The Sovereign Man Podcast

"Once I could read a book, the whole plethora, the whole vista of things began to open to me."

Strong men are not built by information alone. They are shaped by stories, examples, principles, and ideas that challenge them to think and act differently. Reading exposes a man to courage, sacrifice, loyalty, honor, leadership, and responsibility through the experiences of others. The books a man chooses become part of the framework he uses to understand himself, his family, his purpose, and the world around him. When combined with action and meaningful relationships with other men, great books can become powerful tools for personal growth.

Many modern books fail to speak to the needs of men. Jesan Sorrells encourages readers to revisit the classics. He explains how works such as the Bible, the Iliad, the Odyssey, Shakespeare, Hemingway, and other foundational texts helped shape his understanding of masculinity, leadership, and human nature. Jesan also discusses the importance of reducing distractions, creating space for reading, and participating in male-only environments where ideas can be tested through conversation and real-world experience.

Jesan is a conflict engagement consultant, author, speaker, and host of Leadership Lessons From The Great Books. With a Master's degree in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation from Abilene Christian University, he works at the intersection of communication, leadership, problem-solving, and real-world conflict. Jesan writes and speaks about social media communication, peacebuilding, entrepreneurship, and preparing for the future while helping leaders navigate increasingly complex relationships. A former rugby player and lifelong reader, he combines lessons from classic literature with practical experience to help men develop stronger character, clearer thinking, and more effective leadership.

Learn more & connect:

https://about.me/Jesan_Sorrells

YouTube @JesanSorrells

LinkedIn @jesansorrells

Also in this episode:

Jesan's Recommended Books

* The Bible

* The Iliad

* The Odyssey

* Greek Plays by Sophocles

* Oresteia

* Julius Caesar

* Candide

* Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

* The Sun Also Rises

* True Grit

Nicky's Recommended Books

* The Eagle Has Landed

* The Fountainhead

* Anthem

* Atlas Shrugged

* The Cardinal of the Kremlin

* The Hunt for Red October

* The White House Years

* An American Life

* The Twelfth Angel

* The Christ Commission

You're invited to come to a Sovereign Circle meeting to experience it for yourself. To learn more, go to https://www.sovereignman.ca/. While you're there, check out the Battle Ready program and check out the store for Sovereign Man t-shirts, hats, and books.

⚔️ If this episode hit, rate & review The Sovereign Man Podcast on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1580828975 Scroll to "Ratings & Reviews", tap the stars, and write one line on what you're taking action on. Your review is how the next man finds this. Respect. Nicky On Spotify? Tap ★ on the show page.

"That's where the growth happens. That's where the barriers get dissolved. And that's where the positive change takes place."

Strength is not built only in gyms, business meetings, or during hard seasons of life. Men need spaces where they can step out of routine, remove distractions, and reconnect with deeper masculine principles. Brotherhood creates an environment where honesty becomes easier, masks start coming down, and discomfort becomes something useful instead of something to avoid. Growth often begins where comfort ends.

Igor Perett, Larry Cooper, and Jefferson Banks describe overnights as something much more meaningful than a simple getaway with friends. They talk about stepping away from daily battles, dropping the armor, sitting around fires, learning from other men, and confronting blind spots that often stay hidden in everyday life. The focus isn't escape; it's connection, accountability, and facing difficult truths that create lasting change.

Perett, Cooper and Banks are active members of the Sovereign Man community who bring practical experience and firsthand insight into masculine brotherhood. Their perspectives reflect the value of creating environments where men challenge one another, support one another, and return to life stronger and more grounded.

You're invited to come to a Sovereign Circle meeting to experience it for yourself. To learn more, go to https://www.sovereignman.ca/. While you're there, check out the Battle Ready program and check out the store for Sovereign Man t-shirts, hats, and books.

⚔️ If this episode hit, rate & review The Sovereign Man Podcast on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1580828975 Scroll to "Ratings & Reviews", tap the stars, and write one line on what you're taking action on. Your review is how the next man finds this. Respect. Nicky On Spotify? Tap ★ on the show page.

"When I don't keep my word, and I go for the easy way, God notices."

Keeping your word is less about reputation and more about identity. Discipline is built in the quiet moments where a man chooses discomfort over convenience and integrity over excuses. The episode explores how every broken promise weakens personal momentum, while every kept promise strengthens confidence, direction, and self-respect. The principle is simple: a strong life is built by becoming someone whose word means something, especially when keeping it costs you.

Sovereign Circle member, Jeff Banks, said something recently that framed integrity in a powerful way. Instead of avoiding short-term pain or inconvenience, he said men should willingly endure pain than condition themselves to be unreliable. Keeping your word is a matter of spiritual alignment, momentum, business success, health, and meaningful relationships.

