My flight was awful. The restaurant's service was terrible. The traffic was horrible. My boss is the worst. Our culture is the stupidest.Whenever we get together with other people, we hear lots of complaints, and plenty come out of our own mouths.All this complaining may be ubiquitous, but it's not entirely innocuous. Complaining puts us in a negative mood, hurts our health, and damages our relationships.If you've ever wanted to complain less, my guest today has some advice on how to break the complaining habit and embrace a more positive and proactive life. His name is Will Bowen, and he's the founder of the Complaint Free movement and the author of A Complaint Free World. Today on the show, Will first defines what constitutes a complaint. He then shares the five main reasons people offer complaints, so you can learn to recognize what triggers yours. Will also explains how to deal with being on the receiving end of each type of complaint, so you don't have to listen to the complaining of others.Resources Related to the PodcastAoM Article: Never Complain; Never ExplainAoM Article: Why Negativity Is a Social KillerDr. Robin Kowalski's researchA New Earth: Awakening Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart TolleConnect With Anthony ArvanitakisA Complaint Free World WebsiteWill's Website

Working out at any time of day is great. But my guest says there are distinct benefits to doing it in the a.m., and he's going to walk you through everything you need to know, from mindset to habits, to become a morning workout person.Anthony Arvanitakis is a bodyweight training coach and the author of The 7 A.M. Workout Edge: Wake Up, Work Out, Own the Day. Today on the show, he offers concrete tips for overcoming the challenges of working out in the morning, from getting out of bed to finding the time to do it before work, including his "Brain Start-Up Routine" for shaking off the just-woken-up inertia to get going. In the latter part of the show, Anthony details how to do a highly effective at-home bodyweight workout that can easily fit into your morning routine and requires minimal equipment and only 30 minutes. We also talk about how to combine bodyweight training with cardio to do something he calls "cardiosthenics" that's great for fat loss.Resources Related to the PodcastAnthony's previous appearances on the AoM podcast:Episode #177: Homemade Muscle & Bodyweight TrainingEpisode #319: Why Every Man Should Have a Workout RitualAoM Podcast #652: Mise-en-Place — How Chefs Organize Their WorkAoM Podcast #888: The Science of a Better Daily RoutineAoM Article (By Anthony): How to Break Through a Push-Up Plateau (Using the Mind-to-Muscle Connection)AoM Article: The Groundhog Day Diet — Why I Eat the Same Thing Every DayAoM series on how to use gymnastic ringsAoM article and podcast about Zone 2 cardioPull-up bar/dip stationAnthony's video about his warm-up routineAnthony's video of an example of a full-week bodyweight routineAnthony's video on a "cardiosthenics" beginner's routineConnect With Anthony ArvanitakisThe 7 A.M. Workout Edge WebsiteBodyweight Muscle YouTube ChannelBodyweight Muscle Website

Once a year, I read The Road by Cormac McCarthy. It’s a cathartic annual ritual for me. What is it about this novel that has such an impact on my soul and those of other readers? Who is the man who wrote it, and what was he trying to do with this story of a father and son struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic landscape?For answers to these questions, I decided to talk to a foremost expert on McCarthy’s work, as well as the literature of the American West in general. His name is Steven Frye and he’s a professor of English, a novelist in his own right, and the author and editor of several books about the reclusive, philosophical author, including Understanding Cormac McCarthy. We begin our conversation with some background on McCarthy and a discussion of his distinctive style and themes, and why he avoids the limelight and prefers to hang out with scientists over fellow artists. We then dive into The Road, and Steve unpacks what inspired it, as well as the authors and books that influenced it. We then dig into the big themes of The Road, and how it can be read as a biblical allegory that wrestles with the existence of God. We delve into the tension which exists between the father and son in the book, and what it means to “carry the fire.” We end our conversation with why reading The Road makes you feel both depressed and hopeful at the same time.A spoiler alert here: If you haven’t read The Road yet, we do reveal some of the plot points in this discussion. Also, why haven’t you read The Road yet?Resources Related to the PodcastOther books by Steven Frye, including his novel Dogwood CrossingMcCarthy’s books mentioned in the show:The RoadAll the Pretty HorsesBlood MeridianThe Orchard KeeperNo Country for Old MenThe Sunset LimitedThe film adaptation of The RoadThe Santa Fe InstituteBrothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky“Cat in the Rain” — short story by Ernest Hemingway“Indian Camp” — short story by Ernest HemingwayAoM Podcast #635: The Existentialist’s Survival GuideAoM Article: Carry the FireAoM Article: Books So Good I’ve Read Them 2X (Or More!)Connect With Steven FryeSteve’s website

