ManTalks Podcast

Neil Pasricha is a New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Awesome and The Happiness Equation. Neil has spent the last decade of his life as the Director of Leadership Development at Walmart, which he left this year to pursue his writing projects. He is also the writer and creator of the 1000 Awesome Things blog, which has won Best Blog in the World two years in a row. Connor sits down with Neil to discuss some of the secrets to happiness and why it is so hard to find.   Key Takeaways: [2:25] Grab a pen and paper for this episode! [3:10] What was Neil’s defining moment? [6:00] What was it like giving a TED Talk? [8:35] Beautiful things come out of darkness. [9:15] Are you building a business on the side? Neil says don’t quit your day job. [10:05] Neil was not a confident person, but when he started his side business, he gained more confidence. This lead him to being promoted at his full-time job. [11:25] Despite Neil’s success, he didn’t leave his full-time job at Walmart until this year. [11:55] Connor completely understands as he just left his corporate job 6 months ago. [12:30] Let’s talk happiness! What are some of the secrets of happiness? [13:40] We want happiness, but we can’t seem to get it. [15:00] How can we give our children happiness if we ourselves aren’t even happy? [15:25] The Happiness Equation is a personal letter to Neil’s child. [16:25] You have to be happy first in order to find success. It’s not the other way around. [17:35] You live 10 years longer if you’re happy. [19:15] When Connor was experiencing a dark time in his life, what really pulled him out of it was gratitude journaling.  [20:35] Never retire! [22:00] Find a reason to get out of bed every morning. [22:40] Retirement is dangerous and it creates loss of purpose. [23:55] Neil talks about the four S – Social, Structure, Stimulation, and Story. [25:35] What are the biggest misconceptions about happiness? [28:25] How do you overcome criticism? Do it for you. [30:45] Would you do this task for free? If the answer is no, you’re on the wrong track. [32:20] What happens if you’re ‘too busy’? How can you not be ‘too busy’? [40:40] Let’s talk about mindset and why it’s so important. [43:15] When your day is going south, remember that you’ve already won the lottery. You have it good. [48:00] All you have to do is write down 5 gratitudes a week and you’ll see an improvement in your happiness. [50:25] Recognize you’re in a bad mood, recognize that it will end, and recognize that those two things are okay and you will feel good again. [53:15] Who is the most authentically happy person Neil has ever met? [54:00] What is the one experience Neil recommends to anyone? [54:25] What is the most underrated trait in modern day life? [54:40] What is one book Neil would take when stranded on an island? [55:00] What was the single biggest lesson Neil learned at Harvard? [56:25] Who is the most influential person on happiness?   Mentioned in This Episode: www.mantalks.com/ www.1000awesomethings.com/ The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha The Happiness Equation by Neil Pasricha Neil’s TED Talk – The 3 A’s of Awesome The Nun Study by Julia Cameron www.headspace.com/ www.10percenthappier.com/ www.calm.com On the Shortness of Life by Seneca   Music Credit: Parlange & Latenite Automatic (www.jesusparlange.com – www.lateniteautomatic.com)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Srinivas Rao, founder of The Unmistakeable Creative website and podcast, and author of Unmistakable, has interviewed over 600 thought leaders and people from all walks of life on his show. Today, he joins Connor on the show to discuss creativity, a bit of his background, where he found his drive, and why we should always learn from others, but not mimic them. Srinivas says that we do not need more copies - we need originals, willing to travel the road that's never been traveled before, because true success is work that no one else can replicate.   Key Takeaways: [1:40] Let's talk creativity on today's show. [3:15] Famous on the internet? This concept is amusing to Srinivas. [4:45] What does Srinivas's name mean? [7:10] Who is Srinivas? [8:55] Srinivas downloaded Snapchat for the first time yesterday. [10:15] Everyone should get on Snapchat? Everyone should start a podcast? No! [11:00] Srinivas loves the platform 'Medium'. [11:35] Find one platform/thing and then get really, really good at it. [12:40] What was Srinivas's childhood like? [14:55] Srinivas always looks for things he can be exceptional at, not average at. [19:30] Srinivas is never satisfied. [22:45] Where does creativity actually come from? How is it cultivated? [27:10] What kind of action steps can people take to feel more creative? [29:15] Be the only option for what you do, not the best, the only one. Srinivas explains. [31:35] Why do you want to be like Tim Ferriss? Why? [32:40] Learn what other people have done, but do not mimic them. [35:00] Srinivas talks about his book, Unmistakable. [40:30] True success is creating work that no one else can replicate. [46:45] Srinivas talks about crowdfunding. [48:45] Community is tremendously important and plays so many different roles in our lives. [51:00] Do you have somebody to call at 2:00 am in the morning? [51:30] Srinivas talks about the 'impact zone' and how waves in the ocean come in sets. [57:05] What was Srinivas's favorite interview that he's done for his podcast? [58:25] One experience Srinivas recommends? Catch a wave. [58:35] Underrated trick for modern day success? The ability to unplug. [58:35] What book would Srinivas take if he was stranded on an island? Hard to answer. [59:00] What movie would he take? Blow with Johnny Dep. [59:20] Who is the most influential creative person of all time? Walt Disney. [1:00:15] What legacy would Srinivas like to leave behind?   