Also in this episode:

Banks has more to say on Episode 239 and Episode 244 of SMP.

You're invited to come to a Sovereign Circle meeting to experience it for yourself. To learn more, go to https://www.sovereignman.ca/. While you're there, check out the Battle Ready program and check out the store for Sovereign Man t-shirts, hats, and books.

⚔️ If this episode hit, rate & review The Sovereign Man Podcast on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1580828975 Scroll to "Ratings & Reviews", tap the stars, and write one line on what you're taking action on. Your review is how the next man finds this. Respect. Nicky On Spotify? Tap ★ on the show page.

"A young man needs his father as an example of how to be a man. Learning it from social media ain't on. And a young woman needs her father as an example of the type of man she ought to pair bond with and marry."

Fatherhood is leadership, not control. Teenagers eventually stop following instructions simply because they're told to. What they continue to follow is strength, consistency, presence, and genuine connection. Sons look closely at whether a father is a man worth respecting and becoming like. Daughters pay attention to whether they are truly heard, understood, and emotionally safe around him. When fathers stop listening, stop leading themselves, or become distracted by work, stress, or technology, the relationship slowly weakens. Repair starts when a man takes ownership of his role and becomes willing to evolve instead of simply demanding obedience.

Tom Pfanner shares the deeply personal story of losing connection with his teenage son and realizing that "the only person left to change was me." He explains how rebuilding the relationship required faith, self-reflection, consistency, and a completely different approach to leadership. Tom breaks down the difference between "action respect" and "connection respect," why young men need fathers they admire, and why daughters need fathers who genuinely know their story. The conversation also explores masculinity, social media influence, and the growing absence of intentional fatherhood in modern culture.

Tom is the founder of Dads Who Lead and author of Dads Who Lead: The Ultimate Guide to Stop Parenting and Start Leading. A former middle and high school PE teacher, strength coach, martial artist, and mentor, Tom now helps fathers strengthen broken relationships with their children through leadership, faith, and intentional presence.

Learn more & connect:

Take Tom's free leadership quiz at https://dadswholead.com/.

YouTube: @TheLeadershipDad

You're invited to come to a Sovereign Circle meeting to experience it for yourself. To learn more, go to https://www.sovereignman.ca/. While you're there, check out the Battle Ready program and check out the store for Sovereign Man t-shirts, hats, and books.

⚔️ If this episode hit, rate & review The Sovereign Man Podcast on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1580828975 Scroll to "Ratings & Reviews", tap the stars, and write one line on what you're taking action on. Your review is how the next man finds this. Respect. Nicky On Spotify? Tap ★ on the show page.

"The first time, it's shocking. By the third time, it's interesting. By the 10th time, they're looking forward to it because they feel like they're now engaging, and they're ready to hit back."

Strength isn't about avoiding pressure—it's about meeting it head-on and staying intact. A man's ability to take a punch, whether physical, emotional, or psychological, becomes the proving ground for his integrity. When identity is clear and internally aligned, decisions become decisive and grounded. When it's not, hesitation and confusion take over. Masculine strength, in this sense, is less about dominance and more about stability—the capacity to hold your ground without losing yourself.

Joseph Riggio expands this through lived experience. From combat training to high-stakes decision-making, he shows how men rediscover their edge by stepping into discomfort. Taking a hit becomes a catalyst. What once felt threatening becomes engaging, even energizing. He challenges men to confront what irritates or unsettles them—not as a weakness, but as a doorway to unrealized strength. Through this process, men sharpen their instincts, rebuild confidence, and begin to operate with clarity again.

Joseph is a neuroscientist, decision-making expert, and martial artist who works with high-level performers navigating internal instability. His work focuses on "unmasking"—helping individuals break free from societal constraints, reconnect with their true nature, and fully express their highest potential in life, leadership, and relationships.

Learn more & connect:

https://josephriggio.com/

IG: @jsriggio

YT: @JosephRiggioLive

FB: @joseph.riggio

Also in this episode:

Book: Willing Accomplices by Kent Clizbe

You're invited to come to a Sovereign Circle meeting to experience it for yourself. To learn more, go to https://www.sovereignman.ca/. While you're there, check out the Battle Ready program and check out the store for Sovereign Man t-shirts, hats, and books.

⚔️ If this episode hit, rate & review The Sovereign Man Podcast on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1580828975 Scroll to "Ratings & Reviews", tap the stars, and write one line on what you're taking action on. Your review is how the next man finds this. Respect. Nicky On Spotify? Tap ★ on the show page.

