Making A Man

AI vs parental advice in a changing world raises an important question: would teenagers trust artificial intelligence more than their own parents?

In this episode of the Making a Man Podcast, Kevin and Axel explore how AI is changing the way young people learn, seek advice, and make decisions. From using artificial intelligence for schoolwork to questioning whether AI could eventually replace teachers, the father-son duo shares two different generational perspectives on growing up in a rapidly changing world.

But technology isn't the only thing on their minds.

Kevin and Axel also get into an honest, often funny conversation about parenting with high expectations, academic pressure, responsibility, and teenage independence. From an unexpected school sunflower seed incident to losing skateboard privileges over grades, they explore the balance between discipline and freedom.

⏰ Timestamps:

00:00 Coming Up
00:34 Welcome to Making a Man
00:47 The Sunflower Seed Incident
02:15 Dad's Rules and Expectations
05:01 Grades, Pressure, and Discipline
07:11 Skateboarding, Freedom, and Boundaries
09:05 Should Paid College Athletes Attend Class?
10:16 Are Kids Too Dependent on AI?
11:40 Trusting AI vs. Your Parents
13:10 AI and the Future of Careers
13:47 Baseball and Basketball Predictions
15:49 When Should Kids Plan for College?

📌 Key Topics:

• AI vs parental advice: Who would teenagers trust?
• How teenagers use artificial intelligence for schoolwork and decisions
• Could AI eventually replace teachers?
• AI, future careers, and preparing young people for adulthood
• Parenting with high expectations and academic pressure
• Skateboarding, independence, and setting boundaries
• College athletes getting paid and whether they should attend classes
• Growing up, making decisions, and thinking about college

🎙️ About Making a Man:

Making a Man is a father-son podcast hosted by Kevin and Axel, featuring honest conversations about growing up, character, confidence, discipline, responsibility, family, and navigating real-life challenges. Through two generational perspectives, they explore what it means to become a capable, balanced person.

🔗 Connect with Making a Man:

Email | [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
Instagram |   / makingamanpodcast  
YouTube |    / @makingaman-podcast  
TikTok |   / makingamanoffical  
Facebook |   / making-a-man-podcast-61571474955002  

Subscribe to Making a Man for more grounded father-son conversations about life, growth, and the changing world.

#MakingAManPodcast #ArtificialIntelligence #ParentingTeens

Kevin and Axel discuss why you may need to think bigger than your goals, even when those goals already feel ambitious. Kevin looks back on reaching the financial target he set when he was young and realizing afterward that he had underestimated what was possible.

The conversation also explores Axel’s characteristics of a good man, the “list nobody hands you,” learning to be alone, keeping promises to yourself, remembering kindness, and leaving people and places better than you found them. Kevin also shares the riskiest business decision he made and what he would tell his angry 14-year-old self.

⏰ Timestamps:

00:00 - Coming Up
00:32 - Kevin and Axel at the Bar
01:47 - Axel’s Characteristics of a Good Man
05:32 - The List Nobody Hands You
08:23 - Learning to Be Alone
10:21 - Making People Feel Important
12:32 - Keeping Promises to Yourself
13:44 - Remembering Kindness
15:10 - Think Bigger Than Your Goals
17:52 - Kevin’s Riskiest Business Decision
19:32 - Advice to His 14-Year-Old Self
21:23 - Cold Rooms and Shirtless Interviews

📌 Key Topics:

• Why reaching a goal can reveal that you aimed too low
• The overlooked characteristics that make a good man
• Leaving people and places better than you found them
• Learning to be alone and becoming comfortable with boredom
• Keeping promises to yourself and building accountability
• Remembering the people who believed in you
• Taking a business risk that affects your family
• What Kevin would tell his angry 14-year-old self

🎙️ About Making a Man:

On Making a Man, we have honest conversations about what it takes to grow, succeed, and become a well-balanced person. Kevin and Axel sit down with men who have done meaningful things in their lives and learn from the experience, perspective, mistakes, and wisdom they have earned along the way.

We talk about discipline, confidence, responsibility, leadership, purpose, family, success, and the lessons that help young people become more capable adults. The goal is not hype or quick motivation. It is practical wisdom, real conversation, and perspective that can help the next generation grow into stronger, more grounded people.

