I was recently having a conversation with a group of friends and business connections and mentioned a little bit of my story after my accident, and was met with "what accident?" in response. It turns out, many of my connections don't know my story. The short version is: I was in a terrible car wreck just after high school and it changed my brain. Pretty crazy, right?
In this episode, I will tell the story of the day I was hit by a bus. I'll take you through the events as I remember (and as I was informed of afterward) so you can get a flavor for it. But, because I can't simply tell a story without a lesson, I want to make sure I round out the story with a question on legacy. Look, we all think we carry a certain weight or value with others – they would miss us if we died, right? Well, what would your legacy truly be if you died tomorrow? That's what I want to challenge you to explore after my story. So get ready. Take a listen and don’t forget to subscribe! [Subscribe Here]
Many of us are lucky we never had to/have to transition through a life-altering accident, illness, or injury to emerge with a much greater amount of clarity, conviction, and confidence. In this instance, Suzy went through a pretty wicked stroke and emerged with a new perspective on 'listening to your gut' – and some insights that will help us all avoid making the same mistakes she did.
In this episode, I interview Suzy Wigstadt of Stroke to Success and she reveals her story of suffering a hemiplegic migraine that turned out to be a stroke, and waking up with the mind of newborn. She tells us about her recovery, her perspective, and her realization that it was time to start listening to her gut. Suzy is an amazing woman with an incredible story of overcoming and conquering, and it's an honor to have her on the podcast. Take a listen and don't forget to subscribe!
On a random day a few weeks ago, I was perusing Instagram and stumbled across a brand called Make Today Legendary. They sent me a message about their cause and what their wristband was all about. Skeptical at first, I have to admit I grilled the founder with some follow-up questions.
After discovering more about him and the movement behind MTL, I invited him onto the podcast so we could introduce the mission to all of you.
It's an excellent interview, and I definitely advise you to order some bands of your own after you listen! [Subscribe Here]
As we grow into management and leadership roles, we are often taught how to lead from the wrong people. More often than not, we learn to lead by seeing the world through the lens of the leader immediately above us. This isn't necessarily bad, but it can often have us attached to outcomes, directions, and processes that aren't really our own.
The question I invite you to chew on in that situation is this: Is it really your point of view if you were given the lens from someone else, and it's already pointed where they were looking?
I'm a personal fan of Stoicism, and the avatars of the philosophy: Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca. They demonstrated the tenets of great leadership by practicing control and mindfulness – essentially taking command of the things you can control and ditching everything else.
In this episode, I want to introduce you to the principles of stoicism with a little history, and show you how it can elevate your leadership and legacy. Take a listen and let me know what you think in the comments below.
Dating has progressed from meeting people in public places and having conversation to swiping left or right and texting for hookups. Does it mean all hope for a real relationship is lost? I argue that no, all hope is not lost, but you must be aware of the rules of the game so you don't fall victim to it. This goes for men and women.
In this episode, I'm going to cover the 10 commandments of dating for the Modern Gent. They're not difficult, but they almost certainly end in disaster if not followed. Everything from who to where, to when, and why is listed, so let's get started.
Men are programmed to conquer things. We come with software already installed from the factory that has us compelled to solve things, right wrongs, and stand and fight. It's what makes us such great linear thinkers! We see a problem, we focus on the next steps, we take them, and we conquer. Piece of cake.
Unfortunately, in our male-pattern-thinking, we completely miss the perspectives and emotions of those around us, and how our actions impact them. To call us stubborn and bullheaded is such an easy thing to do when we are in our default mode of "get it done." We don't see the problem with solving the problem... so what's the problem?
Today's episode is about the Hero inside all men and why being a hero makes you an idiot. I'm going to introduce you to your hero, your victim, and your villain so you understand what kind of movie your life really is these days.
The one thing none of us focus on when think think about what we'll be when we grow up, is how we'll look. Maybe that's a good thing. Most Americans simply grow up and get wider, not taller as they age. I'm actually in better shape today than I ever was in high school, but I fell victim to something much more sinister. In honor of keeping things fresh and not-too-grown-up, let's take a minute to talk about something very adult: male pattern baldness.
In this episode, I want to entertain you with the grand story of my journey into and through baldness prevention, care, and acceptance. More importantly, I want to share what it's like to be a 24 year old in a $3000 hairpiece. So have a seat, relax, and let's "comb through this" together. [pun intended]
This episode was recorded with lavalier microphones worn on our lapels at SyncLab Media Studios in Dallas, which was both amazing and left me wishing the sound was a better. To help make sure nothing is missed, I took the time to transcribe everything form out 20 minute interview below.
