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•51 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•17 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•22 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•25 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•35 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•39 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•58 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•20 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•48 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•19 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•13 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•12 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 2 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•51 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•27 min
Talking points: masculinity, isolation, culture, suicide Look, Netflix's Adolescence was solid. But like anything Hollywood, it's not the whole picture. The big picture is complex, systemic, and deeply uncomfortable—and we seem to have built a culture that simply doesn't want to talk about it meaningfully and practically. I'm grateful for men like George (aka TheTinMen) who work tirelessly to point out how men's issues are important, complicated, and deserving of attention. Listen in. (00:00:00)...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 540
Talking points: mindset, addiction, porn It's a serious challenge. You're doing well, you think you've broken free—and suddenly you're back. This week, I dig into practical ways you can reinforce and reenergize your commitment. For more helpful info, check out my free guide here: https://training.mantalks.com/Quit (00:00:00) - Intro, and the first step (00:04:13) - Get to the bottom of what’s driving the urge (00:08:56) - Purpose beats porn (00:11:15) - Redirect AND replace (00:14:05) - Understa...
Apr 24, 2025•19 min
Talking points: culture, economics, mindset, debt, Ed Hardy To maybe understate things, it's a jungle out there right now, financially speaking. I've really enjoyed Morgan's books and perspective, so in early April, I asked him to come on. He shared TONS of insight on tariffs, what's next, how the average person can change their financial straights for the better, even Fartcoin. Listen in. (00:00:00) - What in the world is going on (00:09:35) - If it’s about bringing manufacturing back, then wil...
Apr 21, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 539
Talking points: relationships, leadership A while back, I launched a video on how men can better lead themselves and their relationships. It got a ton of dialogue, let's just say. Here's what I mean by lead, and three definitive steps to getting it right. (00:00:00) - Defining what “lead” actually means (00:04:08) - The first thing to do (00:07:14) - Stop taking her emotions personally (00:12:47) - Lead in connection, lead in repair *** Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-...
Apr 17, 2025•19 min
Talking points: masculinity, regret, anger, culture It's been too long since I sat down with The Captain himself. I am continuously grateful for Kyle's honesty about his own life, his process, and his opinion on things. Which means this conversation is as refreshing as it is frank. Strongly recommend sharing this one, team. (00:00:00) - Why is regret such a thing, are men conditioned to beat themselves up, and should it impact our decisions? (00:10:47) - How a recent writing project nearly broke...
Apr 14, 2025•56 min•Ep. 538
Talking points: attachment, relationships, mindset Anxious attachment can make any relationship feel fraught with tension and threat. It doesn't have to be that way, and there are clear steps you can take that really do get results. Start with these ones. (00:00:00) - Anxious attachment refresher (00:04:04) - Priority number one: develop safety internally—and how (00:09:37) - Number two: recognize false flags (00:14:10) - Number three: practice calm connection *** Tired of feeling like you're ne...
Apr 10, 2025•19 min
Talking points: relationships, masculinity, mindset, nice guy syndrome A bunch of you have reached out requesting an interview with Nick, aka The People Displeaser, and I'm happy to say we finally got the chance to talk. Nick's practical, no-nonsense frame is a breath of fresh air. If you're looking for ways to combat your own people-pleasing tendencies—and some really good reasons why you should—this is the episode for you. (00:00:00) - Is people-pleasing really that bad, and what creates one (...
Apr 07, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 537
Talking points: boundaries, relationships, mindset The counter-intuitive truth is this: if you're stuck in people-pleasing, you're generally not people-helping. I see a lot of men go through this, and many are unaware of what it really is and where it comes from. This week, straightforward insight and direct steps to breaking free. (00:00:00) - What the heck is people-pleasing? (00:03:02) - Two specific origins of people pleasing, and uncovering where it started in your own life (00:06:18) - The...
Apr 03, 2025•21 min
Talking points: anger, trauma, relationships This is an essential episode for two reasons. One, it clearly shows how emotions and behaviors get passed down not just in mind but in body. Two, this episode also shows there are men out there doing real work—and they're committed to it; my guest was already familiar with the somatic part of his feelings. If you grew up in a volatile family, this is doubly worth listening to. *** Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-worth with h...
Mar 31, 2025•33 min•Ep. 536
Talking points: archetypes, psychology, relationships I genuinely feel this is one of the most important concepts we as men should understand. It affects a lot of us, and it definitely affected me. It definitely fits the word "complex", but it's absolutely something you can work on. So grab a notepad, dig in, and share with any man you think would benefit. (00:00:00) - Intro, definition, and why knowing about this is useful (00:08:09) - What causes this split? (00:21:55) - Rounding up what kind ...
Mar 27, 2025•36 min
Talking points: relationships, evolutionary psychology, culture You know it, I know it, and Michael Sartain knows it: there are a LOT of men out there facing extreme difficulty. I wanted to pick Michael’s brain on how to help men understand why this is, but from the perspective of evolutionary psychology, and the boots-on-ground experience of a fellow coach. I appreciate Michael’s ability to follow (and focus) the data without getting lost in reactionary antics. Listen in. (00:00:00) - How Micha...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 535
Talking points: attachment, relationships, culture I recently brought in an attachment specialist for the Alliance because a lot of men are noticing an uptick in women who are emotionally distant, avoid vulnerability, and break it off the second things get serious. There are a ton of ways to look at this, and lots of factors, but I wanted to dig in a bit—and give some insight into what YOU can do if you're dating an avoidant woman. *** Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-w...
Mar 20, 2025•19 min
