Man of the Year - Champions of Friendship
Episodes
#85 - Hot Friendship Summer
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What can we learn from our summer camp experiences that will help us be better friends? Karo and Matt discuss why summer is the most social season, ho...
#84 - Mastering the Art of Small Talk
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Some people hate small talk. But frankly all of us could do a bit better and use it more as an opportunity to spark the beginnings of a friendship. Le...
#83 - Friendship Goals: Achieving "Tenure"
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Buddies you’ve known so long they’re now obligated to be in your life are known as tenured friends. You know where you stand with them and they ha...
#82 - What Jalen Bruson and Josh Hart's Friendship Can Teach Us
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Knicks are not only winning but they are doing it with a group of long time bffs. Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Dante DiVincenzo aren't just teamma...
#81 - Your 2024 Wedding Season Survival Guide
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Another year has gone by and another set of friends is taking the plunge this summer. From making a toast to making out with a bridesmaid, Karo and Ma...
#80 - Unfriendly Competition
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Fine Line Between Friendly Competition and Jealousy towards Friends. We believe a little healthy competition between friends has a lot of benefits...
#79 - From Fringe Friends To Binge Friends
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you take someone from your outer circle and upgrade them to a homie you hang out with all the time? Today on the pod Karo and Matt teach you ho...
#78 - Good Gossip
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On our latest episode, we dive into a hot take from Gayle King and the Giggly Squad that posits there is a benefit to gossip! Are there times where it...
#77 - Jay Shetty and Tony Soprano walk into a bar...
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tony Soprano says that “remember when” is the lowest form of conversation and Jay Shetty says that instead of relieving old memories we should be ...
#76 - Going into Business with Friends
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We get into the pros and pitfalls of starting a business with a friend. It can be very rewarding but there are a lot of things that you need to be awa...
#75 - How To Make Time For Friends
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Time is truly the only nonrenewable resource, so Karo and Matt ask the important questions: How much time should you be spending with your friends? Wh...
#74 - The Outer Circle
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We think of them as casual friends, work buddies, etc. But research has shown weak social ties are even more important than our intimate friendships a...
#73 - The Return of Friendship Cuffing Season!
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Spring has sprung, which means it’s the ideal time to get out there and meet new friends using our patented (not really) Man of the Year formula. Fi...
#72 - The Big Sick
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Getting sick is a bummer. Especially when you have an event you're supposed to go to or a friend that was relying on you. But sometimes you have to li...
#71 - It’s Man of the Year March Madness!
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Karo and Matt introduce their inaugural Best Friends Bracket – a March Madness-style competition to find the best buds in buddy comedy history. Will...
#70 - Boys Nights
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A recent article suggests that men's health would be greatly improved if they had at least TWO boys nights per WEEK. We swear we didn't write the arti...
#69 - Friendship in the Age of AI
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If there was an AI chatbot with two settings – Karo and Matt – how quickly would you delete it and go outside and touch grass? The guys tackle thi...
Five Tickets Left For Our Los Angeles Show!
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Guys there are only a few tickets left for our show at the Netflix is a Joke comedy festival on May 8th in Los Angeles! GET TICKETS NOW @ manoftheyear...
#68 - Accountability Partners
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo tackle an article about ritualized intimacy. It's not what it sounds like ;) Accountability partners are currently enjoying a rise in po...
#67 - Friendship Wisdom For The WAGS
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt is walking on eggshells as he reveals to Karo his deepest, darkest, most disgusting secret. The guys also offer advice to all the wives and girlf...
#66 - Happy Valentines, Galentines and Palentines Day
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Valentines Day to all the lovers out there and Happy Galentines, Malentines or Palentines Day to those who celebrate, which is probably not that...
#65 - Not Another Travis Kelce / Taylor Swift Episode
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s Super Bowl week and Karo and Matt are once again tackling (see what we did there) the role of sports in friendship. The guys also discuss murde...
#64 - The Secret to Making Work Friends with Smiley Poswolsky
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Karo and Matt interview millennial workplace expert and man with best nickname ever Smiley Poswolsky. They discuss work besties, remote vs. hybrid, an...
