GreatMan Podcast

Men are about twice as likely to become alcohol-dependent as women. They’re twice as likely to binge drink and twice as likely to be drunk drivers. This is not a campaign against drinking. But it is a campaign for being thoughtful about your stance on alcohol and in control of your consumption. This is an essential episode for all men. Listen now… Photo by Adam Wilson on Unsplash for the National Drug Helpline This episode originally aired on May 15, 2018. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the things that distinguishes a mature man from an immature boy is his ability to get what he needs. Men, you’ve probably heard Stephen say this before: you need a certain amount of rowdiness and adventure in your lives. A reasonable pursuit of these things will make you a better man – for yourself and for those you lead. So, take stock of what you need. Figure out how to get it. And go after it! This episode originally aired on May 29, 2018. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We used to believe the brain was a closed system. Now we’re finding that the brain is very malleable. We are not dealt a single hand of cards at birth. In fact, the human brain is constantly changing and evolving. In this episode, Stephen discusses the number one way in which the brain is shaped and influenced. If you want to be a better man, it’s essential that you master the very specific area of life discussed in this episode. You can do it, you NEED to do it, and Stephen will show you how you can begin transforming the actual make up of your brain… effective immediately! This episode originally aired on October 8, 2019. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Men are made for adventure. Yet so many guys are “over-domesticated.” You know how it goes: gradually, the pressures and duties of daily life begin to take over. We spend our time taking care of our homes, families, cars, and careers, while we neglect attending to our inner zeal and passion. Men, you need to have regular activities in your life that force excitement and adventure upon you. Every man at every age needs to look at his life, identify the boredom, and build in the excitement, passion, and adventure that he was made for. If you don’t do this you are putting yourself and those around you at tremendous risk. This episode originally aired on March 13, 2018. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Please note: This episode includes sexual content. Parents, consider listening alone first, then discussing with your sons. Pornography is at the root of many issues in our world, from domestic abuse to sex trafficking. In this hard-hitting episode, Stephen drills down on one specific problem: porn-induced erectile dysfunction. Younger men are now experiencing ED as a result of regular use of pornography. Learn about the problems, the studies, and the solutions connected to P.I.E.D. This episode originally aired on May 21, 2019. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The great principles and truths that guide us to success and effective living are often quite simple. Stephen shares a basic concept that has changed his life: maintaining a sense of calm. One of the gifts that men can give to the world and themselves is calmness. A good man is centered. He is connected to God. He does not get rattled by everything that happens. He believes in destiny, and he steps into every new phase of life or challenge with a sense of calm. He believes that he is where he’s meant to be. He is confident that he possesses resources beyond his own. Live your life from this calm core. Building Your Band of Brothers is now available in paperback on Amazon for the first time. Preorder NOW for the June 30 release – just $10 with free shipping on Prime. Building Your Band of Brothers on Amazon Forma tu banda de hermanos on Amazon See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

No matter your age or health, you need to make the habit of getting an annual medical exam a regular discipline in your life. Many of the diseases that can kill or seriously debilitate you are not things that you can detect yourself. Yeah, it might be uncomfortable. No, you’re not going to like it. But routine annual exams are a crucial part of being a great man. You owe it to yourself and your family. Tune in as Stephen talks about some critical tests and screenings that every man should discuss with his doctor. Building Your Band of Brothers is now available in paperback on Amazon for the first time. Preorder NOW for the June 30 release – just $10 with free shipping on Prime. Building Your Band of Brothers on Amazon Forma tu banda de hermanos on Amazon See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In one of Stephen’s favorite films, Legends of the Fall, there are two brothers who embody different spirits of manhood. Alfred is refined. Tristan is wild. There’s a scene where Alfred turns to Tristan and says, “I followed all of the rules, man’s and God’s, and you followed none of them. And they all loved you more.” Men live in tension between innate wildness and societal rules. Yes, rules are necessary for society to function. The problem is that a man can completely lose his wildness in our society. Keep both Alfred and Tristan alive in your soul. Building Your Band of Brothers is now available in paperback on Amazon for the first time. Preorder NOW for the June 30 release – just $10 with free shipping on Prime. Building Your Band of Brothers on Amazon Forma tu banda de hermanos on Amazon See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Build the culture around you through the stories you tell. Words are the fast-track in culture building. Weed out the dark and disillusioning, and fill in with the inspiring and encouraging. This summer, Stephen challenges you to evaluate what you’re talking about on a regular basis. Are you constantly griping or mired in negativity? What are you telling most often, and what does that encourage to grow in your life? Words