The Art of Manliness

The Art of Manliness Podcast aims to deepen and improve every area of a man's life, from fitness and philosophy, to relationships and productivity. Engaging and edifying interviews with some of the world's most interesting doers and thinkers drop the fluff and filler to glean guests' very best, potentially life-changing, insights.

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1,174 episodes
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Tuesday · 52 min
Restless, Rooted — What the Odyssey Reveals About Americans' Divided Souls
With the release of Christopher Nolan's adaptation of the Odyssey, it seems like everyone's been talking about a 3,000-year-old epic again. But my guest thinks this ancient tale offers a framework for understanding our modern lives that you probably haven't heard before. Patrick Deneen is a professor of political science and the author of American Odyssey. Today on the show, Patrick argues that Odysseus embodies a tension that has defined the human experience, and especially the American experience: we're both home-seeking and exploring, rooted and restless. We long to settle down somewhere, yet we're equally driven to push beyond the horizon in search of something new. Patrick shares how Alexis de Tocqueville made this observation about our country two centuries ago, how Odysseus navigates the temptation to become both more than human and less than human, and the surprising act Patrick thinks is the most heroic thing Odysseus does. We end our conversation with the idea that having a home can give us the confidence to explore, or as David Brooks put it, "All of life is a series of daring explorations from a secure base." Resources Related to the Podcast AoM Article: 3 Lessons From Homer’s Odyssey AoM Podcast #337: What Homer’s Odyssey Can Teach Us Today Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville "Ulysses" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson Connect With Patrick Deneen Patrick's faculty page Patrick's website American Odyssey's page on Creed and Culture's website 0:00 Intro & sponsor plugs 0:41 Patrick Deneen's American Odyssey & Nolan's film 2:28 Nolan's changes to Odysseus's character 4:56 Dante's Odysseus in hell 7:33 Why Odyssey keeps drawing Patrick back 13:02 The most American text: home-seeking vs exploring 17:15 Tocqueville's restless Americans 20:03 Restlessness as source of American unhappiness 21:03 Odysseus vs the temptation to be more/less than human 26:14 That temptation in modern American life 31:26 Odysseus's underworld talk with Achilles 39:41 What today's Americans can take from that 41:24 Does Odysseus stay home? The "sequels" to The Odyssey 45:49 Home as the foundation for risk-taking and adventure 51:14 Where to find the book See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
July 21 · 1 hr
The Secret Skills of Master Negotiators
When most people think of negotiation, they picture big, high-stakes moments: haggling over the price of a house, negotiating a starting salary, or hammering out the terms of a business deal. But negotiation is also something we do every day. It’s working out who’s taking on which chores with your spouse, convincing a coworker to help on a project, or even deciding where to go for dinner with friends. The better you understand negotiation — which is really about influencing other people’s decisions — the better you’ll be at navigating conflicts and opportunities both big and small. My guest has spent decades studying the art and science of wielding that influence. John Richardson teaches negotiation at MIT’s Sloan School of Management and is the co-author of Never Settle. Today on the show, John shares what he learned from negotiation legends like Roger Fisher, co-author of Getting to Yes, and FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss. He unpacks the skills of master negotiators, including how to build reciprocity, uncover what people actually want, and keep your emotions from hijacking your judgment. We also get into the part of negotiation that makes people the most uncomfortable: the back-and-forth over hard numbers like price and salary and how to handle those conversations with greater confidence and better results. Resources Related to the PodcastAoM Podcast #234: Haggling and Deal Making Advice From a FBI Hostage Negotiator (With Chris Voss) AoM Podcast #559: How to Handle Difficult Conversations (With Sheila Heen) Influence: The Essential Guide to the Psychology of Influence and Persuasion in Everyday Life by Robert B. Cialdini AoM Article: How Labeling Your Emotions Can Help You Take Control Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher Start with NO…The Negotiating Tools that the Pros Don’t Want You to Know by Jim Camp Connect With John Richardson Never Settle website John’s faculty page 0:00 Everyday Negotiation & Meet John Richardson 2:18 John's Path Into Negotiation 9:50 Why People Fear Negotiation 12:34 Roger Fisher's Philosophy (Getting to Yes) 17:46 Chris Voss & Hostage Negotiation Tactics 22:54 Give Them a Sandwich (Reciprocity) 30:06 Using Someone's Name 33:59 Managing Your Emotions 39:00 Figuring Out What Everyone Wants 46:29 Distributive Negotiation & Anchoring 54:52 Alternatives, Saying No & Closing See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
July 14 · 53 min
The Art of Easy Discipline
Most people assume that if a goal is hard to achieve, getting there has to feel hard too. We tend to believe that extraordinary results require extraordinary suffering. But my guest says the secret to success isn't gritting your teeth; it's making the path enjoyable. His name is Jia Jiang, and in his new book, Easy Discipline, he argues that consistency comes from designing your work and your life so that doing the right thing becomes something you actually want to do. Today on the show, Jia explains the difference between hard and easy discipline, why "eating bitterness" isn't the best way to go after your ambitions, and how to make your work feel more like play without lowering your standards. Along the way, we discuss Soviet hockey, Japanese tea ceremonies, rejection therapy, one-action goals, and the power of pursuing aims that are an expression of who you are. Resources Related to the Podcast Jia's previous book: Rejection Therapy Jia's 100 Days of Rejection Therapy videos, including asking for a "burger refill" AoM Article: Motivation Over Discipline AoM Podcast #954: The Feel-Good Method of Productivity Connect With Jia Jiang Jia on Substack Jia's website Jia on LinkedIn 0:00 Introduction to the AOM Podcast 0:41 Introducing Jia Jiang and Easy Discipline 1:36 Welcome Jia Jiang / The Myth of Sisyphus 6:05 Hard Discipline vs. Easy Discipline 9:36 Eating Bitterness 10:44 Soviet Hockey: Tarasov vs. Tikhonov 16:02 The EASY Framework: Enjoyment 31:02 Artistry and Ichi-go Ichi-e 33:54 Systems and One Action Goals 41:22 Repetition with Variation 44:18 Why: Being True to Yourself 52:33 Where to Find Jia Jiang's Work See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
July 7 · 50 min
Beyond Midlife Myths — Why Middle Age Can Be Your Prime Time
Many of us grow up believing that midlife is when things start going downhill. Your body's breaking down, your best work is behind you, and you may fall into a full-blown existential crisis. But a lot of what we think we know about midlife turns out to be based more on pop culture than actual research. My guest says the reality is much more encouraging. Her name is Margie Lachman. She's a professor of psychology, the Director of the Lifespan Lab at Brandeis University, and the author of Primetime: A New Vision for Midlife. Today on the show, Margie discusses what age range constitutes midlife — and how it's not just a matter of chronological age — and whether people really become less happy and experience a midlife crisis during these years. She explains the surprising ways your mind continues to improve even as some abilities slow down, and why this stage of life often represents a peak combination of creativity and judgment. We also talk about the real challenges that come with midlife and how adopting the right mindset and habits can mitigate those downsides while helping you make the most of what Margie argues can truly be a sweet spot in life — a time when you still have much of your physical and mental vitality, and it's coupled with seasoned experience and wisdom. Resources Related to the Podcast Seasons of a Man’s Life by Daniel Levinson AoM series on Levinson’s research Transformations: Growth and Change in Adult Life by Roger Gould Passages: Predictable Crises of Adult Life by Gail Sheehy AoM Podcast #598: Journeying From the First to the Second Half of Life With James Hollis AoM Podcast #776: How to Shift Out of the Midlife Malaise Connect With Margie Lachman Margie's website Margie's faculty page See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 30 · 1 hr 13 min
George Washington — The Man Behind the Monument
George Washington is perhaps the most familiar figure in American history. But most people really only know the image of him they see in marble statues and patriotic paintings. Behind those symbols was a real man: ambitious, self-taught, intensely concerned with honor, and constantly wrestling with the immense responsibilities history placed on his shoulders. In celebration of America's 250th birthday, we're taking an extended look at the life of the man more responsible than anyone else for the nation's founding. Here to unpack that life for us is H.W. Brands, a historian and the author of a new biography of Washington, American Patriarch. Brands traces Washington's journey from a young Virginia surveyor to military commander, founding father, and first president. Along the way, we discuss how Washington's upbringing shaped his character, why he became a surprisingly effective military leader despite losing more battles than he won, how he held together a fragile revolutionary army, how he shaped the presidency through the precedents he set, and whether a leader like Washington could still succeed today. Resources Related to the Podcast H.W.'s previous appearances on the AoM podcast: Episode #696: Theodore Roosevelt, The Last Romantic Episode #908: Would You Have Been a Patriot or a Loyalist? AoM Podcast #223: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and Valiant Ambition AoM Podcast #366: Teach Yourself Like George Washington AoM Podcast #719: The Surprising Pessimism of America’s Founding Fathers AoM Article: George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation Connect With H.W. Brands H.W. on Substack H.W.’s faculty page 00:00 Introduction 01:53 About the book American Patriarch 03:03 Washington's childhood & Virginia gentry upbringing 06:54 Self-education, surveying, and early ambition 11:47 First military mission to the Ohio country 17:11 The French and Indian War & Washington's baptism under fire 24:44 Washington marries Martha Custis 33:57 Washington takes command of the Continental Army 40:17 Military strategy: how Washington won by not losing 46:41 Holding the army together at Valley Forge 55:57 Washington as first president & setting precedents 1:09:56 The Farewell Address & legacy 1:10:15 What Washington teaches us today See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 23 · 33 min
The Retirement Trap — Should You Really Stop Working at 65?
