The Manspace
A podcast for men who want to understand and improve themselves and their relationships, hosted by Dr. Matt Brown and Dr. Rob Porter and clinical therapist Mike Porter.
Ep. 195 Three Tips to Being a Better Husband
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How do you be a better husband? I know. You don't know. Or do you? Do we? We do. Did that get confusing? Maybe. But the episode isn't. It's got the three tips you need to be the husband you've always wanted to be. Tune in. Figure it out.
Keywords
relationships, communication, therapy, soda, relationships, emotional honesty, self-development, life lessons, personal growth, gas station stories, navigating life, partnership tips, emotional presence
Takeaways
Future plans can be shaped by current d...
Ep. 194 Is Stress Exhausting You?
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Manmaste Spacemen. Today's not a mindfulness episode, but we do talk about stress. Cause guess what, you're probably too stressed. The annoying part about stress is that it's like the frog in the boiling pot--we don't always notice it killing us slowly.
Lucky for you, the Manspace is here. We'll guide you through knowing and understanding how stress is affecting you and how it might be exhausting you. So calm down and listen in.
Keywords
exhaustion, stress, masculinity, emotional awareness, self-discovery, health, change, co...
Ep. 193 What is Respect?
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Spacemen, I demand respect! Except, that's not really how that works. On today's episode, we talk about respect with your spouse and your kids. Turns out, a lot of us are getting it wrong. Spoiler alert, respect is pretty directly related to the connection you have with the other person. So, if you want respect, figure out how to connect with someone. Guess you don't need to listen to the episode now. But still do. It would be the respectful thing to do.
Keywords
r...
Ep. 192 Masculinity Tests: Don't Put Too Much Stock In Them
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SpaceWarriors, gather ye spearbuds while ye may. And listen in. On today's episode, Matt, Mike, and Rob tackle another masculinity test. This one is at https://masculinetest.com/home/. Go try it out and let us know your answers.
As per usual, we break down why this test is flawed. In the end, tests like this can really only give you a heads up on some places you might want to work on. But don't put too much stock in it.
So, take the test and listen in.
Sp...
Ep. 191 Learning to Live Without: Lessons from Sailing with Phoenix
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Ahoy Spacemen! Today on the show, Mike and Rob talk about Sailing with Phoenix. If you don't know who that is, are you even living your life vicariously through social media? Spaceman, get on my level.
Mostly, we talk about how there is real advantages to learning to live without things. It's not always good to get anything you want whenever you want. Try cutting some stuff off. I mean, I'm not suggesting a finger or anything, but maybe social media or something. Just not The Manspace. No one should live w...
Ep. 190 The Manspace Vs. The Manosphere
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Spacemen, unite against the Manosphere. On today's episode, Matt, Mike, and Rob correct some harmful thinking that is perpetuated by the manosphere (men online who buy into the 'Red Pill' philosophy--to be honest, it's pretty sexist). We challenge the sexist ideas as damaging to women, men, and relationships. And we propose a rallying call to be a better man to help raise a generation of better men. Mount up!
Keywords
band reunion, graduation, Manosphere, red pill philosophy, relationships, differentiation, mentoring, young men, emotional health, self-awareness<...
Ep. 189 Finding Your Inner-Man: Iron John Book review
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Hairy Spacemen, come forth from your cages and find your golden ball. If you don't know what I'm talking about, shame on you for not reading the book. On today's episode, we talk about Iron John and how to find our inner man. I mean, that sounds deeper than it is, but we do have some good conversations about finding what we've lost. Don't believe me? Listen in. And look what AI has to say about it:
In this conversation, the hosts delve into the themes presented in the book 'Iron J...
Ep. 188 Work/Life Balance? What's That?
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SpaceEmployees! Gather for a space-wide mandatory meeting as we discuss office politics and how you are balancing your work life with your personal life. Keep in mind, balance doesn't always mean equal time. So, you should probably be giving MORE time to The Manspace.
I might be off about that. I can't remember what I said in the episode, but it was probably something like that. But, I do know that Mike and Rob break down the sometimes messed up ways we view work and the balance we strike with it. S...
