The GreatMan Podcast: Recent Episodes
The GreatMan Podcast
Success doesn't come without vision. What are you aiming at? What are you striving toward? Today, Stephen issues a challenge to cast vision, whether it be physical, relational, financial, or otherwise, and pursue it.
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Today, JT hosts a solo episode to dive into his personal experience with the phenomenon of hikikomori and make an important announcement.
Read about Hikikomori in "Let's Stay In" by John Mac Ghlionn: https://americanmind.org/salvo/lets-stay-in/
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Today, Stephen issues a challenge to commit to short, consistent prayer for the next several weeks, designed to connect you to the maker of masculinity. Stay attuned to changes and developments in your life as you look to God for help. Listen in to learn how.
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When this world and the people in it don't meet your expectations, how are you to cope? JT and Anthony have 5 key principles to help you walk full of grace, even when things don't go your way:
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Embrace uncertainty
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Focus on the present
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Avoid comparison
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Be flexible
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Practice gratitude
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How does a man keep his head above the water in a world full of hardship and unmet expectations? He must become the "happy warrior" to fight for what is noble and true. For a man to offer his life to others, he can't be blown away by the evils that befall him. Let's talk about the ways we can outgrow our immature perfectionism and live with love, joy, and purpose in a world that will undoubtedly let us down.
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Child trafficking is one of the greatest evils our society faces today. Fortunately, with movies like The Sound of Freedom in the spotlight, awareness is growing. To further that mission, CEO and founder of the Mission America Foundation, Aaron Spradlin, joins JT and Anthony today to talk about his lived experiences rescuing trafficked children. Listen in to learn how you can be a part of the movement against child trafficking. Listener discretion is advised.
MISSION AMERICA FOUNDATION:
https://www.missionamericafoundation.com/
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The heavy, yet crucial topic of grieving is unpacked by JT and Anthony as they recount their own losses of friends, family, and even seasons of life. Throughout any journey of grief, it is imperative that you:
- Acknowledge the loss
- Allow yourself to grieve
- Seek support
- Take care of yourself
- Take the time to honor and remember
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Different cultures have different ways of handling grief. Often, in the western world, it is expected to leave old sorrows behind and move on to what's next. But for much of the world, the grieving process is years-long and a public affair. Today, Stephen challenges you to feel your grief, whether it be for a person or a season in life, and to express it in healthy ways.
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Impacting the life of your son doesn't have to be as daunting as it sounds. With intentional practices like keeping open communication, supporting his independence, and building trust, you can provide guidance and be a positive role model in his life. Listen in as two fathers discuss the ways in which they have and hope to impact their older sons.
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As it applies to you, take a moment to reflect on the relationship you have with your older son. What are the ways you can be there for him? What are the ways you can relate to him? What are the ways you can lead by example? The teaching of noble manhood doesn't stop when your son leaves the house. Let's explore ways to check in on and impact the lives of our sons.
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What exactly does it look like to show up whole? Today, Anthony and JT offer some personal examples of ways to listen with intent, change what needs changing, and master the art of being present.
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Men, it isn't essential that you have your entire life figured out at all times. However, it is essential that you have some basic things figured out in the moment. If you consistently allow your business troubles, relational struggles, or emotional problems to take control, you will never show up whole.
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Today, JT and Anthony break down their own experiences with having and upholding a fortress of principles. They get into everything from rules of general courtesy to mandates in dating their daughters. Listen in for some great insight and useful practices.
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A noble man is nothing without his principles. What are his non-negotiables? What does he build his life upon? How does he orient his behavior? Listen in as Stephen expounds upon some of his manly principles, and how you can implement some of your own.
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Today, Stephen has three distinct, yet critical topics for men to consider. Take a moment to step back and analyze your priorities and habits as he outlines placing a high value on marriage, taking your health seriously, and waging war on debt.
The post The Talk: 3 Urgent Warnings for Men appeared first on GreatMan.
This week, join JT and Anthony as they pick up where Stephen left off in our discussion on backfiring bitterness. How exactly does it work? What impact does it have on keeping you from being the man you are called to be? Listen in and find out!
The post The Build: Hating Part of Yourself appeared first on GreatMan.
This week, Stephen elaborates on an important point he made in a previous episode – the concept of backfiring bitterness. If you have anyone in your inner circle whom you resent, you are also resenting part of yourself. How exactly does this work? Listen in to find out.
The post Hating Part of Yourself appeared first on GreatMan.
Some big changes are in store for GreatMan! We are proud to announce that our weekly podcast schedule is resuming again – but with some fresh new voices to add to it! Listen in as Stephen unveils the news with JT and Anthony, the co-hosts of our fellow podcast, Renovating Masculinity. You’ll be hearing more from them soon!
The post Exciting Changes Coming to GreatMan appeared first on GreatMan.
As men striving toward nobility, we should be bothered by things like recent satanic Grammy performances. What’s more, we should be outraged by the injustice being done toward women when they are portrayed as servants and objects in our culture. We are told to ignore it in art, yet are called to action in the public square. Men, it is up to us to call out the hypocrisy and lift women up.
As men striving toward nobility, we should be bothered by things like recent satanic Grammy performances. What’s more, we should be outraged by the injustice being done toward women as when they are portrayed as servants and objects in front of our culture’s eyes. We are told to ignore it in art, yet are called to action in the public square. name of social justice. Men, it is up to us to call out the hypocrisy and lift women up.
The post A GreatMan and Women appeared first on GreatMan.
Maintaining health, vitality, and purpose as one grows old has a lot to do with eating right and staying active, but everything to do with adopting the right mindset. It’s tempting to believe that with old age comes a lack of responsibility. In fact, many men are throwing in the towel in their fifties, leaving the rest of their lives to become purposeless and unhealthy. As you advance in years, you get to choose how you will spend the rest of your life: on the couch – or in the world. Don’t let the old man in.
The post Don’t Let The Old Man In appeared first on GreatMan.
Honor is one of the most profound and intentional gifts you can give to someone in your life. What’s more, in practicing honoring others, you may find it come right back to you. Listen in for some ways to initiate this righteous practice.
The post Practicing Honor appeared first on GreatMan.
There is an addiction creeping into American society that has the power to destroy lives. Online gambling has grown at staggering rates, and men are being pulled into its grasp. Studies show that gambling activates the same pleasure centers in the brain as sex. Do not let it take control of your life. Read the full article with current statistics here.
The post Gambling: You Are Being Targeted appeared first on GreatMan.
As one year comes to a close and a new year begins, anxieties often settle in about what the future might hold. While unpredictable political, economic, and social events rage on, be intentional to initiate practices in the lives of your family and community to ground yourselves. Take heart in these stories of those who persevered through uncertainty, and carry them with you into the new year.
The post How To Face The Future appeared first on GreatMan.
Guys, you need to be fully engaged in the holiday season – for yourself, those you lead, and those around you. Join us as we Revisit the December 2018 Episode of the GreatMan Podcast (“Owning The Holidays”) for some quick encouragement and a challenge. May you be changed by the giving, loving, and celebrating of Christmas.
The post Owning The Holidays appeared first on GreatMan.
Being surrounded by men doesn't equate to having a band of brothers. To build the latter, there are some deeper questions involved - Why is this person in my life in the first place? Can I depend on them for anything past our normal activities? Would they really be there for me when things go [...]
The post Why Are They in Your Life? appeared first on GreatMan.
Do you have an apologetic for noble manhood? That word, "apologetic," comes from the Greek word "apologia," meaning "a formal defense of an opinion, position or action." If someone were to ask you what great manhood looks like, would you be prepared with a response? Would you be able to articulate your convictions? In this [...]
The post A Manly Apologetic appeared first on GreatMan.
Did you know that if you are “haunted by loneliness,” as Stephen says, the toll on your physical health is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day? According to a Harvard study, 61 percent of the young in the US self-report as being lonely. A haunting sense of loneliness is also correlated with high blood [...]
The post The Horror of Haunting Loneliness appeared first on GreatMan.
Most men, if they’re talking at all, are talking to the wrong people. If the only people you are talking to are your rowdy friends or your wife or girlfriend, then you are not going to be healing, arising, and stirred to be a better man. Stephen shares a recent experience he had in a [...]
The post Who Are You Talking To? appeared first on GreatMan.
One of the arts of great manhood is getting yourself straight about your father. For those of you who have wonderful relationships with your father, great. Dive deep. Drink it in. You won’t have him forever. For those of you who have mediocre relationships, dig in. Go further. You will be surprised at the riches [...]
The post Getting Aligned With Father appeared first on GreatMan.
