MidMen

Paul Shirey, Sean Coyle

An unfiltered podcast where two lifelong friends in the entertainment industry discuss childhood, fatherhood, work, fitness, spirituality, movies, art, music, and all the other things that come with navigating mid-life in the modern era.

  1. Jun 15

    What Happened to Our Social Lives?

    Remember when every weekend felt like an adventure? In this episode of MidMen, Paul and Sean take a hard look at how social life changes as men move from their twenties into middle age. From bars, parties, concerts, and spontaneous road trips to BBQs, home projects, fitness routines, and family obligations, we explore what we’ve gained, what we’ve lost, and whether life is actually more fulfilling now than it was back then. Joining us is special guest Evan Cudworth, a professional party coach, who helps us unpack how socializing, celebration, and nightlife evolve as we age—and why partying at 45 looks very different than it did at 25. We also tackle the growing friendship problem facing men today: why making and maintaining friendships becomes harder, the reality of loneliness and isolation, and what meaningful connection looks like in midlife. Plus, we discuss what “fun” means now, whether we’re happier than we used to be, and what kind of social lives we hope to have in the decades ahead. And of course, we wrap things up with a massive edition of FUN OR NONE, where we rapid-fire our way through everything from Vegas, karaoke, cruises, and casinos to gardening, movie theaters, YouTube binges, and going to bed early. Growing older doesn’t mean life gets less interesting—it just means the definition of a good time changes. Welcome to MidMen. Evan Cudworth: https://partycoach.me/

    1h 55m

  2. Jun 8

    Heroes

    Who was your very first hero? In this episode of MidMen, Paul and Sean take a deep dive into the idea of heroism and how our definition of a hero changes as we move through life. From childhood icons like He-Man, Batman, Luke Skywalker, Rambo, and the Ninja Turtles, to the celebrities, athletes, antiheroes, and larger-than-life personalities we admired as teenagers, the guys explore why certain figures captured our imagination—and what those choices revealed about who we wanted to become. But what happens when you get older? Do heroes become quieter? More ordinary? Are the real heroes fathers, mothers, teachers, veterans, survivors, and everyday people who simply show up when it matters? Is discipline heroic? Is sacrifice? Is consistency? The conversation also turns toward patriotism, national identity, military service, gratitude, and what it really means to love your country without pretending it’s perfect. Plus, the guys play a brand-new game: HERO OR ZERO? Batman. Wolverine. John Wick. Captain America. Elon Musk. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Keanu Reeves. Dolly Parton. David Goggins. The Costco Sample Lady. The guy who returns shopping carts. Nobody is safe. Along the way, they tackle some bigger questions: Do heroes save people or inspire people?Is being dependable more important than being impressive?Do we secretly want to be seen as heroes ourselves?And can older men still be cool… or are we all destined to become chopped uncs?Funny, thoughtful, nostalgic, and occasionally surprisingly deep, this is one of MidMen’s most personal conversations yet. Topics Include: Childhood heroes and role modelsAction movies, comics, and pop cultureHero worship and antiheroesPatriotism and national identityMilitary service and sacrificeParenting and setting an exampleHERO OR ZEROGrowing older and redefining what mattersBecause sometimes the heroes we admire tell us exactly who we’re trying to become.

    1h 38m

  3. Jun 1

    Learning To Do Hard Things & The Evolution of Cool

    What actually makes someone “cool” as we get older… and why do so many people avoid doing hard things that would genuinely improve their lives? In this episode of MidMen, Paul and Sean dive into one of the biggest modern traps: choosing comfort over growth. From DIY disasters, fitness struggles, and car repairs to learning new skills, parenting, and discipline, the guys talk about why people avoid difficult things, why competence builds confidence, and when it’s smarter to call a professional before accidentally destroying your house. Then the conversation shifts into something surprisingly personal: the evolution of “cool.” What did being cool mean in our 20s? Did we think we were cool? What did we imagine adulthood would look like—and did reality match the vision? The guys unpack how flashy confidence, partying, approval, and status slowly transform into discipline, calmness, competence, health, authenticity, and not needing validation from everyone around you. They also ask the important question:Can older men still be cool… or do we all eventually become “chopped Uncs”? The episode wraps with a hilarious round of “First or Worst,” featuring stories about terrible fashion phases, financial mistakes, DIY catastrophes, awkward moments, aging realizations, and the many ways adulthood humbles all of us. It’s funny, reflective, honest, and one of the most relatable MidMen episodes yet.

    2h 25m

  4. May 25

    Talking to Strangers and UFO Disclosure - Are we ready?

