William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, and also the world’s greatest dramatist. While he’s better known for his plays than his poetry, no survey of English literature would be complete without him. This week, I break my rules to read one of the most important passages in the entire English language: Hamlet’s Soliloquy, which has not only a great deal to teach us about being a man, but about being human as well. I also explore Shakespear...
Apr 04, 2021•44 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Rainman is the founder and voice of the growing 263 Collective Podcast. He’s an ROTC instructor, former cyclist, and fitness and firearms enthusiast. He understands intuitively and from his upbringing the need to set up people around you to succeed. Now he lives that principle in his life In other words, he cares. And a man who cares is the sort of man I’m proud to know, and that this world and moment needs. In our conversation we discussed: His background in the ROTC and the extreme lengths he ...
Mar 31, 2021•2 hr 33 min•Season 2Ep. 35
Danny Miranda is the host of the popular Danny Miranda Podcast, where he interviews some of the world's top performers on behalf of those pursuing their highest version. He's talked to men whose names you might know, like Ed Latimore, Sol Brah, and Johnny Noble. He's spoken with Gary Vee, Zuby, and Dan Go, as well as Manny from WellBuiltStyle, Jack Butcher, Tej Dosa, and dozens of others. He’s got a lot going for him: stellar guests, momentum, a sharp mind, and killer friends. But it’s his posit...
Mar 24, 2021•2 hr 36 min•Season 2Ep. 34
The three most taboo topics in America today are weight, money, and race. Tragically, these are the same topics that are tearing the country apart. As solar men we know that what hides in shadows must be dragged into the light, or else it festers and multiplies. But that takes a sort of courage that it seems few people embody. With livelihoods and reputations on the line it's not hard to understand why. Which is why I'm grateful for my friend Jonathan West, host of the Being Husband podcast. In ...
Mar 18, 2021•2 hr 18 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Blood and Rain aka Arthur Dayne is one of the most exciting content creators in the Renaissance of Men right now. He’s passionate, thumotic, and disciplined. But most of all one gets the sense that behind his mask of anonymity he truly lives the life he talks about and walks his talk. He's a Muay Thai kickboxer, high-octane bartender, actor, writer, poet, Orthodox Christian, and the host of a growing podcast and Instagram account of the same name. He’s also one of the brightest stars in the new ...
Mar 16, 2021•3 hr 15 min•Season 2Ep. 32
Dr. Robert Glover is the author of the famous and highly acclaimed canonical work of the Renaissance, “No More Mr. Nice Guy.” It’s the book that virtually every man in this movement agrees is a classic and is rightfully called the “gateway drug to the red pill.” It’s also a harsh but loving mirror which shows men why their beliefs about the world are wrong, why their actions in their lives don’t produce the results they want, and why there’s a deep pool of rage buried within them that often come...
Mar 12, 2021•1 hr 59 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Pastor Michael Foster is a man’s man in a church that’s been defined by women for decades. He’s been blazing a white streak through the Internet, with a podcast that's exploding in popularity as his message lands with men looking for a preacher who connects with their gut, and not just the head or heart. You can hear it in his voice: clear, direct, unapologetic. He looks you in the eye and invites you into the arena with him to do battle with him against the ideas about Jesus Christ, the Bible, ...
Mar 03, 2021•2 hr 32 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Jack Donovan is a man who needs no introduction. He’s the author of the bestselling book “The Way of Men”, one of the canonical works of the Renaissance. It’s the origin of the Four Tactical Virtues — Strength, Courage, Mastery, and Honor — plus the vital distinction between being “a good man” and “good at being a man.” His follow-up books “Becoming A Barbarian” and “A More Complete Beast” expanded those themes into a larger sociological context, helping men understand the necessity of tribe and...
Feb 23, 2021•2 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 29
John Donne (1572-1631) was the foremost of the metaphysical poets and is one of the most famous and well-regarded poets of the English language. This week, in honor of Valentine’s Day, I read his timeless classic “The Ecstasy”, in which he recounts his profound metaphysical visions while lying beside a riverbank with his beloved. In my analysis I share who I think his beloved might be, and how this poem ties to the tragic story of his life. This is a poem I have a personal history with and is de...
Feb 14, 2021•36 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Jonathan West hosts the popular podcast Being HUSBAND and runs the Instagram account of the same name. He’s a spiritually-facing man who grew up in the faith and earned a degree in theology, with a preacher for a father. His podcast also helps men become better husbands and leaders in their homes and communities. So naturally we became fast friends. In our conversation we discussed: The origins of the Being HUSBAND podcast in a dream Jonathan had How he maintains a strong and healthy marriage wi...
Feb 10, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Season 2Ep. 26
Ben Howes runs the popular Instagram account Oaks and Oaths, and the podcast of the same name. Though born a Christian, his disillusionment with the faith and its faithful led him to abandon that path and discover Norse and Germanic Paganism. Now he leads and instructs others down that ancient road. Due to time constraints we had a shorter conversation than my recent episodes, but we think it’s just the first of many. We discussed: Self-actualization, aesthetics, and masculinity. Why men need to...
Feb 03, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Brendan Schmidt runs the popular Instagram account MasculineRevival , on which he pairs a rich aesthetic and movingly honest words about masculinity, as he discovers for himself what it means to be a man. He’s also someone I share a lot in common with. We “speak the same language,” having been on similar journeys through the New Age and men’s inner healing world and arriving at a rediscovery of traditionalism. Over the course of our two-and-a-half hour conversation we discussed: The difference b...
Jan 27, 2021•2 hr 40 min•Season 2Ep. 24
Andrew Marvell was an English Restoration poet who lived and wrote during his nation’s civil wars, and in its transition from monarchy to the beginnings of republicanism. He was a well-traveled, well-spoken, hard-partying bachelor. In his masterwork “To His Coy Mistress” he paints a vivid picture of a familiar and amorous scenario most men will be familiar with. But he presents his own unique spin on it, in a moving and timeless encouragement to seize the day. To read "To His Coy Mistress" click...
Jan 23, 2021•26 min•Season 2Ep. 23
John Sonmez, founder of Bulldog Mindset, is a men’s coach, entrepreneur, published author, public speaker, and ultra-marathon runner. We met at the 21Convention in Orlando, Florida, this past October. He’s the sort of high-energy, fit, and positive guy who makes that event so special. And while you wouldn’t know it to look at him today, he’s also a man who’s been on a remarkable journey of transformation from fat to fit, scared to brave, and sad to Chad. He’s built businesses, retired young, and...
Jan 13, 2021•2 hr 32 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Derek Arellano is a former first-place pro bodybuilder and US Army veteran, and now is a professional trainer who’s passionate about the body, movement, and creating transformation in his clients. Derek and I also live in the same city. And the more time we’ve spent together, the more I’ve seen how much of value he has to share. He’s found his way into the Renaissance of Men, as well, and is discovering how all the streams of his life are feeding into a singular expression of who he is, and what...
Jan 06, 2021•3 hr 21 min•Season 2Ep. 20
This week I interview clinical psychologist, coach, and author Shawn T. Smith, Psy.D. Shawn is an outspoken critic of the “woke” ideology spreading through the field of clinical psychology, and speaks up courageously against the American Psychological Association, the governing body propagating it. Because psychology and psychotherapy is one of my core interests, I felt having Shawn on the podcast was essential. I wanted to get his wisdom and insight into this rapidly changing field, and how men...
Dec 26, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 19
This week I read "The Collar” by the English poet George Herbert, who lived during the 1600’s. This poem depicts one man’s struggle with his chosen calling of the priesthood versus his burning desire for freedom and adventure. I also discuss the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Counter-Reformation, and the flows of history that connect Herbert with our modern age. This poem is proof that we’re not disconnected from history, and that the more things change, the more some things stay the same....
Dec 24, 2020•24 min•Season 1Ep. 18
This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, I interview the host of the Universe Within Podcast, Jason Grechanik. Jason is a facilitator at the acclaimed Peruvian ayahuasca healing center The Temple of the Way of Light, which is where we met in 2016. Jason also leads his own tobacco healing ceremonies in Peru’s Sacred Valley and is an experienced martial artist and yoga practitioner. Naturally we had a lot to talk about. In our engaging three-hour conversation, we discuss: Jason’s background, a...
Dec 16, 2020•3 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 17
This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews master sculptor Sabin Howard, America’s foremost practitioner of Modern Classicism. Sabin's works are owned by museums and private collectors around the world, and he's been favorably reviewed in the New York Times, Washington Post, and many international journals. He's currently in the process of sculpting the U.S. National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C — a 60-foot wall of bronze with 38 figures, scheduled for comple...
Dec 10, 2020•1 hr 53 min•Season 1Ep. 16
This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews Rob, Founder of the Grounded Athlete, inventor of the popular Gaia Grounding Sandals , and sponsored professional sprinter. In our engaging conversation, Rob and I discuss: His background as a pro athlete, and how it led him to discover grounding Details about the many surprising health benefits of the deceptively simple practice How our bodies are as much electrical as they are chemical The spiritual dimensions of grounding an...
Dec 01, 2020•1 hr 49 min•Season 1Ep. 15
This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews a kung-fu master, mystic, teacher, and psychedelic adventurer fusing esoteric spirituality with a warrior ethos, AlphaStarseed. In this mind- and possibility-expanding two hour conversation, we discuss: How a mystical experience in childhood marked AlphaStarseed for a life of greatness How he's used psychedelics to radically advance his spiritual and physical evolution The philosophy of how he's using his new-found Internet cel...
Nov 25, 2020•2 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In this episode of “Poetry for Men," I read "Eulogy To A Hell of a Dame” by the legendary American poet Charles Bukowski. This poem about Bukowski's long deceased muse, Jane, demonstrates not just his mastery of poetic techniques, but his sense of romantic devotion. Despite being set in his familiar environment of the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles, Bukowski demonstrates that the values of beauty, love, and goodness nevertheless still apply. The poem is a testament to how one man loved one woma...
Nov 23, 2020•21 min•Season 1Ep. 13
This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer is thrilled to welcome for his first online interview ever, the anonymous man behind the Instagram account that's inspiring thousands of men, The Howling Void @the_howling_void . In this sprawling, encyclopedic conversation, we cover: The importance for both individuals and society to have a "Telos," or soul-purpose The path of most resistance, and why it's uniformly the most fulfilling route we can take through life His fascination with ...
Nov 18, 2020•2 hr 53 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In this episode of Poetry for Men, I read the exquisite "Last Gods” by the 20th century American poet Galway Kinnell. This graphic poem depicting a man and woman making passionate love weaves together both personal and mythological themes to produce a result that attains, to me, the status of high art. It has become one of my favorite poems of all time, and though it's taken an act of courage to read, the process was very much worth it. I hope you agree, and that this poem moves you as much as i...
Nov 15, 2020•22 min•Season 1Ep. 11
This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews one of the most capable, dangerous, and deeply wise male leaders today, Mr. Swift. In a wide-ranging and entertaining conversation, we discuss: His history as a paramedic and at multiple levels of law enforcement, and how he evolved into the mentor and leader of men he is today His Christian faith, the Bible, our shared love for CS Lewis, his perspectives on religion, and how his faith shows up in all aspects of his life—includ...
Nov 12, 2020•1 hr 48 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In this episode of The Renaissance of Men’s “Poetry for Men” series, Will Spencer reads "A Man Lost By A River” by the American poet Michael Blumenthal. This rich and evocative poem asks us a question, "What if we didn't truly know ourselves?" What if somewhere inside there was a voice longing to be heard? Where might we find that voice, and what might it have to say? Blumenthal both asks and answers those questions in this poem, and as his life story illustrates, he knows what he's talking abou...
Nov 06, 2020•18 min•Season 1Ep. 8
This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews married up-and-coming YouTube stars Jennifer Moleski and Dale Hiller. We talk about: The 21 Convention where I met them, and where we got to know each other, and how the convention can benefit both men and women What traditional partnership means to them, and the challenges of unlearning that they're facing individually, and together What it means for a woman to be a truly good wife and a man to be a truly good husband The peri...
Oct 27, 2020•1 hr 48 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In this episode of The Renaissance of Men’s “Poetry for Men” series, Will Spencer reads the poem “Mother and Son” by one of Canada's most beloved literary figures, Alden Nowlan. This challenging and provocative piece highlights the ways that parental violence can masquerade as harmless touches, right before our eyes. But by understanding the differences between men and women, we see that not all is well. And through that discomfort, art can help us learn, and grow. To read "Mother and Son" click...
Oct 23, 2020•19 min•Season 1Ep. 6
This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews author, blogger, licensed architect, and public speaker Socrates of 21 Studios and manningupsmart.com . We talk about: How to shift men's lives from Greek Tragedy to Greek Comedy, and how that parallels with The Hero's Journey Socrates' journey as a new father His personal transformation as a man, and where he's going next The struggles that some men face in overcoming divorce and the loss of loved ones And the origins of Socra...
Oct 21, 2020•2 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode of The Renaissance of Men’s “Poetry for Men” series, Will Spencer reads the classic “Psalm of Life” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. To read "Psalm of Life", click here . To learn more about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, click here . To order "The Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart", click here . Visit https://renofmen.com to sign up to be notified about exciting upcoming news. Twitter: @will_renofmen Instagram: @renofmen...
Oct 16, 2020•22 min•Season 1Ep. 4
