The Art of Manliness
Episodes
#559: How to Handle Difficult Conversations
11 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Asking for a raise. Disagreeing with your boss. Telling your neighbor that their dog's barking is bothering you. Talking about money with your spouse....
#558: The Strenuous President
06 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the first year of his presidency, the press used Theodore Roosvelt's name in connection with the word "strenuous" over 10,000 times. He was known a...
#557: Grow, Adapt, and Reinvent Yourself Through Ultralearning
04 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us want to learn a new skill or master a new area of expertise, either to further or change our career or simply for the sake of personal fulf...
#556: How to Find Your Calling in Life
30 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Nearly everyone has experienced the sense of being nudged and prompted to take certain actions. These intuitive hints can spur us to do big things lik...
#555: Dandelion Children vs. Orchid Children
28 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
You've probably observed families in which one of the kids is super resilient and easy-going while the other is super sensitive and anxious. Same fami...
#554: Babe Ruth and the World He Made
23 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Sultan of Swat. The Colossus of Clout. The King of Crash. The Great Bambino. Babe Ruth died over 70 years ago, but his legend still lives on in bi...
#553: How to Become Indistractable
21 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you struggle with feeling distracted, you likely think that modern technology is to blame, and that if your phone wasn't so infuriatingly desirable...
#552: How to Optimize Your Metabolism
16 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you struggle to lose weight, you may blame an inherently slow metabolism. But is your metabolism really to blame, and can you increase it in order ...
#551: Inside the Gangsters' Code
14 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Lou Ferrantewas a mobster who worked for the Gambino crime family and made a trade out of hijacking trucks loaded with expensive goods. Eventually, th...
#550: How to Strengthen Your Marriage Against Divorce
09 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
While the divorce rate has fallen over the last several decades, plenty of couples still don't pass the test of time. Fortunately, the odds as to whet...
#549: Leadership Lessons from the Gridiron's Greatest Coaches
07 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Why do some NFL teams dominate year after year? Some would chalk it up to talent, but my guest today says it all comes down to the culture the head co...
#548: How to Start and Sustain Conversations
02 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Whether sitting next to someone on the subway, mingling at a wedding, or chatting around the water cooler, chances to make conversation and new friend...
#547: Achieving Success Through the Pursuit of Fulfillment
30 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The standard route to success in modern life goes as follows: work hard in high school, score high on your SAT, get into a good college, do well in yo...
#546: How to Get a Memory Like a Steel Trap
25 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever walked into a room to get something, only to forget why you walked into that room in the first place? Do you constantly forget where you...
#545: How Not to Get Scammed, Conned, or Duped
23 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When you think about people getting scammed, you probably think of the elderly getting conned out of money over the phone.But my guest today says that...
#544: The Audacious Life of Winston Churchill
18 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When we seek an example of great leadership, one man who often comes to mind is Winston Churchill -- the iconic, visionary prime minister, who guided ...
#543: Learn the System for Getting Things Done
16 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Over ten years ago, I read the book Getting Things Done by David Allen. I've been using the tactics and strategies that he laid out in the book in man...
#542: When Breath Becomes Air
11 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When Paul Kalanathi was 36 years old, he was on the cusp of finishing a decade's worth of training to become a neurosurgeon -- a profession he felt ca...
#541: The Art of Noticing
09 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Quick, name the president who's on the dime. Or think about the letters and numbers on your license plate. Were you stumped for a moment? That's the s...
#540: How to Be a More Compelling Person
04 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We all know people who have a certain magnetism and charisma. What is it exactly that makes them so compelling?My guest today explores that question i...
#539: Life Hacking, A Reexamination
02 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In an effort to get more done and be our best selves, many of us have turned to "life hacks" that we find in blogs, books, and podcasts. I've personal...
#538: Research-Backed Answers to All Your Fitness FAQs
28 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Which should you do first when you work out -- cardio or weights? How long does it take to get in shape? How long does it take to get out of shape? Ho...
#537: How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
26 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius was one of the last Stoic philosophers and today is arguably the best known. Thanks to his personal writings that eventu...
#536: How to Achieve a "Rich Life" With Your Finances
21 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you've read a lot of personal finance advice, you know that it usually concentrates on what you can't do -- what you shouldn't buy and how you shou...
#535: The Problem of Self-Help in a Liquid Age
19 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Self-help gurus, life coaches, and business consultants love to tell us that we must strive for constant self-improvement to realize our full potentia...