    In this episode of MidMen, Paul and Sean start with one of the most unexpectedly life-changing adult upgrades imaginable: the bidet. Sean gives his official review after Paul’s recommendation, leading to a conversation about the weird things we mocked for years before finally admitting they were incredible. From there, the guys dive into a surprisingly deep discussion about conversation itself—how to start one, why some people seem approachable while others radiate “don’t talk to me” energy, and whether younger generations are losing the ability to communicate in person altogether. Why does talking to strangers get easier with age? Have dads evolved into random Home Depot philosophers? Is small talk meaningless… or one of the last truly human experiences left in an increasingly digital world? Then the episode pivots into the big one: UFO disclosure. With government files, hearings, and discussions around non-human intelligence becoming harder to ignore, Paul and Sean ask the real question: if definitive proof arrived tomorrow, would it actually change our lives? Would people panic—or just keep scrolling TikTok? Would it affect religion, meaning, or purpose? Could governments even be trusted anymore? And in a world overloaded with information, conspiracy, AI, and nonstop content… would “proof” even feel real? It’s funny, existential, reflective, weirdly grounded, and classic MidMen.

    2h 19m

  5. May 19

    What Happens Next? The Future of Everything

    What does the future actually look like—and are we ready for it? In this episode of MidMen, Paul and Sean dive deep into the rapidly changing world around us, from AI-generated entertainment and synthetic actors to automation, robotics, social media, attention spans, and what future generations may gain—or lose—as technology continues to evolve. Will people still read books in 20 years? Will driving become obsolete? Is AI a creative tool, a replacement, or something far bigger? And when everything becomes easier and more automated, what remains uniquely human? The guys also get personal during “Curveballs,” sharing unexpected moments that changed the course of their lives, followed by an Accountability Check-In on health goals, creative projects, and whether they’re actually doing the things they say they want to do. Finally, the episode closes with a round of “Do You Believe In…?” covering aliens, ghosts, simulation theory, fate, ancient civilizations, and more! It’s reflective, funny, existential, and classic MidMen.

    2h 26m

  6. May 11

    Then vs. Now: What the Hell Happened to Us?

    This week on MidMen, the guys dive headfirst into the battle between THEN vs NOW — the music, movies, food, hobbies, social lives, and habits that shaped who we were… and who we’ve become. From things we used to love but can’t stand anymore to the unexpected stuff we’ve grown to appreciate with age, the conversation gets nostalgic, honest, hilarious, and just a little existential. The episode also features: “What Made You Feel Old This Week?”Tech confusion, injuries, social media insanity, and a fresh Gen X Moment of the WeekA hypothetical life reset: If you were 21 again and had to choose a completely different career path, what would you do?A rapid-fire THEN/NOW showdown featuring VHS vs Streaming, Arcades vs Online Gaming, Blockbuster vs Netflix, and moreIs growing older about wisdom and evolution… or are we all just becoming safer, grumpier versions of ourselves? Grab a drink, settle in, and join the MidMen for a funny, reflective, and brutally relatable conversation about time, change, nostalgia, and figuring out who the hell you are now.

    2h 23m

  7. May 4

    Oldies but Goodies, How To Teach Your Kids To Be Safe, and What We'd Do If We Could Go Back In Time

    Some things age like fine wine… others should’ve stayed in the past. In this episode of MidMen, Paul and Sean dive into the movies, comics, and moments that shaped them, revisiting old favorites to see what still holds up—and what doesn’t. From classic comedies to John Woo action flicks, it’s a mix of nostalgia, reality checks, and a few surprises along the way. But it’s not just about looking back. The guys also get into the deeper side of growing up and raising kids—how to balance keeping them safe while still letting them explore, fail, and figure things out on their own. When do you step in? When do you let go? It’s a conversation every parent wrestles with. And in the final segment, The Time Jump, they pose the ultimate question: If you had 24 hours in a different era of your life, what would you do? Relive the good times… or try to change your future? Insightful, relatable, and always a little unfiltered—this is MidMen.

    2h 10m

  8. Apr 27

    The Games That Built Us (And The Ones We’re Still Playing)

    We all grew up playing games. But what if those games never really stopped? In this episode of MidMen, we go from playground nostalgia to the deeper truth behind the games that shaped us—and the ones we’re still playing today. We kick things off with the classics—the board games, card games, and playground battles that defined our childhood. Then we dig deeper: who were you back then? The competitor? The rule-breaker? The leader? And how much of that still shows up in your life today? From there, we move into the chaos of young adulthood—drinking games, party games, and the unspoken social dynamics behind them. Because those weren’t just games… they were training grounds for risk, status, and connection. As dads, the game changes again. We talk about what our kids are playing now, what’s been lost (and gained), and why when your kid asks you to play—it’s not really about the game at all. We wrap with summer goals, the idea of life as a scoreboard, and a rapid-fire “Choose Your Game” showdown where we settle some all-time classics. Because whether you realize it or not…you never stopped playing.

    2h 16m
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5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

An unfiltered podcast where two lifelong friends in the entertainment industry discuss childhood, fatherhood, work, fitness, spirituality, movies, art, music, and all the other things that come with navigating mid-life in the modern era.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Shirey, Sean Coyle
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Paul Shirey, Sean Coyle
  • Show Website
    MidMen