There's also a video (it is a video studio after all) of the interview with bonus footage and some extras, but it is reserved for the members of The Gentleman's Inner Circle. If you're looking to take your personal development as a man to the next level, I highly recommend you join me today. For a very limited time, membership is significantly discounted. Join today!
In this episode, we'll cover The Gentleman Warrior, and the a few of the nine mantras that go into making your life the best it's ever been.
Have you ever been minding your own business when suddenly a perfume or cologne wafts through the air and completely captures your attention? Maybe it was a scent that reminded you of that old girlfriend you had back in college. Maybe it reminded you of that guy at the office that smells like he bathes himself in cologne before coming to work every morning. Whatever it is, smell is one of the most powerful senses when it comes to triggering old memories and creating new ones.
Make sure you’re making the right impression with your scent, gentlemen.
Here are FIVE tips to help make sure you know the Right Way to Wear Cologne.
Today, I am on location with my good friend Aimee Bentson. You may remember her from the episode where we discussed the Dos and Don'ts of Online Dating. It was a hit episode, and I thought it would be a good idea to get her take on the modern gent these days.
So today, we are going to cover 5 ways you can become a modern gent – more importantly, a version that is authentic to who you already are. We can all look like modern gentlemen, but some of us don't naturally want to wear a suit and tie... It's about being shamelessly authentic in your style, attitude, and confidence.
Let's get on with the show! A quick note about the audio: We picked up some echo from our location, but I tried to clean up as much as possible. Please enjoy!
When becoming a modern gent, there are 5 huge things you can do to improve yourself and take your presence to the next level. They're all simple but effective. Remember, it's not about completely reinventing yourself overnight; rather, it's about making subtle changes and shifts to evolve into the best version of yourself a little each day.
In a world full of phobias, public speaking is up there at the top – right next to that spider at the end of Arachnophobia. And yet, men and women both dream about absolutely dominating the room with the perfect toast. Many secretly dream of raising a glass and speaking off-the-cuff with such prose that the ladies swoon and someone starts a slow-clap.
It may not go quite as dramatically, but there’s actually a good formula for making sure your toast is remembered for the right reasons, and not because you embarrassed yourself or someone else. Here are 7 keys to help you speak in front of a crowd... especially when you are tasked to give the perfect toast.
With New Year's Resolutions in full swing, I know a lot of us, myself included, can often feel like we're not going to make it happen. We're simply not strong enough to keep up with the willpower necessary to make that big change. We feel stuck... even nine days into the new year.
Sometimes it just takes a few quick things to turn it around for me - the same can be true for you. More often than not, you just need a little perspective reminder of where you are, and how much you've <em>actually</em> done. More importantly, it is an opportunity to be authentic, and notice all the roles you play, the things you do, and who you are in your life.
Gentlemen, this is paramount for you because you often take on more than your fair share (you're the hero, right) and you discount your actions.
Whenever you feel like all your efforts are not making enough change happen, or not happen fast enough, take a few moments to pause. That pause will help you get it together before you decide to throw in the towel. In today's episode, I'll walk you through five secrets to restoring your momentum when you're stuck. Hopefully they help you get back in gear and back on track. It's never too late to get focused and few things are actually lost causes.
Why would you want to know how to fight with your spouse? Because it's a natural part of building a healthy, long-lasting relationship. Marriage in America has become something of a joke. Well, not really a joke – more of a statistical mess. Approximately half of all marriages in the US end in divorce. Clearly, we take commitment very seriously.
There are many reasons marriages end, including:
As a relationship coach, I notice communication between people a lot more critically than most. I listen to the words, the tone, and the body language couples use when speaking and/or arguing, and there are several tell-tale signs that a relationship is doomed. Rather than bring you down with all the reasons marriages fail, let's explore how to fight with your spouse without ruining your marriage.
Public Speaking for the Anxious Guy with Julian Placino
The Pathways to Success Podcast is a weekly a show where Julian interviews leaders on business, personal development, health & fitness and many other topics designed to help you find your unique Pathway to Success.
Although there are principles and commonalities of success, everyone has to walk their own path and craft their own story. How you define success might not be how someone else does. That’s why he invites a highly varied group of experts who have succeeded in many different avenues. On the show, he's interviewed CEOs, millionaires, high-level entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, dynamic thoughts leaders, transformation experts and elite level athletes.
In this podcast, we're talking about public speaking and making great first and lasting impressions, even as an introvert. We'll dissect three keys to boosting your speaking acumen, and building the confidence you need to have an impact.