A part of the British monarch’s funeral rites involves friends, knights, aides, and family members stepping up to the corners and sides of the coffin to stand vigil. This tradition comes from an ancient practice of warriors honoring their deceased commanders or kings by surrounding them with protection. Ponder your life through this question: who [...]
The post Who Will Stand Vigil for You? appeared first on GreatMan.
Men need manly, sacred space: a space in the home or outside of it. As Stephen prepares for a move, he describes the manly sacred space he has enjoyed for the past 17 years in Nashville. Men from every station in life have walked in and exclaimed, “Man, I wish I had something like this!” [...]
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Lying is a cancer of the soul and a cancer on great manhood. According to a survey by the University of Notre Dame, the average American tells 11 lies per week. Nearly three out of four of those lies are told to friends and family members. If a man is secure in himself, he doesn’t [...]
The post The Power in Conquering Lying appeared first on GreatMan.
Posit this with us: If there is a God and if He created you, then He created you as a man. Of course, we all sustain wounds and deformities that pierce the soul and heart, keeping us from becoming the men we are meant to be. But, again, if there is a God and if [...]
The post God and Manhood appeared first on GreatMan.
Joshua asks, what is the purpose of initiation and ritual among men? Learn why men are wired for rituals and seasons – and what you can do to build and foster ritual in the lives of your sons and the men around you. From childhood to adolescence to marriage to fatherhood, rites of passage have [...]
The post Manly Rites of Passage appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Men And Alcohol appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Get What You Need! appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Men and Brain Science appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Men and Boredom appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post What Is P.I.E.D.? appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post The Power of Calm appeared first on GreatMan.
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. [...]
The post Get Checked! appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Alfred and Tristan in Our Souls appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Culture Building and Stories appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Lessons from Uvalde appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post The Fuel of Failure appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Digging Holes in Your Life appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Stuck in Rebellion? appeared first on GreatMan.
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” [...]
The post The Power of Responsible appeared first on GreatMan.
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, [...]
The post A Radiating Goal appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post The Price of Significance appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post To Serve A Noble Cause appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post The Fellowship of Men appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
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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 [...]
The post Thriving Where You Are appeared first on GreatMan.
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, [...]
The post Manhood and Generosity appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post A Generation and Porn appeared first on GreatMan.
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, [...]
The post Building Your Life appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
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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 [...]
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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 [...]
The post A 2022 Challenge appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Pondering Death appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Confident Manhood appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post The Migration of Boys appeared first on GreatMan.
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 post The Power of Respect appeared first on GreatMan.
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. [...]
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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 [...]
The post A Faux Band of Brothers appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post The Tribute and Toast appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post On Gambling appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
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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 [...]
The post How to Treat a Woman appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
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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 [...]
The post Conquering Lying appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
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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 [...]
The post Learn From My Big Mistake appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Speak Truth Now appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
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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 [...]
The post Building Manly Rituals appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Stupid About Alcohol appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
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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. [...]
The post Men and Death appeared first on GreatMan.
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) [...]
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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. [...]
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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 [...]
The post Facing Covid 2.0 appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
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Does great manhood ever feel like a big “project” to you? Does it feel like some massive undertaking like going to law school or building a house? It doesn’t always have to be like that. Today, let’s have some fun and talk about the small things that go into great manhood. Stephen shares some of [...]
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When you were in school, you probably had to read Lord of the Flies, the story of some English schoolboys who descend into barbarism while stranded on an island. But have you heard the true story that contrasts William Golding’s tale? In 1965, a group of boys stole a whaling boat and tried to sail [...]
The post A Hopeful Tale of Manhood appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen submits a proposal for your consideration, one that could turn the course of masculinity in our generation: the development of an academic minor in men’s studies. Tune in to find out what this program would look like, as well as why Stephen firmly believes it should be an 18-hour minor and not an academic [...]
The post A Modest Proposal appeared first on GreatMan.
Many of you have a band of brothers. But are you connecting in a way that produces true growth? Stephen issues a stern challenge: from time to time, you MUST sit in the same room as each other and look each other in the eye. Yes, Zoom and phone calls are okay for maintaining relationships [...]
The post A 3-D Band of Brothers appeared first on GreatMan.
Clothes don’t make the man, but they do reveal the man. Over the next three months, Stephen challenges you to dress one-click up from your normal. If you’re stuck at a grunge uniform-level, make a change. Learn how to dress appropriately for the moment. You’ll find that increased awareness of your appearance and positive changes [...]
The post The One-Click Challenge appeared first on GreatMan.
Did you know that men today have testosterone levels at an all-time low? Testosterone levels have been dropping every year. Stephen recently had to experience Low-T as part of a medical procedure, which resulted in the commonly associated lack of energy and drive. In this episode, he discusses some of the problems and solutions associated [...]
The post Let’s Talk Low T appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen speaks about a type of man he’s been in the past: a type of man he doesn’t want you to be. Perhaps you know the type – the guy who’s always one offense away from breaking off a relationship, one offense away from lashing out. This kind of man has wounds, and the wounds [...]
The post One Offense Away appeared first on GreatMan.
Radical generosity is a trait of noble manhood. A great man makes generosity a part of the legacy he leaves. We also know from history and every religion that the generous man prospers. When we give we open up channels of receiving in return. In this episode, Stephen encourages you to start building “consistent generosity” [...]
The post Great Men Give appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen wants to help you get ahead of the curve. Before summer gets here… before you’re busy with vacation, plans, kids’ activities… set your mind to completing these four challenges. From exercising the mind and body to building the spirit, these four specific challenges will help you in your pursuit of living a life of [...]
The post Four Challenges appeared first on GreatMan.
We are living through a critical time in history. Now, more than ever, we need good, noble, righteous, honorable, Great Men to arise. We need to encourage each other, to become stabilizers in our society, to rescue the young, and to help one another in living for the glory of God. Our generation can turn [...]
The post The Seven Fires appeared first on GreatMan.
Everyone you know is fighting a great battle. Stephen shares the story of one of the great battles of his own life: moving from Berlin to West Des Moines, Iowa, as a teenager in the 1970s. One thing got him through: a vision for rising up and conquering the moment. What battle do you face [...]
The post The Destiny GPS appeared first on GreatMan.
To paraphrase the sociologist Camille Paglia, a woman simply is, but a man must become. Masculinity is risky and elusive. It must be called out by other men. In this episode, Stephen unpacks the “why” behind his belief in the need for quality boys’ schools. We need more resources for a better understanding of boys [...]
The post Teaching Boys appeared first on GreatMan.
Clothes don’t make the man, but they can reveal the man. Stephen shares a recent experience attending a reception for a former state governor. While the women were wisely and appropriately dressed, many of the men were dressed like five-year-olds with white tennis shoes, jeans, and untucked plaid short-sleeved shirts. While this outfit might be [...]
The post Clothes Reveal the Man appeared first on GreatMan.
We tend to live in a bubble that is free from critical input. This is dangerous. We ought to have constant, loving, constructive feedback in a culture of noble men. In this episode, Stephen teaches how to ask the tough questions that will help you see yourself as you are. Prepare yourself to ask bold [...]
The post Courage and Questions appeared first on GreatMan.
Jesus and John Wayne is a book by Kristin Kobes Du Mez that Stephen disagrees with. But he wants you to read it. Tune into this podcast to find out what Professor Du Mez gets right about the modern Christian men’s movement… and what she gets completely wrong. In this episode, Stephen critiques both the [...]
The post Book Review: Jesus and John Wayne appeared first on GreatMan.
There is stunning scientific and anecdotal evidence that men experience a dramatic change in their souls and bodies when regularly engaging in an activity that is hard, challenging, or a little bit dangerous. Most of you listening to this podcast live relatively luxurious, Western lives. When you are constantly enveloped in luxury, you become dull, [...]
The post Doing a Daily Blast appeared first on GreatMan.
Growing up, boys need men other than their fathers to speak into their lives. As a teenager raised on military bases, Stephen was on the receiving end of this relationship often. Officers and other men on base would help guide and support Stephen and other soldiers’ sons. Men, in the same way that your band [...]
The post The Importance of the “Other” appeared first on GreatMan.
"Basically, we found that the persistence of a person's brain in holding on to a negative stimulus is what predicts more negative and less positive daily emotional experiences,” report psychologists at the University of Miami in a recent study. “That in turn predicts how well they think they're doing in their life." A GreatMan has [...]
The post The Bighearted Man appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen was recently asked, “What are the five essential things a young man under 20 should know?” As we head into the summer, with the generations mixing and free time to spare, think about how you can work these five concepts into the life of a young man (especially in the 12-14 age range). Stephen [...]
The post Five Truths for Young Men appeared first on GreatMan.
