Whether you see some deer, have a fox cross your path, or spot a moose, there’s something disportionately delightful about encountering wildlife. Even seeing something pedestrian like a possum feels really fun. If you’d like to have more of these kinds of encounters, and a deeper experience with nature as a result, my guest has some tips for making them happen more often. His name is Dave Hall, and he’s an outdoor educator and guide, as well as the author of The Naturalist’s Companion: A Field Guide to Observing and Understanding Wildlife. Today on the show, Dave and I first talk about the safety and ethical considerations around observing wild animals. We then discuss the best places to spot wildlife (and how it could be in your own backyard), whether there’s a best time of day to encounter animals, and the approach to take so that the animals don’t know you’re there, or if they do, feel comfortable with your presence. Dave shares the gaze to adopt to spy more animals and the signs that will help you find them. We end our conversation with how to practice what Dave calls “spontaneous acceptance,” which may allow you to chill with a beaver. Resources Related to the Podcast Field guides and nature-related books that Dave recommends: Tom Brown’s Field Guide to Nature Observation and Tracking by Tom Brown Jr. Peterson Field Guides Timber Press Field Guides Tracking and the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign by Paul Rezendes What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World by Jon Young Touching the Wild by Joe Hutto Beaversprite: My Years Building an Animal Sanctuary by Dorothy Richards Dave’s previous appearance on the AoM podcast: Episode #157 — Primitive Pursuits & Winter Survival AoM Article: A Primer on Identifying Animal Footprints AoM Podcast #739: Rewild Your Life AoM Podcast #194: The Field Notes of Theodore Roosevelt Connect With Dave Hall Dave’s website

We live in a chatter-filled world. People will talk your ear off when you see them in person and everyone is constantly sharing their thoughts online. But my guest would say that all this chatter may be hurting us more than we know, and it would be better to close our pieholes and sit on our typing fingers a lot more often than we do. His name is Dan Lyons, and he's the author of STFU: The Power of Keeping Your Mouth Shut in an Endlessly Noisy World. Today on the show, Dan unpacks how being quiet and speaking with greater intention can improve your life. We discuss why some people tend to overtalk more than others and the six types of overtalkers out there, from the blurter to the most extreme case, the talkaholic, for whom overtalking is practically an addiction. We then discuss not getting sucked into spouting off online, avoiding conversational narcissism, the argument for spending less time working on your personal brand and more time doing quality work, how silence is power, how the best way to deal with issues in a marriage may be by not talking about them, and more. Resources Related to the Podcast AoM Article: The Virtuous Life — Silence AoM Article: The Spiritual Disciplines — Silence AoM Article: The Quiet Man’s Power AoM Podcast #389: What It Means to Be a Quiet Professional AoM Article: How to Avoid Conversational Narcissism AoM Article: Why the Secret of a Happy, Successful Marriage Is Treating It Like a Bank Account AoM series on becoming a better listener Jonathan Haidt on how social media is causing a mental illness epidemic in teenage girls "Millions of Followers? For Book Sales, 'It's Unreliable'" International Listening Association Connect with Dan Lyons Dan's website

If you've had some contact with the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, there's a good chance you found it abstract, heady, and hard to understand. But my guest would say that it's full of rich, usable insights on how to become better people, and, fortunately for us, she's got a true knack for making Kant's wisdom really accessible. Karen Stohr is a professor of philosophy and the author of Choosing Freedom: A Kantian Guide to Life. Today on the show, she brings Kant's ethical system and categorical imperative down to earth and shares how it can be applied to our everyday lives. We discuss Kant's belief in our great moral potential and duty to improve ourselves, and how his insights can help us make right choices. Karen explains Kant's ideas on the difference between negative and positive freedom, the importance of treating people as ends and not just means, the tension between love and respect, why ingratitude could be considered a "satanic vice," how practicing manners can make us better people, and more. You Kant miss this episode. Sorry, I had to do that. Resources Related to the Podcast AoM Article: Freedom From…Freedom To AoM Article: Practical Wisdom — The Master Virtue AoM Article: Via Negativa — Adding to Your Life By Subtracting AoM Podcast #292: The Road to Character AoM Podcast #421: Why You Need a Philosophical Survival Kit AoM Podcast #535: The Problem of Self-Help in a Liquid Age Sunday Firesides: Embracing the Coin of Character Sunday Firesides: Manners Develop Self-Control (And May Preserve Democracy) AoM Article: Are You a Contemptible Person? MLK's "Loving Your Enemies" sermon On Manners by Karen Stohr Oxford's Guides to the Good Life series of books Connect with Karen Stohr Karen's faculty page

