The Preparation: An Adventure-Driven, Skill-Building Alternative to College for Young Men

episode

Previously titled “The Preparation — An Adventure-Driven, Skill-Building Alternative to College for Young Men” — renamed by the publisher on Aug 6, 2026

The Art of Manliness not yet transcribed

▲ 0

Transcript

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet Upvotes decide what gets transcribed next — 0 so far. Sign in to upvote

recent transcribed audio

NPR News: 09-22-2026 12PM EDT 5 min · 22 Sep 2026 · NPR News Now

12PM ET 09/22/2026 Newscast 3 min · 22 Sep 2026 · Fox News Hourly Update

Des Décisions Difficiles À Venir Pour Le Canadien | Le Sick Podcast Avec Tony Marinaro 22/09/26 1h 31m · 22 Sep 2026 · The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro / Le Sick Podcast avec Tony Marinaro

JTP: Bateman Hurt, 2027 Lookahead & Bisons’ Josh Winckowski 1h 39m · 22 Sep 2026 · Blue Jays Talk

ep 399 | What does a Fed hiking cycle mean for markets? 8 min · 22 Sep 2026 · On Point

Ep. 2065 - How They Legally Killed An 83-Year-Old Grandmother 46 min · 22 Sep 2026 · The Michael Knowles Show

Report any issue

Source

Recorded16 Sep 2025

Publisherpdrl.fm

Handlerec:11162697

Show notes

For generations, the path to adulthood was straightforward: go to college, get a job, build a life. But many young men are beginning to question the college component of that path; tuition keeps rising, A.I. has made the professional landscape more uncertain, and there's just a sense that after four years at college, guys graduate feeling like they haven't been very challenged, haven't much changed, and haven't gained a lot of real confidence, competence, and concrete know-how.My guest today, Matt Smith, has created an alternative to college — a 4-year, 16-cycle curriculum designed to shape participants into Renaissance Men: skilled, self-reliant, and grounded in character. Matt co-authored The Preparation with his son Maxim, who is currently working his way through the program.In the first half of our conversation, Matt shares what kickstarted this idea and what's lacking in the education model for young men today. We then turn to the nuts and bolts of The Preparation, and Matt walks us through several of the program’s hands-on cycles — including earning EMT certification, building a house, and training as a fighter in Thailand — and how gaining these real-world skills prepares a young man for whatever is next in life.After the show is over, check out the show notes at aom.is/thepreparationSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related