How to Have the Manners and Charm of a Proper English Gentleman
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. 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 PodcastAoM Podcast #897: Answers to the FAQ of Modern EtiquetteAoM Podcast #422: Men & Manners — Tipping, Emojis, and Much MoreAoM Article: The Importance of Good MannersAoM Article: How to Acquire Good MannersAoM Article: A Man’s Guide to Dining Etiquette and Proper Table MannersAoM Article: How to Make Introductions Like a GentlemanAoM Article: How to Make Small TalkAoM's Complete Guide to Giving a Great HandshakeConnect With William HansonWilliam's websiteWilliam on TikTokWilliam on IG
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Become a Master of Uncertainty
Uncertainty is a constant of human existence. How will market conditions affect your new business venture? What will be the results of the medical test you just took? Will a new relationship work out?For most of us, situations of uncertainty trigger anxiety, even fear. But the stress of uncertainty doesn't have to overwhelm you. You can learn to navigate it with secure, adaptable confidence so you can keep thriving and progress towards your ultimate goals.Today on the show, Rich Diviney, a retired Navy SEAL commander, returns to share insights from his new book Masters of Uncertainty. He first explains why thinking that life will be predictable keeps people from realizing their potential. He then walks us through practical techniques for dealing with uncertainty like "moving horizons," creating meaningful goals that work with our brain chemistry, and de-stressing your body so you can be more resilient and make better decisions under pressure. We also discuss how understanding your unique attributes will help you understand how you react to uncertainty and how teams can implement "dynamic subordination" to adapt in rapidly changing environments.Resources Related to the PodcastRich's previous appearance on the AoM podcast — #738: The Character Traits That Drive Optimal PerformanceAoM Article: 5 Tools for Thriving in UncertaintyAoM Article: The Best Books to Read in Uncertain TimesThe Physiological SighConnect With Rich DivineyThe Attributes websiteRich on LinkedInRich on IG
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Building Tribe — How to Create and Sustain Communities of Men
Community is one of life's most valuable but increasingly scarce resources. While we hear about a supposed epidemic of male loneliness, many men still resist joining groups or struggle to maintain involvement after initial enthusiasm wanes.Today on the show, Frank Schwartz will help us understand the barriers to building male community and how to overcome them. Frank is the CEO of F3, a free, all-volunteer men's leadership organization that uses workouts to bring men together and supports hundreds of decentralized chapters worldwide.In the first half of our conversation, Frank explains the psychology behind men's hesitation to join groups, how to navigate the "wish dream" of idealized community, and why expecting perfection kills participation. We then discuss what makes leadership in a decentralized group different from traditional hierarchies, the importance of embracing messiness, and why allowing men to make their own decisions creates stronger leaders than giving them a rulebook to follow. We end our conversation with Frank's perspective on cultivating patience as a leader and how to measure success when building a community of men.Resources Related to the PodcastF3AoM Podcast #324: How Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith Are the Cure for Sad Clown SyndromeQSource: The F3 Manual of Virtuous Leadership by David "Dredd" ReddingAoM article on phronesis/practical wisdomDying Breed article on Dietrich Bonhoeffer's vision of communityConnect With Frank SchwartzFrank on LinkedInFrank on X
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20 Secrets of Adulthood
Figuring out the pitfalls and best practices of adulthood can be tricky. It's helpful to have some pearls of wisdom to guide you along the way.My guest today has spent decades collecting these kinds of helpful truths and has crafted her own guiding mantras of maturity.Gretchen Rubin is the author of numerous bestselling books, including The Happiness Project, and her latest, Secrets of Adulthood. Today on the show, Gretchen shares how she came to write hundreds of aphorisms on how to navigate life, and we dig into some of my favorites of these concise, sage sayings. Amongst many topics, we discuss why "happiness doesn't always make us feel happy," the best strategy for changing ourselves, a very useful heuristic for making decisions, why you should wear a favorite sweater more often, and even why big top tables at restaurants are one of my pet peeves.Resources Related to the PodcastGretchen's booksGretchen's "What's the next new habit that will make you happier?" quizAoM Article: The Self-Deception Destroying Maxims of Francois de La RochefoucauldAoM Article: Nietzsche’s 66 Best AphorismsAoM Article: Just Go to SleepSunday Firesides: Life Is for LivingConnect With Gretchen RubinGretchen's websiteGretchen on IGGretchen on FBGretchen on LinkedIn
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Auto-Exploitation, Positive Violence, and the Palliative Society: A Modern Philosopher’s Ideas for Making Sense of the Present Age
Feelings of burnout and boredom have become prevalent in modern life. To understand the roots of and solutions to these issues, we can turn to both ancient philosophers and contemporary thinkers. Among the latter is Korean-German philosopher Byung-Chul Han, whose thought-provoking analyses are gaining increasing recognition.If you’re not yet familiar with Han’s philosophy, Steven Knepper, a professor at the Virginia Military Institute and the co-author of a new critical introduction to this modern philosopher’s work, will take us on a tour of some of Han’s key ideas. In the first part of our conversation, Steven unpacks Han’s concept of the “burnout society” and why so many of us feel tired from participating in what he calls “auto-exploitation” and “positive violence.” We then discuss how our burnout society is also a “palliative society” that tries to avoid suffering at all costs and how our obsession with health has turned us into a modern version of Nietzsche’s “last man.” We end our discussion with some of Han’s ideas for resisting the pitfalls of modernity, including embracing ritual, contemplation, and an openness to the mystery of others.Resources Related to the PodcastByung-Chul Han’s books, including The Burnout Society and The Palliative SocietyShop Class as Soulcraft and The World Beyond Your Head by Matthew B. CrawfordNew Verse ReviewSteven’s work at The LampDying Breed Article: Resonance as an Antidote to Social AccelerationDying Breed Article: What Nietzsche’s Typewriter Brain Can Tell Us About Twitter BrainSunday Firesides: Protect the Sanctum Sanctorum of SelfhoodSunday Firesides: We Need as Much Meaning Extension as Life ExtensionConnect With Steven KnepperSteven at VMI
The Art of Manliness Podcast aims to deepen and improve every area of a man's life, from fitness and philosophy, to relationships and productivity. Engaging and edifying interviews with some of the world's most interesting doers and thinkers drop the fluff and filler to glean guests' very best, potentially life-changing, insights.
South Africa