"We don't need a future generation of weak men in this world. We need monsters who are gentlemen who know how to control that monster inside of them and be a good person."

Strength is not just about muscles or loud words. It starts with courage, loyalty, and the willingness to stand for what is right when it costs something. Men protect others, carry responsibility, and stay steady under pressure. They control aggression rather than being controlled by it. A strong man is dangerous when necessary, but disciplined by choice.

Abteen Vaziri connects masculinity to history, hardship, and cultural memory. He speaks about men who protect family, defend community, and refuse cowardice when challenged. He argues that modern society often rewards softness while real leadership still requires toughness, sacrifice, and moral clarity. He also stresses that strength without character is useless, and that men should be both capable and principled.

Abteen is an Iranian-American investor, attorney, and commentator. He is Managing Director at Brevet Capital Management, overseeing real estate and immigration investment funds, and serves on the board of Braemar Hotels & Resorts. Educated in computer science, finance, and law, he often speaks on freedom, leadership, and cultural strength, shaped by his family's escape from post-revolution Iran.

Learn more & connect:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abteenvaziri/

https://www.abteenvaziri.com/meet-abteen

Also in this episode:

• Jordan Peterson

• Ernest Hemingway

• Donald Trump

• Reza Pahlavi

You're invited to come to a Sovereign Circle meeting to experience it for yourself. To learn more, go to https://www.sovereignman.ca/. While you're there, check out the Battle Ready program and check out the store for Sovereign Man t-shirts, hats, and books.

⚔️ If this episode hit, rate & review The Sovereign Man Podcast on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1580828975 Scroll to "Ratings & Reviews", tap the stars, and write one line on what you're taking action on. Your review is how the next man finds this. Respect. Nicky On Spotify? Tap ★ on the show page.

"A lot of young men today have never been taken fishing."

Masculinity isn't something you're handed—it's something you build through responsibility, discipline, and lived experience. When men lack guidance, structure, or challenge, they don't become free—they become uncertain. Strength comes from learning real-world skills, facing adversity, and developing the ability to think clearly and act decisively. Without this foundation, men drift—disconnected from purpose, truth, and identity.

David Savage brings a grounded, experience-driven perspective shaped by competition, mentorship, and real-life responsibility. He highlights how many men today were never taught how to lose, adapt, or lead—and how that gap shows up in confidence and resilience. From survival skills to public speaking to embracing failure, his message is simple: capability builds confidence. He also emphasizes brotherhood—spaces where men can challenge, support, and sharpen each other, creating the kind of accountability that drives real growth.

David is a writer, podcaster, and speaker focused on guiding men toward authentic leadership and meaningful living. Raised in an Air Force family in West Texas, he became an Eagle Scout with bronze, silver, and gold palms and later led high-adventure programs and backpacking expeditions. His career in engineering and global business built a foundation in leadership and relationships, while his background in speaking and even comedy sharpened his ability to connect. Today, he continues this work through men's ministries, retreats, and his book The Savage Path, helping men rebuild strength, purpose, and direction.

Learn more & connect:

Book: The Savage Path: A Memoir of Modern Masculinity

https://a.co/d/078Xavmh

David's website:

https://thesavagepath.com/

Also in this episode:

Book: The Puzzle Palace

https://a.co/d/0j7cwE0n

Book: The Ultra Secret

Book: Witness

You're invited to come to a Sovereign Circle meeting to experience it for yourself. To learn more, go to https://www.sovereignman.ca/. While you're there, check out the Battle Ready program and check out the store for Sovereign Man t-shirts, hats, and books.

⚔️ If this episode hit, rate & review The Sovereign Man Podcast on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1580828975 Scroll to "Ratings & Reviews", tap the stars, and write one line on what you're taking action on. Your review is how the next man finds this. Respect. Nicky On Spotify? Tap ★ on the show page.

"The men are going to tell you the ugly truth… so he can see what the truth is and then make an educated decision and be put into action rather than just shit talk."

A lot of men go through life trying to figure things out on their own—and it usually doesn't work that well. A men's group gives you something most men don't have: other men who will actually tell you the truth. Not to tear you down, but to help you see where you're off and what needs to change. It's not about sitting around venting or getting comfort. It's about being challenged, getting clear on your standards, and actually following through. When you've got other men in your corner who won't let you slide, things start to shift fast.

Rob Arpa, Larry Cooper, and Jeff Banks all hit this from different angles, but they land in the same place. You need other men. Larry talks about how much you can learn just by being around men with more experience. Jeff brings up that feeling of having an "invisible army" behind you—knowing you're not doing life solo anymore. And Arpa keeps it grounded in standards and behavior. It's not about what you say you want—it's about what you actually do. That's where the group comes in. They close the gap.

