Masculinity

AJ & John – Are Young Men Actually Lost, And What Society Isn’t Talking About

by

Talking points: male isolation and “lostness”, dating, dating apps, relationships, redpill, AI

AJ, John and I covered a lot of ground, my friends. I’ve been following along with their work for a while and was recently on their podcast, The Art of Charm. Check the timestamps to see just how wide the net is!

This is a great episode to listen to if you’re wondering about some of the challenges younger men seem to be facing, what’s shifted for them compared to the GenX and millennial experience, and whether or not there’s hope.

00:03:12.000 – AJ’s defining moment

00:06:14.700 – John’s defining moment

00:12:57.500 – What’s changed for men since AJ and John started?

00:22:10.500 – Male isolation is increasing. Why?

00:40:43.00 – The shifting male archetype

00:47:23.500 – Good relationships with other men is a status signal

00:58:03.000 – Is AI going to impact mating and dating?

01:02:16.500 – What are some key foundations to an intimate relationship?

01:09:24.750 – Is there hope for young men?

AJ and John, through The Art of Charm, provide training and personal coaching for activating your ability to attract the right people, create meaningful relationships, and reach greater levels of success in your life. These programs include the strategies they’ve used over the last 15+ years to put more than 9,100 people into the fast lane.

Connect with AJ and John

-Website: https://theartofcharm.com/

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofcharm/

-Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheArtOfCharm

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1894473717446171/

-Podcast: https://theartofcharm.com/podcast/

This podcast is brought to you by Organifi! Plant-based nutrition that’s science-backed, high quality, and something I use literally every day. Hit up the link for 20% off your next here: https://www.organifi.com/mantalks

Pick up my brand-new book! Men’s Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Did you enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the self-leadership they’re looking for.

Are you looking to find purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today. 

Check out our Facebook Page or the Men’s community.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify

For more episodes, visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frans de Waal – Defining Gender Through The Eyes Of A Primatologist

by

Talking points: gender, gender equality, alpha males, alpha females, violence, culture, psychology

I’ve been following Frans’ work for a while, and have admired how dedicated he is to his work and to uncovering the complexity of primates. This was such an enjoyable and fascinating conversation!

This episode is a compelling look at just how complex and nuanced something like gender can be, from one of THE world’s top primatologists. With more and more pressure to outsource your opinions, your arguments, and your beliefs to the fastest talking pundit, it’s more important than ever to take a step back, breathe, and check the science.

Dr. Frans B. M. de Waal is a Dutch/American biologist and primatologist known for his work on the behavior and social intelligence of primates. His first book, Chimpanzee Politics (1982) compared the schmoozing and scheming of chimpanzees involved in power struggles with that of human politicians. Ever since, de Waal has drawn parallels between primate and human behavior, from peacemaking and morality to culture. His scientific work has been published in hundreds of technical articles in journals such as Science, Nature, Scientific American, and outlets specialized in animal behavior. His popular books — translated into twenty languages — have made him one of the world’s most visible primatologists. His latest books are The Age of Empathy (2009), and The Bonobo and the Atheist (2013). Two recent edited volumes are The Primate Mind (2012) and Evolved Morality (2014).

De Waal is C. H. Candler Professor in the Psychology Department of Emory University and Director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 2013, he is a Distinguished Professor (Universiteitshoogleraar) at Utrecht University. He has been elected to the (US) National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences. In 2007, he was selected by Time as one of The Worlds’ 100 Most Influential People Today, and in 2011 by Discover as among 47 (all time) Great Minds of Science. Being editor-in-chief of the journal Behaviour, de Waal has stepped in the footsteps of Niko Tinbergen, one of the founders of ethology.

His latest research concerns empathy and cooperation, inequity aversion and social cognition in chimpanzees, bonobos, and other species. He and his students have pioneered studies on how behavior is culturally transmitted in the primates, whether elephants recognize themselves in mirrors, how primates react to unequal reward divisions, how well primates spontaneously cooperate, and whether bonobo orphans are as emotionally affected by their trauma as human orphans.

 

00:02:22 What is a primatologist, and how Frans’ early work surprised everyone, including himself 

00:08:58 Why research gender in primates?

00:012:23 You can’t draw lines on gender, the biology of sex and gender differences, and examples in other animals

00:19:39 Why do we want to see ourselves in primate culture?

00:24:25 Female sexuality has been historically downplayed 

00:31:40 Do you feel your work on primates gets politicized?

