As I’ve said before, we don’t automatically become men when we reach a certain age. For the beginning of our lives, we act like children. And it’s only when we put in the work—when we are tested—does our character develop and we find our way to becoming grown men.

My guest today, John Kim, knows a thing or two making that transformation. Not only has he learned through his own life challenges, but he’s gone on to help thousands of other men navigate their journeys as well.

In this episode, John and I talk about the dangers of what John calls “exchanging truth for membership,” why you need to go on more “man dates” with your guy friends, and how to recognize negative patterns of how you show up in your relationships and career. We also discuss his new book called I Used to Be a Miserable F*ck: An Everyman’s Guide to a Meaningful Life.

Show notes: http://www.thedistilledman.com/046. Rate and review the episode at http://www.thedistilledman.com/itunes

Having big goals is important, but often the best way to achieve success is by focusing on tiny incremental gains every day. Measuring Inches instead of miles. Pennies, not dollars.

Today, my guest Tommy Baker talks about the counterintuitive strategy of making small but consistent improvements in your life. Tommy and I discuss why it’s critical to “fall in love with the process,” why you need to make progress towards your goal every day--even if it’s tiny--and how that consistency can ultimately yield exponential improvements in your life.

Show notes: http://www.thedistilledman.com/045. Rate and review the episode at http://www.thedistilledman.com/itunes

You've heard it a million times: "Know thyself." Yet it's such a nebulous phrase that in many ways it's almost meaningless.

In today’s solo episode I share a small lens through which you can start knowing yourself. So you can at least begin getting a better understanding of who you are and what makes you tick--because, as a man, that is extremely important.

Show notes: http://www.thedistilledman.com/044. Rate and review the episode at http://www.thedistilledman.com/itunes.

There are many things in life we can influence, but one thing we can’t control is our height. For a man in the US, average height is around 5’ 10.” And where we end up in relation to that marker can often have a big impact on our lives.

In today’s episode, Seth Ulinksi and I talk about the subtle, and sometimes not-so-subtle, impact of height bias and heightism in our culture. We discuss the real-life challenges shorter men face, and how they can overcome them.

Show notes: http://www.thedistilledman.com/043. Rate and review the episode at http://www.thedistilledman.com/itunes

“Why live an ordinary life when you can live a legendary life?” That’s the question that today’s guest asks himself and his followers everyday.

In this episode, Ted Ryce of Legendary Life talks about about little known secrets for how to optimize your health, why you should focus on quality of life rather than quantity of life as you age, the critical connection between your social life and your health, and more.

Show notes: http://www.thedistilledman.com/042. Rate and review the episode at http://www.thedistilledman.com/itunes

Having big dreams is one thing, but actually turning them into reality? Well, that’s a whole other skill in itself.

Today, our guest Steve Sims talks about how to cultivate the habits and mindset to make the impossible happen.

Steve and I talk about how understanding a person’s “why” will always be more motivating than money, how to break through the clutter and get noticed by people who matter, why it’s important to always stay true to yourself, and much more.

Show notes: http://www.thedistilledman.com/041. Rate and review the episode at http://www.thedistilledman.com/itunes

Manners don’t seem to get a lot of air time these days. And it’s not surprising—many of the established rules of etiquette are over a hundred years old. But contrary to popular belief, manners aren’t about what fork to use with what place setting. Simply put, manners are about how we treat the people around us.

Today on the podcast, we talk with David Coggins about why manners are still very much relevant—and maybe even more critical in today’s day and age.

Show notes: http://www.thedistilledman.com/040. Rate and review the episode at http://www.thedistilledman.com/itunes

Mental health is a topic guys often avoid talking about. There’s a stigma around that phrase. But if you think about it, we all have mental health, just like we all have physical health. Both are areas of our lives that if we ignore them--if we don’t take care of them—bad things happen.

Today on the podcast, we talk to Paul McGregor about why it’s important for men, in particular, to start speaking up about their feelings and learn how to deal with things in a healthier way.

Paul and I discuss why depression can hide underneath busy-ness and ambition, how expectations around “being a real man” make asking for help more difficult, why being simply surrounded by great friends isn’t enough, and much more.

Show notes: http://www.thedistilledman.com/039. Rate and review the episode at http://www.thedistilledman.com/itunes

Sometimes life feels like one big never-ending to-do list. And as much as you try, you realize you’ll ever get EVERYTHING done.

My guest today, John Zeratsky, shares how to create focus around the things that matter most, so you can take control of your time and your life.

John and I discuss how to identify tasks and goals that are worth focusing on, how to eliminate distractions, how to create energy to tackle your goals, and much more.

Show notes: http://www.thedistilledman.com/038. Rate and review the episode at http://www.thedistilledman.com/itunes

Steve Pemberton shares his inspiring story of growing up in the foster care system and how to stay resilient in the face of challenging times.

Show notes: http://www.thedistilledman.com/037. Rate and review the episode at http://www.thedistilledman.com/itunes.