Shane Sams and Vincent Pugliese reunite after a social media misfire and copy-paste misunderstanding nearly derailed their friendship, turning a real conflict into a powerful masterclass on authenticity and male connection. In a world increasingly dominated by AI automation and digital noise, they challenge the temptation to clone voices or outsource relationships, arguing that true integrity means standing behind every word you write. The conversation dives deep into how men handle conflict, the engineering of outrage on social media, and the freedom found in allowing both our children and ourselves to face consequences. They also break down unconventional event models like the Unconference and the Great Men Brotherhood, which reject high-ticket upsells and gatekeeping in favor of generosity, curated spaces, and raw peer-to-peer connection.

The heart of the episode shifts to the hidden traps of entrepreneurship and the emotional architecture of ambition. Shane opens up about a massive financial milestone that left him feeling empty, prompting a raw discussion on Vincent's philosophy of prioritizing freedom over luxury before a moving target of wealth steals the life you built. They close with a vulnerable exploration of the father wound, examining how the lifelong chase for paternal approval drives male ambition and often leads to profound misery. By sharing personal stories of late-in-life reconciliation and the power of peer validation, they highlight why every man needs a tribe of brothers to step into the gap, handle hard conversations straight, and remind each other that they are doing a good job.

You're already a good man. Now become great on your own terms.

No fake alpha nonsense. No paint-by-numbers 'family man' checklists. No endless trauma dumps.

Get unstuck and reclaim your power in work, relationships, fatherhood, and life.

End the war within. Find peace without.

Learn more about The Great Men Project at https://www.greatmen.org

In this episode of Great Men, Shane Sams sits down with Austin Netzley, the founder of 2X and co-owner of Operations.com, to peel back the curtain on the raw, often messy journey toward high-level success. Austin shares his transition from a "rocky road" in small-town Ohio—marked by multiple arrests and a reliance on alcohol—to helping his clients generate over $250 million in revenue. The conversation centers on the pivotal moment at age 29 when a 10-day bender forced a total life recalibration. Austin reveals how he traded hangovers and the "smart sibling" complex for a focused engineering mindset that eventually allowed him to build a business designed for freedom rather than just validation.

The dialogue dives deep into the "Inner Work" of a great man, exploring why a business is often a mirror reflecting the owner's unaddressed baggage. Austin and Shane discuss the three foundational pillars of growth: cutting the anchors of the past, building a vision larger than your problems, and establishing a present-day identity. They also tackle modern tools for alignment, ranging from the Two-Week Vacation Test to the use of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and therapeutic journeys for deep personal exploration. By the end of this episode, you'll understand why "making meaning" is more powerful than "finding purpose" and how learning to submit to your feelings is the ultimate key to professional and personal alignment.

You're already a good man. Now become great on your own terms.

No fake alpha nonsense. No paint-by-numbers 'family man' checklists. No endless trauma dumps.

Get unstuck and reclaim your power in work, relationships, fatherhood, and life.

End the war within. Find peace without.

Learn more about The Great Men Project at https://www.greatmen.org

In this episode of Great Men, Shane Sams sits down with Scott Lamm, a global speaker and real estate mogul who walked away from a high-level corporate career at Morgan Stanley by age 37. The two dive deep into the reality of "achieving the dream," debunking the common myth that lifestyle design alone leads to fulfillment. Through Scott's story of building a massive portfolio and Shane's personal reflections on the "Four Hour Work Week" trap, they explore why having a clear mission and a sense of purpose is far more vital than simply reaching a financial finish line. From the emotional anti-climax of paying off a home to the necessity of pushing through seasons of confusion, this conversation provides a raw look at what happens on the other side of success.

The discussion also highlights the unconventional tools that build a lasting legacy, specifically focusing on the power of humor and the importance of health. Scott and Shane share insights into how humor serves as a "brain break" for audiences and a bridge for human connection, whether on a local stage or speaking internationally across Asia and the Middle East. Beyond the business tactics, they get personal about near-death health scares and the physical transformations required to lead a family effectively. Scott concludes with his philosophy on what it truly means to be a great man: a life rooted in faith, modeling a relentless pursuit for his children, and the commitment to leaving every person he encounters better than he found them.

You're already a good man. Now become great on your own terms.

No fake alpha nonsense. No paint-by-numbers 'family man' checklists. No endless trauma dumps.

Get unstuck and reclaim your power in work, relationships, fatherhood, and life.

End the war within. Find peace without.

Learn more about The Great Men Project at https://www.greatmen.org

What truly separates the great from the good? In this episode of Great Men, Shane sits down with Travis Chappell, the high-capacity host of Travis Makes Friends and Travis Makes Money. With over 1,300 episodes and 15 million listens under his belt, Travis has spent more time than almost anyone on the planet deconstructing the habits and mindsets of elite performers. He shares his hard-earned perspective that greatness isn't a byproduct of raw talent, but rather a relentless willingness to sacrifice more than the average person is comfortable with. Travis challenges listeners to stop climbing the wrong mountain and instead define a version of success that aligns with their own soul rather than someone else's expectations.

The conversation takes a deep and personal turn as Travis opens up about his upbringing within a fundamentalist religious bubble and the isolating process of deconstructing that identity to find his own faith and purpose. From selling solar door-to-door to building a podcast empire, Travis reveals the tactical moves he made to curate his inner circle, including the bold story of maxing out a $42k credit card to invest in high-level community. Whether you are navigating a transition in your career, struggling with the modern male friendship crisis, or looking for the courage to walk away from institutional religion, this episode provides a roadmap for building a life on your own terms. Shane and Travis also discuss Travis's star-studded upcoming project, Dinner Party, and why every man should consider the podcast format as the ultimate tool for relationship building.

You're already a good man. Now become great on your own terms.

No fake alpha nonsense. No paint-by-numbers 'family man' checklists. No endless trauma dumps.

Get unstuck and reclaim your power in work, relationships, fatherhood, and life.

End the war within. Find peace without.

Learn more about The Great Men Project at https://www.greatmen.org

On April 19th, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to speed up reviews of psychedelic drugs including ibogaine, psilocybin, and others for treating severe depression, PTSD, and addiction. Standing next to Donald Trump in the Oval Office was Joe Rogan, who told reporters he texted Trump about ibogaine and the president responded "Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let's do it."

The mainstream is finally catching up to what great men have been talking about for years.

In this episode of Great Men, Shane Sams sits down with Dr. Daniel Franz, a clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience, for a deep dive into the psychology, the value of therapy, of meaning and the rapidly evolving world of psychedelic assisted therapy.

Built on the foundational work of Viktor Frankl and his masterpiece Man's Search for Meaning, the conversation explores why so many men feel empty even after achieving professional success. Dr. Franz explains the core principles of logotherapy and why modern prescriptive therapy often fails men by focusing on reductionist labels rather than the pursuit of purpose. Shane shares his own existential crisis from 2023 and how shifting his mindset from relentless to resilient helped him find a new sense of responsibility in his daily life.

The episode transitions into a detailed look at the clinical use of ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA to facilitate breakthroughs that traditional talk therapy might take years to achieve. From Shane's personal experiences with ego death to the importance of neuroplasticity and integration, they discuss how these tools can open the heart and mind when used in the right set and setting. They also touch on how couples can use these therapeutic modalities to strengthen their relationships.

This is a wide ranging conversation about how great men navigate pain, guilt, and mortality to find a life that is truly meaningful.

Learn more about The Great Men Project at GreatMen.org

Topidcs: sychedelic therapy, psilocybin, ketamine therapy, ibogaine, MDMA therapy, Viktor Frankl, logotherapy, Joe Rogan, Trump executive order, PTSD treatment, veterans mental health, ego death, neuroplasticity, men's mental health, psychedelic assisted therapy, depression treatment, meaning and purpose, midlife crisis, great men.

In this episode of Great Men with Shane Sams, Shane sits down with Markus Gerszi — former CrossFit affiliate owner, gym business coach, and host of the Best Hour of Their Day podcast. Markus built and sold CrossFit Active Performance, voted the #1 CrossFit gym in Orange County, and has since spent over 11 years coaching more than 1,500 gym owners. Shane and Markus dive deep into the emotional and identity challenges that come with selling a business you love, the difference between the gym business and the hospitality business, and why so many passionate gym owners struggle to translate their personal discipline into business success.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Shane and Markus unpack the stories we inherit from our parents, the cultures we grow up in, and the peer resistance that comes when you choose a different path. Markus shares how he untangled limiting beliefs through story work, navigated pushback from lifelong friends, and ultimately built a life and business on his own terms. Whether you're a CrossFit gym owner, an entrepreneur, or just a man trying to figure out who he wants to be, this episode is a masterclass in self-leadership, coachability, and choosing your own identity before someone else chooses it for you.

You're already a good man. Now become great on your own terms.

No fake alpha nonsense. No paint-by-numbers 'family man' checklists. No endless trauma dumps.

Get unstuck and reclaim your power in work, relationships, fatherhood, and life.

End the war within. Find peace without.

Learn more about The Great Men Project at https://www.greatmen.org

In this powerful episode of Great Men, Shane Sams sits down with Chandler Bolt, the visionary founder of Self-Publishing.com, for a raw and wide-ranging conversation on the highs and lows of the entrepreneurial journey. Chandler opens up about his late-in-life ADHD diagnosis, reframing the condition not as a disability, but as a creative superpower that fueled his ascent from college dropout to the leader of an 8-figure empire. The duo dives deep into the "prison of success," discussing how identity can become dangerously intertwined with business achievements and why true growth requires the humility to be the "dumbest person in the room."

