Talking points: psychology, masculinity If you've ever found yourself in strange push-pull dynamics, self-sabotaged relationships, or just feel like you never get it "right" with women, this may be your podcast. I see a lot of men battle their mommy (and daddy) issues instead of healing them. Let's change that. (00:00:00) - Intro, what a “mother wo…

Talking points: history, psychology, mindset, culture Like George Santayana said, those who do not learn from the past are condemned to repeat it. There's so much we can learn about ourselves, where we come from, and what needs our attention when we study the past. Grateful for the host of Cost of Glory, Alex Petkas, coming back on the show to lay …

Talking points: relationships, mindset I see so many men struggle with this, without ever knowing why. Part of it's the realities of modern dating, but there's a few things you can do to rise above. Listen in. (00:00:00) - Here’s the situation (00:04:32) - Stop overfunding the account in an effort to get something (00:06:51) - Be her best option, b…

“I was recently in the Pacific North West of the USA. I captured the dawn chorus from a remote forest on Lopez Island – the third largest of the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. Photo by Todd Stevens”By Field Recordings

Talking points: money, success, mindset, finances Grateful to have the thoughtful and straightforward advice of Sahil Bloom when it comes to wealth—minus the get-rich-quick schemes and "hacks" you see too often on social media. We covered a ton, from financial skill development and a healthy relationship with money, to how you balance that with wha…

Talking points: conflict, relationships You're going to get into arguments. There will be differences of opinion. But what if those were gateways to something more? Today, the latest in the Man's Guide series. (00:00:00) - Choose someone you’re willing to conflict with, and be someone she’s willing to conflict with, too. (00:04:11) - Your nervous s…

Welcome back Listeners! After a long hiatus we are back with an interview from Dr. Frances Wong! Dr. Wong is a former assistant professor in the department of chemistry and biology here at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her past research focused on cellular systems biology of early human placental development and today her academic interest lies …

“It was lovely yet windy Saturday. I was enjoying the sounds of the trees moving at a small wooded area in front of the village church, with the village noises in the background.”By Field Recordings

“…from my camp out at the Knepp estate last week – managed to creep up pretty close to a nightingale singing in the shrubby hedgerows. Absolutely gorgeous to fall asleep to them calling out to each other through the night.”By Field Recordings

Talking points: masculinity, isolation, culture, suicide Look, Netflix's Adolescence was solid. But like anything Hollywood, it's not the whole picture. The big picture is complex, systemic, and deeply uncomfortable—and we seem to have built a culture that simply doesn't want to talk about it meaningfully and practically. I'm grateful for men like …

Talking points: mindset, addiction, porn It's a serious challenge. You're doing well, you think you've broken free—and suddenly you're back. This week, I dig into practical ways you can reinforce and reenergize your commitment. For more helpful info, check out my free guide here: https://training.mantalks.com/Quit (00:00:00) - Intro, and the first …

Talking points: culture, economics, mindset, debt, Ed Hardy To maybe understate things, it's a jungle out there right now, financially speaking. I've really enjoyed Morgan's books and perspective, so in early April, I asked him to come on. He shared TONS of insight on tariffs, what's next, how the average person can change their financial straights…

Talking points: relationships, leadership A while back, I launched a video on how men can better lead themselves and their relationships. It got a ton of dialogue, let's just say. Here's what I mean by lead, and three definitive steps to getting it right. (00:00:00) - Defining what “lead” actually means (00:04:08) - The first thing to do (00:07:14)…

Talking points: masculinity, regret, anger, culture It's been too long since I sat down with The Captain himself. I am continuously grateful for Kyle's honesty about his own life, his process, and his opinion on things. Which means this conversation is as refreshing as it is frank. Strongly recommend sharing this one, team. (00:00:00) - Why is regr…

Talking points: attachment, relationships, mindset Anxious attachment can make any relationship feel fraught with tension and threat. It doesn't have to be that way, and there are clear steps you can take that really do get results. Start with these ones. (00:00:00) - Anxious attachment refresher (00:04:04) - Priority number one: develop safety int…

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“I placed a hydrophone at the bottom of a large well-used saucepan and part filled it. The recording was a little disappointing, then I started playing with the speed and frequency of drips from the tap and managed to approximate a driving, but rather bass-free beat with a hint of melody.”By Field Recordings

“Every morning, specially in the fine weather we are currently enjoying, I come out to listen to the birds, which all seem to be specially loud, managing to almost drown all the city noises.”By Field Recordings

Talking points: relationships, masculinity, mindset, nice guy syndrome A bunch of you have reached out requesting an interview with Nick, aka The People Displeaser, and I'm happy to say we finally got the chance to talk. Nick's practical, no-nonsense frame is a breath of fresh air. If you're looking for ways to combat your own people-pleasing tende…

“Galloping Ghost Arcade in Brookfield, Illinois, claims to be the largest video game arcade in the world. They have over 1,030 arcade games, dating back to the 1970s. When I went on a recent Thursday night around 7pm, for a friend’s birthday, almost nobody else was there.”By Field Recordings

Talking points: boundaries, relationships, mindset The counter-intuitive truth is this: if you're stuck in people-pleasing, you're generally not people-helping. I see a lot of men go through this, and many are unaware of what it really is and where it comes from. This week, straightforward insight and direct steps to breaking free. (00:00:00) - Wha…

Talking points: anger, trauma, relationships This is an essential episode for two reasons. One, it clearly shows how emotions and behaviors get passed down not just in mind but in body. Two, this episode also shows there are men out there doing real work—and they're committed to it; my guest was already familiar with the somatic part of his feeling…

Talking points: archetypes, psychology, relationships I genuinely feel this is one of the most important concepts we as men should understand. It affects a lot of us, and it definitely affected me. It definitely fits the word "complex", but it's absolutely something you can work on. So grab a notepad, dig in, and share with any man you think would …

