Shows
Men: A Work in ProgressEpisode 31: Love and Business with Steph Lakso and Garrett MoonWhat happens when your business partner is also your life partner? In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress, Mike and Kyler sit down with Steph Lakso and Garrett Moon—a real-life couple navigating the highs, lows, and lessons of building a business together.They open up about how they met, why they decided to go into business together, and the reality behind the Instagrammable moments: disagreements, blurred boundaries, burnout, and the tools that helped them stay connected through it all.This episode is honest, relatable, and full of takeaways for anyone balancing love an...2025-07-1555 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 30: Anxiety - Inspired by 'Inside Out'In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress, Mike and Kyler unpack one of the most common—and misunderstood—emotions: anxiety.Inspired by Inside Out 2, they explore how anxiety shows up as that inner voice always scanning for what could go wrong, trying to protect us from failure, judgment, or disappointment. But when that voice gets too loud, it can hold us back from the very things we want most.Through honest conversation and personal stories, Mike and Kyler talk about:The difference between fear and anxietyHow men are cond...2025-06-2452 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 29: Nostalgia - Inspired by 'Inside Out'This week on Men: A Work In Progress, Mike and Kyler explore the surprisingly powerful emotion of nostalgia—that bittersweet feeling that pulls us back to moments, places, and people we can’t quite let go of.Inspired by Inside Out 2, they dig into how nostalgia can be both a source of warmth and a trap of longing. Together, they reflect on personal memories, childhood dreams, and the moments that quietly shaped who they are today.They ask:Why does nostalgia hit so hard during times of change?What can our past...2025-06-1145 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 28: Boredom - Inspired by 'Inside Out'In this episode, Mike and Kyler dive into the emotion that most of us try to escape at all costs: boredom. It’s often dismissed, avoided, or numbed out—but what if boredom is actually trying to tell us something?Inspired by Inside Out 2, they explore how boredom shows up in modern life, especially for men, and why we often mask it with distraction, overworking, or even burnout. They ask big questions like:Is boredom a sign of laziness—or a longing for something more?What do our “I’m fine” moments actually mean?...2025-05-2742 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 27: Disgust: Your Inner No - Inspired by 'Inside Out'Disgust isn’t just about spoiled milk or bad smells—it’s a powerful emotional boundary-setter. In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress, Mike and Kyler take a deeper look at disgust, as introduced in Inside Out, and explore how it shows up in everyday life: from gut reactions to behaviors, people, or even parts of ourselves we’d rather avoid.They discuss how disgust is wired to protect us—but can also limit us when it’s left unchecked. From moments of judgment to shame-fueled avoidance, Mike and Kyler get honest about what disgust has taught t...2025-05-1336 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 26: Embarrassment - Inspired by 'Inside Out'In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress, Mike and Kyler dive into a feeling we all know too well but rarely talk about: embarrassment. Inspired by Inside Out 2, they unpack why embarrassment can feel so overwhelming, especially for men who are often taught to hide it or laugh it off.They share personal stories of cringeworthy moments, discuss how embarrassment shapes our sense of self, and explore why embracing those awkward experiences can actually lead to deeper connection, humility, and growth.Whether it’s a mistake at work, an awkward conversation, or a me...2025-04-2946 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 25: Joy - More Than Just Feeling Good Inspired by 'Inside Out'In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress, Mike and Kyler dive into the emotion we often overlook—joy. Inspired by the character from Inside Out, they explore why joy can sometimes feel fleeting or even uncomfortable for men to fully embrace.From early conditioning that prioritizes stoicism over celebration, to the pressure of always being "on" or "productive," joy often gets sidelined. Mike and Kyler unpack how tapping into joy isn’t just about chasing happiness—it's about being present, playful, and fully alive.They share personal stories, reflect on the quiet moments of joy...2025-04-1546 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 24: Sadness - The Unexpected Superpower Inspired by 'Inside Out'Sadness is often seen as something to avoid—but what if it’s actually one of our greatest strengths? In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress, Mike and Kyler explore the role of sadness in our lives, inspired by Inside Out. They break down why sadness is essential for emotional growth, how it deepens our connections with others, and why suppressing it can do more harm than good.Through personal stories and real talk, they tackle the stigma around men expressing sadness and share practical ways to embrace it in a healthy way. Tune in to l...2025-04-0142 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 23: How Fear can be your Friend Inspired by 'Inside Out'Fear—it’s wired into us for survival, but too often, it holds us back. In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress, Mike and Kyler take a deep dive into fear—how it protects us, how it limits us, and how we can learn to work with it instead of against it. Inspired by Inside Out, they explore why fear is one of the most dominant emotions in men’s lives, from career decisions to relationships to personal growth. Through real stories, expert insights, and practical strategies, Mike and Kyler unpack how to manage fear, take calculated risks, a...2025-03-1844 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 22: Envy: The Green Monster - Inspired by 'Inside Out'Envy—it’s an emotion we all feel but rarely admit. In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress, Mike and Kyler break down the truth about envy: why we experience it, how it can be destructive, and how to turn it into motivation instead of resentment. Inspired by Inside Out, they explore the psychology behind envy, how social media fuels comparison, and the common triggers that hit men the hardest—career, relationships, and success. Most importantly, Mike and Kyler share strategies to reframe envy into inspiration and use it as a tool for self-improvement. Tune in to learn...2025-03-0443 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 21: Understanding Anger Inspired by 'Inside Out'In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress, Mike and Kyler dive into the complex emotion of anger—why we feel it, how it manifests, and how men are conditioned to express (or suppress) it. Inspired by Inside Out, we explore the role anger plays in our lives, the dangers of unchecked rage, and the strategies to harness it for growth instead of destruction. From personal stories to practical tools, we break down how to transform anger from an uncontrollable force into a powerful ally. Tune in and learn how to manage the fire within.2025-02-1845 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 20: Travel with Lawrence MieraIn this episode, Mike and Kyler bring on a very special guest, Lawrence Miera, to dive into the transformative power of travel. Together, they explore how stepping into the unknown can challenge beliefs, foster personal growth, and deepen connections.