The modern idea of retirement was built on a bet that turned out to be wrong. It assumed people would spend most of their lives working and only a relatively short period of time retired. Instead, many Americans now reach 65 healthy, active, and with an entire third of their life ahead of them. Yet we're still using a retirement model designed for a world in which old age was shorter and fewer people expected decades of life after leaving the workforce. My guest says that outdated assumption creates some unfortunate unintended consequences. It causes people to stress excessively about money, postpone meaningful experiences with family and friends, and sometimes sacrifice the very things that make life worth living in the first place. He argues that by rethinking retirement — not necessarily eliminating it, but reimagining it — we can enjoy more of our lives now while actually feeling more secure about the future. His name is Derek Coburn, and he's a financial advisor and the author of Let's Retire Retirement. Today on the show, Derek explains why the traditional retirement model came about, why it may no longer make sense for many people, and how working even a few years past 65 can dramatically change the math of retirement planning. We also discuss the surprising psychological challenges many people face after they stop working, why purpose matters more than leisure, and how thinking differently about retirement can free you up to spend more time on what matters most right now — whether that's traveling, strengthening your marriage, or making the most of the limited summers you have left with your kids. Connect With Derek Coburn Derek's website (including his retirement calculator) Derek on IG 0:00 - Introduction 1:22 - The Outdated Origins of Retirement (Bismarck's 1889 Social Insurance Plan) 4:12 - Why the Traditional Retirement Model Creates Stress and Anxiety 6:13 - The "Arrival Fallacy" — Why Retirement Isn't What You Think It Will Be 8:42 - The Psychological Crisis of Stopping Work Cold Turkey 11:05 - The Math: How Working 10 More Years Cuts Your Savings Requirement by 96% 13:21 - Enjoying Life NOW Instead of Deferring It to Retirement 14:22 - Maximizing the Limited Summers You Have with Your Kids 19:48 - Sponsor Break 20:07 - What If You Hate Your Job? Find One You "Don't Hate" 22:37 - Side Hustles as an On-Ramp to Work You Love 24:09 - Physical Jobs and Mandatory Retirement — What Then? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 16 · 58 min
Belonging Without Conforming — The Path From Pseudo Self to Solid Self
We all want two things that can seem at odds with each other: to be our own person and to belong. We want to stand apart from the crowd, but we also want to be connected to it. When that balance gets out of whack, we either lose ourselves in tribalism or drift into isolation. My guest today says many of the problems in modern life stem from our inability to hold these two impulses in tension. His name is Luke Burgis, and he’s the author of The One and the 99: Forging Identity in the Age of Social Contagion. Today on the show, Luke explains how becoming a true individual can give you the strength to be a part of a community. We discuss the difference between a solid self and a pseudo self — and what role families and rites of passage can play in moving us toward one or the other — why modern politics feels like a dysfunctional family, the dangers of performative religion, and much more. Resources Related to the PodcastLuke’s previous appearances on the AoM podcast: Episode #714: Why Do We Want What We Want? Episode #910: Thick Desires, Political Atheism, and Living an Anti-Mimetic Life The True Believer by Eric Hoffer Education of a Wandering Man by Louis L’Amour AoM Podcast #1,025: The Life and Legacy of Louis L’Amour AoM article with L’Amour’s weekly to-do lists AoM article and podcast about C.S. Lewis’ The Abolition of Man and the idea of objective value The Courage to Be by Paul Tillich The Quest for Community by Robert Nisbet AoM Podcast #847: Overdoing Democracy AoM Podcast #1,010: How to Resist Group Anxiety and Become a Differentiated Self AoM Article: Becoming a Well-Differentiated Leader Dying Breed article: A New Kind of Monasticism — The Power of Community to Shape the Soul The Rule of St. Benedict Connect With Luke Burgis Luke’s website Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MANLINESS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/MANLINESS Timestamps 0:00 Introduction 0:54 Guest Intro: Luke Burgis & The One and the 99 4:48 The Parable of the Lost Sheep & the Book's Framework 10:17 Defining the Self (vs. Identity & Soul) 14:37 The Pseudo Self Explained 19:40 How to Develop a Solid Self 25:35 Louis L'Amour & Education for a Solid Self 28:18 Curiositas vs. Studiositas (Ordered vs. Disordered Knowledge) 44:30 Tribalism, Politics, & the Pseudo Self 45:08 How Undifferentiation Fuels Political Dysfunction 51:13 Religion, Performative Piety & the Digital World 54:15 What Monasteries Teach Us About Community & Solid Selves See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 9 · 55 min
How to Try Again
Life rarely unfolds according to plan. A relationship implodes. A move or job change doesn't work out. Or you simply fail in a goal you've set for yourself. My guest has spent almost two decades researching and field-testing how to get back on track when smaller slip-ups and larger upheavals knock you off course. His name is Steve Kamb, and he's the founder of Nerd Fitness and the author of How to Try Again: An Approachable Guide to Navigating Chaos and Making Change THAT STICKS. Today on the show, Steve shares practical principles for dealing with life's frustrating and demoralizing setbacks. We discuss why sometimes the best move is to pause rather than push harder, how to accept reality without resigning yourself to it, why treating change as an experiment can help you beat paralysis and take action, why you should treat consistency with your goals the way you do showering, and more. Resources Related to the Podcast Steve's previous appearances on the AoM podcast: Episode #42: Level Up Your Life With Nerd Fitness & Steve Kamb Episode #170: Level Up Your Life Steve's AoM guest posts: Don’t Be That Guy: The Taxonomy of Lousy Male Friends How Superheroes, Movies, and Video Games Taught Me to Conquer Fear Nerd Fitness Museum of Failure Sunday Firesides: Good Times Are Not Around the Corner (And That's Great News!) Sunday Firesides: Treat Life Like an Experiment "Lightning Fields" by the Killers Connect With Steve Kamb Steve's website Steve on IG Steve on LinkedIn Steve on Substack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 2 · 58 min