“Thousands of people gathered on Saturday, March 22nd at Macy’s in Philadelphia, PA to hear the last performances of the Wanamaker Organ – possibly the world’s largest pipe organ – as the department store marked its final weekend in business. This is an excerpt from the final recital by John Wanamaker Grand Court Organist Peter Richard Conte. My wi…

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Talking points: relationships, evolutionary psychology, culture You know it, I know it, and Michael Sartain knows it: there are a LOT of men out there facing extreme difficulty. I wanted to pick Michael’s brain on how to help men understand why this is, but from the perspective of evolutionary psychology, and the boots-on-ground experience of a fel…

“This recording is taken just off of the pier around midnight. The sea was so full of character I was completely enthralled and if you listen carefully you can hear the strong tide pulling the lava rock out to sea with it. I completely fell for its whispers and it was a real struggle to pull myself away to sleep.”…

Talking points: attachment, relationships, culture I recently brought in an attachment specialist for the Alliance because a lot of men are noticing an uptick in women who are emotionally distant, avoid vulnerability, and break it off the second things get serious. There are a ton of ways to look at this, and lots of factors, but I wanted to dig in…

Talking points: attachment, marriage, trauma There’s a lot of attachment content out there. I should know, I make a fair bit myself. But in my work with this week’s anonymous guest, you can see just how complex things can get. My guest is managing the anxious-avoidant dance really well, but processing what causes it is something that requires deepe…

Talking points: relationships, attachment There's one significant trap a lot of men fall into when they're anxiously attached. Good news? It's manageable—as long as you know where it's coming from. If you or your partner has this attachment style, dig in. (00:00:00) - Defining the trap, and why it happens (00:04:29) - What you’re really up against,…

Talking points: culture, marketing, relationships I consider it an achievement to have Tad on the show. He's a soulful and wise person who can cut through the BS quickly—and do it kindly, no less. We sat down to discuss the parallels in ethically presenting your case in both the business and dating realms. You'll be surprised at how similar some as…

“I took myself to Derbyshire for a few days in early February. I walked up to Stanton Moor with my dog Rosie (not named by me!) looking for a Bronze […]By Field Recordings

“A morning recording outside Curious Fox Books, Berlin. Children and adults voices, passing bicycles. General ambience from people socialising, children playing. An S-Bahn train arrives to the nearby Gorlitzer Bahnhof.”By Field Recordings

Talking points: attachment, relationships The way you connect with others really can change for the better, and it's important to know when you're headed in the right direction. If you or your partner has an avoidant attachment style—aka shutdown in conflict, emotional distancing, etc.—this one's for you. Listen in. Not sure what avoidant attachmen…

Talking points: relationships, conflict, love, culture There aren’t many folks in the wellness space as frank, wise, and empathetic as Jillian, and I always love having her on the show. This time, we sat down to dig into everything relationships, from culture and social media’s effects (read: not always great) to defining lust vs love, and much mor…

Talking point: dating, relationships, risk I recently came across some work by Alexander (aka @DatePsych), where he put together some fascinating data. Turns out 45% of men between 18-25 haven't asked a woman out. Ever. What's the deal? Well, here are two of my theories, and I'd love to hear yours. Link to the study: https://datepsychology.com/risk…

“It’s quiet time at the Fulton Fish Market — though the forklifts still move fast and beep loudly. A fish hook is an extension of oneself, used to sling tuna, black […]By Field Recordings

Talking points: friendship, masculinity, Ryan Michler and I have been in the men's work biz for a long time, and we've seen the changes—some good, some bad—in how men are talked about and marketed to by our culture and by the wellness and therapy industries. We dig into the necessity of male friendship in the face of growing isolationism, the upcom…

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By Field Recordings

“The wonderful steam train arrives at Haworth station. I love how the arrival is reasonably quiet but upon departure you hear the power of the steam engine echoing around the […]By Field Recordings

By Field Recordings

Talking points: mindset This is something I’ve seen a LOT of men battle, and with no success—and I include myself in that. This week, I want to reframe the idea of self-worth and give you a few insights that will likely change the game for you. Dig in. (00:00:00) - Reframing self-worth, and why many men struggle with it (00:04:27) - Reasons why sel…

Talking points: trauma, validation, mindset, relationships Recently, I put out a call on Instagram: who wants to join me for a short, recorded Q&A. We had a TON of respondents, but I wanted to highlight four in particular that I feel are unique, but at the same time offer a window into what so many men endure. These are everyday men from completely…

“A group of organizers had distributed flyers in our neighborhood for a timely cathartic moment atop the large mountain park that overlooks the city of San Francisco and the bay. […]By Field Recordings

“This morning I was delighted to find that, after quite a few months, this woodpecker has returned! Back to the very same tree. I love how the sound echoes around […]By Field Recordings

Talking points: mythology, masculinity, trauma Myth isn't just old story. It's also a powerful way to frame the workings of the world, the mind, and everything in between. The story of Perseus is just one example of this, with insights on boyhood vs manhood, facing risk, and much more. Dig in. (00:00:00) - Intro and the first lesson of the Perseus’…

“Here is a little recording of our local spring. We hiked through 2ft of snow in the -10 temps to the head of our local creek. Due to the deep […]By Field Recordings

Talking points: masculinity, culture, gratitude, anger, poetry I don’t typically get starstruck or awed in interviews, even though I’ve talked to many incredible people. But David? Well, he’s had an immense impact on my life, and so much of my work and way of thinking lives inspired by him. He joined me in Seattle and shared so much wisdom, beauty,…

“It was a lovely, bright morning. The birds were loud, trying to compete with the sound of passing planes heading to Heathrow airport.”By Field Recordings