The Art of Manliness

When you’re feeling stressed, burnt out, and anxious — when you’re striving and achieving but still finding yourself persistently dissatisfied with life — you might start looking for answers beyond what’s offered by contemporary self-help. One ancient philosophy that can cast light on the sources of and solutions to our seemingly modern dilemmas is Buddhism. If you’ve ever been intrigued by Buddhism but admittedly only have a vague sense of what it’s all about, Brendan Barca — co-author of The Daily Buddhist: 366 Days of Mindful Living [https://amzn.to/3T34hUs] — will walk you through its foundational principles. We begin our conversation with how Buddhism is similar to and different from other ancient philosophies like Stoicism, and Brendan offers an accessible introduction to the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. In the second half of our conversation, we explore how Buddhist principles and practices can be applied to our everyday modern lives and help you deal with the anxiety created by living in an impermanent world, shift your perspective on daily challenges, and cultivate greater compassion and patience. We discuss different meditation methods, the real purpose of meditation, and how to get started with it as a beginner. We end our conversation with the Buddha’s final words and what it means to “strive with vigilance.” RESOURCES RELATED TO THE PODCAST * Shamatha Meditation [https://www.lionsroar.com/how-to-practice-shamatha-meditation/] * Vipassana (Insight) Meditation [https://www.lionsroar.com/how-to-practice-vipassana-insight-meditation/] * Tonglen Meditation [https://www.lionsroar.com/how-to-practice-tonglen-meditation/] * AoM Article: A Primer on Meditation [https://www.artofmanliness.com/health-fitness/health/a-primer-on-meditation/] CONNECT WITH BRENDAN BARCA * The Daily Buddhist website [https://thedailybuddhist.net/] * The Daily Buddhist on IG [https://www.instagram.com/daily.buddhist/?hl=en] Book cover titled [https://content.artofmanliness.com/uploads/2025/06/61sRp5XGWhL._SL1500_.jpg]

What if the traits you’ve been taught to suppress your entire career are actually the very qualities that separate those who get what they want from those who stay stuck waiting for recognition that never comes? Today on the show, Jenny Wood argues that most of us are living in what she calls “an invisible cage” created by an overabundance of caution, and that the biggest lie you’ve been told in your career is to keep your head down and let your work speak for itself. Jenny is a former Google executive who developed a career development program used by 56,000 people in nearly 100 countries, and she’s the author of Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It [https://amzn.to/4e9RJ7y]. In our conversation, Jenny explains how traits that have a negative rap can be used for positive ends that will advance your career. We discuss how being shameless, reckless, nosy, manipulative, obsessed, and more can help you overcome your success-hindering fears, take bolder action, and achieve your goals. Calm the chaos of order fulfillment with the shipping software that delivers. Go to shipstation.com [shipstation.com] and use code MANLINESS to sign up for your FREE trial. CONNECT WITH JENNY WOOD * Jenny’s website [https://itsjennywood.com/] Book cover for [https://content.artofmanliness.com/uploads/2025/06/811QDn4GW-L._SY522_.jpg]

When Rick Burgess was growing up, his father, Bill Burgess, was also his football coach. But Bill was a mentor on and off the field not only for his own son but for the many young men he coached at both the high school and collegiate level. Though Bill has passed on, his lessons remain timeless and valuable for all men. Today on the show, Rick shares some of his old-school wisdom with us.  Rick is a radio host, a men's ministry leader, and the author of Men Don't Run in the Rain: A Son's Reflections on Life, Faith, and an Iconic Father. In our conversation, he discusses what his dad taught him through football and beyond, including why men don't run in the rain and why you need to get out of the stands, avoid being stupid, refuse to rest on your laurels, understand the difference between confidence and arrogance, and take full responsibility for your life without making excuses. We also talk about how Rick drew upon his father's wisdom when tragedy struck his life.    After the show is over, check out the show notes at aom.is/rain [http://aom.is/rain]