Netflix Is A Joke - Tickets On Sale Now!
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Huge news! Matt and Karo are taking Man of the Year to the stage at Netflix Is A Joke - the largest comedy festival in the world - on May 8th in Los A...
#63 - A Not So Simple Favor
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo discuss the fraught topic of favors: asking for them, doing them, and (sometimes) charging for them. We all need a favor at some point. ...
#62 - Matt and Karo Get Canceled (On)
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The guys discuss when to say no to plans with friends, when to say yes, and when to cancel. Karo also belatedly declines a Bat Mitzvah invitation and ...
#61 - Introverts vs. Extroverts with Kat Vellos
09 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Karo and Matt interview Kat Vellos, the go-to source for guidance about cultivating meaningful friendships and healthy workplace colleagueships. They ...
#60 - Matt and Karo’s New Year’s Res-BRO-lutions (TM)
02 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The guys ring in 2024 by sharing their resolutions for the new year. As usual, Karo started his three months early and Matt practices his own brand of...
#59 - How to Make Friends as an Adult: The Three Pillars of Friendship with Shasta Nelson
26 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo may play friendship experts on TV but today they interview real life friendship expert Shasta Nelson, who drops all kinds of knowledge a...
#58 - What Is Your Friendship Love Language?
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo seek words of affirmation as they discuss gift-giving and love languages. The guys also debate White Elephant parties, women buying diam...
#57 - Rolling Solo with Gabe Mollica
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo interview comedian Gabe Mollica, whose one-man show SOLO is taking the country by storm. Things go a bit off the rails though once the g...
#56 - American High with Jeremy Garelick & Will Phelps
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did you peak in high school? Today on the pod Matt and Karo interview two people who definitely did not: Jeremy Garelick and Will Phelps of American H...
#55 - Devon Werkheiser Declassified
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo interview Devon Werkheiser of Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide on Nickelodeon – and the only former child star who’s neither...
#54 - Trophy Life – The 20th Annual Man of the Year Dinner
21 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the Tuesday before Thanksgiving – aka our Super Bowl! Matt, Karo, and the rest of their childhood crew gather at Peter Luger Steak House in B...
#53 - The Pride of Plainview
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the week before Thanksgiving and Matt and Karo are headed home to Long Island to talk bagels, New York accents, and setting the alarm off when ...
#52 - Getting FUBAR with Travis Van Winkle
07 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo interview actor, mentor, and – according to Karo – full on smoke show Travis Van Winkle. They discuss Travis’s new Netflix show FU...
#51 - Slenderman of the Year
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Halloween! Matt and Karo discuss why October 31st is one of the best days of the year to make friends. They also chat about murder houses, Karo’...
#50 - The Man of the Year 50th Episode Friendtacular!
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo celebrate one year working in the most respected field in America: Podcasting. The guys look back at their first 50 episodes – the tip...
#49 - How To Teach Your Kids About Friendship
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo always say it’s never too late to make a new friend, but is it ever too early? The guys discuss making friends as little kids, give so...
#48 - Country Club Adjacent with Griff Pippin!
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo welcome their first-ever in-studio guest – Griff Pippin: comedian, scratch golfer, and one fourth of the golf comedy podcast Country C...
#47 - Becoming BFFs with Bumble’s Beth Berger
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo interview Beth Berger, the head of the hottest friendship app in town – Bumble For Friends. Beth and the guys discuss how to choose th...
#46 - The Eternal Question: Can Men And Women Be Friends?
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo expand their pool of potential friends to the opposite sex, and navigate the tricky waters of making female friends. In other news, Matt...
#45 - Talking Faith and Friendship with Rabbi Steve Leder
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo talk to Steve Leder, one of the country’s most influential rabbis, about how men can rethink their relationships, what the Bible can t...
#44 - Matt and Karo Go To Therapy!
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Karo surprises Matt by embarking on his own mental health journey and they discuss how therapy can help you be a better friend. The guys also discuss ...
#43 - Be the CFO – Chief Friendship Officer – of your life!
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo bestow new titles on themselves: CFOs, aka Chief Friendship Officers. The guys discuss the importance of treating your friendships like ...
