The ManKind Podcast

ManKind Project USA
  • 4.9 (125)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The ManKind Podcast is a space where modern masculinity gets redefined by real men doing real work. In a world full of outdated blueprints and noisy stereotypes, hosts Brandon Clift and Boysen Hodgson unpack what it means to be a man today with humor, honesty, and heart. This isn’t about telling you WHO to be. It’s about helping you pick up the pen and write your own story of manhood. Whether we’re breaking down leadership blind spots, sharing the messiness of personal growth, or talking to mission-driven authors and change-makers, this show offers tools, stories, and soulful conversations to help you show up as the man you're destined to become! If you’re ready to stop performing and start becoming, tune in. We’re here for the messy, meaningful, and often hilarious journey of becoming the kind of man and human you actually want to be. Created by the ManKind Project USA. Hosted by Brandon Clift & Boysen Hodgson.

  1. 250 - Stop Using Logic to Design Your Life — It's Keeping You Stuck with Gregory Russell Benedikt

    APR 16

    250 - Stop Using Logic to Design Your Life — It's Keeping You Stuck with Gregory Russell Benedikt

    Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). Most men spend years gathering the right information, waiting for the perfect moment, and convincing themselves the stakes are too high to act. Gregory Russell Benedikt ran a different experiment — 100 consecutive days of deliberately seeking rejection from strangers. What the data showed is almost impossible to believe: out of 100 attempts, only one interaction went genuinely negative. The rest? Laughter, connection, viral moments, and a relationship with the woman he'd spend the next three years with. This episode is a direct challenge to the logic-first framework most high-achieving men have been operating from their entire adult lives. Gregory and Brandon break down why the no you're afraid of is almost never about you, why the real cost of inaction is staying exactly where you are, and how 'courageous connection' is the actual mechanism behind every bold outcome Gregory has experienced — from co-founding a nonprofit with a stranger he met online to walking across a crowded restaurant to introduce himself to a woman sitting with another man. They also dig into Ikigai, the Japanese framework for life purpose built on four intersections — what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for — and why community, not coaching or therapy alone, may be the most underrated accelerant available to men right now. If you've been sitting on a gift, a business idea, a conversation you haven't started, or a life that doesn't quite fit — this episode is your signal to stop collecting information and start implementing your flawed plan. Subscribe to the ManKind Podcast so you never miss a conversation built for men ready to lead with something real. --- ABOUT GREGORY RUSSELL BENEDIKT Gregory Russell Benedikt is a life and executive coach, TEDx speaker, and retreat facilitator whose talk on bold action has surpassed 600,000 views. He left a career in private equity to co-found a nonprofit and eventually build a coaching practice centered on helping high-achievers break out of logic-driven lives and into purpose-driven ones. He recently led his first retreat in Sedona, a vision he'd held for over six years. CONNECT WITH GREGORY RUSSELL BENEDIKT • Website • TEDx Talk • Gregory's Newsletter BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

    46 min
  2. 249 - How to Stop Listening to the World and Find Your Inner Voice with Geoff Laughton & Mark Johnson

    APR 10

    249 - How to Stop Listening to the World and Find Your Inner Voice with Geoff Laughton & Mark Johnson

    Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). In this episode, Boysen sits down with Geoff Laughton and Mark Johnson of The Undaunted Man to explore a radically different approach to men’s work—one that rejects external definitions of masculinity and instead helps men develop a deep connection to their own inner guidance. Drawing from decades of experience, Geoff and Mark share how their work supports men in becoming internally governed—grounded, self-aware, and capable of making aligned decisions without relying on societal scripts. They discuss:  Why most definitions of masculinity fall short  The danger of outsourcing your identity  What “pro-human, pro-social masculinity” really means  How men rediscover purpose, voice, and direction  The role of discomfort and stillness in personal transformation The conversation also dives into their powerful Silent Summit experience—a multi-day wilderness immersion where men unplug from all distractions and learn to truly listen to themselves. Whether you’re navigating relationships, questioning your path, or simply feeling like something’s missing, this episode offers a grounded and deeply human invitation back to yourself. Find the Undaunted Man - https://theundauntedman.com/ BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

    54 min
  3. 248 - Why You Can’t Think Your Way Out of Problems with Charles Eigen

