In this powerful episode of Great Men with Shane Sams, Shane sits down with James Smith — a dynamic speaker, mentor, and storyteller whose life journey embodies resilience, authenticity, and faith.

James opens up about his childhood, the significance of names, and how his upbringing shaped his passion for helping others. He and Shane dive into the fears that hold people back — including the universal fear of public speaking — and how James overcame his own to build a career inspiring audiences around the world.

Listeners will hear about James's time as a lobbyist and real estate investor, and how those experiences reinforced his belief that authenticity is the key to true connection. The conversation turns deeply motivational as James shares stories of redemption, including his work mentoring veterans and former felons, proving that hope and second chances can transform lives.

Shane and James also discuss mindset, adversity, and the role of faith when life gets tough. They share personal experiences of setbacks, health scares, and the lessons learned along the way. James's stories — from encounters with figures like Nick Vujicic and the late Charlie Kirk to hilarious and unpredictable onstage moments — will inspire you to find meaning, courage, and laughter even in life's toughest seasons.

The episode wraps with James encouraging listeners to embrace their purpose, chase greatness, and live boldly. Learn more about his work at jamessmithseries.com and tune into his podcast for more wisdom and inspiration.

Frameworks and community at greatmen.org.

In this episode of Great Men, Shane Sams sits down with long-time friend and entrepreneur Tom Sylvester for a powerful and personal conversation about what it really means to become a "great man." Together, they explore the evolving nature of success—how chasing society's version of achievement often leads to burnout, and how true fulfillment comes when you start defining success on your own terms. Over a decade into their entrepreneurial journeys, Shane and Tom reflect on the lessons learned, the mountains climbed, and the mindset shifts that transformed their lives from chasing income to creating impact.

They dive into concepts from The Second Mountain, exploring the difference between external accomplishments and inner purpose, and share practical frameworks for building a life of rhythm, presence, and meaning. From morning routines to marriage repair, they emphasize brotherhood, self-awareness, and letting go of the labels that hold men back. This episode is an honest look at how growth, vulnerability, and intentional living can help every man become not just successful—but significant.

• greatmen.org – Tools, frameworks, and a community for men seeking to define greatness on their own terms.

In this episode of Great Men, Shane sits down with longtime friend and mentor Pat Flynn—creator of Smart Passive Income, host of Deep Pocket Monster, and author of the brand-new book Lean Learning. Together they explore how to cut through information overload, focus on what matters most, and pursue greatness with clarity.

Pat shares his concept of lean learning: taking action, learning just-in-time, and avoiding the trap of hoarding knowledge. He introduces his Inspiration Matrix framework for sorting priorities—separating recreational sparks, passion pursuits, junk distractions, and critical commitments. Shane and Pat also open up about personal stories, family, and how values guide their business and life decisions.

Other highlights include the power of micro mastery—breaking down goals into small, targeted steps—and why having a mission statement helps filter out noise and keep you aligned with your "why."

Get Pat's book Lean Learning here: https://leanlearningbook.com/

If you're ready to sharpen your focus, align your work with your values, and learn how to move from good to great, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Join the community: greatmen.org

In the very first episode of Great Men, host Shane Sams introduces the vision behind his new podcast and the broader Great Men Project. After years of building businesses, achieving financial success, and helping thousands through Flipped Lifestyle, Shane realized that "good" wasn't good enough—men need to define greatness on their own terms.

This episode unpacks the inspiration for Great Men: Shane's personal journey through success, struggle, health scares, and rediscovery of purpose. He shares the four pillars of the project—mindset, emotional intelligence, strength, and purpose—and how they serve as a compass rather than a checklist for becoming a great man. You'll also hear about the Great Men Brotherhood online community, upcoming live gatherings, and the movement Shane hopes to spark among men who want more than "good enough."

Whether you're thriving but feel something's missing, or just starting to search for meaning beyond society's checklists, Great Men is here to help you step into the fire and define greatness for yourself.

Learn more and join the free community at greatmen.org.