Podcast
Real Men Feel with Andy Grant
Hosted by Andy Grant | Authenticity & Masculinity Coach · EN
Real Men Feel helps men grow beyond outdated rules of masculinity to live with authenticity, purpose, and joy.
Since 2016, host Andy Grant has explored how vulnerability, courage, and real conversation fuel personal growth, self-improvement, and emotional well-being.
🥇 Silver Signal Award Winner – Most Inspirational Podcast & Best Self-Help Show.
🎧 Join our free community for men at https://realmenfeel.org/group
💬 Want to be a guest? Connect with Andy on PodMatch, https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/realmenfeel
🔗 Show notes & resources: https://realmenfeel.org
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Redefining Masculinity: Age Out Loud
1w ago00:41:17Tap to summarizeFind your brotherhood in Authentic AF. Visit https://www.skool.com/authenticaf/aboutAge Out Loud: Redefining Aging, Mindset, and Men’s PurposeHost Andy Grant welcomes Chris Moore, author of "Age Out Loud," to discuss reframing aging as vitality, reinvention, and purpose rather than decline. Moore explains how limiting beliefs and cultural ageism—often reinforced by media—shape expectations, noting that ageism is a prejudice against our future selves and that “old” can be a state of mind. Using examples such as Roger Bannister’s four-minute mile and elders who remain active, he urges listeners to question inherited stories about what’s “impossible.” Chris shares how losing his first wife, Barbara, to lung cancer shifted his mission, teaching him the power of perspective and gratitude. He outlines seven pillars of ageless vitality—mindset, nutrition, exercise, sleep, relationship with God, relationship with others, and brain health—and highlights men’s common struggles with connection and asking for help. The episode closes with resources to find Chris Moore’s book, podcast, and communities, plus an invitation to Andy’s Authentic AF group at realmenfeel.org/group.00:00 Welcome and Big Idea00:51 What Age Out Loud Means02:41 Why Aging Feels Like an Insult05:51 Subtle Ageism and Work09:40 Old as a State of Mind10:48 Expectations and Four Minute Mile14:12 Rewriting Beliefs and Potential18:33 Loss, Grief, and New Purpose23:38 Men, Aging, and Relevance28:53 Seven Pillars of Vitality30:18 Connection and Asking for Help34:23 Where to Find Chris36:58 What Men Need to Know40:28 Closing Takeaways and InviteConnect with ChrisAge Out Loud — https://ageoutloudbook.com/LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-moore-7505b0259/Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14paptPGVZ1/ResourcesAge Out Loud: How to Live a Purposeful, Fulfilling Life in the Years that Matter Most — https://amzn.to/4wHUJ3jPodcast — Aging In Place Is a Team SportConnect with Andy:Join other like-minded men in the Authentic AF Community | https://www.realmenfeel.org/groupInstagram | @realmenfeelshow & @theandygrantAndy Grant | https://theandygrant.com for coaching, healing, and book info!Real Men Feel | https://realmenfeel.orgYouTube | https://youtube.com/realmenfeel#RealMenFeel ep 416
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The True Flex: Being a More Grounded and Authentic Man
2w ago00:22:31Tap to summarizeFind your tribe in Authentic AF. Visit https://www.skool.com/authenticaf/aboutThe Biggest Flex: Being Yourself (19 Quiet Traits of Real Masculinity)Host Andy Grant says being a man means “to be yourself,” not to follow inherited “supposed to” rules from fathers, friends, religion, the media, or culture. He reframes a BuzzFeed list of “guy flexes” as invitations for men to become grounded, authentic, and connected rather than chasing wealth, status, dominance, or looks. He highlights 19 attractive, trust-building qualities: making people feel safe and heard; emotional maturity with exes; kindness to animals; showing up for others; humility; building and cooking; clear communication; willingness to dance; keeping a clean home; quiet competence; healthy self-sufficiency and interdependence; making and keeping plans; job stability without identity overwork; creative expression through music; owning mistakes; choosing inconvenience when it matters; kindness to strangers; and setting goals with disciplined self-compassion. He invites men to reflect on strengths and growth areas and join the Authentic AF men’s group at realmenfeel.org/group.00:00 Be Yourself Manhood00:56 Big Flex Idea01:56 Flexes That Matter03:24 Drama Free Exes04:32 Tenderness With Animals05:24 Show Up Reliably06:18 Humility And Growth07:21 Build And Create08:04 Cooking And