Built to Walk — How Modern Shoes and Weak Feet Are Holding You Back
Walking is one of the most powerful health tools we have. It improves cardiovascular fitness, boosts mood, sharpens cognition, and can even be a predictor of how well you'll age. But all those benefits depend on something we rarely think about until it starts hurting: our feet. For many of us, walking is so automatic that we never consider the mechanics that make it possible. Yet the way we move, the shoes we wear, and the strength of the muscles in our feet can have a profound impact on how comfortably and efficiently we walk. When something goes wrong at our physical foundation, the effects can ripple upward, leading to pain not just in the feet, but in the knees, hips, and back. My guest today is Dr. Milica McDowell, a physical therapist and the co-author of the new book Walk. Today on the show, Milica explains why walking speed may be a hidden vital sign, what gives you your signature walking style, and how to spot and address injury-inducing inefficiencies in your gait. We then talk about feet: whether you should worry about pronation, how to rehab plantar fasciitis — and no, it's not stretching — the best kind of shoes to wear, and much more. Resources Related to the Podcast AoM Article: Solvitur Ambulando — It Is Solved By Walking AoM podcast episode with Manoush Zomorodi AoM Article: I Started Taking a Walk Every Morning. Here’s What Happened to My Health AoM Article: 20 Rules for Walking AoM podcast episode with Matt Fitzgerald Altra shoes Vivobarefoot Lems shoes (this is the pair Brett wears) Tyr weightlifting shoe Injinji toe socks Toe spacer Study on calf raise standards Connect With Milica McDowell Milica's website Milica on IG See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
May 26 · 1 hr 12 min
How to Turn a Boy Into a Man
Note: This is a rebroadcast. A lot of young men today struggle in finding their footing in adulthood. They feel lost, directionless, and unsure of who they are and how to confidently and competently navigate the world. Part of the reason for this is that most young men today lack something which was once a part of nearly every culture in the world, but has now almost entirely disappeared: a rite of passage. My guest today didn’t want his son to flounder on the way to maturity, nor to miss out on having an initiation into manhood, so he set out to create a 6-year journey for him that would help him move from boy to man. His name is Jon Tyson, and he’s the author of The Intentional Father: A Practical Guide to Raise Sons of Courage and Character. Today on the show, Jon unpacks the components of the years-long journey into manhood he created for his son, beginning with how he brainstormed those components by doing “The Day Your Son Leaves Home” exercise. We then discuss how old Jon’s son was when he started his rite of passage and why it began with him having a “severing dinner” with his mom. We get into what his rite of passage consisted of, from the kickoff ceremony to the challenges, experiences, trips, and daily rituals Jon used to impart values and teach his son the “5 Shifts of Manhood.” Jon shares how moving his son’s focus from being a good man, to being good at being a man, helped him get remotivated to continue the process, why his rite of passage included a gap year after high school, and how Jon celebrated the end of his son’s journey into becoming a man. We also discuss whether Jon did something similar with his daughter. We end our conversation with some key principles any dad can use to start intentionally helping their kids become well-rounded individuals who can confidently step out on their own and into the world. Resources Related to the Podcast AoM Article: The Importance of Fathers AoM Article: The Importance of Male Rites of Passage AoM Article: Male Rites of Passage From Around the World AoM Article & Podcast: Man’s Need for Ritual AoM Series on the origins, elements, and future of manhood AoM Article: The 7 Habits — Begin With the End in Mind AoM Article: The 3 Families Every Young Man Needs to Grow Up Well James Hollis AoM Article: Carry the Fire Art of Manliness’ Carry the Fire Zippo Lighter AoM Article: What Is Manliness? AoM Podcast #527 With Richard Rohr The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact by Chip and Dan Heath The Way of Men by Jack Donovan AoM Podcast #49 With Jack Donovan AoM Series on the Four Archetypes of the Mature Masculine AoM Article: 100 Skills Every Man Should Know AoM Article: 80+ Quotes on Men & Manhood Connect With Jon Tyson Primal Path Jon on Twitter Jon on IG 0:00 Introduction 0:29 Guest Introduction: John Tyson & The Intentional Father 2:28 The Research on Fatherless Boys 4:54 What Men Lack Without a Rite of Passage 8:37 The "Day Your Son Leaves Home" Exercise 10:47 Building an Asset Map & Community of Fathers 13:37 The Severing Dinner with Mom 17:10 The Beach Initiation Ceremony at Age 13 20:42 Taking Your Son Back to Your Roots 28:14 The Five Shifts of Manhood 31:52 Daily Morning Talks, Books & Movies 42:32 Good Man vs. Good AT Being a Man 46:28 The Archetypes: Lover, Leader, Warrior, Brother, Sage 50:01 The Life Arc Interview 56:03 The Gap Year as the Ordeal 1:01:16 The Capstone Ceremony on the Camino de Santiago 1:04:44 Doing Something Similar for His Daughter 1:09:09 Key Principles Any Dad Can Start With Today That's 17 — let me trim to the 12 most distinct: 0:00 Introduction & Why Rites of Passage Have Disappeared 2:28 The Research on Fatherless Boys 4:54 What Men Lack Without a Rite of Passage 8:37 The "Day Your Son Leaves Home" Exercise 13:37 The Severing Dinner & Beach Initiation Ceremony 20:42 Taking Your Son Back to Your Roots 28:14 The Five Shifts of Manhood 31:52 Daily Talks, Books & Movies 42:32 Good Man vs. Good at Being a Man 50:01 The Life Arc Interview 56:03 The Gap Year as the Ordeal 1:01:16 The Capstone Ceremony & Key Principles for Any Dad See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