00:38:16 Are males naturally more dominant, and what is an alpha male really?

00:46:23 Is there a time and place for physical dominance, and the effect of older males on younger males

00:52:51 Are males more hierarchical than females in primate culture?

01:02:56 The misconceptions around violence in primates

01:06:49 Will learning more about biology lead to gender equality?

01:12:54 Final thoughts; we should look at gender as a complex story

Connect with Frans:

-Book: Different: Gender Through The Eyes Of A Primatologist: https://amzn.to/3K4MvLA
-TED Talk: Moral Behavior In Animals: https://www.ted.com/talks/frans_de_waal_moral_behavior_in_animals

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Darren Silver – The Importance Of Direct Connection To Nature

by

Talking points: vision quests, initiation, culture, ritual

Do things like vision quests and ceremony actually DO anything? Should they? What does it mean to “connect to a place”? What happens to a man when he’s immersed in nature—without a phone or a to-do list or even a destination? These are some of the wonderings I had with Mr. Darren Silver in this fascinating and enjoyable conversation. I’m a big believer in getting everything, not just men, out into the wild occasionally to reconnect with the non-human, and Darren shows us just how fruitful that can be.

Darren Silver, MA, is a rite of passage guide, Nature-Connected Coach, ceremonialist, and innovative educator. He has over a decade of experience working with ritual, wilderness living skills, and guiding transformational experiences residentially and internationally. A gifted storyteller and apprentice to the old myths, Darren weaves the power of the natural world, vision, and community in devotion to the remembrance of regenerative culture. 

Connect with Darren

-Website: https://www.darrensilver.earth/

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ds.silver/

Pick up my brand-new book! Men’s Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Did you enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the self-leadership they’re looking for.

Are you looking to find purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today. 

Check out our Facebook Page or the Men’s community.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify

For more episodes, visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boyd Varty – Lion Tracking, Meaning Making, And Healing Trauma

by

Talking points: working in/with the wild, initiation, trauma, what nature teaches you, masculinity

This has been one of my most anticipated guests of all time. Like, years. An incredible storyteller, a man with a mighty heart and passion for everything wilderness, this is an episode I encourage you to share with the men in your life. Seriously.

The wildlife and literacy activist Boyd Varty, author of the memoir Cathedral of the Wild, had an unconventional upbringing. Born to a family of conservationists, Boyd grew up on Londolozi Game Reserve in the South African wilderness, a place where man and nature strive for balance, where perils exist alongside wonders. Founded more than 90 years ago as a hunting ground, Londolozi was transformed into a nature reserve beginning in 1973 by Varty’s father and uncle, visionaries of the restoration movement. But it wasn’t just a sanctuary for the animals; it was also a place for ravaged land to flourish again and for the human spirit to be restored. When Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years of imprisonment, he came to the reserve to recover.

Since childhood, Boyd shared his home with lions, leopards, snakes, and elephants and has spent his life in apprenticeship to the wisdom of nature. Boyd survived a harrowing black mamba encounter, a debilitating bout with malaria, even a vicious crocodile attack, but his biggest challenge was a personal crisis of purpose. As a university student, he studied psychology and ecology, supplementing his education by learning martial arts in Thailand, hiking through the jungles of the Amazon, and apprenticing to a renowned tracker from the Shangaan tribe, deepening his intimate knowledge of the natural world. Boyd grew up speaking the local language and learning the true meaning of coexistence between people and with nature.

Connect with Boyd

-Website: https://boydvarty.com/

-Book: The Lion Tracker’s Guide To Life: https://boydvarty.com/book/the-lion-trackers-guide-to-life/

-Podcast: https://boydvarty.com/about/40-days-40-nights/

-Twitter: https://twitter.com/boydvarty

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boyd_varty/

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boydvartyinc/

 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Scott Galloway – Why Young Men Are In Decline, And What To Do

by

Talking points: porn, masculinity, male decline, radicalization

Listeners, this one has been a long time coming. I’ve been a big fan of Scott’s work for a long time, and love his no-nonsense approach, particularly when it comes to what’s going on with men and modern culture. Not only that, but Scott has the science to back it up, something I deeply appreciate. Men, share this with your friends. Ladies, share this with your men. This is important stuff.

Scott Galloway is a Professor of Marketing at NYU Stern School of Business, where he teaches Brand Strategy and Digital Marketing to second-year MBA students and is the author of the Digital IQ Index ®, a global ranking of prestige brands’ digital competence. In 2012, Professor Galloway was named “One of the World’s 50 Best Business School Professors” (Poets & Quants). Professor Galloway is also the founder of several firms, including:

–L2, a subscription business intelligence firm serving prestige brands;

-Red Envelope, an e-commerce firm (2007, $100mm revs.); and

-Prophet, a global brand strategy consultancy with 250+ professionals

Professor Galloway was elected to the World Economic Forum’s “Global Leaders of Tomorrow,” which recognizes 100 individuals under the age of 40 “whose accomplishments have had impact on a global level.” Professor Galloway has served on the board of directors of Eddie Bauer (Nasdaq: EBHI), The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), Gateway Computer, and Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. He received a BA from UCLA and an MBA from UC Berkeley.

Connect with Scott

-Website: https://www.profgalloway.com/

-Twitter: https://twitter.com/profgalloway

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profgalloway/

–

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drew Manning – Leaving The Mormon Church, Porn, And Getting Fit

by

Talking points: Mormon religion, porn, infidelity, fitness

You can tell right away Mr. Drew Manning is a kind and open man. We sat down recently to discuss talk about his journey of gaining and losing 75 pounds on purpose to better understand his clients, but it became so much more, including his departure from the religion he grew up with and how that felt, how he overcame shame, what it’s like to enter the dating scene as a single dad, and much more.

Health and fitness expert Drew Manning is the New York Times best-selling author of Fit2Fat2Fit: The Unexpected Lessons from Gaining and Losing 75 lbs on Purpose and has for years been a leading voice in the burgeoning Keto Diet movement.

Drew is also the creator of the A&E Show Fit to Fat to Fit and the host of The Fit2Fat2Fit Experience podcast. With over a million social media followers, Drew continues to transform people’s lives all around the world.

Known for his straightforward and empathetic fitness and health coaching, Drew has been featured on The Dr. Oz Show, CNN, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show, The View, and MSNBC, among other media outlets.

He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his daughters, who remind him every day not to take things too seriously.

Pick up my brand new book! Men’s Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Did you enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the self-leadership they’re looking for.

Are you looking to find purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today. 

Check out our Facebook Page or the Men’s community.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify

For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter   

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WTF Is Men’s Work? – Mark Groves, Sylvester McNutt, Jeremy Goldberg, Traver Boehm, Nick Onken, Dan Harrison, Mike Campbell, And Branden Collinsworth

by

This episode is selections from a Zoom panel discussion I hosted on Jan 31 titled “Modern Masculinity and WTF Is Men’s Work”.

For a couple years now, myself and these eight other men have gathered privately to talk about, well, everything. To celebrate the launch of my new book, Men’s Work, we decided to make one of our talks public. About 900 people signed up, and I just want to say I’m so grateful for everyone who joined.

You’ll hear from:

-Mark Groves: https://www.instagram.com/createthelove/

-Sylvester McNutt: https://www.instagram.com/sylvestermcnutt/

-Jeremy Goldberg: https://www.instagram.com/longdistancelovebombs/

-Traver Boehm: https://www.instagram.com/traverboehm/

-Nick Onken: https://www.instagram.com/nickonken/

-Dan Harrison: https://www.instagram.com/thedanharrison/

-Mike Campbell: https://www.instagram.com/mikecampbellmc/

-Branden Collinsworth: https://www.instagram.com/brandencollinsworth/

Did you enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the self-leadership they’re looking for.

Are you looking to find purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today. 

Check out our Facebook Page or the Men’s community.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify

For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter   

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s The Difference Between Anger And Rage?

by

It might sound odd, but I think there are significant differences between the two, and it’s important to train ourselves to understand those differences. Why? Because if you know how to work with them, they’re not going to hinder your progress or damage your relationships. It’s that simple.

Did you enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the self-leadership they’re looking for.

Are you looking to find purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today. 

Check out our Facebook Page or the Men’s community.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify

For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter   

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeremie Lotemo – Navigating America, Masculinity, And Partnership

by

Talking points: transition, moving from the Congo to America, equality, masculinity, and relationships.

This was a phenomenal conversation. Full stop. Jeremie and I cover a lot of ground, and I’m grateful to have his insight and perspective on men’s work. It’s nuanced, clear, and deeply authentic.