Highlights include:✈️ How travel pushes us out of our comfort zones to confront fears and insecurities.🌍 The role travel plays in shaping identity, relationships, and life perspective.🎒 Stories of hitting rock bottom while on the road—and climbing back stronger.🤣 Unexpected and hilarious moments that remind us to embrace the adventure.💡 Advice for men looking to bre...2024-12-1059 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 19: Life and Career Journey with Holly Hobson-Gery🎙️ In this episode of Men: A Work In Progress, Mike and Kyler are joined by the inspiring Holly Hobson-Gery for a candid and eye-opening conversation about career growth, gender dynamics, and allyship in the workplace.
Holly shares her career journey and the drive that has propelled her success—how it started, how it’s evolved, and what keeps her motivated today. She opens up about memorable moments when opportunities to elevate female colleagues were missed and how those experiences shaped her voice as an equal in the conversation.
The episode also delves into mentorship, as Holly ref...2024-11-2658 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 18: Conversation with Movember's Keith SextonIn this episode, Mike and Kyler welcome Keith Sexton from Movember to chat about men’s health and why the mustache makes its annual appearance! Mid-November is here, and Mike’s sporting his ‘stache for more than just fashion—it’s all about raising awareness for men’s mental and physical health. Keith fills us in on Movember’s roots, why it’s crucial to talk openly about men’s health issues, and how Movember has evolved into a global movement for positive change.
From mental health and suicide prevention to supporting men through physical health challenges, they discuss the i...2024-11-1242 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 17: Dating AppsIn this episode, Mike and Kyler dive into the wild world of dating apps! 🎉 They share their thoughts on swiping, ghosting, and the highs and lows of finding connections online. From awkward first messages to the realities of modern romance, they explore how dating apps have changed the game for better—and sometimes for worse. With plenty of laughs and a few “Did that really happen?” stories, they dig into what dating apps mean for relationships, self-confidence, and keeping it real in a virtual world. Tune in for some fun insights and relatable dating app adventures! 🎙️2024-10-2931 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 16: Breaking PointsIn this episode, Mike and Kyler explore the breaking points and major life challenges that define our journeys. 💥 They open up about personal moments of burnout, tough decisions, and navigating transitions that changed the course of their lives. Through stories of leaning on friends, family, and inner strength, they reflect on how these pivotal experiences shaped who they are today.
It’s a thoughtful, honest conversation about resilience, growth, and the lessons learned when life pushes us to our limits. Join them for real talk, deep insights, and a few laughs along the way. 🎙️2024-10-1543 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 15: Personality TypesIn this episode, Mike and Kyler dive into the fascinating world of personality types, exploring the quirks of being introverted, extroverted, or somewhere in between. 🎭 They debunk common myths about both, share how social settings impact each type differently, and offer tips on balancing alone time with social interaction (spoiler: it's trickier than it sounds!). They also tackle how introverts can shine in extrovert-friendly spaces like networking events and how extroverts can get cozy with solitude. Whether you're navigating work, relationships, or just trying to grow, Mike and Kyler chat about how understanding your personality can be a total gam...2024-10-0139 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 14: Sports!In this episode, Mike and Kyler dive into the game of life, sharing how sports have shaped them in more ways than just wins and losses. 🏆 They chat about the life lessons sports taught them growing up, from handling stress and competition to building strong support networks through teamwork. As they’ve gotten older, they reflect on how their relationship with staying active has evolved—especially while juggling the physical realities of aging (hello, sore knees!). They also tackle topics like body image, self-esteem, and the power of healthy competition. Whether it's about bouncing back from injuries or finding role mo...2024-09-1746 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 13: Male FriendshipThe anticipation is over. We are coming to you with a new episode one day late. Apologies for the technical challenges but we hope the wait was worth it.
