The Art of Manliness

In this engaging discussion, Brad Wilcox, a sociology professor at the University of Virginia and director of the National Marriage Project, sheds light on marriage's surprising benefits for men. He reveals how marriage can boost financial well-being, emotional health, and fatherhood satisfaction. The conversation explores the deeper commitment marriage offers compared to cohabitation and shares insights on fostering lasting relationships. Wilcox also emphasizes the critical role fathers play in family dynamics and child development.

David Kahn, a seasoned chief instructor at the U.S. Israeli Krav Maga Association, dives into the fascinating world of Krav Maga, the self-defense system used by Israeli forces. He shares the origins of this impactful martial art and its evolution into a practical defense mechanism. The conversation covers effective training techniques, including the importance of quick reflexes and de-escalation strategies. Kahn also discusses how to defend against multiple attackers and offers tips for newcomers eager to learn this empowering self-defense method.

Nicholas Carr and I discuss why he thinks our utopian future is creepy, how the internet is making us dumber, and why doing mundane tasks that we otherwise would outsource to robots or computers is actually a source of satisfaction and human flourishing. We finish our discussion by outlining a middle path approach to technology -- one that doesn’t reject it fully but simultaneously seeks to mitigate its potential downsides.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Modern technology has provided us with an unprecedented amount of comfort. For example, with just a turn of a dial we can ensure that our homes are always set at a perpetual 71 degrees, even if it’s blazing hot or frigidly cold outside. But what if our quest for technology-enabled comfort has actually made us physically and mentally weaker and sicker? What if our bodies actually need discomfort to truly thrive and flourish?My guest today explores that idea firsthand in his book What Doesn’t Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude, and Environmental Conditioning Will Renew Our Lost Evolutionary Strength. His name is Scott Carney, and in this book he investigates the sometimes crazy-sounding claims of a Dutch daredevil and prophet of intentional stress exposure named Wim Hof. For a year, Scott followed Wim’s method of physical vitality that consists of daily hyperventilation breathing exercises and cold exposure to see what it would do to his physiology. And the results truly astonished him. Along the way, he interviewed scientists, researchers, and athletes who are on the forefront of exploring why embracing environmental discomfort is the missing key to our overall health.On today’s show, Scott and I discuss Wim Hof and his claims, the health benefits of exposing ourselves to the cold, and how hyperventilating may help you do more push-ups than you ever thought possible. If you’ve enjoyed our content on the health benefits of cold showers, you’re going to love this podcast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephen Mansfield, an author and speaker focused on men's issues and leadership, dives into the pressing crisis of male friendship. He discusses the decline of camaraderie among men and debunks the myth of the lone alpha male. Listeners learn how to cultivate a 'band of brothers' for mutual support and accountability. Mansfield shares practical tactics for forming meaningful connections, emphasizing the importance of honest feedback and shared experiences. Ready to enhance your friendships? Get inspired to build your own posse!

Frances Cole Jones, an executive image consultant and author of "How to Wow," shares her insights on securing job promotions. She discusses the importance of laying groundwork well in advance and common mistakes to avoid during the request process. Frances emphasizes the need for clear communication during performance reviews and aligning personal goals with company expectations. She also provides strategies for effective follow-up and managing rejection gracefully, ensuring listeners are well-prepared for their career advancement journey.

On today’s show, Joseph Loconte and I discuss what C.S. Lewis called the “Myth of Progress” that had swept the Western World leading up to the First World War, why it contributed to the war's catastrophic damage, and how the myth shaped both Lewis’ and Tolkien’s views about good, evil, and warfare. We then get into detail about Tolkien’s and Lewis’ battlefield experience and how it inspired specific characters and scenes in their respective works. We end our conversation about how the fantasy work of these writers carved a middle path between cynicism and unbridled optimism while simultaneously showing readers that even the lowliest of individuals can play a decisive role in the great adventure of life.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’ve all likely experienced those moments in life in which our breath is literally taken away; at the same time that we feel existentially small, our spirits seem to greatly expand. It’s a singular feeling that we call wonder.But why do we feel wonder? What purpose does it serve in our survival and flourishing as humans? Why does it get harder and harder to feel wonder as you get older? Is it possible to recapture that lost wonder -- to manufacture it in some way?My guest today explores these questions in his book Wonder: From Emotion to Spirituality. His name is Robert Fuller and he’s a professor of Religious Studies at Bradley University. Today on the show, Robert and I discuss the psychology and biology of wonder, why researchers haven't really studied wonder, and the benefits of experiencing it in our lives on a regular basis. We also explore how wonder shaped the lives and careers of men like John Muir and William James, how religion ritualizes wonder, and whether we can take action to experience more wonder in our lives. This podcast will leave you wondering a lot about wonder.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We don't normally think of soldiers and first responders as "professional athletes," but that's exactly how my guest today argues they should see themselves. His name is Rob Shaul, and he's the founder and president of the Mountain Tactical Institute -- a research organization dedicated to creating fitness programming that takes workouts outside the gym and gives them a mission-centered focus. Rob believes that soldiers, police officers, and fire fighters, as well as folks who participate in strenuous mountain activities like rock climbing and backcountry skiing, should view themselves as tactical athletes and train not just to train, but for a purpose outside the gym.Today on the show, Rob and I discuss what makes the Mountain Tactical Institute’s mission-focused approach to fitness different from other organizations, why it is that soldiers and first responders should think of themselves as professional athletes, why soldiers in Afghanistan started following his fitness programming for mountain climbers, why there are so many out-of-shape first responders on active duty, and how to train to become a "tactical athlete," even if you're a civilian.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Explore the forgotten history of autism research, debunk the popular myths surrounding autism, and gain insights on how to raise a child on the spectrum. Discover the early pioneers in autism research, their work being buried, and possible reasons behind it. Understand the misconceptions, mistreatment, and unethical practices throughout the history of autism. Gain tips on effectively working and interacting with autistic individuals and accessing resources for support and understanding.