The Art of Manliness

Your time on earth is finite and once you use it up, it's gone forever. Thus on the AoM podcast, we talk a lot about how to maximize your time -- how to use it more effectively to be more productive. But is it possible to be too concerned about managing your time? Should you also make space for chucking out all the to-do lists and schedules and just being kind of idle?My guest would say yes. His name is Alan Lightman, he’s a physicist and writer, and the author of the book In Praise of Wasting Time. Today on the show Alan forwards the sort of countercultural argument that intentionally wasting time isn't a vice but a virtue. We begin our conversation by discussing what Alan means by wasting time, and then get into how wasting time benefits our psyches, creativity, sense of mental self-reliance, and even, ironically enough, our productivity. We end our conversation discussing the difference between chronos time and kairos time, and how wasting time allows us to spend more time in the latter state.Get the show notes at aom.is/wastingtime.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The podcast features Craig Groeschel, founder of Life.Church, discussing leadership insights like balancing innovation with stability, relinquishing control for growth, and showing appreciation to team members. He also shares tips on work-life balance, avoiding administrative duties killing creativity, and handling criticism.

Experts debunk myths about spotting athletic talent in children and the effectiveness of specialized coaching. They emphasize the importance of diverse sports participation, engaging training practices, and strategic communication between parents and young athletes in achieving success in sports.

How you start something is often how you finish it, and that couldn't be truer than for the trajectory of each of your days. When your mornings feel chaotic, rushed, and fragmented, the rest of your day often does too. But when you start off with a centering, invigorating morning routine, that feeling follows you the rest of the day.If you've been wanting to improve or simply start your own morning routine, then this episode is for you. My guest is Benjamin Spall and he’s the co-author of the book My Morning Routine, which shares insights taken from the morning routines of dozens of entrepreneurs, leaders, and creative folks.On today’s show, Benjamin walks us through how to craft the perfect morning routine, including how to make time for it in your schedule, what activities to include, and how a successful morning routine starts with what you do the night before. We also discuss how to adjust your morning routine while traveling and when you have kids. Along the way, Benjamin gives us a peek at the morning routines of several influential people to give us some inspiration for our own routines.Lots of actionable advice in this episode on creating a morning routine that works for you and sets you up for a productive day. After the show is over, get the notes at aom.is/morningroutine.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Professional magician Nate Staniforth shares his journey into magic, becoming disillusioned, and rediscovering wonder in India. He talks about the transformative power of travel and the importance of finding enchantment in everyday life.

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin discusses the leadership traits of US presidents who navigated crises. She explores their ambition, personal setbacks, and unique skills during turbulent times. Are great leaders born or made? Dive into the makings of impactful leaders in this insightful conversation.

Daniel Modell, a former NYPD officer with a Master's in philosophy, discusses the essence of being a warrior. He shares insights on the lessons of Spartacus, the necessity of violence for peace, and the importance of leadership over bureaucracy. Modell emphasizes that civilians also need to understand the way of the warrior.

Author Neal Bascomb discusses the audacious prison break attempts of British POWs in WWI, highlighting their daring escape plans and the conditions they faced in German camps. He talks about Germany's infamous POW camp, the prisoners' elaborate breakout plan, and the heroic exploits of these men. A fascinating look at a slice of history.

John Zeratsky, co-author of 'Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day,' shares a 4-step daily framework to optimize energy, focus, and time. Topics include choosing a daily highlight, managing time and avoiding distractions, setting priorities with highlights, dedicated time for personal projects, protecting our 'picture highlight,' and maintaining productivity systems and habits.

Ryan Craig, Managing Director of University Ventures and author of A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College, discusses the rising costs of traditional higher education and explores alternative education models like boot camps and apprenticeships. He highlights the skills gap in the digital economy, the concept of last mile training programs, and the evolution of alternative education models that prioritize real-life job skills over traditional college degrees.