Mindfully Masculine: Personal Growth and Mental Health for Men
On "Mindfully Masculine" we support and encourage men who strive to level-up their lives as we share books, media, and personal stories on mental health and well-being. Challenges in your life? We deliver the tips and tools that really help.
212 episodes
3 days ago
In this episode, Charles and Dan continue their discussion of masculine leadership in relationships by examining the role of direction and structure—and what happens when men avoid it or misuse it. Drawing from The Masculine in Relationship by G.S. Youngblood, they explore how everyday indecision, conflict avoidance, and over-assertiveness quietly undermine trust, intimacy, and attraction. The conversation breaks down the difference between leadership and control, and why insisting too loudly...
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In this episode, Charles and Dan continue their discussion of masculine leadership in relationships by examining the role of direction and structure—and what happens when men avoid it or misuse it. Drawing from The Masculine in Relationship by G.S. Youngblood, they explore how everyday indecision, conflict avoidance, and over-assertiveness quietly undermine trust, intimacy, and attraction. The conversation breaks down the difference between leadership and control, and why insisting too loudly...
In this episode, Charles and Dan continue their discussion of masculine leadership in relationships by examining the role of direction and structure—and what happens when men avoid it or misuse it. Drawing from The Masculine in Relationship by G.S. Youngblood, they explore how everyday indecision, conflict avoidance, and over-assertiveness quietly undermine trust, intimacy, and attraction. The conversation breaks down the difference between leadership and control, and why insisting too loudly...
In this episode, Charles and Dan challenge the physical and psychological prescriptions found in chapters 10 and 11 of The Masculine in Relationship. The discussion begins with a critical look at the concept of embodiment, debating whether relationship friction is truly caused by overthinking or if it is the result of underthinking and reactivity in stressful moments. The hosts take a skeptical stance on the author's suggested "protocols"—such as provocation meditation and breath of fire—ques...
In this crucial episode, Charles and Dan dive into the foundational responsibilities of the masculine and the subtle forces that either create deep, lasting intimacy or lead to eventual conflict. The conversation begins by examining the crucial demand for masculine safety, exploring what happens when a man fails to "hold space and provide safety," forcing his partner to step out of her feminine and into an energy that strains the relationship. They discuss the essential concept of polarity, m...
In this episode, Charles and Dan unpack chapters four, five, and six of The Masculine in Relationship — and explore why so many men fall into the trap of becoming either strong-but-destructive or nice-but-ineffective. They dig into what it actually takes to embody the rare third option: a strong good man who leads with clarity, steadiness, emotional presence, and purpose. The conversation moves through the core foundations of masculine development: how purpose shapes direction, why reactivity...
In this first episode of our new series on The Masculine in Relationship by G.S. Youngblood, Charles and Dan dive into the foreword, preface, and opening chapters of the book that’s redefining modern masculinity. They explore why real leadership in a relationship starts with grounded presence—not control—and how polarity, purpose, and emotional steadiness shape connection. This isn’t about blame or “fixing” your partner; it’s about showing up as a man who leads through clarity, direction, and...
In this episode, Charles and Dan take a closer look at Stephen Bartlett’s conversation with Dr. Julie Smith on The Diary of a CEO — exploring what it really means to manage anxiety, build confidence, and grow through self-compassion instead of self-criticism. They talk about why it’s so much easier to look “not needy” than to actually have your needs met, how rejection ties back to our deepest beliefs about worthiness, and why believable affirmations matter more than positive ones. You’ll als...
In this episode, Charles and Dan unpack one of their favorite conversations from The Diary of a CEO — Steven Bartlett’s interview with Simon Sinek. They explore what it really means to “find your why,” why self-awareness beats self-improvement, and how honesty, feedback, and integrity all connect to a deeper sense of fulfillment that lasts longer than success or achievement ever could. From the power of vulnerability to the courage of truth-telling, this episode dives into the difference betw...
In this episode, Charles and Dan unpack key insights from The Diary of a CEO conversation with sleep scientist Matthew Walker — exploring how modern life undermines rest, what’s actually happening in your brain while you sleep, and the small, practical changes that can improve energy, focus, and overall well-being. We discuss: Why sleep loss affects every system in the bodyThe myths around caffeine, naps, and “catching up” on weekendsWhat REM sleep really does for emotional regulationSimple s...
Charles shares a personal reflection on Elizabeth Gilbert’s new memoir All the Way to the River—a raw, beautifully told story about love, addiction, and loss. He explores what makes Gilbert’s writing different from typical books on recovery and co-dependence, how her honesty resonates with his own journey, and why the audiobook version delivers an especially powerful experience. Support the show
In this conversation, Charles and Dan unpack one of the most practical interviews they’ve ever heard on The Diary of a CEO—Steven Bartlett’s talk with body-language expert Vanessa Van Edwards. Instead of vague “be confident” advice, this episode focuses on clear, actionable steps that make communication more intentional and effective. They break down: How warmth and competence shape every first impressionThe body-language cues that build trust (and the ones that destroy it)Why open posture a...