    APR 1

    248 - Why You Can’t Think Your Way Out of Problems with Charles Eigen

    Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). What if thinking isn’t always your greatest asset? In this episode, Boysen sits down with psychotherapist, meditation teacher, and author Charles Eigen to explore the surprising ways our thinking can become a barrier to clarity, connection, and peace. Drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Zen practice, and decades of therapeutic work, Chuck shares how most of us are conditioned to live in our heads—often at the cost of our emotional awareness and embodied experience. Together, they unpack:  The difference between thinking and thoughts Why anxiety lives in the future—and how to come back to the present  How “parts” of ourselves can hijack our reactions  The role of awareness as the deeper ground of who we are  Practical tools to shift from reactivity to presence  How to bring mindfulness into conflict and communication This conversation offers a grounded, compassionate approach to personal growth—one that doesn’t try to eliminate thoughts, but instead helps us relate to them differently. Whether you’re new to this work or deep on the path, this episode invites you to step out of your head… and into a fuller experience of being alive. 📘 Chuck’s book: When Thinking Is a Problem Find Charles on LinkedIn BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

    46 min
  4. 247 - Building a New Frontier of Men’s Work; the BIG TENT SUMMIT

    MAR 24

    247 - Building a New Frontier of Men’s Work; the BIG TENT SUMMIT

    Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). This episode brings together Chris Kyle, George Kansas, and Tim Wade—co-founders of the Big Tent Summit—for a grounded and expansive conversation about the evolving landscape of men’s work. Drawing on over a century of combined experience, they explore the shift from early mythopoetic men’s work to today’s diverse and rapidly expanding ecosystem of support for men. The conversation highlights a growing cultural openness: more men investing in personal development, therapy, and emotional growth—and more pathways than ever to do that work. At the heart of the episode is the Big Tent Summit itself—a gathering designed not to resolve differences, but to hold them. The group discusses the intentional inclusion of diverse voices, the friction that naturally arises when perspectives collide, and why that tension is actually a sign of progress. They also introduce the Big Tent Collective, an ongoing community fostering collaboration, resource sharing, and real-world impact between summits. This episode is an invitation into a larger conversation—one that challenges rigid definitions of masculinity and opens the door to something more inclusive, more integrated, and more human. Check it out! https://www.bigtentsummit.com/ BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

    54 min
  5. 246 - The Mental Shifts That Could Change Your Life with Juan Carlos

    MAR 17

    246 - The Mental Shifts That Could Change Your Life with Juan Carlos

    Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). Clear minds lead purposeful lives. In this episode, Brandon Clift sits down with Juan Carlos, a storyteller, product builder, and creator of the Re:Mind mental models system, a framework designed to help people think more clearly and navigate complex decisions. Juan’s career spans filmmaking, technology, and product innovation. Through those experiences he discovered something powerful. Most people struggle not because they lack intelligence.  They struggle because they lack frameworks for thinking. This conversation explores how mental models can transform the way we see the world. Together Brandon and Juan explore: • Why mental models are essential tools for decision making  • How stories shape perception and belief  • The danger of operating without clear frameworks  • How leaders can simplify complex challenges  • Why clarity often leads directly to purpose  • How better thinking leads to better living Juan shares the inspiration behind the Re:Mind system, which combines physical tools and digital frameworks designed to help individuals and teams develop clearer thinking habits. If you have ever felt overwhelmed by complexity or stuck in decision loops, this episode will give you practical tools to see the world differently. Better thinking creates better choices.  Better choices create better lives. Juan Carlos Website https://www.remind.coach Brandon Clift https://brandonclift.com BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

    57 min
  6. 245 - How To Become Tough Enough To Handle Life's Hardest Hits with Trey Tucker

