Great Men w/ Shane Sams

Shane Sams
  • 5.0 (19)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Semiweekly

Great Men is the podcast for men who are ready to stop living a 'good enough' life, and start creating a great life on their own terms. Everything up to 40 was just research and development. You built the first half for them. Now it's time to create what's next for YOU. The Great Men Podcast will help you reclaim your story, step into your authentic identity, and create YOUR vision for YOUR future. You will not walk alone. Every week I have deep conversations with great men. We discuss the topics most men never get to have but need now more than ever. Unfiltered conversations about identity, purpose, what it costs a man to build something and what it costs to walk away. About physical transformation, men's mental health, women, fatherhood, faith, doubt, career, connection, and what it actually means to be a great man in the modern world. Each week, you'll hear from amazing men who have walked through the fire in pursuit of purpose, meaning, and legacy. Men who are on the journey, doing the work, and writing their own story. Warriors, artists, fathers, husbands, builders, entrepreneurs, thinkers. No fluff. No posturing. Just raw stories, practical insights, and personal evolution. From overcoming inner battles to forging deeper relationships… From building strong bodies to reclaiming peace of mind… From legacy-defining work to rediscovering the soul… This is not a podcast about performance or becoming perfect. It's a place for good men doing the real work to create greatness in their life every day. Real conversations, practical wisdom, and battle-tested frameworks for mindset, emotional intelligence, physical health, relationships, and spiritual growth. Hosted by Shane Sams—speaker, author, entrepreneur, and founder of GreatMen.org—this show explores the tools and timeless wisdom that help good men become great in the real world. Subscribe, listen every week, leave a review, and share this with other men who are ready for more. Great Men w/ Shane Sams is a part of The Great Men Project.™ Learn more about Shane Sams, The Great Men Project and The Great Men Brotherhood at GreatMen.Org.

  1. 6d ago

    Great Men Live Life NOW (w/ John Lee Dumas)

    Shane Sams welcomes legendary podcaster and Army veteran John Lee Dumas to discuss the intentional choices required to step off the corporate treadmill and build a life of genuine presence. Reflecting on 14 years and thousands of episodes of Entrepreneurs on Fire, JLD shares how he sent himself the enough memo after realizing that chasing endless scale was a distraction from the freedom he had already earned. Instead of sacrificing his health and time to grow a massive corporate team, he optimized his business model for time freedom and experiences, enabling him to spend months traveling and to be completely available for his young son. Shane and JLD dive into the empty promise of the moving goalpost in entrepreneurship, illustrating why true wealth is measured by the ability to live life now rather than waiting for retirement. The conversation also tackles the complex emotional landscape of manhood, from JLD's reflections on post-war PTSD to the vital importance of emotional volatility as a sign of vitality. Both hosts open up about the sobering reality that many men suffer in silence without a trusted circle to lean on during dark moments, highlighting the mission of the podcast to break that isolation. Utilizing the metaphor of being the first person on the dance floor, JLD challenges men to take the lead in vulnerability, giving others permission to be human, reach out, and build authentic connections. This episode is an urgent reminder that greatness is found in having the courage to go first, establish boundaries around your time, and become the man your family wants to see every day. You're already a good man. Now become great on your own terms. No fake alpha nonsense. No paint-by-numbers 'family man' checklists. No endless trauma dumps. Get unstuck and reclaim your power in work, relationships, fatherhood, and life. End the war within. Find peace without. Learn more about The Great Men Project at https://www.greatmen.org

    46 min

  2. 6d ago

    Great Men Change Their Minds (w/ Cliff Ravenscraft)

