Mantalks Podcast: Purpose | Legacy | Relationships | Self Mastery | Business

Talking points: new year, goals, mindsetGoals don’t always work, especially when the end result requires a more flexible approach, like having a healthier internal dialogue or more intimacy in your relationship. This week, let’s dig into a different approach: non-linear goal setting.(00:00:00) - Why step-by-step goals may not work, and how to have an aim(00:06:07) - Let go of the idea that paint-by-numbers is always the way to go, and embrace experimentation(00:10:424) - Learn how to read the data from your own body(00:15:16) - Be honest about what is and isn’t working, and pay attention to the unforeseen(00:19:50) - Maintain your connection to your aim energetically***Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-worth with help from this free guide: https://training.mantalks.com/self-worthPick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/Heard about attachment but don’t know where to start? Try the FREE

Talking points: trauma, culture, attachment, masculinityMaybe you’re new (or new-ish) to the podcast. Maybe you’re gunning for new insights so you kick off 2025 right. Either way, we here at ManTalks have got your back. In this episode, you’ll find extended clips from 2024’s top interviews, from the veteran perspectives of Michael Meade to the attachment expertise of Sarah Baldwin. Happy New Year, team.(00:00:00) - Peter Levine on the symptoms of trauma and using active imagination(00:19:41) - Michael Meade on the importance of myth, and AI’s possible effects on humanity (00:31:48) - Sarah Baldwin on anxious and avoidant attachment, and the goals for healing each(00:47:22) - Owen Marcus on co-regulation and importance of genuine connection for men***Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-worth with help from this free guide: https://training.mantalks.com/self-worthPick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalk

Talking points: mindset, new year new youAnyone who knows me knows I'm not a big fan of New Year's Resolutions. So instead of adding another thing to do, be, or try to your list, why not take something away? These ten things come from my own experience as well as helping high-performing men in multiple fields. Listen in.(00:00:00) - Stop self-deprecating, and start taking “clean accountability”(00:04:16) - Stop blaming women for all your problems(00:07:40) - Stop consuming mindless content. Switch it for content that supports your mission(00:09:35) - If you are ignoring your finances, stooooop. Educate yourself(00:13:36) - Stop outsourcing your validation, and stop overworking(00:19:10) - Stop living without structure, and value rest(00:24:27) - Let go of resentment, and stop rejecting support***Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-worth with help from this free guide: https://training.mantalks.com/self-worthPick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-S

No bells and whistles this Monday, team. Just a few reminders and a simple, honest, and massive thank you for tuning in. Wherever you are, however you celebrate, whatever you do, I wish you and yours peace, grace, and happiness.***Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-worth with help from this free guide: https://training.mantalks.com/self-worthPick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/Heard about attachment but don’t know where to start? Try the FREE Ultimate Guide To AttachmentCheck out some other free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your RelationshipBuild brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from around the world. Check out The Alliance. Enjoy the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the tools and training

Talking points: relationships, masculinity, cultureThis is a question I get all the time from men. They date a woman who takes on what feels like a very masculine energy, and they're not sure how to handle that without doubling down on battles, roles, and standoffs. Here's how to build a grounded, fulfilling, satisfying partnership instead.(00:00:00) - Intro and the reasons women adopt traditionally masculine traits(00:08:40) - What do you do? Number one: let go of “who’s right” battles(00:12:12) - Stop fighting for the “masculine role” in the relationship(00:16:54) - Evoke emotion***Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-worth with help from this free guide: https://training.mantalks.com/self-worthPick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/Heard about attachment but don’t know where to start? Try the FREE Ultimate Guide To AttachmentCheck out some other free resources: How To Quit Porn | An

