Podcast Summary: Digital Social Hour – Brad Tate’s Wake-Up Call For Men

Episode: Addicted To Future Plans, Missing The Present
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Brad Tate (UFC Cutman)
Date: December 12, 2025
Episode Number: #1679

Overview

In this episode of Digital Social Hour, Sean Kelly sits down with Brad Tate, veteran UFC cutman, to discuss men's mental health, the dangers of living for future plans at the expense of the present, and the often unseen struggles beneath outward success. Brad’s candid reflections include his journey through reading, therapy, and vulnerability, helping to spotlight issues that men confront but rarely voice aloud. The conversation also dives into Brad’s views on movies, history, generational trauma, professional sports culture, and maintaining authenticity in the limelight.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Importance of Living in the Present

• Brad’s Wake-Up Call: Brad emphasizes that obsessing over future plans robs people of the present, referencing Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning and drawing parallels with military POW experiences.
  • Quote: “Don’t look towards… it’s Friday now. Don’t look at Saturday. Like, right now, it’s Friday. It’s this time, it’s this day. This is what you’re dealing with.” (00:00, 14:56)
• Pitfalls of “Future Addictions”: Discusses how setting rigid expectations about the future (“just have to make it to X date”) can lead to disappointment, depression, and missed opportunities. (15:21, 18:28)

2. Authenticity and Vulnerability in Men’s Mental Health

• Normalizing Therapy and Struggles: Brad is open about seeing a therapist and sharing daily book notes on social media, challenging the misconception that public figures and men in “tough” roles don’t suffer from mental health issues.
  • Quote: “People look at me with the UFC and the fighters and… they don’t think that I have bad days. They don’t think that I deal with stuff, you know, and it’s like, no, bro, I’m human.” (20:39)
• Men’s Group and Being Heard: Brad discusses the power of all-male conversational groups for emotional support.
  • Quote: “Being heard is amazing. Like, when somebody can say, ‘Man, I hear you.’... I feel like men are not heard, especially when we say things like, ‘I’m hurting.’” (27:46)
• The Danger of Suppressed Emotions: Examines how cultures of “toughness” prevent men from seeking help, which can have tragic consequences.
  • Quote: “You’re so tough that you don’t say, ‘I’m hurting,’ and then you just run out and… give up on life and kill myself…” (28:23)

3. Books, Learning, and Self-Improvement

• Reading as Daily Practice: Brad reveals he reads 4-5 books at a time, spanning Stoicism, history, and self-help—using reading as both a hobby and therapeutic tool. (02:17)
• Impactful Books: Cites Daily Stoic, Robert Greene’s Daily Laws, and Viktor Frankl's Man’s Search for Meaning as pivotal.
  • Quote on Frankl: “There’s only been a couple of books that I’ve ever read that I could smell... Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning was so powerful. I could smell and taste that book.” (11:45–12:00)

4. Movies, Creativity, and Cultural Trends

• Critique of Modern Hollywood: Brad laments the lack of originality and AI’s encroachment, contrasting today’s films with the craft and dedication of past actors.
  • Quote: “I don’t feel like people’s creative side is there anymore. I feel like it’s either AI or it’s something that we’ve seen 20 years ago...” (04:35)
• Actor Dedication, Then vs. Now: Praises legendary actors for “becoming” their roles (Heath Ledger, Denzel Washington); questions if modern industry has that same dedication. (05:25–06:25)

5. History, Objectivity, and Learning from the Past

• Challenge of Historical Narratives: Dissects how history is written by victors and often has omitted or twisted perspectives, encouraging more critical investigation.
  • Quote: “There’s always three sides to it. It’s their side, your side, and then what really happened.” (08:47)
• Confronting Uncomfortable Histories: Urges honesty in learning from the past rather than avoiding or whitewashing it.
  • Quote: “I feel like we’re in a culture now where we’re ashamed of our history… it’s like, ‘Hey, this happened. How can we learn from it?’” (09:36)

