The ManTalks podcast features conversations between one of the leading men’s work facilitators, Connor Beaton, and world class guests with expertise in mindset, life purpose, psychology, relational communication, sexual intimacy, business and spirituality. For more information about ManTalks go to: http://www.mantalks.com
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Talking points: masculinity, culture Honored to have connected with the Barefoot Dutchman himself this week. In case you hadn't heard, Anton Nootenboom recently finished walking over 3100 miles—barefoot—from LA to NYC to support men's mental health. Yes. Barefoot. We dig into the why, the how, and Anton's core philosophies. Listen in, team. (00:00:00) - Intro, and what the mental and emotional strain was like (00:15:39) - Why Anton wanted to raise awareness for men’s mental health (00:22:04) - W...
Talking points: relationships, marriage Not an easy topic for anyone, but there ARE things you can do that can help things go more smoothly. Whether you chose it or it got chosen for you, I've laid out what you need to ask yourself and how you should proceed. Listen in. (00:00:00) - Intro, and the best question to ask yourself first (00:07:18) - How do you know when it’s time to go, and midlife changes (00:16:12) - Divorcing in anger, and the first thing I say to men who have decided (00:20:26) ...
Talking points: attachment, mindset, psychology Diving into the deep end for 2025, team. The disorganized attachment style is complex, hard to manage, and my heart goes out to anyone who struggles with this. But over the years of training and study, and working with clients with disorganized attachment, I've found some things that help. Here's your primer, team. (00:00:00) - Why disorganized attachment is so challenging, what makes it different, and the biggest origin points (00:09:26) - Digging...
Talking points: new year, goals, mindset Goals don’t always work, especially when the end result requires a more flexible approach, like having a healthier internal dialogue or more intimacy in your relationship. This week, let’s dig into a different approach: non-linear goal setting. (00:00:00) - Why step-by-step goals may not work, and how to have an aim (00:06:07) - Let go of the idea that paint-by-numbers is always the way to go, and embrace experimentation (00:10:424) - Learn how to read th...
Talking points: trauma, culture, attachment, masculinity Maybe you’re new (or new-ish) to the podcast. Maybe you’re gunning for new insights so you kick off 2025 right. Either way, we here at ManTalks have got your back. In this episode, you’ll find extended clips from 2024’s top interviews, from the veteran perspectives of Michael Meade to the attachment expertise of Sarah Baldwin. Happy New Year, team. (00:00:00) - Peter Levine on the symptoms of trauma and using active imagination (00:19:41) ...
Talking points: mindset, new year new you Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a big fan of New Year's Resolutions. So instead of adding another thing to do, be, or try to your list, why not take something away? These ten things come from my own experience as well as helping high-performing men in multiple fields. Listen in. (00:00:00) - Stop self-deprecating, and start taking “clean accountability” (00:04:16) - Stop blaming women for all your problems (00:07:40) - Stop consuming mindless content. ...
No bells and whistles this Monday, team. Just a few reminders and a simple, honest, and massive thank you for tuning in. Wherever you are, however you celebrate, whatever you do, I wish you and yours peace, grace, and happiness. *** Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-worth with help from this free guide: https://training.mantalks.com/self-worth Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/m...
Talking points: relationships, masculinity, culture This is a question I get all the time from men. They date a woman who takes on what feels like a very masculine energy, and they're not sure how to handle that without doubling down on battles, roles, and standoffs. Here's how to build a grounded, fulfilling, satisfying partnership instead. (00:00:00) - Intro and the reasons women adopt traditionally masculine traits (00:08:40) - What do you do? Number one: let go of “who’s right” battles (00:1...
Talking points: men, psychology, culture Roy Baumeister is a mighty pillar in the world of psychology, with groundbreaking work on willpower, self-control, negativity bias, and much more. I had the honor of chatting with him about all of these things in the context of men. How do we develop robust self-esteem? Is it work breaking free of isolation? Are there unique social pressures? This is chock full, team. (00:00:00) - On how men need to prove themselves, and the different social pressures bet...
Talking points: attachment, genetics, psychology Attachment as a framework for working on and healing your relationships is powerful stuff. But it’s also complex. I wanted to nerd out a bit this week with all of you over this fascinating study on attachment, genetics, and environment—with a PSA at the end. Dig in and let me know what you think! You can find the abstract of the study and request a full PDF here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385437792_Genetic_and_environmental_contribu...