Beyond the balance sheets, the heart of this episode explores the profound impact of grief and the "mirrors" in a man's life. From the tragic loss of close friends to Shane's own harrowing experience reviving his father on Christmas morning, they discuss how men can transform bitterness into fuel through vulnerability. Whether it's the sharpening effect of a long-term marriage or the life-changing proximity of high-level brotherhood on a houseboat retreat, this conversation is a masterclass in pruning away complexity to find simplicity, impact, and authentic connection.

Key Timestamps & Highlights 0:00 – ADHD & Personal Development: Turning a "dropout" mindset into an entrepreneurial edge and navigating the transition from medication to sustainable focus.

11:13 – Grief & Loss as Fuel: A heavy, honest look at mortality, the power of vulnerability, and choosing to let tragedy refine rather than define you.

Identity & Growth: Breaking free from the "all or nothing" label and the humbling journey of earning a pilot's license.

47:36 – Scaling to 8 Figures: The reality of $80M in revenue—managing the complexity of lawsuits, the law of large numbers, and the shift from playing offense to defense.

56:05 – Marriage & Community: Why your spouse is your most accurate 360-degree mirror and why every man needs a tribe of peers where the whiteboards are put away and authentic connection takes center stage.

You're already a good man. Now become great on your own terms.

No fake alpha nonsense. No paint-by-numbers 'family man' checklists. No endless trauma dumps.

Get unstuck and reclaim your power in work, relationships, fatherhood, and life.

End the war within. Find peace without.

Learn more about The Great Men Project at https://www.greatmen.org

In this raw and deeply personal episode of Great Men, Shane Sams and Jason Brown reconnect to discuss the high cost of climbing the wrong ladder and the rediscovery of self after achieving societal markers of success. They dive into the "vision board trap," where hitting every goal leads to an empty reality, and explore the courage required to stop digging when you find yourself in a financial or emotional hole. From Shane's transparent account of his 2024 mental health crisis and journey through ketamine therapy to Jason's perspective on finding peace over constant achievement, the conversation moves through the heavy realities of losing parents and the vital importance of building an intentional brotherhood. It is a powerful exploration of leading teams with purpose, defining your own blueprint for life, and showing up for the friends who stand in the gap when the dam breaks.

You're already a good man. Now become great on your own terms.

No fake alpha nonsense. No paint-by-numbers 'family man' checklists. No endless trauma dumps.

Get unstuck and reclaim your power in work, relationships, fatherhood, and life.

End the war within. Find peace without.

Learn more about The Great Men Project at https://www.greatmen.org

What happens when the "dream business" you built starts feeling like a nightmare? Many entrepreneurs scale their way into a corner, hitting massive revenue milestones only to realize they've traded their freedom for a high-stress job they can't quit. In this episode, Shane Sams sits down with Greg Hickman, founder of Alt Agency, to dismantle the "million-dollar business" myth and explore how to build for longevity and lifestyle.

Greg shares his journey of moving past borrowed goals—those arbitrary success metrics we inherit from the "hustle culture" around us—and introduces his Time-Energy-Money Framework. Instead of solving for profit first, Greg argues that we must first define how we want to spend our days and where we want to focus our energy. By reverse-engineering your business to fit these constraints, you can escape the "swamp of success" and create a model that actually lasts for the next 25 years.

• The Evolution Trap: How scaling just for the sake of scaling often leads to the "swamp of success" (the $1M–$3M revenue range) where fulfillment often takes a backseat to complexity.

• The Identity Shift: Why admitting you want a smaller, leaner, more profitable business is often harder than the actual work of building it.

• Reverse-Engineering Success: Greg breaks down his framework for business design:

  1. Time: What does your ideal week look like?

  2. Energy: Which tasks drain you and which fuel you?

  3. Money: What is the actual minimum you need to live that ideal life?

• The AI Landscape: Why the future of coaching and consulting relies on "analog" human connection and small, high-revenue teams rather than massive, bloated agencies.

You're already a good man. Now become great on your own terms.

No fake alpha nonsense. No paint-by-numbers 'family man' checklists. No endless trauma dumps.

Get unstuck and reclaim your power in work, relationships, fatherhood, and life.

End the war within. Find peace without.

Learn more about The Great Men Project at https://www.greatmen.org

In this episode of Great Men, Shane Sams sits down with real estate investor and entrepreneur Dustin Heiner, founder of Master Passive Income, to talk about financial freedom, purpose, and what it truly means to live as a great man. Dustin shares his journey from being unexpectedly laid off with four kids to building a portfolio of more than 30 rental properties, a turning point that forced him to rethink income, security, and personal responsibility. The conversation explores why solving the income problem can unlock deeper freedom in life and how financial peace creates the space to focus on faith, family, and service.

You're already a good man. Now become great on your own terms.

No fake alpha nonsense. No paint-by-numbers 'family man' checklists. No endless trauma dumps.

Get unstuck and reclaim your power in work, relationships, fatherhood, and life.

End the war within. Find peace without.

Learn more about The Great Men Project at https://www.greatmen.org