Modern Masculinity

Hector Santiesteban
  • 4.9 (14)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED DAILY

"Modern Masculinity" is a podcast that explores the real-life challenges that men face today. Whether it's balancing work and family, figuring out how to be a good husband or father, or just trying to make sense of the world - this show is for guys looking for practical, down-to-earth advice and guidance. The podcast discusses the struggles and triumphs of modern manhood and features interviews with men (and women) who can share their methods and mindsets to maneuver the world as a modern man.

  1. The 4 Non-Negotiables Every Man Needs to Master with Donovan Owens

    6D AGO

    The 4 Non-Negotiables Every Man Needs to Master with Donovan Owens

    Hector sits down with Donovan Owens, founder of the Life is REPS community, for a tactical deep-dive into what it truly means to master modern masculinity. Donovan shares his raw journey from rebellious teenager to sitting on the edge of his bed with a pistol, contemplating suicide—and the spiritual moment that changed everything. They explore Donovan's REPS Operating System (Repetitive Excellence Produces Success), breaking down practical tools like the Mastery Morning routine, the four power pillars (adventure, worthwhile work, real relationships, and strong self), and why excellence requires both presence and resourcefulness. This isn't philosophical fluff—it's actionable wisdom on creating systems that prevent you from falling prey to society's strategic traps of convenience, comfort, and unhealthy dopamine. Donovan challenges men to define success on their own terms, communicate consciously with those around them, and recognize that mastery isn't a destination but a daily commitment. Whether you're battling defaults, seeking clarity, or ready to tap into the deepest version of yourself, this conversation delivers the framework to become the man that matters—to yourself first, then to your world. Chapters:(00:00:00) - Welcome and Introduction to Donovan Owens (00:01:15) - The Journey: From Rebellious Teen to Rock Bottom (00:06:42) - The Moment That Changed Everything: Gratitude and Survival (00:10:28) - Daily Battles: Ego, Humility, and Incomplete Manhood (00:14:35) - The Mastery Morning: Your Three Essential Wins (00:22:18) - Building the REPS Operating System (00:31:47) - Excellence vs. Perfection: Quality Over Quantity (00:38:25) - Society's Strategic System of Traps (00:42:15) - Liminal Thinking: Examining Your Belief Bubbles (00:47:20) - Defining Modern Masculinity: Being the Man That Matters Links and Resources:Life is REPS Website: https://lifeisreps.com/Life is REPS Newsletter: https://lifeisreps.com/newsletterLife is REPS YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lifeisrepsHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

    44 min
  2. Why Moving 800 Miles Didn't Fix His Life Crisis with Jake Kennington

    JAN 23

    Why Moving 800 Miles Didn't Fix His Life Crisis with Jake Kennington

    Jake Kennington is a structural engineer, children's book author, and founder of Actively Human who discovered that achieving his career goals left him feeling more lost than ever. After moving his family 800 miles for what he thought was his dream job, Jake realized his priorities had fundamentally changed—but he was still living a previous version of his life. In this conversation, Jake shares his framework for redefining success (REDAC: Redefine, Realign, Reconnect), why working on yourself isn't selfish when you have a family, and how a simple morning routine transformed his marriage. He opens up about the uncomfortable moment when he saw his own bad behavior mirrored in his son, why creating something and sharing it is the key to human connection, and what 15 years of fatherhood has taught him about growing up alongside your kids. This episode is for any man who feels like he's checking all the boxes externally but struggling internally, wondering if there's more to masculinity than just providing and performing. Chapters: (00:00:00) - The Moment Everything Changed: When His Son Mirrored His Worst Behavior(00:01:00) - Jake's Current Challenges: Balancing Fatherhood, Engineering, and Entrepreneurship(00:04:00) - The Children's Book: Writing Life Lessons for His Unborn Son(00:07:00) - Growing Up Alongside Your Kids(00:10:00) - When Your Kid Mirrors Your Worst Behavior(00:13:00) - The 800-Mile Move That Didn't Fix Everything(00:16:00) - Redefining Success: The REDAC Framework(00:19:00) - Why Your Definition of Success Must Evolve(00:22:00) - The Morning Routine That Saved His Marriage(00:24:00) - Why Working on Yourself Isn't Selfish(00:27:00) - What 40 Roommates Taught About Human Connection(00:30:00) - The Simple Recipe for Human Connection(00:33:00) - Modern Masculinity: Becoming a Man of Value Links And Resources: WebsiteJake Kennington on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/modern-masculinity/id1689094518"...