Ep. 187 How Do I Talk to My Partner about Sex?
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Spacemen, go light some candles. Maybe put on some soft Sade and then sit down and listen in as Matt, Mike, and Rob walk you through how to talk about sex with your lady.
It's not that there's a perfect way to do this, but there are ways to make sure it's healthy and effective. We've got lots of tips. The biggest one, you ask? Don't have the conversation with your lady expecting to have sex immediately afterwards. Just good, healthy, verbal intercourse. Buckle up!
K...
Ep. 186 Anxious-ADHD Couple, Part 2
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Sup SpaceDistracted men. Today on the Space, Mike and Matt answer your questions about ADHD-Anxious couples. We get a little more specific and give a little more direction. Just like SpaceAdmirals should. Listen in. We'll steer you right.
Keywords
ADHD, anxiety, relationships, mindfulness, coping strategies, mental health, personal growth, communication, societal expectations, emotional intelligence
Takeaways
Understanding and change are crucial in relationships.Viewing partners as growth opportunities fosters better dynamics.Anxiety often leads to miscommunication and m...Ep. 185 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
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SpaceImposters! Don't worry. We know you're real. Remember that game your kids played for a second? Among us? Well that's what we're doing today--discovering the imposter.
Today, Mike and Rob talk about imposter syndrome: how it affects us and some tips to combat it. So, believe in yourself and listen in.
Keywords
imposter syndrome, mental health, self-doubt, anxiety, personal growth, confidence, men's issues, podcasting, self-acceptance, personal development
Takeaways
Imposter syndrome is a common experience fo...Ep. 184 Confront Your Insecurities
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Spacemen, it's time to read a book. That's right. Today, we talk about the book The Eden Project. But really, we're talking about how to confront your own insecurities. According to AI, we talk about the importance of self-reflection, the role of insecurities in relationships, and the need for personal accountability. And if AI says it, it must be good. So grab a blanket and your insecurities and listen in.
Keywords
therapy, personal growth, relationships, insecurities, couples therapy, self-reflection, emotional health, accountability, communication, individual work
Ep 183 Make Fun of Your Friends
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Sup Spacelosers. Just kidding. I could never tease you guys. Or could I? Maybe it's good for our relationship. Matt, Mike, and Rob will break it down for you. People have been talking about it on the interwebs, so you know it must be good. Of course, your space admirals will let you know what you should believe. Listen in.
Keywords
teasing, humor, friendships, male bonding, social dynamics, self-deprecation, trust, communication, relationships, laughter
Takeaways
Teasing can strengthen f...Ep. 182 Take Responsibility for your Crap
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Spacemen, own your stuff. Don't do this martyr thing where everything is your fault. Totally ineffective and the emotional equivalent of making someone else's pain about you. Matt and Rob break down why men sometimes take too much repsonsbility and why that ineffective. And we'll tell you how to stop doing it. So...you're gonna want to listen.
Keywords
farts, humor, emotional intimacy, relationships, male emotional responses, self-awareness, stoicism, emotional mastery, connection, vulnerability
Takeaways
Humor can be a...Ep. 181 Are You Driven By Money or Fame?
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Spacemen, you vain men. On today's episode, we talk about what drives your behavior. Specifically, we talk about Dr. Arthur Brooks and his concepts of what drives us toward happiness. Matt, Mike, and Rob talk about Money, Honor, Pleasure, or Power--Dr. Brooks' concepts--and which one drives them. Guess which one Rob's is...I may have just let it slip. But listen in and find out.
Keywords
Manspace, motivations, power, money, pleasure, honor, personal identity, mental health
Takeaways
Ep. 180 Listen to Your Gut
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Mga kosmonawt! That's Tagalog for spacemen...maybe. I don't actually know that word. But I don't need to. I just went with my gut. Just like today's episode. Matt, Mike, and Rob talk about the difference between following emotions, anxiety, and your gut. Turns out, there's a difference. We'll show you the way. THEN, listen to your gut.