You get really excited about an idea to start an exercise program, or become a better partner, or get organized. And then you do . . . nothing. Absolutely nothing. It's said that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Even if they don't send you straight to Hades, good intentions, that go unfulfilled, can lead to real suffering. When you fail to act on your perennial plans for progress, you end up feeling frustrated, demoralized, and stuck. My guest is a clinical psychologist who has spent his career obsessed with how to tackle this stubborn issue of human existence. His name is Steve Levinson, and he's the co-author of Following Through: A Revolutionary New Model for Finishing Whatever You Start. Steve first explains the unhelpful ideas we have about why we don't follow through and that its real cause comes down to a tension between two different systems within us. He then shares the ah-ha moment he had as to how to reconcile these systems in order to consistently follow through on your intentions and offers strategies on how to put his follow-through method into practice. We end our conversation with the idea that the greatest strategy for increasing your follow-through is treating your intentions with a seriousness that borders on the sacred. Resources Related to the Podcast AoM Article: Stop Procrastinating Today With Behavioral Science AoM Podcast #444: How to Use the Procrastination Equation to Start Getting Things Done AoM Article: What Gandhi and a 19th-Century Prussian Prince Can Teach You About Making Unbreakable Resolutions Sunday Firesides: Lash Yourself to the Mast AoM Article: The Power of Temptation Bundling Sunday Firesides: Do You Take This Habit . . . ? Connect With Steve Levinson FollowingThrough website Steve on LinkedIn

Many a man has been impressed by the ingenuity of secret agent operations, and intrigued by the subterfuge, gadgets, and disguises required to pull them off. Much of what we think about when we think about spies got its start as part of the Office of Strategic Services, the American intelligence agency during World War II. Here to unpack some of the history of the world of cloak and dagger operations is John Lisle, author of The Dirty Tricks Department: Stanley Lovell, the OSS, and the Masterminds of World War II Secret Warfare. Today on the show, Lisle explains why the OSS was created and the innovations its research and development section came up with to fight the Axis powers. We talk about the most successful weapons and devices this so-called “Dirty Tricks Department” developed, as well as its more off-the-wall ideas, which included releasing bat bombs and radioactive foxes in Japan. We discuss the department’s attempt to create a truth serum, its implementation of a disinformation campaign involving “The League of Lonely War Women,” and its promotion of a no-holds-barred hand-to-hand combat fighting system. We also talk about the influence of the OSS on the establishment of the CIA and controversial projects like MKUltra. Resources Related to the Podcast William “Wild Bill” Donovan Office of Strategic Services William Fairbairn Time pencil “Aunt Jemima” explosive Limpet mine The bat bomb John’s article on Operation Fantasia’s radioactive foxes AoM Article: 15 Cool Spy Concealments AoM Podcast #225: The Real Life James Bond AoM Article: The History of Invisible Ink AoM Article: Why Men Love the Story of the Great Escape Connect With John Lisle John on Twitter John’s website

You may think of anxiety as a reaction, a feeling, or a disorder. My guest today says that perhaps the best way to think about anxiety, especially if you want to treat it effectively, is as a habit. His name is Dr. Judson Brewer, and he's a psychiatrist and neuroscientist, and the author of Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind. Dr. Jud and I begin our conversation with what anxiety is, and how it gets connected into a habit loop that can lead to other maladaptive behaviors like drinking, overeating, and worrying. Dr. Jud then explains how to hack the anxiety habit loop by mapping it out, disenchanting your anxiety-driven behaviors, and giving your brain "a bigger, better offer" by getting curious about your anxiety. We also talk about why asking why you're anxious is not part of this process, and end our conversation with how this habit-based approach to behavior change can also work for things like depression and anger. Resources Related to the Podcast AoM Podcast #497: The Meaning, Manifestations, and Treatments for Anxiety AoM Podcast #614: Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life AoM article, podcast, and video on hacking the habit loop AoM article on asking "what" instead of "why" Undoing Depression by Richard O'Connor Connect With Dr. Jud Dr. Jud's Website

