Brett & Kate McKay 285 posts 0 comments

When you’re feeling stressed, burnt out, and anxious — when you’re striving and achieving but still finding yourself persistently dissatisfied with life — you might start looking for answers beyond what’s offered by contemporary…
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I’m a suburban man. Born and raised.I grew up in the suburbs of Oklahoma City. I now live in the suburbs of Tulsa.Suburban manhood has its own meaning and archetype — one that’s a weird and complex mixture of other archetypes of…
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Where Have All My Deep Male Friendships Gone? I almost didn’t click on this article, since “why are men so lonely/don’t have friends” pieces have become a tired dime a dozen over the past several years. But I’m glad I did. By dint of a…
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This Friday is the summer solstice. It’s the longest day of the year. Afterward, the days will start getting shorter.We’re big advocates of embracing seasonality. It’s a powerful antidote to what C.S. Lewis called the horror of the same…
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Do you spend a lot of time on social media and other time-wasting apps on your phone? If you’re unhappy with your mindless scrolling habit, you’ve likely tried different tactics to break it, like deleting apps or using screentime…
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What if the traits you’ve been taught to suppress your entire career are actually the very qualities that separate those who get what they want from those who stay stuck waiting for recognition that never comes?Today on the show, Jenny…
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Gattaca. Kate and I recently introduced our kids to a film we’ve long appreciated that deserves wider recognition: Gattaca. The film is noteworthy for several reasons: its distinctive color palette and unique retro-futuristic aesthetic,…
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Think summers full of exploring outside, going on campouts with friends, working on arts and crafts, pursuing new hobbies, and getting lost in good books is something you left behind with your boyhood?It doesn’t have to be when you join…
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You don’t have to buy Dad more stuff this Father’s Day. Chances are, he doesn’t need another tie, mug, or multitool. Instead of giving him something that’ll end up in a drawer, give him an experience or service that’ll make his life a…
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Your contact is somewhere in this sea of faces, but you can’t be seen talking to him — can’t even acknowledge his existence. One wrong move, one glance from the wrong person, and years of careful work — not to mention your life — could…
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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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When Rick Burgess was growing up, his father, Bill Burgess, was also his football coach. But Bill was a mentor on and off the field not only for his own son but for the many young men he coached at both the high school and collegiate…
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When my kids were little, I was an involved dad. I changed diapers, did middle-of-the-night feedings, and took the tykes to the doctor.I wouldn’t say I was inherently drawn to doing these tasks. There wasn’t some paternal urge to nurture…
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Note: This is an excerpt from Dad, What’s for Dinner?: Lifesaving Recipes to Avoid Meltdowns, Have Fun in the Kitchen, and Keep Your Kids Well Fed by chef David Nayfeld.No other meal in the day is as transformed by the school calendar as…
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Maggie Rogers. We’ve been listening to Maggie Rogers for several years now, ever since “Alaska” caught our attention back in 2016. Her music is perfect for those golden hour drives during the summer when you’ve got the windows down and…
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A few years ago, we were cat-sitting for some friends. They gave me keys to the exterior door leading into their garage. Once inside, I was able to access the unlocked door that went from the garage into the house. Easy peasy.Well, one…
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Summer is unofficially underway.  Besides busting out your camp collar shirts for relaxed summer vibes, you might consider changing up your footwear for the warmer weather.Summer shoes put a premium on breathability so your feet stay…
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in: People, Podcast, Social Skills Brett & Kate McKay • May 27, 2025The British just seem like a classier bunch. Part of it is that winning accent. But it’s also because English culture has long been steeped in the…
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in: Featured, Food & Drink, Living, Visual Guides Brett & Kate McKay • May 25, 2025An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — having the breadth of skills,…
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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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