When we think about Stoic philosophers, we typically think about the thinkers of ancient Greece and Rome, like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. But my guest, Mark Matousek, says there was an incredibly insightful Stoic philosopher who lived on the American continent in more modern times: Ralph Waldo Emerson.Matousek is the author of Lessons from an American Stoic: How Emerson Can Change Your Life, and today on the show, he shares how Stoicism and Transcendentalism overlap and how you can use Emerson's Stoic philosophy to become a nonconformist. We discuss the lessons you can learn from Emerson on developing self-reliance, embracing the strengths of your weaknesses, trusting your own genius instead of imitating others, gaining confidence from nature, compensating for the difficulties of relationships through the joy of deeper connections, living with greater courage, and more.Resources Related to the PodcastEmerson's essay "Self-Reliance""I Sing the Body Electric" by Walt WhitmanAoM Article: A Man's Guide to Self-RelianceAoM Article: Emerson’s Advice on How to Read for Greater Self-RelianceAoM Article: 31 Journaling Prompts for Building Greater Self-RelianceAoM Podcast #384: What It Really Means to Be Self-ReliantAoM Podcast #894: Thoreau on Making a LivingAoM Podcast #861: 7 Journaling Techniques That Can Change Your LifeSunday Firesides: Despise Not the Thing That Would Save YouSunday Firesides: Look Into the TombConnect With Mark MatousekMark's websiteThe Seekers Forum

In 1980s America, gritty streets were filled with crime, the threat of Cold War hovered in the air, and action movies starring tough guy heroes dominated the box office. This was a time in cinema when muscle, martial arts, and the perfect weapon were the keys to saving the day; when the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone ruled the silver screen and their on-screen carnage was only rivaled by their off-screen competition.Why did this golden age of action movies emerge when it did, and why don't they make films like that anymore? Here to chart the rise and fall of the golden age of action movies is Nick de Semlyen, author of The Last Action Heroes, The Triumphs, Flops, and Feuds of Hollywood's Kings of Carnage. Today on the show, Nick shares the stories behind the larger-than-life stars of the action genre — including Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Chuck Norris, and Steven Seagal — and the iconic films they starred in. He also discusses why the action genre fell out of favor in the early 90s, why its movies nonetheless continue to endure in popularity, and the three action films he most recommends watching.Connect With Nick de SemlyenNick's websiteNick on IGNick on Twitter

When people think about survival and preparedness, they tend to think of dealing with an end-of-the-world kind of scenario. But lots of bad things can happen, and are more likely to happen, that fall short of the apocalypse. My guest can help you prepare for any worst case scenario, whether it’s the worst thing to happen to mankind or just the worst thing to happen to you this year. His name is Mike Glover, and he’s a former Green Beret, the founder of Fieldcraft Survival, and the author of Prepared.Today on the show, Mike and I first talk about the softer skills of preparedness. We discuss how to create plans using military concepts like war gaming and the PACE methodology, build your tolerance to stress, and develop your situational awareness so you don’t freeze in a crisis or let one catch you by surprise. In the second half of our conversation, we discuss the harder skills of preparing for worst case scenarios. Mike outlines what capabilities every man should develop. He shares his own EDC and what he recommends you carry and wear on a day-to-day basis. We talk about how to stock your home and car for emergencies and more.Related Resources From AoM’s Extensive Survival and Preparedness ArchivesPodcast #820: Escape the Safety TrapHow to Make a Bug Out Bag: Your 72-Hour Emergency Evacuation Survival KitHow to Bug-In: What You Need to Know to Survive a Grid-Down DisasterWhat Every Man Should Keep in His CarA Beginner’s Guide to EDCHow to Use a Tourniquet to Control Major BleedingA Complete Guide to Home Fire Prevention and SafetyHow to Develop Situational AwarenessThe Complete Guide to Making a DIY First Aid KitPodcast #610: Who Lives in Survival Situations, Who Dies, and WhyA Complete Guide to Home SecurityConnect With Mike GloverMike on IGFieldcraft Survival WebsiteFieldcraft Survival YouTube ChannelFieldcraft Survival PodcastListen to the Podcast! (And don’t forget to leave us a review!)Listen to the episode on a separate page.Download this episode.Subscribe to the podcast in the media player of your choice.Listen ad-free on Stitcher Premium; get a free month when you use code “manliness” at checkout.Podcast SponsorsClick here to see a full list of our podcast sponsors.Transcript Coming Soon