Mentioned in This Episode: www.mantalks.com/ www.unmistakablecreative.com/ Srinivas on Twitter www.sethgodin.com/ www.garyvaynerchuk.com/ www.medium.com/   Music Credit: Parlange & Latenite Automatic (www.jesusparlange.com – www.lateniteautomatic.com)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Phil T Mistlberger is an expert on masculinity and brotherhood and has worked in this space for over 30 years. He is the author of four critically acclaimed books on the subject of men's work and is the founder of The Samurai Brotherhood. Phil discusses the differences between men today vs. back 20-30 years ago and what the men of today's generation are seeking the most.   Key Takeaways: [2:40] Who is Phil and how did he get started? [7:00] Phil discusses Robert Bly's book, Iron John and the deep connection men need to have. [7:20] Men have not been around to raise their sons. They've been raised by mothers. [8:45] What do men currently struggle with the most? Has this trend changed over the last 30 years? [10:10] The way men communicate has been disrupted by technology. [12:15] Do Millennial men lack grit? [13:15] There's a weird mix of resentment and entitlement in the average Millennial man. [16:40] Millennial men are seeking more of their masculine side when they come to Phil. [21:30] The ideal is to have both male and female traits. Values from the mother and grit from the father. [23:35] How does Phil help with developing grit? [30:05] Men are inclined to be loners, so Phil recommends joining a community to build a stronger bond with others. [32:10] Where does your self-worth come from? For men, it's tied up in activities and what they can do for other people. [35:25] Young men tend to have less competition with older men. [39:10] What’s the importance of being challenged? [41:45] Where is masculinity headed? It's going beyond blind competition. [46:50] Men's work tends to be much more open these days and more people are aware of it. [49:10] What does legacy look like to Phil?   Mentioned in This Episode: www.mantalks.com/ www.samuraibrotherhood.com/ www.ptmistlberger.com/ Iron John by Robert Bly Paradise Lost by John Milton   Music Credit: Parlange & Latenite Automatic (www.jesusparlange.com – www.lateniteautomatic.com)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Bungay Stanier was banned from his high school graduation for "the balloon incident", was sued by one of his Law School lecturers for defamation, and has held a number of jobs where he had little or no impact. Through his experiences, he founded Box of Crayons, a company that helps organizations do more great work. On today's show, he discusses his latest book with Roger, The Coaching Habit and how you can say less, ask more, and change the way you lead others.   Key Takeaways: [1:45] What was Michael's defining moment? [6:45] What is Michael up to these days? [8:20] Michael talks about his latest book, The Coaching Habit. [13:30] Slow down on giving advice, but stay curious for longer. [17:00] If Michael could pick one type of person to read his book, it would be the busy manager. [20:30] Did you know that boys are much more emotionally expressive than girls are in early childhood? [22:00] There are seven essential questions you need to ask yourself. Michael explains further. [25:40] Believe it or not, people do not learn when you give them really great advice. [25:55] People really learn when they have a moment to reflect on what just happened. [28:30] The Coaching Habit has been the #1 coaching book on Amazon since it launched 9 weeks ago. [29:40] What legacy would Michael like to leave behind?   Mentioned in This Episode: www.mantalks.com/ www.boxofcrayons.biz/ www.thecoachinghabit.com/ The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier www.mankindproject.org/   Music Credit: Parlange & Latenite Automatic (www.jesusparlange.com – www.lateniteautomatic.com)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Connell is a speaker, former magician, and a writer on personal development. Jason discusses with Roger and Connor on today's show about successfully moving through life transitions and accepting the new challenges that come from taking action. Jason also talks on the subject of manhood and some of the key things our everyday modern man struggles with in a society littered with social media.   