May 19 · 58 min
Inside With the Old Breed — A Conversation With Eugene Sledge’s Son
With the Old Breed is widely considered one of the greatest war memoirs ever written. Penned by Eugene Sledge, a Marine who fought with the 1st Division — the old breed — in the Pacific campaigns of Peleliu and Okinawa, the book is unflinching, deeply human, and so vividly written that you can practically feel the heat, mud, exhaustion, and terror coming off the page. But Sledge wasn't a professional writer. He was a biology professor who started jotting notes on scraps of paper tucked inside the New Testament he carried in his breast pocket. He wrote the book decades later, partly to process his own trauma, partly to leave a record for his sons. One of those sons is my guest today. Henry Sledge has spent years carrying his father's legacy forward, and he's written his own book — The Old Breed: The Complete Story Revealed — that pairs his father's combat experience with previously unpublished material and his own perspective as Eugene's son. Today on the show, Henry and I talk about why his dad wrote With the Old Breed, what made fighting in the Pacific uniquely hellish, and how Eugene managed to come home and live a full, honorable life despite carrying the war with him for the rest of his days. Resources Related to the Podcast China Marine: An Infantryman's Life After World War II by E.B. Sledge HBO series The Pacific Ken Burns' The War AoM Article: Eugene B. Sledge Puts Your Problems Into Perspective AoM Article: Are You Missing the Forbidden City? Connect With Henry Sledge Henry on IG Henry on FB Thanks to This Week's Sponsor! Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MANLINESS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/MANLINESS 0:00 - Introduction 0:41 - About With the Old Breed: Eugene Sledge's War Memoir 1:15 - Why Eugene Wrote the Book 3:07 - How He Kept Notes in Combat 4:20 - Writing & Publishing the Book 6:03 - Eugene's Writing Style 9:44 - Why Eugene Enlisted as a Private 16:03 - Boot Camp Training 21:35 - Why Peleliu Is the "Forgotten Battle" 27:49 - What Made Fighting on Peleliu Hell 31:40 - The Japanese as an Enemy 43:10 - Life After the War: Coming Home 50:00 - Lessons from With the Old Breed See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
May 12 · 45 min
How Constraints Help You Focus, Create, and Finish
Back in 2019, David Epstein joined me to talk about his book Range and why generalists often thrive in a specialized world. Now he’s back with a new book that explores a seemingly opposite idea: the power of constraints. In Inside the Box, David argues that limits — deadlines, boundaries, and even setbacks — are often the very things that spark creativity, sharpen focus, and help us actually get meaningful work done. Today on the show, David shares how, in a world of endless freedom and options, constraints might actually be the thing you need most. He shares the surprising true story behind the creation of the periodic table, explains how a broken arm changed the course of his own life, and explores why giving people too much leeway can actually kill innovation. We discuss what Pixar did right that doomed companies like General Magic got wrong, why brainstorming sessions are usually ineffective, how to identify the bottlenecks holding back your work and life, and why learning to settle for “good enough” may be the key to getting more great things done. Resources Related to the PodcastDavid’s previous appearance on the AoM podcast: Episode #512 — Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World Pixar’s Tin Toy AoM Article: Curing Your Restlessness — Limiting Your Choices The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt David’s This American Life Episode: “Something Only I Can See” AoM Article: Via Negativa — Adding to Your Life By Subtracting Connect With David EpsteinDavid’s website 0:00 - Introduction 0:40 - David Epstein & "Inside the Box": Overview 1:50 - How Range and Constraints Are Connected 3:14 - The Real Story Behind the Periodic Table 7:00 - How a Broken Arm Changed David's Life 10:22 - General Magic: What Happens With No Constraints 20:14 - Pixar vs. General Magic: Constraints Done Right 25:37 - This American Life's Editing Process 31:10 - Finding Your Bottlenecks (The Goal) 38:10 - Why Brainstorming Doesn't Work (And What Does) 43:00 - The Case for Satisficing (Good Enough) 51:11 - When Maximizing Makes Sense See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
May 5 · 50 min
Why Screen Time Leaves You Exhausted — And How to Reverse Its Effects