The average man can dominate the average woman. If men are not taught the principled use of power, they will become barbarians: murderers, rapists, and marauders. Gentleman, we must teach our sons how to wield power. We must teach them to stand guard and to protect women. Let’s make teaching about the principled use of [...]
The post The Principled Use of Power appeared first on GreatMan.
Whatever kind of man your father was (or wasn’t), it’s important that you are rightly aligned with him. In fact, it’s one of the great arts of noble manhood. Seek out help from God and other men as you do this. To get started, Stephen strongly encourages watching this performance of the song “Fall on [...]
The post Getting Right With Our Fathers appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen shares his passion for the honor, rituals, and bonds between men. From the haka dance of the Maori people to Viking burials to the Jewish saying of “running Masada,” tune in for a discussion of rituals across cultures and generations. How are you building rituals with your band of brothers? How are you welcoming [...]
The post The Liturgies of Manhood appeared first on GreatMan.
There’s hardly any characteristic more admirable or powerful in the life of a man than humility. It’s not weakness. Humility is the self-awareness that you are a flawed and incomplete human being. It causes you to recognize what you don’t have and what others have that you need. Humility allows you to approach life with [...]
The post The Power of Humility appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen sits down with his wife, Beverly Mansfield, to get a female perspective on the current state of manhood and what we’re doing here at GreatMan. Bev discusses the “higher truths” of a GreatMan, the actions of a GreatMan, and her own advice for listeners. Don’t miss this episode! Let’s allow the wisdom of women [...]
The post A Chat With Beverly Mansfield appeared first on GreatMan.
Fasting has always been a part of manhood. In the Middle Ages, knights fasted before they were commissioned or went into battle. In some cultures, men fasted before marriage. Fasting is a manly art to purify the body and soul. A man ought to be able to fast everything, outside of relationships, at some point [...]
The post Manly Fasting appeared first on GreatMan.
A GreatMan is quick, skilled, gentle, and wise about confronting people. He is also willing to be confronted. The GreatMan understands he alone is responsible for surveying his field and addressing that which needs correction. Some of the biggest disasters in businesses, families, and relationships occur when a man sees a problem and fails to [...]
The post The Courage to Confront appeared first on GreatMan.
It’s said that “water is thicker than blood.” So, what should happen when a member of your band of brothers dies? First, a band of brothers should encourage one another to grieve. As you grieve, turn yourself to serving the bereaved family. (Reminder: urge your guys beforehand to have life insurance, burial insurance, and a [...]
The post When A Brother Dies appeared first on GreatMan.
It’s an art of the GreatMan that he processes what he hears and ponders whether it is a fact or not. When you hear something juicy about politics, ask yourself, “Could this be true? What’s the source? How do we know this?” You don’t need to be the constant, irritating village skeptic. But you do [...]
The post Knowing the Facts: A Manly Art appeared first on GreatMan.
Are you in the shape that YOU want to be in? Look at yourself in the mirror. Get real. Is this who you are? Stephen is concerned about the health of Western men, as well as the generation of men getting older. No doubt, COVID lockdowns have taken their toll on the health of many [...]
The post Bodyweight Challenge appeared first on GreatMan.
On January 6, 2021, the U.S. Capitol was invaded. We saw what happens when men do not have noble values set before them. They beat a policeman to death with a fire extinguisher. They sought out politicians, thirsty for blood. Young men were given a cause, however misguided. In this episode, Stephen unpacks the historic [...]
The post Men and the Insurrection appeared first on GreatMan.
A listener recently asked, “What is a ‘GreatMan’ by our definition?” Great question! Stephen kicks off a new 2021 season of the podcast with a clear definition of GreatMan. Every man born into this world has the opportunity to live according to his higher nature or his lesser drives. Every man has greatness in him. [...]
The post What is a GreatMan? appeared first on GreatMan.
Big changes are coming to GreatMan in 2021! For starters, we are excited to share we are officially a 501(c)(3) organization, which means all donations are tax deductible. And, we’re going to do something we have rarely done here at GreatMan: ask you to give. Why? Tune into this episode to hear Stephen share the [...]
The post Teaming for Victory appeared first on GreatMan.
As 2020 wraps to a close and we set our sights on the year ahead, Stephen encourages men to add these eight goals for 2021. They aren’t big, and they can be layered onto whatever other goals or intentions you have for the year. Working on these eight simple goals can have a profound impact [...]
The post 2021 Goals appeared first on GreatMan.
Welcome to the annual gift edition of the GreatMan Podcast. (Also known as “Stephen’s favorite things!”) If you’re looking for great gifts for the men in your life, this is a must-listen episode. Learn how you can give strategically so as to ignite fires within the souls of the men you love. Giving gifts that [...]
The post The Christmas Gift Podcast appeared first on GreatMan.
We are likely entering into the worst of the pandemic. In this episode, Stephen encourages listeners to keep at bay the darkness of depression, disillusionment, and despair. Every man who wants to live a meaningful life has to push back against this darkness. Tune in to learn about the seven specific things you should do [...]
The post Keeping the Darkness Away appeared first on GreatMan.
Friendship is vital to noble manhood. It’s one of the great gifts and abilities men possess. Yet the typical man walks alone – to his own destruction. In this episode, Stephen shares seven truths about noble, manly friendship. Tune in, and evaluate your total body of friendships from this perspective. Then, find yourself inspired and [...]
The post Building a Tribe appeared first on GreatMan.
Watch this video on YouTube. Last week, Stephen told a brief version of the Thanksgiving story. Today, he asks, what’s with the modern controversies surrounding Thanksgiving? Why is the simple, sweet, faith-filled story of Thanksgiving so attacked? Tune in as Stephen debunks the would-be debunkers! Above all, may you remember the good, noble, and true [...]
The post Debunking the “Controversies” of Thanksgiving appeared first on GreatMan.
Watch this episode on YouTube. The first Thanksgiving story begins in the North of England with a congregation. In it, we see people who desire to be a stepping stone to the light of Christ. They’re also credited with writing one of the first civil compacts in history. “We sailed for the glory of God [...]
The post The First Thanksgiving Story appeared first on GreatMan.
As the holiday season approaches, it’s time we talk about rituals. 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 [...]
The post Building Manly Rituals appeared first on GreatMan.
I’m proud of my country this morning. During a pandemic, and with 400 million opinions to consider, most election results are in, there is no major violence, and by nearly all accounts there is no corruption and no system breakdown. Our politics are divided, but our system works. In this morning’s episode, we’ll cover the [...]
The post Election 2020: The Morning After appeared first on GreatMan.
“How do we react during this continued COVID-19 crisis?” many of you have asked. In this episode, Stephen gives his very personal response, sharing the questions and challenges that he has personally faced down in 2020, as well as advice for men who are yearning to be better. Now is a time to practice discipline [...]
The post My Approach to Crisis appeared first on GreatMan.
Last month, Stephen asked for your manly music recommendations. What songs ask us to be great men or raise a noble, manly vision? And, wow, did you guys deliver! Stephen discusses some of the 100+ songs you shared in this episode of the GreatMan Podcast. Thanks to Gary, Andrew, Mike, Justin, Alex, Clay, Ben, Larry, [...]
The post Manly Music, Part 2 appeared first on GreatMan.
There’s a connection between pornography and the sexual abuse brought to light by the #MeToo movement. Most porn depicts women as willing for anything. It portrays women as “wanting it” – to put it in a crass locker room phrasing. Women in porn are typically shown as resistant, but willing to have their virtue compromised [...]
The post What Porn Taught Us appeared first on GreatMan.
Men are often told they should be good or noble primarily in the context of their roles as husbands and fathers. While, yes, your wife and children deserve to have a good man, a noble man in their lives, they are not the main reason why you should be a good man. You’re called to [...]
The post Own Yourself First appeared first on GreatMan.
We should have manly music playing in our hearts and ears, music that will inspire us to be GreatMen. So, where is it? In this episode, Stephen describes a few of his favorite “manly” songs and asks for you to submit your favorite manly songs. In a future episode, Stephen will share your submissions with [...]
The post Manly Music appeared first on GreatMan.
“Oh yeah, my buddy’s done that before.” “I read it in a book.” “There’s a YouTube channel on that.” Many men are living their lives through secondary experiences. What they know of the world has come to them through a screen or secondhand report. But they’ve never done it themselves. In this episode, Stephen exhorts [...]
The post In Praise of Primary Experience appeared first on GreatMan.
In most men’s movements or ministries, there’s an assumption that men are meant to be outdoorsy hunters who are into sports, motorcycles, whiskey, and cigars. Of course, not every man fits that mold. Great manhood isn’t about certain behaviors or stereotypes. Great manhood is like jazz. There are a few certain core truths – themes, [...]