Nurturing09:14 Clear Communication10:51 Dance And Freedom11:57 Clean Home Energy12:50 Quiet Competence13:44 Self Sufficiency Balance14:51 Plans And Integrity15:47 Work Without Identity16:36 Music And Creativity18:08 Own Your Mistakes19:25 Choose Inconvenience20:18 Kindness To Strangers21:30 Goals And Discipline22:31 What These Flexes Mean23:35 Keep Becoming You25:11 Grow With Community25:34 Final EncouragementConnect with Andy:Join other like-minded men in the Authentic AF Community | https://www.realmenfeel.org/groupInstagram | @realmenfeelshow & @theandygrantAndy Grant | https://theandygrant.com for coaching, healing, and book info!Real Men Feel | https://realmenfeel.orgYouTube | https://youtube.com/realmenfeel#RealMenFeel ep 415
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The Emotional Odyssey: Embracing Vulnerability and Resilience
3w ago01:00:30Tap to summarizeJoin us in Authentic AF. Visit https://www.skool.com/authenticaf/aboutReal Men Feel: Andy Grant on Men, Emotions, Suicide Prevention, Therapy, and HealingHost Andy Grant shares his guest appearance on How to Man Adventures with Mark Curtin and Josh Tumlin, discussing men and emotions through the lens of first-responder and law-enforcement culture, anxiety, trauma, therapy, and journaling. Andy recounts childhood experiences of parental divorce, an alcoholic and bipolar father, childhood sexual abuse, long-term suicidal ideation, and multiple suicide attempts, and describes a turning point involving a spiritual experience that led him to seek help and share his story. They emphasize that men feel all emotions, warn against a distorted version of stoicism, and encourage direct conversations about suicide, including asking about plans and ensuring safety. The conversation covers finding the right therapy, processing emotions, gratitude, and “vent” journaling, breathwork, and meditation for anxiety, supportive communities, Andy’s book Still Here, and alternative approaches, including energy work and life activation.00:00 Episode Setup Warning01:39 Meet Mark, Josh, and Andy01:56 Men And Emotions03:57 Childhood Trauma Roots05:18 Suicide And Turning Point07:37 Talking Saves Lives09:33 First Responders Trauma10:54 Processing And Man Box13:01 Journaling For Clarity15:50 Anxiety Stoicism Tools20:50 Police Training And Home24:49 Therapy Groups And Trips29:56 Finding the Right Therapy30:50 Empathy and Energy Work32:31 How to Show Up in Therapy35:18 Why Therapy Feels Negative37:32 Hope and Spiritual Meaning39:13 Helping Someone Suicidal44:13 Habits, Energy, and Community46:27 Change Anxiety and Processing53:08 Resources Healing and Meds57:03 Movement Joy and Manhood59:08 Final Takeaways and CommunityConnect with Mark and Josh (How-to-Man Adventures)YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@howtomanadventuresInstagram — https://www.instagram.com/howtomanadventures/Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589737834575Connect with Andy:Join other like-minded men in the Authentic AF Community | https://www.realmenfeel.org/groupInstagram | @realmenfeelshow & @theandygrantAndy Grant | https://theandygrant.com for coaching, healing, and book info!Real Men Feel | https://realmenfeel.orgYouTube | https://youtube.com/realmenfeel#RealMenFeel ep 414
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From Financial Success to Inner Peace: Aligning Mind and Heart
4w ago00:37:17Tap to summarizeFind your tribe in Authentic AF. Visit https://www.skool.com/authenticaf/aboutFrom External Success to Inner Peace: Breathwork, Energy Healing, and Becoming a Peaceful Warrior with Rick LybargerHost Andy Grant welcomes Rick Lybarger, founder of Wisdom Won, who describes how decades of external achievement as a financial planner masked inner disconnection until divorce, heavy drinking, and a Modern Mystery School Life Activation catalyzed change. Rick shares his background with childhood trauma, shame, and avoidance, and how leaning into “darkness,” heart-based coherence, self-love, and spiritual practice helped him stop drinking and become more present with his children and life. The conversation contrasts financial security with genuine joy, explores Rick’s guiding questions—“Do you love yourself? Do you trust yourself? Do you believe you’re worthy of what you want?”