Instead of just another YouTube channel, it is time to shine the spotlight on a site I have referenced occasionally in other posts over the years!
Brett McKay founded The Art of Manliness in 2008. He and his wife still run the site as an independent project from their headquarters in Oklahoma. I don't always agree with everyone they consider an icon of manly virtue, but on the whole, this is a site I recommend to anyone trying to build a foundation for becoming a better individual.
I would argue most of the content is not just for men. Women need skills, too. Further, in our world of escalating insanity, everyone needs a healthier metric for manliness, whether you want to be a better man, seek a role model, or find a good man to marry.
Crudely created in Canva and amateurishly edited further on my computer
Get Style
The AoM aesthetic is one of understated timeless style and functionality. If you want to know how to match shoes to your suit, several ways to tie a necktie, dress business casual while still looking professional, or pick good winter wear, there's advice aplenty. I have previously mentioned my preference for the Inland Northwest outdoors casual style, but if you have a job interview, a big date, or other occasion, there's plenty of advice like How to Look Like a Million Bucks for Under $50 and 10 Inexpensive Ways to Build Your Wardrobe.
Get Strong
Health and fitness are a significant part of the site. How do you build a home gym? Can you recognize a stroke or treat a burn? What does the modern diet lack, and which foods should you ensure are part of your diet? It's all solid information and advice from a practical common-sense perspective, and often built on experience from guest writers or speakers.
Get Social
Loneliness has been described as a modern epidemic. Families are crumbling. Workplaces can be downright toxic. How do we build stronger communities and forge lasting friendships? These articles can help you start down the right path. There is seriously so much here I can't narrow the options down to even a few highlights.
Get Skilled
We all need to add to our repertoire of life skills, and this category includes everything from laundry to land navigation. There are articles on scout skills, how to use various tools, emergency preparedness, and even dance. Myriad articles covering diverse skills are sure to help anyone.
Podcast
They just hit the 1,000 episode milestone with Rules for the Modern Man. I also recommend recent episodes like The Shadows Over Men’s Hearts and How to Fight Them and Skills Over Pills. With another 997 (and counting) episodes in the archives, I'm sure there are a few more you'll find useful.
The site is funded primarily through ads and affiliate links, but the latter seem curated rather than crammed down the throats of the audience for a quick buck. From their legal page, "The Art of Manliness does not receive money for paid reviews of products. We will however include affiliate links where we make money if a visitor decides to purchase a product from our link." Affiliates listed include Saddleback Leather Company, Amazon, and Huckberry. There is also a page where you can buy AoM books and other merch on various topics.
In conclusion, this site is a welcome oasis of positivity and useful information in a sea of nonsense and misinformation which pervades most of the internet today. Check it out. Learn something new.
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