Keywords
soda, leadership, discomfort, instincts, emotions, gut feelings, mental health, anxiety, decision making, self-trust
Takeaways
Discomfort often drives motivation a...Ep. 179 Lessons for Living. BOOK CLUB
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Spacenerds. Gather your fellow spacenerds and retire to the spacenerdery for some book club. Today, we talk about Lesson for Living by Phil Stutz.
We get real deep on important ideas the book brings up. Like connecting with something bigger than you, creating, and discipline. It's like we just dish out lessons for living. See what I did there? Man. Is there anything I can't do? Listen in and find out.
Keywords
podcast, conversation, Stutz, Lessons for Living, manhood, fatherhood, wisdom, mental health, se...
Ep. 178 Are You an Anxious - ADHD Couple?
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Spacemen, FOCUS! Or calm down. But probably, focus. Is your relationship a mix of an anxious person and an ADHD person? Or one who is high strung and one who is free-wheeling? Well then listen in. We'll take care of everything.
Today, Matt, Mike, and Rob break down, reframe, and rework the dynamics of an anxious "productive" partner with an ADHD "dreamer" partner. It's actually pretty common, and not really what you might think. But I don't want to spoil it. You'll just have to listen in.
...
Ep. 177 The Importance of Discipline...I Think
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Spacemen, go run a lap. Get your discipline on. Today's episode is about discipline. But, like usual, Matt and Rob meander their way there and cover all the topics. We actually cover a listener request of the relationship between food, exercise, and mental health. Sorta. So buckle up.
Keywords
battle ready, discipline, mental health, exercise, masculinity, overthinking, food, sports, self-mastery, mindfulness
takeaways
Discipline is essential for achieving personal goals.Mental health is not just about feeling happy; it's about understanding and accepting y...Ep. 176 Get Better at Empathy
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Listen up Spacies. You're not bad at empathy, Women, you're not as good as you think you are. Turns our many men want to be more open, but are afraid it will be rejected by their female partners. So ladies, get better.
I mean, it's not really a competition. We just do stuff differently. So if you're interested in getting a little better at empathy and getting annoyed at Rob, listen in.
Keywords
empathy, relationships, communication, vulnerability, toxic masculinity, emotional intelligence, gender dynamics, podcast, personal g...
Ep. 175 Forget Valentine's. It's Bro-lentine's!!
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Dudes, get to the store. You've got two days left to get some flowers for your bros. And also maybe the special lady in your life.
On today's episode, Matt and Mike talk about valentines traditions, but more importantly how men can show love for each other. So listen in. Don't forget. We heart you.
Keywords
relationships, social dynamics, pop culture, family, Valentine's Day, male friendships, vulnerability, emotional expression, community, connection
Takeaways
Relationships require effort and understanding.Pop culture can in...Ep. 174 The Manspace Book Club: The Coddling of the American Mind
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SpaceBruhs! Sup. Go get your readers and other nerd glass-type accessories and come get your club on. But the book club kind, not the cool kind of club. On today's episode, we're discussing The Coddling of the American Mind.
To be honest, this book might be controversial for some. But it shouldn't be. There's some very helpful stuff in this book. Like, slowing down to listen to other points of view, encouraging resilience in your kids, and challenging your own beliefs.
So, get your nerd on. Next book is Le...
Ep. 173 Is it Bad to Sleep in Separate Beds? LISTENER REQUEST
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Spacemen, once again, we answer your most burny questions. This week, we tackle the dilemma that plagued Lucy and Ricky Ricardo--sleeping in separate beds. Believe it or not, there is some debate around this idea. Luckily, the Admirals of the Space-i-verse put it to...bed?
Today, we clarify the context around different sleeping arrangements. Turns out, it's less about the arrangement and more about the communication around the arrangement. Weird. We suggest a conversation. It's almost like all problems in life can be solved with a simple conversation. But before you...
Ep. 172 What If My Spouse has a Mental Illness? LISTENER REQUEST
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Spacemen, did you miss us? Apparently so. Some of you reached out, concerned about our recent hiatus. I'm not sure you can call it a hiatus--more just a whoopsie. Matt and Mike forgot to record when Rob was gone and then SOMEONE forgot to post this episode on time. Sheesh.