—and explains conscious connected breathwork as a somatic tool for releasing stuck energy and emotions. Rick also discusses coherence techniques (including HeartMath-style breathing), Mystery School teachings, masculine archetypes, and building balance, inviting men to slow down, stop distracting, and improve 1% each day; listeners can find him at wisdomwon.com and join Andy’s Authentic AF group at realmenfeel.org/group.00:00 Welcome And Guest Intro01:09 Rick’s Wake Up Call03:32 Energy Work And Spiritual Shift06:17 Head To Heart Coherence07:54 Money Versus Inner Peace10:02 Self Love Trust Worthiness13:21 Breathwork Basics And Release18:28 Coherence Breathing Techniques22:32 Beyond Woo Woo Resistance27:42 Life Activation For Men31:54 Archetypes Balance And Anger37:24 Connect With Rick38:26 What Men Need To Know40:11 Closing, Thanks, and CommunityConnect with RickRick Lybarger — https://wisdomwon.com/Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/wisdomwon_ww/LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-lybarger-cfp%C2%AE-22934b4/ResourcesHeartMath — https://www.heartmath.com/Just Breathe: Mastering Breathwork — https://amzn.to/3TavibKConnect with Andy:Join other like-minded men in the Authentic AF Community | https://www.realmenfeel.org/groupInstagram | @realmenfeelshow & @theandygrantAndy Grant | https://theandygrant.com for coaching, healing, and book info!Real Men Feel | https://realmenfeel.orgYouTube | https://youtube.com/realmenfeel#RealMenFeel ep 413
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Embracing Authenticity and Grit: Real Identity & True Purpose
Jul 1000:42:29Tap to summarizeFind your tribe in Authentic AF. Visit https://www.skool.com/authenticaf/aboutGuardians of Grit: Authentic Identity, Purpose, and Raising Strong, Kind SonsOn Real Men Feel, host Andy Grant speaks with David Ask, founder of The Ask Experience and author of the upcoming book Guardians of Grit, about authentic identity, purpose, grit, and fatherhood. Ask argues identity is uncovered—not achieved—by clarifying values, convictions, virtues, strengths, and desired impact, rather than defining oneself by roles or performance. He reframes grit as values-based staying power without emotional shutdown and says purpose should primarily focus on helping others flourish. They discuss how fathers can raise strong and kind sons by recognizing the larger story of what’s worth fighting for and by using a “notice, name, nurture” framework, including the idea that a father’s key job is to remove uncertainty. The conversation also explores humility, capability, faith, and the revelation of others’ “riches.”00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:51 What Is Authentic Identity02:14 Childhood to Core Values05:33 Values Convictions Virtues11:08 Purpose, Love, and Alignment16:03 Start With Who, Not Why19:14 Defining Real Grit21:05 Values That Build Grit21:54 Raising Strong Kind Sons23:12 The Bigger Story Of Manhood25:39 Notice Name Nurture27:13 A Father Removes Uncertainty29:33 Humility Over Performance31:11 Dangerous Yet Gentlemen34:14 Faith Identity And Worth37:20 Bottom Of The Ladder39:15 Connect With David40:38 Reveal Others' Riches42:47 Host Takeaways And Next StepsConnect with DavidDavid Ask — https://theaskexperience.com/LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedavidask/Connect with Andy:Join other like-minded men in the Authentic AF Community | https://www.realmenfeel.org/groupInstagram | @realmenfeelshow & @theandygrantAndy Grant | https://theandygrant.com for coaching, healing, and book info!Real Men Feel | https://realmenfeel.orgYouTube | https://youtube.com/realmenfeel#RealMenFeel ep 412
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The Essence of Responsibility: Showing Up with Integrity
Jul 300:37:12Tap to summarizeFind your tribe in Authentic AF. Visit https://www.skool.com/authenticaf/about Nothing Changes Until You Show Up: Redefining MasculinityHost Andy Grant interviews Daryl Dittmer on Real Men Feel about what it means for men to “show up” with honesty, discipline, integrity, and responsibility rather than performing through money, muscles, status, or possessions. Dittmer describes true masculinity as being a provider and protector while also allowing feelings and building loving relationships, sharing how his blue-collar upbringing and recovery from drugs and alcohol pushed him toward intentional self-work. He explains crossroads often arrive by surprise and require humility and teachability, outlines daily practices like meditation, exercise, breathwork, and gratitude, and introduces “micro-quitting” as small acts of avoidance that undermine effort and attitude. He emphasizes rebuilding self-trust by starting small, taking action, and focusing inward—“first things first”—to find peace, contentment, and fulfillment, and he directs listeners to his podcast Show Up.00:00 What Showing Up