#534: How Navigation Makes Us Human
14 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you're like most people these days, you probably rely on the turn-by-turn directions given by a smartphone app to navigate to where you want to go....
#533: How to Be a Time Warrior
12 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you struggle with procrastination, goal-setting, and generally moving ahead in life, the heart of your struggles may be your view of time. More spe...
#532: How to Create a Neighborhood Where Kids Play Outside
07 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Listen as you drive through most neighborhoods in America these days and you might notice something missing: the shrieks and laughter of kids playing ...
#531: How to Best Harness Your Willpower
05 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Many of our goals in life -- from losing weight to saving more money -- require willpower. But what is willpower anyway, why does it feel like it fail...
#530: How to Get More "Aha" Insights
31 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
You've probably experienced a few aha moments in your life. Moments where an idea for a new business or piece of art, or a solution to a sticky techni...
#529: The Money Scripts That Are Holding Back Your Financial Future
29 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you struggle with getting your financial house in order, you may feel that what you need is more information on how things like stocks or IRAs or b...
#528: Become a More Competent Human Through Micromastery
24 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The author Robert Heinlein famously said: “A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a b...
#527: Father Wounds, Male Spirituality, and the Journey to the Second Half of Life
22 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
How does the way men experience spirituality differ from the way women engage it? What obstacles particularly keep men from experiencing greater meani...
#526: The Rise and Fall of the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History
17 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
For nearly 400 years, the Comanche tribe controlled the southern plains of America. Even as Europeans arrived on the scene with guns and metal armor, ...
#525: How to Stress Proof Your Body and Brain
15 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Oftentimes, our ancient brains don't seem well equipped to deal with the speed and complexities of modernity. The landscape bombards us with perceived...
#524: Boxing Trainer Teddy Atlas on What It Means to Be a Man
10 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Teddy Atlas was born to a well-respected doctor in a wealthy part of Staten Island. Most kids like him end up going to an Ivy League school to become ...
#523: How to Keep a Happy Relationship Happy
08 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Most marriage and relationship advice books focus on solving problems. But my guests today argue that we shouldn't wait until problems arise in our re...
#522: What Is Wit and Why Does the World Need It?
03 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When you think about wit, what comes to mind? Someone who's quick with a funny remark?My guest today says that while humor is one part of wit, it's re...
#521: The 5 Universal Laws of Success
01 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We're told that talent and hard work pays off. But we've all seen instances where people who were equally or even less talented and hard working than ...
#520: The Surprising Origins and Prevalence of Bigorexia and Male Body Image Issues
26 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We typically associate body image issues with women. But my guest today says that a quarter of people with eating disorders are male and that there ar...
#519: How to Start Your Own Farm
24 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever been sitting at your office desk and found yourself daydreaming about becoming a farmer? My guest today has written a practical, all-enc...
#518: The Quest for a Moral Life
19 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever feel like you're spinning your existential wheels in life? That outwardly, you seem to be doing ok, but inwardly, you feel kind of empty? ...
#517: What Big-Time Catastrophes Can Teach Us About How to Improve the Systems of Our Lives
17 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Whenever a financial or technological disaster takes place, people wonder if it could have possibly been averted. My guests today say that the answer ...
#516: How to Lead an Unstoppable Team
12 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
All of us will take on leadership roles at some point in our lives. What can you do to ensure your team performs at its highest level?My guest today a...
#515: Aristotle's Wisdom on Living the Good Life
10 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
What does it mean to live a good life? How can we achieve that good life? These are questions a Greek philosopher explored over 2,000 years ago in his...
#514: Remembering D-Day 75 Years Later
05 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings at Normandy. This amphibious Allied effort comprised a joint effort between British, Canadi...
#513: Be Your Own Bodyguard
03 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever been at an event with a prominent person like a politician, celebrity, or business executive, you’ve likely noticed the dudes weari...
#512: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
29 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We often think that to become a success in today’s modern world, you have to specialize and specialize early. My guest today makes the case that, ac...
#511: Mastering the Psychology of Investing
28 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to investing, your brain can be your best friend or your worst enemy. My guest today explains how, and what you can do to ensure your br...
#510: The Greatest Battle of the Korean War
22 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Korean War is often overlooked by Americans. But this forgotten war played a big role in shaping the world order in the second half of the 20th ce...