Key Takeaways: [1:35] What was Jason's defining moment as a man? [4:00] It's hard to follow/discover a path you were meant to follow. Many people wake up to a 9-5 job they hate. [5:40] Millennials are feeling much more disconnected with others. [7:40] Jason talks about his career as a magician. [9:25] You don't have to follow the same path for the rest of your life. [10:40] Men suffer from the 'lack of money' barrier. [12:15] Jason is slowly winding down on his 8-year company, Ignited Leadership. [15:20] We're prone to stick with what we know – even if it makes us unhappy. [17:20] Your own brain is often not enough. You need to take action. [20:00] Transition is hard. So give yourself some slack. [21:25] What does a strong support system look like to Jason? [23:00] One piece of advice to modern men? Stop being so strong and break down. [25:15] What kind of things do Millennials struggle with? [28:35] Keep in mind you can fail and it's no big deal. [31:00] Want to change but not sure how? Get a coach or a psychologist. [35:00] When you're more authentic with yourself, you become more attractive to women. [37:25] Sex, money, or status does not validate your manhood. [38:30] What kind of legacy would Jason like to leave behind?   Mentioned in This Episode: www.mantalks.com/ www.ignitedleadership.com www.jasonconnell.co/ The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell   Music Credit: Parlange & Latenite Automatic (www.jesusparlange.com – www.lateniteautomatic.com)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frank Warren is the founder of PostSecret.com, where he publishes some of the secrets strangers have mailed to him on postcards. Frank has received over 500,000 postcards since November 2004. Some of these postcards are funny, shocking, littered with confessions, sexual desires, and more. Frank discusses why such a novel idea has turned viral and why people need a confessional outlet on today's show.   Key Takeaways: [2:25] What was Frank's defining moment as a man? [4:15] How did PostSecret get started? [7:45] Frank has given his real home address for people to send postcards to. [8:10] What is the magic that happens when someone reveals a secret to Frank? [10:50] What men decide to reveal and conceal defines them every day. [11:45] Frank reads some anonymous secrets. [15:45] Despite so much technology that helps us to connect, there's still a lot of loneliness and isolation. [16:05] Are we posting too much on social media? [19:00] Frank used to work on a suicide prevention hotline. How does he deal with all the heaviness? [21:25] Roger used to live at a fraternity house where he couldn't show his true emotional struggles. [26:25] Did you know you could mail potatoes if it has an address on it? [26:40] Frank talks of his least favorite/most haunting postcards. [29:15] What's next for Frank?   Mentioned in This Episode: www.mantalks.com/ www.postsecret.com/ Frank@postsecret.com Frank on TED   Mail Frank: 13345 Copper Ridge Rd Germantown, Maryland, 20874   Music Credit: Parlange & Latenite Automatic (www.jesusparlange.com – www.lateniteautomatic.com)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Guillebeau is the New York Times bestselling author of The $100 Startup, The Happiness of Pursuit, and other books. On today's show, Chris discuses how you can find your dream job and do work you were meant to do. You can learn more by listening to this podcast and by checking out Chris's book on the subject entitled, Born for This. At the end of the show, Roger mentions that if you're feeling alone in your journey, don't be! Chris has a huge community of people searching for their dream as well, so feel free to visit Chris's website to find out more.   Key Takeaways: [0:45] ManTalks has officially launched in Toronto and LA! [3:00] Please keep spreading the word about ManTalks. [5:10] What was Chris's defining moment as a man? [7:10] Why did Chris write The $100 Startup and Born for This? [8:45] Are you dissatisfied with the traditional path? Then Chris's book is for you. [9:55] How can you hack the job of your dreams? [10:25] If you're working for a company, you should think about yourself as leasing your talents to that organization.  [11:15] Chris explains the difference between hard skills vs. soft skills. [12:10] Life's too short to hate the work you're doing. [12:20] What are some of the signs that someone is in the wrong job/career/thing? [12:45] You don't need to know your life purpose at age 20. Most people don't even know that at age 30.  [13:15] How do you know if you've found your dream job? Well, if you had to ask... [14:50] How do you move closer to what your purpose is and make money? [18:25] Chris dives a little bit into his background. [19:45] We gain confidence through mistakes and trying different things. [20:55] What's the most popular question Chris gets asked at these events? [22:45] Chris dives a little deeper into what he means by 'side hustle'. [24:20] What kind of legacy does Chris wish to leave behind? [25:10] Do you think you're alone in this? Go to Chris's website.   Mentioned in This Episode: www.mantalks.com/ www.chrisguillebeau.com/ The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau Born for This by Chris Guillebeau   Music Credit: Parlange & Latenite Automatic (www.jesusparlange.com – www.lateniteautomatic.com)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Fankuchen is the founder of Golden, a company that makes it easy to volunteer as well as helps non-profits manage their volunteers. Golden now has an app you can download directly to your phone where you can work for a non-profit that is aligned with your mission and purpose. Sam says that 25% of Americans volunteer every year, but the impact could be much greater if there was an easier way to manage the gap between non-profits and volunteers. Find out more about Sam's story in today's episode.    Key Takeaways: [0:30] Connor and Roger welcome Sam on to the show, the founder of Golden. [0:35] What is Golden? An app that helps to make volunteering effortless. [2:10] Why is Golden so important? We all want to give back. [2:50] What was a defining moment for Sam? [5:10] Sam explains what Golden is. [6:25] Why would a non-profit need this? [6:45] Staffing is the most costly expense for a non-profit. [8:05] There's only a few core things that help drive our happiness. Volunteering is in that list. [9:15] Why did Sam want to help the volunteering space? [10:55] Volunteering is surprisingly complicated. [12:30] 24-25% of Americans volunteer every year. [13:25] There are tremendous benefits to volunteering. [15:00] How can someone volunteer most effectively? [18:00] What do volunteer coordinators need to do to make sure their volunteers feel valued? [21:40] What's one piece of advice Sam would give to companies who want to be more active in the community? [24:45] What does Sam see in the future for non-profits and charities? [25:50] Sam shares a case study. [29:00] Where does Sam see Golden being in the next five years and how can people help? [32:00] What kind of legacy would Sam like to leave behind?   Mentioned in This Episode: www.mantalks.com/ www.goldenvolunteer.com/   Music Credit: Parlange & Latenite Automatic (www.jesusparlange.com – www.lateniteautomatic.com)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg McKeown, author of "Essentialism" and CEO of THIS Inc., shares his insights on prioritizing what truly matters. He emphasizes that true wealth lies in being present and that our failures often teach us the most valuable lessons. McKeown discusses the importance of self-awareness while distinguishing between those who are lost and those who recognize their disorientation. He advocates for embracing essentialism, suggesting that focusing on fewer things can lead to greater fulfillment and productivity.

Brad Lomenick is a strategic advisor and leadership consultant. He has written two books on the subject of leadership, The Catalyst Leader and, his latest book, H3 Leadership. Brad discusses the three big Hs that every leader needs in order to inspire and propel them to the next level. He also not only talks about why millennials are different but offers some compelling advice to anyone who is just beginning their career or journey.   Key Takeaways: [0:35] Thank you to our sponsor Vancity Buzz. [2:45] What was Brad's defining moment as a man? [6:30] So many aspects of Brad's story have been built on the shoulders of other people who have helped him. [6:40] What does Brad currently do? [8:00] Brad wants to impact the next generation. [9:10] Brad focuses on building strong leaders. [12:40] What is the secret sauce to creating a movement? [16:45] As soon as you're feeling big, you need to go back to the same thinking you had when you first started. [17:15] How do you influence a millennial? [18:55] Millennials believe they can change the world. They are incredibly positive. [19:25] Millennials have such high expectations that reality can throw them off guard. [20:00] Go find something right now, even if it's not your life calling, and go crush it. [20:15] Be the best you can be with what you're doing today. [22:45] Millennials are the generation with options. [23:45] It doesn't matter how old you are now, it matters what you can do and what you know. [24:30] Brad talks about his latest book, H3 Leadership. [26:30] If you feel like you're a humble leader, then you're probably not. [30:30] Every team knows their leader's flaws. [31:20] You have to lead with your true self. [32:20] Always stay hungry. [34:55] Great leaders are often the most curious. [37:25] What is hustle? [40:45] You have to create a bit of margin in your life in order for you to hustle at the right times. [42:25] Generosity has to be part of your hustle. [43:30] One of the most difficult lessons for leaders is to let go. [44:40] Your job is to replace yourself. [46:50] Brad talks about the young influencers list. [48:45] Brad currently loves what Caitlin Crosby is doing. [51:10] What legacy does Brad wish to leave behind?   Mentioned in This Episode: www.vancitybuzz.com/ www.mantalks.com/ www.bradlomenick.com/ The Catalyst Leader by Brad Lomenick H3 Leadership by Brad Lomenick www.thegivingkeys.com   Music Credit: Parlange & Latenite Automatic (www.jesusparlange.com – www.lateniteautomatic.com)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices