The Art of Manliness

Vince Benevento, therapist and founder of Causeway Collaborative and author of Boys Will Be Men, helps young men reclaim purpose with action-focused coaching. He contrasts combustible versus apathetic youths. Topics include why talk therapy can fail, causes of diminished drive in Gen Z, stepwise life-skill building, finding a physical passion, and practical accountability and mentorship strategies.

Kate Murphy, journalist and author of Click, studies interpersonal synchrony and why people 'click.' She explains physiological and neural mirroring, how eye contact and rhythm build connection, and why video calls hamper real syncing. Conversations cover group cohesion, timing differences like in autism, and practical ways to become more 'clickable' through presence and body awareness.

In this engaging conversation, Chuck Klosterman, a keen cultural critic and author, dives into the profound impact of football on American society. He describes football as a 'national operating system' and discusses its dominance in television despite complexities. Klosterman likens football to a simulation of war and explores how video games like Madden have redefined strategies in real-life play. He provocatively predicts the sport's potential collapse, citing issues like advertising changes and declining participation, while also comparing the greatness of icons like Jim Thorpe to Tom Brady.

In this insightful discussion, guest Tom Levinson, a financial advisor and former Harvard Divinity School student, explores how religious teachings shape our understanding of money. He discusses the spiritual significance of budgeting, emphasizing it as a practice of mindfulness. Tom shares insights from Judaism, Christianity, and Islam on wealth, urging a balance between material needs and ethical values. He also highlights the importance of generosity and community, illustrating how financial decisions reflect our deeper values and priorities.

Alex Viada, a coach and author of The Hybrid Athlete, merges the worlds of powerlifting and endurance training. He shares how to excel in both strength and running without compromising performance. Discussing the benefits of being a hybrid athlete, he emphasizes adopting training methods that build all-around fitness. Viada offers insights on testing progress, managing different types of fatigue, and creating effective training schedules, all aimed at living a more adventurous and capable life, regardless of fitness goals.

Kyle Austin Young, a strategy consultant and author of 'Success Is a Numbers Game,' explores how to hack probabilities to achieve goals. He highlights common approaches to goal-setting and their flaws, emphasizing the importance of assessing odds. Young introduces concepts like success diagrams to identify weak links and avoid pitfalls. He also discusses when to pivot or quit goals and offers practical hacks to enhance your strategy. Through real-life examples, he shows how understanding probabilities can dramatically improve your chances of success.

In this engaging discussion, therapist Russ Harris, author of The Happiness Trap, challenges the conventional pursuit of happiness. He argues that chasing feelings leads to more distress, advocating instead for a values-driven approach to happiness. Russ highlights how strategies like distraction worsen our mental health and introduces Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). By accepting and unhooking from difficult emotions, individuals can focus on meaningful actions. He also shares practical exercises to help listeners label thoughts and embrace their feelings.

Join Joel Miller, a former publishing executive and author of The Idea Machine, as he explores the transformative power of books throughout history. Discover how the design of books influences thought and culture, from Augustine's insights on marking texts to the reading innovations introduced by medieval monks. Miller reveals the pivotal role of the printing press in the Reformation and contrasts the flexibility of books with the limitations of modern media. He argues that even in today's tech age, books remain essential for deep thinking and connection.

Join behavioral psychologist Amantha Imber, author of The Health Habit, as she dives into the psychology behind following through on health goals. She reveals four 'habit hijackers' that keep us from success and shares ingenious strategies like temptation bundling and the importance of public pledges for accountability. Learn about the surprising benefits of after-dinner walks, realistic step goals, and how sleep restriction therapy can improve your rest. Transform your health habits by starting small and making environmental changes!

Elliot Ackerman, a decorated Marine and former CIA officer turned novelist, dives deep into the essence of masculinity and confident competence. He explores why many young men struggle today and emphasizes how intentional skills can reshape one's presence and purpose. From practical advice on wearing a watch to giving a heartfelt eulogy, Elliot highlights the importance of small, everyday skills. He also discusses the value of empathy gained from intelligence work and the role of discipline in writing, ultimately connecting competence to meaningful relationships and growth.