Making A Man

Kevin & Axel

5.0 (7)
Parenting
Updated Weekly

Welcome to Making a Man, where we dive into the lessons and stories that shape young men into confident, capable individuals. Through meaningful conversations and powerful insights, they aim to inspire parents, mentors, and anyone passionate about guiding the next generation. Whether you’re raising a son, mentoring young men, or simply curious about what it takes to build strong character, this podcast is your go-to resource. Let’s go!

2d ago

Kevin & Axel: First Year Playing Football, School Fights & First Shaves

Kevin and Axel talk about Axel’s first year playing football, getting suspended for fighting at school, and learning to shave for the first time. They also discuss standing up to bullying, recovering from a bad grade, earning access to Snapchat, growing more mature, and the kind of man Axel wants to become. It is a grounded father-son conversation about responsibility, confidence, new challenges, and growing up. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming Up 00:17 - Kevin and Axel Catch Up 02:52 - What Makes America Great 05:43 - Growing Out of Childhood 07:22 - How You React Defines You 08:36 - Suspended for Fighting at School 09:55 - Learning From a Bad Grade 10:49 - Should Teenagers Have Snapchat? 14:23 - The Man Axel Wants to Become 15:02 - Goals for the Next Year 19:09 - First Year Playing Football 20:07 - Be the Hammer, Not the Nail 24:52 - Axel’s First Shave 📌 Key Topics: • First year playing football • Suspended for fighting at school • Standing up to bullying • Learning to shave for the first time • Teenagers and Snapchat • Recovering from a bad grade • Father-son conversations about growing up • Becoming more mature 🎙️ About Making a Man: On Making a Man, we have honest conversations about what it takes to grow, succeed, and become a well-balanced person. Kevin and Axel sit down with men who have done meaningful things in their lives and learn from the experience, perspective, mistakes, and wisdom they have earned along the way. We talk about discipline, confidence, responsibility, leadership, purpose, family, success, and the lessons that help young people become more capable adults. The goal is not hype or quick motivation. It is practical wisdom, real conversation, and perspective that can help the next generation grow into stronger, more grounded people. #MakingAMan #FatherSonPodcast #YouthFootball #GrowingUp #TeenLife
Jul 15

Sean Crane: TEDx Speaker & Author on Overcoming Addiction and Prison

Overcoming addiction and prison changed Sean Crane’s life. In this episode of Making a Man, Sean shares how a second chance at life came through sobriety, faith, discipline, and personal responsibility. Sean Crane is a TEDx speaker, best-selling author, fitness expert, and founder of Unstoppable 365. He talks with Kevin and Axel about growing up around addiction, facing life in prison, rebuilding his identity, and learning how to become the man he knew he could be. This conversation is about regret, redemption, discipline, fatherhood, faith, and the daily choices that can help someone turn their life around. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - A Second Chance at Life 00:20 - Meet Sean Crane 00:50 - Sean’s Background 01:57 - Growing Up Around Addiction 05:11 - The Night That Changed Everything 07:22 - Facing Life in Prison 08:20 - Turning Prison Into Growth 12:29 - Regret, Sobriety, and Faith 17:04 - The Best Advice Sean Ever Received 18:40 - Life Happens For You 21:27 - Morning Routine and Discipline 24:01 - Building a New Identity 26:24 - Success and Fatherhood 27:25 - Where to Find Sean 📌 Key Topics: - Overcoming addiction and prison - Addiction recovery - Lessons from prison - Personal responsibility - Discipline and identity - Faith and redemption - Fatherhood and success - Second chances 👤 About Sean Crane: Sean Crane is a TEDx speaker, best-selling author, fitness expert, and founder of Unstoppable 365, where he helps men and business owners improve their health, mindset, fitness, and performance. 🎙️ About Making a Man: On Making a Man, we have honest conversations about what it takes to grow, succeed, and become a well-balanced person. Kevin and Axel sit down with men who have done meaningful things in their lives and learn from the experience, perspective, mistakes, and wisdom they have earned along the way. #SeanCrane #MakingAMan #AddictionRecovery #SecondChance #PersonalGrowth
Jul 1

Kassidy Warren: Hospitality Entrepreneur on How Real Estate Creates Freedom & Life Advice for Young Men