The post The Varieties of Manhood appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen has spoken often on the subject of fathers and sons. But how should a noble, righteous man relate to his daughter? In this episode, Stephen illustrates four essential things every man should do in building a healthy, effective relationship with his daughter. Men, if you’re a father of a girl, no matter the age, [...]
The post Men and Daughters appeared first on GreatMan.
Men have the power to heal the injustices of racism in our country and around the world. It’s largely men who physically express racism through violence. But men are not just the perpetrators. We also have power to reach across lines to other men and make a difference. In this episode Stephen challenges you to [...]
The post Making Your Difference appeared first on GreatMan.
Perhaps you’ve heard the latest about Jerry Falwell, Jr. The particulars of his situation are not the topic of this episode. Rather, Stephen imparts one of the great arts of great manhood. Are you ready? Whenever there is a crisis in your personal life, a hidden embarrassment, a sin… you need to “get there firstest [...]
The post Getting There First With The Most appeared first on GreatMan.
If you’re reading books about noble manhood or attending virtual or in-person events, then you’re a part of the noble manhood movement. But what are you doing to feed the movement? There are a number of websites, books, podcasts, and conversations around the topic of noble manhood these days. Wonderful. But we need your voice, [...]
The post Feed the Movement! appeared first on GreatMan.
Let’s talk about one of the arts of manhood, the art of directness. Men are lovingly direct in dealing with situations. When a man is not lovingly direct, problems arise. Stephen illustrates this by sharing the story of a dinner he had some years ago that went embarrassingly sideways. Look at your life. Where are [...]
The post The Art of Directness appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen doesn’t normally dish out health and exercise advice on the GreatMan Podcast. However, there’s something very simple that every man can do to improve his physical health. It’s free. You don’t need any special equipment or clothing. And you don’t need a gym or a dedicated space. Stephen calls this form of exercise “FX.” [...]
The post Building FX Into Your Life appeared first on GreatMan.
We don’t venture into pop psychology often in the GreatMan Podcast. Today, Stephen addresses a phenomenon known as transference. Transference occurs when you take the emotions experienced in one area of life and apply them to another. (For example, your frustrations at work carry over to how you treat your wife and kids at home.) [...]
The post Ending Transference appeared first on GreatMan.
“Memento Mori” has served men as a motivation throughout the centuries. Latin for “remember death,” this phrase has prompted ancients and moderns alike to contemplate their own mortality and the meaning of their lives. With advances in science, many of you may very well live into your nineties or beyond 100. Your opportunity for impact [...]
The post Memento Mori appeared first on GreatMan.
Is there a conversation you’ve been avoiding? Then that’s the conversation you need to have. A man should be quick to reconcile and quick to address an issue. Even if the hard conversation you need to have doesn’t elicit the desired response, you still get the opportunity to live large and big-hearted. Shake off the [...]
The post Have the Conversation! appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post The Fellowship of Men appeared first on GreatMan.
We are living through a critical time in history. Now, more than ever, we need good, noble, righteous, honorable, Great Men to arise. We need to encourage each other, to become stabilizers in our society, to rescue the young, and to help one another in living for the glory of God. Our generation can turn [...]
The post The Seven Fires appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen tackles an essential aspect of manhood that he has never before spoken of on the GreatMan Podcast. And, no, it’s not “courage.” It’s a principle and truth that has elevated men and spurred them to change their generations. Tune in to discover this principle, as well as the book that has brought the principle [...]
The post The Courage Factor appeared first on GreatMan.
Racism is morally wrong. It’s a cancer in the souls of men and society. In this episode, Stephen tells of his upbringing with regard to race. Growing up the son of an Army officer, Stephen’s views on race were shaped at an early age. But some members of his family didn’t see eye-to-eye on the [...]
The post Men and Racism appeared first on GreatMan.
Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, yet there he was tinkering with an Erector set during his lunch hour so that he could be a better father for his children. Today, many guys are wanting to emerge from this season as good men, as change agents for their families and society. [...]
The post Swiss Army Knife Manhood appeared first on GreatMan.
Like you, Stephen is living through these very difficult times: coronavirus, protests and riots in the streets, the killing of George Floyd. Like you, he’s doing everything he can to decry the bad, encourage the good, and fix some of the dysfunctions that are torturing us in this time. Today (June 2, 2020) is the [...]
The post Men on Fire appeared first on GreatMan.
Over the last few months, a lot of men have been home alone. Many have been afraid and in need of comfort, security, and love. Unfortunately, a lot of guys have been looking in the wrong places. The sale of sex dolls has skyrocketed in the last three months. Many guys have confessed to an [...]
The post False Sex appeared first on GreatMan.
The editor of a Christian magazine recently lashed out on Twitter, labeling men who wear masks as cowards, “moral monsters” submitting to terrorists and fears. Another man compared wearing a mask to putting on the Star of David under Nazi rule. If your version of masculinity is somehow diminished by wearing a mask, then you’ve [...]
The post Of Masks and Men appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen talks often about the rise of women and decline of men. From health, to wage increases to higher education, women have been eclipsing men in recent decades. Now, the coronavirus pandemic is falling harder on women than men. Tune in to learn why this is happening, as well as what you can do to [...]
The post The Trends for Women appeared first on GreatMan.
As we begin to emerge from the coronavirus shutdown, Stephen takes a few minutes to level with you and present some fresh challenges. In this episode, you’ll receive some guidance on how you can use your personal experience of the last few weeks to spark positive changes in your life, your soul, and your future. [...]
The post Learning From The Shutdown appeared first on GreatMan.
During this coronavirus season, many guys are living more domesticated lives. You’re sitting at home more, maybe eating or drinking more, and watching too much TV. You’re getting soft. Not good! Men need an outlet for aggression. The desire to push, attack, conquer, and draft big, bold plans is not a bad thing. These acts [...]
The post Answering Aggression appeared first on GreatMan.
What comes after a season of plague? Renaissance. Join Stephen as he speaks to both of his podcast audiences in a single episode, pondering the thrilling potential of generational upheaval and the flowering of the human spirit. Stephen speaks as a historian of Shakespeare, Chaucer, Martin Luther, and others who produced great works out of [...]
The post The Coming Renaissance appeared first on GreatMan.
Good men believe in science and facts. They know their situational reality. They protect women and children. They lead and love well. A recent op-ed in The Washington Post paints an entirely different picture of masculinity, particularly in the “white evangelical conservative” world. Stephen doesn’t normally address media in the GreatMan Podcast, but this patently [...]
The post Answering Our Critics appeared first on GreatMan.
Ponder today’s episode at a quiet moment. As the coronavirus reaches the apex of the curve, soon we will be surrounded by death. Stephen encourages you to ponder your own death so that you might live your life now with even greater purpose and meaning. As Ecclesiastes says, death is the destiny of all men, [...]
The post Death and GreatManhood appeared first on GreatMan.
“I’m finding that the women in my life resent or fear the things that I’m doing to get the masculine nurturing I need in my life.” In an age of toxic masculinity, in an age of the “Me Too” movement, this is a statement Stephen’s heard from a lot of guys. The concern is often [...]
The post Narrating Noble Manhood appeared first on GreatMan.
As I record this podcast, we’re in the middle of the coronavirus crisis. I’m thinking about you, pondering what your life must be like, and I want to talk to you straight. Guys, you need a manly battle plan for this season. Here are ten things to do now. Get in the control room. Get [...]
The post A C-19 Battle Plan appeared first on GreatMan.
This crisis will probably get worse before it gets better. However, it too will pass. In the meantime, the people in your life are going to need you. They are going to need you calm, operating from that control room we’ve talked about building in your life. As we face the coronavirus and economic uncertainty, [...]
The post GreatMan In This Crisis appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Relief vs Restoration appeared first on GreatMan.
Let’s have a heart-to-heart about this coronavirus season. Guys, these are times in which we can really shape lives. As men, we have the ability to set the tone for how those within our sphere approach trying times. We need to be calm, comforting, and trusting of God. Tough times may be coming. How will [...]
The post The Coronavirus and Men appeared first on GreatMan.
If the thought of saying, “I love you,” to another man makes you cringe, this episode is for you. You’re not alone. The simple act of expressing noble, brotherly love to another man feels nearly impossible for a lot of guys. Many of us never saw masculine affection growing up. We were never told, “I [...]
The post Saying I Love You appeared first on GreatMan.
Where does your code of conduct come from? For Stephen, his code is built on faith and the people he admires, both today and from the past. What about you? Every man needs a code. How is your manly code being formed? Don’t miss this podcast and its challenge. We all have a value system. [...]