    In this episode of Great Men, Shane Sams reconnects with his longtime friend Cliff Ravenscraft, a true pioneer known to many as "The Podcast Answer Man." Cliff takes us behind the scenes of his massive transformation, from the early days of 2005 when he was producing up to 15 episodes a week to the shocking moment he walked away from a $750,000 per year brand. They explore the heavy toll of misaligned identity and the common trap of climbing a ladder of success only to realize it was leaning against the wrong building. Cliff shares the raw reality of being told by church leadership that his passion was a distraction from God, and how that friction eventually led him to deconstruct institutional expectations to find a more authentic way of being. The conversation moves into the deep work of reconstruction, focusing on how personal philosophies like The Four Agreements helped Cliff stop taking external criticism personally. Shane and Cliff get vulnerable about their shared experiences leaving religious structures and discovering that true community—their "church"—often looks like a 15 year mastermind with trusted peers rather than a traditional pulpit. Cliff traces his calling back to a 13 year old kid on an illegal CB radio, illustrating that our true purpose is often something we've carried since childhood. This episode is a masterclass for any man who feels the pressure to maintain a "monument" of success at the expense of his soul, offering a blueprint for finding peace through alignment rather than external validation. You're already a good man. Now become great on your own terms. No fake alpha nonsense. No paint-by-numbers 'family man' checklists. No endless trauma dumps. Get unstuck and reclaim your power in work, relationships, fatherhood, and life. End the war within. Find peace without. Learn more about The Great Men Project at https://www.greatmen.org

    1h 20m

  3. May 24

    Great Men Gather in Person (w/ Vincent Pugliese)

    Shane Sams and Vincent Pugliese reunite after a social media misfire and copy-paste misunderstanding nearly derailed their friendship, turning a real conflict into a powerful masterclass on authenticity and male connection. In a world increasingly dominated by AI automation and digital noise, they challenge the temptation to clone voices or outsource relationships, arguing that true integrity means standing behind every word you write. The conversation dives deep into how men handle conflict, the engineering of outrage on social media, and the freedom found in allowing both our children and ourselves to face consequences. They also break down unconventional event models like the Unconference and the Great Men Brotherhood, which reject high-ticket upsells and gatekeeping in favor of generosity, curated spaces, and raw peer-to-peer connection. The heart of the episode shifts to the hidden traps of entrepreneurship and the emotional architecture of ambition. Shane opens up about a massive financial milestone that left him feeling empty, prompting a raw discussion on Vincent's philosophy of prioritizing freedom over luxury before a moving target of wealth steals the life you built. They close with a vulnerable exploration of the father wound, examining how the lifelong chase for paternal approval drives male ambition and often leads to profound misery. By sharing personal stories of late-in-life reconciliation and the power of peer validation, they highlight why every man needs a tribe of brothers to step into the gap, handle hard conversations straight, and remind each other that they are doing a good job. You're already a good man. Now become great on your own terms. No fake alpha nonsense. No paint-by-numbers 'family man' checklists. No endless trauma dumps. Get unstuck and reclaim your power in work, relationships, fatherhood, and life. End the war within. Find peace without. Learn more about The Great Men Project at https://www.greatmen.org

    1h 24m

  4. May 10

    Great Men Overcome Bad Decisions (w/ Austin Netzley)

    In this episode of Great Men, Shane Sams sits down with Austin Netzley, the founder of 2X and co-owner of Operations.com, to peel back the curtain on the raw, often messy journey toward high-level success. Austin shares his transition from a "rocky road" in small-town Ohio—marked by multiple arrests and a reliance on alcohol—to helping his clients generate over $250 million in revenue. The conversation centers on the pivotal moment at age 29 when a 10-day bender forced a total life recalibration. Austin reveals how he traded hangovers and the "smart sibling" complex for a focused engineering mindset that eventually allowed him to build a business designed for freedom rather than just validation. The dialogue dives deep into the "Inner Work" of a great man, exploring why a business is often a mirror reflecting the owner's unaddressed baggage. Austin and Shane discuss the three foundational pillars of growth: cutting the anchors of the past, building a vision larger than your problems, and establishing a present-day identity. They also tackle modern tools for alignment, ranging from the Two-Week Vacation Test to the use of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and therapeutic journeys for deep personal exploration. By the end of this episode, you'll understand why "making meaning" is more powerful than "finding purpose" and how learning to submit to your feelings is the ultimate key to professional and personal alignment. You're already a good man. Now become great on your own terms. No fake alpha nonsense. No paint-by-numbers 'family man' checklists. No endless trauma dumps. Get unstuck and reclaim your power in work, relationships, fatherhood, and life. End the war within. Find peace without. Learn more about The Great Men Project at https://www.greatmen.org

    1h 27m

  5. May 3

    Great Men are Comfortable Being Uncomfortable (w/ Scott Lamm)

