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Change: What Really Leads to Lasting Personal Transformation by Jeffrey A. Kottler. I read this book while researching my Dying Breed article on the effectiveness of therapy. The big takeaway? There’s no single magic bullet for personal…
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We’re back with another class of Bike Maintenance 101.Last time, we discussed how to patch an innertube.In today’s session, we’re going to show you how to clean and maintain the workhorse of your bike: the drivetrain.Whether you ride…
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Back in January, we launched a new project: Dying Breed, our Substack newsletter. It’s quickly grown into a fantastic little community. A big thanks to everyone who’s already joined! Your support means the world to Kate and me.Michael…
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Uncertainty is a constant of human existence. How will market conditions affect your new business venture? What will be the results of the medical test you just took? Will a new relationship work out?For most of us, situations of…
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Years ago, we published articles on personal finance goals to strive for in your 20s and in your 30s.Now that I’m in my 40s, I decided to revisit this series to see if I needed to update my financial goals in my first decade of…
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A multimeter is invaluable for the DIY troubleshooting of electrical problems around the house. You can use it to identify faulty wiring, check if electrical sockets have power, and test batteries. My electrical engineer…
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Valet. I’ve been a reader of this men’s lifestyle site since it launched way back in 2008, around the same time as AoM. Valet’s Morning Report is part of my daily routine; I look forward to checking out their curated list of 5 cool…
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The polo is a style staple and one of the most versatile shirts a man can own. Donning one is an easy way to level up your look when the occasion calls for something a notch above a t-shirt.But that ease can lead to complacency, and the…
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Community is one of life’s most valuable but increasingly scarce resources. While we hear about a supposed epidemic of male loneliness, many men still resist joining groups or struggle to maintain involvement after initial enthusiasm…
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Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. I’ve been continuing my reading goal of revisiting books that I read in high school. I recently finished Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man. I remember it having a big impact on me as a 17-year-old, and I was…
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in: Character, Manly Lessons, Podcast Brett & Kate McKay • April 29, 2025Feelings of burnout and boredom have become prevalent in modern life. To understand the roots of and solutions to these issues, we can turn to both…
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A few weeks ago, I came across an article about how young people these days are tired of dating apps and want to meet romantic partners in real life. You know — the way people developed relationships in the good old days of the former…
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Swing Kids. I was really into swing music in my youth; my very first website, in fact, was a homage to it. My love of swing music was first inspired by a 1993 film that both Kate and I count among our very favorite movies from our…
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in: How To, Skills Brett & Kate McKay • April 24, 2025In the world of baseball, few skills are more foundational than a proper bat swing. Whether you’re playing in a competitive league or just enjoying weekend softball…
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Note: This is a rebroadcast.Do you have a goal to lose weight? If so, you’re probably thinking about how you need to exercise more. And that can certainly help. But what about the 23 hours a day you’re not at the gym? How much you move…
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In the 13th century, philosopher-theologian Thomas Aquinas wrote about a vice he called “effeminacy.” While the term can sound off-putting or old-fashioned, Aquinas wasn’t talking about mannerisms or gender.Rather, for Aquinas,…
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An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — having the breadth of skills, the savoir-faire, to handle any situation you find yourself in. With that in mind, each Sunday we’ll be…
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For my usual lunch meal prep, I cook a batch of chicken breasts, sweet potatoes, and green beans in my pellet smoker on Sunday, store them in the fridge, and then portion out a macro-friendly lunch each day. Sometimes I’ll also slow cook…
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Neil Postman’s Advice on How to Live the Rest of Your Life. Neil Postman is one of my favorite thinkers about media and its effect on individuals and our culture. I recently came across a lecture of his life advice that was posthumously…
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We all need sleep to maintain our physical and mental health and perform our best.So it’s unsurprising that there’s no shortage of content out there about how to improve your sleep.Unfortunately, so much of it repeats the same things…
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