The post A Manly Code of Honor appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen loves West Point and has had the honor of lecturing there. But a program recently held at the United States Military Academy disturbs him. Leaders at West Point approached the issues of toxic masculinity and gender from the completely wrong angle. In fact, they may have ended up damaging their cause. Is toxic masculinity [...]
The post Masculinity at West Point appeared first on GreatMan.
Did you set some big goals for 2020? How are they going? In this episode, Stephen shares a technique he’s developed for self-improvement in virtually every arena, from fitness to money to relationships and more. It’s called the 1 Second Principle. Learn it and use it to grow, improve, and extend your reach in every [...]
The post The 1 Second Principle appeared first on GreatMan.
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. [...]
The post Battle Plans appeared first on GreatMan.
If you advocate for men, does that mean you’re against women? Of course not! The GreatMan movement champions women. It celebrates them and wants to see them successful in every possible way. Every woman in your sphere should be thrilled if you are fully invested in developing yourself and others through a noble man movement. [...]
The post Championing Women appeared first on GreatMan.
You are likely to be surprised at how long you’re going to live. Many men living today may find themselves living into their 90s or even beyond 100. If you have been thinking about retiring at 65 and resting easy, think again. You may have many more decades of health and productive years. In this [...]
The post You’re Going to Live Long! appeared first on GreatMan.
The GreatMan movement is going to Latin America in 2020! Don’t miss this episode, in which Stephen follows up on his recent trip to Peru with some exciting news. Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men will be published in Spanish in March 2020 (pre-order here). Additionally, Stephen will travel to Peru, Paraguay, Mexico, and other countries [...]
The post Our Latin American Brothers appeared first on GreatMan.
Cowardice can make us weak, unreliable, and even dangerous. You know it when you see it, and you know it when you feel it. In this episode, you’ll learn how to identify the source of cowardice in your own life. Plus, you’ll learn tactics for eliminating cowardice so that you can become the great man [...]
The post On Cowardice appeared first on GreatMan.
Maybe you’ve seen another guy make a stupid decision? If so, the error may not have been in the actual decision so much as the process he took to get there. Fact is, a lot of men shrink from decision. They avoid the process. They shove it in a drawer, hoping someone else will show up and make it [...]
The post Manly Decision-Making appeared first on GreatMan.
Men sometimes have a way of pulling back during the holidays. The gifts, cooking, and decorating may feel like domestic tasks in which women usually take the lead. Guys, you need to be fully engaged in the holiday season – for yourself, those you lead, and those around you. Listen to this episode for some [...]
The post Owning The Holidays appeared first on GreatMan.
A lot of guys are working hard to serve their wives, kids, jobs, causes, etc. But it’s been a long time since they’ve read a book, been in the wild, hung out with the guys, or explored an interest. They’re bored, uninspired, overweight, exhausted, and distracted. Men, you need to create some margin in your [...]
The post Fix Yourself First appeared first on GreatMan.
Whether you’re looking to fill your own Christmas list or shop for the men in your life, do not miss this list of Stephen’s top 11 books for men. Amazon links below… Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men by Stephen Mansfield Building Your Band of Brothers by Stephen Mansfield (Kindle, Paperback) Wild at Heart by John Eldredge Healing the Masculine [...]
The post Christmas Books for Men appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen was recently asked, “What are the five essential things a young man under 20 should know?” As we head into the holiday season, with the generations mixing and free time to spare, think about how you can work these five concepts into the life of a young man (especially in the 12-14 age range). [...]
The post Five Truths for Young Men appeared first on GreatMan.
Have you heard the story of the Pilgrim Thanksgiving, the one that has inspired the American holiday? Men, this story (originally aired on the Stephen Mansfield Podcast) can shape destines. Gather the family and enjoy this brief, exciting account of an episode from our nation’s history and from our heritage of faith.
The post The Story of the First Thanksgiving appeared first on GreatMan.
The GreatMan Podcast is typically “big picture.” Not today! Episode 110 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 [...]
The post Five Essentials appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Big Calm appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Stupid About Alcohol appeared first on GreatMan.
Men tend to think in terms of “moving on.” (Get past it, keep some distance, shut it down.) In some sense, “moving on” can be good. The mature man, however, moves on only after saying what needed to be said and doing what needed to be done. Though he can’t make everything right, the mature [...]
The post Essential Closure appeared first on GreatMan.
Are you ready? This message is going to be unbelievably timely for some of you. In this episode, Stephen hits hard, challenging YOU to do a very tough thing. Fix the hurt and offense you’ve taken from other men throughout your life. It ain’t easy, but reconciliation is worth the effort. And, no, this isn’t [...]
The post Fixing Offense appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
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Approximately 48 million people are trafficked worldwide. The vast majority are women. Many of them are children. Stephen shares information that he recently learned while traveling in Romania, where approximately 60 percent of all European trafficking occurs. Men, this is a vile monster that threatens us all. Recognize the evil, know what to look for, [...]
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The GreatMan Podcast is not just about learning new things. It’s also about doing. Activating. Building and creating. In this episode Stephen shares three different ways of impacting men. Some of this you – yes, YOU – can replicate. Tune in, get inspired, but most importantly… take action! Mentioned in this episode: Men’s Alliance (www.mensalliancetribe.com) [...]
The post What Men Are Doing appeared first on GreatMan.
Today’s episode introduces our new GreatMan Podcast theme song, as well as the men behind the music. Stephen interviews JT McCraw, Shayne Hill (Sawyer Brown guitarist and Nashville producer), and drummer Chris Tyrrell (husband to Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum). The guys discuss how the music came about, as well as their own journeys in [...]
The post Music and Manhood appeared first on GreatMan.
You should have a secret life… a secret life of good. If you have read Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men you will remember the Latin word integras, from which we get our English word “integrity.” A soldier with integras would clink his armor with his sword. The commander would hear that nothing was loose; everything was [...]
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Welcome to episode 100! Thanks for listening, and thanks for impacting the world with us. In this episode Stephen reflects on the disturbing correlation between mass shooters and fatherlessness. The US likes to talk about the danger of Muslim terrorists. And while extremism is real, Stephen argues that the biggest danger threatening our peace and [...]
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Earlier this summer, on July 16, Stephen issued A Summer Challenge here on the GreatMan Podcast: “Go to the people in your life, and ask them to tell you what you can do to be a better man.” Today, Stephen shares some of the feedback he’s personally received through taking on this challenge. Plus, get [...]
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Many guys have recently asked, “How can I extend my influence? How can I help others?” Stephen answers this question by explaining the Greek word “oikos," which means “household” (or “extended family”). The word “economics” comes from “oikos” (economics = law of the household). In this episode you’ll learn how to identify, impact, and extend [...]
The post Your Manly “Oikos” appeared first on GreatMan.
Joshua asks, what is the purpose of initiation and ritual among men? Learn why men are wired for rituals and seasons – and what you can do to build and foster ritual in the lives of your sons and the men around you. From childhood to adolescence to marriage to fatherhood, rites of passage have [...]
The post Manly Rites of Passage appeared first on GreatMan.
Pain and hardship is a part of life. In fact, these things may even be the price of an exceptional life. There’s no avoiding them. Happy Warriors know that there is glory and victory on the other side. They’re made better by the struggle. Every swing of the sword and push of the shield invigorates [...]
The post The Happy Warrior appeared first on GreatMan.
In almost every kind of debate you need to engage in verbal martial arts. That is to say, use the opponent’s force against him by conceding everything you can truthfully concede. In this episode, Stephen addresses a question he heard from many men at a recent conference: “How do you answer the critics of manhood?” [...]
The post Answering Critics appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Men and Boredom appeared first on GreatMan.
It’s peak summertime, and Stephen wants to present you with a summer challenge. Go to the people in your life (spouse, kids, mentors, siblings), and ask them to tell you what you can do to be a better man. Tell them you know that they love you. This isn’t about getting compliments. You’re looking for [...]
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What if you built a culture in which language ennobled, excited, and thrilled people? In this episode, Stephen shares the language he uses with his friends, wife, and children. Learn how ennobling language impacts relationships, destinies, and cultures. Then, start weaving these words and phrases into your own conversations. Your son’s basketball team is comprised [...]
The post Building Noble Language appeared first on GreatMan.
Posit this with us: If there is a God and if He created you, then He created you as a man. Of course, we all sustain wounds and deformities that pierce the soul and heart, keeping us from becoming the men we are meant to be. But, again, if there is a God and if [...]
The post God and Manhood appeared first on GreatMan.
Churches are often the only organizations that budget to impact men on a regular basis. But most churches miss the mark. In this episode, Stephen speaks directly to men’s ministries. (Though, as always, all are welcome here in the GreatMan Podcast.) Listen in to discover how a men’s ministry should function, who’s doing it well [...]