#42 - What To Do When Friends Withdraw
29 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Man of the Year enters its Blue Period as Matt and Karo discuss the reasons why guys withdraw from their friendships – and how you can help a buddy ...
#41 - O Sister, Where Art Thou?
22 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo discuss those friends that are hiding in plain sight: Your siblings. Whether it’s long family road trips in the car or having your sis...
#40 - Victory! Chopping It Up With Entourage Creator Doug Ellin
15 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo talk to fellow Long Island boy Doug Ellin about creating Entourage, owning a professional pickleball team, and still having the same fri...
#39 - Nous Devrions Être Amis (We Should Be Friends)
08 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo go global as they tackle solo travel and making friends in other countries. Matt picks up hitchhikers in Australia and tries to order co...
#38 - Somebody Friend Phil with special guest Phil Rosenthal
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo welcome Phil Rosenthal, legendary creator of Everybody Loves Raymond and star of Somebody Feed Phil, to share his thoughts on food, frie...
#37 - The Unsurprisables
25 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo discuss the lost art of surprising your buddies – when to show up unannounced, how to throw a trauma-free surprise party, and why some...
#36 - Won’t You Be My Neighbor – The Friend Next Door
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes they bring over pie, sometimes they steal your mail, but they’re always a good potential source of new friends. Matt and Karo discuss neig...
#35 - Target Runs With Your Bros – In Defense Of The Low-Key Hang
11 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Don’t have time for a full-fledged bro-hang? Matt and Karo discuss the art of the “low-key hang” – low-pressure excursions like running errand...
#34 - How To Get Set Up On A Man Date
04 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Friendship Billionaires Matt and Karo discuss applying the principles of dating to making new friends. They also try their very first set-up. Listener...
#33 - Take Pride In Your Friendships with special guests Tien Tran and Pat Shin!
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Pride! In honor of this special occasion, token straights Matt and Karo have handed their show over to not one but two very special guests: Tien...
#32 - Friendship Means Sometimes Having To Say You’re Sorry
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo discuss the lost art of apologizing to your friends – when to say you’re sorry, how, and why. The guys also share apologies they’v...
#31 - Parent Trap – How To Make Sure Your Childless Friends Feel Included
13 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the world Brenner Ritter! Matt celebrates the birth of his son and his very first Father’s Day while Karo learns what “centimeters dila...
#30 - Slay Your Friendship Vampires!
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo discuss the ideal friendship where both guys contribute equally – what they call “amBROdextrous.” The guys also break down planner...
#29 - Friendship Is A Marathon Not A Sprint
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Karo will try anything twice – in this case the LA Marathon, which he did NOT train for either time. Matt comes to cheer him on and loves any major ...
#28 - Is The Term “Best Friend” Toxic?
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo reveal who their best friends are and let’s just say things get a little awkward. The guys also debate how long it takes to make a bes...
#27 - Couple Friend Chemistry – How To Double Date Like A Pro
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt discusses how he and his wife choose couple friends while Karo offers the perspective of a bachelor. The guys also decry the proliferation of Mea...
#26 - Natural Born Planners – How To Get Your Friend Crew Together
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo discuss the lost art of making plans. Karo employs his deranged “seven-layer dip” planning algorithm and Matt flies by the seat of h...
#25 - Friend Request: Social Media Do’s and Don’ts
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is Instagram bringing us together or turning us all into lonely narcissists with body dysmorphia – Matt and Karo debate the pros and cons of social ...
#24 - Find Out Your Social Fitness Score!
26 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo take inventory of their friendships to determine their respective social fitness scores, and the results surprise even them. The guys al...
#23 - It’s Friendship Cuffing Season!
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo introduce the concept of Friendship Cuffing Season – the ideal time to use our tips / hacks to make new friends for summer! Also, Matt...
#22 - This Harvard Study Reveals The Secret To Happiness (Spoiler Alert: It’s Friendship)
11 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo debut the concept of “social fitness” – because the longest study on human life ever conducted reveals that positive relationships...
#21 - The Cold Plunge Of Friendship
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The guys talk vulnerability, tough guys, and bro-hugs. Also, Karo almost becomes best friends with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Matt learns a new term th...