You hear a lot today about how our ample screentime is affecting our mental health. But how is it affecting our bodies, and how is that impact on our bodies affecting, well, our mental health? My guest today will unpack the ways that digital technology is sapping our vitality, and offer a simple protocol to get it back. Her name is Manoush Zomorodi, and she's the host of the TED Radio Hour and the author of Body Electric. In our conversation, Manoush explains why a day spent sitting in front of screens can leave you exhausted, even though you haven't really done anything, and how small bouts of movement throughout the day can counteract that drain and keep you feeling energized and focused. She shares how much activity you need to offset periods of being sedentary, and how to realistically incorporate these movement breaks into your routine. We also get into the specific effects digital technology is having on our eyes and ears — and what you can do to prevent the damage. Resources Related to the Podcast Manoush's previous appearance on the AoM podcast: Episode #342 — Why Boredom is Good for You "I Sing the Body Electric" by Walt Whitman Keith Diaz's studies AoM Article: The Importance of Building Your Daily Sleep Pressure Connect With Manoush Zomorodi Manoush's website Manoush on IG 0:00 - Introduction 0:41 - Meet Manoush Zomorodi & Body Electric 1:10 - Why Are We So Tired After Sitting All Day? 5:30 - The Physical Effects of Sitting & Screens on the Body 10:02 - Walt Whitman, Clerks & the History of Sedentary Work 16:42 - Keith Diaz's Study: 5 Minutes of Movement Every 30 Min 20:07 - Testing the Protocol: Manoush's Lab Experience 21:15 - The Global Clinical Trial Results 29:11 - How to Actually Integrate Movement Breaks Into Your Day 32:11 - Even Exercise Isn't Enough If You Sit All Day 37:50 - What Screens Are Doing to Your Eyes 46:10 - What Earbuds Are Doing to Your Hearing 49:22 - How Screens Disrupt Sleep (It's Not Blue Light) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
April 28 · 58 min
A Map for Finding Direction and Purpose in Life (Again and Again)
While we often think of life as linear, my guest’s own life, along with a decade of research, has taught him that it’s anything but. In his latest book, What to Make of a Life, Jim Collins unpacks the cyclical pattern life actually unfolds in, and how to navigate it. He explains how we all go through periods of “fog” — times of disorientation and uncertainty — at least three times: in youth, after a life-changing “cliff” event, and as we move through midlife into older age. We find our way out of these fogs by what Jim calls coming into “frame” — aligning what you're built to do with what you actually do in a way that feels enlivening and meaningful. And Jim unpacks the three elements that help you find, and re-find, this frame over the course of your life. Along the way, Jim shares case studies of these principles at work, and we explore the role of luck, the inevitability of drudgery (even in work you love), and how to keep your inner fire lit over the long haul. Resources Related to the Podcast Good to Great by Jim Collins All Rise: The Remarkable Journey of Alan Page by Bill McGrane Self-Renewal: The Individual and the Innovative Society by John W. Gardner Sunday Firesides: You Never Know How Many Chapters Are Still to Come Sunday Firesides: Do the Right Thing, for Right Now AoM Article: The 5 Best AoM Podcast Episodes on Finding Meaning and Purpose AoM series on finding your life's vocation Connect With Jim Collins Jim's website 0:00 - Introduction & Guest Overview 0:41 - What Is "What to Make of a Life"? 2:17 - The Three Seeds That Started the Research 7:26 - What Are "Encodings"? Finding What You're Built For 8:58 - John Glenn & Gordon Cooper: Encodings in Action 14:32 - It's Never Too Late to Find Your Frame (Eisenhower & Franklin) 19:34 - Multiple Frames: Alan Page's Second Life in Law 25:56 - Navigating Cliffs: Expected vs. Shocking Life Changes 31:09 - The Fog: Why Feeling Lost Is Normal 40:58 - Simplex Stepping: How to Navigate the Fog 49:32 - Flipping the Arrow of Money & Building a Flywheel 57:34 - Thriving in the Second Half of Life See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
April 21 · 51 min
Become an Automatic Millionaire
Building substantial personal wealth can feel difficult and out of reach. But my guest says that even those with modest means can, with a few simple decisions and strategies, become millionaires, and even multi-millionaires. David Bach is the author of the bestselling, newly updated personal finance classic, The Automatic Millionaire. Today on the show, we talk about the money management framework that will put you on the path to a free, secure, rich retirement. David explains his controversial "Latte Factor" principle, the astonishing power of compounding interest, how setting your finances on autopilot may be the most important financial move you can make, why he still believes in buying a home as an incomparable way to build wealth, the best way to pay down your debt, and more. Resources Related to the Podcast investor.gov compound interest calculator AoM Article: What Every Young Man Should Know About the Power of Compound Interest AoM Article: Know-Nothing Investing — Index Funds For Beginners AoM Article: Build Your Wealth — Graduate from a Paycheck Mentality to a Net Worth Mentality AoM Article: A Young Man’s Guide to Understanding Retirement Accounts — IRAs Connect With David Bach David's website David on IG David on FB David on X David on YouTube David on LinkedIn 0:00 - Introduction 0:41 - Meet David Bach & The Automatic Millionaire 2:18 - The McIntyre Story: How Ordinary Income Built Millions 7:37 - The Latte Factor Explained 17:37 - The Power of Compound Interest 20:27 - The Rule of 72 & Rate of Return 23:32 - Why Starting Early Is the Key to Wealth 33:55 - How Much to Save: The Millionaire Formula 36:05 - Setting Up Automatic Investing (401k & IRAs) 44:23 - Why Homeownership Still Builds Wealth 50:22 - How to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early 47:14 - Paying Down Debt While Saving for Retirement See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
April 14 · 55 min
Truths Your Therapist Won't Tell You About How to Get Your Mind Right