The post A Word to Churches appeared first on GreatMan.
There’s one thing that all successful people share. One thing that guides their lives. It’s this: they make sure that they have a place and time that functions as the control room of their lives. People who achieve are people who live the “examined life.” (The Ancients, after all, taught us that the unexamined life [...]
The post Finding Your Control Room appeared first on GreatMan.
Chad asks, “If comfort’s your biggest enemy, what are you doing to make yourself uncomfortable?” Find out why men need hardship, what the Ancient Greeks had to say about “soft” living, and why Stephen always has firm performance goals set before him… even while spending many months of the year on the road. Finally, Stephen [...]
The post On Hardship appeared first on GreatMan.
We become what we behold. So, what are you putting in front of your eyes? Stephen shares four summer book recommendations for men, including two novels and two non-fiction books. Strengthen your vision of great manhood, tackle hard-hitting themes of honor and courage, and find your spirit ennobled through these works… Rise of the Servant [...]
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As much as he’s sorry to see the word “toxic” put in front of the word “masculinity,” Stephen suggests that this word’s ancient Greek roots might provide us with a helpful framework for understanding the damage a man can do. The Greek word “toxikon" refers very specifically to the poison on the tip of an [...]
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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 [...]
The post What Is P.I.E.D.? appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen takes a rapid-fire round to answer your questions on everything from divorce to grooming to sexual addiction and more. Like this episode? Check out 2018’s “Answers to Men’s Questions.” Have a question for Stephen? Email info@GreatMan.TV, and we’ll try to include an answer in the next Q&A episode. Links for new GreatMan content can [...]
The post Answering Your Questions appeared first on GreatMan.
Ninety percent of the churches in America do not have any kind of men’s program or ministry. Even if you’re non-religious or of a different religion, you should find this disturbing. Why? Because in the US, at least, churches are the primary organization investing in the development of men. Listen to this episode to learn [...]
The post Build Something! appeared first on GreatMan.
In aptitude tests, men pale in comparison to women in all categories except for two: abstract thought and aggression (or “vision/drive”). Men, your role is to be the vision keeper. Part of being a good husband, father, and leader is being able to develop and encourage a noble vision for all that is within your [...]
The post Be the Vision Keeper appeared first on GreatMan.
There’s something that divides those who are engaging, big-hearted, and generous… and those who are seemingly incapable of drawing out the best in others. It is the force of self. Those of us striving to be good men can be affected by this force, so it’s critically important that we are aware of it, that [...]
The post The Force of Self appeared first on GreatMan.
Men are powerful when they speak. Their words are carriers of truth, comfort, and destiny. Forget the awesomeness of words, and you risk doing severe damage. This week, Stephen challenges listeners to think about their “verbal strategies.” What do the people in your life need to hear from you? Where do they need encouragement? How [...]
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Please note: This episode includes sexual content. Parents, consider listening alone first, then discussing with your sons. (Specific content warnings are given throughout.) Growing up in Europe, Stephen was surrounded by porn. In Berlin, it was on the billboards, daytime soap operas, and in the locker rooms. Of course, Stephen is opposed to porn, but [...]
The post P.I.E.D. appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen wants to help you get ahead of the curve. Before summer gets here… before you’re busy with vacation, plans, kids’ activities… set your mind to completing these four challenges. From exercising the mind and body to building the spirit, these four specific challenges will help you in your pursuit of living a life of [...]
The post Four Challenges appeared first on GreatMan.
In order to be a great man – a righteous man – you have to be intentional. It will. Not. Happen. Naturally. Most men have been deposited into their adult years directly from whatever culture they were created in: sports, military, physical labor, etc. Many never move beyond these phases. They never gain a righteous vision [...]
The post Intentional Manhood appeared first on GreatMan.
We have many listeners who have come to the idea of pursuing noble manhood fairly recently. If you’ve been building a vision for noble manhood and walking with a band of brothers, it’s time to do one more thing: go and address your wrongs. Knowing how to go back to the major moments in your [...]
The post Making It Right appeared first on GreatMan.
Does great manhood ever feel like a big “project” to you? Does it feel like some massive undertaking like going to law school or building a house? It doesn’t always have to be like that. Today, let’s have some fun and talk about the small things that go into great manhood. Stephen shares some of [...]
The post The Habits of a Man appeared first on GreatMan.
This is a difficult topic. Even if you’re very happily married (or not married at all), listen to this episode so that you’ll have resources and perspective that will allow you to support your band of brothers through a divorce. Having gone through a divorce, himself, Stephen shares keen insights with regards to walking through [...]
The post On Men and Divorce appeared first on GreatMan.
“You become what you behold,” is a great truth of life. You get around a group of guys who cuss all the time… you’ll start doing the same. You’re in a group that drinks a lot… you’ll start drinking a lot, too. In this episode, Stephen shares the specific strategies and methods he uses for [...]
The post You Become What You Behold appeared first on GreatMan.
Men are often told they should be good or noble primarily in the context of their roles as husbands and fathers. While, yes, your wife and children deserve to have a good man, a noble man in their lives, they are not the main reason why you should be a good man. You’re called to [...]
The post Own Yourself First appeared first on GreatMan.
A recent survey asked men whether they liked strong women. On the whole, men said they admire strong women… from a distance. Guys, it’s important to recognize that we are not in a tug of war with women. We are not fighting over a limited pie. Let’s get two things straight: (1) men are in [...]
The post About Strong Women appeared first on GreatMan.
“Memento Mori” has served men as a motivation throughout the centuries. Latin for “remember death,” this phrase has prompted ancients and moderns alike to contemplate their own mortality and the meaning of their lives. With advances in science, many of you may very well live into your nineties or beyond 100. Your opportunity for impact [...]
The post Memento Mori appeared first on GreatMan.
In addition to having a band of brothers, many men can benefit from one-on-one coaching. We all have certain deformities of the soul. We all sustain wounds from neglect or the wrong input. That doesn’t mean we have to live in a permanently misshapen state. In this episode, discover the value of one-on-one coaching and [...]
The post Coaching Men appeared first on GreatMan.
Have you seen the Gillette commercial, “The Best Men Can Be?” (Find the link below.) The ad takes aim at “Toxic Masculinity” by drawing attention to the #MeToo movement, recent allegations of sexual assault, bullying, and the prevailing “boys will be boys” mindset. Some love it. Others see it as a harsh slap in the [...]
The post On the Gillette Commercial appeared first on GreatMan.
JT McCraw is one of Nashville’s premiere builders. He’s also a builder of men. In this episode, he describes the process and hard work that’s a part of every remodel – of both the home and the soul. Follow along as he discusses how we must rethink our spaces according to our needs, remove the filth, [...]
The post “Coaching Men” With Special Guest JT McCraw appeared first on GreatMan.
“The tragedy of life is what dies inside of a man while he lives,” said Albert Schweitzer. There is a spirt in a man that’s meant to be strong and bold. It’s intended to guide, empower, and ennoble. How you live either strengthens or weakens the manly spirit within you. In this episode, Stephen challenges [...]
The post The Manly Spirit in You appeared first on GreatMan.
As we begin a new year, pause. Look around you. What can you do to make an impact in the lives of men at work, school, your place of worship, or sports team? How can you help men fight the battles they must fight to become the men they’re meant to be? In this episode, [...]
The post Champions of the Cause appeared first on GreatMan.
Perhaps you watched the events of President George H.W. Bush’s funeral. It was beautiful, inspiring, and patriotic. One of the most reported moments occurred when President George W. Bush became choked up while eulogizing his father. The clip was sometimes aired as an oddity. Why? Our culture treats a man’s tears as strange, unmanly. This [...]
The post Men and Tears appeared first on GreatMan.
Rabbi Daniel Lapin, known widely as America’s Rabbi, is a noted rabbinic scholar, best-selling author, and TV host. Today he’s challenging men to engage in the restoration of fatherhood. Rabbi Lapin is a fascinating speaker who brings new insights to the GreatMan Podcast. Don’t miss this episode! For more information, visit rabbidaniellapin.com.
The post “Restoring Fatherhood” With Special Guest Rabbi Daniel Lapin appeared first on GreatMan.
Men sometimes have a way of pulling back during the holidays. The gifts, cooking, and decorating may feel like domestic tasks in which women usually take the lead. Guys, you need to be fully engaged in the holiday season – for yourself, those you lead, and those around you. Listen to this episode for some [...]
The post Owning The Holidays appeared first on GreatMan.
