Mantalks Podcast: Purpose | Legacy | Relationships | Self Mastery | Business

Talking points: sex, social media, conditioning, culture I know what it’s like to feel controlled by your own sexed-up brain. Like you’re losing hours of your day, mental bandwidth and more to clothes-less strangers on the internet. So I wanted to lay down some real talk about what I've done—and how hard it can be—to de-sexualize my brain and stay disciplined. I also get into some of the benefits it’s hard for me, my business, and my relationship. Listen in. (00:00:00) - Intro and why I’m talking about this(00:04:31) - Not only is your brain probably overstimulated, it’s probably avoiding something(00:06:16) - You’re going to have to get some excitement somewhere(00:08:10) - Cut out thirsty triggers(00:11:18) - Stop chasing empty dopamine “calories”(00:12:22) - Use tech properly(00:14:30) - Use BETTER tools This episode is brought to you by Cured Nutrition! Cured offers everything from CBD to functional mushroom products to adaptogens designed to help the body thrive in all aspects of the daily human exp

Talking points: fatherhood, abandonment, depression, coping Every so often, I'll have an anonymous guest on the show to give listeners a glimpse into what the men's work at ManTalks is actually like. This week I wanted to feature a client who struggles with something I'm deeply familiar with: knowing what the work is AND doing that work, but nothing's really felt "resolved". Together, we uncover some of what's been keeping his progress in what feels like stasis. Listen in. (00:00:00) - Intro and what my guest wants to work on(00:04:26) - What’s disruptive for you about being rejected?(00:08:35) - The complexities of divorce(00:13:52) - “I don’t really get angry”(00:19:07) - Movement, at times, requires anger(00:26:21) - Talking to your 8-year-old self(00:30:35) - What 8-year-old-you might say back(00:33:24) - The Homework This episode is brought to you by Cured Nutrition! Cured offers everything from CBD to functional mushroom products to adaptogens designed to help the body thrive in all aspects of the

Talking points: relationships, power dynamics, masculinity, femininity FYI, I'm diving into this because women have asked over the last few months, not men. And to keep things balanced, I'll be doing a companion video soon on what men do to de-feminate their partner. Listen in! Would also love your thoughts on the topic. Hit me up on Instagram @mantalks. (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:53) - Withholding sex (with caveats) (00:05:43) - Withholding a fun, playful, or joyful nature(00:08:55) - Being overly controlling when it isn’t necessary (00:11:52) - Trying to forcibly change your partner(00:16:00) - Mothering your partner(00:17:54) - Demeaning men’s activities(00:19:20) - Withholding appreciation and/or using a man’s vulnerabilities against him This episode is brought to you by Cured Nutrition! Cured offers everything from CBD to functional mushroom products to adaptogens designed to help the body thrive in all aspects of the daily human experience. Personal favorite? The Zen sleep bundle. Get 20% off your o

Talking points: relationships, money, dominance, death, marriage, sex, culture You know by now wide-ranging conversations are the norm for ManTalks, but this one? Extraordinary. Jillian Turecki and I get into all things relationships, from power dynamics to death and dying to how money matters have shifted relationship culture. Strongly encourage you to listen to this with a friend or your partner and dig around in it. There is NO shortage of things to mull on here. See where your conversation goes! (00:00:00) - Intro and Jillian’s defining moment(00:05:59) - How did being with your mom in her final moments change you?(00:11:09) - On death in Western culture(00:17:51) - How do you support a partner through the grief of losing a parent or friend?(00:23:58) - What actually goes into us choosing our partners, and the importance of being self-aware(00:41:12) - Do you think that marriage is dying in American culture?(00:44:29) - Do women still want to get married, and the difficulty of the dating market(00:49:3

Talking points: integrity, mindset, values The manosphere is chock full of high value this, high value that. Alright, fine. But what is that really? A lot of the conversation centers around wealth and social status. There's way more to it than that. (00:00:00) - Intro(00:02:45) - Do you have solid internal structures around self-leadership?(00:04:58) - The biggest challenge every man will face(00:07:10) - On impulse control and freedom, and just how difficult they are(00:10:30) - What makes this kind of value attractive to women This episode is brought to you by Cured Nutrition! Cured offers everything from CBD to functional mushroom products to adaptogens designed to help the body thrive in all aspects of the daily human experience. Personal favorite? The Zen sleep bundle. Get 20% off your order here: https://www.curednutrition.com/mantalks/ Men, join me for an intense, depth-oriented training regimen called the Men's Self-Leadership Program. Customized curriculum, direct work with me, and limited to ju