    34 min
  3. Why Men Need Brotherhood (Not Just Self-Help) with Marc Azoulay

    JAN 16

    Why Men Need Brotherhood (Not Just Self-Help) with Marc Azoulay

    Marc Azoulay, founder of Men's Therapy Online, breaks down why traditional therapy often misses the mark for men and what actually works. Marc shares his journey from impatient entrepreneur to new father, exploring how men can harness their drive without burning out. We dive deep into the millennial man's dilemma—raised to reject toxic masculinity but ending up overly feminized and lacking direction. Marc explains why community and men's groups are essential, how to master the art of knowing when to "pull your sword," and why the modern man must learn to navigate his inner world with the same skill he applies to external challenges. This episode is a blueprint for men seeking to integrate strength with emotional intelligence, responsibility with vulnerability, and power with purpose. Chapters: (00:00:00) - Meaning comes from responsibility and commitment(00:02:43) - The cardinal sin of impatience and becoming a new father(00:06:15) - Men and women are different but equal(00:09:30) - The invisible preventative work men do(00:13:42) - Inner demons: You can't outwork them, you have to face them(00:18:35) - The millennial man's identity crisis: Not our fathers, but who are we?(00:23:12) - Why having children forces you to become a man(00:28:45) - Responsibility isn't a burden—it's a gift that gives life meaning(00:35:17) - Vulnerability as a superpower: The soil doesn't lie(00:40:28) - Stoicism misunderstood: It's not suppression, it's seeing reality as it is(00:46:52) - When to pull your sword: Mastering the proper use of force(00:51:33) - Focus on your biggest weakness, not your strengths Links And Resources: Website: https://menstherapy.online/Marc Azoulay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcmazoulay/Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-santiesteban-64326340/Hector Santiesteban on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hector_podcast?lang=en Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

    56 min
  4. The Fitness Coach Who Gets Why You Keep Failing with Matt Myers

    JAN 2

    The Fitness Coach Who Gets Why You Keep Failing with Matt Myers

    Hector sits down with Matt Myers of Nerd Fitness for what turns into an impromptu coaching session about the real challenges of staying fit as a busy dad and business owner. Matt breaks down why the fitness industry's "just be disciplined" approach fails most people, revealing that success isn't about motivation—it's about clarity, support, and learning to adjust your approach as life changes. They explore the dad bod phenomenon, food noise and GLP-1s, the myth that one fitness modality works for everyone, and why being "fitness agnostic" might be the key to long-term success. Matt shares practical strategies for working out when you only have 5-10 minutes, how to stop the yo-yo cycle of falling on and off track, and why judging yourself for not maintaining your peak fitness routine is counterproductive. This conversation will resonate with any man trying to juggle health, family, and career without losing his mind. Chapters: (00:00:00) - The Power of Self-Compassion in Fitness(00:01:00) - Balancing Work, Family, and Fitness as a Dad(00:04:00) - The Dad Bod Phenomenon and Life's Demands(00:08:00) - Why "Just Be Disciplined" Fails Most People(00:12:00) - Hector's Fitness Journey: From Peak Shape to Reality Check(00:16:00) - Setting Realistic Goals for Your Current Season(00:19:00) - Making Time for Fitness When Business Demands Everything(00:23:00) - Learning to Dial Your Workouts Up and Down(00:27:00) - Why Being Fitness Agnostic Beats Loyalty to One Method(00:34:00) - GLP-1s, Food Noise, and the Future of Fitness Links And Resources: WebsiteMatt Myers on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

