Sunday Firesides: Want to Solve Your Social Problems? Get Over Your Self

Shyness, social-interaction-sabotaging awkwardness, is commonly chalked up to a variety of causes. Genetics, personality, upbringing, a simple lack of confidence. But its real root is typically overlooked.  The shy are self-centered. Now, that may seem harsh, but, it’s literally true. When you’re suffering from shyness, you’re focused on yourself,...

19h

How Long Does It Take to Put on Muscle?

You’ve started a serious weightlifting program.  You’ve increased your protein consumption. Now, how long before you start looking jacked? While the primary goal of weightlifting should be overall health, for many dudes, one of the aims of strength training is to get swole. It’s understandable. Big muscles make you look and feel manly. Nothing wrong...

2d

How to Choose Shoes That Fit Perfectly

Shoe shopping may not top many men’s lists of favorite activities, but from time to time, it has to be done. And it’s a process that should be done with a bit of care. Beyond the style considerations that may be foremost in your mind, your shoes will have a disproportionate influence on your overall comfort level. Ill-fitting shoes can make standing...

2d

How to Use Bitters to Elevate Your Drinks

There are five elements of flavor in any dish or drink: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, umami. (Those first four are pretty self-explanatory; umami is a somewhat elusive term that basically means “savory.”) The best flavor experiences combine as many of those elements as possible; while some are sure to stick out — in a cake, it’s no doubt the sweetness...

3d

Podcast #698: The Secrets of Public Speaking From History’s Greatest Orators

Despite the fact that public speaking remains an important and relevant skill in our modern age — you never know when you’ll need to give a toast at a wedding, pitch an idea at work, or champion a proposal at a city council meeting — most of us get very little instruction these days in how to do it effectively. Fortunately, my guest says, we can look...

4d

How to Give and Take Criticism like a Man

Dealing with criticism is a skill every well-adjusted man should possess. We give and take criticism among our co-workers, our friends, and our family. Criticism is an important part of our personal self-improvement, for it is other people who can point out mistakes and shortcomings that we can’t see because we lack objectivity. Unfortunately, many...

5d

Podcast #697: Social Psychology Won’t Save Us

When it comes to proposed solutions to life’s problems, whether on an individual or societal scale, the four most commonly used words these days are “According to a study . . . ” This phrase is used by journalists and media outlets; we certainly use it a lot in AoM articles. And it’s used in the rationales that are forwarded for implementing some new...

6d

Sunday Firesides: Finding the Way

In East Asian religious and philosophical traditions, Tao means “the Way,” and represents the underlying order of the universe. To live life wisely and well, one must live in accordance with its unnamed but discernible principles and patterns. The Way is Truth, the Absolute, as well as the path to Truth. The concept of the Way is not unique to these...

1w

A Crash Course in Real World Self-Defense

Editor’s note: This is a guest article from Eric Flynn.  Self-defense is an art that every man should know, not only for protecting himself, but also his friends and family. When it comes to learning this art, there are a wide variety of combat disciplines and systems one can study, and nothing can take the place of training with an experienced...

2w

The Simplifying Step Missing From Your Laundry Routine

There are a lot of articles on the internet that will fill you in on the mistakes you’re probably making with your laundry routine, and how to improve it. You’re likely using too much detergent, which wastes money, while creating a build-up on your clothes that actually makes them stinkier. Try using half as much and see if that still cleans your clothes....

2w