Talking points: men, psychology, cultureRoy Baumeister is a mighty pillar in the world of psychology, with groundbreaking work on willpower, self-control, negativity bias, and much more. I had the honor of chatting with him about all of these things in the context of men. How do we develop robust self-esteem? Is it work breaking free of isolation? Are there unique social pressures? This is chock full, team.(00:00:00) - On how men need to prove themselves, and the different social pressures between men and women(00:07:59) - Roy on risk-taking in men and women(00:14:01) - Roy’s most cited work, why we fixate more on the bad things, and men’s self-destructive behavior(00:27:48) - Strategies you can use to replace unhealthy coping mechanisms(00:34:09) - How important is it for men to have robust and diverse social circles?(00:45:10) - What is “ego depletion”?(00:52:21) - The effect of porn on self-control, and wisdom for men struggling with self-esteem***Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-

Talking points: attachment, genetics, psychologyAttachment as a framework for working on and healing your relationships is powerful stuff. But it’s also complex. I wanted to nerd out a bit this week with all of you over this fascinating study on attachment, genetics, and environment—with a PSA at the end. Dig in and let me know what you think!You can find the abstract of the study and request a full PDF here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385437792_Genetic_and_environmental_contributions_to_adult_attachment_styles_Evidence_from_the_Minnesota_Twin_Registry(00:00:00) - Intro(00:04:28) - Why it’s interesting and a potential game changer, and why heritability doesn’t mean it’s game over***Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-worth with help from this free guide: https://training.mantalks.com/self-worthPick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/Heard about attachment but don’t k

Talking points: culture, masculinity, the shadowThis was one of those wide-ranging convos that made me lose track of time. David and I cover a ton in this as you'll see from the timestamps, with some great info on "core energetics", personality types, and more. Dig in.(00:00:00) - How David approached interviewing such a polarizing figure, and do all men have such a rigid mask?(00:09:04) - How do you support men in a way that allows them to actually open up? (00:15:40) - Is it all just an act, and killing your shadow versus integrating  (00:22:35) - What is core energetics and the five personality “patterns”?(00:31:10) - Which pattern best describes American culture, and what do you think we need to do?(00:37:14) - Do we HAVE to play the polarization game to get anywhere?(00:44:54) - What David would say to men who are hiding opinions that might get them in trouble(00:58:01) - What is the “lower self”?(01:07:22) - Advice for men who actively resist their own emotionsDavid Sutcliffe is a Somatic

Talking points: relationships, masculinity, psychology, cultureI touched on this topic in a previous episode and hoo boy, the comments. So let’s talk about it, because there are a lot of historical, psychological, and mythic examples to look at. What’s more, there are ways of working on this if it rings true.(00:00:00) - What I mean by being afraid of women, and theories from evolutionary psychology(00:06:41) - The perspective of analytical psychology, and the “anima and animus”(00:15:29) - Lastly, the perspective of existential psychology, and how a man creates identity(00:19:22) - So what do you do with this info?***Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-worth with help from this free guide: https://training.mantalks.com/self-worthPick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/Heard about attachment but don’t know where to start? Try the FREE Ultimate Guide To AttachmentCheck out some other fr

Talking points: relationships, communication, sex, masculinityWhether we want to admit it or not, there are always times where things in the bedroom just don’t work out. Alex is out there helping men deal with their most common challenges, and de-stigmatizing communication about it. I appreciate the simple yet solid advice he brings to the table; lots of good stuff in here. Listen in.(00:00:00) - How a man’s ability to perform affects how he sees himself, and working with sexual shame(00:11:33) - Dealing with common sexual challenges for men(00:20:40) - On balancing emotional vulnerability with “holding your frame”(00:26:29) - What contributes to ejaculation issues?(00:32:13) - On embarrassment around sexual dialogue, and how porn alters our expectations of ourselves(00:40:16) - The importance of connecting to breath(00:47:35) - How can a partner help a man who’s struggling with PE or ED?Alex Grendi, a former professional soccer player, is now a men’s coach specializing in helping individuals overcome perform

Talking points: relationships, mythology, archetypes, cultureThe title might ruffle some feathers, but sometimes, the best way to look at an issue is through a story. The symbolism has a way of highlighting many complex things at once. This week, I want to talk about an almost common trope in modern dating, but through the lens of a classic story: Cinderella.(00:00:00) - Intro, using the story as a lens, and the effect of the “wicked stepmother”(00:04:13) - The shadow of the feminine and masculine, and the archetype of Prince Charming(00:10:15) - The value of Cinderella as an archetype and symbol***This Black Friday, why bother getting more stuff when you could work on yourself? All ManTalks courses are currently 20% off, and save even more when you bundle all 3. Check out: https://mantalks.com/blackfriday/Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/Heard about attachment but don’t know where to start? Try the F

Talking points: history, mythology, archetypes, cultureI’ve recently been asked to dig more into the deeper stuff, and who better to delve into the history of the ancients than Alex Petkas. We dig into how important history and story can be, how modern society has watered down the hero archetype, and who we can learn from in ancient history to re-inspire us. This is great ep to dig into if you’re searching for actual heroes, not just what you see on TV.(00:00:00) - What was the role of the “hero” in ancient history, and is it important for a healthy society? (00:12:40) - What happens when you kill off the hero in you, and the balanced masculinity of Odysseus(00:22:47) - How to restore a more generative hero archetype, and how we’ve made heroes one-dimensional(00:30:41) - What Plutarch can teach men (00:40:59) - Ancient heroes men can learn from, or who the hell is Eumenes of Chardia?(00:55:14) - The power of narrativeAlex Petkas is writer, entrepreneur, and founder of The Cost of Glory,  a brid

talking points: anxiety, psychology, relationshipsIf you've ever been with someone who struggles with anxiety, this one's for you. A lot of men lean heavily into trying to fix things, even making it their entire mission. Here are some alternative steps that respect responsibility, autonomy, and help strengthen the relationship.(00:00:00) - Intro, my working definition of anxiety, and the many places it comes from(00:05:42) - Signs of anxiety in your partner(00:10:47) - So what do you do? On reinforcement and co-regulation (00:14:59) - Attune to her signs, and physical touch(00:17:36) - How to balance leaning into discomfort with backing off***Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/Heard about attachment but don’t know where to start? Try the FREE Ultimate Guide To AttachmentCheck out some other free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your RelationshipBuild brotherhood with

Talking points: masculinity, psychology, myth, JungHot on the heels of the legendary John Lee, I interviewed another founding elder of men's work: Michael Meade. This is a powerful discussion focused on how essential "descent" is for men, and how it's almost completely disappeared from society in favor of endless, destructive growth and commodified "mastery". Powerful words from one of the wisest teachers out there, in my opinion.(00:00:00) - The importance of descent in a man’s life(00:11:51) - The signs of descent, and the role of technology(00:22:28) - How the old worldview has collapsed, and the result is collective despair and grief(00:29:39) - How do you deal with the feeling that things are ending?(00:35:20) - The intersection of myth and AI; will they come together? (00:41:29) - Where does the descent actually lead, and the symbolism of water and sword(00:55:13) - How to “get the water”Michael Meade, born and raised in New York City, is a renowned storyteller, author, and scholar of mythology, an

Talking points: psychology, depression, These are 3 conditions you may have never heard of before, but based on my experience working with men for 10+ years, they’ve got a significant presence. They’re also under-discussed. (00:00:00) - Dysthymia, aka low-key depression(00:04:25) - Alexithymia, when you can't describe emotions(00:07:06) - Derealization, when nothing feels realFurther Reading-Dysthymia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysthymia-Alexithymia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexithymia-Derealization: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derealization***Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/Heard about attachment but don’t know where to start? Try the FREE Ultimate Guide To AttachmentCheck out some other free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your RelationshipBuild brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from around the world. Check out The Alliance. E