It never ceases to amaze me how brilliant people can opt not to pursue their big ideas because old lessons they've learned are so deeply ingrained. What a tragedy it is to watch someone give up before he or she even begins. Some poor lessons we learned as early as childhood can still haunt us today.
Even in my own business and personal life, I wrestle against lessons I have gleaned from past experience, my parents, friends, teachers, and the media. It's made me realize that more often than not, the biggest obstacle to you having the life or business or love –or whatever– you want actually lives between your ears. That space where your mind is... yeah, that's where old, outdated, frivolous lessons are making rules you're afraid to break.
And you are suffering for it.
Whether you want to launch a business, chase an idea, fall in love, take a risk, or stand up and declare you're worth more than whatever is keeping you stuck, there are lessons you need to unlearn.
In this podcast, I want to introduce you to 7 lessons you need to unlearn right now to start creating the life you want. I offer this disclaimer though: you may feel some resistance when trying to unlearn these. Push through it. You will be better for it, I promise.
I was recently having a conversation with a friend of mine about entrepreneurship and the changing landscape of business success these days, and I discovered a few coaching moments I want to share with you. He's an incredibly hard working guy and it shows in his business and brand. He is the first one in and last one out of the office seven days a week. He's created a culture of innovation, creativity, and hard work in his company.
And he's completely overwhelmed.
Success in small businesses comes in waves. The tide rolls out and you're left with a dry shoreline which makes it even harder to keep your ship afloat. Some days you feel like throwing in the towel, right? Then a big wave comes in and signals a rising tide. Everything rises, you switch gears and it all begins to fall into place. Prosperity again! The cycle continues indefinitely.
Too many entrepreneurs fail because they grow exhausted of the cycle and the overwhelm. Taking a few pages from the hundreds of books in my library, I want to share five keys to reducing your overwhelm and improving your success. Essentially, in this podcast I want to show you how to start a business that doesn't fail – or change your current business situation so it stops failing.
Gentlemen, this may sound counter-intuitive, but you need to stop being charge of everything in your life – If for no other reason than it's killing you. If it doesn't end up physically killing you, it will at the very least kill a metric ton of pleasure, enjoyment, and realized success. Sure, you may reach that goal you're shooting for, and do it your way, but you'll be too exhausted to recognize and appreciate the fruits of your labor. Control can kill.
What do you do about it?
Look, I'm a professional control freak. I've been in recovery for about 3 years now, but I still have episodes when I get my hands in everything and do it all myself. I take control and get stuff done (that's the good part), but I suffer for it later (that's the inevitable pitfall).
In this podcast / article, we'll explore four big reasons why control can kill, and four ways to cope and adjust so you keep moving toward your goal, whatever it happens to be.
Don Miguel Ruiz wrote The Four Agreements, and I'm sure you've no doubt read quotes from it and learned of these agreements from one source or another. Whether you read the book or not, I want to address each agreement from the gentleman's perspective, and a few extra pieces that can help really bring it home in a big way.
The basic four agreements are:
These are each sound pieces of advice on their own, but combined they lay the foundation for a man to be above the gossip and drama, but not above anyone – to be one that others look up to, while never looking down on them. Because this is such a powerful (and simple) exercise in making you better, I invite you into this crash course I affectionately call, "a gentleman's guide to the Four Agreements."
In this podcast, I'll take you through the agreements, how and where you can apply them in your quest to be the man you were born to be, and explore examples of how they can impact your life.
There are a myriad of outlets describing how to build your legacy these days, and yet we don't really care much for it until we start noticing our impact on the world. Sometimes that means our children, sometimes it means our coworkers, sometimes it's just our sudden realization that we're going to die someday and we worry how we'll be remembered. Whatever the catalyst, legacy becomes a buzz word for most men in their 30s, and only amplifies as the years pass.
The definition of legacy, however, is flawed. It is often referred to as what is left when someone dies. Now, Merriam-Webster defines it as something that is handed down or doled out in a person's will upon his or her passing – not necessarily incorrect, but its definition has certainly changed over the years. Legacy is most often referred to nowadays as the personal story, attitude, impact, and influence left when someone passes.
Let's take it a step further and modify this definition so it's not only more impactful, but more actionable for you in this moment.
Take a listen:
One of the most misused superpowers a man can have is the power to listen deeply. Millions of self-proclaimed "good listeners" are actually just listening well enough to keep a conversation going in his or her direction. Genuine listeners hear what isn't being said, connect more deeply with their partner, and create a pathway for creative collaboration and power.