6. Trauma, Generational Cycles, and Breaking Patterns

• Childhood and Generational Trauma: Brad unpacks the subtle ways his upbringing affected his mental health, addressing generational trauma (black Americans, Holocaust survivors, children of 9/11).
  • Quote: “When you learn those kind of things… even with my daughter… it dictates how I deal with her now, because you want to break that cycle…” (25:46)
• Emphasis on Compassion for Parents: Learns to view his parents with empathy for their limitations, rather than blame. (23:28–24:52)

7. Addiction to Approval and Public Persona

• Desire for Acceptance: Brad reveals how an over-the-top persona was often a mask for insecurity and a desperate need for approval.
  • Quote: “I really wanted you to like me because I didn’t like myself. I’m over here making the ass of myself trying to make you laugh so you would like me.” (28:52)
• Finding Balance: He now consciously steps back from the limelight to stay genuine, warning of the danger in performing just for validation. (30:36–31:50)

8. The UFC World, Authenticity, and Handling Pressure

• Approach as a Cutman: Brad prides himself on giving fighters the best version of himself, regardless of the spotlight, and talks about maintaining fairness and integrity.
• Handling Graphic Injuries: Draws clear boundaries between professional violence in UFC—which lacks malice—and true brutality witnessed as a paramedic.
  • Quote: “It seems brutal, but it’s not brutal because there’s no malice… These guys are not out there to maim and injure and break and cripple each other.” (33:59–34:51)

9. Lessons from High Achievers

• Observing Dana White and Company: Brad finds inspiration from being around high performers like Dana White and Joe Rogan, underscoring relentless work ethic and adaptability.
  • Quote: “He was not born with a silver spoon... And then, like, on top of that, the man doesn’t rest... If he can do it, then I should be able to do it.” (35:43–36:19)

10. Podcasting: The Reality vs. the Glamour

• Challenges of the Medium: Details how much work, patience, and adaptation is needed—“you only see the success”—and encourages new creators to push through early difficulties.
  • Quote: “Podcasting is not easy... Even then, I still... we were just talking crap, which is still funny in itself, but... it just became like dysfunctional.” (21:45–22:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “[Don’t] look towards… it’s Friday now. Don’t look at Saturday. Like, right now, it’s Friday. It’s this time, it’s this day. This is what you’re dealing with.” – Brad Tate (00:00, 14:56)
• “There’s only been a couple of books that I’ve ever read that I could smell... Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning was so powerful. I could smell and taste that book.” – Brad Tate (12:00)
• “Even being in the UFC and being the cut man and being that, bro, you do get addicted to that… it’s like a drug.” – Brad Tate (30:16)
• “Being heard is amazing. Like, when somebody can say, ‘Man, I hear you.’... I feel like men are not heard, especially when we say things like, ‘I’m hurting.’” – Brad Tate (27:46)
• “People look at me with the UFC… they don’t think I have bad days... it’s like, no, bro, I’m human.” – Brad Tate (20:39)
• “Podcasting is not easy...you only see the success. You see the Joe Rogans... but like, bro, it took work. It was a lot.” – Brad Tate (21:45)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Living Present vs. Future: 00:00, 14:56, 18:28
• Book Recommendations & Reading Habits: 02:17
• On Mental Health and Vulnerability: 20:39, 27:46, 28:52
• Modern Hollywood vs. Old Movies: 04:35–06:25
• History & Generational Trauma: 08:47–12:00, 23:28–25:46
• On Seeking Validation/Public Persona: 28:52–31:50
• Lessons from Dana White & Professional Sports Culture: 35:43–37:26
• Behind-the-Scenes of Podcasting: 21:45–23:03

Tone and Style

Brad’s tone is unfiltered, honest, introspective, and at times humorous, frequently circling back to the same themes of humility, authenticity, and continual learning. Sean is open, curious, and respectful, providing a supportive space that lets Brad’s insights shine.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This conversation pulls back the veil on the sacrifices and struggles behind achievement, especially for men in high-profile and macho industries. Brad Tate’s message: don’t get lost living for tomorrow, and don’t be afraid to work on your mental health today. The episode delivers powerful insights wrapped in real talk—both inspiring and notably human.