Don't worry. We're back. And today, we tackle how to handle relationship dynamics when one partner struggles with mental illness. This is another listener request, so you know it's good. According to AI, we explore the importance of understanding mental health d...
Ep. 171 New Year's Evolutions
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Spacemen, EVOLVE! But before you do that, let me just lay down some gems from the AI show note suggestions...words like "light banter", "light-hearted", and "insightful". It's like AI is trying to put us in a 2024 box. Well this is 2025 and we will not be contained. This episode is ridden with "deep insults", "hard-hitting truth bombs", and dare I say "mind-blowing". Okay so maybe it's not that different from 2024, but does it need to be? Do we need to reinvent ourselves every year, or are we all just on a path of...
Ep. 170 The Importance of Traditions
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Happy Holidays Space-suckas! On today's episode, we talk about traditions. What's good about them, what's not good. Mike sounds like a real dreamboat because he's so deliberate about his traditions. But, the gist is traditions are important. They help us understand ourselves and create meaning. So make the Manspace a tradition. Listen in.
Keywords
Christmas traditions, holiday rituals, family values, significance of traditions, client relationships, holiday greetings, new traditions, cultural significance
Takeaways
Ep. 169 Get Enlightened! Book Review: The Celestine Prophecy
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Look spacemen, Imma be real honest. We let you down with this book. Let's just say it leaves you wanting more? Or maybe, not wanting more? I don't know which of those is bad. Luckily, we the supreme commanders of Manspace Control still managed to pull out some real gems for you.
Specifically, we talk about the importance of connecting to something higher or bigger than yourself. And we talk about the power of connecting with people around you. So, settle in and prepare to not read the book. But the...
Ep. 168 What are Your Blind Spots?
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Spacemen! Did you ever consider that it's really hard to see something from someone else's point of view? Like, maybe you can't even see how your own perspective changes how you view things.
On today's episode, we talk about blind spots we have--how things we've always assumed are correct--might impact how we approach situations. Also, full disclosure, I'm watching a terrible Christmas movie right now. But maybe it's not terrible? Maybe my blind spot is assuming that good acting makes a good movie. Shame on me. But it doesn't have to b...
Ep. 167 Maybe You're NOT the Problem.
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Look spacemen, it takes a true spaceman to admit when they're wrong and an even truer one to admit when their wife is wrong. On today's episode, we do just that.
We don't actually admit to being wrong, but Mike and Rob talk about how men are the problem in relationships. We're not saying women are, but we are saying we need to stop blaming men for everything. You're doing a good job. Could you do better? Sure! That's why you listen to The Manspace (which, coincidentally, is how I know...
Ep. 166 Laugh it Off: The Importance of Humor in Relationships
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Dudes. You should laugh at stuff more. Honestly, when was the last time you laughed your crack off? I mean, besides the Manspace, obviously. Turns out humor is extremely helpful.
On today's episode, Matt, Mike, and Rob break down how humor can enhance our relationships, increase connection, and improve creativity. You should listen to the episode and then make a fart joke during your next fight. It'll totally work. Maybe.
keywords
humor, sarcasm, relationships, communication, therapy, pop culture, emotional intelligence, self-deprecating humor, interpersonal dynamics, coping m...
Ep. 165 Living without Fear: The Fearless Mind Book Review
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No fear bro. Grip it and rip it. Live free or die hard. Come and take it. And other such sundry fearless phrases. That's what's happening today. We're facing our fears. Well, more just talking about how to live without fear.
Today, we review the book The Fearless Mind by Craig Manning. Matt, Mike, and Rob talk about how to have more focus on process, being more task oriented, and worrying less about the outcomes. I bet you thought AI generated that last sentence. Well it didn't. I'm just that good...
Ep. 164 Maybe YOU'RE the Problem
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SPACEMEN!!!! I think we've solved it for good this time. I know I've said that before, but this time, we really nailed it. And by we, I mean Rob. It's the Rob show today. Finally, Or unfortunately. Just Rob rambling on about who knows what.
