The Art of Manliness

Since the days of Ancient Greece, a battle between two political forces has been going on in the West: democracy vs. tyranny.But what makes a tyrant a tyrant? How has tyranny changed throughout Western history? And what is its connection to masculinity?My guest today, Waller Newell, has recently published a book that explores these questions.

Ernest Hemingway is a literary legend, but unlike many literary legends, he gained that status while at the very beginning of his career when he introduced his first novel, The Sun Also Rises.My guest today has published a detailed account of how Hemingway created his first novel. Her name is Lesley Blume and her book is "Everybody Behaves Badly: The True Story Behind Hemingway’s Masterpiece The Sun Also Rises." Today on the show, Lesley and I discuss Hemingway’s drive to revolutionize literature, the authenticity of his manly persona, and the real life party in Spain that inspired his classic debut novel.

Hosting guests, letter writing, and going out on real dates are often seen as old-fashioned practices that are no longer needed in an age when folks can book an Airbnb room instead of crashing at your pad, you can communicate instantaneously via email or text, and your next girlfriend is just a Tinder swipe away.But my guest today argues that the refinement of civilization requires that we still continue these supposedly old-fashioned practices. His name is Mitchell Kalpakgian and he’s the author of "The Lost Arts of Modern Civilization: How to Taste and See the Abundance of Life."Today on the show, we discuss what Homer can teach us about being a good host, why writing letters by hand will always beat email, and why you might consider resurrecting the forgotten art of courtship.

Sebastian Junger, author of 'Tribe', discusses the human need for tribal belonging and how our modern society affects our fulfillment and happiness. He explores the dynamics of male bonding in combat and the importance of community in mental health. The podcast also touches on the power of sponsors and the concept of Veterans Town Hall in fostering unity.

One of the things that makes humans, well, human is the ability to make a fist. Other primates can’t do this. The commonly accepted theory as to why humans developed the ability to make a fist is that they needed to do so in order to grasp tools.But research conducted by my guests today have led them to posit a very different theory. They argue that the reason we can make a fist is so we can give better knuckle sandwiches.Their names are Dr. David Carrier and Dr. Michael Morgan. Today on the show, we discuss that idea and the theory that human bodies, especially male bodies, evolved for fighting.

Matthew Crawford, author of works like Shop Class as Soulcraft, delves into the roots of our distraction culture, connecting it to the Enlightenment era. He highlights the tension between modern individualism and the fragmentation of attention caused by technology. Crawford argues that increased choices don't lead to freedom but rather to superficiality. He also stresses the importance of skilled manual work in cultivating personal agency and resilience, contrasting it with today's passive children's media, which stifles individuality.

We've all had those days where everything seems to go just right. We set goals for ourselves and we accomplish them. Instead of frittering away our time on YouTube, we're focused and get work done. It's easy to attribute these sorts of days to luck, but my guest today argues that research from behavioral economics and psychology can show us how we can consistently have more of these good days.Her name is Caroline Webb and she's the author of How to Have a Good Day. Today on the show, we discuss how to set goals in the morning and put them into action, how to reduce cognitive overload so you can make better decisions, and how to deal with irksome people and setbacks so they don't ruin your day.

If you're like most men who work a 9-5 job at an office, you're probably spending a lot of that time sitting down at a desk. Then when you get home, you might be a little active, but then you'll sit down at your desk in your home office, or you'll sit on the couch and watch TV. All that sitting is not good for your body. Some doctors even say it does as much damage to your body as smoking does.My guest today highlights all this research in a new book called Deskbound. In the show, Kelly Starrett and I discuss the dangers of sitting, and what you can do to un-do all that damage. There are a lot of great action steps that you can take right away. Don't miss it!

The podcast discusses the negative impact of ego, highlighting its role in preventing humility and teachability, and blinding individuals to their weaknesses. It explores the transition from self-confidence to arrogance and emphasizes that ego is often the biggest obstacle to achieving goals. It also includes discussions on prioritizing purpose over status, the difference between passion and purpose, taking action rather than indulging in grand ideas, and the benefits and drawbacks of ego.

Frances Cole Jones, author of How to Wow: Proven Strategies for Selling Your Brilliant Self in Any Situation, answers questions on difficult conversations, small talk skills, and charisma. Tips include active listening, finding the importance of your story, handling disagreements with empathy, overcoming height insecurities, and putting people at ease with difficult last names.