    In this episode of Great Men, Shane Sams sits down with Scott Lamm, a global speaker and real estate mogul who walked away from a high-level corporate career at Morgan Stanley by age 37. The two dive deep into the reality of "achieving the dream," debunking the common myth that lifestyle design alone leads to fulfillment. Through Scott's story of building a massive portfolio and Shane's personal reflections on the "Four Hour Work Week" trap, they explore why having a clear mission and a sense of purpose is far more vital than simply reaching a financial finish line. From the emotional anti-climax of paying off a home to the necessity of pushing through seasons of confusion, this conversation provides a raw look at what happens on the other side of success. The discussion also highlights the unconventional tools that build a lasting legacy, specifically focusing on the power of humor and the importance of health. Scott and Shane share insights into how humor serves as a "brain break" for audiences and a bridge for human connection, whether on a local stage or speaking internationally across Asia and the Middle East. Beyond the business tactics, they get personal about near-death health scares and the physical transformations required to lead a family effectively. Scott concludes with his philosophy on what it truly means to be a great man: a life rooted in faith, modeling a relentless pursuit for his children, and the commitment to leaving every person he encounters better than he found them. You're already a good man. Now become great on your own terms. No fake alpha nonsense. No paint-by-numbers 'family man' checklists. No endless trauma dumps. Get unstuck and reclaim your power in work, relationships, fatherhood, and life. End the war within. Find peace without. Learn more about The Great Men Project at https://www.greatmen.org

    1h 12m

  6. Apr 26

    Great Men Wrestle With Their Beliefs (with Travis Chappell)

    What truly separates the great from the good? In this episode of Great Men, Shane sits down with Travis Chappell, the high-capacity host of Travis Makes Friends and Travis Makes Money. With over 1,300 episodes and 15 million listens under his belt, Travis has spent more time than almost anyone on the planet deconstructing the habits and mindsets of elite performers. He shares his hard-earned perspective that greatness isn't a byproduct of raw talent, but rather a relentless willingness to sacrifice more than the average person is comfortable with. Travis challenges listeners to stop climbing the wrong mountain and instead define a version of success that aligns with their own soul rather than someone else's expectations. The conversation takes a deep and personal turn as Travis opens up about his upbringing within a fundamentalist religious bubble and the isolating process of deconstructing that identity to find his own faith and purpose. From selling solar door-to-door to building a podcast empire, Travis reveals the tactical moves he made to curate his inner circle, including the bold story of maxing out a $42k credit card to invest in high-level community. Whether you are navigating a transition in your career, struggling with the modern male friendship crisis, or looking for the courage to walk away from institutional religion, this episode provides a roadmap for building a life on your own terms. Shane and Travis also discuss Travis's star-studded upcoming project, Dinner Party, and why every man should consider the podcast format as the ultimate tool for relationship building. You're already a good man. Now become great on your own terms. No fake alpha nonsense. No paint-by-numbers 'family man' checklists. No endless trauma dumps. Get unstuck and reclaim your power in work, relationships, fatherhood, and life. End the war within. Find peace without. Learn more about The Great Men Project at https://www.greatmen.org

    55 min

  7. Apr 19

    Great Men Use Psychedelics (w/ Dr. Daniel Franz)

    On April 19th, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to speed up reviews of psychedelic drugs including ibogaine, psilocybin, and others for treating severe depression, PTSD, and addiction. Standing next to Donald Trump in the Oval Office was Joe Rogan, who told reporters he texted Trump about ibogaine and the president responded "Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let's do it." The mainstream is finally catching up to what great men have been talking about for years. In this episode of Great Men, Shane Sams sits down with Dr. Daniel Franz, a clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience, for a deep dive into the psychology, the value of therapy, of meaning and the rapidly evolving world of psychedelic assisted therapy. Built on the foundational work of Viktor Frankl and his masterpiece Man's Search for Meaning, the conversation explores why so many men feel empty even after achieving professional success. Dr. Franz explains the core principles of logotherapy and why modern prescriptive therapy often fails men by focusing on reductionist labels rather than the pursuit of purpose. Shane shares his own existential crisis from 2023 and how shifting his mindset from relentless to resilient helped him find a new sense of responsibility in his daily life. The episode transitions into a detailed look at the clinical use of ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA to facilitate breakthroughs that traditional talk therapy might take years to achieve. From Shane's personal experiences with ego death to the importance of neuroplasticity and integration, they discuss how these tools can open the heart and mind when used in the right set and setting. They also touch on how couples can use these therapeutic modalities to strengthen their relationships. This is a wide ranging conversation about how great men navigate pain, guilt, and mortality to find a life that is truly meaningful. Learn more about The Great Men Project at GreatMen.org Topidcs: sychedelic therapy, psilocybin, ketamine therapy, ibogaine, MDMA therapy, Viktor Frankl, logotherapy, Joe Rogan, Trump executive order, PTSD treatment, veterans mental health, ego death, neuroplasticity, men's mental health, psychedelic assisted therapy, depression treatment, meaning and purpose, midlife crisis, great men.