Talking points: culture, masculinity, the shadow This was one of those wide-ranging convos that made me lose track of time. David and I cover a ton in this as you'll see from the timestamps, with some great info on "core energetics", personality types, and more. Dig in. (00:00:00) - How David approached interviewing such a polarizing figure, and do all men have such a rigid mask? (00:09:04) - How do you support men in a way that allows them to actually open up? (00:15:40) - Is it all just an act...
Talking points: relationships, masculinity, psychology, culture I touched on this topic in a previous episode and hoo boy, the comments. So let’s talk about it, because there are a lot of historical, psychological, and mythic examples to look at. What’s more, there are ways of working on this if it rings true. (00:00:00) - What I mean by being afraid of women, and theories from evolutionary psychology (00:06:41) - The perspective of analytical psychology, and the “anima and animus” (00:15:29) - ...
Talking points: relationships, communication, sex, masculinity Whether we want to admit it or not, there are always times where things in the bedroom just don’t work out. Alex is out there helping men deal with their most common challenges, and de-stigmatizing communication about it. I appreciate the simple yet solid advice he brings to the table; lots of good stuff in here. Listen in. (00:00:00) - How a man’s ability to perform affects how he sees himself, and working with sexual shame (00:11:3...
Talking points: relationships, mythology, archetypes, culture The title might ruffle some feathers, but sometimes, the best way to look at an issue is through a story. The symbolism has a way of highlighting many complex things at once. This week, I want to talk about an almost common trope in modern dating, but through the lens of a classic story: Cinderella. (00:00:00) - Intro, using the story as a lens, and the effect of the “wicked stepmother” (00:04:13) - The shadow of the feminine and masc...
This episode delves into the critical role of the hero archetype from ancient history to modern society, exploring how it has been diluted and misunderstood. Alex Petkas, a classics scholar, discusses figures like Achilles, Odysseus, and Plutarch's biographies to illustrate the balance between individual glory and community benefit. The conversation highlights the importance of heroic role models for men's development and the need to restore a more nuanced, generative understanding of heroism in contemporary culture.
talking points: anxiety, psychology, relationships If you've ever been with someone who struggles with anxiety, this one's for you. A lot of men lean heavily into trying to fix things, even making it their entire mission. Here are some alternative steps that respect responsibility, autonomy, and help strengthen the relationship. (00:00:00) - Intro, my working definition of anxiety, and the many places it comes from (00:05:42) - Signs of anxiety in your partner (00:10:47) - So what do you do? On ...
Talking points: masculinity, psychology, myth, Jung Hot on the heels of the legendary John Lee, I interviewed another founding elder of men's work: Michael Meade. This is a powerful discussion focused on how essential "descent" is for men, and how it's almost completely disappeared from society in favor of endless, destructive growth and commodified "mastery". Powerful words from one of the wisest teachers out there, in my opinion. (00:00:00) - The importance of descent in a man’s life (00:11:51...
Talking points: psychology, depression, These are 3 conditions you may have never heard of before, but based on my experience working with men for 10+ years, they’ve got a significant presence. They’re also under-discussed. (00:00:00) - Dysthymia, aka low-key depression (00:04:25) - Alexithymia, when you can't describe emotions (00:07:06) - Derealization, when nothing feels real Further Reading -Dysthymia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysthymia -Alexithymia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexit...
Talking points: masculinity, culture, mythopoetics, Robert Bly, Iron John Maybe you've heard it said that there are lots of "olders", but barely any elders. John Lee is one of the latter, in my opinion. A critical player in men's movements of the 90s and close friends with Robert Bly, John is a wealth of knowledge, insight, and honest talk—and no stranger to deep work. Listen in, team. (00:00:00) - Intro, and what brought John to where he is today (00:06:23) - The impact Robert Bly had on the my...
Talking points: relationships We all know how a couple handles conflict can be the difference between love that’s thriving and resilient and something that is…well, the exact opposite: leading through conflict. Listen in for five aspects of the that don’t get talked about often enough, in my opinion. (00:00:00) - Intro, and a practical definition of conflict (00:03:14) - Address your conflict kryptonite (00:05:59) - Ownership over blame (00:07:57) - Stop seeing conflict as a path to disconnectio...
