ManTalks Podcast

Talking points: mental health, masculinity, culture

When Movember reaches out, you answer the call. I'm grateful to have interviewed Professor John Oliffe on a recent report co-authored by him—and spearheaded by the Movember Institute for Men's Health. Some of the stats they've released left me a little surprised; like 2 in 5 men in Canada die prematurely, and from largely preventable casues. Listen to this one, team.

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Talking points: relationships, culture

This might bother some of you, but I think it needs discussing, because I get it all the time in comments, emails, and DMs: serious disappointment and frustration with dating. From men and women both. There are a lot of reasons for this, both surface-level and deeper, but here's what I'm seeing the most.

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:05:04) - What we’re not actually teaching young men

(00:08:14) - W...

Talking points: relationships, the shadow, psychology

Every man casts a shadow, regardless of how much of "the work" he's done. But whether or not you let it negatively impact your relationships is up to you. Listen in for what shadow work actually means for your relationships, and straightforward advice on how to get started.

(00:00:00) - Intro and the biggest misconception about shadow work

(00:03:57) - How the shadow can manife...

Talking points: myth, psychology, purpose

I've loved myths and legends since I was a kid. As a man, that love has only grown because they can serve up powerful, meaningful guidance. So this week, we're digging into what Arthur, Excalibur, and the Holy Grail teach about the journey of the mature masculine.

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:38) - Boyhood, coming of age, and crossing the thresholds of manhood

(00:07:45) - The symbol and impor...

Talking points: inner child, fatherhood, abandonment, the shadow

Fair warning, there's a lot of F-bombs in this one. We've kept them in because I want people to get a sense of how deep a father wound can go. My guest has struggled with a kind of dualistic life. One day, he's crushing it and confident. The next, he feels uncertain and lost.

This is a heavy one, team, but absolutely worth checking out.

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Tired of feeling like you...

Talking points: fatherhood, psychology, mindset

A while back, I put up an episode on the mother wound, aka healing your mommy issues. But there's always more to the story. There's also the "father wound", and it can have massive impact on everything from self-worth to relationships to skill at work. Listen in for a serious look at what it is, what creates it, and what to work on.

(00:00:00) - Intro and defining the “father wound”

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Talking points: genetics, culture, psychology, parenting

I'm the kid who's always running to see what's over the next hill, so I'm both grateful and excited to have Alex on the show. His latest book is incredible, and gets to the science of how we're actually happier with a little less predictability in so many parts of our lives. If you're someone whose life feels kind of listless right now, this is YOUR episode.

(00:00:00) - Th...

Talking points: culture, psychology, masculinity

I've covered the data behind this multiple times. A lot of men—not just in North America but globally—are struggling. Today I want to spark some dialogue by bringing some attention to what I think are just a few of the underlying reasons.

And I want your thoughts, too. Comment if you're on Spotify, DM me on Instagram. This is worth talking about beyond the usual blame games or "it'...

Talking points: sex, relationships, culture

Editor's Note: FYI team, had some audio snafus that we did our best to remedy. Thanks for your understanding! Grateful that Jamie and I sat down to talk all things intimate relationships. From how culture keeps shaping what men and women respond to, desire, and miss out on, to helping both yourself and her feel not just comfortable but welcome. This is a great ep to listen to with a partne...

Talking points: attachment, relationships, psychology

If you're the more anxious type and you're dating someone more avoidant (or vice versa), it can create a whole realm of intensity that many people find hard to fathom. It's the best and worst of the old saying "opposites attract". Here's how to lower the temperature and move towards something more secure.

(00:00:00) - Intro and what contributes to this dynamic

(00:05:36) - The...

Talking points: masculinity, mental health, friendship

Short but important one, team. I'm sure you've seen the memes that go something like "Is the cure for male loneliness pickleball?" Maybe you've rolled your eyes at them more than once. I have.

Nevertheless, the data is clear, and a lot of men out there are starved of quality friend time. Here's how to change that.

(00:00:00) - Intro and why friendships are so important

(00:02:...

Talking points: relationships

Yes, that's a provocative title. Yes, listen to the whole thing. No, this isn't men being mad at women. This is what I've seen time and again, plus what I've been told by multiple women and couples I've worked with, and it's something both parties are responsible for.

(00:00:00) - The factor good men are missing

(00:04:24) - Defining “emotional containment”

(00:08:30) - The big caveat, and an example

Talking points: psychology, attachment theory

We've had a LOT of newcomers recently, and I'm getting some great questions around what attachment theory means for men specifically. To that end, I've made you all a compilation; an episode chock-full of info on the two most common styles! One that cuts through the jargon and gives you some things you can work on literally right now.

(00:00:00) - The core of anxious attachment

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Talking points: psychology, masculinity

If you've ever found yourself in strange push-pull dynamics, self-sabotaged relationships, or just feel like you never get it "right" with women, this may be your podcast. I see a lot of men battle their mommy (and daddy) issues instead of healing them. Let's change that.

(00:00:00) - Intro, what a “mother wound” is, and the most common variations

(00:14:22) - How a mother wound shows up, from h...

Talking points: history, psychology, mindset, culture

Like George Santayana said, those who do not learn from the past are condemned to repeat it. There's so much we can learn about ourselves, where we come from, and what needs our attention when we study the past. Grateful for the host of Cost of Glory, Alex Petkas, coming back on the show to lay down some real history, difficult truths, and deep insights on ol' Gaius himself.

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Talking points: relationships, mindset

I see so many men struggle with this, without ever knowing why. Part of it's the realities of modern dating, but there's a few things you can do to rise above. Listen in.

(00:00:00) - Here’s the situation

(00:04:32) - Stop overfunding the account in an effort to get something

(00:06:51) - Be her best option, but don’t stuff it in her face

(00:10:55) - Re-prioritize your needs and expectations, ...

Talking points: money, success, mindset, finances

Grateful to have the thoughtful and straightforward advice of Sahil Bloom when it comes to wealth—minus the get-rich-quick schemes and "hacks" you see too often on social media. We covered a ton, from financial skill development and a healthy relationship with money, to how you balance that with what really matters.

(00:00:24) - Understanding the Misconceptions of Success

(00:12:3...

Talking points: conflict, relationships

You're going to get into arguments. There will be differences of opinion. But what if those were gateways to something more? Today, the latest in the Man's Guide series.

(00:00:00) - Choose someone you’re willing to conflict with, and be someone she’s willing to conflict with, too.

(00:04:11) - Your nervous system sets the tone.

(00:07:41) - You need rules of engagement.

(00:10:45) - Stop trying t...

Talking points: masculinity, isolation, culture, suicide

Look, Netflix's Adolescence was solid. But like anything Hollywood, it's not the whole picture. The big picture is complex, systemic, and deeply uncomfortable—and we seem to have built a culture that simply doesn't want to talk about it meaningfully and practically. I'm grateful for men like George (aka TheTinMen) who work tirelessly to point out how men's issues are important...