As a young man in the digital world it has been extremely difficult to gain any insight from the boundless amounts of advice for men from most media outlets.  These outlets offer trending advice that might seem advantageous, but in the end they only hurt you. This advice, such as what to wear and how to talk, really relies on what others want you to be rather than learning intuitively what works for yourself. This does not aide you in your journey to better yourself or your peers. After all, one of the major growing points when becoming an adult is coming to love and accept yourself and the things you enjoy. Proper “adulting” requires the development of this confidence in yourself, your choices, and the ability to accept responsibility for your actions.

There is one media outlet however which stands apart. One which I have found to be enjoyable, whilst still helping me get back to the timeless fundamentals which define not just what it is to be a man, but a gentleman.  I am referring to The Art of Manliness and their podcasts.

I highly endorse their topics, and their founder Brett McKay, for trying to search out and highlight those principles which characterize a great man.  The website’s topics range from practical uses of everyday items to historical figures and their thoughts on life.  They are always well written and contain many useful tips.  I find their podcasts (~40mins) to be wonderful to listen to if I am on a long drive or doing yard work.  Mr. McKay gathers an assortment of experts around the mic to weigh in on a variety of topics. The listener can learn from successful business men, navy seals,  and philosophers alike. If you have a spare minute and want to improve your life, check out their website or podcast.

Below I have linked a short selection of their podcasts for ease of use:

1. The School of Greatness

2. Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice

3. Taking Action in an Uncertain and Hack-Focused World

4. Digital Manners & Etiquette For the Modern Man

I think every man should at least check out number four. Let’s face it…we gentleman need a set of guidelines for all of the new social technology we are dealing with. This is especially the case when courting the opposite sex in this digital age.

It’s a good podcast, they all are as Art of Manliness does a superb job, but as an added bonus it also includes a coupon code for Criquet shirts, which have some nice thick polo-style/button up shirts (20% off and free shipping, so these podcasts can be a good source of consumer deals and coupons as well).

If

If you can keep your head when all about you   

    Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,   

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

    But make allowance for their doubting too;   

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

    Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

    And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;   

    If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;   

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

    And treat those two impostors just the same;   

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

    Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

    And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

    And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

    And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

    To serve your turn long after they are gone,   

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

    Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,   

    Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

    If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

    With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,   

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,   

    And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

                                                               -By Rudyard Kipling