That Dwight D. Eisenhower became Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe, orchestrating the largest amphibious invasion in history on June 6, 1944, was far from inevitable. He came from the middle of nowhere — Abilene, Kansas — had never led men in battle, spent most of his career as a staff officer, and didn’t make general until he was in his fifties. How, then, did he become the leader on whom the fate of the world would rest? Today, we trace the making of Ike with Michel Paradis, author of The Light of Battle [https://amzn.to/4knqadb]. We talk about how Eisenhower’s Midwestern upbringing shaped his character, and how his most important education happened outside the classroom. Michel shares how crucial mentors were in Ike’s development, and how Eisenhower made the most of those relationships. We discuss the books that were most formative in shaping his thinking, including what he got from Nietzsche. We also get into some of the practices Eisenhower used to lead effectively, including how he budgeted his time to maintain his morale while under the pressure of planning D-Day and what he did the evening before the invasion to deal with the stress. RESOURCES RELATED TO THE PODCAST * AoM Podcast #641: How Eisenhower Led — A Conversation with Ike’s Granddaughter * AoM series on Eisenhower’s leadership [https://www.artofmanliness.com/career-wealth/leadership/leadership-lessons-from-dwight-d-eisenhower-1-how-to-build-and-sustain-morale/] * AoM Podcast #996: Remembering D-Day 80 Years Later [https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/military/podcast-996-remembering-d-day-80-years-later/] * The Line Man’s Bible: A Football Textbook of Detailed Instruction by Ernest Graves. [https://www.amazon.com/Line-Mans-Bible-Foot-Ball-Instruction/dp/0371724171?&linkCode=sl1&tag=stucosuccess-20&linkId=bc86c9a014f89e03bf2127d551eb5a42&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl] * Sunday Firesides: You Never Know How Many Chapters Are Still to Come [https://www.dyingbreed.net/p/sunday-firesides-you-never-know-how?utm_source=publication-search] * Fox Conner [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Conner] * The Czar of Halfaday Creek by James B. Hendryx [https://amzn.to/4dw6m4u] CONNECT WITH MICHEL PARADIS * Michel on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michel-paradis-77721610] * Michel's faculty page [https://www.law.columbia.edu/faculty/michel-paradis] Book cover for [https://content.artofmanliness.com/uploads/2025/06/71Q33zein2L._SL1500_.jpg]

The British just seem like a classier bunch. Part of it is that winning accent. But it's also because English culture has long been steeped in the tradition of learning and practicing etiquette. Here to share some of the essentials of modern etiquette that are important no matter which side of the pond you live on is William Hanson, a British etiquette expert and the author of Just Good Manners [https://amzn.to/4kyChDN]. William shares the difference between manners and etiquette, and why young people are especially interested in both. He then takes us through how to introduce yourself and others, the history behind the "no elbows on the table" mantra, the rules of small talk, some overlooked guidelines for table manners, how to enter a conversational circle at a party, considerations for elevator etiquette, and much more. Whether you're dining at a fancy restaurant or just want to navigate social situations with more confidence, William's insights will help you present yourself with the panache of a proper English gentleman. RESOURCES RELATED TO THE PODCAST * AoM Podcast #897: Answers to the FAQ of Modern Etiquette [https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/etiquette/podcast-897-answers-to-the-faq-of-modern-etiquette/] * AoM Podcast #422: Men & Manners — Tipping, Emojis, and Much More [https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/etiquette/podcast-422-men-manners-tipping-emojis-and-much-more/] * AoM Article: The Importance of Good Manners [https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/etiquette/importance-good-manners/] * AoM Article: How to Acquire Good Manners [https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/etiquette/how-to-acquire-good-manners/] * AoM Article: A Man’s Guide to Dining Etiquette and Proper Table Manners [https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/etiquette/guide-dining-etiquette-table-manners/] * AoM Article: How to Make Introductions Like a Gentleman [https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/etiquette/how-to-make-introductions-like-a-gentleman/] * AoM Article: How to Make Small Talk [https://www.artofmanliness.com/people/social-skills/how-to-make-small-talk/] * AoM's Complete Guide to Giving a Great Handshake [https://www.artofmanliness.com/skills/manly-know-how/the-complete-guide-to-giving-a-great-handshake/] CONNECT WITH WILLIAM HANSON * William's website [https://www.williamhanson.co.uk/] * William on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@williamhansonetiquette?lang=en] * William on IG [https://www.instagram.com/williamhanson/?hl=en] Book cover for [https://content.artofmanliness.com/uploads/2025/05/717YS3GhO1L._SL1500_.jpg]