    MAR 10

    245 - How To Become Tough Enough To Handle Life's Hardest Hits with Trey Tucker

    Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). What if the version of strength most men were handed is quietly breaking them? In this deep and honest conversation, Brandon Clift interviews Trey Tucker, founder of Rugged Counseling and author of Tough Enough, a book written specifically for men in their twenties who feel stuck, drifting, or disconnected. Trey opens up about the sudden death of his father and how he navigated grief without shutting down emotionally. He shares the unconventional approach he used to process loss and how it shaped his model of therapy today. Together, they explore: • Why many men struggle with grief  • The biological differences in how men and women process stress  • Why traditional therapy can leave men stuck in awareness without action  • The rise of red pill culture and why it initially feels empowering  • Why Gen Z men are increasingly unmotivated at work  • The dangerous trend of “playing it safe”  • The need for mentorship and modern rites of passage  • Why men need vision, accountability, and action  • The difference between repression and strength Trey argues that masculinity itself is not the problem. Misguided expression is. Instead of eliminating grit, dominance, or ambition, he calls men to integrate emotional awareness with decisive action. This episode is for: Men in their twenties who feel directionlessFathers raising sons in a confusing cultural momentLeaders managing disengaged young menAnyone wondering if therapy could be more effective for menStrength is not the absence of emotion.  It’s the ability to face it without flinching. Rugged Counseling (Trey Tucker’s practice) https://www.ruggedcounseling.com/ Instagram The main Instagram account associated with him and his work is:  https://www.instagram.com/ruggedcounseling/ Tough Enough Book: https://a.co/d/0erVME7U BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

    55 min
  7. 244 - The ManKind Podcast Turns FIVE! What 5 Years of Talking About Manhood Has Taught Us

    MAR 3

    244 - The ManKind Podcast Turns FIVE! What 5 Years of Talking About Manhood Has Taught Us

    Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). Five years. 250 episodes. Nearly 250,000 downloads. In this milestone episode, Brandon and Boysen reflect on what they’ve learned about masculinity, fatherhood, therapy, connection, and the evolving conversation around modern manhood. They talk about: Why connection is still the antidoteWhether therapy is serving men effectivelyWhat changed in their own livesWhere the podcast is headed nextAnd they invite you into the next chapter. Contact Brandon: https://brandonclift.com MKP Communications: communications@mkpusa.org BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

    30 min
  8. 243 - How Men’s Groups Can Transform Men & Reduce Violence

    FEB 27

    243 - How Men’s Groups Can Transform Men & Reduce Violence

    Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). Can changing how men relate to one another reduce gender-based violence? In this powerful international conversation, Boysen sits down with South African researchers Nicola Lazenby and Thaakirah Dollie, who conducted an in-depth qualitative study exploring how men’s relationships with other men influence their understanding of masculinity and mental health. Set against the backdrop of South Africa’s gender-based violence crisis—where femicide rates are among the highest in the world—their research examines two distinct patterns of male bonding: 🔹 Hierarchical Homosociality Competition and dominanceEmotional suppressionAvoidance of vulnerabilityAggression and status-seekingThis pattern reinforces rigid masculinity and is linked to diminished mental health and relational harm. 🔹 Horizontal Homosociality Collaboration and mutual accountabilityEmotional intimacy and safetyShared agreements and trustAuthentic vulnerabilityThis model—found in structured men’s groups like those in the ManKind Project—was associated with increased well-being, deeper connection, and healthier expressions of masculinity. The conversation also explores: Early socialization of boys through fathers and peer groupsThe systemic legacy of violence in South AfricaWhy compassion and accountability must coexistFatherhood as a turning point for many menWhat it means to create healing cultural changeThis episode is both sobering and hopeful. It reminds us that while masculinity is socially constructed, it is not fixed. And that how men gather matters. BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #Ad Support the show

    55 min
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
125 Ratings

About

The ManKind Podcast is a space where modern masculinity gets redefined by real men doing real work. In a world full of outdated blueprints and noisy stereotypes, hosts Brandon Clift and Boysen Hodgson unpack what it means to be a man today with humor, honesty, and heart. This isn’t about telling you WHO to be. It’s about helping you pick up the pen and write your own story of manhood. Whether we’re breaking down leadership blind spots, sharing the messiness of personal growth, or talking to mission-driven authors and change-makers, this show offers tools, stories, and soulful conversations to help you show up as the man you're destined to become! If you’re ready to stop performing and start becoming, tune in. We’re here for the messy, meaningful, and often hilarious journey of becoming the kind of man and human you actually want to be. Created by the ManKind Project USA. Hosted by Brandon Clift & Boysen Hodgson.

Information

  • Creator
    ManKind Project USA
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    253
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The ManKind Podcast
  • Show Website
    The ManKind Podcast

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