Talking points: mindset, purpose, military, masculinity A sincere honor to chat with J.R., and I’m blown away by his perspective and honesty on the hardship he’s faced—and overcome. We cover a lot of ground: the importance of male friendship, the struggles veterans can go through, the importance of vulnerability AND accountability. Throughout it all, J.R.’s outlook shines through. Listen in, team. (00:00:00) - JR’s defining moment (00:11:45) - What happened to JR during his deployment (00:23:58)...
Talking points: attachment, psychology, relationships Men tend to underestimate how important the feeling of safety is for their partners. Not a dig, just something I’ve seen time and time again. And if you’re partner has an avoidant or anxious attachment style, your part in creating a sense of safety in the relationship can be complicated. Listen in for some straightforward tips. (00:00:00) - Intro, and why women sometimes “test” you (00:03:45) - Here’s what changes when she has an avoidant or ...
Talking points: mindset, psychology, meditation, spirituality Meditation and mindfulness get a lot of air time these days, especially on the more “crunchy” side of wellness spectrum. But is it all it’s cracked up to be? I sat down with Shai to really dig into this, from the wildly esoteric and spiritual side of the question to the more practical, tactical side. Because what’s the point of enlightenment if it doesn’t make things, well, a little lighter? (00:00:00) - Shai’s feeling of being “outsi...
Talking points: mindset, psychology Aristotle said, “I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self.” Speaking from my own experience, he’s definitely wasn’t wrong. Here’s what nearly every man on the planet has to battle—and how to reclaim your power. (00:00:00) - Intro and why this is an important topic (00:03:37) - What causes a lack of impulse control? Two massive reasons (00:10:40) - How to actually develop a ...
Talking points: culture, geopolitics This interview is probably among the most unique I’ve had on the show. I don’t usually cover straight-up politics, but Andrew’s work has fascinated me for a while. And as the world seems to getting more up in arms (literally and figuratively), I find myself wanting to learn more about where all of this started and how we as men can respond. (00:00:00) - Common misconceptions about the CIA (00:11:47) - Why foreign secrets are such a big deal (00:24:51) - Andre...
Talking points: intimacy, relationships Game changers aren’t usually simple, especially when it comes to intimate relationships. But this is a surprisingly easy, straightforward step that I’ve seen work time and time again. So listen in and let some wonderful things happen. (00:00:00) - Expectationless desire and why it’s important (00:05:37) - What to do, and what it looks like (00:08:36) - Final thoughts *** Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotag...
Talking points: culture, parenting One of the most informative fifty minutes I’ve ever recorded; and now that I’m a father of two, it’s pretty well timed! Grateful for Lisa’s insight, her years of experience, and her great sense of humor. This is the episode to listen to if you (like pretty much every parent) are looking for sound advice that you can act on literally right now. (00:00:00) - Intro, and what are parents being taught that isn’t actually beneficial? (00:06:40) - How do we raise kids...
Talking points: culture, masculinity, social issues Inspired by a recent article in the WSJ. Young men are facing some serious difficulties right now. We need to not just be aware of what’s going on, but follow that up with coherent, intelligent action. I’m not some genius who can declare national-level policy changes, but I KNOW what works on an individual level. If you’re a man who’s struggling in the face of increasing isolation and an uncertain future, here are five things you can work on ri...
Talking points: culture, masculinity, relationships Warren’s been a consistent and committed voice for men for decades now, an it’s been far too long since we’ve talked, so when I wanted to get some insight on how things have changed—or not—he was the obvious choice! We cover the complexity of what “makes” a man, get into politics, and some solid practical advice for couples. Enjoy and dig in. (00:00:00) - What’s happening to young men in today’s culture (00:09:47) - Warren’s take on why there s...
Talking points: porn, addiction, mindset, psychology We all know it’s not easy. We all know it takes time. What you might NOT know is that there’s a simple reframe about quitting things like porn, weed, alcohol, and more that swings the odds in your favor. Listen in. (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:58) - A new perspective on some addictions (00:04:27) - The real question to ask (00:07:08) - What to do instead (00:09:27) - If you’re like me, this is gonna take time (00:19:45) - Number five: they create...