Imagine a football team whose coaching philosophy centered on one issue: “Don’t get penalties!” The players would be so focused on avoiding penalties that you’d end up with a team of hesitant guys worried they shouldn’t play too hard. The team would be terrible. Many pastors and leaders take a similar approach in speaking to [...]
The post Beyond Shame and Guilt appeared first on GreatMan.
Story is a powerful vehicle. When we learn through a story our brains use less energy to absorb information. We are even more likely to recall that information when learned via story. Part of being a great man is being a great storyteller. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Story is simple. Something lights you [...]
The post Manly Story appeared first on GreatMan.
Knowing how to extend honor is one of the great arts of manhood. Smack talk and cutting up with the guys is great, but those can’t be your only gears all the time. As the holidays approach, let’s learn and practice the art of honoring others. In this episode, you’ll learn how to identify and [...]
The post The Art of Honoring appeared first on GreatMan.
Michael Fletcher is a man’s man. He has run over 27 marathons and impacts thousands of men through Manna Church, located in Fayetteville, NC, on the edge of Fort Bragg. Michael is the first guest to appear on the GreatMan Podcast, and today he’s going to challenge you to fulfill your purpose as a leader [...]
The post “Purpose” With Special Guest Michael Fletcher appeared first on GreatMan.
A shooting at a synagogue, a series of pipe bombs… the violence continues to infiltrate our daily lives. If you’re a young man, in particular, it’s increasingly likely that at some point in your life you could be exposed to an act of terroristic violence: a threat in your local school, mall, restaurant, bar, church, [...]
The post Men and the Crises of Our Times appeared first on GreatMan.
Mark your calendar! October 25 is St. Crispin’s Day, made famous by King Henry V’s rousing speech given in 1415 at the Battle of Agincourt. While we don’t know all of the actual words spoken that day, William Shakespeare filled in the gaps with his imagination nearly 200 years later in his play, Henry V. [...]
The post On St. Crispin’s Day appeared first on GreatMan.
About 30 young men were on a discussion board looking for information that they just couldn’t find anywhere else… no fathers or brothers to talk to. Sadly, they were all completely wrong about the topic. Men, if we want to restore noble manhood, we have to foster a culture where conversations can happen. Older men, [...]
The post The Lore of Manhood appeared first on GreatMan.
What does the Kavanaugh confirmation process tell us about great and noble manhood in our generation? Stephen posits that our lasting challenge is not so much the politics of left and right, but the legitimate issue that women are often abused and the people who most often abuse them are often untethered, unprincipled, and unfathered [...]
The post A GreatMan Generation appeared first on GreatMan.
There are many types of pride, but the kind of pride most endemic to men is the kind that results from not receiving affirmation earlier in life. You probably know a guy like this who lives in a Palace of Self. He gets a sentence quoted in the paper and then puts the clipping on [...]
The post Killer Pride appeared first on GreatMan.
Let’s talk about Kavanaugh. Not about whether or not the allegations are true or whether or not he should sit on the Supreme Court. Instead, let’s focus on how the sexual revolution of the 1960s changed manhood and on how it’s harming men who have lived all these years without a code. Society is correcting [...]
The post Our Kavanaugh Moment appeared first on GreatMan.
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” [...]
The post The Power of Responsible appeared first on GreatMan.
We talk often on this podcast about a man’s role in fostering a culture of noble manhood. But women also play a critical role in this area. In today’s episode, Stephen shares how his mother (and perhaps yours, too) had a special ability to articulate the world. Mothers often provide a lens through which their [...]
The post Women Framing Manhood appeared first on GreatMan.
Maybe you’ve seen another guy make a stupid decision? If so, the error may not have been in the actual decision so much as the process he took to get there. Fact is, a lot of men shrink from decision. They avoid the process. They shove it in a drawer, hoping someone else will show [...]
The post Manly Decision-Making appeared first on GreatMan.
Earlier this year, Stephen spoke at an event in California. Before thousands of men of all ages, he issued a challenge: men, bless your sons. One young man pulled out his phone, recorded the talk, and sent it to his father. The son received a blessing, and the experience changed their relationship. Tragically, this young [...]
The post A Story and The Blessing appeared first on GreatMan.
Cowardice can make us weak, unreliable, and even dangerous. You know it when you see it, and you know it when you feel it. In this episode, you’ll learn how to identify the source of cowardice in your own life. Plus, you’ll learn tactics for eliminating cowardice so that you can become the great man [...]
The post On Cowardice appeared first on GreatMan.
A lot of guys are working hard to serve their wives, kids, jobs, causes, etc. But it’s been a long time since they’ve read a book, been in the wild, hung out with the guys, or explored an interest. They’re bored, uninspired, overweight, exhausted, and distracted. Men, you need to create some margin in your [...]
The post Fix Yourself First appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen loves chocolate cake, he has strong opinions about chocolate cake, and today he’s going to tell you about them! You see, chocolate cake is under attack in this world. (Maybe you didn’t know?) The good news is, we’ve got two choices about how we can handle this attack. Even if you live a sad, [...]
The post On Chocolate Cake appeared first on GreatMan.
Many of you saw the dramatic rescue of the boys trapped in a cave in Thailand. In a similar way, we need a rescue of boys today. Boys are in free fall, and their spiral reflects what’s going on with men around the world. For most of history, civilizations fell to “barbarians from the outside.” [...]
The post Rescuing the Boys appeared first on GreatMan.
Churches are often the only organizations that budget to impact men on a regular basis. But most churches miss the mark. This week, Stephen speaks directly to men’s ministries. (Though, as always, all are welcome here in the GreatMan Podcast.) Listen in to discover how a men’s ministry should function, who’s doing it well in [...]
The post A Word to Churches appeared first on GreatMan.
There’s a certain list of people that every man needs to make: an enemies list. This isn’t bitter or vindictive. It’s actually an experience that will help you “uncrush” the soul and increase your capacity for living a life full of love and generosity. Listen to this episode. Identify who has harmed you. (Make sure [...]
The post Uncrushing the Soul appeared first on GreatMan.
Throw out whatever you may think about John McCain politically. Today we’re discussing one remarkable talent McCain developed as a boy – and how it prepared him to become a leader of men years later. This one habit even inspired Stephen to create a Notes folder on his iPhone called “The McCains.” Listen in to [...]
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Every man creates a culture by the way he lives. That culture can be positive or negative, constructive or destructive. If you’re listening to this episode, you’re being charged to create a culture around you in which men can bring the problems of their souls to the surface. You don’t have to be a “counselor” [...]
The post A Culture of “Let’s Fix It” appeared first on GreatMan.
Most men using foul language think it makes them cool and accepted. Why? What do you think that the habit of cussing is compensating for in your soul? Don’t let cussing compensate for lack of strong character or strong manhood in your life. Don’t let cussing make you intellectually or emotionally lazy. What aren’t you [...]
The post What’s With the Cussing? appeared first on GreatMan.
There’s a connection between pornography and the sexual abuse brought to light by the #MeToo movement. Most porn depicts women as willing for anything. It portrays women as “wanting it” – to put it in a crass locker room phrasing. Women in porn are typically shown as resistant, but willing to have their virtue compromised [...]
The post What Porn Taught Us appeared first on GreatMan.
Suicide rates among middle-aged and older men are skyrocketing. According to a recent report from Esquire on suicide in the U.K., “…if you are a man between 20 and 49, you're more likely to die from [suicide] than cancer, road accidents or heart disease.” Gentlemen, suicide is closer to us than it’s ever been. This [...]
The post When The Demons Come appeared first on GreatMan.
Most guys have a hope that some man is going to come along and take them under his wing and teach them all the things they need to know about life. They’re waiting for superman. The reality is, the “super-mentor” or “super-dad” is not likely to show up. Good news: we can take a modular [...]
The post Modular Mentoring appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Get What You Need! appeared first on GreatMan.
We all sustain wounds in this life. But what are the messages we allow those wounds to inscribe upon our souls? Do you view an experience in your life as a profound injustice? Are you misinterpreting failures? Allowing harsh words or criticisms to define you? Where do your thoughts go when you’re alone and some [...]
The post The Disease of Self-Pity appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Men And Alcohol appeared first on GreatMan.
This week, Stephen urges men to consider doing something for their fathers (or father figures) that he did for his own dad years ago. Note: this episode is intentionally being released several weeks before Father’s Day because it might take some extra thought and effort for many of you. So, listen now! This one specific act [...]
The post Honoring Your Father appeared first on GreatMan.
In 2015, Stephen recorded a podcast about why men engage in affairs. It was widely discussed and helped a great many men avoid the trap of an extramarital affair. Now, for the first time ever, we're airing that episode on The GreatMan Podcast. Guys, even if you can't imagine yourself ever becoming involved in this [...]