In your journey towards becoming stronger, fitter, and healthier, there often comes a point where you wonder if taking some supplements will help your progress along. But what fitness supplements are actually effective and worth investing in? Here to answer that question is Layne Norton, a powerlifter and doctor of nutritional science who has a passion for debunking health-related myths and promoting evidence-based recommendations. He’s also, full disclosure, the owner of a supplement company himself. But I don’t have any financial connection to Layne’s company and we keep this conversation neutral and high-level. In our conversation, Layne argues that there are three top-tier research-backed supplements to consider — whey protein, creatine, and caffeine — and we unpack how to use each of them for optimal results. We discuss whether plant proteins are sufficient for building muscle, whether it’s true that creatine causes bloating, acne, and hair loss, how to best time your caffeine intake to energize your workouts, and much more. At the end of our conversation, Layne shares some additional supplements that seem promising for enhancing your health and fitness. Resources Related to the Episode Layne’s previous appearance on the AoM podcast: Episode #475 — How to Lose Weight, and Keep It Off Forever Layne’s supplement company: Outwork Nutrition AoM Article: A Primer On Muscle-Building Supplements — Which Work and Which Don’t? AoM Article: Creatine — A Primer on Its Benefits and Use AoM Article: How to Use Caffeine to Optimize Your Workouts AoM Article: Chugging Your Protein — It’s Whey Easier Than You Think AoM Podcast #285: The Real Science of Nutrition and Supplements Connect With Layne Norton Layne on Instagram Layne‘s website

You heard about The Art of War, and it sounded pretty cool. So you picked up a copy to read. But you found that, beyond a few of its famous maxims, a lot of this text attributed to the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu was hard to understand, much less incorporate into your life. My guest offers a tripartite framework that can help you get a lot more out of The Art of War. His name is Jim Gimian, and he's an editor of one of the text's translations as well as the co-author of The Rules of Victory: How to Transform Chaos and Conflict—Strategies from The Art of War. Today on the show, Jim argues that The Art of War is a holistic, interconnected text that's about how to approach conflict and obstacles in a holistic, interconnected way. Underlying this approach are three dynamics: Heaven, Earth, and General, which correspond to View, Practice, and Action. Jim and I talk about the importance of constantly orienting and reorienting yourself to an ever-changing world, working with the shih, or energy, in the landscape you're navigating, using action to further refine your perspective, and more. Resources Related to the Episode The Art of War: The Denma Translation Professor Andrew Wilson's Great Courses course on Masters of War AoM Podcast #664: The Masters of the Art of War With Andrew Wilson AoM Article: 43 Books About War Every Man Should Read AoM Article: Lessons from The Art of War — Good Leaders vs. Bad Leaders AoM Article: The Tao of Boyd — How to Master the OODA Loop Connect With Jim Gimian The Rules of Victory website Jim on LinkedIn

What albums and songs are getting a lot of play on your Spotify or iTunes app currently? My guest would say that the music you put in heavy rotation comes down to your unique "listener profile." Her name is Susan Rogers, and she's a music producer-turned-neuroscientist as well as the co-author of This Is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You. Today on the show, Susan unpacks the seven dimensions of music and how they show up along a varying spectrum in every song. She explains how everyone has an individualized taste for the configuration of these dimensions, and that how closely a particular song aligns with this pattern of sweet spots accounts for whether you like it or not. Along the way, we discuss artists that exemplify these dimensions, how Frank Sinatra injected virility into his music, how part of your musical taste has to do with the way you prefer to move your body, and much more. Artists and Songs Mentioned in the Episode Prince's Purple Rain Barenaked Ladies The Shaggs Ella Fitzgerald The Rentals The Killers Tame Impala Steven Page Johnny Cash Cake James Brown's "Hot Pants" Yes' "Roundabout" Pharrell Williams' "Happy" Carly Rae Jepson's "Call Me Maybe" Miles Davis' Birth of the Cool and Kind of Blue Frank Sinatra's first hit song "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" (1940) vs. "It Was a Very Good Year" (1965) Connect With Susan Rogers The This Is What It Sounds Like website, including the "Record Pull" Susan's faculty page