Life advice for young men from Kassidy Warren, a hospitality entrepreneur who shares how real estate creates freedom, why mentorship matters, and what it takes to bet on yourself. In this episode of Making a Man, Kevin and Axel sit down with Kassidy Warren to talk about leaving the traditional 9–5 path, living in a van with his wife, getting started with Airbnb, building a real estate and hospitality brand, and using money as a tool to create a more intentional life. Kassidy shares what he learned from burnout, self-doubt, real estate investing, Airbnb, mentors, marriage, and the decision to stop living by someone else’s plan. This conversation is especially valuable for young men, fathers, parents, and anyone trying to build confidence, discipline, purpose, and freedom without falling into hype or shortcut thinking. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming Up 00:22 - Welcome to Making a Man 01:31 - Kassidy Warren’s Story 03:03 - How Real Estate Creates Freedom 03:54 - What Van Life Was Really Like 05:47 - Marriage, Support, and Taking Big Risks 07:06 - Getting Started With Airbnb 10:02 - Buying His First Investment Property 12:24 - Finding Markets Others Miss 13:40 - The Truth About Airbnb Design 16:59 - The Mentors Who Changed His Life 19:03 - Five Daily Habits That Built Discipline 22:11 - What Are You Pretending Not to Know? 25:34 - Investing in Mentorship 29:17 - Spending $35K and Owning a Hotel Six Weeks Later 30:01 - How to Connect With Kassidy 31:01 - Closing Thoughts 📌 Key Topics: • Life advice for young men • How real estate creates freedom • Leaving the 9–5 path • Van life and betting on yourself • Getting started with Airbnb investing • Hospitality entrepreneurship • Building wealth through real estate • Marriage, support, and taking big risks • Why mentorship changes everything • Daily habits, discipline, and personal growth • Finding markets others miss • Creating a life with purpose 👤 About Kassidy Warren: Kassidy Warren is a hospitality entrepreneur, real estate investor, coach, speaker, and podcast host. After leaving the traditional corporate path, he built a real estate and hospitality brand and now helps others think differently about freedom, business, and personal growth. Connect with Kassidy: Instagram: @KassidyWarren Podcast: For Your Own Good on Spotify and YouTube 🎙️ About Making a Man: On Making a Man, we have honest conversations about what it takes to grow, succeed, and become a well-balanced person. Kevin and Axel sit down with men who have done meaningful things in their lives and learn from the experience, perspective, mistakes, and wisdom they have earned along the way. We talk about discipline, confidence, responsibility, leadership, purpose, family, success, and the lessons that help young people become more capable adults. The goal is not hype or quick motivation. It is practical wisdom, real conversation, and perspective that can help the next generation grow into stronger, more grounded people. #MakingAMan #LifeAdviceForYoungMen #KassidyWarren #RealEstateFreedom #HospitalityEntrepreneur #AirbnbInvesting
Jun 17

Scott McKain: What Makes a Hall of Fame Public Speaker? Secrets of Confident Speakers

Discover what separates an average speaker from a Hall of Fame Public Speaker. In this episode, Scott McKain breaks down the mindset, confidence, and practice routines that elite speakers use to captivate any audience. We explore how to speak with confidence, the habits that build mastery, and the principles behind standing out as a great communicator. Whether you’re looking to improve your public speaking skills or understand the secrets of confident speakers, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. Timestamps / Chapters: 00:20 – Becoming Scott McKain – Sets the stage and introduces Scott to viewers. 03:15 – Early Inspiration – Explores formative influences that shaped his career. 07:05 – Finding a Mentor – Introduces mentors and formative experiences that built his speaking skills. 10:45 – Identity & Distinction – Explains the key philosophy behind standing out and delivering unique value. 12:36 – Becoming a Great Speaker – Practical insights into building public speaking skills through reps and daily practice. 18:23 – Daily Growth Mindset – Scott shares habits, mindset, and continual improvement strategies. 20:51 – Traits of Top Performers – Identifies traits young men can emulate to achieve excellence. 23:25 – Leadership Principles – Leadership and service-oriented mindset explored. 26:31 – Service vs Ego in Leadership – Final reflections on legacy, service, and leadership, transitioning to episode outro. Key Topics / Keywords: Hall of Fame Public Speaker Public speaking confidence Speaking practice and reps Mindset for elite speakers Leadership through communication Audience engagement strategies Personal growth for young men About the Guest: Scott McKain is a Hall of Fame public speaker, business thought leader, and author known for his expertise in communication, leadership, and customer experience. Over his career, he has spoken to organizations around the world, helping executives and professionals understand how to create distinction in both personal and professional contexts. In this conversation, Scott shares the principles that shaped his journey as a speaker, including the importance of deliberate practice, “putting in the reps,” and continuously refining communication skills over time. He also breaks down how great speakers develop confidence, not through shortcuts, but through repetition, preparation, and real-world experience. Beyond speaking mechanics, Scott emphasizes leadership as a service-oriented practice — focusing on how great leaders create more leaders, elevate the people around them, and build long-term impact through humility and consistency. His perspective blends practical communication advice with deeper lessons on discipline, identity, and legacy. About Making a Man: On Making a Man, we have honest conversations about what it takes to grow, succeed, and become a well-balanced person. Kevin and Axel sit down with men who have done meaningful things in their lives and learn from the experience, perspective, mistakes, and wisdom they have earned along the way. We talk about discipline, confidence, responsibility, leadership, purpose, family, success, and the lessons that help young people become more capable adults. The goal is practical wisdom, real conversation, and perspective that can help the next generation grow into stronger, more grounded people. Subscribe for more!
Jun 3

