GreatMan Podcast

Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale was a prisoner of war in Vietnam from 1965-1973. During that time, he was forced to confront the harshness of his torturous reality. Yet, at the end of his time in captivity, he emerged victorious. His tactic is known now as “The Stockdale Paradox,” and it will benefit you greatly in 2024. Men, let’s face our present realities.

When you think about being physically prepared for violence, protecting those around you, or managing a safety threat, what feelings follow? Confidence? Fear? Conviction? For Anthony and Jay, this is a sobering subject that they believe must be addressed by every man. Listen in for a practical discussion on being equipped in the face of danger.

We’re living in perilous times. I hope you never have to or want to initiate a fight, but I want you to be the kind of person who can end it if someone else starts it. Listen in as I talk about some of main tactics you should know in order to defend yourself and others.

In order to be ready to deposit inspiration and encouragement in the lives of men around you, you must be intentional about gathering it. Today, Anthony and Jay take us through what has demotivated and held them back from encouraging men, as well as the tactics they have implemented to overcome those obstacles. Men, this is a call to begin scanning your surroundings for stories of inspiration and vision to be shared with others.

Allow me to challenge you as someone challenged me: Determine to make a positive deposit consistently throughout this year in the lives of the people close to you. Listen in for ideas and examples for how to do this without being weird or preachy.

What amount of cursing is acceptable? At what age were you exposed to crass language? Anthony and Jay address these questions, and many more, in today’s episode as they put their vocabulary under a microscope.

Men, our language has gotten out of control. From movie scripts to backyard barbecues, foul language has become commonplace to the point of excess. Instead of reaching for the same, overused, vile words you so often use, let’s cut the laziness and be creative with our communication.

On today’s episode, Anthony, Jay, and Producer Jonas sit down for a round table-style discussion on the topic of hate. Amidst a relevant conversation about global events, the guys take on some uncomfortable questions, like when does judgment become hatred? How do you recognize hateful patters in your own behavior? And what does it look like to effectively disarm someone exhibiting hatred?

My observation as a historian is that many men are captured early and deformed by being told who they should hate. Often before a young man is mature enough to form his own thoughts, he is handed a generational hatred. Men, it’s time to recognize the hate you may have inherited from your upbringing, the hate you might be holding, or the hate you might be passing to the next generation, and put an end to it.

This week Anthony and Jay get personal, revealing ways in which they have harbored resentment, shifted blame, and allowed lies and misconceptions to accumulate. Today’s conversation will push you to spend time in your control room, to question your unhealthy behaviors, and examine which petty (or significant) hurts still follow you today.

When it comes to life’s difficulties, it’s not always the explosive events, but the slow leaks that can leave us empty. What seemingly small offenses, lies, or comparisons are you letting leak into your soul? Today, Stephen encourages us to put aside the petty hurts that distract us from our bigger purpose. Men, let’s have done with lesser things.

Today, Anthony and Jay share accounts of how they have personally handled criticism and gossip in their homes and businesses. When responding to critical input from others, controlling your emotions and facing reality open the door to growth and maturity.