🔗 Connect with Making a Man:

Email | [email protected]
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/makingamanpodcast/
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@MakingAMan-podcast
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@makingamanoffical
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/p/Making-A-Man-Podcast-61571474955002/

Subscribe for more episodes and insights.

#MakingAMan #ThinkBigger #FatherSonPodcast #CharacterDevelopment #LifeLessons

NFL leadership lessons from Chicago Bears center Garrett Bradbury: how preparation, work ethic, team culture, and football lessons for life shape his approach on and off the field.

Garrett joins Kevin and Axel to talk about starting football in seventh grade, going to NC State expecting to play tight end, and eventually finding his future on the offensive line.

We talk about what it takes to succeed at the highest level, why Garrett focuses on process instead of constantly looking ahead, and the lesson that “game day is just a reflection of your habits.”

Garrett also shares what leadership looks like on an offensive line where players often get little credit and plenty of blame, how changing teams has pushed him to reinvent himself, and why creating the right culture matters.

Later, Garrett talks about the mentors who shaped him, including his dad, who taught him hard work and what it means to be a man. He also shares the values he wants people to remember long after football: faith, family, consistency, hard work, and leaving every locker room better than he found it.

⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Coming Up
00:21 - Meet Garrett Bradbury
01:20 - Starting Football and the NFL Path
04:16 - From Tight End to Offensive Line
06:04 - Reinventing Yourself Through Change
07:54 - Success, Process and Daily Habits
09:18 - Why Preparation Shows Up on Game Day
11:38 - NFL Pressure and Offensive Line Leadership
15:26 - Mentors, His Dad and Becoming a Man
17:40 - Faith, Family and Legacy
18:52 - Toughest NFL Defenders

📌 Key Topics:
• NFL leadership lessons
• Football lessons for life
• Preparation and daily habits
• Offensive line leadership
• Handling change and reinvention
• Work ethic and team culture
• Fatherhood and mentorship
• Faith, family and legacy

👤 About the Guest:
Garrett Bradbury grew up in Charlotte, played college football at NC State, became a first-round pick, and now plays center for the Chicago Bears. His football journey took him from tight end to the offensive line and ultimately to the NFL.

🎙️ About Making a Man:
On Making a Man, we have honest conversations about what it takes to grow, succeed, and become a well-balanced person. Kevin and Axel sit down with men who have done meaningful things in their lives and learn from the experience, perspective, mistakes, and wisdom they have earned along the way.

We talk about discipline, confidence, responsibility, leadership, purpose, family, success, and the lessons that help young people become more capable adults. The goal is not hype or quick motivation. It is practical wisdom, real conversation, and perspective that can help the next generation grow into stronger, more grounded people.

#GarrettBradbury #ChicagoBears #NFLLeadership #FootballLessons #MakingAMan #NFLPodcast

Kevin and Axel talk about Axel’s first year playing football, getting suspended for fighting at school, and learning to shave for the first time.

They also discuss standing up to bullying, recovering from a bad grade, earning access to Snapchat, growing more mature, and the kind of man Axel wants to become. It is a grounded father-son conversation about responsibility, confidence, new challenges, and growing up.

⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Coming Up
00:17 - Kevin and Axel Catch Up
02:52 - What Makes America Great
05:43 - Growing Out of Childhood
07:22 - How You React Defines You
08:36 - Suspended for Fighting at School
09:55 - Learning From a Bad Grade
10:49 - Should Teenagers Have Snapchat?
14:23 - The Man Axel Wants to Become
15:02 - Goals for the Next Year
19:09 - First Year Playing Football
20:07 - Be the Hammer, Not the Nail
24:52 - Axel’s First Shave

📌 Key Topics:
• First year playing football
• Suspended for fighting at school
• Standing up to bullying
• Learning to shave for the first time
• Teenagers and Snapchat
• Recovering from a bad grade
• Father-son conversations about growing up
• Becoming more mature

🎙️ About Making a Man:
On Making a Man, we have honest conversations about what it takes to grow, succeed, and become a well-balanced person. Kevin and Axel sit down with men who have done meaningful things in their lives and learn from the experience, perspective, mistakes, and wisdom they have earned along the way.

