The Art of Manliness

When many people think of the American involvement in WWII, they likely bring to mind the 101st Airborne Division (aka the Band of Brothers) and their heroics at Normandy. But there was another American infantry division that took part in the largest amphibious assault in world history (no, it wasn’t D-Day) and then fought a year in Europe before the 101st even showed up. All in all, this division saw over 500 days of combat. They were the Thunderbirds of the 45th infantry division and my guest today was written a captivating history of this oft forgotten group of soldiers. His name is Alex Kershaw and he’s written several books on WWII. The book we discuss today is "The Liberator: One World War II Soldier's 500-Day Odyssey from the Beaches of Sicily to the Gates of Dachau." Alex begins by sharing what made the 45th different from other infantry divisions and discusses why they’re often forgotten. He then talks to us about a colonel from Arizona named Felix Sparks who always led from the front and fought side by side with his men for over two years. We get into some of the major battles the 45th encountered and their liberation of the concentration camp at Dachau. Alex ends our conversation with a call to all of us reach out to a WWII vet before they all leave this life (which is not far off).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Geoffrey Greif, a sociology professor and author of "Buddy System: Understanding Male Friendships," challenges the misconception that men don’t value friendships like women do. He reveals that many men desire deep connections but struggle to form them. The conversation explores the unique nature of male friendships, including their four types, and the crucial influence of fathers on sons’ social lives. Greif also discusses how these relationships evolve with age and the importance of meaningful interactions over superficial ones.

Joining the discussion is Tim Ferriss, a renowned author and the host of his own podcast, celebrated for his expertise in self-improvement and entrepreneurship. Tim shares gems from his book, gathering life advice from top achievers. Discover tips on how to confidently say no without guilt, the must-read books that successful people gift, and strategies to overcome overwhelm when life gets tough. His insights into maintaining boundaries and personal quirks of successful figures make for an engaging and enlightening conversation.

Have you ever just wanted to get in your car, drive off into the middle of nowhere, leave behind the hustle and bustle of civilization, and just be by yourself? Well, in 1986 a man named Christopher Knight did just that and lived alone in the Maine woods without any, any human contact for 27 years until he was discovered in 2013.My guest today wrote a biography — "The Stranger in the Woods" — about this man who locals called “the Hermit of the North Pond.” His name is Michael Finkel and today on the show we discuss how Chris survived alone in the Maine woods by himself, but more importantly, why Chris wanted to be by himself for so long. By looking at the life of one of the modern world's last true hermits, Michael and I explore the idea of hermitage, solitude, and why being an individual requires you to be alone.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leonardo da Vinci has become the ultimate archetype of the creative genius. Besides his famous paintings, including the Mona Lisa, da Vinci had insights into anatomy and optics that would take science a few hundred years to verify. While Leonardo's genius seems like a gift from the gods, my guest today argues that it was actually the result of years of human effort and toil. Today on the show I have the pleasure of speaking with famed author Walter Isaacson about his latest biography called "Leonardo da Vinci." We begin the show talking about what has drawn Isaacson to write about innovative individuals like da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, and Steve Jobs, and how Isaacson has discovered that it’s at the intersection of science and the humanities that all great innovations are made. We then dig into the life of da Vinci and lessons we can take away from him. Walter tells us about da Vinci’s famous notebooks and what he kept in them, and makes the case that all of us should be carrying around a little notebook for ideas too. We then dig into the the myth of the solitary genius and how Leonardo collaborated all throughout his life on some of his greatest works. We then discuss one of the great paradoxes of da Vinci's life: that he could be both intensely focused and hugely flighty, and how both sides of this character were key to his genius. We end our conversation talking about how we can develop the same kind of power of intense concentration that da Vinci wielded, even in our distracted, digital world.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jane Burka and Lenora Yuen, clinical psychologists and co-authors of "Procrastination: Why You Do It, What to Do About It Now," dive deep into the psychology behind procrastination. They discuss the vicious cycle of putting things off, revealing that the root causes often stem from fears of failure or perfectionism, rather than poor time management. With insights on treating tasks as experiments and the importance of self-acceptance, they provide practical strategies to help listeners break free from procrastination and foster a more productive mindset.

Eric Greitens, a former Navy SEAL and governor of Missouri, dives into the profound impact of resilience on leadership and public service. He shares his journey from military duty to community activism, stressing the importance of engaging in civic life. Greitens reflects on the transformative role of service, inspired by experiences during the Ferguson unrest. He discusses balancing a demanding career with fatherhood and how biographies can shape values. With a focus on courage and character, he encourages listeners to actively contribute to their communities.

In this engaging conversation, Dan John, a record-holding athlete and coach with advanced degrees in history and religious studies, shares how physical training enhances all aspects of life. He elaborates on the concept of 'shark habits' to reach long-term goals and the importance of recovery in a training regimen. Dan discusses key mistakes athletes often make and stresses the need for functional strength over aesthetics. His insights combine mental discipline with physical prowess, offering listeners a blueprint for becoming well-rounded men.

Clay Routledge, a psychology professor at North Dakota State University and author of "Nostalgia: A Psychological Resource," dives into the fascinating world of nostalgia. He uncovers its emotional duality, illustrating how it can alleviate loneliness but may also lead to sadness. Routledge discusses the power of music in evoking nostalgic feelings, and explores why we crave memories from eras we never lived. With insights into its psychological benefits and pitfalls, this conversation offers a deeper understanding of our complex relationship with the past.

While meat makes up a big portion of Americans' diet, few people know very much about how meat is sourced and butchered for consumption. Today on the show, I talk to a world-renowned third-generation butcher, Pat LaFrieda, about all things meat, including his new book, "Meat: Everything You Need to Know." We begin our conversation talking about his family business in New York City and how it became one of the premier meatpackers in America. Pat then walks us through how that steak you’re grilling got there and all the factors that determine the price of meat. We then shift from the macro to the micro of meat by discussing the tools Pat recommends every backyard chef should own, how to tell if meat is bad, and what dry aging does to beef. He then shares what his favorite cuts of beef, lamb, and pork are, how to cook them, and why he thinks you should be leery when a restaurant boasts about their delicious sirloin steaks.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.