#509: Good Shame; Bad Shame
20 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the modern age, shame is often seen as an unmitigated bad. According to this popular view, all shame is negative and toxic and steps should be take...
#508: Break Out of Your Cage and Stop Being a Human Zoo Animal
15 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The human body is capable of doing a wide variety of movements, in a variety of environments. But my guest today argues that most modern people only d...
#507: How to Increase Your Personal Agency
13 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Many people today are feeling stressed or overwhelmed by life. The typical approach to treating these issues is to learn how to manage one's symptoms ...
#506: How to Improve Your Speaking Voice
08 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to your personal presentation, there’s one aspect that often gets overlooked: your voice. Your voice is a big part of what makes you, ...
#505: A Man's Need for Ritual
06 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
For thousands of years, men's lives were structured by rituals -- rituals that helped them mark significant events, make sense of the world, and move ...
#504: How an Olympic Marathoner Trains, Eats, Recovers, and Stays Mentally Strong
01 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The marathon race is one of sport's most physically demanding events. To not just complete a marathon to but to compete in the race at its highest lev...
#503: The Case for the 24/6 Lifestyle
29 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We live in a world where it’s possible to work ourselves 24/7. Even when you’re away from the office, work still follows you on your smartphone. B...
#502: Why You Should Talk to Strangers
24 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Talking to new people can lead to making new connections and learning interesting things, and simply makes both you and the person you talk with happi...
#501: Zero to Hero: From Bullied Kid to Medal of Honor Recipient
22 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
As a boy, Allen J. Lynch was a severely bullied and aimless kid growing up in the industrial neighborhoods of Chicago's South Side. He went on to serv...
#500: Let's Talk About Death Over Dinner
17 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When you invite people over for a dinner party, you likely think of some delightful conversation topics to bring up to keep your guests engaged. My gu...
#499: A Fascinating Primer on Norse Mythology
15 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The world of Norse mythology and legend is a thoroughly fascinating one, and my guest has captured it in all its compelling mystery in his book which ...
#498: Lessons in Persistence From Climber Tommy Caldwell
10 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, there was a wall that had never been climbed, and that some said would never be climbed. It’s called the Da...
#497: The Meaning, Manifestations, and Treatments for Anxiety
08 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
According to recent statistics, the number of Americans dealing with anxiety disorders is over 40 million and that number is increasing. My guest toda...
#496: What Plato's Republic Has to Say About Being a Man
03 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Plato’s Republic is a seminal treatise in Western political philosophy and thought. It hits on ideas that we’re still grappling with in our own ti...
#495: Wish You Had More Time? What You Really Want is More Memories
01 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When you ask people about their schedules, they'll typically tell you they're very busy, and don't have enough time for sleep or for leisure activitie...
#494: The Inspiring Story of One of WWII's Greatest Tank Gunners
27 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Recently, I participated in the AoM podcast's first live audience interview. It took place at Magic City Books here in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and joining me...
#493: 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die
25 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
There are over a hundred million books in existence. And the average person only has 8 decades in which to read them. So which books should you choose...
#492: How to Survive a Secret Syrian Terrorist Prison
20 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Matthew Schrier was on his way home from Syria after spending months photographing the war going on there, when, just 45 minutes from the safety of th...
#491: Everything You Know About Passion is Wrong
18 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
"Passion" is a word that's been thrown around a lot in the last few decades. People have a vague notion that passion is a very good thing, and that th...
#490: Can You Learn to Be Lucky?
13 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
There's no doubt that luck plays a role in how successful we are in life, but the more we believe in luck, the less motivated we feel to proactively g...
#489: How to Get a Handle on Your Anger
11 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve been trying to get a handle on your anger, you’ve likely read tips for calming down like taking a deep breath and counting to ten.My gue...
#488: Fasting as a Spiritual Discipline
06 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The health benefits of fasting from food have gotten a lot of attention in the last several years. What's often forgotten in these discussions, howeve...
#487: Leadership Lessons From the 3 Greatest Ancient Commanders
04 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Alexander the Great, Hannibal, and Julius Caesar. Three of the greatest generals of antiquity. But what made them great and what can we learn from the...
#486: How to Get Better at Making Life-Changing Decisions
27 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
How do you make the biggest decisions you face, the ones that have significant consequences and can change your life? Choices like whether to get marr...
#485: Why Visiting Dark Places Is Good for the Soul
25 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When you go on vacation, you probably travel to places that help you feel good, relax, and have fun. My guest today likes to visit places where great ...
