Untaming Masculinity

Risk Mitigation – the practice of reducing the impact of potential risks by developing a plan to manage, eliminate, or limit setbacks as much as possible Most people know Tom Brady as the greatest QB and winner in NFL history. Few remember that he was the backup QB to a former #1 overall pick and multiple-time Pro Bowl QB, Drew Bledsoe, who had signed what was, at the time, the biggest deal in NFL...

Adventure – an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity How often do we tell ourselves that we don’t have enough time or that we are too old to do something we’ve always wanted to do? How often have we put off an adventure because we’re “responsible?” When you put off that snowboarding trip or that whitewater rafting adventure, you are doing yourself much more than a disse...

Emotion – a feeling such as happiness, love, fear, anger, or hatred, which can be caused by the situation that you are in or the people you are with. This week we revisit one of our favorite episodes – an interview with the host of Fiscally Savage, Dylan Bain! We hope you guys enjoy it and look forward to getting back to new episodes next week! The relationship men have with money can be a difficu...

Victor – one that defeats an enemy or opponent We are not victims. In a world where too many people use victimhood as a badge of honor, it’s the men who do not allow themselves to play the victim card who ultimately achieve victory. In this episode of Untaming Masculinity, the guys are joined by Ben Kjar. Ben was born with Crouzon’s syndrome, which is a craniofacial anomaly. As a boy, doctors told...

Stupid – having or showing a great lack of intelligence or common sense As men, we are all guilty of doing stupid shit. While most of us have done more dumb things than we care to admit, there are consequences to making bad decisions. If we are continuously making bad choices, those consequences can be devastating. There is a saying: play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Too often, we find ourselv...

Adversity – a state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune All men face adversity at various points in their lives. When it strikes, we are faced with a choice. We can either choose to fight or we can choose to give up. Nobody remembers the man who gives up. There are few examples of adversity more harrowing than a cancer diagnosis. Staring down the very real possibility of y...

Structure – the arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex. This week we revisit one of our most downloaded episodes – an interview with “The Swole Father” – Father Michael Butler! We hope you guys enjoy it and look forward to getting back to new episodes next week! We live in a world where too many men have lost their way. All too often, we see men who have tu...

Culture – the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social groups. When it comes to building a team or creating a family dynamic, culture is the connective tissue. The success or failure of a group depends greatly on how successful its culture is. Building a culture is not linear. How you choose to build one should be based on the composition...

Potential – latent qualities or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success or usefulness We all have bad days. We all may find ourselves in difficult situations that can push us to the brink. However, it’s far too common for men to give up or let go of the rope. In times of adversity or struggle, it’s crucial to find ways to execute. You have to get yourself right so that you are a...

Recovery – a return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength When it comes to sleep, most guys know they don’t get enough. They go to bed too late, wake up too early and spend too much time sitting in a cubicle at work. They’re always tired and unable to perform at their best. What these men may not recognize is the direct impact rest and recovery have on their overall well-being. Being able...

Humility -a modest or low view of one’s own importance; humbleness Sometimes life throws you unexpected curveballs. Being able to handle those curveballs often means exhibiting a great deal of humility. Humility is something that many guys bristle at. Vulnerability is another. All too often, being unwilling to authentically embrace your humility and vulnerability holds us back. However, learning t...

Leader – the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country How often have we heard the term “born leader”? Truth be told, this term is a misnomer. Leaders are not born. Yes, some men have leadership characteristics that come naturally to them, but leaders are forged. So this begs the question: How is a leader forged? How can a “regular guy” learn to become a leader? In this episod...

AAR – A tool used to debrief a project or event to understand what took place, why it happened the way it did, and how to improve on it. Happy New Year! As we embark on 2023, it’s important to take a look at the year that was and make an honest assessment. It’s vital to conduct an AAR (after-action review) to see what went well and what didn’t. Identify things that you set out to accomplish and su...

Choice – An act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities It’s easy to fall off the wagon during the holiday season. Between all the parties, family dinners, and constant food and drink, it’s easy to get off track. Once you’ve gotten off track, it can be difficult to make the choice to get back after it, but it doesn’t need to be. We are constantly presented with...

In this episode of Untaming Masculinity, Dan and Brad field questions from listeners in their monthly ASK ME ANYTHING. If you have any questions you would like to ask the guys in a future AMA, post them on Instagram ( @untamingmasculinity ) or in the Untaming Masculinity Facebook Group . Show Highlights What’s the biggest challenge men like us in the masculine self-improvement space face in today’...

Physically Capable – the ability to satisfactorily perform the essential job duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, to which a man finds himself in A man must take care of himself physically. Any man who has lost control of his physical condition is unable to truly become the man he is meant to be. Unfortunately, it’s far too common to see men who have not fulfilled thei...

Survival – the state or fact of continuing to live or exist, typically in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult circumstances As we rapidly descend on the holidays, we find ourselves being invited to parties and dinners with family and friends. For as many of these parties we look forward to, there are likely just as many that we dread. However, in any situation we put ourselves into, there’s...

Lesson – an amount of teaching given at one time; a period of learning or teaching There are few things as humbling as a first-time hunt. There are also few things that connect you to nature and your soul than spending time in a tree stand with nothing but your weapon, your instinct, and your mind. In these scenarios, there are valuable lessons to be learned. In this episode of Untaming Masculinit...

Suffer – experience or be subjected to something bad or unpleasant This week we revisit one of our best episodes – an interview with fitness guru and all-around good dude, Anthony Diehl! We hope you guys enjoy it and look forward to getting back to new episodes next week! In this episode of Untaming Masculinity, Dan and Brad have the opportunity to sit down with our friend, world-class professiona...

In this episode of Untaming Masculinity, Dan and Brad field questions from listeners in their monthly ASK ME ANYTHING. If you have any questions you would like to ask the guys in a future AMA, post them on Instagram ( @untamingmasculinity ) or in the Untaming Masculinity Facebook Group . Show Highlights What is the best way to approach a friend who isn’t being the man he could be due to keeping up...

Emotion – a feeling such as happiness, love, fear, anger, or hatred, which can be caused by the situation that you are in or the people you are with. The relationship men have with money can be a difficult one. Limiting self-beliefs prevent so many men from doing more than they are currently doing. Their financial well-being is placed on the back burner due to fear, complacency, or simply feeling...

Overcome – To defeat or succeed in controlling or dealing with something. Far too often, men choose to not overcome their circumstances. Young boys raised in difficult situations become men who choose a life lacking purpose or meaning. However, there is the uncommon man who chooses to rise above the morass and live a life of meaning and purpose. When a man chooses to overcome his past, the lessons...

Victory – Achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties When a man is on the path to bettering himself, the results are life-changing. Whether it’s getting healthy, saving his marriage, or becoming successful in his business or career, he has successfully executed a plan to better his life. This is no small task. A driven man is so focused on bettering hi...

Root cause – The fundamental reason for the occurrence of a problem As men, we are focused on improving our lives and our situations. Rarely does a day go by where a man doesn’t look at himself in the mirror and commit to being better. We all too often, however, struggle to get off the ground with many of our initiatives and goals. It’s simply because we choose not to address the root cause of man...

Complacency – A feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements. All too often, men find themselves stuck in a career they are not happy or fulfilled in.  Some of these men feel stuck.  Some of these men choose to be complacent.  Whether it’s a job where you aren’t able to spend enough time with your kids or one you don’t ethically agree with, men can easily feel stuc...