This is incredibly important for any man trying to better himself and the world around him. Gentlemen, this is you (at least it should be). When you learn to genuinely listen at a deeper and more active level, you touch a place in those you communicate with and it allows doors to open to more – more feelings, more opportunities, more connections, and more fulfillment.
In this podcast, I'll introduce you to the different levels of listening and give you examples in each of them so you get a better understand of each and how you can move into deeper, more active levels immediately. Take a listen:
Today, we're talking about the 5 rules for getting fit for the rest of your life. These aren't necessarily the perfect food, nutrition plan, supplement, or exercise; rather, they're the 5 rules you need to follow if you want to achieve actual longterm success on your fitness journey.
Oscar and I were never huge or morbidly obese guys, but we both grew up with extra pudge. We also (especially me) noticed that we were working on quite an excellent Dad-Bod physique. This is no bueno. I'm not a dad, and I work very hard to prevent Dad Jeans in my client styling, so I shouldn't be skipping out on the fitness aspect and nurturing a Dad-Bod, right?
Exactly.
We explore our journeys to better fitness, our workouts, our nutrition, or motivation, and what keeps us on track to continue improving. You don't want to miss these 5 rules for getting in shape. Take a listen:
Today's podcast is about something you're all familiar with, but may not know exactly what the rules are in it: tipping. Gratuity – when should you, how much should you, what makes a good tip, why should you, etc. These questions roll around the heads of many men every day, and we're here to talk about what the rules are, and what to be aware of in the tipping world.
This is also a special show because I'm introducing my friend, and potential future podcast cohost, Oscar Guerrero to all of you. He's a stand up guy that has his own story of struggling to make sense of the world and how, after an anxiety attack in front of his CEO, he literally "got a grip" and started working to make himself and the people around him...better.
Today's show is about knowing the right time and amount to tip, but more importantly, it's about why you should be a good tipper in the first place.
I have an amazing show for you today. [remember to Subscribe Here] I’m joined by a man I can now call a friend, and one that makes our roles as men better because he’s here to help us make smart moves and go boldly into that good night.
My guest today is Ryan Michler of ORDER OF MAN. Through his site, podcast, and personal missions, Ryan is driven to take back what it means to be a man, and he wants us all to learn together – from the best men the world has to offer. From interviews like this one, to personal stories of struggle and success, everyone in the Order of Man takes with him a piece of the lessons to apply in his life.
He grew up without a permanent father figure in his life, missing out on some of the wholesome ‘fatherly” moments you might see on TV – playing catch, working on a car together, building a treehouse, etc.
He and I share the same sentiment that there is, in fact, a difference between being a male and being a man, and we’re both working to help make men better. As a father, he takes his commitments and agreements to heart, and works to build solid foundations and principles with and for his kids.
Ryan and I got the chance to meet and trade stories in person in mid-March at StyleCon 2016 in Atlanta, and I knew I wanted to share his wisdom with you, my listeners.
Definitely make your way to orderofman.com and discover more about his mission, his story, and his wisdom, including the Iron Council – a division dedicated to helping men develop deeper, more meaning full relationships with their spouses, families, and themselves. It’s about setting fire to the possibilities around you.
Okay, quick note on the audio here, guys. The first 2 minutes of audio is completely unusable so that’s why it’s missing. The internet can be a fickle beast sometimes and the audio was so choppy through Skype, it has to be thrown out.
Let’s open the interview by jumping right into Ryan’s story and his take on what he sees going on in society – and WHY he started Order of Man.
In the game of life, we are all seeking better performance. Whether that means better performance at our jobs, our relationships, our athletics, or in the bedroom, we want to be better – we need to be better. When it comes to actually achieving that better-ness, we often seek answers and solutions in the wrong direction. We chase external supplements, external validation, comparisons, and even approval from people beneath us. In our quest for better performance, we often discount ourselves for the validation from someone else. This is no good.
The secret to better performance in everything is actually pretty simple: it's a game of you vs. you.
Let's explore what this all means.
Entrepreneurs know the impact haters can have on their success, and more importantly, look for them as an indicator that they're on the right track. As an owner of several ventures, I'm always on the lookout for detractors and naysayers because they provide me with motivation that I can't get from my best cheerleaders. Strange as it may sound, someone looking at your ideas and telling you they're not possible or impractical or stupid or ridiculous or (fill in the blank) will often light a fire inside you to prove them wrong.
Rather than talk about what you need to do to make your haters happy, let's instead explore 7 ways your haters are important for your success. Take a listen: