In this episode, Charles and Dan unpack one of their favorite conversations from The Diary of a CEO — Steven Bartlett’s interview with Simon Sinek.

They explore what it really means to “find your why,” why self-awareness beats self-improvement, and how honesty, feedback, and integrity all connect to a deeper sense of fulfillment that lasts longer than success or achievement ever could.

From the power of vulnerability to the courage of truth-telling, this episode dives into the difference between looking successful and actually feeling aligned with your purpose.

Watch the original Diary of a CEO conversation with Simon Sinek here:
👉 https://youtu.be/Q-zuTZuYeCg?si=r0eb40OnB4kyQJYW

Key Topics Discussed
• Why rediscovering your “why” matters more than chasing results
• The difference between self-awareness and self-improvement
• What the 48-hour honesty challenge reveals about integrity
• Why vulnerability means direct honesty, not public performance
• How feedback builds self-knowledge and better relationships
• Why fulfillment comes from service, not status

Takeaways for Listeners

1. Ask yourself why you want what you want — and keep asking until you hit something real.
2. Try the 48-hour honesty challenge: no white lies, no polite untruths.
3. Seek feedback from people who see you clearly — then say “thank you” and nothing else.
4. Reconnect your goals to purpose, not just performance metrics.

You can find all of our episodes, along with anything new we’re creating and sharing, at MindfullyMasculine.com

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In this episode, Charles and Dan unpack key insights from The Diary of a CEO conversation with sleep scientist Matthew Walker — exploring how modern life undermines rest, what’s actually happening in your brain while you sleep, and the small, practical changes that can improve energy, focus, and overall well-being.

We discuss:

• Why sleep loss affects every system in the body
• The myths around caffeine, naps, and “catching up” on weekends
• What REM sleep really does for emotional regulation
• Simple steps to build a better nightly routine

Watch the original Diary of a CEO episode featuring Matthew Walker:
🎧 The Science of Sleep – Why You’re Tired All the Time

Listen to all Mindfully Masculine episodes and find more from Charles and Dan at MindfullyMasculine.com

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Charles shares a personal reflection on Elizabeth Gilbert’s new memoir All the Way to the River—a raw, beautifully told story about love, addiction, and loss. He explores what makes Gilbert’s writing different from typical books on recovery and co-dependence, how her honesty resonates with his own journey, and why the audiobook version delivers an especially powerful experience.

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In this conversation, Charles and Dan unpack one of the most practical interviews they’ve ever heard on The Diary of a CEO—Steven Bartlett’s talk with body-language expert Vanessa Van Edwards.
Instead of vague “be confident” advice, this episode focuses on clear, actionable steps that make communication more intentional and effective.

They break down:

• How warmth and competence shape every first impression
• The body-language cues that build trust (and the ones that destroy it)
• Why open posture and visible palms instantly change how people read you
• The difference between uptalk and downtalk—and how Obama mastered it
• What AirPods, small talk, and friendship say about modern connection
• The subtle gestures that make others mirror and agree with you

If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, overlooked, or disconnected, this episode shows how to realign your physical cues with your intentions—and become someone people actually hear.

** The link I forgot to include to the YouTube video of Vanessa Van Edwards on The Diary of a CEO: https://youtu.be/VHUrdELKjDw?si=Co1Hxdn70PWjl9V1

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In this week’s episode of The Mindfully Masculine Podcast, Charles and Dan dive into Steven Bartlett’s most-viewed Diary of a CEO interview — his conversation with Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power.

What starts as a look at Greene’s ideas on seduction, confidence, and power turns into a bigger exploration of what really drives human behavior. Charles and Dan unpack the tension between authenticity and performance, confidence and insecurity, attraction and manipulation. They discuss the fine line between influence and deceit — and why the word seduction can mean either self-mastery or self-deception, depending on the intent behind it.

The conversation also moves beyond power dynamics into addiction, codependence, and vulnerability — including how chasing validation can become its own form of addiction, and why genuine confidence has to be built, not performed.

Topics include:

• Why “seduction” can feel manipulative — and how Greene tries to reframe it
• The difference between cultivating attraction and playing games
• Power as self-control vs. control over others
• The role of confidence, competence, and comfort in your own skin
• Masks, roles, and authenticity in modern life
• How addiction and codependence mirror our search for control
• What real strength looks like in relationships and leadership

If you’ve ever wondered where healthy confidence ends and manipulation begins, this episode offers a nuanced take on the psychology of power, presence, and connection.