Influence comes down to a person's level of authority. When someone is perceived as having power, status, and worth, others readily follow them and comply with them. Authority isn't just a matter of position. It's also a personal quality. When people attempt to develop their influence or authority, they tend to focus on learning social skills and changing their behaviors around speech and body language. But my guest would say that authority isn't about what you learn but who you are, and that once you establish the right lifestyle and mindset, influential behaviors will emerge as a natural byproduct. Chase Hughes is a behavioral analyst who trains both military operatives and civilians. Today on the show, Chase unpacks the five factors that measure someone's level of authority and produce composure, a state which resides between posturing and collapse. We talk about how so much of authority comes down to having your stuff together, why you should become your own butler, and what Andy Griffith has to teach about leadership. We also talk about the things that kill your authority, and how not to be influenced by false authority. After the show is over, check out the show notes at aom.is/authority Resources Related to the Episode Chase's books: Six-Minute X-Ray: Rapid Behavior Profiling The Ellipsis Manual: Analysis and Engineering of Human Behavior Chase's app Milgram experiment "The Social Psychology of Imitated Jaywalking" Chase's Authority Self-Assessment Matrix AoM Article: The 5 T’s of Mastering the Art of Poise Becoming a Well-Differentiated Leader AoM Article: Never Complain; Never Explain Smoke-filled room experiment AoM Article: 8 Reasons You’re Hardwired for Sheepness The 34 Behaviors That Will Kill Your Authority Connect With ChaseHughes Chase's website Chase on IG Chase's YouTube channel and The Behavioral Panel YouTube channel Chase on Twitter

When Nick Gray moved to New York City, he was a shy introvert with few friends. But he wanted to build up his social network. So he started throwing cocktail parties to meet people. These parties changed his life, and he thinks they can change yours, too. Nick knows what you're thinking: you don't throw parties, and hosting them is simply not for you. But, he would encourage you not to tune out. He's got a great case for why you should give this idea a try, and just as he does in his book — The 2-Hour Cocktail Party: How to Build Big Relationships with Small Gatherings — Nick is going to lay out exactly how to throw a party that's low stakes and low effort, but will be highly successful in helping you build all kinds of connections. Today on the show, Nick shares what he's learned from throwing hundreds of parties and refining his hosting technique to a T. He explains why cocktail parties are better than dinner parties (and don't have to involve actual cocktails), the best night of the week to throw a party, why the party should only be two hours long and have a firm end time, how many people to invite, and who to invite when you don't yet have any friends. And he explains why he's a big fan of two things you might be hesitant about — name tags and icebreakers — and why two of his favorite things to include in a party are grapes and a harmonica. Resources Related to the Episode Related articles by Nick: How to Host a Party at Home With Kids How to Host a Digital Nomad Happy Hour Mocktail Party: How to Host When You Don’t Drink Alcohol How to Do Icebreakers: The Ultimate Guide Event Platforms: Pros, Cons, and My Favorites Related AoM articles and podcasts: The Manly Art of Hospitality How to End a Conversation 9 Reasons You Should Host a Party This Weekend Podcast #378: Brunch Is Hell Podcast #362: The Art of Mingling Connect With Nick Gray Nick's website Nick's newsletter Nick on IG