Means00:21 Meet Daryl Dittmer01:05 Defining a True Man02:41 Misconceptions and Masculinity03:57 Crossroads and Humility07:30 When You Are Not Showing Up10:05 Daily Habits and Rituals15:32 Responsibility Without Shame19:58 Work Ethic and Micro Quitting24:00 Rebuilding Self-Trust26:13 Clearing Mental Garbage29:28 From Success to Fulfillment32:27 Where to Find Daryl33:46 First Things First35:47 Closing and Next StepsConnect with DarylDaryl Dittmer — https://www.daryldittmer.com/Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/daryl_dittmer/LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryl-dittmer-734205294/Daryl’s PodcastShow Up with Daryl Dittmer — https://www.daryldittmer.com/podcastConnect with Andy:Join other like-minded men in the Authentic AF Community | https://www.realmenfeel.org/groupInstagram | @realmenfeelshow & @theandygrantAndy Grant | https://theandygrant.com for coaching, healing, and book info!Real Men Feel | https://realmenfeel.orgYouTube | https://youtube.com/realmenfeel#RealMenFeel ep 411
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I Turn 60 Today: Growing Up Without Growing Old
Jul 100:02:17Tap to summarizeLet's connect in Authentic AF: https://www.skool.com/authenticafI Turn 60 Today: Growing Up Without Growing Old | Real Men Feel with Andy GrantAndy Grant, host of Real Men Feel, shares that he turns sixty today and reflects on never expecting to live past twenty. He notes he doesn’t feel much different from how he did at thirty and is in better shape now than when he graduated from university. Andy challenges the common belief that aging is inevitably “all downhill,” saying that may be true for some people but not for him, and encourages others to respond the same way. He emphasizes that growing up doesn’t have to mean growing old and cites men who felt great into their eighties and nineties because they kept learning, staying active, trying new things, laughing, and living. His advice at sixty: never stop learning, never stop trying new things, never stop having fun, and don’t waste life needing to be right all the time.00:00 Turning Sixty Today00:37 Rethinking Your Peak00:44 Rejecting Age Decline01:21 Growing Up Not Old01:42 Advice For Sixty01:50 Choose Happy Over Right02:11 Life Is Good#RealMenFeel 410
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Celebrating Male Friendship and Connection
Jun 2700:18:42Tap to summarizeTurning 60 and Staying Connected: Celebrating Male FriendshipHost Andy Grant records a road-trip documentary to Northern California with five high school friends celebrating turning 60, using intimate one-on-one interviews to explore adult male friendship amid “male loneliness” statistics (men with six or more close friends dropping from 55% to 27%, and 15% reporting zero close friends). His friends discuss the conscious effort required to maintain long-distance bonds, barriers like busyness, being a homebody, and social anxiety, and the value of communities such as church men’s groups, volunteering, and shared activities; one shares the “big important thing” approach of scheduling recurring traditions to keep friendships alive. They advise men without friends to make the first move and invite others in (“Come on over for supper”), be themselves rather than perform bravado, and express appreciation and affection (“If you can hug, you’re gonna be an awful lot happier”). Andy also shares past suicide attempts and realizing that the feared stigma often exists only in his mind, closing by inviting listeners to join the Authentic AF community.00:00 Road Trip Friendship Doc00:18 Why Male Friendship Matters01:22 Staying Close Across Distance02:27 Faith Groups And Brotherhood03:34 Busy Lives Social Anxiety05:07 Friendship Through Fun06:46 Effort And Ride Or Die08:51 Make It A Big Thing10:43 Advice For Men Alone13:01 Mental Health Storytime14:38 One Thing Men Should Know17:01 Turning Sixty Reflections17:57 Closing Thoughts & InvitationConnect with Andy:Join other like-minded men in the Authentic AF Community | https://www.realmenfeel.org/groupInstagram | @realmenfeelshow & @theandygrantAndy Grant | https://theandygrant.com for coaching, healing, and book info!Real Men Feel | https://realmenfeel.orgYouTube | https://youtube.com/realmenfeel#RealMenFeel ep 409
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Transform Your Life with ‘What If?’ | From Rock Bottom to Clarity