In this episode, Mike and Kyler explore the complexities of male friendships at different life stages, discussing what makes these bonds strong and why some men hesitate to form close connections. They examine how societal expectations of masculinity shape friendships, how these relationships evolve through milestones like marriage and fatherhood, and the impact of cultural differences. With practical advice for men struggling to build and maintain friendships, they...2024-09-0435 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 12: MasculinityIn this episode, Mike and Kyler explore the meaning of masculinity and how their views have evolved over time. They discuss the impact of societal expectations on men's mental and physical health, why many men struggle to express emotions, and how this affects their well-being. They also talk about balancing strength with vulnerability, the importance of peer support, and how masculinity might evolve in the future. Tune in to hear insights on teaching the next generation a healthier view of masculinity and breaking down harmful stereotypes.2024-08-2035 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 11: ExpectationsIn this episode, Mike and Kyler dive into expectations—what it means to have them as men, how they've evolved, and whether they've stuck to their life plans or taken detours. They chat about influences that shaped their predictions and how they feel now. They also explore why age is both celebrated and feared, and how their views on it have changed over time. Tune in for a fun and relatable chat!2024-07-2342 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 10: InsecuritiesIn this episode, Kyler and Mike share their thoughts on insecurities and how they have shaped their lives. Insecurities can be a tough emotion to manage as a young person and even into adulthood. Join Kyler and Mike as they talk about their lived experiences and how they are leaning about overcoming their own insecurities. 2024-07-0933 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 9: Generational DifferencesIn this episode, Kyler and Mike talk about generational differences and how they grew up living in different generations. They talk about what it was like to be a part of their respective generations and what they liked and disliked about their generation. They also talked about how generational differences play out in their work life, dating life and more and get into all things Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z. Hope you enjoy this episode and send it to a friend if you liked it!2024-06-2543 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 8: Our Moms - Conversation with Jean Santos (Kyler's Mom!)In this episode, Kyler and Mike bring on their first guest, Jean Santos. This is not only a special episode because it is the first time a guest is on the pod, but it’s even more special because that guest is Kyler’s Mom! In the episode, Kyler and Mike talk about their moms and how they grew up and were raised. They also ask Jean questions about what it’s like being a parent, what it’s like raising boys, and some things she liked and could have done better as a parent. This is a great conversa...2024-06-2145 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 8: Our Moms - Conversation with Jean Santos (Kyler's Mom!)In this episode, Kyler and Mike bring on their first guest, Jean Santos. This is not only a special episode because it is the first time a guest is on the pod, but it’s even more special because that guest is Kyler’s Mom! In the episode, Kyler and Mike talk about their moms and how they grew up and were raised. They also ask Jean questions about what it’s like being a parent, what it’s like raising boys, and some things she liked and could have done better as a parent. This is a great conversa...2024-06-1146 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 7: Our Stories and Why We're Doing This Podcast!In this “from the vault” episode of Men: A Work in Progress, Kyler and Mike share with you the first episode they ever recorded! In this episode they talk about themselves and why they started the podcast. They go over the periods in their lives and how they changed throughout them and then give you a peek behind the curtain about why they are doing this podcast and why you should listen!2024-05-281h 05Men: A Work in ProgressEpisode 6: DatingIn this episode, Kyler and Mike talk about all things dating! They first talk about their own experiences dating, including how dating has changed with the popularity of online dating. They also discuss some of their insecurities related to dating and how their families and other people around them influenced the way they thought about dating. The guys then discuss their view on relationships as the outcome of all that dating and how their perspective on relationships has changed over time. Hope you enjoy the episode!2024-05-1450 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 5: Mental Health Part 2In this episode, Kyler and Mike expand on mental health and do a deep dive into emotional health. They talk about how we can handle and manage our own emotions, how we can recognize our emotions and use them in positive ways. They also talk about expressing ourselves through our emotions and even mention some content they’ve listened to around emotional health!2024-04-3026 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 4: Mental Health Part 1In this two-part series of episodes, Kyler and Mike talk about all things mental health. They dive into what mental health and wellness is and what it means for them as well as their own personal journeys with mental health. They also give some advice on how everyone can take care of their mental health, even if in a small way. Stick around for the next episode on emotional health!2024-04-1632 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 3: Spiritual HealthIn this episode, Mike and Kyler talk about spiritual health and what that means to them. Sometimes people don't think about how our spiritual health and well-being plays into our overall health and attitudes. Spirituality comes in different forms and interpretations. Today they talk about that and what it means to them.2024-04-0135 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 2: Physical Health (Sorry for the bad audio!)Kyler and Mike talk about their physical health and the importance of how it has shaped their own lives. They dive into the social impacts and the stigma behind physical health; what motivates them to take care of their physical health and appearance and recommend ways for others to stay engaged with their own physical health.2024-04-0146 minMen: A Work in ProgressEpisode 1: VulnerabilityMike and Kyler talk about what vulnerability is, why being vulnerable is important, how everyone can be more vulnerable, and their own experiences with being vulnerable. They also talk about their own goals with vulnerability in their lives and give listeners some content recommendations talking more about vulnerability. 2024-04-0145 min