Talking points: masculinity, anxiety, presence, parenting, relationships, spirituality I'll let the podcast do the talking; this was a wide-ranging, thoroughly enjoyable conversation with John! This is a brilliant episode to dig into if you want digestible, knowledgeable talk around managing anxiety, creating healthy dialogue in relationships with partners and kids, and much, much more. Check the timestamps! (00:00:00) - Intro and John’s defining moment(00:05:52) - Why do you think men have a pull towards intense physicality?(00:11:50) - Do you feel there’s a correlation between anxiety and not developing a relationship with your body? (00:15:40) - John’s take on anxiety and its biggest causes(00:20:17) - Different causes of anxiety for modern men and women(00:29:09) - What’s killing male friendships?(00:34:29) - The power and importance of presence for your kids(00:44:39) - There is no health without relationships(00:46:58) - Neuroception and how overachievement might be overrated(00:59:45) - Skills for de

Talking points: gratitude, fitness, social media, mindset If you knew me in my 20s, you would NOT have expected much of me. I was aimless, hated myself, and was not coping well at all. And I'll won't mince words, it was a long, bumpy road to where I am now. But these 8 practices didn't just help, they radically changed my life. Seriously. This is the mini-episode for you if you're feeling stuck or frustrated with where you're at in life. (00:00:00) - Intro and where I started(00:08:24) - Create an internal environment of appreciation and gratitude(00:12:40) - Use your body. Really. Use. Your. Body.(00:17:18) - Meditate or journal every single day. One or the other(00:22:33) - Consume better content(00:27:14) - Replace coping mechanisms with generative habits(00:28:41) - Work on your purpose, mission, or business every single day(00:30:45) - Don’t know your purpose? Let your quest to find it BE the purpose(00:33:24) - Start to socialize with more people outside your comfort zone This episode is brought to

Talking points: existentialism, self-loss, therapy, Kierkegaard, culture, responsibility, anxiety Just before (like, literally just before) six days of solitude in Scotland, I had the immense privilege of chatting with Sara Kuburic, the brilliant existential therapist and new author of It’s On Me: Accept Hard Truths, Discover Yourself, And Change Your Life, coming out tomorrow. Not sure what existential therapy is? Well we get into here, plus a multitude of other things, like facing what YOU are responsible for, losing the sene of self, and how some of this plays out in modern culture. Do not miss this one, team. (00:00:00) - Intro and Sara’s defining moment (00:06:52) - What Sara was in denial of(00:10:57) - Why we fall apart when things are going well(00:18:58) - The importance of looking at the darker stuff(00:21:11) - Pillars of existential psychology(00:29:19) - Have we, as a collective, lost our sense of self?(00:36:01) - What’s Sara’s “existential psychology take”  on American culture?(00:41:18) - “

Talking points: solitude, contemplation, mindset By the time you hear this, I’ll be way out on the Isle of Skye, the home of my ancestors, for some intentional solitude. This kind of deliberate aloneness is something I think every man needs, but doesn’t really attempt. Listen in for a reflection on what and why I’m doing this, and why it might help you too. (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:35) - For years, I didn’t like being alone(00:03:35) - I believe every man needs SOME responsibility and distraction-free time(00:05:30) - Why I chose Scotland(00:08:54) - The kind of questions I’ll be asking myself while alone(00:11:02) - Men crave clarity This episode is brought to you by Cured Nutrition! Cured offers everything from CBD to functional mushroom products to adaptogens designed to help the body thrive in all aspects of the daily human experience. Personal favorite? The Zen sleep bundle. Get 20% off your order here: https://www.curednutrition.com/mantalks/ Men, join me for an intense, depth-oriented training re

Talking points: workouts, form, nutrition, fitness The last time Ron was on the show, he shared an incredible story of overcoming adversity, and crafting a life of resiliency. I wanted him back on the show to discuss some foundational aspects of getting fit and eating right, something Ron has spent most of his life working on. Bear with us; we had some audio troubles but you should hear everything loud and clear. This is a great episode to listen to if you're starting out on your fitness journey or are looking for refreshingly simple advice on proper form, proper nutrition, and other tips. Lots of info here. (00:00:00) - Intro (00:05:19) - When you want to be more serious about exercise, where should you actually start? (00:09:34) - Are deadlifts worth it, and are they something the average person needs?(00:11:07) - What some the foundational pieces of squat form?(00:20:34) - What are some other core workouts and foundation pieces for chest, biceps, etc.?(00:31:08) - What can do you (if anything!) for smal

