The Art of Manliness

What skills and knowledge sets does a man need to have in order to be effective and self-reliant? My guest has spent the past few years thinking about this topic and putting down his ideas in a series of books he calls Modules For Manhood. His name is Kenneth W. Royce. I had Kenneth on the show a few years ago to talk about the first volume of Modules for Manhood. Today on the show, we take a look at "Modules for Manhood Volume 2."We begin by discussing what it means “to cope with the world” and why many young men today aren’t equipped to do so. Kenneth then shares some strategies on how you can find the time and money to learn new skills. Next we dig into some of the specific skills he highlights in his book, including how to teach, managing your time, and how to become a leader by learning to be a good follower. We end our conversation talking about problem solving and why every man should get his pilot’s license. This episode is a hodgepodge of insights on becoming a well-rounded man, from a man who has spent his life trying to become well-rounded himself.

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably got some habits you’d like to change: maybe you want to quit smoking or eat better or check your phone less. And if you’re like most people, you’ve probably tried making those changes, and failed. And after failing again and again, you just gave up. My guest today is a psychologist who specializes in helping people make real, lasting change in their lives. His name is Sean Young and he’s the director of the UCLA Center of Digital Behavior and the author of the book "Stick with It: A Scientifically Proven Process For Changing Your Life—for Good." Today on the show, Sean explains why most of our approaches to personal change fail, and the scientifically proven process he and his team have developed to help people make lasting change. Sean shares several tactics that — when used in combination — can help you finally make those changes you’ve long desired.We discuss why creating small wins is important in habit change and what we can learn from cults on how to effectively change ourselves. We then discuss how we can alter our environment to facilitate transformation, as well as “neurohacks” that can shortcut the brain’s hardwired instincts. At the end, Sean ties all these concepts together to provide listeners with a roadmap to finally sticking with a habit change.

John Berardi, co-owner of Precision Nutrition and a dedicated nutrition scientist, dives deep into the world of intermittent fasting. He clarifies the buzz around its health benefits, from fat loss to improved focus, while exposing myths along the way. Discover how gender differences affect fasting outcomes and what athletes need to consider before diving in. Berardi also reflects on the psychological gains from fasting and the importance of embracing discomfort. This insightful discussion is a must for anyone curious about nutrition!

Discover the origins of camping as a recreational activity and its transformation into a modern pastime. Explore the influence of a New England minister's book, the marketing of camping products, and the ongoing debate about authentic camping. Learn about camping rituals and the impact of the closing frontier on American camping. Delve into how automobiles shaped camping culture and the shift from car camping to backpacking. Find out about the creation of long trails and the cultural significance of camping in America.

Boys in America are struggling academically, emotionally, and socially. Michael Gurian, in his book 'Saving Our Sons', discusses the dominant gender paradigm and the need to address the unique needs of boys. He explores the challenges faced by boys in areas like education and technology, and proposes a multi-strategic approach for raising boys. The podcast also talks about male anhedonia, how boys learn differently, and challenges on college campuses. The impact of digital technology on boys' development is discussed, along with resources for further information.

Joseph Badaracco, author of 'Leading Quietly: An Unorthodox Guide to Doing the Right Thing,' discusses the qualities of a quiet leader and how they're often more effective than heroic leaders. He explores the Aristotelian approach to leadership and provides practical tips for applying those principles in daily life. The podcast challenges the prevailing notion of heroic leadership, emphasizing the significance of small actions and rule bending. It also highlights the importance of modesty and patience in a society that glorifies self-promotion and instant success.

If you’re like many modern men, you might have a pretty good life — a decent job, a family, a home, maybe a few hobbies. Despite having the appearance of a good life, though, you feel kind of empty inside. Like you’re missing something. My guests today would argue that what you’ve got is a case of Sad Clown Syndrome and to get over it, you need to get together with some men and do some burpees. Their names are Dave Redding and Tim Whitmire and they’re the leaders of a grassroots movement bringing men together for free workouts called F3, which stands for Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith. According to them, they’ve seen tens of thousands of men not only get physically in shape by attending F3 workouts, but reenergize themselves mentally and spiritually. Today on the show, Dave and Tim share the origins of F3 and how they realized it was solving the problem of Sad Clown Syndrome in the lives of American men. They then detail what the symptoms of Sad Clown Syndrome are, and how exactly F3 acts as a remedy. We then discuss why male friends are so important in a man’s life and why the typical guys that men call friends aren’t really friends. We end our conversation by discussing what the 3 Fs in F3 mean, including why the “Faith” component is more about having a purpose beyond yourself and less about religion.

Belisa Vranich, a clinical psychologist and author of 'Breathe,' specializes in retraining individuals on the art of proper breathing. In this enlightening discussion, she highlights the profound effects of poor breathing on stress, sleep, and overall health. Belisa shares practical exercises to improve diaphragmatic breathing, revealing its connection to digestion and pelvic floor health. Listeners learn how mindful breathing not only enhances physical performance but can also transform mental well-being, making breathing an essential tool for a healthier life.

Join Eric Barker, author of 'Barking Up the Wrong Tree' and popular blogger, as he challenges conventional wisdom on success. He reveals how high school valedictorians often struggle in leadership roles and argues that both grit and quitting have their moments. Barker dives into the myths of being nice in business—sometimes beneficial, sometimes not—and discusses how introverts can thrive in networking. He also highlights the precarious balance between ambition and personal relationships, urging listeners to redefine their paths to happiness.

Personal finance can seem intimidating, but the reality is it’s pretty basic — save more than you spend, find ways to earn more, invest for the long-term, and protect your assets. But if personal finance is so easy, why do so many people screw it up?My guest today has spent his career exploring this topic. His name is Jonathan Clements and he’s been The Wall Street Journal’s personal finance columnist for years. During his writing career, he’s also published several popular personal finance books including "The Little Book of Main Street Money." In his latest book, "How to Think About Money," Jonathan distills decades of personal finance experience into punchy, insightful, and action-oriented advice.Today on the show, Jonathan and I discuss the most common money mistakes people make and the psychological biases that cause us to make them. Jonathan then shares research-backed advice on how money can buy you happiness…and also misery. Just depends on how you use it. He then delves into brass tacks tips on how to save for retirement no matter how old you are, how to overcome your psychological biases so you don’t make stupid money mistakes, and why focusing on not losing money will help you have more money in the long run. Lots of actionable advice to enhance your finances in this episode.