Among people who experience some sort of trauma, what percentage do you think go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder? A third? A Half? More? Actually, the answer is 10%. An overestimation of how common it is to develop PTSD after trauma is one of the misconceptions my guest thinks are leading to its overdiagnosis and an underestimation of human resilience. Dr. Joel Paris is a professor emeritus of psychiatry and the author of Myths of Trauma: Why Adversity Does Not Necessarily Make Us Sick. Today on the show, Joel explains what some of those myths of trauma are, including the idea that it's trauma itself which causes PTSD. Joel argues that PTSD is instead created when exposure to trauma meets an individual's susceptibility to it, and he explains what psychological, biological, and even social factors contribute to this susceptibility. We also get into how the methods used to prevent the triggering of trauma can backfire and how the treatment for PTSD will be ineffective if it only focuses on processing an adverse experience. Resources Related to the Episode AoMPodcast #788: The Dangers of “Concept Creep” AoM Podcast #555: Dandelion Children vs. Orchid Children From Paralysis to Fatigue: A History of Psychosomatic Illness in the Modern Era by Edward Shorter AoM Podcast #440: The 3 Great Untruths That Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure Jay Belsky's research on differential sensitivity Video demonstration of EMDR Radical Acceptance Interview with Bruce Wampold as to what makes for a good therapist Joel's other books Connect With Joel Paris Joel's faculty page

You've probably heard of Ernest Shackleton, and his ill-fated Antarctic expedition. The Endurance, the ship on which he and his crew sailed, famously became trapped in ice, sunk, and set the men and their indomitable leader off on an arduous journey to safety and rescue. But the Shackleton expedition wasn't the only one to meet such a fate, and to become a crucible for leadership. The year before the demise of the Endurance, the Karluk, flagship vessel of the Canadian Arctic Expedition, became icebound and sunk, leaving its crew to trek 80 miles across dangerous ice floes to an island, and its captain to travel 1,000 miles more to obtain rescue for those marooned survivors. Buddy Levy shares that compelling story in his new book Empire of Ice and Stone: The Disastrous and Heroic Voyage of the Karluk, and unpacks it for us today on the show. Along the way, he brings out the leadership lessons in planning, maintaining morale, and embodying endurance you can glean from the expedition's two dominant figures: its ostensible leader, who abandoned the ship, and the Karluk's captain, who did all he could to save its shipwrecked survivors. Resources Related to the Episode Labyrinth of Ice: The Triumphant and Tragic Greely Polar Expedition by Buddy Levy Endurance by Alfred Lansing AoM Article: Leadership Lessons from Ernest Shackleton AoM Article: What They Left and What They Kept — What an Antarctic Expedition Can Teach You About What’s Truly Valuable AoM Article: Alone — Lessons on Solitude From an Antarctic Explorer Connect With Buddy Levy Buddy's Website

Years ago, I was flipping through TV channels and came across Hugh Laurie, of Dr. House fame, decked out in 19th-century English gentleman garb. Because I was a House fan, I was curious about what Hugh Laurie sounded like with his native British accent, so I paused my channel surfing to find out. Then I brought up the title and saw that I was watching Sense and Sensibility. "Ugh. Jane Austen. No way I would enjoy that," I thought. I associated Jane Austen with foo-fooey lady stuff. So my plan was to flip the channel as soon as I heard Dr. House talk British. Two hours later, the end credits for Sense and Sensibility scrolled down the screen. I had watched the entire thing. Didn't even get up to go the bathroom. Not only did I watch the whole movie, I remember thinking, "Man, that was really good." Thanks to Dr. House, my resistance to Austen was broken, and I found myself genuinely curious about her books. So I got the free version of her collected works and slowly started working my way through what are arguably her three best: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Emma. And I'll be darned if I didn't truly enjoy them all. If you're a dude who's written off Jane Austen's work as I once did, perhaps today's podcast will convince you that there's something in it for women and men alike and encourage you to give her novels a try. My guest is John Mullan, a professor of English and the author of What Matters in Jane Austen? John and I discuss the literary innovation Austen pioneered that influenced the likes of Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove and will give your social agility a healthy workout. John then explains why soldiers and Winston Churchill turned to Austen during the world wars. We also discuss the philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre's argument that Austen's work was "the last great representative of the classical tradition of virtues," Austen's idea of manliness, and how a man's choice of a wife will shape his character. And John shares his recommendation for which Austen novel men should read first. Resources Related to the Episode AoM Article: Why Every Man Should Read Jane Austen Editions of Jane Austen's works available in the public domain Editions of Sense and Sensibility and Emmawith introductions by John AoM Podcast #824: Lonesome Dove and Life’s Journey Through Uncertainty Rudyard Kipling's short story "The Janeites" After Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyre Connect With John Mullan John's Faculty Page Listen to the Podcast! (And don’t forget to leave us a review!)

