The Art of Manliness

Graham Lee, a digital skills educator and author of "Human Being: Reclaim 12 Vital Skills We’re Losing to Technology", discusses the essential skills eroding due to our tech reliance. He delves into the lost art of navigation, emphasizing ancient techniques and their cognitive benefits. Lee highlights how technology impacts our reading habits, urging a return to immersive engagement with texts. Lastly, he advocates for hands-on craftsmanship and solitude as means to reclaim our humanity and enhance creativity amidst the digital age.

In this discussion, Tessa West, a psychology professor and author of "Job Therapy: Finding Work That Works for You," explores the emotional dynamics of job satisfaction. She compares our relationship with work to romantic partnerships, highlighting five common signs of job dissatisfaction. Tessa emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, networking, and understanding your fit within a role. She also delves into the impact of AI on careers and offers practical strategies to navigate overwhelming situations in the workplace.

Kelly Starrett, a doctor of physical therapy and author, shares insights from his work with athletes and military personnel. He discusses how aging affects health and performance, leading to his book 'Built to Move.' Kelly introduces essential habits for mobility, emphasizing tests like the sit and rise to assess your physical state. He highlights the importance of daily practices, such as the couch stretch for hip mobility and proper breathing techniques for overall health. Plus, he discusses the role of social connections in well-being as we age.

Mark Divine, a retired Navy SEAL commander and leadership professor, shares his expertise on personal development through the metaphor of five mountains. He emphasizes the importance of mastering the physical mountain first and explores techniques like box breathing for enhancing mental clarity. Divine discusses the Japanese concept of ikigai to help listeners find their purpose, along with the role of outdoor fitness in holistic growth. His unique blend of military discipline and mindfulness aims to inspire individuals to climb their personal peaks.

Dinah Rowe-Roberts, co-host of the Life Admin Life Hacks podcast and co-author of its book, shares her insights on managing life's tedious tasks. She emphasizes the importance of life admin in reducing stress to focus on what truly matters. Dinah introduces the 'Hour of Power' for task management and suggests effective scheduling strategies. She also covers how to streamline meal planning, delegate chores, and organize family schedules, ensuring that emotional burdens are shared and life feels more effortless.

Dr. Anthony Bradley, a research fellow and author of "Heroic Fraternities," delves into modern masculinity's struggles. He contrasts heroic masculinity, focused on purpose and mutual benefit, with its disordered counterpart. Bradley proposes an unconventional remedy: revitalizing college fraternities to foster virtue. He discusses the history of these organizations and emphasizes their potential for positive influence amid negative stereotypes. Ultimately, he champions mentorship and community as key to shaping better men.

Rowan Jacobson, a science journalist and author of "In Defense of Sunlight," dives into the often misunderstood benefits of sun exposure. He challenges the conventional wisdom around sunscreen use, arguing that its overreliance may lead to health issues in the West. Jacobson reveals how sunlight positively affects blood pressure, mood, and autoimmune diseases, emphasizing that these benefits extend beyond vitamin D production. He also discusses changing health recommendations in Australia and the importance of balancing sun exposure with skin cancer risks.

Dr. Kyle Gillett, a family practice specialist in hormone optimization, discusses the importance of hormone balance for men's health. He sheds light on what qualifies as low testosterone and how to accurately test levels. The conversation explores causes of testosterone decline, notably links to birth control and historical events. Dr. Gillett also shares effective supplements for raising testosterone while managing estrogen levels. He highlights strategies for young men to prepare for long-term hormonal health and the risks and benefits of testosterone replacement therapy.

Join Jeffrey Rosen, a law professor and president of the National Constitution Center, as he explores the self-improvement philosophies of the Founding Fathers. He reveals how they viewed happiness as tied to virtue and personal growth, not just satisfaction. Discover the routines and self-examination practices that helped them pursue excellence. Rosen also discusses how Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues can guide modern self-improvement efforts, emphasizing that personal mastery benefits not just the individual, but society as a whole.

Dr. Jaimie Krems, a social psychologist at UCLA, delves into the fascinating world of male and female friendships. She reveals how women’s friendships are typically deeper and more emotionally intimate, while men’s are broader and more resilience-focused. The discussion highlights differences in the longevity of friendships, emotional tolerance, and the complexities of jealousy. Krems also explores why men and women seek cross-gender friendships and how these dynamics evolve throughout life, shedding light on the intricacies that shape our social circles.