Stop overfunding the account in an effort to get something (00:06:51) - Be her best option, but don’t stuff it in her face (00:10:55) - Re-prioritize your needs and expectations, and do it like this *** Tired of feeling like you're never enoug...
May 08, 2025•18 min
Talking points: money, success, mindset, finances Grateful to have the thoughtful and straightforward advice of Sahil Bloom when it comes to wealth—minus the get-rich-quick schemes and "hacks" you see too often on social media. We covered a ton, from financial skill development and a healthy relationship with money, to how you balance that with what really matters. (00:00:24) - Understanding the Misconceptions of Success (00:12:34) - The Lottery Mindset and Its Pitfalls (00:21:32) - Developing S...
May 05, 2025•50 min•Ep. 541
Talking points: conflict, relationships You're going to get into arguments. There will be differences of opinion. But what if those were gateways to something more? Today, the latest in the Man's Guide series. (00:00:00) - Choose someone you’re willing to conflict with, and be someone she’s willing to conflict with, too. (00:04:11) - Your nervous system sets the tone. (00:07:41) - You need rules of engagement. (00:10:45) - Stop trying to “fix” her emotions. (00:15:25) - Don’t fall for The Trap. ...
May 01, 2025•26 min