Jeremie Lotemo is a transformation coach helping clients create lasting change by examining the stories and beliefs that influence them on an unconscious level. He works to help them reestablish safety in the body in order to recognize these beliefs and release them completely.

Before becoming a coach, Jeremie was an account manager for one of the fastest-growing marketing agencies in Atlanta, eventually developing his own agency. For years, he helped clients use advertising to influence the behavior of their customers. This led him to analyze how much of his own life, choices, and ambitions were a product of someone else’s story.

He left advertising and now uses his skills to help others write a story that’s entirely their own.

Pre-order my upcoming book! Men’s Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Did you enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the self-leadership they’re looking for.

Are you looking to find purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today. 

Check out our Facebook Page or the Men’s community.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify

For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter   

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experts On: Men And Masculinity – Past, Present, And Future

by

All you newcomers to the podcast, this one is for you! Every now and then, we like to take segments from previous episodes that were particularly insightful, informative, or moving, and showcase them under theme. That way, you get a solid look at what we offer. In this episode:

  • James Hollis on how the landscape of male culture has changed in his lifetime
  • Owen Marcus on emotional intelligence
  • Ben Goresky on what modern men seem to be facing
  • John Wineland on the “integrated masculine” and embodiment
  • Francis Weller on how men can nourish future generations

Pre-order my upcoming book! Men’s Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Did you enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the self-leadership they’re looking for.

Are you looking to find purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today. 

Check out our Facebook Page or the Men’s community.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify

For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter   

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Men Don’t Go To Therapy

by

I’m sure you’ve heard the joke: men will start five separate podcasts before they go to therapy.

There are lots of reasons why the stereotype exists, but it’s my job to take it seriously. Here’s my take on one of the deeper reasons why many men avoid seeing a counselor, a coach, a psychiatrist, or a psychotherapist.

Pre-order my upcoming book! Men’s Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Did you enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the self-leadership they’re looking for.

Are you looking to find purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today. 

Check out our Facebook Page or the Men’s community.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify

For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter   

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humble The Poet – What Is Love?

by

Baby don’t hurt me for the cheesy (but very appropriate) title. You’ll just have to listen in.

Talking points: love, family, growing up as an immigrant, community, vulnerability, business, self-love vs self-respect vs self-esteem

Huge honor to sit down with Humble the Poet last month. This was a fascinating and engaging conversation. I deeply appreciate his creative, spiritual, and energetic approach to one of biggest human questions: what is love, really?

Kanwer Singh aka Humble The Poet is a Toronto-bred MC/Spoken word artist with an aura that embodies the diversity and resiliency of one of the world’s most unique cities.

With tattoos, beard, head wrap, and a silly smile, Humble commands attention. He stimulates audiences with ideas that challenge conventional wisdom and go against the grain, with dynamic live sets that shake conventions and minds at the same time. 

Humble’s distinctive style and point of view have also been featured on popular television program CBC’s Canada Reads, and took home top prize. He was also featured in Apple’s first Canadian ad spot for their #ShotOnIphone campaign. Humble’s latest EP titled Righteous/Ratchet features the first single H.A.I.R, a celebration of women of all shapes, sizes, hair, and walks of life. His self-directed video for H.A.I.R has amassed almost 2 million views since its release. The video features YouTube sensation and longtime collaborator Lilly Singh.

Humble’s first book, Unlearn: 101 Simple Truths For A Better Life, was published through Indigo Press in October 2017. It became a Heather’s Pick and has stayed on the Globe & Mail Bestsellers list since its release. Unlearn was re-released with Harper Collins Publishing in April 2019. Humble’s next book: Things No One Else Can Teach Us was released in the fall of 2019. 

His latest book is titled HOW TO BE LOVE(d): Simple Truths For Going Easier On Yourself, Embracing Imperfection & Loving Your Way To A Better Life. Humble offers insightful stories from his own deeply personal experience with love and down-to-earth advice on the most important lesson he’s ever learned: love isn’t found or earned, it’s realized.

Connect with Humble

-Website: https://www.humblethepoet.com/

-New Book: https://bit.ly/3GsmSlT

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humblethepoet/

-Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/humblethepoet

-YouTube: https://bit.ly/3IzAJtt

Pre-order my upcoming book! Men’s Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/

Did you enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the self-leadership they’re looking for.

Are you looking to find purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today. 

Check out our Facebook Page or the Men’s community.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify

For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter   

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Instagram Feed

ManTalks © 2025 |  Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer

ManTalks © 2025

Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer