ManTalks Podcast

Talking points: parents, anger, unavailability My guest this week came to work on how can't see any path other than "it's all on me", as well as a feeling of emotional distance from his father. But why? What's hidden in the shadow that connects the two? This is an excellent episode to get a feel for the work in action—and how we so easily bury certain parts of ourselves and others in the unconscio...

Talking points: mindset, nervous system There's good, there's great, and then there's real mastery. I've had the privilege of working and talking with many extraordinary men. Masters of their craft. There's something that all of them do well—and it's what separates the great from the exceptional. Listen in. (00:00:00) - Intro (00:05:51) - What separates good from great, and great from exceptional...

Talking points: trauma This week, I sit down with Tim Fletcher to explore the deep and often misunderstood world of complex trauma. We unpack how subtle childhood experiences like emotional neglect or identity suppression can shape our nervous systems, relationships, and sense of self for decades. Tim breaks down the science and psychology behind trauma and its complexity, and offers insights into...

Talking points: anxiety, attention, mindset What if the jitters aren't just from the extra coffee this morning? What if you're taking in too much info, courtesy of the never-ending scroll? There's something underneath it all, team, and building resiliency against that can be an absolute game changer. Here's how. (00:00:00) - What’s underneath all anxiety, and what it does (00:03:01) - Why this is...

Talking points: relationship, attachment, culture I love Stan because he's able to cut through so much of the modern BS around relationships, and get straight to practical, tactical perspectives and advice. We covered a TON of ground here, from the importance of social contracts and mutual protection, to the need for shared vision and purpose in creating equitable and collaborative relationships....

Talking points: relationships, infidelity Not the happiest of talking points today, team, but it's always worth discussing. There's no universal reason for it, but from my own experience and years of working with men, I've seen some common themes. Here's a quick breakdown of the top reasons, plus the underlying motivation for almost every man that's knocked on my door. (00:00:00) - Intro, and the...

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. List...

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...

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:...

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 manhoo...

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 o...

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) - Intr...

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...

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 bey...

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...

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...

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 fr...

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)...

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...

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)...

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...

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-prio...

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...

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 o...

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 poin...