Too many men today aren’t struggling because they lack information. They’re struggling because they’re drowning in noise. And, I think it’s time we start unpacking why the “modern masculinity” space has become obsessed with hot takes, call-outs, online outrage, and performative “accountability” - and why none of it builds strong men, meaningful connection, or lasting improvement.
Today I’m joined by my friend, Jack Donovan, to talk about why gossip masquerades as moral authority, how “calling men out” often replaces real accountability, the difference between integrity, honor, and reputation, why social media rewards division, not leadership, the dangers of pedestalizing others—and why men need a code to live by.
Jack Donovan is an author, cultural critic, and artist known for his analysis of masculinity, honor, and male tribalism in the modern world. Best known for books such as The Way of Men, Becoming a Barbarian, and Fire in the Dark, Donovan examines what makes men strong, loyal, and effective—not through self-help platitudes, but through history, anthropology, and philosophy. His work challenges men to think beyond comfort, popularity, and ideology, focusing instead on strength, courage, mastery, and honor.
Over the past decade, Donovan has become a respected—and often controversial—voice in conversations about masculinity, culture, and power. But he doesn’t chase trends or online outrage. Instead, he focuses on building something real: brotherhood, identity, and meaning. In addition to writing, he is a visual artist and photographer that mirrors his philosophy—masculinity is not just something men talk about, but something they embody, build, and live. You can find a lot of his thinking and writing on his Substack under Jack Donovan.
Most men don’t need more information—they need time away, honest conversations, and brotherhood that sharpens them. The Men’s Forge this coming spring (April 23-26, 2026) is designed to pull men out of isolation, distraction, and surface-level self-improvement and place them into an environment where clarity, true accountability, and purpose. This isn’t a conference where you sit back and take notes—it’s an immersive experience where men confront where they’ve been coasting, where they’ve been carrying unnecessary weight, and where they need to step up as husbands, fathers, leaders, and men.And, because Larry from the Dad Edge and I are doing this together, it’s like two events in one. All food, lodging, speakers, events, and the experience is covered. Unlike other conferences, you stay on property with us going through obstacle courses, pistol range instruction, jiu-jitsu classes, team challenges, physical training, and a ton more. And, I just got word that Dewayne Noel is going to be headlining the experience with us among a half dozen other powerful speakers! Join us at www.themensforge.com.
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