Todd Sylvester: Addiction Recovery Coach on Self-Belief and Purpose

Addiction recovery coach Todd Sylvester joins Making a Man to talk about addiction, identity, self-belief, discipline, and how young people can take control of their lives. Todd shares how taking a drink at 11 years old led him down a destructive path, cost him a basketball scholarship, and eventually became the foundation for his life’s work helping people struggling with addiction, anxiety, depression, lack of self-esteem, and lack of purpose. This conversation gives practical life advice for young men, parents, and teens who want to build stronger self-belief, avoid destructive choices, and understand why identity matters before real change can happen. Todd Sylvester is an addiction recovery and personal development coach who has been clean and sober for 36 years and works with teenagers, parents, and adults through coaching, speaking, and his podcast. On Making a Man, we have honest conversations about what it takes to grow, succeed, and become a well-balanced person. Kevin and Axel sit down with men who have done meaningful things in their lives and learn from the experience, perspective, mistakes, and wisdom they have earned along the way. Timestamps 0:00 - Introduction 0:36 - Todd’s Story 3:27 - How Teens Can Avoid Addiction 5:31 - Replacing Limiting Beliefs 7:54 - The Impact of Optimism 10:04 - How to Take Control of Your Life 12:04 - How Do I Know If I'm an Addict? 15:31 - Shaping Future Generations 17:01 - Creating Positive Habits 19:11 - Creating Daily Rituals 20:55 - Closing Thoughts Key Topics - Addiction recovery coach - Todd Sylvester addiction recovery - Mental fitness for teens - Life advice for young men - Self-belief and identity - Addiction prevention - Morning routine for success - Personal development for teens About Making a Man On Making a Man, we have honest conversations about what it takes to grow, succeed, and become a well-balanced person. Kevin and Axel sit down with men who have done meaningful things in their lives and learn from the experience, perspective, mistakes, and wisdom they have earned along the way. We talk about discipline, confidence, responsibility, leadership, purpose, family, success, and the lessons that help young people become more capable adults. The goal is not hype or quick motivation. It is practical wisdom, real conversation, and perspective that can help the next generation grow into stronger, more grounded people. Subscribe for more in depth conversations like this one!
May 20

2.1 Kevin & Axel: Confidence Through Identity, Emotions as a Guy, and the Fishing Trip Disaster

In the first episode of Season 2, Kevin and Axel talk about confidence, validation, emotions, goals, and the pressure young guys feel to figure themselves out early. What starts with fishing trip stories, golf, and losing phones turns into a real conversation about identity, self-worth, and becoming a man. Full Episode Description Season 2 opens with Kevin and Axel catching up after the break and talking through some of the stuff most fathers and sons never really say out loud. They get into confidence, insecurity, emotions, self-worth, and the pressure a lot of young guys feel to already have life figured out. Along the way, they tell stories about disastrous fishing trips, losing phones in ponds, golf tournaments, favorite movies, and why confidence usually has a lot more to do with identity than people think. One of the biggest conversations in the episode centers around validation — why so many people look to other people for approval before they ever learn to be proud of themselves first. They also talk about emotional honesty, masculinity, learning how to communicate, and why being confident doesn’t always mean being loud. The conversation shifts naturally between funny and serious without forcing either one — which is what makes the episode feel real. This episode is for dads raising boys, teenagers trying to build confidence, and honestly anyone still figuring themselves out a little bit. Timestamps 0:01: Introduction to Season 2. 0:26: Excitement about the new season and lineup. 1:04: Discussion about braces and retainers. 2:06: Funny story about wearing the wrong underwear. 3:28: Recap of a fishing trip and mishaps. 4:26: Losing a phone in the pond and learning poker. 6:14: Goals for 2026 and personal growth. 7:09: Desire to learn new skills like backflipping. 8:12: Family updates and reflections on past year. 9:37: Discussion on natural gifts and confidence. 11:25: Favorite movies and TV shows. 13:13: Enjoyment of romantic comedies and reality TV. 14:31: Staying motivated and expressing emotions. 15:38: Importance of identity in achieving goals. 16:27: Upcoming interviews and plans for Season 2. 17:17: Closing remarks and reflections. About the Podcast Making A Man is a father-son podcast about confidence, discipline, masculinity, identity, emotions, and growing into the kind of man you actually respect. Through real conversations, stories, and lessons learned the hard way, Kevin and Axel talk through the stuff most people avoid — without pretending to have everything figured out.
12/16/2025

Episode 31. Raise Your Game: Communication Strategies That Actually Work

In this episode of Making a Man, communication coach Don Weber shares his journey from government operations to coaching CEOs. Discover insights on leadership, empathy, youth communication challenges, and the power of long-term thinking. A must-listen for aspiring leaders and young men seeking personal growth.
12/16/2025

Episode 30. The Mindset That Builds Champions with Kris Gethin

In this episode of Making a Man, fitness icon Kris Gethin shares his journey from motocross racer to global transformation coach. Discover expert tips on bodyweight training, discipline, clean eating, and why accountability is the key to lasting change. A must-listen for anyone serious about fitness, mindset, and self-improvement.

5

out of 5

7 Ratings

Welcome to Making a Man, where we dive into the lessons and stories that shape young men into confident, capable individuals. Through meaningful conversations and powerful insights, they aim to inspire parents, mentors, and anyone passionate about guiding the next generation. Whether you’re raising a son, mentoring young men, or simply curious about what it takes to build strong character, this podcast is your go-to resource. Let’s go!

Creator

Kevin & Axel
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

37
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Making A Man
Show Website

Making A Man