    47 min
  5. How I Learned to Trust My Heart Over My Mind with Gio Bartolomeo

    12/26/2025

    How I Learned to Trust My Heart Over My Mind with Gio Bartolomeo

    Gio Bartolomeo shares his transformative journey from being a hustling entrepreneur stuck in his head to discovering profound spiritual awakening through breathwork and plant medicine. After years of chasing success and feeling unfulfilled, a death experience during an ayahuasca ceremony showed him there was more to life than material achievement. Through breathwork, particularly after training with Wim Hof, Gio had an out-of-body experience that taught him to get out of his analytical mind and into his heart. He discusses how modern masculinity requires both strength and softness, the importance of men's community, and why following intuition over logic has transformed his life and business. Gio breaks down different types of breathwork practices, explains how to quiet the mind to hear your heart's wisdom, and shares why creativity and authentic expression are the keys to living a fulfilling life. Chapters: (00:00:00) - Gio's out-of-body breathwork experience and rebirth moment(00:03:00) - Wrestling with business scaling and finding authentic purpose(00:05:00) - Discovering spiritual calm amidst global chaos(00:08:00) - The journey from Catholic upbringing to spiritual awakening(00:12:00) - The unfulfilled entrepreneur and the search for meaning(00:14:00) - First ayahuasca ceremony and confronting death(00:17:00) - Meeting Wim Hof and the transformative breathwork experience(00:21:00) - Getting out of your head and into your heart(00:25:00) - Rediscovering intuition and curiosity as a man(00:29:00) - Intention, authenticity, and creating from the heart(00:33:00) - Different types of breathwork: resilience vs. exploration(00:37:00) - Finding your authentic vibration and tribe(00:40:00) - Defining modern masculinity: strength with softness Links And Resources: Website: https://www.elementalrhythm.com/Gio Bartolomeo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gio-bartolomeo-1a7b2566/?originalSubdomain=caHector Santiesteban on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-santiesteban-64326340/Hector Santiesteban on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hector_podcast?lang=en Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern...

    44 min
  6. The 3 Men Every Guy Needs (But Most Don't Have) with Larry Pruett

    12/19/2025

    The 3 Men Every Guy Needs (But Most Don't Have) with Larry Pruett

    In this episode, Larry Pruett shares hard-won wisdom from 36 years of marriage and 21 years as an entrepreneur. After scaling an e-commerce business to high six figures and now coaching married couples, Larry reveals the critical missing piece in most men's lives: meaningful relationships with other men. He breaks down the fundamental communication differences between men and women, explains why guys need three types of relationships (mentor, peer, and mentee), and shares practical strategies for understanding your spouse without playing guessing games. Larry also discusses the importance of being vulnerable in the right contexts, how to balance business success with home life, and why ancient wisdom still applies to modern relationships. This conversation is packed with actionable advice for men who want to build stronger marriages, deeper friendships, and leave fewer regrets. Chapters: (00:00:00) - The Power of Asking Questions in Relationships(00:01:00) - From High Six Figures to Starting Over: Larry's Journey(00:03:00) - Why Men Need Other Men (Not Just Their Wives)(00:06:00) - The Missing Mentor: How to Find Guidance at Every Life Stage(00:09:00) - What Makes Someone Worthy of Respect? (A Powerful Exercise)(00:11:00) - The Mask Men Wear: When Vulnerability Goes Wrong(00:14:00) - The 3 Types of Relationships Every Man Needs(00:17:00) - Why You Keep Miscommunicating with Your Wife(00:20:00) - The House Analogy: How Men and Women Think Differently(00:23:00) - Stop Playing the Guessing Game (Just Ask Her What She Means)(00:25:00) - The Baked Potato Story: A Perfect Example of Male/Female Communication(00:28:00) - Why Men Jump to Fixing (And When to Just Sit and Listen)(00:31:00) - Modern Masculinity = Ancient Masculinity (Why the Principles Never Change) Links And Resources: WebsiteLarry on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

    33 min
  7. Why Emotional Intelligence Beats Raw Discipline in Leadership with Dr. Barry Davis

    12/12/2025

    Why Emotional Intelligence Beats Raw Discipline in Leadership with Dr. Barry Davis