We talk about discipline, confidence, responsibility, leadership, purpose, family, success, and the lessons that help young people become more capable adults. The goal is not hype or quick motivation. It is practical wisdom, real conversation, and perspective that can help the next generation grow into stronger, more grounded people.

#MakingAMan #FatherSonPodcast #YouthFootball #GrowingUp #TeenLife

Overcoming addiction and prison changed Sean Crane’s life. In this episode of Making a Man, Sean shares how a second chance at life came through sobriety, faith, discipline, and personal responsibility.

Sean Crane is a TEDx speaker, best-selling author, fitness expert, and founder of Unstoppable 365. He talks with Kevin and Axel about growing up around addiction, facing life in prison, rebuilding his identity, and learning how to become the man he knew he could be.

This conversation is about regret, redemption, discipline, fatherhood, faith, and the daily choices that can help someone turn their life around.

⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - A Second Chance at Life
00:20 - Meet Sean Crane
00:50 - Sean’s Background
01:57 - Growing Up Around Addiction
05:11 - The Night That Changed Everything
07:22 - Facing Life in Prison
08:20 - Turning Prison Into Growth
12:29 - Regret, Sobriety, and Faith
17:04 - The Best Advice Sean Ever Received
18:40 - Life Happens For You
21:27 - Morning Routine and Discipline
24:01 - Building a New Identity
26:24 - Success and Fatherhood
27:25 - Where to Find Sean

📌 Key Topics:
- Overcoming addiction and prison
- Addiction recovery
- Lessons from prison
- Personal responsibility
- Discipline and identity
- Faith and redemption
- Fatherhood and success
- Second chances

👤 About Sean Crane:
Sean Crane is a TEDx speaker, best-selling author, fitness expert, and founder of Unstoppable 365, where he helps men and business owners improve their health, mindset, fitness, and performance.

🎙️ About Making a Man:
On Making a Man, we have honest conversations about what it takes to grow, succeed, and become a well-balanced person. Kevin and Axel sit down with men who have done meaningful things in their lives and learn from the experience, perspective, mistakes, and wisdom they have earned along the way.

#SeanCrane #MakingAMan #AddictionRecovery #SecondChance #PersonalGrowth

Life advice for young men from Kassidy Warren, a hospitality entrepreneur who shares how real estate creates freedom, why mentorship matters, and what it takes to bet on yourself.

In this episode of Making a Man, Kevin and Axel sit down with Kassidy Warren to talk about leaving the traditional 9–5 path, living in a van with his wife, getting started with Airbnb, building a real estate and hospitality brand, and using money as a tool to create a more intentional life.

Kassidy shares what he learned from burnout, self-doubt, real estate investing, Airbnb, mentors, marriage, and the decision to stop living by someone else’s plan. This conversation is especially valuable for young men, fathers, parents, and anyone trying to build confidence, discipline, purpose, and freedom without falling into hype or shortcut thinking.

⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Coming Up
00:22 - Welcome to Making a Man
01:31 - Kassidy Warren’s Story
03:03 - How Real Estate Creates Freedom
03:54 - What Van Life Was Really Like
05:47 - Marriage, Support, and Taking Big Risks
07:06 - Getting Started With Airbnb
10:02 - Buying His First Investment Property
12:24 - Finding Markets Others Miss
13:40 - The Truth About Airbnb Design
16:59 - The Mentors Who Changed His Life
19:03 - Five Daily Habits That Built Discipline
22:11 - What Are You Pretending Not to Know?
25:34 - Investing in Mentorship
29:17 - Spending $35K and Owning a Hotel Six Weeks Later
30:01 - How to Connect With Kassidy
31:01 - Closing Thoughts

📌 Key Topics:
• Life advice for young men
• How real estate creates freedom
• Leaving the 9–5 path
• Van life and betting on yourself
• Getting started with Airbnb investing
• Hospitality entrepreneurship
• Building wealth through real estate
• Marriage, support, and taking big risks
• Why mentorship changes everything
• Daily habits, discipline, and personal growth
• Finding markets others miss
• Creating a life with purpose

👤 About Kassidy Warren:
Kassidy Warren is a hospitality entrepreneur, real estate investor, coach, speaker, and podcast host. After leaving the traditional corporate path, he built a real estate and hospitality brand and now helps others think differently about freedom, business, and personal growth.

Connect with Kassidy:
Instagram: @KassidyWarren
Podcast: For Your Own Good on Spotify and YouTube

🎙️ About Making a Man:
On Making a Man, we have honest conversations about what it takes to grow, succeed, and become a well-balanced person. Kevin and Axel sit down with men who have done meaningful things in their lives and learn from the experience, perspective, mistakes, and wisdom they have earned along the way.

We talk about discipline, confidence, responsibility, leadership, purpose, family, success, and the lessons that help young people become more capable adults. The goal is not hype or quick motivation. It is practical wisdom, real conversation, and perspective that can help the next generation grow into stronger, more grounded people.

#MakingAMan #LifeAdviceForYoungMen #KassidyWarren #RealEstateFreedom #HospitalityEntrepreneur #AirbnbInvesting

Discover what separates an average speaker from a Hall of Fame Public Speaker. In this episode, Scott McKain breaks down the mindset, confidence, and practice routines that elite speakers use to captivate any audience. We explore how to speak with confidence, the habits that build mastery, and the principles behind standing out as a great communicator. Whether you’re looking to improve your public speaking skills or understand the secrets of confident speakers, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.

Timestamps / Chapters:
00:20 – Becoming Scott McKain – Sets the stage and introduces Scott to viewers.
03:15 – Early Inspiration – Explores formative influences that shaped his career.
07:05 – Finding a Mentor – Introduces mentors and formative experiences that built his speaking skills.
10:45 – Identity & Distinction – Explains the key philosophy behind standing out and delivering unique value.
12:36 – Becoming a Great Speaker – Practical insights into building public speaking skills through reps and daily practice.
18:23 – Daily Growth Mindset – Scott shares habits, mindset, and continual improvement strategies.
20:51 – Traits of Top Performers – Identifies traits young men can emulate to achieve excellence.
23:25 – Leadership Principles – Leadership and service-oriented mindset explored.
26:31 – Service vs Ego in Leadership – Final reflections on legacy, service, and leadership, transitioning to episode outro.

Key Topics / Keywords:

•  Hall of Fame Public Speaker 
•  Public speaking confidence 
•  Speaking practice and reps 
•  Mindset for elite speakers 
•  Leadership through communication 
•  Audience engagement strategies 
•  Personal growth for young men 

About the Guest:
Scott McKain is a Hall of Fame public speaker, business thought leader, and author known for his expertise in communication, leadership, and customer experience. Over his career, he has spoken to organizations around the world, helping executives and professionals understand how to create distinction in both personal and professional contexts.

In this conversation, Scott shares the principles that shaped his journey as a speaker, including the importance of deliberate practice, “putting in the reps,” and continuously refining communication skills over time. He also breaks down how great speakers develop confidence, not through shortcuts, but through repetition, preparation, and real-world experience.

Beyond speaking mechanics, Scott emphasizes leadership as a service-oriented practice — focusing on how great leaders create more leaders, elevate the people around them, and build long-term impact through humility and consistency. His perspective blends practical communication advice with deeper lessons on discipline, identity, and legacy.

About Making a Man:
On Making a Man, we have honest conversations about what it takes to grow, succeed, and become a well-balanced person. Kevin and Axel sit down with men who have done meaningful things in their lives and learn from the experience, perspective, mistakes, and wisdom they have earned along the way. We talk about discipline, confidence, responsibility, leadership, purpose, family, success, and the lessons that help young people become more capable adults. The goal is practical wisdom, real conversation, and perspective that can help the next generation grow into stronger, more grounded people.

Subscribe for more!

Addiction recovery coach Todd Sylvester joins Making a Man to talk about addiction, identity, self-belief, discipline, and how young people can take control of their lives.

Todd shares how taking a drink at 11 years old led him down a destructive path, cost him a basketball scholarship, and eventually became the foundation for his life’s work helping people struggling with addiction, anxiety, depression, lack of self-esteem, and lack of purpose.  

This conversation gives practical life advice for young men, parents, and teens who want to build stronger self-belief, avoid destructive choices, and understand why identity matters before real change can happen.

Todd Sylvester is an addiction recovery and personal development coach who has been clean and sober for 36 years and works with teenagers, parents, and adults through coaching, speaking, and his podcast.  

On Making a Man, we have honest conversations about what it takes to grow, succeed, and become a well-balanced person. Kevin and Axel sit down with men who have done meaningful things in their lives and learn from the experience, perspective, mistakes, and wisdom they have earned along the way.  

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction
0:36 - Todd’s Story
3:27 - How Teens Can Avoid Addiction
5:31 - Replacing Limiting Beliefs
7:54 - The Impact of Optimism
10:04 - How to Take Control of Your Life
12:04 - How Do I Know If I'm an Addict?
15:31 - Shaping Future Generations
17:01 - Creating Positive Habits
19:11 - Creating Daily Rituals
20:55 - Closing Thoughts

Key Topics
- Addiction recovery coach
- Todd Sylvester addiction recovery
- Mental fitness for teens
- Life advice for young men
- Self-belief and identity
- Addiction prevention
- Morning routine for success
- Personal development for teens

About Making a Man

On Making a Man, we have honest conversations about what it takes to grow, succeed, and become a well-balanced person. Kevin and Axel sit down with men who have done meaningful things in their lives and learn from the experience, perspective, mistakes, and wisdom they have earned along the way.

We talk about discipline, confidence, responsibility, leadership, purpose, family, success, and the lessons that help young people become more capable adults. The goal is not hype or quick motivation. It is practical wisdom, real conversation, and perspective that can help the next generation grow into stronger, more grounded people.

Subscribe for more in depth conversations like this one! 

In the first episode of Season 2, Kevin and Axel talk about confidence, validation, emotions, goals, and the pressure young guys feel to figure themselves out early. What starts with fishing trip stories, golf, and losing phones turns into a real conversation about identity, self-worth, and becoming a man.

Full Episode Description

Season 2 opens with Kevin and Axel catching up after the break and talking through some of the stuff most fathers and sons never really say out loud.

They get into confidence, insecurity, emotions, self-worth, and the pressure a lot of young guys feel to already have life figured out. Along the way, they tell stories about disastrous fishing trips, losing phones in ponds, golf tournaments, favorite movies, and why confidence usually has a lot more to do with identity than people think.

One of the biggest conversations in the episode centers around validation — why so many people look to other people for approval before they ever learn to be proud of themselves first.

They also talk about emotional honesty, masculinity, learning how to communicate, and why being confident doesn’t always mean being loud.

The conversation shifts naturally between funny and serious without forcing either one — which is what makes the episode feel real.

This episode is for dads raising boys, teenagers trying to build confidence, and honestly anyone still figuring themselves out a little bit.

Timestamps

0:01: Introduction to Season 2.
0:26: Excitement about the new season and lineup.
1:04: Discussion about braces and retainers.
2:06: Funny story about wearing the wrong underwear.
3:28: Recap of a fishing trip and mishaps.
4:26: Losing a phone in the pond and learning poker.
6:14: Goals for 2026 and personal growth.
7:09: Desire to learn new skills like backflipping.
8:12: Family updates and reflections on past year.
9:37: Discussion on natural gifts and confidence.
11:25: Favorite movies and TV shows.
13:13: Enjoyment of romantic comedies and reality TV.
14:31: Staying motivated and expressing emotions.
15:38: Importance of identity in achieving goals.
16:27: Upcoming interviews and plans for Season 2.
17:17: Closing remarks and reflections.

About the Podcast

Making A Man is a father-son podcast about confidence, discipline, masculinity, identity, emotions, and growing into the kind of man you actually respect. Through real conversations, stories, and lessons learned the hard way, Kevin and Axel talk through the stuff most people avoid — without pretending to have everything figured out.

 In this episode of Making a Man, communication coach Don Weber shares his journey from government operations to coaching CEOs. Discover insights on leadership, empathy, youth communication challenges, and the power of long-term thinking. A must-listen for aspiring leaders and young men seeking personal growth.