I know what. Rob talks about looking at yourself in the relationship and taking responsibility to change things. Far too many people get stuck looking at and blaming the other person. Well guess what? You're the problem. Listen in as Rob lists off your flaws.
<...
Ep. 162 The Power of Positive Feedback
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Spacemen, you're remarkable. You're doing a great job. Probably. I mean, you're listening to the show, so clearly you're trying to improve yourself. So nice work.
On today's episode, we talk about the effectiveness of positive feedback and how, unfortunately, we're not so great at it. Research shows over and over that we get better results from positive feedback, but we're often afraid that if we don't highlight what was wrong, it won't get fixed. We'll that's just stupid. Stop thinking that. Listen to the episode. We'll get you fixed.
...
Ep. 162 What If I Don't Like My Spouse Anymore?
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Look spacemen, probably the only thing you need to know about this episode is that Matt does not like Ryan Reynolds. You should probably let Ryan know on social media. If I know him like I think I do, he'll want to come on our show and rectify that. I should also make a formal clarification--this episode is NOT brought to you by Ryan Reynolds or any of his affiliate companies.
We do talk about other things on this episode too. Specifically what to do if you lost that liking feeling f...
Ep. 161 The Benefits of Slow Living
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Spacemen, pull up a chair. Take a load off. Just relax and be in the Space. You got nothing better to do. On today's episode, we talk about the massive impact of slowing down your life--from your thoughts to your intentions and actions inside your relationship. If you're lucky, we'll even quote Miley Cyrus. But you gotta slow down to hear it.
takeaways
Ep. 160 Should My Wife Meet My Needs?
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Spacemen, at this point, you should really start to look at us like AI; you ask a question and we answer it. And just like AI, we have the answers. If you ask, I can even draw you a picture with a hand and 7 fingers that mesh into one. Look out Gemini.
On today's episode, Mike and Rob discuss meeting needs in relationships. Whose responsibility is it to meet needs? What expectations should have have? Don't worry. We'll tell you.
keywords
relationships, personal needs, self-sufficiency...
Ep. 159 Embrace Discomfort. Book Review: The Comfort Crisis
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Hey guys. This week is multimedia. Well...sorta. I mean, if you were a loyal spaceman, you would have read the book already. The book, meaning The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter. If you haven't, it's okay. You can still read it.
Pretend you had a book report and read the back cover. Here's all you need to know. It's important for us to challenge ourselves. There's actually a lot of value in being uncomfortable. Listen in and find out.
Takeaways
The importance of...Ep. 158 Can Men Be Emotionally Abused?
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SpacePeeps. Let's get our casting on. On today's episode, Matt, Mike, and Rob talk about emotional dynamics in relationships and why men are sometimes willing to put up with or may not know they are experiencing emotional abuse. It's a complex term and problem, and today we're just beginning the conversation. But there are many men who accept treatment they shouldn't. We talk about why that happens and how to change that in a healthy way.
So, head to the drink store and get your manspace on. It's spacecasting time.
Ep. 157 Are There Quick Fixes?
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Sup Sigmas. Get your skibbity toilets ready and put on that sweet Ohio rizz. Go get your middle-schooler and they'll tell you how cool I am. Or that I don't know what I'm talking about. Fanum Tax.
On today's episode, we talk about mental health trends and how they lead us to believe in quick fixes. Look, Rob doesn't believe in them, but he's trying to stay open to the possibility that maybe there are some? Or maybe we just have to be cool with work and taking a quick hit, t...
Ep. 156 Should I Go To The Doctor?
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Spacemen! Tune in for a very special episode. Sort of like an after-school special on the importance of getting your colon checked. I know. You were like, "Hey, how come we're not talking more about colonoscopies." Well put your wonder to rest. Today, we talk about Rob getting a colonoscopy.
I mean, really only for a minute. Then we talk about why men don't want to go to doctors. Should we go? Yes. Are the reasons we don't go legitimate? Sometimes. But really, go to the doctor. And listen to this...
