The Man Space Podcast

He was told he had 2–3 months to live. Thirty minutes later, the phone rang.

What does it take to keep a marriage strong when life throws everything at you? And what happens when the things men are afraid to talk about start affecting the people they love?

Our guest, Gaylen Wilson, knows something about fighting for life, and fighting for a relationship. After a virus attacked his heart, he spent three and a half years watching his health decline. On June 19, 2018, he told his wife Heather that he might only have months left. Thirty minutes later, a donor heart became available. The next morning, he had a new heart.

But surviving wasn't the end of his story. Gaylen made a commitment to pay that second chance forward. That journey eventually led him to help tens of thousands of men and women navigate erectile dysfunction, men's health, intimacy, and relationship struggles that too many couples keep hidden.

Gaylen and his wife Heather developed the Monument Method and Sanctuary Bond, relationship approaches built around emotional safety, connection, and learning to stop letting your ego damage the relationship you're trying to protect.

One of the biggest lessons from this conversation? Sometimes winning the argument means losing something much more important. Gaylen explains how a simple word, eye contact, and a willingness to put your relationship ahead of your pride can change the way couples handle conflict.

If you've ever struggled with communication, intimacy, erectile dysfunction, or simply keeping the connection alive in a long-term relationship, this conversation is worth your time.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Your relationship needs protection from the small daily things that chip away at trust, affection, and emotional connection.

The Monument Method uses a shared word to interrupt arguments before they escalate into full-blown conflict.

Eye gazing can become a way for couples to reconnect and help calm their fight-or-flight response.

Erectile dysfunction isn't something men should automatically treat as a personal failure. Gaylen encourages men to seek medical help rather than withdraw from their partners.

Physical intimacy and emotional safety are connected. Rebuilding affection and trust matters just as much as addressing physical challenges.

Your relationship deserves the same intentional effort you put into your career, health, and personal goals.

BEST QUOTE

"The monument is more important than that fight we're about to get into."

, Gaylen Wilson

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Gaylen Wilson is an author, certified thriving relationship coach, heart transplant survivor, and co-founder of the Monument Method Institute alongside his wife, Heather. After receiving a second chance at life, he's dedicated himself to helping men and couples build stronger relationships, address difficult conversations, and rediscover intimacy.

Website: https://monumentmethodinstitute.com/

Explore his books, relationship resources, and coaching opportunities through the website.

CONNECT WITH THE MAN SPACE PODCAST

If this conversation hit home, subscribe to The Man Space Podcast. We're having the conversations men need to have, even when they're uncomfortable.

Drop a comment below:

What's one thing you and your partner could do differently to protect your relationship instead of trying to win the next argument?

We want to hear from you.

Find us here:

Website: https://themanspacepodcast.com/

Social: @manspacenat1

#TheManSpacePodcast #MensMentalHealth #HealthyRelationships

Are you managing your time, or is your time managing you? On this episode of The Man Space Podcast, Russ and Less get real about time management, building better habits, and making the most of the 24 hours we all have. Plus, things get hilarious as the guys put unusual snack flavors to the test!

Russ and Less listen to an interview Russ had with time strategist C.W. Hawley, for an insightful conversation about improving productivity, changing your relationship with time, and creating routines that work for your life. They explore why “I don’t have enough time” may be a skill gap rather than a character flaw, and why comparing your schedule to someone else’s can leave you feeling like you’re falling behind.

The guys also share practical time management tips to help you prioritize what matters, protect your downtime, and start each day with purpose. And, of course, there’s plenty of fun as they sample Buffalo Wild Wings Pringles and chicken and waffles Oreos!

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

Evaluate your relationship with time and identify habits that hold you back.

Track how you spend your time before making changes.

Identify your three non-negotiables and schedule them first.

Stop comparing your routine to everyone else’s and find your natural rhythm.

Plan tomorrow tonight, protect your rest, and focus on meaningful wins.

Ready to take control of your time? Like this video, subscribe to The Man Space Podcast on YouTube, and join the conversation in the comments. What is one change you can make this week to use your time more intentionally?