    Dr. Barry Davis spent 38 years as a college baseball coach before stepping away to write, speak, and consult on leadership and emotional intelligence. In this episode, he opens up about the personal challenges of transitioning from "coach" to a new identity, the evolution of young athletes over four decades, and how his own coaching style transformed from authoritative to emotionally intelligent. Barry shares candid insights about parenting in the age of technology, the importance of self-discipline and excellence in everything we do, and why creating a safe environment for failure is crucial for developing resilient leaders. His new book, "Old Dog New Tricks: The Power of Leading With Emotional Intelligence," tells the story of a volatile coach who must learn to lead differently—a story that mirrors Barry's own journey from a hard-nosed coach to someone who now prioritizes emotional connection, intentional listening, and creating spaces where people can thrive. Chapters: (00:00:00) - Creating Safe Environments for Growth and Challenge(00:01:00) - Introduction and Barry's Coaching Journey(00:03:00) - Challenges in Establishing Routine and Family Connections(00:06:00) - Transitioning Identity from Coach to Speaker(00:10:00) - Three Core Values: Self-Discipline, Excellence, and Fulfillment(00:15:00) - Athletics as Training Ground for Life Skills(00:19:00) - Excellence in the Small Things(00:23:00) - Evolution of Young Athletes Over Four Decades(00:30:00) - Parenting Philosophy and Creating Safe Learning Environments(00:33:00) - Best Parents Stay Outside the Circle(00:37:00) - Finding Your Own Path and Motivation(00:39:00) - Writing "Old Dog New Tricks" and Emotional Intelligence(00:43:00) - Where to Find the Book and Connect Links And Resources: Website: https://drbarrydavis.com/Dr. Barry Davis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbarrydavis42/Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-santiesteban-64326340/Hector Santiesteban on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hector_podcast?lang=en Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

    45 min
  8. Why Your Workout Is Wasted (And The Simple Fix) with Nate Palmer

    12/05/2025

    Why Your Workout Is Wasted (And The Simple Fix) with Nate Palmer

    In this deep dive with fitness expert and longtime friend Nate Palmer, we explore the cutting edge of men's health optimization—from peptides and GLP-1s to the fundamentals that most guys ignore. Nate shares his personal journey struggling with injury and mental health while being unable to train, revealing how breath work became his new coping mechanism when physical expression wasn't available. We break down the truth about popular compounds like BPC-157, CJC, and semaglutide, discussing how they work, who should consider them, and why they're the natural evolution in response to our toxic food environment. Nate explains why walking and sleep might be more powerful than any supplement, how to train while fasting without wasting your workouts, and why the aesthetic versus strength debate misses the point entirely. We also get into the controversial world of TRT, the surprising cognitive benefits of creatine and nicotine, and why the next decade will reveal a stark divide between those who take longevity seriously and those who don't. This conversation is packed with actionable insights for any man looking to optimize his health, performance, and aging trajectory. Chapters: (00:00:00) - Why Success Doesn't Protect You From Struggle(00:02:00) - Training as Therapy: Using Physical Expression to Process Life(00:04:00) - When You Can't Train: Finding New Ways to Cope(00:06:00) - The Compound That Cut My Recovery Time in Half(00:09:00) - GLP-1s Aren't Just for Weight Loss: A Response to Modern Food(00:13:00) - The Peptide Categories Every Man Should Understand(00:19:00) - The Unsexy Truth: Walking and Sleep Beat Most Supplements(00:22:00) - Stop Chasing Aesthetics: What Actually Matters for Longevity(00:27:00) - TRT for Your Mind: The Mental Health Benefits No One Talks About(00:32:00) - How to Actually Track What's Working: Blood Work and HRV(00:36:00) - Inside My Daily Stack: What I Take and Why(00:40:00) - Creatine for Your Brain + The Nicotine Conversation(00:42:00) - Training Fasted? You're Probably Wasting Your Effort(00:45:00) - Where to Get Started: Resources and Products Links And Resources: WebsiteNate Palmer on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

    48 min
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4.9
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About

"Modern Masculinity" is a podcast that explores the real-life challenges that men face today. Whether it's balancing work and family, figuring out how to be a good husband or father, or just trying to make sense of the world - this show is for guys looking for practical, down-to-earth advice and guidance. The podcast discusses the struggles and triumphs of modern manhood and features interviews with men (and women) who can share their methods and mindsets to maneuver the world as a modern man.

Information

  • Creator
    Hector Santiesteban
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    127
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Hector Santiesteban
  • Show Website
    Modern Masculinity