ManDown Podcast

Ted Knutson
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Producing thoughtful content on male friendships, dating, relationships, wellness and sex.

  1. 10/21/2025

    Why You’re Always Anxious (Even When Nothing’s Wrong)

    You can’t outthink anxiety — but you can learn to understand it.In this episode, Patrick and Ted unpack what anxiety really is, how it hijacks your body and thoughts, and why most of us make it worse by trying to “fix” it. Patrick brings lessons from the therapy room; Ted brings the reality of battling self-sabotage. Together they unpack how awareness, breathing, and daily habits can help you regulate instead of shut down. This one’s about emotional clarity — not control. 💬 Send us your questions in the comments or at mandownpodcast@varianceincorporated.com Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLzsGH4hM9TxHC4hHPvgMJw X: https://x.com/ManDownPodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:lm4shifbvs6k63eb54k2gmho Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandown.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mandownpodcast 00:00 Intro 00:25 Patrick on America 01:11 French Cowboy Boots Are Calling Patrick 01:35 Chili’s Got Cowboy Boots? 02:18 Fashion Kinks: The Allure of Line Dancing and Footwear 07:17 Why Good Jeans Make Everyone Look Great 09:27 Robin vs Taylor Swift 10:22 Taylor Swift + Swedish Producers? 10:58 Attraction Beyond Looks 12:12 Find your Joy 15:39 Seeing Behind People’s Masks 16:47 Patrick Can’t Take Compliments 17:16 Self-Sabotage in Action 19:29 Why Compliments Feel Weird 22:36 Anxiety: What It Really Is 24:00 Understanding Anxiety Symptoms 25:30 The Anxiety Loop 26:00 Slowing Down the Tempo 27:05 Finding the Real Fear 27:50 Pinpointing When Anxiety Starts 29:32 Physical Cues Matter 31:23 Recognising Emotional Impulses and Their Origins 33:07 The Importance of Self-Reflection in Managing Anxiety 35:50 Challenging Negative Automatic Thoughts 37:15 Breaking the Cycle of Anxiety 40:16 Is Your Body Holding Anxiety? 43:29 Sphincter Diamonds 44:16 Continuous Learning and Self-Discovery in Mental Health 47:57 Ted’s Routine for Processing Feelings 50:05 Breaking Down Anxious Thoughts 53:40 Can Discipline Build Emotional Resilience? 54:57 The Power of Affirmations and Self-Belief 56:56 Reprogramming Negative Thoughts 59:16 Understanding Anxiety and Its Triggers 1:01:42 Anxiety Tips/Tools 1:03:19 The Role of Medication and Long-Term Solutions 1:04:30 Outro

    1h 5m

  2. 10/14/2025

    Parenting in the Age of Radicalization

    Ted and Patrick kick off with fatherhood, vasectomies, and the chaos of modern life before diving into social media radicalization and how to raise better men. They unpack how algorithms weaponize outrage, why politics feels broken, and what empathy and curiosity can still save. Then it’s on to Taylor Swift's new album, the burnout, and why joy might be her only way forward. Enjoy! 💬 Send us your questions in the comments or at mandownpodcast@varianceincorporated.com Listen to us on Megaphone (or find our RSS Feed!): https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/VI9326253269?selected=VI1151133526 Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLzsGH4hM9TxHC4hHPvgMJw X: https://x.com/ManDownPodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:lm4shifbvs6k63eb54k2gmho Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandown.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mandownpodcast 00:00 – Intro: Taylor Swift’s album and unexpected politics 00:36 – Patrick’s vasectomy waitlist story 01:10 – Ted’s “50% emissions” joke and pregnancy talk 02:17 – SlutCon, fertility, and age gaps in parenting 03:35 – Miscarriage, exhaustion, and parenting at 30+ 05:21 – The mental load of fatherhood 06:20 – Patrick’s parenting stories and “Hungry Caterpillar” moment 07:20 – Simple explanations as a superpower 07:55 – Anxiety, media, and radicalization begins 09:10 – The YouTube funnel and algorithmic outrage 10:49 – How right-wing influencers hook young men 12:44 – Why creators drift toward divisive content 14:49 – Jordan Peterson and the pull of extremism 17:13 – Boris, Trump, and populism’s moral void 18:57 – Radicalization and real-world violence 19:53 – Why platforms won’t shut down hate speech 21:10 – The collapse of consequence and fake morality 22:16 – Raising boys in the algorithm era 23:16 – The endless scroll and “slop content” culture 24:13 – Creating positive role models 25:12 – Housing, inequality, and political drift 27:07 – Media narratives vs. real voter concerns 31:23 – Local government and reform myths 33:37 – Depression, vulnerability, and radicalization 35:11 – Escaping social media doom loops 36:08 – Touching grass and finding purpose offline 37:41 – Why the world isn’t as bad as it seems 39:41 – Community and connection 40:15 – Education, critical thinking, and curiosity 43:52 – Raising resilient boys and men 45:45 – Taylor Swift, Elon Musk, and modern fame 47:09 – Taylor’s new album: where’s the fun? 49:27 – Lyrical fatigue and self-parody 51:36 – When success kills creativity 53:10 – Sally Rooney and artistic stagnation 54:10 – What Taylor needs next 56:07 – Cowboy boots and Copenhagen fashion detour 57:28 – Outro: podcast reflections and upcoming break 59:03 – What Man Down meant to Ted and Patrick 1:01:06 – Final thanks, Patreon shoutouts, and goodbye