In this week’s episode of The Mindfully Masculine Podcast, Charles and Dan dive into Steven Bartlett’s most-viewed Diary of a CEO interview — his conversation with Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power. What starts as a look at Greene’s ideas on seduction, confidence, and power turns into a bigger exploration of what really drives human behavior. Charles and Dan unpack the tension between authenticity and performance, confidence and insecurity, attraction and manipulation. They discus...
Love, sex, survival — Esther Perel has spent decades showing how our relationships shape everything about the quality of our lives. In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles and Dan unpack her powerful conversation with Steven Bartlett on The Diary of a CEO. We explore the big themes from Esther’s interview: Why the quality of your relationships determines the quality of your lifeHow childhood experiences shape adult patterns (and how to change them)The “figure-eight” loop couples get s...
In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles and Dan dive into psychologist Dr. Orion Taraban’s provocative appearance on The Diary of a CEO. Taraban is known for his blunt take on dating, relationships, and masculinity—arguing that men are invisible until they bring value, that love is not earned but given, and that relationships at their core are transactional. We unpack his biggest ideas, from the economics of attraction to the dangers of performative masculinity, and explore how they i...
In this special solo reflection, Charles shares his perspective on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about masculinity, resilience, and political violence. He argues that true masculine strength lies in threat assessment, resilience, and the ability to live alongside opposing ideas without collapsing into reactivity. Violence—whether through weapons, institutions, or media—is framed not as power but as fragility. This episode challenges men to redefine strength, resist the...
What happens when your “perfect” girlfriend lives in your phone, hits your credit card for $9.95 a month, and never says no? In this episode, Charles and Dan explore the rise of AI companions and what draws men to digital relationships over real ones. We dig into questions like: Why some men are choosing AI girlfriends instead of dating apps or real partnersWhether talking to a bot can really make you feel “chosen”How this trend might affect masculinity, intimacy, and even population growthWh...
In this final episode of our Let Them Theory series, we dig into the last three chapters of Mel Robbins’ book—and we don’t hold back. We talk about why the honeymoon phase blinds us to red flags, how to tell if someone is truly compatible (hint: if you’re confused, they’re not), and why waiting for a partner to change is wasted time. We also break down the “commitment conversation” that keeps us on equal footing instead of begging for validation, plus the hard truths about breakups—no shortcu...
In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles and Dan dive into Chapters 16 and 17 of Mel Robbins’ The Let Them Theory: The More You Rescue, The More They Sink and How to Provide Support the Right Way. They explore why stepping in to “rescue” often backfires, how shame and denial complicate real support, and why presence and patience are more powerful than quick fixes. Along the way, they share stories about hidden struggles, money boundaries, and what it means to be a calm, nonjudgmental p...
In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles and Dan unpack Chapters 14 and 15 of The Let Them Theory—and the uncomfortable truth that you can’t force anyone to change. We dive into why pressure backfires, why rescuing keeps people stuck, and how the most powerful form of influence comes from backing off. From partners and kids to friends and coworkers, if you’ve ever tried to “fix” someone, this one will sting a little. Highlights include: The real reason people only change when they’re r...
Friendship in adulthood isn’t what it used to be — and in this conversation, we get into why that’s not always a bad thing. Charles and Dan dig into the myths we carry from childhood about how friends “should” work, and how those expectations crash into reality once proximity, free time, and shared schedules disappear. We break down Mel Robbins’ “three pillars” of friendship — proximity, timing, and energy — and give our unfiltered takes on which ones actually matter. There’s plenty of pushba...
In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles and Dan continue their exploration of The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, turning a critical eye toward two major ideas: fairness and comparison. First, they take on the statement “life isn’t fair”—not to reject it outright, but to unpack its usefulness. Is declaring unfairness a helpful truth, or a dead-end framing? The conversation pushes beyond the cliché to explore what men are actually supposed to do with that idea. Then, they dive into the...
Mindfully Masculine: Personal Growth and Mental Health for Men
In this episode, Charles and Dan continue their discussion of masculine leadership in relationships by examining the role of direction and structure—and what happens when men avoid it or misuse it. Drawing from The Masculine in Relationship by G.S. Youngblood, they explore how everyday indecision, conflict avoidance, and over-assertiveness quietly undermine trust, intimacy, and attraction. The conversation breaks down the difference between leadership and control, and why insisting too loudly...