Jun 1900:29:12Tap to summarizeDoug Fleener on Sobriety, Self-Trust, and the “What If” Rule: Pause, Question, Go On Real Men Feel, Andy Grant talks with Doug Fleener, author of Start with What If, about how asking better questions can spark practical change. Doug shares how addiction and bankrupting his family business led to a pivotal interruption—“What if today you just went today without drink or drug?”—launching nearly four decades of sobriety. They discuss why men often wait for “rock bottom,” how shame thrives in isolation, and how honesty with another man can turn shame into remorse and responsibility. Doug outlines his “What If” rule—pause, question, go—emphasizing that action creates clarity and that mindset without action changes nothing. He reflects on redefining success beyond money, checking motives, serving others without resentment, and approaching fatherhood as “get to” rather than “have to.” Doug offers a free excerpt and newsletter at startwithwhatif.com, and Andy invites men to realmenfeel.org/group. Quotes: “What if today you just went today without drink or drug?” “The brain is a dangerous place to go alone.” “Mind shift without action changes nothing.”00:00 Why Men Hide Feelings00:21 Meet Doug Fleener01:17 The First What If03:20 Rock Bottom Choices08:06 From Shame to Action09:35 Pause Question Go11:29 Stop Catastrophizing14:08 Redefining Success17:46 Second Chance Fatherhood19:22 Action Creates Clarity23:16 Get Help Stay Connected26:17 Where to Find Doug28:45 Final TakeawaysConnect with DougDoug Fleener — https://startwithwhatif.com Instagram — https://instagram.com/dougfleenerYouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@doug-fleenerFacebook — https://www.facebook.com/startwithwhatifTikTok — http://tiktok.com/@dougfleenerLinkedIn — http://www.linkedin.com/in/dougfleenerResourcesStart With What If by Doug Fleener — https://amzn.to/4oAHL44Connect with Andy:Join other like-minded men in the Authentic AF Community | https://www.realmenfeel.org/groupInstagram | @realmenfeelshow & @theandygrantAndy Grant | https://theandygrant.com for coaching, healing, and book info!Real Men Feel | https://realmenfeel.orgYouTube | https://youtube.com/realmenfeel#RealMenFeel ep 408
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From Shame to Power: Emotional Alchemy and Masculinity
Jun 500:43:15Tap to summarizeEmotional Alchemy, Shame, and Healthy MasculinityHost Andy Grant welcomes back holistic life and relationship coach Markus Kasunich to discuss “emotional alchemy,” shame, and how men may self-emasculate in reaction to toxic masculinity. Markus defines emotional alchemy as a three-part process—emotional awareness (visceral sensing), emotional intelligence (real-time articulation), and processing through feeling—arguing the emotional body can clear old material efficiently. They explore how men commonly repress anger and sadness due to conditioning, and how healing means changing one’s relationship to patterns rather than eliminating conditioning. Markus distinguishes toxic masculinity as the shadow side of masculine archetypes (king, father, warrior, magician, sacred lover, sage) and urges men, especially younger men in dating, to cultivate refined, emotionally available masculinity without shame: “The only real ability to process emotions is to feel them,” “You never get rid of the conditioning, but you can definitely change the relationship to the conditioning,” and “The access to your consciousness starts with feeling.”00:00 Emotions and Needs00:20 Meet Markus Kasunich02:12 What Is Emotional Alchemy04:20 Clearing Emotions Faster06:25 Men and Suppressed Feelings08:07 Permission and Awareness10:39 Shame and Self Emasculation12:58 Toxic Masculinity Explained17:18 Owning Conditioning Without Shame20:38 Healing Your Relationship21:45 Responding Not Reacting23:18 Masculinity On Off Myth25:21 Dating Shame Spiral26:52 Reclaiming Healthy Archetypes29:18 Emotionally Mature Man31:39 Future Of Masculinity33:52 What Women Misunderstand36:34 When Vulnerability Gets Rejected39:25 How To Connect With Markus40:53 Feelings As Consciousness42:27 Final Takeaways And Community Connect with MarkusMarkus Kasunich — https://markuskasunich.com Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/markuswkasunich/YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@markuskasunich3583Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/markuswkasunich/Connect with Andy:Join other like-minded men in the Authentic AF Community | https://www.realmenfeel.org/groupInstagram | @realmenfeelshow & @theandygrantAndy Grant | https://theandygrant.com for coaching, healing, and book info!Real Men Feel | https://realmenfeel.orgYouTube | https://youtube.com/realmenfeel#RealMenFeel ep 407
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