    1h 32m

  8. Apr 12

    Great Men Let Go to Level Up (with Markus Gerszi)

    In this episode of Great Men with Shane Sams, Shane sits down with Markus Gerszi — former CrossFit affiliate owner, gym business coach, and host of the Best Hour of Their Day podcast. Markus built and sold CrossFit Active Performance, voted the #1 CrossFit gym in Orange County, and has since spent over 11 years coaching more than 1,500 gym owners. Shane and Markus dive deep into the emotional and identity challenges that come with selling a business you love, the difference between the gym business and the hospitality business, and why so many passionate gym owners struggle to translate their personal discipline into business success. The conversation takes a powerful turn as Shane and Markus unpack the stories we inherit from our parents, the cultures we grow up in, and the peer resistance that comes when you choose a different path. Markus shares how he untangled limiting beliefs through story work, navigated pushback from lifelong friends, and ultimately built a life and business on his own terms. Whether you're a CrossFit gym owner, an entrepreneur, or just a man trying to figure out who he wants to be, this episode is a masterclass in self-leadership, coachability, and choosing your own identity before someone else chooses it for you. You're already a good man. Now become great on your own terms. No fake alpha nonsense. No paint-by-numbers 'family man' checklists. No endless trauma dumps. Get unstuck and reclaim your power in work, relationships, fatherhood, and life. End the war within. Find peace without. Learn more about The Great Men Project at https://www.greatmen.org

    1h 11m
See All (21)

5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Great Men is the podcast for men who are ready to stop living a 'good enough' life, and start creating a great life on their own terms. Everything up to 40 was just research and development. You built the first half for them. Now it's time to create what's next for YOU. The Great Men Podcast will help you reclaim your story, step into your authentic identity, and create YOUR vision for YOUR future. You will not walk alone. Every week I have deep conversations with great men. We discuss the topics most men never get to have but need now more than ever. Unfiltered conversations about identity, purpose, what it costs a man to build something and what it costs to walk away. About physical transformation, men's mental health, women, fatherhood, faith, doubt, career, connection, and what it actually means to be a great man in the modern world. Each week, you'll hear from amazing men who have walked through the fire in pursuit of purpose, meaning, and legacy. Men who are on the journey, doing the work, and writing their own story. Warriors, artists, fathers, husbands, builders, entrepreneurs, thinkers. No fluff. No posturing. Just raw stories, practical insights, and personal evolution. From overcoming inner battles to forging deeper relationships… From building strong bodies to reclaiming peace of mind… From legacy-defining work to rediscovering the soul… This is not a podcast about performance or becoming perfect. It's a place for good men doing the real work to create greatness in their life every day. Real conversations, practical wisdom, and battle-tested frameworks for mindset, emotional intelligence, physical health, relationships, and spiritual growth. Hosted by Shane Sams—speaker, author, entrepreneur, and founder of GreatMen.org—this show explores the tools and timeless wisdom that help good men become great in the real world. Subscribe, listen every week, leave a review, and share this with other men who are ready for more. Great Men w/ Shane Sams is a part of The Great Men Project.™ Learn more about Shane Sams, The Great Men Project and The Great Men Brotherhood at GreatMen.Org.

Information

  • Creator
    Shane Sams
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Shane Sams & GreatMen.org. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    Great Men w/ Shane Sams

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