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

Talking points: masculinity, culture, gratitude, anger, poetryI don’t typically get starstruck or awed in interviews, even though I’ve talked to many incredible people. But David? Well, he’s had an immense impact on my life, and so much of my work and way of thinking lives inspired by him. He joined me in Seattle and shared so much wisdom, beauty, and of course, poetry. Dig into this one.(00:00:00) - What is the “conversational nature of reality”, why the unknown is so uncomfortable, and the fear of “descent”(00:18:44) - How the need for control kills off meaning and purpose, and how real poetry and philosophy come from NOT knowing what to say(00:25:53) - David reads “Blessing of the Morning Light”(00:32:42) - How does a man start building a relationship to the unknown parts of himself, and David’s relationship with his father(00:44:24) - The role of anger and the power of poetry(00:56:16) - On forgiveness and male friendship(01:31:57) - How do you properly thank someone who’s had a profound impact on you?Dav

Talking points: psychology, the shadow, attachment theoryNow there's a mouthful of psych words! All jokes aside, a Jungian perspective on attachment theory is a powerful combo. This week, I'm laying out a simple definition for the shadow and anxious attachment, and a straightforward way to begin the work yourself right away. Listen in.(00:00:00) - A quick primer on anxious attachment and the shadow(00:05:17) - The first thing you need to figure out, and some common causes of anxious attachment(00:09:01) - Here’s where you begin exploring(00:12:40) - What can happen in relationship as you start doing this work, and how to help that(00:13:55) - A caveat for people with trauma or abuse in their past***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 kno

Talking points: culture, masculinityBroad-brushing things doesn't help us progress. Broad-brushing people is even worse. Young men are facing what feels to them a hostile landscape, and it's causing some serious issues. Listen in.(00:00:00) - The abusive relationship analogy(00:05:36) - Porn DOES contribute(00:08:16) - The new narrative(00:11:03) - Is there a more positive vision for men and masculinity? And a message to guys who are struggling***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

Talking points: mindset, attraction, relationshipsI was surprised at the sheer volume of basic advice there is out there on being a more attractive man. This week, we're going to go a little beyond "hit the gym" and "smoke less". How do you build your attractiveness from the inside out AND stay authentically you? Listen in.(00:00:00) - Be untameable—somewhat(00:09:50) - Develop emotional sovereignty(00:12:11) - Develop direction and discipline(00:14:14) - Have some non-negotiables. Please.(00:17:39) - Be unapologetically you. Note: this requires serious work on figuring out who you actually are***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

Talking points: masculinity, culture, raceIt's always a highlight of my life speaking with Jason. This man and his tireless work shaping comprehensive, authentic men is nothing short of inspiring. Deeply grateful to have sat down with him to dig into the nuances of his new book (out Jan 28!), the manosphere, Black America, and what modern men miss out on. Listen. To. This.(00:00:00) - How Jason’s environment shaped his perception of manhood, and the challenges of hypermasculinity(00:11:02) - Jason’s take on the idea that men need to build value because they don’t have any inherently(00:17:40) - What do young men find appealing about the manosphere, in spite of the reactivity and misogyny?(00:23:39) - Why men don’t share their emotions with women, and what Jason wishes more non-Black men knew about growing up in Black America(00:35:09) - Do men need extreme hardship in order to have self-respect?(00:42:11) - On Jason’s new book and being a Comprehensive Man(00:50:25) - What aspect of a comprehensive man is mis

Talking points: psychologyYou've probably seen this idea floating around social media for a while, and it's a solid framework for healing. But what does it actually mean, how does it work, and is it worthwhile if you're a man? This week, let's talk about what inner child work entails.(00:00:00) - “What’s hidden in the father is revealed in the son”, and what inner child work actually means(00:10:10) - The main benefits of this kind of work, and where to start(00:17:35) - Two useful journaling exercises, and how to “father yourself”(00:24:23) - Next steps***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

Talking points: relationships, infidelity, betrayalThe damage from infidelity in a relationship can be complex, traumatic, and last far longer than you might think. What's more, there aren't a lot of men-specific resources out there. Fortunately Adam is changing that. If you or someone you know has experienced infidelity, strongly encourage you to share this one.(00:00:00) - Why Adam wrote his book, and the stigmas men experience when they’re cheated on(00:05:13) - How important is it that all parties see the part they may have played, and what NOT to do(00:15:35) - What leads a woman to have an affair, what to do when you find out, and what happens to a man’s identity when betrayed(00:26:10) - Navigating jealousy and grief(00:40:27) - What’s possible in the reconciliation process?(00:43:53) - On creating safety and repair after betrayalAdam Nisenson, also known as the Betrayal Shrink, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist. He’s dedicated to helping men navigate the

Talking points: attachment, relationshipsWe all have parts of us that are hard to handle. But if you're in a relationship with someone who's got an avoidant attachment style, there's ONE behavior that's tougher than the rest. Here's what it is, and how to handle it.(00:00:00) - Intro, and “the flip”(00:03:55) - The real challenge dealing with an avoidant partner(00:05:52) - So what do you do?***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

Talking points: masculinity, cultureHonored to have connected with the Barefoot Dutchman himself this week. In case you hadn't heard, Anton Nootenboom recently finished walking over 3100 miles—barefoot—from LA to NYC to support men's mental health. Yes. Barefoot. We dig into the why, the how, and Anton's core philosophies. Listen in, team. (00:00:00) - Intro, and what the mental and emotional strain was like(00:15:39) - Why Anton wanted to raise awareness for men’s mental health(00:22:04) - What are men struggling with the most these days, and what needs to change(00:37:48) - The struggle of shifting perspectives on men’s culpability and responsibility, and what to say to younger guys(00:44:12) - Why is it important for men to do hard things? Anton Nootenboom is a military veteran with three tours in Afghanistan. He faced severe mental health challenges afterwards, including depression and suicidal thoughts. He found healing in barefoot walking and speaking out about his experiences. Today, his journey embodi

Talking points: relationships, marriageNot an easy topic for anyone, but there ARE things you can do that can help things go more smoothly. Whether you chose it or it got chosen for you, I've laid out what you need to ask yourself and how you should proceed. Listen in.(00:00:00) - Intro, and the best question to ask yourself first(00:07:18) - How do you know when it’s time to go, and midlife changes(00:16:12) - Divorcing in anger, and the first thing I say to men who have decided(00:20:26) - Get a good lawyer, but YOU should focus on the ethics, and more questions to answer(00:25:17) - Get support and perspective, and what to do if kids are involved***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

Talking points: attachment, mindset, psychologyDiving into the deep end for 2025, team. The disorganized attachment style is complex, hard to manage, and my heart goes out to anyone who struggles with this. But over the years of training and study, and working with clients with disorganized attachment, I've found some things that help. Here's your primer, team.(00:00:00) - Why disorganized attachment is so challenging, what makes it different, and the biggest origin points(00:09:26) - Digging deeper: how does disorganized attachment get formed?(00:19:47) - Signs of disorganized attachment as an adult(00:32:05) - How do you heal this?(00:43:16) - On the importance of working with your nervous system, and one final piece of advice***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/Hea

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