    1h 1m

  3. 10/07/2025

    Avoid First Date Mistakes, Argue Smart & Mindful Media

    Dating can be stressful, arguing can be messy, and social media can mess with your head — Ted and Patrick cover all of it in this episode. Learn how to handle first-date nerves, recognise real chemistry, and decide if a second date is worth your time, all while keeping your dating anxiety in check. They also get into how to argue with your partner without hurting the relationship and why understanding each other’s perspective matters. On top of that, they talk about the impact of the content you consume on your mental well-being and habits that help you stay grounded. This episode is packed with advice to help you navigate dating, relationships, and life with more clarity and confidence. 💬 Send us your questions in the comments or at mandownpodcast@varianceincorporated.com Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLzsGH4hM9TxHC4hHPvgMJw X: https://x.com/ManDownPodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:lm4shifbvs6k63eb54k2gmho Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandown.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mandownpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome Intro 00:06 Episode Intro 00:54 Patrick’s Take on Copenhagen… and Hot Dogs 03:18 Ted Visiting Copenhagen 03:42 Guest Pitches, Mafia Dons, and Boy Bands 05:18 Listener Questions 05:33 #1 Navigating Arguments in Relationships 13:44 #2 Dating Anxiety and Connection 21:20 Preparing for a Date 24:15 #3 Long Distance Relationships 24:50 #4 The Impact of Social Media on Dating 27:39 The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health 28:50 The Upside of Dating Apps 29:20 Finding Balance: Managing Social Media Consumption 32:58 #5 Physical Activity and Mental Well-Being 33:06 Patrick’s Fitness and Mental Health Practices 37:08 Ted’s Fitness and Mental Health Practices 38:52 Curating Your Music and Media Experience 43:23 Ranking Segment First Date Activities: What Works Best? 47:46 Date Outfits 48:56 Patrick’s Clothing Tips and Thoughts for Men 53:39 Outro

    54 min

  4. 09/30/2025

    Why Everyone Else Seems Richer Than You

    Money is one of the biggest sources of stress in modern life—and it can make or break relationships. In this episode of Man Down, Ted and Patrick dive into how money shapes partnerships, why even fair-minded people often see it differently, and how past experiences and upbringing influence our views on contribution, fairness, and security. They explore why financial stress feels heavier today than ever before, the role social media plays in fueling comparison and “money dysmorphia,” and how couples can start having honest, constructive conversations about money without resentment or conflict. Along the way, Ted and Patrick share their own stories, lessons, and mistakes around money, offering insights that will resonate with anyone navigating finances, relationships, and modern pressures. 💬 Send us your questions in the comments or at mandownpodcast@varianceincorporated.com Listen to us on Megaphone (or find our RSS Feed!): https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/VI9326253269?selected=VI1151133526 Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLzsGH4hM9TxHC4hHPvgMJw X: https://x.com/ManDownPodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:lm4shifbvs6k63eb54k2gmho Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandown.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mandownpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 Intro Teaser 00:20 Welcome Intro 00:27 Episode Intro 01:01 Ted and Patrick’s Personal Experiences with Money 07:35 Generation Perspectives on Money 08:43 Money, Security, and Morality 09:19The Complexity of Money Conversations in Relationships 10:40 Childhood Influences on Financial Attitudes 19:08 The Social Stigma Around Money 19:47 Navigating Financial Dynamics in Relationships 21:05 The Emotional Toll of Financial Vigilance 21:47 Housing Crisis and Its Impact on Family Planning 24:00 The Long-Term View on Housing and Utilities 25:56 Money Dysmorphia: The Social Media Side Effect 27:20 Population Decline, Immigration Dynamics and Economic Recovery 31:39 The Interpersonal Impact of Money in Relationships 33:40 Navigating Financial Conversations in Relationships 35:17 Taking Control of Personal Finances 35:40 The Challenge of Budgeting and Financial Discipline 38:20 Understanding FIRE and Fat FIRE 39:19 Money and Relationships: The Impact of Financial Views 41:38 Navigating Wealth and Anxiety 42:28 Ted Investing in Friendships Businesses 43:02 Balancing Financial Contributions in Relationships 45:05 10 Million is When People Start to Chill Out Financially 49:26 Ted on Combining Money and Friendships 52:19 Navigating and Understanding what Each Partner Contributes 53:20 Outro

