The Art of Manliness

Lenore Skenazy, an author and advocate for unsupervised childhood experiences, discusses her journey from being branded 'America’s Worst Mom' to championing free-range parenting. She reveals how societal fears have reshaped parenting norms and shares surprising statistics about the rarity of child abduction. Anecdotes highlight the challenges parents face in allowing independence, while emphasizing the vital role of unstructured play in fostering resilience and social skills. Skenazy provides actionable tips for parents eager to promote self-reliance in their kids.

Ancient Greece and Rome have a heavy influence on the idea of manhood we promote on the Art of Manliness. In fact, this classical conception of manliness was how much of the West defined manhood up until the middle of the 20th century. If you were to ask a man living in 1920 what “manliness” meant, he’d probably give you roughly the same answer as a Greek or Roman man living 2,000 years ago.My guest on the podcast today is a classical scholar who has spent time thinking and writing about Greek and Roman notions of manliness. His name is Ted Lendon. I had Ted on the podcast awhile back ago to discuss his book Soldiers and Ghosts (episode #231 if you want to check it out).On today's show, Ted goes into detail about how the Greeks and the Romans defined manliness. We begin with the Greeks and how the Homeric epics, particularly The Iliad, served as their bible on how to be a man and how Achilles and Odysseus were held up as models of manhood. Ted then explains how the Athenian philosophers tried to tame Bronze Age manliness by making self-control an important element of being a man.We then shift gears to the Romans and discuss how they borrowed elements of Greek manliness to shape their own culture of manhood, as well as how Roman ideas of manliness differed from those of the Greeks.We end our conversation talking about why the virtue of self-control pops up in definitions of manliness not just in the West, but also Eastern cultures like Japan and China.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My guest today is Matt Moore, and we talk about his new book, "The South's Best Butts."Today on the show Matt details the history of BBQ and why pork is a staple in the Southern variety. He then explains what exactly a pork butt is (and no, it’s not the rear of a pig), and why it's such an ideal meat for smoking. Matt then shares how and why BBQ flavors and techniques differ across the South and highlights a few pitmasters who are adding new takes to this traditional dish. We end our conversation by going through the step-by-step process of smoking the perfect pork butt.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My guest today is Beth Kobliner, and we discuss her latest book, "Make Your Kid a Money Genius."Beth shares the research on the age at which most kids develop the money habits they’ll have for the rest of their life (it’s surprisingly young) and provides some basic guidelines on what you should and should not talk about with your children when it comes to money. We then dig into specific tactics on teaching your kids -- whether they’re in preschool or college -- about saving, work, insurance, and debt.Even if you don’t have kids, you’re going to find some useful reminders in this podcast about getting your financial life in order. For those of you thinking about getting married soon, Beth shares some fascinating research on how the amount you spend on the engagement ring and wedding ceremony correlates with marital success and happiness. It will definitely provide some conversation fodder to discuss with your significant other.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

William Damon, a Stanford professor and author of "Path to Purpose," shares insights from his 25-year study on young adults' struggles to find meaning in life. He discusses why today's youth often prioritize fame and fortune over civic engagement and the importance of having a clear purpose. Damon emphasizes that true purpose transcends self-interest, calling for a long-term commitment to making a difference in the world. He also provides guidance for parents and adults on how to help young people discover fulfilling pathways.

My interview today is with Craig Marker, a StrongFirst kettlebell trainer, and psychology professor at Mercer University.We’re big fans of the kettlebell here at the Art of Manliness. It’s a great piece of gym equipment that builds both strength and cardiovascular conditioning. Today on the show, I talk to StrongFirst kettlebell coach Craig Marker about the wonders of these little cannonballs with handles. Mark digs deep into the research done by the Soviets back in the 70s and 80s that shows why kettlebells are an effective tool for building explosive power, and how kettlebell training can improve your deadlift, help you jump higher, and even lead you to becoming a better ballerina (if that’s your thing).We then segue our conversation to talking about training in general and the mistakes beginners make when starting with a strength program. Mark then makes the case that in addition to our regular workouts, we should live our lives like it's the 1940s if we want to see improved health and happiness.We end our conversation talking a bit about Craig’s day job as a psychology professor at Mercer University and how his training as a psychologist has helped him improve his coaching and fitness training. He even shares a little trick you can play on your brain to lift more weight or run faster.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jordan Harbinger, host of The Art of Charm, shares insights from a decade of coaching on social skills. He emphasizes that social dynamics can be pivotal for success, often overshadowing financial acumen. The discussion includes the concept of social capital, highlighting the importance of meaningful relationships over mere networking. Harbinger also offers practical tips on mastering small talk and the power of generosity in networking, all while addressing how to balance being generous without compromising personal boundaries.

Scott Sonenshein, a business management professor at Rice University and author of "Stretch," shares insights on maximizing potential through resourcefulness. He discusses how chasing more often leads to failure and the value of using what you already have. The conversation highlights how constraints can spark creativity and propel personal growth. Sonenshein emphasizes that action should take precedence over planning and introduces the idea of imposing limitations to enhance efficiency. This refreshing perspective encourages listeners to rethink their approach to success.

In this conversation, David Brooks, a New York Times columnist and author of "The Road to Character," delves into the transformation of moral vocabulary and the decline of humility in modern culture. He reflects on historical figures like Eisenhower and their internal struggles with character development. Brooks emphasizes the balance between individualism and community, advocating for deeper values over mere self-celebration. He highlights how cultivating humility can lead to a more meaningful life, urging listeners to focus on eulogy virtues amidst their personal ambitions.

My guest today is Robert Matzen, author of "Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe."Robert shares why Stewart’s family history instilled an iron sense of duty towards serving his country in the military and how Stewart spent his single day off as an actor training to be an Army pilot in the years leading up to WWII. We also discuss how Stewart had to fight military brass and his boss at MGM Studios to ensure that he actually saw combat instead of staying stateside to make propaganda films.Robert then gets into detail about the combat missions Stewart flew during WWII, his leadership style as an officer, and how the war took a toll on him physically and emotionally.We end our conversation talking about how the war influenced Stewart’s film career when he returned home and how it may have helped him create one of cinema's most iconic characters, George Bailey.If you’re a fan of Jimmy Stewart, you don’t want to miss this show.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.