To be successful at their craft, magicians must possess the well-honed technical skills to pull off their mystifying tricks and clever sleights of hand. But as magician Steve Cohen observes, they must also be "masters at attracting interest, holding attention, and leaving audiences with fond memories of their time together" — skills that everyone can use to persuade audiences, charm dates, own a room, and influence others.Steve, also known as the Millionaires' Magician, is the author Win the Crowd: Unlock the Secrets of Influence, Charisma, and Showmanship. Today on the show, Steve shares the insights he and his fellow magicians know on everything from taking command of a room to creating a compelling character to making a magical entrance. Steve shares how to build your boldness through "put pocketing," develop "spontaneous resourcefulness," get people wrapped up in the magic of your message by suggesting rather than stating, increase your confidence by having a place for everything and everything in its place, and much more. At the end of our conversation, he shares two of his most interesting tips and explains how to influence people to do what you want by using "layered commands" and the "trailing or."Resources Related to the PodcastSteve on the Late Show with David LettermanA look at what the Chamber Magic show is like on Good Day New YorkAoM Article: Command a Room Like a ManAoM Podcast #306: What a Magician Can Teach You About Being More SuccessfulAoM Podcast #890: Toastmasters, Aristotle, and the Essential Art of RhetoricAoM Article: A Place for Everything and Everything in Its PlaceWhat's the Deal With Mickey Mouse's Ears?Connect With Steve CohenChamber Magic website

You might think we’re heading into a low time of year for suicides because they peak during the cold, dark months of winter. But, in fact, suicide peaks during the spring and early summer.This is just one example of the popular beliefs around suicide that turn out to be myths. Here to unpack more of these myths, as well as the truths around this poorly understood subject, is Rory O’Connor, the leader of the Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory and the author of When It Is Darkest: Why People Die by Suicide and What We Can Do to Prevent It. Today on the show, Rory discusses possible reasons for why suicides go up in the warmer months and why men die by suicide more often than women. He explains that suicide doesn’t happen without some warning signs and why someone’s improved mood might be one of them. In the second half of the show, Rory walks us through the real reasons people move from having suicidal thoughts to acting on them, and what works to prevent suicide.Resources Related to the PodcastThe Suicide and Crisis LifelineThe Suicidal Behaviour Research LaboratoryAtlantic article: “The Troubling Link Between Springtime Allergies and Suicide”AoM Podcast #585: Inflammation, Saunas, and the New Science of DepressionAoM Podcast #886: What the World of Psychology Gets Wrong About MenAoM Podcast #756: How the Desire for Status Explains (Pretty Much) Everything“Why Men Kill Themselves” by Will StorrConnect With Rory O’ConnorRory’s faculty page

Have you been languishing in the same role at work, frustrated that you haven't been promoted to a higher position with more pay and different responsibilities?My guest can help you level up in your career. His name is Randy Ornstein, and he's the author of Grow: The Essential Guide to Getting Promoted. Today on the show, Randy explains why getting promoted is more beneficial to your paycheck than getting a raise and his case for why you should stick with working for the same company for a long time. We then talk about the things you need to do so that management thinks of you the next time a higher position opens up. We discuss how promotable employees participate in meetings, execute their communication, study their work, and develop best practices. We also talk about when to bring up the idea of being promoted to your boss and a couple of the challenges that can come with advancing up the ranks.Resources Related to the PodcastAoM Article: How To Become the Go-to Guy at WorkAoM Article: How to Be Manager to Your Friends and PeersAoM Podcast #273: How to Get a Job Promotion This YearConnect With Randy OrnsteinRandy on LinkedIn

When people think of the paratroopers of World War II, they tend to think of the European theater — the 101st Airborne Division and the Band of Brothers.But paratroopers were also deployed in the Pacific, and here to unpack their lesser-known but equally epic and heroic story is James Fenelon, a former paratrooper himself and the author of Angels Against the Sun: A WWII Saga of Grunts, Grit, and Brotherhood. Today on the show, James tells us about the formation, leadership, and training of the 11th Airborne Division, the role they played in the campaigns of the Pacific — which included being dropped one by one out of a tiny plane described as a “lawnmower with wings” —how they built a reputation as one of the war’s most lethal units, and the division’s surprising connection to the creation of the Twilight Zone. At the end of our conversation, James shares what lessons we all can take away from the exploits and spirit of the 11th Airborne.Resources Related to the PodcastAoM Podcast #1: We Who Are Alive and RemainAoM Article: Motivational Posters — Band of Brothers EditionLieutenant General Joseph SwingColonel Orin “Hard Rock” HaugenMedal of Honor citation for Private First Class Manuel Perez Jr.“Combat in Twilight: Rod Serling’s World War II”Connect With James FenelonJames’ Website