In this week’s episode of The Mindfully Masculine Podcast, Charles and Dan dive into Steven Bartlett’s most-viewed Diary of a CEO interview — his conversation with Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power.

What starts as a look at Greene’s ideas on seduction, confidence, and power turns into a bigger exploration of what really drives human behavior. Charles and Dan unpack the tension between authenticity and performance, confidence and insecurity, attraction and manipulation. They discuss the fine line between influence and deceit — and why the word seduction can mean either self-mastery or self-deception, depending on the intent behind it.

The conversation also moves beyond power dynamics into addiction, codependence, and vulnerability — including how chasing validation can become its own form of addiction, and why genuine confidence has to be built, not performed.

Topics include:

• Why “seduction” can feel manipulative — and how Greene tries to reframe it
• The difference between cultivating attraction and playing games
• Power as self-control vs. control over others
• The role of confidence, competence, and comfort in your own skin
• Masks, roles, and authenticity in modern life
• How addiction and codependence mirror our search for control
• What real strength looks like in relationships and leadership

If you’ve ever wondered where healthy confidence ends and manipulation begins, this episode offers a nuanced take on the psychology of power, presence, and connection.

Listen, follow, and share The Mindfully Masculine Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, and visit mindfullymasculine.com for more.

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Love, sex, survival — Esther Perel has spent decades showing how our relationships shape everything about the quality of our lives. In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles and Dan unpack her powerful conversation with Steven Bartlett on The Diary of a CEO.

We explore the big themes from Esther’s interview:

• Why the quality of your relationships determines the quality of your life
• How childhood experiences shape adult patterns (and how to change them)
• The “figure-eight” loop couples get stuck in — pursuer vs. distancer
• Why love is a verb, not a feeling, and what it takes to keep desire alive
• How presence, novelty, and vulnerability keep relationships from going stale

This is a conversation for men who want to stop repeating old patterns, show up more fully for their partners, and understand what it really takes to make relationships last.

Watch the full Diary of a CEO interview with Steven Bartlett and Esther Perel here: https://youtu.be/nTWXfo7narw?si=ycEbp6RpgqQLJ9JY

For all of our full episodes, audio and video, visit mindfullymasculine.com.

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In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles and Dan dive into psychologist Dr. Orion Taraban’s provocative appearance on The Diary of a CEO. Taraban is known for his blunt take on dating, relationships, and masculinity—arguing that men are invisible until they bring value, that love is not earned but given, and that relationships at their core are transactional.

We unpack his biggest ideas, from the economics of attraction to the dangers of performative masculinity, and explore how they intersect with our own experiences and the work of thinkers like Robert Glover and Mel Robbins. Along the way, we wrestle with tough questions:

• Are relationships really just value exchanges dressed up as romance?
• What happens when men try to prove their worth with words instead of action?
• Can sublimating sexual energy actually fuel achievement and purpose?
• Is compromise the death of passion, or the foundation of long-term love?

Whether you agree with Taraban’s framework or find it too cold, his ideas force us to reconsider what we bring to the table—and what we expect in return.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why Taraban sees love as a gift, not a transaction
• The distinction between performative masculinity and core masculinity
• How porn, OnlyFans, and substitutes for intimacy change men’s drive
• Why disappointment is the real beginning of every relationship
• How to balance the economics of love with the mystery of connection

For full episodes, audio, and video, visit mindfullymasculine.com
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In this special solo reflection, Charles shares his perspective on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about masculinity, resilience, and political violence.

He argues that true masculine strength lies in threat assessment, resilience, and the ability to live alongside opposing ideas without collapsing into reactivity. Violence—whether through weapons, institutions, or media—is framed not as power but as fragility.

This episode challenges men to redefine strength, resist the cultural pull toward outrage, and embody a form of masculinity that protects not only safety, but also freedom.

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What happens when your “perfect” girlfriend lives in your phone, hits your credit card for $9.95 a month, and never says no? In this episode, Charles and Dan explore the rise of AI companions and what draws men to digital relationships over real ones.

We dig into questions like:

• Why some men are choosing AI girlfriends instead of dating apps or real partners
• Whether talking to a bot can really make you feel “chosen”
• How this trend might affect masculinity, intimacy, and even population growth
• Why equal rights for women are great for exceptional men… and not-so-great for mediocre ones
• Whether an AI girlfriend is a bridge to better relationships or just a pacifier keeping men stuck

It’s part philosophy, part comedy, and part social commentary on where dating and technology collide. Spoiler: Rosie from The Jetsons and Dolores from Westworld both make cameos in the conversation.

For free access to all our audio and video episodes — and anything else we decide to share — head to MindfullyMasculine.com
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In this final episode of our Let Them Theory series, we dig into the last three chapters of Mel Robbins’ book—and we don’t hold back.

We talk about why the honeymoon phase blinds us to red flags, how to tell if someone is truly compatible (hint: if you’re confused, they’re not), and why waiting for a partner to change is wasted time. We also break down the “commitment conversation” that keeps us on equal footing instead of begging for validation, plus the hard truths about breakups—no shortcuts, just growth.

From recognizing unhealthy relationship patterns to using a breakup as fuel for self-improvement, this conversation is packed with practical tools for dating, commitment, and letting go.

🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why “but” and “maybe” are red flags in relationships
• How to ask for commitment without losing your power
• Why most people won’t change—and what that means for you
• How to handle breakups without making them worse
• Why your motivation (even revenge) can still lead to positive change

🎧 Whether you’re dating, rebuilding after heartbreak, or just working on yourself, this is the episode that ties it all together.

Catch all of our audio and video episodes at mindfullymasculine.com

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In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles and Dan dive into Chapters 16 and 17 of Mel Robbins’ The Let Them Theory: The More You Rescue, The More They Sink and How to Provide Support the Right Way.

They explore why stepping in to “rescue” often backfires, how shame and denial complicate real support, and why presence and patience are more powerful than quick fixes. Along the way, they share stories about hidden struggles, money boundaries, and what it means to be a calm, nonjudgmental presence in a crisis.

Listeners will also hear a candid discussion of “harmful help” versus healthy support, the psychology of ignoring warnings until consequences hit, and how frameworks from Gretchen Rubin and BJ Fogg can shape motivation and lasting change.

If you’ve ever felt torn between helping someone you love and protecting your own peace, this conversation will help you navigate the difference between rescuing and truly supporting.

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In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles and Dan unpack Chapters 14 and 15 of The Let Them Theory—and the uncomfortable truth that you can’t force anyone to change.

We dive into why pressure backfires, why rescuing keeps people stuck, and how the most powerful form of influence comes from backing off. From partners and kids to friends and coworkers, if you’ve ever tried to “fix” someone, this one will sting a little.

Highlights include:

• The real reason people only change when they’re ready
• How rescuing prevents rock-bottom moments that spark growth
• Why the urge to fix others says more about you than them
• The ABC Loop: Apologize, Back Off, Celebrate
• Deciding if it’s time to accept… or walk away

If you’re tired of banging your head against the wall trying to “save” someone, listen in. This conversation might be the reset you didn’t know you needed.

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