Mindfully Masculine: Personal Growth and Mental Health for Men
Charles and Dan are just two guys talking about relationships, masculinity, and authenticity. Join them as they discuss books and media, as well as their (sometimes messy) personal stories, to encourage men to join the fight for their mental, physical, and emotional health--because a world of healthy, resilient men is a thriving and more secure world for everyone.
Episodes
In this episode, Charles and Dan take a closer look at Stephen Bartlett’s conversation with Dr. Julie Smith on The Diary of a CEO — exploring what it really means to manage anxiety, build confidence, and grow through self-compassion instead of self-criticism.
They talk about why it’s so much easier to look “not needy” than to actually have your needs met, how rejection ties back to our deepest beliefs about worthiness, and why belie...
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 o...
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 wee...
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.
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 cu...
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, confid...
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 patter...
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 th...
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.
...
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 ...
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 f...
In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles and Dan dive into Chapters 16 and 17 of Mel Robbins’ The Let Them Theory: The More You Rescue, The More They Sink and How to Provide Support the Right Way.
They explore why stepping in to “rescue” often backfires, how shame and denial complicate real support, and why presence and patience are more powerful than quick fixes. Along the way, they share stories about hidden struggles, mone...
In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles and Dan unpack Chapters 14 and 15 of The Let Them Theory—and the uncomfortable truth that you can’t force anyone to change.
We dive into why pressure backfires, why rescuing keeps people stuck, and how the most powerful form of influence comes from backing off. From partners and kids to friends and coworkers, if you’ve ever tried to “fix” someone, this one will sting a little.
Highlight...
Friendship in adulthood isn’t what it used to be — and in this conversation, we get into why that’s not always a bad thing. Charles and Dan dig into the myths we carry from childhood about how friends “should” work, and how those expectations crash into reality once proximity, free time, and shared schedules disappear.
We break down Mel Robbins’ “three pillars” of friendship — proximity, timing, and energy — and give our unfiltered ...
In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles and Dan continue their exploration of The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, turning a critical eye toward two major ideas: fairness and comparison.
First, they take on the statement “life isn’t fair”—not to reject it outright, but to unpack its usefulness. Is declaring unfairness a helpful truth, or a dead-end framing? The conversation pushes beyond the cliché to explore what men are act...
Why do grown-ups still throw tantrums? And why does doing the right thing sometimes feel awful?
In this episode, Charles and Dan dive into Chapters 7 and 8 of The Let Them Theory—where emotional maturity meets real-life discomfort. We unpack how adults act like kids (just with more email silence and fewer juice boxes), how to hold your ground when someone else is spiraling, and why making the right move often feels like the wrong on...
In this episode, we break down Chapters 5 and 6 of The Let Them Theory—and the exhausting pressure to manage what other people think. From family dynamics to workplace image, we dig into codependence, covert contracts, people-pleasing, and the false belief that being lovable means being perfect.
We talk resentment, approval addiction, emotional manipulation disguised as virtue, and why trying to control others’ perceptions will wrec...
In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles and Dan dive into Chapters 3 and 4 of The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins—where things get uncomfortably real about stress, overreaction, and the fantasy of control. From checkout-line rage to masculine stoicism, this conversation blends psychology, philosophy, and a fair bit of sarcasm.
We cover:
- Why your brain reacts to traffic like it’s a war zone
- The myth of “taking control” vs. t...
In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles dives into Chapters 1 and 2 of The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins—and let’s just say, it gets heated early.
From micromanaging her son’s prom to being left off a girls’ trip, Mel lays out the moments that inspired her viral advice: “Let them.” But is it personal growth… or just a new way to dodge accountability?
Charles pulls no punches, questioning whether Mel’s stories reflect real in...
⚠️ Season 3 finale spoilers ahead! Plus content note for frank discussions of murder, suicide, and murder-suicide.
In this final episode of Mindfully Masculine’s deep dive into The White Lotus, Season 3, Charles and Dan unpack the unraveling masculinity on full display in the finale. From Timothy’s narcissistic delusions of control 🧠, to Rick’s self-destructive spiral disguised as vengeance 🔫, to Gaitok’s late-game moral compromis...
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