Man of the Year - Champions of Friendship
Matt Ritter and Aaron Karo
As seen in The New York Times, on NPR, and the TODAY Show, Man of the Year is the #1 friendship podcast in the country! Comedians and friendship experts Matt Ritter and Aaron Karo will help you make new friends, reconnect with old ones, and build lifelong social fitness. Each November they award a gigantic Man of the Year trophy to one of their childhood friends – a tradition that has kept their crew going strong since the '80s. But the country is facing a friendship recession – 15% of men report having zero close friends – and they’re on a mission to change that with tips, hacks, and decades of hilarious stories. Join the revolution at manoftheyearpodcast.com and instagram.com/manoftheyearpodcast
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 30, 2025 • 31min
#151 - Territorial Friends
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.
Sep 23, 2025 • 30min
#150 - Happy Friendiversary!
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!
7 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 31min
#149 - Poker Nights
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.
5 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 30min
#148 - How’s Your Mental Health?
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.
16 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 31min
#147 - Friendship Dry Spells
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.
Aug 26, 2025 • 31min
#146 - Pals Play Pickleball
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.
Aug 19, 2025 • 31min
#145 - Are you really the Average of the Five People Around You?
Matt and Karo discuss the old axiom that you are the five people you spend the most time with. Is it true? And if it is, what does that say about you? Do you need to level up your five?
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.
Aug 12, 2025 • 31min
#144 - Friendship First Responders
Matt’s wife goes into labor in the middle of the night and Matt calls Karo for help – but Karo doesn’t pick up! Today on the pod we discuss who to choose as your emergency contact, and the importance of friendship first responders.
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.
Aug 5, 2025 • 31min
#143 - Physical Intimacy
It's a touchy subject! But are we missing out on the benefits of physical contact with our friends. Matt and Karo discussed the pros and cons of how our society is compared to others past and present when it comes to the touchy feely stuff of friendship.
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.
Jul 29, 2025 • 32min
#142 - Friendship Amnesia
We all have friends who we love hanging out with – and then completely forget about. Buddies who, for whatever reason, are not on our day-to-day radars. Karo and Matt discuss the causes of and cures for Friendship Amnesia.
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.
