Men: A Work in Progress

When was the last time you told another man how you were really doing? In this episode, we unpack the quiet reality of male loneliness—why so many men feel isolated even when they appear successful, busy, or surrounded by others. From cultural conditioning to performance-driven identity, we explore what keeps men from forming deeper, more honest connections. We also get practical: what real connec...

Loss isn’t just about death—it’s the loss of identity, relationships, control, and the future you thought you’d have. In this episode, we explore why so many men carry grief quietly, how it shows up in ways we don’t always recognize, and the cost of never fully processing it. This isn’t about fixing loss or rushing closure—it’s about learning how to face it, name it, and live with it in a healthie...

Welcome back to Men: A Work in Progress. We took a little time off. Time to reflect, reset, and live; and it reminded us why this podcast matters. This show is about growth. About becoming. About doing the real work of being a man who’s still evolving. We’re kicking off Season 2 with a topic that sounds simple… but isn’t: Hobbies. What do you do just for you? Not for work. Not for status. Not for...

In this episode, Mike and Kyler reflect on their time in Vegas, taking the podcast on the road, the Cowboys vs. Raiders MNF game, and much more. They also close out the Fall 2025 season of Men: A Work in Progress and get the audience ready for next season!

In this episode of Men: A Work in Progress , Mike and Kyler open up about the idea of fatherhood before actually becoming fathers. They dive into the emotional preparation (or sometimes the lack of it), the legacies we hope to carry forward, and the fears and patterns that often go unspoken. What does it mean to imagine yourself as a dad before the role becomes real? How do our own upbringings sha...

Money is one of the most powerful forces in our lives—shaping how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, and what we value. In this episode of Men: A Work in Progress , Mike and Kyler open up about their very different experiences with money growing up, and how those early lessons have influenced their beliefs about success, materialism, and financial security today. Together, they explore que...

What happens when your business partner is also your life partner? In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress , Mike and Kyler sit down with Steph Lakso and Garrett Moon—a real-life couple navigating the highs, lows, and lessons of building a business together. They open up about how they met, why they decided to go into business together, and the reality behind the Instagrammable moments: disagre...

In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress , Mike and Kyler unpack one of the most common—and misunderstood—emotions: anxiety . Inspired by Inside Out 2 , they explore how anxiety shows up as that inner voice always scanning for what could go wrong, trying to protect us from failure, judgment, or disappointment. But when that voice gets too loud, it can hold us back from the very things we want mo...

This week on Men: A Work In Progress , Mike and Kyler explore the surprisingly powerful emotion of nostalgia —that bittersweet feeling that pulls us back to moments, places, and people we can’t quite let go of. Inspired by Inside Out 2 , they dig into how nostalgia can be both a source of warmth and a trap of longing. Together, they reflect on personal memories, childhood dreams, and the moments t...

In this episode, Mike and Kyler dive into the emotion that most of us try to escape at all costs: boredom . It’s often dismissed, avoided, or numbed out—but what if boredom is actually trying to tell us something? Inspired by Inside Out 2 , they explore how boredom shows up in modern life, especially for men, and why we often mask it with distraction, overworking, or even burnout. They ask big que...

Disgust isn’t just about spoiled milk or bad smells—it’s a powerful emotional boundary-setter. In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress , Mike and Kyler take a deeper look at disgust , as introduced in Inside Out , and explore how it shows up in everyday life: from gut reactions to behaviors, people, or even parts of ourselves we’d rather avoid. They discuss how disgust is wired to protect us—bu...

In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress , Mike and Kyler dive into a feeling we all know too well but rarely talk about: embarrassment . Inspired by Inside Out 2 , they unpack why embarrassment can feel so overwhelming, especially for men who are often taught to hide it or laugh it off. They share personal stories of cringeworthy moments, discuss how embarrassment shapes our sense of self, and...