matter. Learn to use them, especially the power of story, to shape culture. Also mentioned in this episode: Subscribe to Leading Thoughts Listen to the Stephen Mansfield Podcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special episode recorded for both the GreatMan Podcast and the Stephen Mansfield Podcast, Stephen reflects on the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Tune in for a discussion of gun laws, school security, but most importantly: the powerful role that family and community can play in preventing troubled young men like the Uvalde shooter from taking such brutal and violent actions. Image via Sergio Flores for the Texas Tribune See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After the Challenger and Columbia space shuttle disasters, NASA became very risk-averse in their corporate culture. As a result, they didn’t have any major failures. They also capped innovation. SpaceX, on the other hand, failed and failed often. Elon Musk built a corporate culture that turned those failures into fuel for growth. Similarly, when you attempt something daring and new, there will be failures. But the “perfect” is the enemy of progress. You’re going to screw up. Mistakes will happen. And that’s fine. The difference is in how you react. Examine your mistakes. Learn from them. Use them to build noble manhood in your life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Men need both a team and a purpose or they will go about digging holes in their lives. Going it alone, they will allow themselves to be destroyed by addiction, excess pleasure, and past traumas. They will crash. Stephen illustrates the point by sharing a story he recently heard Bedros Keuilian tell. Men, find a band of brothers and get to work on fixing the problematic areas of your life before a blow-up. Better to avoid the crash than have to skillfully fix it afterwards. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Many a man has discovered the power of rebellion in his teenage years. It feels good. It makes you feel alive. A little bit of opposition and rebellion can even be healthy. But don’t get stuck there. If you allow rebellion to become a primary force in your life, you live constantly in a state of reaction. When rebellion and anger thrive in your soul, you are not able to pursue a destiny or take hold of a higher cause. You’re too busy reacting. If this is an area where you’ve struggled, tune in, and rise above. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The strength and glory of a man are exhibited when he takes responsibility. It’s at the heart of noble manhood. Owning your responsibility is more than just checking off a list of household chores. (Though that’s part of it.) Being responsible in a manly way includes taking charge in the broader sense of your “field” – that is, your relationships, obligations to community, and self. Take responsibility and prosperity will follow. This episode originally aired on September 18, 2018. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Men have an ability to set radiating goals. When you set a big radiating goal, your life naturally aligns in support of that goal. Stephen shares his big radiating goal in this episode and encourages you to do the same. Set your goal completion for four months from now. Ideally, you will make it physical, aggressive, and largely outdoors. Keep it achievable, but aggressive, and let it radiate through your life. Tune in to join the challenge! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do you ever feel discouraged about where you are in life? Did you know that there is a benevolent conspiracy underway, leading you to a destined moment? In fact, the mundane and challenging parts of your life are building greatness within you. Though you may not see it, your weaknesses are being refined into skills that will lift you to great heights. Don’t miss this encouraging and powerful episode, as Stephen touches on David and Goliath, Churchill, Zelensky and others who have had greatness built in their lives. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The poet Thomas Babington Macaulay wrote in “Lays of Ancient Rome” – And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods. Churchill memorized all 1,200 lines of this poem and quoted from it often in his wartime addresses. Stephen sees the poem’s sentiments coming to life today in the lives of men in Ukraine. You see, men are not meant to live just for themselves. Our purpose is not even just to provide for our families and immediate kin. A man is meant for these things and more. A man is meant to live for a glorious cause, for something that captures his soul and enflames his heart. Gentlemen, your lives are measured by the higher causes to which you give yourself. There are many causes in this world. Which one will capture your heart? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you are attempting to live out a code of noble manhood, you aren’t alone. You are part of something Stephen’s never talked about before on the GreatMan Podcast: a fellowship of men in the world. Tune in as Stephen discusses the global pursuit of great manhood, and what it means to care about righteous manhood across racial, ethnic, and national lines. Now, let’s get to the work that’s set out before us. This episode originally aired on July 7, 2020. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