Twenty years ago, it didn't seem like a burdensome task to write a handwritten letter to a loved one. Fifteen years ago, it wasn't a big deal to write a long email to a friend. Today, it can feel hard to motivate yourself to tap out a two line response to a text. The feeling that your attention span has been shrinking over time isn't just in your head. Research by today's guest shows that it is empirically getting shorter and shorter. Dr. Gloria Mark is the world's preeminent researcher on attention and the author of Attention Span. If you'd like to get a handle on your diminishing powers of concentration, you have to understand how attention works, and that's what Gloria explains in the first part of our conversation. We then get into how multitasking is like drawing on and wiping off a whiteboard and why it makes us feel so frazzled. Gloria then shares the way that personality influences your attention span, including why people who are more neurotic have the shortest attention spans and why conscientious people may not want to use distraction-blocking apps. We then get into how the internet and the shot lengths of modern movies reinforce our short attention spans. In the last part of our conversation, Gloria makes the case that fighting the hindrances to our attention by trying to be focused all the time isn't possible or desirable, and that our goal should be balanced focus rather than hyper focus. She explains how to achieve that balanced focus by leaning into your unique productivity rhythm, taking breaks without guilt, and developing a sense of agency over your attention. Resources Related to the Episode AoM Article: How to Effectively Manage Your Attention AoM Article: 11 Exercises That Will Strengthen Your Attention AoM Article: 12 Concentration Exercises from 1918 AoM Podcast #420: What Makes Your Phone So Addictive & How to Take Back Your Life AoM Podcast #553: How to Become Indistractable AoM Podcast #768: Become a Focused Monotasker AoM Podcast #832: The Power of Unwavering Focus Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire Connect With Gloria Mark Gloria's Website

Surviving in the wild can seem like a romantic proposition, at least as it often plays out in popular culture and our imagination. We picture ourselves confidently navigating the obstacles of nature, pulling trout out of mountain streams, and building a snug shelter inside a tree. But the reality of wilderness survival isn't so rosy. Few people know that better than Jim Baird. Jim and his brother won the fourth season of Alone, a reality show that's actually real, and leaves contestants in the wild to face the elements and live off the land. Today on the podcast, Jim shares his experiences surviving on Northern Vancouver Island for 75 days, and what he learned from them as to what's true about survival and what's simply a myth. Resources Related to the Episode Season 4 of Alone "Four Survival Myths That Could Get You Killed" — Field and Stream article by Jim AoMPodcast #848: The 5 Priorities of Short-Term Survival Connect With Jim Baird Jim on YouTube Jim on IG Jim on FB

Happiness is the subject of thousands of articles, podcasts, and scientific studies. Yet all this focus on happiness doesn't seem to be making people any happier. In fact, the more they try to be happy, especially by fighting to get rid of bad feelings and cling to good ones, the more unhappy people often become. My guest would say that the first step in escaping this negative cycle is redefining what happiness even means — thinking of it not as a state of feeling good but of doing good. His name is Russ Harris and he's a therapist and the author of The Happiness Trap. Today on the show, Russ explains how struggling against difficult feelings and thoughts just makes them stronger — amplifying instead of diminishing stress, anxiety, depression, and self-consciousness — and how simply obeying your emotions doesn't work out any better. He then unpacks the alternative approach to happiness espoused by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. With ACT, you allow both hard and pleasant feelings to coexist, and unhook from the latter so that they no longer jerk you around. This allows you to focus on taking action on your values to create a meaningful, flourishing life, or in other words, real happiness. Resources Related to the Episode AoM Podcast #614: Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life With the Founder of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Steven Hayes AoM Article: From Overwhelmed to Empowered — How Labeling Your Emotions Can Help You Take Control Connect With Russ Harris Russ' Website

