Mindfully Masculine: Personal Growth and Mental Health for Men

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.

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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 ...

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...

Emotional vulnerability is rare. Expectations clash. And some men just can't face reality. Welcome to The White Lotus Season 3, Episode 7, "Killer Instincts," where we unpack the deep-seated issues beneath the surface of paradise.
Charles and Dan break down:

• Rick and Frank's Daring Deception: We delve into the "funny like kind of caper" as Rick and Frank pose as a director and producer. We discu...

Spoilers ahead for The White Lotus Season 3, Episode 6
This episode also includes extended discussion of suicide and suicidal ideation, as portrayed in the show. Please listen with care.

Incest, ecstasy, ego collapses, and a gun that keeps changing hands—Episode 6 of The White Lotus pulls no punches, and neither do we. Charles and Dan unpack the unraveling masculinity of Saxon, Rick, and Timothy, asking what happens when the il...

Dive into a compelling discussion of The White Lotus Season 3, Episode 5 as hosts Dan and Charles unpeel layers of hypocrisy, unexpected revelations, and the fascinating ways characters (and people) perform. They explore the episode's subtle genius and its uncomfortable truths about privilege, values, and human behavior.

In This Episode:

• The Unsung Role of the 'Boring' Ladies: Charles acknowledges feeling "bad...

Secrets spill. Gun safety's optional. And emotional honesty? Forget about it. Welcome to Episode 4 of The White Lotus Season 3, where the Thai sun heats up the already simmering pot of fragile masculinity.

Charles and Dan break down:

• Timothy's Total Meltdown: How a patriarch's financial panic fuels gaslighting, substance abuse, and a desperate struggle to maintain a perfect facade.
  
  
• Rick's Risky Reveng...

Cobra bites. Financial panic. Fake names. Welcome to Episode 3 of The White Lotus Season 3, where everything is simmering—and masculinity is under a microscope.

Charles and Dan break down:
– Rick’s unraveling sense of self, and why his attempt at “liberating” the snakes says more about him than the snakes
– Whether vengeance ever actually brings closure—or just gives men an excuse to stay broken
– The toxic tra...

Forget paradise—these men brought their baggage. Charles and Dan break down Timothy Ratliff’s fast-unraveling world, where wealth might not shield him from family fallout (or federal charges). Saxon proves being nakedly honest can just mean being nakedly weird, while Lockie navigates spirituality, sexuality, and sibling sabotage—awkwardly. Rick tries meditation, but mostly finds more reasons to be cynical, especially toward the wom...