When people visit a therapist's office for help with their depression, they often don't find the relief they're seeking. That's because much of the counsel that is traditionally given doesn't offer the context people need to make sense of and preserve their mental well-being. Here to share these missing pieces of perspective and strategy is Dr. Scott Eilers, a clinical psychologist and the author of The Light Between the Leaves: 6 Truths Your Therapist Won't Tell You About Healing Depression and Trauma. Today on the show, Scott shares why the world of psychology doesn't always offer the most useful explanations for why people can sometimes feel alienated from their own lives. We then talk about insights Scott has gleaned from science, nature, and lived experience as to the mindset shifts and habits that can help you stay sharp, steady, and engaged in life — whether you're struggling with chronic depression, or just adrift in a low-grade funk. Resources Related to the Podcast AoM series on depression AoM Podcast #741: The Exercise Prescription for Depression and Anxiety AoM article and podcast on Rick Hanson's method of "hardwiring happiness" Connect With Scott Eilers Scott's website Scott's YouTube channel Scott on IG Scott on FB 0:00 - Introduction 0:41 - Meet Dr. Scott Eilers & His Book 2:09 - Scott's Personal History with Depression 6:23 - What Actually Causes Depression? 8:28 - Neurotransmitters & the Biology of Mood 14:45 - Why Traditional Therapy Falls Short 25:50 - The Road to the Cabin: A Mental Health Metaphor 30:22 - Sleep, Nutrition & Self-Care as Treatment 31:15 - Exercise: The Most Powerful Tool for Depression 40:35 - Envy Is Ignorance: You Can't See to the Bottom of Others' Lives 44:23 - Pull the Weeds: Removing Invasive Pleasures 51:10 - Keep the Water Flowing: The Power of Having Goals See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
April 7 · 49 min
You’ve Been Pooping Wrong — Here’s How to Do It Better
Pooping. Everybody does it, but a lot of people are embarrassed to talk about it. That's a shame, my guest says, not only because your digestive health is incredibly linked to your overall health, but simply for the fact that there is much happiness to be found in an easy, worry-free constitutional. Harvard gastroenterologist Dr. Trisha Pasricha is the author of You've Been Pooping All Wrong: How to Make Your Bowel Movements a Joy. Today on the show, Trisha and I have a fun and frank conversation about the art and science of bowel movements, including the color of healthy stools, how often you should be pooping, if laxatives are safe to use, the food to eat that's even better than prunes for getting things going, why you feel the urge to go poop at Barnes and Noble, the wonders of the bidet, the danger of using your smartphone on the toilet, how to get more comfortable pooping in a public restroom, and more. Resources Related to the Podcast AoM Article: The Top 10 Toilet Books AoM Article: Be a “Regular” Guy — Tips for Improving Your Daily Constitutional The Squatty Potty "Mariko Aoki phenomenon" — where individuals feel an urgent need to use the bathroom when entering a bookstore AoM Article: You Need to Eat More Fiber Connect With Trisha Pasricha Trisha's website Trisha on IG 0:00 - Introduction 0:41 - Meet Dr. Tricia Pasricha & Her Book 1:37 - Why We Need to Talk About Poop More 6:48 - What Does Healthy Poop Look Like? (Color Guide) 12:58 - Shape, Consistency & Why Poop Floats 20:44 - How Often Should You Poop? 25:05 - What Causes Constipation (& The Laxative Question) 28:44 - The Squatty Potty: Does It Actually Work? 30:26 - Why You Have to Poop at Barnes & Noble 35:07 - Smartphones on the Toilet & Hemorrhoids 39:22 - Pooping in Public & While Traveling 44:52 - The Case for the Bidet 48:41 - Diet for Optimal Gut Health See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
March 31 · 56 min
The Mystery of Courage
Courage is one of our most prized and celebrated virtues. But once you really start exploring it, the nature of courage is surprisingly hard to pin down. Here to help us explore the fascinating complications of courage is William Ian Miller, a historian, professor of law, and the author of The Mystery of Courage. Today on the show, Bill explains how centuries of philosophers, soldiers, and storytellers have approached courage and the hard-to-answer questions its manifestations raise. We discuss why courage has long been ranked among the highest virtues, the relationship between fear and courage, the fuzzy line between courage and cowardice, the association of courage and manhood, whether or not courage is domain specific, the difference between offensive and defensive courage, whether martyrs are courageous, whether deeds with evil ends are courageous, how fear, shame, and honor shape brave action, and more. Resources Related to the Podcast The Road to Richmond: The Civil War Memoirs of Maj. Abner R. Small If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home by Tim O'Brien Good-Bye to All That by Robert Graves The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant AoM Article: Developing Manly Courage AoM Article: 9 Ways to Become More Courageous AoM Article: Courage Vs. Boldness — How to Live With Spartan Bravery AoM Podcast #380: How to Increase Your Courage and Bravery AoM Article: The 54 Best Quotes on Courage AoM Article: The Cardinal Virtues — Courage AoM Podcast #763: The Perils and Powers of Cowardice AoM series on honor Connect With William Ian Miller Bill's faculty page Thanks to This Week’s Podcast Sponsor Incogni. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MANLINESS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/manliness 0:00 - Introduction 0:41 - What Is "The Mystery of Courage"? 1:57 - Why Courage Is Hard to Define 6:27 - The Good Coward: A Civil War Story 14:00 - Why Courage Is Ranked the Highest Virtue 17:20 - The Politics of Courage: Who Gets to Claim It 23:00 - Offensive vs. Defensive Courage 28:27 - Is Courage Domain-Specific? 30:04 - Courage, Manhood & The Female Gaze 50:34 - Fear, Shame & Honor in Courageous Acts 57:00 - Is Courage Finite? Combat & Exhaustion See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