    56 min

  5. 09/23/2025

    The Achievement Void, ADHD at 30 & Life Without Sleep

    In this listener-powered episode, Ted and Patrick tackle the struggles and questions you’ve been sending in. They explore what it’s like to feel unfulfilled even after achieving your dreams, navigate burnout, and figure out the next steps in your career. Patrick shares his thoughts on ADHD in men, including life-changing diagnoses later in adulthood. They dive into the realities of parenting, sleepless nights with a second child, and how to cope when life throws your schedule off balance. The conversation also covers semi-pro and amateur athletes juggling full-time jobs, late nights, and recovery challenges, while Ted reflects on his journey into football versus American football. Packed with vulnerability, insight, and practical advice, this episode examines ambition, identity, and the modern pressures men face today. 💬 Send us your questions in the comments or at mandownpodcast@varianceincorporated.com Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLzsGH4hM9TxHC4hHPvgMJw X: https://x.com/ManDownPodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:lm4shifbvs6k63eb54k2gmho Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandown.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mandownpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome Intro 00:06 Episode Intro 00:48 Q1 How Ted Got Into Football and Data Analytics 08:58 Q2 Understanding ADHD and Its Impact 17:22 Q3 Navigating Parenthood and Sleep Challenges 24:37 Q4 Optimising Recovery for Athletes With Full-Time Jobs 26:27 Q5 The Reality of Success and Fulfilment 41:48 Q6 Finding Your Path in a Changing World 48:50 Outro 49:27 Broll

    54 min

  6. 09/16/2025

    Cheating Is It Biology… Or Just Excuses

    Cheating isn’t inevitable — but understanding why it happens is crucial. In this episode, Ted and Patrick break down the biology, psychology, and relationship dynamics behind infidelity, and explore practical ways couples can build trust, manage jealousy, and stay connected in today’s modern world. Topics covered - Common emotional causes of cheating - The role of biology vs. excuses - Why some men cheat and others don’t - Polyamory, ENM, and modern relationship experiments - How to strengthen commitment and satisfaction in your relationship 💬 Send us your questions in the comments or at mandownpodcast@varianceincorporated.com Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLzsGH4hM9TxHC4hHPvgMJw X: https://x.com/ManDownPodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:lm4shifbvs6k63eb54k2gmho Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandown.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mandownpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome Intro 00:07 Episode Intro 00:42 Understanding Cheating: Biological vs Emotional Factors 01:32 Are Men Wired to Cheat? 02:02 Possible Reasons for Cheating 04:34 Are Men Wired to Cheat? Patrick’s Take 06:35 Infidelity: Men vs Women 06:40 The Role of Communication in Relationships 09:42 The Impact of Technology on Cheating 11:00 How Tech & Sexual Diversity Redefine Cheating 12:45 The Hard Work Behind Open Relationships 14:13 Understanding Infidelity and Crisis Points 17:22 The Dynamic of Ethical Non-Monogamy 19:14 Polyamory: Surviving Cheating & Crisis Points 24:25 The Future of Monogamy and Relationship Structures 25:50 Exploring Attraction & Keeping the Spark Alive in Relationships 28:50 When Kids Repeat What They Hear…Hilarious Consequences 30:32 Most Couples Resist Non-Monogamy 31:09 Exploring Flirtation in Relationships 35:40 Outro/Wrap Up 41:02 (Broll - The Rise of Therapy Speak and its Implications, Communication in Academia, The Complexity of Writing Styles)