#20 - Eight-Minute Calls: The Secret To Effective Friendship Communication
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt just wants to shoot the breeze but Karo has a hard out. The guys debate the statute of limitations for introducing yourself, what to call Yugosla...
#19 - The 10-Step Method Guaranteed To Make New Friends!
21 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt gets jealous because Karo used all of their tips / hacks to make a new friend. The guys also discuss Millennial baby names, converting to Judaism...
#18 - Five Ways Gen Z Fails At Friendship!
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo are shooketh from a listener question about adult circumcision! The guys also discuss having friends that are younger or older than you,...
#17 - The #1 Secret to Supporting Your Friends: Be Their Cheerleader
07 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo discuss the fine art of cheerleading – pumping your friends up when they need it (and even when they don’t). Whether you’re watchi...
#16 - Would You Lie For Your Friends?
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo discuss some of the unwritten rules of friendship etiquette. Do you stop or snub when you see a friend in the street? Do you alert the c...
#15 - Man’s Best Friend - Matt DESTROYS Karo’s five complaints about pet owners
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s our most controversial episode ever! Matt and Karo debate the pros and cons of pet ownership and discuss how animals can both be great friends ...
#14 - Best Under The Radar Places To Meet New Friends
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The tailgate. The barbershop. The Elks lodge. Finding your “third place” – somewhere besides home or work where people gather and socialize – ...
#13 - The Super Bowl of Friendship - Why Sports Matters in Friendship
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pick-up basketball games. Super Bowl Sunday. Magic the Gathering tournaments. Sports – no matter how you define them – are an integral part of fri...
#12 - Where Should You Go to Make Friends - Try the "Third Place"
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo discuss the importance of your “third place” – a place besides home and work where people gather and socialize. Matt also reveals ...
#11 - Ditch your Friend for a First Class Upgrade - Do's and Don'ts of Traveling with Friends
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Traveling with your friends is rife with potential landmines but Matt and Karo help you get there in one piece, including rules for flying, houseguest...
#10 - My Best Friend’s Wedding Do’s and Don’ts
17 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Black tie optional. No kids allowed. Irish goodbyes encouraged. Strict seating arrangements. Matt and Karo discuss proper wedding etiquette when your ...
#9 - What To Do When Friendships End
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Unfortunately, not every friendship can last forever. The guys discuss some of their friendship fails and what they can learn from them. They also dis...
#8 - Whatever Happened To Work Friends?
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Wall Street Journal says people aren’t interested in making friends on the job anymore. Matt and Karo beg to differ and offer some tips on how t...
#7 - The New York Times Asks Us For Friendship Advice!
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We made it, Ma! The guys discuss their recent write-up in the New York Times. They also debate whether Karo should get a shark or a duck tattoo, Matt ...
#6 - Holiday Friendship Survival Guide - Don't Spike the Eggnog
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s our holiday episode! Matt and Karo discuss the best holiday to make new friends. The guys also debate whether thread count is a myth, Matt defe...
#5 - Open Bar Funeral? How To Be There For Grieving Friends
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Karo get (sorta) serious about being there for your friends when someone kicks the bucket. The guys also plan their own open bar funerals, Ma...
#4 - Divorce Party, Saving the Marriage, or Sleeping with the Enemy – How Do You Handle Your Friend’s Spouse?
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hide your kids hide your wife (because we’re talking about them). Matt and Karo debate whether it’s better to be friends with your wife’s friend...
#3 - Skydiving, Surprise Party, or Schadenfreude – How Do You Celebrate Your Friends?
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrate good times, come on! Matt and Karo debate the difference between a soft pass and a soft maybe. They also discuss Eyes Wide Shut masks, how l...
#2 - How Do You Meet New Friends? The Gym, The Grocery Store, or Hiding in the Bushes
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Let’s talk making new friends! Matt and Karo debate the difference between good stalking and bad stalking. They also discuss adult playdates, WeWork...
#1 - Which Friend Are You? Life of the Party, Secret Keeper, or Mother Hen
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s our first episode!! Matt and Karo debate who is the Friend of Pleasure and who is the Friend of Utility. They also discuss the types of friends...