Man of the Year - Champions of Friendship

Huge day!! Our new Audible Original “The Buddy System: A Modern’s Man Guide to Mastering Friendship” is out now – exclusively at audible.com/thebuddysystem – and if that wasn’t cool enough, we appeared on Chrissy Teigen’s Audible podcast “Self-Conscious” where we were joined by none other than John Legend!! And you can hear that episode right in this feed! But first go check out The Buddy System!! The Buddy System: audible.com/thebuddysystem Self-Conscious with Chrissy Teigen: audible.com/chrissy Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Karo and Matt introduce the PALS test: a simple framework for evaluating whether a friendship truly serves you. The guys break down the four pillars—passion, appreciation, loyalty, and support—and explain how each reveals the strength of your connection. Check out our new Audible Original THE BUDDY SYSTEM Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt and Karo have vastly different styles in life, Karo plans everything and needs 6 weeks notice, Matt lives in the moment. We examine the pros and cons of each when it comes to friendship. Check out our new Audible Original THE BUDDY SYSTEM Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Karo and Matt break down the three-man crew - why rolling three deep can feel like the sweet spot, and when it can backfire compared to pairs or bigger squads. It’s the ultimate debate: is three really the magic number for friendship? Check out our new Audible Original THE BUDDY SYSTEM! Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt and Karo discuss a taboo topic: Territorial friends. Ever have a scenario where you're getting boxed out or frozen out from a friend's friend or a friend group? We discuss why this happens and how to deal with it. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Celebrate friendship milestones! The hosts explore how to determine the exact day you became friends and share why it’s important to mark these occasions. They discuss creative ways to celebrate, from themed tees to revisiting where it all began. Plus, tips on gracefully handling forgotten friendiversaries with humor. Tune in for insights on strengthening those bonds and keeping friendships fun!

Matt shares his first poker night in 20 years, highlighting the joy it brought to dads reconnecting. They discuss the unspoken rules of hosting and etiquette, from player dynamics to leaving when you're ahead. Hilarious anecdotes about a chaotic Taco Bell binge unfold, reflecting on the nostalgia of late-night indulgence. They also explore the importance of stress relief through play and the complexities of humor among friends. Ultimately, they emphasize camaraderie and fun over competition, creating lasting memories.

Discover the importance of checking in on friends' mental health and challenging the stigma surrounding men’s emotional vulnerability. The discussion navigates the complexities of grief, especially when losing a parent, and offers insights on supporting friends amidst their struggles. Emphasizing balance, the hosts explore the connection between physical and mental health through personal anecdotes, while peppering in humor about cowboy hats. Innovative ideas like mental health check-ins during sports games also add a fun twist to fostering deeper connections.

Matt and Karo delve into a seldom-discussed topic: friendship dry spells. They explore how these periods of social isolation can sneak up on anyone, much like a dating slump. The hosts share humorous takes on what it means to be stuck and offer practical strategies to reignite friendship connections. They tackle the complexities of adult friendships and why maintaining relationships can feel like climbing a mountain. With insights on navigating the seasons of friendship, this conversation is both enlightening and entertaining.

Karo and Matt dive into the world of “social sports” – the games designed as much for connection as competition. From pickleball to padel to tennis, we explore how the court can become a friendship hub. So grab your paddle and your pals, because it’s all about playing together. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.