Listen, follow, and share The Mindfully Masculine Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, and visit mindfullymasculine.com for more.

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Love, sex, survival — Esther Perel has spent decades showing how our relationships shape everything about the quality of our lives. In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles and Dan unpack her powerful conversation with Steven Bartlett on The Diary of a CEO.

We explore the big themes from Esther’s interview:

• Why the quality of your relationships determines the quality of your life
• How childhood experiences shape adult patterns (and how to change them)
• The “figure-eight” loop couples get stuck in — pursuer vs. distancer
• Why love is a verb, not a feeling, and what it takes to keep desire alive
• How presence, novelty, and vulnerability keep relationships from going stale

This is a conversation for men who want to stop repeating old patterns, show up more fully for their partners, and understand what it really takes to make relationships last.

Watch the full Diary of a CEO interview with Steven Bartlett and Esther Perel here: https://youtu.be/nTWXfo7narw?si=ycEbp6RpgqQLJ9JY

For all of our full episodes, audio and video, visit mindfullymasculine.com.

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In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles and Dan dive into psychologist Dr. Orion Taraban’s provocative appearance on The Diary of a CEO. Taraban is known for his blunt take on dating, relationships, and masculinity—arguing that men are invisible until they bring value, that love is not earned but given, and that relationships at their core are transactional.

We unpack his biggest ideas, from the economics of attraction to the dangers of performative masculinity, and explore how they intersect with our own experiences and the work of thinkers like Robert Glover and Mel Robbins. Along the way, we wrestle with tough questions:

• Are relationships really just value exchanges dressed up as romance?
• What happens when men try to prove their worth with words instead of action?
• Can sublimating sexual energy actually fuel achievement and purpose?
• Is compromise the death of passion, or the foundation of long-term love?

Whether you agree with Taraban’s framework or find it too cold, his ideas force us to reconsider what we bring to the table—and what we expect in return.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why Taraban sees love as a gift, not a transaction
• The distinction between performative masculinity and core masculinity
• How porn, OnlyFans, and substitutes for intimacy change men’s drive
• Why disappointment is the real beginning of every relationship
• How to balance the economics of love with the mystery of connection

For full episodes, audio, and video, visit mindfullymasculine.com
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In this special solo reflection, Charles shares his perspective on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about masculinity, resilience, and political violence.

He argues that true masculine strength lies in threat assessment, resilience, and the ability to live alongside opposing ideas without collapsing into reactivity. Violence—whether through weapons, institutions, or media—is framed not as power but as fragility.

This episode challenges men to redefine strength, resist the cultural pull toward outrage, and embody a form of masculinity that protects not only safety, but also freedom.

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What happens when your “perfect” girlfriend lives in your phone, hits your credit card for $9.95 a month, and never says no? In this episode, Charles and Dan explore the rise of AI companions and what draws men to digital relationships over real ones.

We dig into questions like:

• Why some men are choosing AI girlfriends instead of dating apps or real partners
• Whether talking to a bot can really make you feel “chosen”
• How this trend might affect masculinity, intimacy, and even population growth
• Why equal rights for women are great for exceptional men… and not-so-great for mediocre ones
• Whether an AI girlfriend is a bridge to better relationships or just a pacifier keeping men stuck

It’s part philosophy, part comedy, and part social commentary on where dating and technology collide. Spoiler: Rosie from The Jetsons and Dolores from Westworld both make cameos in the conversation.

For free access to all our audio and video episodes — and anything else we decide to share — head to MindfullyMasculine.com
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In this final episode of our Let Them Theory series, we dig into the last three chapters of Mel Robbins’ book—and we don’t hold back.

We talk about why the honeymoon phase blinds us to red flags, how to tell if someone is truly compatible (hint: if you’re confused, they’re not), and why waiting for a partner to change is wasted time. We also break down the “commitment conversation” that keeps us on equal footing instead of begging for validation, plus the hard truths about breakups—no shortcuts, just growth.

From recognizing unhealthy relationship patterns to using a breakup as fuel for self-improvement, this conversation is packed with practical tools for dating, commitment, and letting go.

🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why “but” and “maybe” are red flags in relationships
• How to ask for commitment without losing your power
• Why most people won’t change—and what that means for you
• How to handle breakups without making them worse
• Why your motivation (even revenge) can still lead to positive change

🎧 Whether you’re dating, rebuilding after heartbreak, or just working on yourself, this is the episode that ties it all together.

Catch all of our audio and video episodes at mindfullymasculine.com

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