At just 44 years old, Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, is calling his nation to greatness. Stephen discusses Zelensky’s unique path to the Presidency, his admirable leadership qualities, and his ability to rouse his people. Despite having a military budget one-tenth the size of Russia’s, Zelensky’s Ukraine is holding its ground. Tune in to find how this man has lit up his nation, and find yourself inspired to lead others in your sphere of influence with greatness. Mentioned in this episode: Putin’s Spiritual Vision (via the Stephen Mansfield Podcast) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephen recently visited with an old friend who has planted roots for 40 years in a small town in Texas. This man is highly respected, his business is thriving, and he has a beautiful and impressive home with many acres. Unlike so many who chase shiny objects or strike out for distant cities, this man cast down his buckets where he was, to borrow language from Booker T. Washington. He planted roots, and they grew deep. In seeking out the places where they think success may lie, men have a tendency to miss the opportunities already in front of their noses. Consider the possibility that planting where you are and building progressively may be the path for you. To learn more about the impact Booker T. Washington had on his generation and the generations that followed, read Stephen Mansfield’s book, Then Darkness Fled: The Liberating Wisdom of Booker T. Washington. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Being generous and large-hearted is one of the ways you can change lives, build a legacy, prosper, and honor God. In fact, generosity is one of the features of a great man. A great man doesn’t hold his possessions too closely. He is big-hearted. Tune in to find out just how generous Americans, in particular, have been in recent years. (Did you know Americans’ generosity throughout the pandemic topped 2019 giving levels?) Whether you’re a seasoned giver or looking to build new giving habits, Stephen provides useful resources in this episode. Tune in, and let’s give generously this year! Resources mentioned in this episode: BBB Wise Giving Alliance Charity Navigator Charity Watch Candid (GuideStar) IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search Give to GreatMan GreatMan Global Donations See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephen is currently watching Hulu’s new docuseries, Secrets of Playboy, which exposes Hugh Hefner’s toxic and fraudulent house of cards. As you’ve heard Stephen say before, pornography is divorce training. And Playboy opened the floodgates. In this episode, Stephen talks about his own childhood exposure to pornography and how this cancerous bilge is destroying men of all ages. It’s time for us to extricate our generation and the generations to come from the chains of pornography and to enjoy glorious sex lives within the context of marriage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There’s a word that can make a big difference in your life as you pursue great manhood: build. We are often advised to live in a way that dodges missiles. But life for a man is not just about reacting and responding. Life is about how you build. In his late 30s and early 40s, Stephen was around men who talked about “building” their lives. Tune in for a fresh perspective on the difference between “building” and simply “getting by.” Take in wisdom and input. Get help. Call in the reinforcements. Build your life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Relief is short-term. It’s the glass of wine at the end of the day, the massage, the TV show. Relief is the short-term lifting of weariness or pain. Relief is not restoration. In this episode, Stephen shares the struggles of two friends who are using relief when they should be using restoration. Learn from their ways and then evaluate your own behaviors. Are you seeking relief or restoration? Let’s agree to make a change together. Restoration is one of the arts of being a GreatMan. This episode originally aired on March 10, 2020. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephen responds to questions about a controversial word we hear often in our society: patriarchy. “Rule by men” hasn’t always been a happy time for women, and so it makes sense this term is cast in a negative light. Why are most societies ruled by men? What does noble, righteous, and good manly leadership look like? Tune in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Whether you are a CEO with means or a college student making ends meet, Stephen has a challenge for you this year. Commit to hosting at least one event for men. This can be as big as a 10,000-person conference or as simple as getting a few guys together for a workout or pizza. Men connect best through indirect connection. When we gather around another activity, whether that’s a hunting trip or tossing the frisbee, we can layer in an informal discussion of manhood that then grows. This year, commit to doing some kind of gathering for men. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Winston Churchill once said, “When the notes of life ring false, men should correct them by referring to the tuning-fork of death.” In other words, ponder your own mortality. Or, as the Ancients phrased it, memento mori. Remember death. What would your life look like if you lived every day as though it was your last? What would you change? Consider thoughtfully, and act. Also, confirm that your family will be taken care of in your absence. Prepare with the appropriate life insurance and burial insurance plans. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A man should be self-possessed. He should walk with confidence. Listen to a few trusted individuals, and walk according to the wisdom of the ancients. Internalize your faith and draw from your family and band of brothers. Take stock of your internal security system. Are you preoccupied with the opinions of others? Have harsh comments left you off balance or seeking approval you’ll likely never get? Focus on what matters and what is true so that you feel God’s pleasure as you run your life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the early years of a boy’s life, the father is sometimes on the perimeter, as the mother is the primary nurturer. In the early adolescent years, boys will then migrate away from their mothers toward their fathers. This is when Dad needs to step in at a greater level and usher his son into manhood. The driving force in the boy’s life shifts from Mom (“God is there, he cares, and he’s loving.”) to Dad (“God is powerful, but he can be trusted.”). Tune in as Stephen describes this process and advises fathers on how to manage the transition. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephen was recently asked, “If you look at the culture of men, what one word would best describe that culture?” That one word is respect. Men in our generation are often raised in a culture of disrespect. When a man begins to realize the power he has and what he’s meant to be doing in the world, it can all be summarized by this word. Respect. Tune in as Stephen describes the process of realizing, owning, creating, and living in a culture of respect – for this is one of the great arts of a good, noble, and righteous man. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last month, Stephen spent some time with a group of men who had a completely different outlook on exercise. Many of these former military guys described their physical fitness activities (lifting weights, going for a run, etc.) not as “working out,” but as “training.” A workout is a daily obligation you wish you could discard. Training, as Stephen learned and shares with listeners, is physical work that you do to prepare for a greater challenge. There is a connection between a GreatMan’s inside and his outside. Great manhood works from the inside out. Stephen encourages you to adopt this perspective, too. Train because you have a vision. Not because you “need to workout.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to the last GreatMan Podcast of 2021. As we approach the end of the year, Stephen has some concern. 2022 is probably going to be a bumpy ride. You’ve got to be ready. You’re going to need a band of brothers to prevail against difficult times. For some of you, your struggle to be a noble man is made more difficult by having an incomplete or faux band of brothers. Rather, you need to have a group of men around you who know your life without you having to narrate it to them. You need to have a free fire zone. Learn more about what it looks like to have an authentic band of brothers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When it comes to toasts, many men have a tendency toward smack talk and humor. While there’s nothing wrong with sarcasm or humor – it can even be a useful tool – this approach is often rooted in insecurity. It also makes the talk about you, the speaker, not the subject. Feel free to use humor, but also speak words that call out the person’s destiny. In this episode, Stephen shares how he plans for a speech. One of the keys is to ask: “What will be remembered years from now?” The truth is, no one is being affirmed enough. No one is having their destiny called out. They’re not being told about their nobility or being given a vision for the higher version of themselves. Next time you give a tribute or toast, identify a noble concept in a person, draw it out with a story, and speak words that will live on. Tune in to learn more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This football season, you’ve probably seen a huge amount of advertising for online sports gambling. In this episode, Stephen addresses the issue bluntly without getting preachy. Gambling is going to be a great seduction focused on men in our generation. Unfortunately, it’s only going to get worse. Draw your moral line now, and certainly pull in your band of brothers for help. Stephen’s strong suggestion: stay away from gambling (with, perhaps, some soft edges to this general rule). Tune in for more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do you know the true, historically accurate Thanksgiving story? The Pilgrims are often under attack these days, but these godly men and women sacrificed much, giving their lives to bring the Gospel to the new world. They laid a foundation our nation would do well to remember. Tune in and recall the heritage and the purposes to which the Pilgrims were devoted. And while you listen, think of who may be changed and challenged by hearing this episode. Think of how you can get this story in front of children, because it needs to be passed to the next generation. Happy Thanksgiving to you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Men have a tendency toward cowardice when it comes to how they treat women. Men tend to think that what a woman allows, sexually, is what is appropriate. A man should know in advance what his ethical code will allow. We must eliminate this cowardly notion that what happens between a man and woman is determined solely by what a woman will permit. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The GreatMan Podcast is typically “big picture.” Not today! This episode is crucial for every man to hear. Stephen gets granular, talking through some of the nuts-and-bolts that should be a part of every man’s life. These are the things you absolutely must do – for yourself, your family, and those in your sphere of influence. Listen up. But most importantly, take action. This episode originally aired on November 12, 2019. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Growing up in a military household, and moving as many as ten times in nine years, Stephen became a master liar. All that changed when he became a Christian at the age of 18. Take stock of yourself. Are you deceiving yourself or others? Do you lean toward falsehoods? If you are lying, why? A good man is devoted to the truth, the raw truth. Conquer lying. Build the good and noble in your life, and talk about that. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A good man is present. This week on the podcast, Stephen tells two stories that illustrate a great principle of noble manhood: leadership by presence. Tune in to find out what Stephen discovered about Abu Ghraib while he was embedded with US troops in Iraq. Then follow a different tale that is unfolding this very moment at a high school in Shreveport, LA. Mentioned in this episode: “Dads help curb violence at Louisiana high school” (via CBS News) Faith of the American Soldier by Stephen Mansfield See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you’ve had struggles with money and finances, you’re not alone. Stephen has had his share of troubles, too. Listen in as Stephen shares about some of his failings in this department as a man and a leader. Those of you who have also grown up in a military household may especially identify with some of the forces perpetuating a personal finance knowledge deficit. The good news is that we can overcome this. First, sit down and honestly evaluate your finances. Then, get help. Find resources and suggestions in this episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Your words are powerful. Are you speaking gently and wisely to those you love and lead? A man says the things that need to be said, and he says them consistently. This is a part of taking responsibility for your field. Do not leave unfinished business. Think through the things that you need to address with your friends and family. Do not take for granted time to do this. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Think of the supercharged world we live in: hyper, nervous, and loud. One of the great gifts a righteous man gives to his friends, family, and world is the power of Big Calm. A man has Big Calm when there is peace in his soul, even in the midst of crisis. He may not know exactly what to do. He may even know there’s a certain amount of danger. But he’s calm and settled. He ponders carefully and radiates his calm into the immediate situation around him. John Wooden had this characteristic. If you have Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men, you can read about it on pages 233-238. This episode originally aired on November 5, 2019. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Men have a unique gift for rituals and are deeply impacted by them. In this episode, Stephen shares some of his own rituals, as well as those he’s observed in families, companies, and bands of brothers. Discover the importance of rituals and learn how to build them into every aspect of your life. When you embed rituals into your life, you engage in constantly reaffirming what kind of man you are. This episode originally aired on November 10, 2020. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why, in today’s men’s movement, is the attitude around alcohol akin to passing a bottle back-and-forth behind the high school gym? Guys, what’s with the centrality of alcohol? The obsession? In this episode, Stephen talks about his own relationship with alcohol – no, he’s not a teetotaler – as well as what he has observed in his travels. Men, remember, whatever is of ultimate concern in your life becomes a religion to you. This episode originally aired on October 29, 2019. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In aptitude tests, women are superior to men in every regard except for abstract thought and aggression. That’s where the art of the quest comes in. Men need quests in their lives. You constantly need to do something to prove yourself––if only to yourself. Your quest can be physical or spiritual, so long as you are pursuing a goal through challenge and adversity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Men have an obligation to provide for their families after death. It is unbelievably easy for a man to do this through relatively inexpensive term life insurance and burial insurance. If you have an insurance agent in your network, reach out to them and set this up. If you don’t, Stephen backs Ramsey Solutions’ recommendations. (Stephen is in no way compensated for this endorsement.) Don’t shrink away from this issue out of fear or smallness. Great men consider the condition of those they leave behind. Contemplate your death now and take the appropriate measures in order to live a better life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Men, one of the keys to a great marriage is that you must fight the battle of the negative narrative. The positive things in your relationship are clear and easy to celebrate. For example, your wife is beautiful, loving, hard-working, and so on. But it is the negative things about a spouse (real or perceived) that can take root in your brain almost subconsciously. Before you realize it, the mind will nurture a poisonous, negative narrative. If you allow the negative narrative to take root, it will become the dominant narrative. Identify it. Address it. Grow a stronger marriage as a result. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Part of restoring noble manhood is that you stand guard over everything in your field. Your role as a man is to help everything within your reach rise to fulfilling its destiny. In this episode, Stephen lays out the specific steps involved in the process. From observation to implementation, this is your battle plan, men. Every step here is actionable, and you can start today. No excuses… let’s go! This episode originally aired on January 28, 2020. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As we face a new round of COVID challenges, ask yourself these questions: when I am around others, what do people feed on that’s good and noble in my life? What morally and spiritually nutritious things do my words and actions encourage to grow? The way you lead at home or among your band of brothers is a way of creating a culture. Culture is whatever is encouraged to grow. What do you encourage in the midst of difficult seasons? Anger and bitterness? Or strength and positivity? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Smack talk is a healthy part of manhood. Sure, it’s fun. But it’s also a way that men nurture, teach, and train one another. It can be a very constructive tool. It can also be dangerous. Learn where to find the line. In this episode, Stephen discusses the appropriate and inappropriate use of humor, as well as red flags to look for in yourself. If humor doesn’t come naturally to you, follow the advice found here! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.