The post Men and Affairs appeared first on GreatMan.
Travis Reinking is morally responsible for killing four and wounding four others at a Waffle House in the early hours of Sunday morning. However, he was enabled – almost directly – by a father who gives every evidence of being ill-informed, unengaged, and… to some extent… uncaring. Men, we are suffering from an absence of [...]
The post A Shooting in My Town appeared first on GreatMan.
In order to be a great man – a righteous man – you have to be intentional. It will. Not. Happen. Naturally. Most men have been deposited into their adult years directly from whatever culture they were created in: sports, military, physical labor, etc. Many never move beyond these phases. They never gain a righteous vision [...]
The post Intentional Manhood appeared first on GreatMan.
We are teaching a false view of manhood if we tell our sons (and ourselves) that real men don’t cry. Real men do cry. They feel strong emotion and turn to their friends in times of need for both practical and emotional support. Stephen’s advice for every man: Feel your emotions, but don’t give vent [...]
The post Real Men Cry appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen crams in as many answers as he can to your questions! Here are just a few: What technique most helps you stay in shape while traveling? What did you abuse the most before you came to understand what it means to be a great man? What’s the greatest criticism you have of modern men? [...]
The post Answers to Men’s Questions appeared first on GreatMan.
The statistical outcomes regarding unmarried men and women living together are troubling. Why? For one, this type of arrangement is a “half step.” When you start making half steps in one area of your life, it’s hard to be wholehearted and to make confident decisions in other areas of your life. When you get another [...]
The post On Living With a Woman appeared first on GreatMan.
How would you explain manhood to a world that only knows the idiot version? The abusive version? The terrorist version? Unfortunately, this is the only type of man that many people recognize. Of course, if you listen to this podcast, you know that real masculinity is defined by strength and power in the service of [...]
The post The Masculinity Straw Man appeared first on GreatMan.
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 [...]
The post Men and Boredom appeared first on GreatMan.
Nikolas Cruz’s concerning behavior was noticed by foster parents, neighbors, and officials. Many of the alarms concerning the Parkland shooter came from women, in particular. Where were the men in his community? Think of the radically different outcome that could have come about had a good and noble man stepped into Nikolas Cruz’s life. How [...]
The post Men and the Parkland Shooter appeared first on GreatMan.
Whether you’re a Christian or not, Billy Graham displays traits of manhood worthy of admiration and modeling. In his 99 years, Graham displayed seven traits in particular: 1. He stayed close to the wild. He loved hunting, animals, and nature. 2. He kept it clean sexually – keeping travel plans secret, not meeting alone with [...]
The post Lessons of Manhood from Billy Graham appeared first on GreatMan.
About 30 young men were on a discussion board looking for information that they just couldn’t find anywhere else... no fathers or brothers to talk to. Sadly, they were all completely wrong about the topic. Men, if we want to restore noble manhood, we have to foster a culture where conversations can happen. Older men, [...]
The post The Lore of Manhood appeared first on GreatMan.
“A people without a heritage are easily persuaded,” said Karl Marx. Men usually face one of two problems today: they either have no sense of heritage, or they only know of a negative heritage. Part of the art of being a man is discovering the good and noble heritage that runs through you.
The post Farming Your Heritage appeared first on GreatMan.
Marxism assumes that there is a pie only so big and that we are all in competition for a piece of the pie. In other words, if you become a multimillionaire, then you are taking something from others. Stephen believes that the pie is ever-expanding. If you find success in business, then you are enlarging [...]
The post A Tug of War With Women? appeared first on GreatMan.
This week on the GreatMan Podcast, we're reposting our most popular episode of all time. If you missed it last year, be sure to dig in as Stephen shares actionable strategies for tackling tough issues. Know a man who could benefit from this week's show? Share the link with him! Porn and masturbation program a [...]
The post On Porn, Fantasy & Masturbation appeared first on GreatMan.
Men are rapidly shaped by the things they see. Stories of noble friendships, comrades in battles, great sacrifices, brilliant artists… watching and reading these stories inspire and ennoble us. At the same time, being glued to the news cycle or watching trash entertainment also affects us. In this episode, Stephen urges men to become intentional [...]
The post We Become What We Behold appeared first on GreatMan.
When we deny ourselves, it forces to the surface the things that are lurking in our souls. Fasting and self-denial shove to the forefront those things that produce defeat in our lives. Try it, and observe for yourself. What does fasting produce in you? Feelings of anger? Self-pity? Insatiable appetite for food, sex, drink? In [...]
The post Denying Yourself Reveals Yourself appeared first on GreatMan.
We live in the #MeToo era, an age that’s largely characterized by the sweeping uncovering of sexual abuse – far more cases than most men were aware of. In the midst of this cultural revolution, in which women are speaking out and harmful industries are getting cleaned up, some men are taking offense. Stephen’s noticed [...]
The post Backlash Against the #MeToo Movement? appeared first on GreatMan.
“The tragedy of life is what dies inside of a man while he lives,” said Albert Schweitzer. There is a spirt in a man that’s meant to be strong and bold. It’s intended to guide, empower, and ennoble. How you live either strengthens or weakens the manly spirit within you. In this episode, Stephen challenges [...]
The post The Manly Spirit in You appeared first on GreatMan.
Porn tells men that they’re desired by every woman (and that the women, themselves, often aren’t even aware of their own desires). Well, that’s a lie. Sadly, believing this lie has caused an incredible number of men to behave in completely lewd, disgraceful, and immoral ways, as the recent news cycle has brought to light. [...]
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Porn and masturbation program a man’s soul. They train the body and emotions in a negative direction. You don’t have to share a moral or religious conviction to recognize porn and masturbation’s destructive forces. But there is good news. Science shows us that new habits can be developed in as little as 21 days. In [...]
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Whether you’re looking to fill your own Christmas list or shop for the men in your life, do not miss this list of Stephen’s top 11 books for men. Amazon links below… Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men by Stephen Mansfield Building Your Band of Brothers by Stephen Mansfield (Kindle, Paperback) Wild at Heart by John [...]
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One of the greatest powers a man has is the power of his words, particularly when those words are backed by character and judgement. The words that you speak and the way you embed words in the souls of others matters. Many of you will have opportunities to put this into practice as you spend [...]
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One of the unique powers of manhood is the power of story: the power to ignite. Every man has the ability to learn and master stories. If your family doesn’t have moving, ennobling stories of its own, then you can learn and share the stories of others. What stories will you use to enrich those [...]
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“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle,” said Philo of Alexandria. In this podcast, Stephen addresses a key truth: every man is fighting a great battle. But how do you recognize the battle? How do you fight it? And, most importantly, how do you WIN? In just twelve minutes, Stephen will [...]
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There are four things that every man should set aside time for. Stephen describes in this podcast how he’s seen a negligence of these four things lead to the absolute devastation of a man’s family. Single guys, yes, this applies to you, too. Stephen’s focus in this episode extends beyond husbands and fathers, including all men. [...]
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Every single person listening to this podcast has enough opportunity for bitterness to ruin their lives. One of the great battles a man fights is the battle to rescue his soul from this poisonous force. Bitterness drains masculinity from men, it causes them to fail, become weak, and retreat from becoming the best they could [...]
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In Hollywood, sexual favors as a path to greater exposure is a standard feature, Stephen’s heard from many friends in the industry. The Harvey Weinstein scandal, of course, has brought even greater attention to this injustice. In this podcast, Stephen examines why any noble definition of manhood has to include a belief that a man’s [...]
The post Safeguarding Women appeared first on GreatMan.
Stephen Paddock, the killer who murdered dozens from the 32nd floor of a hotel in Las Vegas, was well-off with seemingly no complaints in the world. And yet he carried out the worst mass shooting in American history – a tragedy that caught his own brother by complete surprise. Guys, if you are walking without [...]
The post The Vegas Shooter Walked Alone appeared first on GreatMan.
Most men deal with anger. Men are not unique to experiencing anger, of course. Yet society doesn’t often give guys an opportunity to express their feelings. So, the hurt that masks anger, gets stuffed down and packed away, frequently showing up later in the form of depression or violent rage. Stephen’s seen how unmasking this [...]
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Most men are preoccupied with the amount of time it takes to do some of the manly things they ought to be doing (like reading good books and building a band of brothers). “How do you find the time?” is one of the questions Stephen gets asked most as he speaks to men around the [...]
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When it's all said and done, the story of Hurricane Harvey will be a story of men taking action. Men took responsibility. They didn't wait for permission. They didn't wait for Superman. They didn't wait for the officials to show up. Men took action. In this first episode of The GreatMan Podcast, Stephen celebrates the stories of men [...]
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