March 24 · 49 min
The Mental Skills for Becoming an Everyday Genius
We tend to think of genius as something you’re born with — a rare trait possessed by the Einsteins and Teslas of the world. But what if many of the abilities we associate with genius — a great memory, quick problem-solving, mental math, creative insight — are actually trainable skills? My guest today says that’s exactly the case. His name is Nelson Dellis, and he's a six-time USA Memory Champion and the author of the book Everyday Genius. In our conversation, Nelson explains why memory is the foundation of thinking well and why having information stored in your head still matters in the age of ChatGPT. He shares a practical technique for improving your memory, how to read with greater focus and retention, and how to study to actually make information stick. We then talk about the importance of developing “number sense” and how to convert imperial measurements to metric in your head, strategies for solving problems more effectively, and even how to gain an edge in the games of Monopoly and Connect Four. At the end of the conversation, we get into more esoteric territory, including intuition, dreams, and the idea of remote viewing. Resources Related to the Podcast Nelson's previous appearance on the AoM podcast: Episode #546 — How to Get a Memory Like a Steel Trap AoM Article: 10 Ways to Improve Your Memory AoM Article: How to Speed Read Like Theodore Roosevelt AoM Podcast #385: Learning How to Learn AoM Article: Study Tactics of the Successful Gentleman Scholar The CIA's remote viewing program Connect With Nelson Dellis Nelson's website Nelson on YouTube Thanks to This Week’s Podcast Sponsor Incogni. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MANLINESS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/manliness 0:00 - Introduction 0:41 - What Is "Everyday Genius"? Nelson's Background 3:47 - How Did Nelson Get Into Memory Competitions? 7:34 - Memory as the Foundation of Genius 14:22 - The SEE, LINK, GO Memory Framework 22:53 - How to Actually Apply the Memory Palace 26:10 - Focused Reading: How to Read Faster & Retain More 35:15 - How to Study Effectively (Active Recall & Spaced Repetition) 27:05 - Mental Math & Number Sense 31:19 - Converting Imperial to Metric in Your Head 35:45 - Problem-Solving Like a Genius 43:20 - Remote Viewing, Intuition & Dream Journaling See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
March 17 · 47 min
The Hidden Power of Heat — How a Good Sweat Heals Your Body and Mind
Cold exposure has gotten a lot of attention the past few years, with people dunking themselves in ice baths for the sake of their health and well-being. But, good news here, exposing yourself to heat by sitting in the sauna or even a hot tub, might actually be even better for you, not to mention more pleasant. In his new book, Hotwired: How the Hidden Power of Heat Makes Us Stronger, Bill Gifford unpacks the dichotomy of heat: how it can be both a danger and a healer. In the first part of our conversation, we dive into that former side, discussing what happens when your core temperature gets too high, why some people handle the stress of hot temperatures better than others, and how heat tolerance can actually be trained. We then talk about the advantages of heat exposure over cold exposure, and the benefits of heat for both body and mind, including how it can boost athletic performance and heart health, and may even be an effective treatment for depression. We also talk about how to get the most out of your sauna sessions and how Bill and I like to sauna. Resources Related to the Podcast AoM Article: How to Sauna — All the FAQs AoM Article: How Saunas Can Help Save Your Body, Mind, and Spirit AoM Podcast #585: Inflammation, Saunas, and the New Science of Depression AoM Podcast #724: The Strange Science of Sweat Study reviewing the health benefits of "sauna bathing" Hotter'n Hell Hundred bike race Connect with Bill Gifford Bill on IG Bill on X Thanks to This Week’s Podcast Sponsor Incogni. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MANLINESS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/manliness 0:00 - Introduction 1:46 - Meet Bill Gifford & Hot Wired 3:50 - What Extreme Heat Does to Your Body 11:49 - The Korey Stringer Institute & Heatstroke Treatment 13:13 - Heat Tolerance: Why Some People Handle It Better 16:13 - Heat Training for Athletic Performance 17:24 - Cardiovascular Benefits of Sauna 19:03 - The Finnish Sauna Heart Study 26:30 - Cold Plunges: Overhyped? 30:57 - How to Do Sauna Correctly (Temperature & Duration) 33:36 - Heat Therapy for Depression 41:33 - What Americans Can Learn from Nordic Sauna Culture See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Art of Manliness

Restless, Rooted — What the Odyssey Reveals About Americans' Divided Souls

The Secret Skills of Master Negotiators

The Art of Easy Discipline

Beyond Midlife Myths — Why Middle Age Can Be Your Prime Time

George Washington — The Man Behind the Monument

The Retirement Trap — Should You Really Stop Working at 65?

Belonging Without Conforming — The Path From Pseudo Self to Solid Self

How to Try Again

Built to Walk — How Modern Shoes and Weak Feet Are Holding You Back

How to Turn a Boy Into a Man

Inside With the Old Breed — A Conversation With Eugene Sledge’s Son

How Constraints Help You Focus, Create, and Finish

Why Screen Time Leaves You Exhausted — And How to Reverse Its Effects

A Map for Finding Direction and Purpose in Life (Again and Again)

Become an Automatic Millionaire

Truths Your Therapist Won't Tell You About How to Get Your Mind Right

You’ve Been Pooping Wrong — Here’s How to Do It Better

The Mystery of Courage

The Mental Skills for Becoming an Everyday Genius

The Hidden Power of Heat — How a Good Sweat Heals Your Body and Mind