In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress , Mike and Kyler dive into the emotion we often overlook— joy . Inspired by the character from Inside Out , they explore why joy can sometimes feel fleeting or even uncomfortable for men to fully embrace. From early conditioning that prioritizes stoicism over celebration, to the pressure of always being "on" or "productive," joy often gets sidelined. Mike...

Sadness is often seen as something to avoid—but what if it’s actually one of our greatest strengths? In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress , Mike and Kyler explore the role of sadness in our lives, inspired by Inside Out . They break down why sadness is essential for emotional growth, how it deepens our connections with others, and why suppressing it can do more harm than good. Through person...

Fear—it’s wired into us for survival, but too often, it holds us back. In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress , Mike and Kyler take a deep dive into fear—how it protects us, how it limits us, and how we can learn to work with it instead of against it. Inspired by Inside Out , they explore why fear is one of the most dominant emotions in men’s lives, from career decisions to relationships to pe...

Envy—it’s an emotion we all feel but rarely admit. In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress , Mike and Kyler break down the truth about envy: why we experience it, how it can be destructive, and how to turn it into motivation instead of resentment. Inspired by Inside Out , they explore the psychology behind envy, how social media fuels comparison, and the common triggers that hit men the hardest...

In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress , Mike and Kyler dive into the complex emotion of anger —why we feel it, how it manifests, and how men are conditioned to express (or suppress) it. Inspired by Inside Out , we explore the role anger plays in our lives, the dangers of unchecked rage, and the strategies to harness it for growth instead of destruction. From personal stories to practical tool...

In this episode, Mike and Kyler bring on a very special guest, Lawrence Miera , to dive into the transformative power of travel. Together, they explore how stepping into the unknown can challenge beliefs, foster personal growth, and deepen connections. Highlights include: ✈️ How travel pushes us out of our comfort zones to confront fears and insecurities. 🌍 The role travel plays in shaping identi...

🎙️ In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress , Mike and Kyler are joined by the inspiring Holly Hobson-Gery for a candid and eye-opening conversation about career growth, gender dynamics, and allyship in the workplace. Holly shares her career journey and the drive that has propelled her success—how it started, how it’s evolved, and what keeps her motivated today. She opens up about memorable mome...

In this episode, Mike and Kyler welcome Keith Sexton from Movember to chat about men’s health and why the mustache makes its annual appearance! Mid-November is here, and Mike’s sporting his ‘stache for more than just fashion—it’s all about raising awareness for men’s mental and physical health. Keith fills us in on Movember’s roots, why it’s crucial to talk openly about men’s health issues, and ho...

In this episode, Mike and Kyler dive into the wild world of dating apps! 🎉 They share their thoughts on swiping, ghosting, and the highs and lows of finding connections online. From awkward first messages to the realities of modern romance, they explore how dating apps have changed the game for better—and sometimes for worse. With plenty of laughs and a few “Did that really happen?” stories, they...

In this episode, Mike and Kyler explore the breaking points and major life challenges that define our journeys. 💥 They open up about personal moments of burnout, tough decisions, and navigating transitions that changed the course of their lives. Through stories of leaning on friends, family, and inner strength, they reflect on how these pivotal experiences shaped who they are today. It’s a though...

In this episode, Mike and Kyler dive into the fascinating world of personality types, exploring the quirks of being introverted, extroverted, or somewhere in between. 🎭 They debunk common myths about both, share how social settings impact each type differently, and offer tips on balancing alone time with social interaction (spoiler: it's trickier than it sounds!). They also tackle how introverts...

In this episode, Mike and Kyler dive into the game of life, sharing how sports have shaped them in more ways than just wins and losses. 🏆 They chat about the life lessons sports taught them growing up, from handling stress and competition to building strong support networks through teamwork. As they’ve gotten older, they reflect on how their relationship with staying active has evolved—especially...

The anticipation is over. We are coming to you with a new episode one day late. Apologies for the technical challenges but we hope the wait was worth it. In this episode, Mike and Kyler explore the complexities of male friendships at different life stages, discussing what makes these bonds strong and why some men hesitate to form close connections. They examine how societal expectations of masculi...