Dante's Divine Comedy is considered one of the greatest works of literature ever written. The poem not only imagines the three parts of the afterlife, but serves as an allegory for the spiritual journey of the human soul. Here to take us on a tour of the journey Dante describes is Robert Barron, a bishop in the Catholic Church. Today on the show, Bishop Barron offers a bit of background on the Divine Comedy and how it resonates as a story of the search for greater meaning that commonly arises in your mid-thirties. We then delve into Dante's journey through Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. We discuss why Dante can't initially climb the redemptive mountain of purgatory and has to go through hell first, the importance of having a tough-but-encouraging guide for any spiritual journey, why hell is an inverted cone that gets narrower and colder at the bottom, and why traitors inhabit its lowest layer. We then get into what it takes to climb Mount Purgatory, why heaven in the Divine Comedy doesn't get much attention, and what Dante finds when he gets there. Along the way, Bishop Barron describes the meaning behind the religious imagery Dante used in his poem, as well as insights that can be applied to any spiritual journey. Resources Related to the Episode Divine Comedytranslated by Mark Musa (Bishop Barron's favorite translation) Word on Fire course on Dante and the Divine Comedy AoM Podcast #527: Father Wounds, Male Spirituality, and the Journey to the Second Half of Life With Fr. Richard Rohr AoM Podcast #598: Journeying From the First to the Second Half of Life With James Hollis AoM Podcast #518: The Second Mountain With David Brooks AoM Article: Lessons in Manliness from Dante The Seven Story Mountain by Thomas Merton Connect With Bishop Robert Barron Word on Fire Website The Bishop on FB The Bishop on IG The Bishop on Twitter

When we think about the benefits of exercise, we tend to think of what it does for our body, making us leaner, stronger, and healthier. But my guest is out to emphasize the powerful effect physical activity has on our brains too, and just how much our bodies and minds are connected. Dr. Jennifer Heisz is a professor, the director of the NeuroFit Lab which studies the effects of exercise on brain health, and the author of Move the Body, Heal the Mind. Today on the show, Jennifer and I first discuss how physical activity can help treat mental disorders. She shares the way that low to moderate intensity exercise can mitigate anxiety, and how short bouts of intense exercise can be used as exposure therapy for treating panic disorders. We also talk about the phenomenon of inflammation-induced depression, and how exercise can alleviate it. And Jennifer shares how exercise can strengthen someone's attempt at sobriety, as well as prevent addiction in the first place. From there, we turn to the way exercise can not only mitigate mental maladies but actually optimize the mind. Jennifer shares how physical activity fights aging, and can enhance your focus and creativity. We discuss how exercise can improve your sleep, how it can be used to shift your circadian clock, and whether it's okay to work out close to your bedtime. Resources Related to the Episode AoM Podcast #589: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage AoM Podcast #741: The Exercise Prescription for Depression and Anxiety AoM Podcast #585: Inflammation, Saunas, and the New Science of Depression AoM Podcast #775: We Need a P.E. Revolution AoM Podcast #575: Counterintuitive Advice on Making Exercise a Sustainable Habit The NeuroFit Lab toolkit for overcoming obstacles to exercising consistently Connect With Jennifer Heisz Jennifer's Website Jennifer on Twitter Jennifer on Instagram The NeuroFit Lab Website

Within the space for just three decades, monumental episodes of exploration and expedition, politics and violence, including the mapping the Oregon Trail, the acquisition of California, and the Mexican-American and Civil wars, forever changed the history of the United States and the shape of the American West. And one man, an illiterate trapper, scout, and soldier, was there for it all: Kit Carson. In his book Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West, author and historian Hampton Sides follows Carson as a through-line in this extraordinary period. Today on the show, Hampton and I discuss how Kit Carson became a living legend through embellished accounts of his heroics, and yet undertook real-life exploits that were nearly as unbelievable as the tall tales told about him. We explore how Carson joined the grizzled fraternity of mountain men in his youth, and the wide array of skills that helped him excel as a trapper. We discuss how Carson then parlayed those skills into becoming a scout on expeditions that took him from St. Louis to California, over the Rocky and Sierra mountains, and all throughout the wild, rugged West. Hampton shares how these expeditions turned Carson into a national celebrity and what this frontiersman thought of his fame. Hampton also unpacks Carson’s complex relationship with American Indians, and how he respected and adopted the ways of some tribes, but fought against others. We end our conversation with why he decided to become an officer in the Union Army during the Civil War, his initially reluctant and then brutal campaigns against the Navajos, and his legacy.