#484: A Man's Search for Meaning Inside the Ring
20 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you've never been in a fight before, have you ever wondered how you’d respond to getting punched in the face?My guest today found the experience ...
#483: What Really Works for Exercise Recovery?
18 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the past few years, sports recovery has become a big business. Elite athletes and weekend warriors alike are spending lots of time and money on thi...
#482: The Power of Penmanship
13 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the 21st century, most of our written communication is done through typing on a computer or tapping digital buttons on a smartphone screen. But my ...
#481: Building Financial Independence Beyond the Stock Market
11 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Financial independence is a goal for a lot of folks. But what does it take to get there? My guest today explores that question on his website, Financi...
#480: Hiking With Nietzsche
06 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Friedrich Nietzsche is one of the most polarizing and misunderstood of modern philosophers. Dismissed by some and misinterpreted by others, the real p...
#479: Becoming a Digital Minimalist
04 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Practicing minimalism with your possessions has been a trend for the past decade, and it can be a worthy practice, as long as you use it as a means to...
#478: Mastering Mindset to Improve Happiness, Health, and Longevity
30 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Having a positive mindset comes with an unbelievable number of benefits, from better physical and mental health, to improved relationships and perform...
#477: The History and Future of America's Special Forces
28 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When people talk about military special forces, the Navy SEALs are often the first to come to mind. But there are several special forces in the milita...
#476: Are Modern People the Most Exhausted in History?
23 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
People often complain about being tired and burnt out these days from work and family responsibilities. We think it’s because of the way technology ...
#475: How to Lose Weight, and Keep It Off Forever
22 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re like a lot of men listening to this podcast, you’ve likely made it a goal to lose some weight this year. But if you’re also like a lot...
#474: The Surprises of Romantic Attraction
16 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
According to the popular, evolutionary theory of human attraction, people select romantic partners based on objective assessments of what's called the...
#473: The Solitude of a Fire Watcher
14 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Gila National Forest covers about 3.3 million acres in southwest New Mexico. During the dry summer season, wildfires pose a serious threat to the ...
#472: Reagan, the Man
09 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Like FDR or JFK, Ronald Reagan has become more of a symbol for many Americans than a flesh and blood person. For some he’s the embodiment of all tha...
#471: Using Mental Models to Make Better Decisions
07 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We live in a complex, fast-changing world. Thriving in this world requires one to make fast decisions with incomplete information. But how do you do t...
#470: A Proven System for Building and Breaking Habits
02 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a new year and if you’re like millions of people around the world, you’re likely making goals to create some new habits or to break some ba...
#469: How Valley Forge Turned the Tide of the Revolutionary War
23 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Eighteen months after the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Continental Army was on the ropes and the American Revolution was on the verge o...
#468: Does Meditation Deserve the Hype?
19 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this year, I did a show about the benefits of meditation. That’s episode #439 for those who want to check it out. Shortly after that intervi...
#467: 3 Big Questions to Help Frantic Families Get on Track
17 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Does your family life feel frantic?Does it seem like every week you and your wife are scrambling to manage all the stuff that’s going on like school...
#466: What It's Like to Become a Widower
12 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What’s it like for a man to lose the person at the very center of his life — his wife? Maybe you know firsthand, because you’ve lost a spouse yo...
#465: The Powerful Questions That Will Help You Decide, Create, Connect, and Lead
10 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
To move forward in life, we typically focus on finding answers. But my guest today argues we should spend more time asking questions. His name is Warr...
#464: What's Causing the Sex Recession?
05 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Studies show that people, especially young people, are having less sex than past generations did. While many may celebrate this decline as a good thin...
#463: The Friendship, Rivalry, and Leadership of WWII’s 3 Greatest American Generals
03 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Eisenhower, Patton, Bradley. Three great U.S generals that led the Allies to victory in Europe during WWII. But WWII wasn’t the first time these thr...
#462: How to Tell Better Stories
28 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Humans are storytelling and story-listening creatures. We use stories to teach, persuade, and to make sense of the complexities of existence. Being ab...
#461: The Spartan Regime
26 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
For thousands of years, the Spartans have captured the imaginations of Westerners. In ancient Greece, the city-state was admired for its military prow...
#460: The Eat, Sweat, Thrive Protocol for Tactical Athletes
21 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
First responders and members of the military have physically and mentally demanding jobs. To tackle those jobs effectively, they need to be in shape p...