All three are members of the Sovereign Circle, bringing years of experience in business, leadership, and personal development. Their work is focused on helping men raise their standards, take ownership of their lives, and show up better—in their work, their relationships, and for themselves.

You're invited to come to a Sovereign Circle meeting to experience it for yourself. To learn more, go to https://www.sovereignman.ca/. While you're there, check out the Battle Ready program and check out the store for Sovereign Man t-shirts, hats, and books.

⚔️ If this episode hit, rate & review The Sovereign Man Podcast on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1580828975 Scroll to "Ratings & Reviews", tap the stars, and write one line on what you're taking action on. Your review is how the next man finds this. Respect. Nicky On Spotify? Tap ★ on the show page.

"If you take counsel of your intellect, then you need to plan. You need to have a financial plan. You need to be thinking about how you're growing your net worth."

Financial stability isn't about predicting the future—it's about being ready for it. Life throws disruptions that don't ask for permission: relationship breakdowns, legal battles, income loss. When those moments hit, the difference isn't mindset—it's access. Access to cash, access to options, access to time. Without that, even strong men get forced into bad decisions or no decisions at all. A financial plan isn't about optimism or fear—it's about control. It's about building enough margin into your life so that when things go sideways, you don't.

Scott Gannon walks through a real case where preparation made all the difference. A father caught in a two-year custody battle needed constant access to capital while his income took a hit. Instead of collapsing financially, he leveraged a structure that allowed him to fund legal costs, stay in the fight, and ultimately get his daughter back—without dismantling his long-term wealth. The takeaway is simple: liquidity and leverage aren't luxury strategies—they're survival tools when life gets unpredictable.

Scott is a financial strategist who spent over 20 years working with traditional investments before recognizing the stress and instability they created during major market downturns. Today, he focuses on helping business owners protect capital, control cash flow, and create certainty using insurance-based strategies like Infinite Banking. His approach is built around one principle: your money should always stay in motion—liquid, accessible, and positioned to serve multiple purposes—so you're prepared for whatever life throws your way.

Learn more & connect:

https://magnifywealth.ca/

Also in this episode:

Book: Not Without My Daughter

You're invited to come to a Sovereign Circle meeting to experience it for yourself. To learn more, go to https://www.sovereignman.ca/. While you're there, check out the Battle Ready program and check out the store for Sovereign Man t-shirts, hats, and books.

⚔️ If this episode hit, rate & review The Sovereign Man Podcast on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1580828975 Scroll to "Ratings & Reviews", tap the stars, and write one line on what you're taking action on. Your review is how the next man finds this. Respect. Nicky On Spotify? Tap ★ on the show page.

"Entitlement always leads you down a suck hole of hate, anger, and jealousy"

Most men don't realize how much their mindset shapes the outcomes they experience. An entitled mindset quietly assumes life owes you something—opportunities, success, rewards—without the need to earn them. A gratitude mindset flips that entirely. It recognizes that nothing is guaranteed, and everything worthwhile comes through value, effort, and contribution. The shift is subtle but powerful: one leads to frustration, comparison, and stagnation, while the other builds momentum, resilience, and fulfillment. At its core, gratitude creates action, while entitlement breeds inaction.

Rob Arpa breaks this down in practical terms, especially in work and relationships. He points out that entitlement often shows up as expecting more without delivering more, while gratitude shows up as over-delivering and appreciating the opportunity to create value. Arpa emphasizes that men who succeed consistently aren't waiting to be rewarded—they're actively earning trust, building relationships, and making "deposits" through effort and consistency. That same principle applies across life: friendships, business, and partnerships all thrive when approached with a mindset of giving rather than taking.

Learn more & connect:

Rob is the owner/operator of Green FX Landscaping, located in Etobicoke, Ontario. He's a veteran in the men's movement and a member of the Sovereign Man Iron Council.

Learn more & connect:

https://www.greenfxlandscaping.ca/

You're invited to come to a Sovereign Circle meeting to experience it for yourself. To learn more, go to https://www.sovereignman.ca/. While you're there, check out the Battle Ready program and check out the store for Sovereign Man t-shirts, hats, and books.

⚔️ If this episode hit, rate & review The Sovereign Man Podcast on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1580828975 Scroll to "Ratings & Reviews", tap the stars, and write one line on what you're taking action on. Your review is how the next man finds this. Respect. Nicky On Spotify? Tap ★ on the show page.