Talking points: masculinity, culture, mythopoetics, Robert Bly, Iron JohnMaybe you've heard it said that there are lots of "olders", but barely any elders. John Lee is one of the latter, in my opinion. A critical player in men's movements of the 90s and close friends with Robert Bly, John is a wealth of knowledge, insight, and honest talk—and no stranger to deep work. Listen in, team.(00:00:00) - Intro, and what brought John to where he is today(00:06:23) - The impact Robert Bly had on the mythopoetic men’s movement, and what that was(00:20:36) - Why Iron John is still relevant(00:31:41) - Are men struggling with different things now compared to the start of the mythopoetic men’s movement?(00:38:58) - The dark father archetype, and the difference between Robert Bly and Jordan Peterson(00:43:20) - What can the study of myth do for the average man, and how the manosphere falls shortJohn Lee is a pioneer in the fields of self-help, anger, codependency, creativity, recovery, relationships, and men’s issues. In th

Talking points: relationshipsWe all know how a couple handles conflict can be the difference between love that’s thriving and resilient and something that is…well, the exact opposite: leading through conflict. Listen in for five aspects of the that don’t get talked about often enough, in my opinion.(00:00:00) - Intro, and a practical definition of conflict(00:03:14) - Address your conflict kryptonite(00:05:59) - Ownership over blame(00:07:57) - Stop seeing conflict as a path to disconnection, and have conflict “agreements” (00:10:44) - Breathe, ground, assess(00:13:30) - The best question to ask***Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/Heard about attachment but don’t know where to start? Try the FREE Ultimate Guide To AttachmentCheck out some other free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your RelationshipBuild brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from aroun

Talking points: mindset, purpose, military, masculinityA sincere honor to chat with J.R., and I’m blown away by his perspective and honesty on the hardship he’s faced—and overcome. We cover a lot of ground: the importance of male friendship, the struggles veterans can go through, the importance of vulnerability AND accountability. Throughout it all, J.R.’s outlook shines through. Listen in, team.(00:00:00) - JR’s defining moment(00:11:45) - What happened to JR during his deployment(00:23:58) - How men and veterans get stripped of purpose and identity, what contributes to that, and how we can do better (00:38:04) - What JR would say to men who see the state of things and retreat into isolation, and the importance of building emotional for yourself(00:55:50) - What JR would teach the next generation of menJ.R. Martinez’s life story is one of resilience and transformation. A Louisiana-born Army veteran and Iraq War survivor, Martinez faced tragedy early in his military service when a roadside bomb explosion left

Talking points: attachment, psychology, relationshipsMen tend to underestimate how important the feeling of safety is for their partners. Not a dig, just something I’ve seen time and time again. And if you’re partner has an avoidant or anxious attachment style, your part in creating a sense of safety in the relationship can be complicated. Listen in for some straightforward tips.(00:00:00) - Intro, and why women sometimes “test” you(00:03:45) - Here’s what changes when she has an avoidant or anxious attachment style(00:06:39) - And here’s what to do if she’s anxious(00:10:14) - Tactics if she’s avoidant***Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/Check out some free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your RelationshipBuild brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from around the world. Check out The Alliance. Enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave a review on Apple Podc

Talking points: mindset, psychology, meditation, spiritualityMeditation and mindfulness get a lot of air time these days, especially on the more “crunchy” side of wellness spectrum. But is it all it’s cracked up to be? I sat down with Shai to really dig into this, from the wildly esoteric and spiritual side of the question to the more practical, tactical side. Because what’s the point of enlightenment if it doesn’t make things, well, a little lighter?(00:00:00) - Shai’s feeling of being “outside” the usual human experience, the difference between detachment and dissociation, and using things like meditation to avoid life(00:09:52) - What IS consciousness, and the West’s obsession with enlightenment(00:25:45) - Why are humans even capable of self-reference? What’s the point? (00:34:16) - Do these complex, philosophical ideas help with our day-to-day lives?(00:43:20) - How can men develop greater mental flexibility and combat closed-mindedness?(00:56:55) - What to do to get your calm back in a conflict(01:02:07