    53 min

  7. 09/09/2025

    How to Survive a Breakup (And Find Yourself Again) | Ep.37

    Breakups are never easy. But they don’t have to define you. In this episode, Ted and Patrick talk about how to know when it’s time to end a relationship, what to expect emotionally after a breakup, and how to process heartbreak without losing yourself. If you’re struggling with heartbreak—or trying to make sense of the end of a relationship—this episode is your roadmap to healing and growth. Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLzsGH4hM9TxHC4hHPvgMJw X: https://x.com/ManDownPodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:lm4shifbvs6k63eb54k2gmho Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandown.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mandownpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome Intro 00:03 Episode Intro 00:38 Listener Question 00:55 Ted’s Personal Experience and Insights 01:41 Understanding Relationship Dynamics 02:07 John Gottman’s The Four Horsemen 06:30 Recognising When to End a Relationship 08:48 Practicalities of Ending a Relationship 11:11 Reflecting on Past Decisions and Regrets 15:40 Managing Complicated Feelings Post-Breakup16:51 Self-Forgiveness and Moving Forward 27:10 Practical Tips for Moving Forward After Breakup 27:48 Navigating Grief and Loss 29:40 Understanding Mourning Frameworks 30:32 Reclaiming Identity Post-Breakup 36:30 Self-Discovery After a Relationship 37:36 The Journey of Personal Growth 40:39 Practical Steps for Healing 46:29 Seeking Professional Help 47:34 New Podcast Segment 48:13 Choice Ranking Round 1 58:10 Choice Ranking Round 2 1:10:21 Outro

    1h 11m

  8. 09/02/2025

    Porn, AI, and the End of Real Relationships?

    On this episode, Patrick and Ted discuss porn, technology, and the future of intimacy. They dive into how you can tell if you have a problem with porn, the future of technology and how it will change our porn consumption, and the impacts porn may have on relationships and dating in the future. The episode ends with the guys sharing some new discoveries they have made. Enjoy! Porn Consumption Scale: https://bpbcounseling.com/blog/problematic-pornography-consumption-scale 💬 Send us your questions in the comments or at mandownpodcast@varianceincorporated.com Listen to us on Megaphone (or find our RSS Feed!): https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/VI9326253269?selected=VI1151133526 Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLzsGH4hM9TxHC4hHPvgMJw X: https://x.com/ManDownPodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:lm4shifbvs6k63eb54k2gmho Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandown.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mandownpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 04:20- Patrick's Holiday + the Danes are normal sized 05:38 - Ted's Holday 07:35 - Guiding your children's music taste 10:05 - Demon Hunters 12:53 - Porn, VR, AI, Sex Dolls 14:56 - Sex Toys 17:32 - Partners see Porn as Infidelity? 18:59 - So is smut cheating also? 21:27 - There is a threshold at which you take away from your partner 22:27 - Self-described porn addiction and the negative effects that come with it 23:26 - Most of you are probably fine! 26:06 - Taking the survey will help you realize you're probably ok 27:25 - Positive cases for porn and masturbation 28:55 - Porn in a healthy relationship perspective 30:53 - Porn = Cheating is a misunderstanding and an insecurity 33:15 - Anti-porn movement from men (No fap/semen retention) 36:52 - The world needs more Dom's and the undiscussed labor cost of them 38:30 - Open relationship does NOT equal not thinking about other people 39:43 - Downsides of porn even of use that isn't addiction levels 41:30 - Ted's recent dating experience 42:48 - We get skewed perspectives, but that might be about yourself and not your partner 44:16 - For some people the only women they've seen close up are women in porn 44:36 - Concerns with advances in porn technology 45:20 - Robots in film 47:00 - VR and augmented reality porn 48:12 - Deep fakes and the dangers of this technology 49:44 - Could this end up making people scared of the dating market? 50:20 - Connection greatly enhances an experience 51:55 - Paying for porn helps ensure nobody is being exploited 53:00 - Sex is front and center and NORMAL throughout human history 53:55 - The Roman's had porn 54:20 - New discoveries Ted has made recently 54:38 - Forgiving yourself for taking time off working out on vacation 55:44 - Renting different brands of cars can be a difficult learning curve 57:30 - Different locations of buttons and tools in new cars 59:34 - Patrick is the 3rd most famous Patrick that is a Leo 1:00:15 - Patrick's discovery - The Runner app 1:03:25 - Lord of the Rings walking to Mount Doom for Medals

    1h 5m
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About

Producing thoughtful content on male friendships, dating, relationships, wellness and sex.

Information

  • Creator
    Ted Knutson
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ted Knutson
  • Show Website
    ManDown Podcast