Talking points: addiction, masculinity This mini-episode is a bit of a departure in style, but the topic is deeply important to me. Most men have an uncanny ability to push forward despite intense pain and suffering. That can be a blessing in times of hardship, but it can also turn on you. (00:00:00) - Intro and the skill of being silent about your suffering(00:02:40) - We look down on men for doing this, but oftentimes it’s a blessing(00:03:33) - The curse is this(00:05:03) - “There’s a hungry ghost in the basement of my heart”(00:09:40) - Why I wrote this This episode is brought to you by Cured Nutrition! Cured offers everything from CBD to functional mushroom products to adaptogens designed to help the body thrive in all aspects of the daily human experience. Personal favorite? The Zen sleep bundle. Get 20% off your order here: https://www.curednutrition.com/mantalks/ Men, join me for an intense, depth-oriented training regimen called the Men's Self-Leadership Program. Customized curriculum, direct wo

Talking points: masculinity, fatherhood, culture The man himself! Larry Hagner of The Dad Edge joins me to talk all things fatherhood. Deeply grateful to finally have Larry on the show and to dive DEEP with him on so many topics. This is a great episode to listen to if you’re searching for insight on how to maintain some level-headedness is what seems to be a tough time to be a parent. Check the timestamps for some of the depth-oriented questions we covered! (00:00:00) - Intro Larry’s defining moment(00:18:30) - Fathers wield an incredible amount of influence on a boy’s life. How did you prepare for fatherhood given how you grew up?(00:21:13) - How would you prepare now? Given everything you’ve experienced?(00:24:44) - What do you see modern fathers struggling with?(00:31:16) - What pressures does a modern dad face from culture itself?(00:39:59) - How do you talk to your kids about what your values are?(01:02:29) - What are some of the keys to raising sons in particular?(01:09:51) - What do you hope your s

Talking points: libido, anxiety, sex drive Having a high libido isn't all it's cracked up to be. In truth, it can be surprisingly difficult to navigate, can impact relationships, finances, you name it. This week, a look at where high libido can come from, and some ways to navigate it effectively. (00:00:00) - Intro and my own issues with high sex drive(00:02:39) - Indicators that high libido might be becoming problematic (00:05:49) - But what causes high sex drive?(00:06:49) - Grief, anxiety, stress, and unresolved trauma(00:08:33) - Shame surrounding sexual preferences(00:08:53) - A lack of fulfillment or sense of control over your life(00:10:12) - A lack of self-esteem(00:10:26) - A struggle to properly process emotions(00:12:10) - So what do we do? Number one: do your best to date people with similar libido(00:13:37) - Prioritize routines and habits that help regulate your nervous system(00:14:43) - Desexualize your brain(00:15:37) - Surround yourself with high quality men This episode is brought to yo

Talking points: grief, loss, anxiety, helplessness Every so often, I'll have an anonymous guest on the show to give listeners a glimpse into what men's work at ManTalks is really like. This is going to be a three-parter, so stay tuned for more. This man is someone I've known for a while through his participation in ManTalks, and he's come to me looking wanting to feel more in charge of his life, and more able to handle when life, business, or relationships take a hit. Behind much of it is ungrieved childhood loss. This is a great episode to dig into if you feel like you manage fine when life is good, but fall apart when it doesn't. There's insight on some of the consequences of not having the chance to properly grieve. (00:00:00) - Intro and what our guest would like to work on(00:10:07) - A pervasive feeling of inadequacy, and how it relates to making money(00:14:02) - How the loss of a mother led to feeling helpless and inattentive (00:21:40) - Feeling sorry for dad, and feeling like it’s “too late”(00:

Fair warning, a focal point of this episode is suicide. Talking points: therapy, self-help, masculinity More men than ever are actively seeking help. They're going to therapy, they're working on themselves, they're doing "the work". I know because they come to me and people I know—either in the coaching or the therapeutic industry—by the thousands. And yet a significant percentage of them don't come out it "helped". Many don't come out at all. To be clear, I am NOT saying therapy as an industry is totally broken or something to ignore. But there ARE some things I think it could do better. (00:00:00) - Intro and some statistics(00:04:47) - What I’ve seen and heard from men who come to ManTalks live events(00:05:40) - I’m not saying the therapeutic industry is broken(00:07:06) - We have to acknowledge that there are differences in men’s and women’s experiences(00:09:25) - The three things the industry underestimates or misses with men(00:11:43) - I’ve known a lot of men who looked great on the surface(00:13

Talking points: success, achievement, addiction, cycling, athleticism, personal development Kevin Miller is a powerhouse. More than that, he's deeply humble and intentional in what he does after a lifetime of hard work and the pursuit of excellence. I sat down with him last week to dig deeper: what makes drive "drive"? What's the meaning of really going beyond your limits? What really, truly drives you, and where are you going with that? You know, just light conversation. (00:00:00) - Intro and Kevin’s defining moment(00:06:04) - What it takes to be a professional cyclist, and what drove Kevin to pursue it(00:11:10) - What might be underneath a valiant can’t-quit-won’t-quit attitude, and what’s the difference between pursuit of excellence and addiction?(00:19:11) - When it comes to the pursuit of excellence, what’s actually rewarding about it?(00:26:26) - How did the pursuit of excellence filter its way into your parenting?(00:31:49) - Intentionality versus pursuit, and where the addiction to pursuit might

Talking points: masculinity, culture, misandry Look, this is a charged topic. It’s also deeply complex, and it deserves serious attention MINUS the immediate rush towards dismissals, name calling, and blame games. I’d love to get your take on this topic too. Feel free to message me on Instagram or comment below. (01:16) - Intro and how society tends to react to men’s issues (05:37) - What systems could use changing, and their current impact on men(10:59) - When you bring this up, it’s easy to get labelled anti-woman (16:08) - This discussion should be a bipartisan issue, and in many ways it would benefit women Men, join me for an intense, depth-oriented training regimen called the Men's Self-Leadership Program. Customized curriculum, direct work with me, and limited to just 8 men: https://mantalks.com/mslp/ Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/ Check out some free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger

Talking points: addiction, culture, history, enlightenment, Zen, purpose, non-duality The ManTalks Podcast has grown exponentially over the last couple years, so for all you newcomers, I like to release a sort of cross-section or "best of" episode to showcase what the podcast is all about—after all, I have talked to some brilliant and varied experts over the years! This time, the themes are the widest ever: addiction and enlightenment. I chose this to demonstrate my love of the scientific and the spiritual—and my constant goal to balance the two. As Albert Einstein said, science without religion is lame, and religion without science is blind. I hope you enjoy. (00:00:00) - Dr. Anne Lembke on defining addiction and the addictive aspects of our modern world(00:17:19) - Dr. Carl Erik Fisher on addiction through history and across cultures, and how society divides addicted people(00:36:53) - Zen Henry Shukman on enlightenment as defined by Zen, his childhood, and his own story of kenshō(00:58:45) - The acclaim

Talking points: boundaries, independence, relationships, nice guys Yeah, it's a somewhat controversial title. It's also a challenge. Many, many men bend over backwards to prevent a partner from ever feeling disappointed, and when they inevitably do feel disappointed (because that's life sometimes), they spiral. Listen in. (01:15) - Intro and why I'm talking about this(03:05) - Caveats(04:42) - Why this is important(07:09) - I'm not saying don't have wiggle room! Men, join me for an intense, depth-oriented training regimen called the Men's Self-Leadership Program. Customized curriculum, direct work with me, and limited to just 8 men: https://mantalks.com/mslp/ Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/ Check out some free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your Relationship Build brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from around the world. Check out The Allianc

Talking points: anxiety, suicide, mental illness, neurology, culture, psychology This was SUCH a thorough and enjoyable interview. Always a pleasure to get the practical yet caring advice from Dr. Kennedy, someone I’ve known for a long time. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed or deals with anxiety, this is THE episode for you. We cover all the ways anxiety, the body, and the mind are connected, where to begin helping yourself (or others) with those anxious feelings, what the therapy and personal development industries often miss out, and way way more. (00:00:00) - Intro and Russell’s defining moment(00:04:03) - How Russell dealt with the complexities of a schizophrenic father(00:11:33) - How anxiety is a manifestation of something much deeper(00:15:38) - What are some of the most common anxiety myths?(00:18:35) - What is the actual purpose of anxiety?(00:21:54) - How do you talk to people who dismiss anxiety and trauma?(00:33:37) - Do you think kids are more anxious than ever before?(00:40:10) -