Ever feel like you’re doing your job AND somebody else’s? When a coworker refuses to pull their weight, frustration builds fast, burnout follows, and suddenly the entire team starts paying the price.

In this episode of The Man Space Podcast, Russ and Less get into the reality of lazy coworkers, workplace burnout, social loafing, poor management, and what happens when accountability disappears from workplace culture. But is that struggling coworker actually lazy, or are they burned out, poorly trained, checked out, or dealing with something you can’t see?

Russ and Less break down how to address underperforming coworkers without becoming the office snitch, why constantly rescuing teammates can make the problem worse, and how to approach management with facts instead of frustration. They also discuss the importance of communication, boundaries, documentation, leadership, and building a healthy team culture.

Key Takeaways:

If you’ve ever had to carry a coworker who wasn’t pulling their weight, tell us how you handled it in the comments. Subscribe to The Man Space Podcast for more real conversations with Russ and Less about work, life, relationships, growth, and becoming better men.

What does it take to rise again when life knocks you down? Dr. Oluwole Babatunde lost both parents by the age of 13, yet went on to become a physician, researcher, and psychiatry resident in America. His story is a powerful reminder that your circumstances do not have to define your future.

On this episode of The Man Space Podcast, hosts Russ and Less sit down with Dr. Babatunde to explore resilience, personal growth, men's mental health, and his practical MAP and LAMP framework, featured in his book, Adapt and Advance.

Discover how meaning, intentional action, planning, continuous learning, healthy relationships, a personal mission statement, and prayer can help you navigate life's challenges and move toward a more purposeful life.

The conversation also tackles the stigma surrounding mental health in men, why so many men struggle to express their emotions, and why asking for professional help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Dr. Babatunde shares insights from his journey from Nigeria to the United States, the importance of planning for major life transitions, and how to build a life focused on purpose rather than comparison.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to turn adversity and personal loss into motivation for growth.

How the MAP and LAMP framework can help you navigate life's challenges.

Why men need to prioritize mental health and break the silence around emotional struggles.

How reading, planning, and setting a personal mission statement can create direction.

Why building supportive relationships and seeking help can make a lasting difference.

Subscribe to The Man Space Podcast for honest conversations about men's lives, mental health, relationships, and personal growth.

Visit https://themanspacepodcast.com and learn more about Dr. Babatunde at https://oluwolebabatunde.com/.

Like, comment, and share this episode with a man who needs to hear this message. What is one step you can take today to adapt and advance?

Ever felt like you're the only one going through it? You're not, and this episode proves it. Russ sits down with author Sean Carberry for an honest, no-gimmicks conversation about facing life's toughest battles and finding the strength to beat them.

Sean opens up about his journey and why he chose to share it through his books. One of the hardest parts of any struggle is the isolation, the feeling that nobody else understands. Russ and Sean break down how hearing someone else's story can shift everything, turning "I'm alone" into "If he beat it, so can I." They also talk about the partnership between storytellers and the platforms that give men space to speak, two sides of the same coin working toward the same goal: helping people heal.

It's real talk about men's mental health, resilience, and brotherhood, with the knowledge and good energy Man Space Nation knows and loves.

Key Takeaways

Pull Up a Chair, Man Space Nation

If this one spoke to you, share it with a brother who needs it. Subscribe to @manspacenat1, hit the bell, and tell us in the comments how you pushed through your toughest season. Catch more at themanspacepodcast.com.

What if getting healthier didn't require a complete life overhaul? Timothy J. Carney spent 33 years as a professional firefighter and built his career around fitness, wellness, and helping others perform at their best. Now he's bringing those lessons to everyday men who are trying to balance work, family, stress, and their health.

On this episode of The Man Space Podcast, Russ and Less sit down with Timothy J. Carney to talk about building sustainable fitness habits, putting your health first, and why starting small can be more effective than trying to change everything overnight.

