The Will Spencer Podcast

Ben Howes runs the popular Instagram account Oaks and Oaths, and the podcast of the same name. Though born a Christian, his disillusionment with the faith and its faithful led him to abandon that path and discover Norse and Germanic Paganism. Now he leads and instructs others down that ancient road. Due to time constraints we had a shorter conversation than my recent episodes, but we think it’s ju...

Brendan Schmidt runs the popular Instagram account MasculineRevival , on which he pairs a rich aesthetic and movingly honest words about masculinity, as he discovers for himself what it means to be a man. He’s also someone I share a lot in common with. We “speak the same language,” having been on similar journeys through the New Age and men’s inner healing world and arriving at a rediscovery of tr...

Andrew Marvell was an English Restoration poet who lived and wrote during his nation’s civil wars, and in its transition from monarchy to the beginnings of republicanism. He was a well-traveled, well-spoken, hard-partying bachelor. In his masterwork “To His Coy Mistress” he paints a vivid picture of a familiar and amorous scenario most men will be familiar with. But he presents his own unique spin...

John Sonmez, founder of Bulldog Mindset, is a men’s coach, entrepreneur, published author, public speaker, and ultra-marathon runner. We met at the 21Convention in Orlando, Florida, this past October. He’s the sort of high-energy, fit, and positive guy who makes that event so special. And while you wouldn’t know it to look at him today, he’s also a man who’s been on a remarkable journey of transfo...

Derek Arellano is a former first-place pro bodybuilder and US Army veteran, and now is a professional trainer who’s passionate about the body, movement, and creating transformation in his clients. Derek and I also live in the same city. And the more time we’ve spent together, the more I’ve seen how much of value he has to share. He’s found his way into the Renaissance of Men, as well, and is disco...

This week I interview clinical psychologist, coach, and author Shawn T. Smith, Psy. D.   Shawn is an outspoken critic of the “woke”  ideology spreading through the field of clinical psychology, and speaks up courageously against the American Psychological Association, the governing body propagating it. Because psychology and psychotherapy is one of my core interests, I felt having Shawn on the pod...

This week I read "The Collar” by the English poet George Herbert, who lived during the 1600’s. This poem depicts one man’s struggle with his chosen calling of the priesthood versus his burning desire for freedom and adventure. I also discuss the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Counter-Reformation, and the flows of history that connect Herbert with our modern age. This poem is proof that we’re...

This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, I interview the host of the Universe Within Podcast, Jason Grechanik. Jason is a facilitator at the acclaimed Peruvian ayahuasca healing center The Temple of the Way of Light, which is where we met in 2016. Jason also leads his own tobacco healing ceremonies in Peru’s Sacred Valley and is an experienced martial artist and yoga practitioner. Naturally we...

This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews master sculptor Sabin Howard, America’s foremost practitioner of Modern Classicism. Sabin's works are owned by museums and private collectors around the world, and he's been favorably reviewed in the New York Times, Washington Post, and many international journals. He's currently in the process of sculpting the U.S. National Worl...

This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews Rob, Founder of the Grounded Athlete, inventor of the popular Gaia Grounding Sandals , and sponsored professional sprinter. In our engaging conversation, Rob and I discuss: His background as a pro athlete, and how it led him to discover grounding Details about the many surprising health benefits of the deceptively simple practice...

This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews a kung-fu master, mystic, teacher, and psychedelic adventurer fusing esoteric spirituality with a warrior ethos, AlphaStarseed. In this mind- and possibility-expanding two hour conversation, we discuss: How a mystical experience in childhood marked AlphaStarseed for a life of greatness How he's used psychedelics to radically adva...

In this episode of “Poetry for Men," I read "Eulogy To A Hell of a Dame” by the legendary American poet Charles Bukowski. This poem about Bukowski's long deceased muse, Jane, demonstrates not just his mastery of poetic techniques, but his sense of romantic devotion. Despite being set in his familiar environment of the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles, Bukowski demonstrates that the values of beauty...

This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer is thrilled to welcome for his first online interview ever, the anonymous man behind the Instagram account that's inspiring thousands of men, The Howling Void @the_howling_void .  In this sprawling, encyclopedic conversation, we cover:  The importance for both individuals and society to have a "Telos," or soul-purpose The path of most resis...

In this episode of Poetry for Men, I read the exquisite "Last Gods” by the 20th century American poet Galway Kinnell. This graphic poem depicting a man and woman making passionate love weaves together both personal and mythological themes to produce a result that attains, to me, the status of high art. It has become one of my favorite poems of all time, and though it's taken an act of courage to r...

This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews one of the most capable, dangerous, and deeply wise male leaders today, Mr. Swift. In a wide-ranging and entertaining conversation, we discuss: His history as a paramedic and at multiple levels of law enforcement, and how he evolved into the mentor and leader of men he is today His Christian faith, the Bible, our shared love for...

In this episode of The Renaissance of Men’s “Poetry for Men” series, Will Spencer reads "A Man Lost By A River” by the American poet Michael Blumenthal. This rich and evocative poem asks us a question, "What if we didn't truly know ourselves?" What if somewhere inside there was a voice longing to be heard? Where might we find that voice, and what might it have to say? Blumenthal both asks and answ...

This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews married up-and-coming YouTube stars Jennifer Moleski and Dale Hiller. We talk about: The 21 Convention where I met them, and where we got to know each other, and how the convention can benefit both men and women What traditional partnership means to them, and the challenges of unlearning that they're facing individually, and toge...

In this episode of The Renaissance of Men’s “Poetry for Men” series, Will Spencer reads the poem “Mother and Son” by one of Canada's most beloved literary figures, Alden Nowlan. This challenging and provocative piece highlights the ways that parental violence can masquerade as harmless touches, right before our eyes. But by understanding the differences between men and women, we see that not all i...

This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews author, blogger, licensed architect, and public speaker Socrates of 21 Studios and manningupsmart.com . We talk about: How to shift men's lives from Greek Tragedy to Greek Comedy, and how that parallels with The Hero's Journey Socrates' journey as a new father His personal transformation as a man, and where he's going next The st...

In this episode of The Renaissance of Men’s “Poetry for Men” series, Will Spencer reads the classic “Psalm of Life” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. To read "Psalm of Life", click here . To learn more about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, click here . To order "The Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart", click here . Visit https://renofmen.com to sign up to be notified about exciting upcoming news. Twitter: @w...

This week on the Renaissance of Men Podcast, Will Spencer interviews blogger, author, speaker, and patriarch Zac Small, of thefamilyalpha.com and the Fraternity of Excellence . We talk about: The process of reclaiming his real name, and some of the disadvantages of using pseudonyms online The 21 Convention , Jack Donovan , Ivan Throne , Goldumund Unleashed , and Tanner Guzy , and their influences...

In this first episode of The Renaissance of Men’s “Poetry for Men” series, Will Spencer introduces the series and reads “The Man Watching” by Rainer Maria Rilke. To read "The Man Watching" click here . To order "The Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart", click here . Visit https://renofmen.com to sign up to be notified about exciting upcoming news. Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram .

In the debut episode of podcast, Will Spencer interviews author, blogger, and men’s fashion icon Tanner Guzy of masculine-style.com . Topics: Tanner's Family and Its Unique Culture His Growth and Development What It Takes to Lead a Good Life The Fashion Rituals of the Punk Rock Subculture His Challenges and Key Decisions A Suit That Changed His Life CONNECT WITH TANNER Website Twitter Instagram Th...