Tim shares lessons from decades in the fire service, including how physical preparation, mental control, training, and structure can make a difference when the pressure is on. He also explains his approach to walking, developing healthy routines, understanding your personal health, and turning habits into lifelong rituals.

Key takeaways:

Subscribe to The Man Space Podcast, hit the notification bell, and share this episode with a guy who needs to hear that it's not too late to start.

What happens when two friends talk about health, relationships, money, personal growth, and mistaken identity all in the same conversation? You get Episode 6 of The Man Space Podcast, where Russ and Less keep it real, funny, and surprisingly insightful.

In this August 2020 flashback episode, Russ and Less talk about making healthier choices, including diet, hydration, gout, food, and their personal experiences with medication and wellness. They also tackle a listener question about finding the right relationship, why communication and friendship matter, and whether there is really a timeline for men to settle down.

The conversation then shifts to financial literacy, learning from life experiences, building the right circle, entrepreneurship, side hustles, and the importance of having people around you who challenge you to grow. And, of course, there are plenty of laughs along the way, including some unforgettable stories about being mistaken for other people.

Key takeaways:

If you enjoyed the conversation, like this episode, subscribe to The Man Space Podcast, and check out the show on Spotify. Have a topic you want Russ and Less to discuss? Email them at [email protected].

Find Your Ideal Side Hustle: How to Turn What You Know Into Income with Bart Merrell

What if the next opportunity to make more money is already sitting right in front of you? On this episode of The Man Space Podcast, Russ and Less sit down with entrepreneur, author, presenter, and “Side Hustle Samurai”  Bart Merrell for a conversation about turning everyday skills, experiences, and opportunities into new income streams.

Bart shares the unconventional journey that took him from growing up on a pig farm to helping bring commercial bungee jumping to Japan, and ultimately to developing his philosophy of “Monetize Your Mindset.” He explains how to identify an ideal side hustle, evaluate risk intelligently, overcome the fear of what others think, and find mentors who can help you take the next step.

Key takeaways:

Subscribe to The Man Space Podcast, like this episode, and drop a comment telling us what skill, hobby, or opportunity you could turn into your next income stream. Then take the next step and see what's possible.

Stay ready, so you don't have to get ready.

What if pornography isn’t actually the problem? What if the behavior is only a symptom of something much deeper happening beneath the surface?

On this powerful episode of The Man Space Podcast, Russ sits down with Nelson Whiting, a certified clinical hypnotherapist, to have an honest conversation about porn addiction, compulsive behaviors, the subconscious mind, and why willpower alone often fails. Nelson explains his controversial idea that “your problem isn’t pornography,” arguing that lasting change requires addressing the emotions, beliefs, and identity underneath the behavior.

Russ and Nelson also explore how hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis can help shift mental states, overcome survival mode, improve performance, and change deeply rooted patterns. They discuss purpose, shame, self-rejection, faith, relationships, and the importance of learning to think differently in order to create meaningful change.

Key Takeaways:

If this conversation hits home, like, subscribe, and share The Man Space Podcast with someone who could benefit from it. Check out Nelson’s book and resources mentioned in the episode and keep working toward becoming a better version of yourself, one choice at a time.

What does it really take to become the kind of leader people remember long after the job is done? On this episode of the Man Space Podcast, we get into the real conversations behind leadership, purpose, relationships, career, and legacy. Russ sits down with Brigadier General Retired Twanda Young, Gerod Sturgis, Dave Williams, and Marcus Wright. 

Recorded around the Leadership Experience Tour in Troy, Michigan, this episode explores servant leadership and the importance of finding where you fit, doing your job well, and then looking for ways to support the bigger mission. The conversation also digs into emotional intelligence, personal growth, dreams, aspirations, and the impact we make through our work and relationships.

SEO Keywords: servant leadership, emotional intelligence, leadership development, men's leadership, personal growth, purpose, legacy, career success, mentorship, Man Space Podcast, leadership experience.

If you're ready to think differently about leadership, purpose, and the man you're becoming, watch the full episode, subscribe to the Man Space Podcast, and share it with someone who needs to hear this conversation.