Podcast Summary
Robert's journey to manhood through military training: Robert believes earning manhood through personal growth, resilience, and dedication during military training is an important step in becoming a man.
Robert Disk, our guest on this episode of Man Stories on The Art of Manliness podcast, believes that becoming a man is an earned feeling, specifically for him, it was during his graduation from Marine Corps boot camp. Robert, who grew up as a Marine Corps brat and served in the military himself, shared his unique perspective on manhood, having lived in various places due to his military background. He is also an active member of the Art of Manliness community. During the conversation, Robert mentioned that he felt like he earned the title of a man during his military training, and this feeling stayed with him. He also shared his experiences of serving in two military branches, the Marine Corps and the Army National Guard. Overall, Robert's story emphasizes the importance of personal growth, resilience, and dedication to one's goals, which are all qualities that contribute to the journey of becoming a man.
Military bootcamp as a rite of passage for young men: The military experience, particularly bootcamp, shapes young men into stronger, self-assured individuals through emotional, physical, and mental challenges, with elder male figures playing a crucial role in their understanding of masculinity.
The military experience, specifically going through bootcamp, functions as a rite of passage for young men, helping them transition into manhood. This process involves being stripped down emotionally, physically, and mentally, and then being rebuilt into a stronger, more self-assured individual. The influence of elder male figures, such as drill instructors and family members, plays a crucial role in shaping a man's understanding of masculinity and manliness. Unfortunately, many younger men today lack this formative experience, which can negatively impact their personal growth and sense of identity. For Robert, his military background provided him with a clear sense of self and a foundation for embracing his manhood, allowing him to navigate the complexities of the world beyond his family unit.
Family and experiences shape speakers' understanding of manliness: Speakers' fathers, uncles, bonding experiences, and philosophical teachings from karate influenced their views of manliness, leading them to value being the best man they could be.
The speakers' understanding and expression of manliness were shaped by various influences, including their family members and experiences. The father figure in their lives, such as their father being a Marine and their uncles, played a significant role in shaping their views of manliness. Bonding experiences with family, like watching James Bond movies and practicing karate, further reinforced these ideas. The philosophical teachings from karate and the practical skills learned from their uncles' professions added to their understanding of manliness. Ultimately, the speakers' experiences growing up with these influences led them to value being the best man they could be and to seek out experiences that would help them achieve that goal.
Lessons on trust and treating people well from family: Growing up with supportive family members, like an uncle and father, taught the speaker valuable lessons about trust and treating people well. These experiences have shaped his worldview and approach to relationships.
The influence of family, particularly from men figures, plays a significant role in shaping one's perspective on life and masculinity. The speaker shares an experience of growing up with an uncle, Hank, who taught valuable lessons about trusting people and treating them well, drawing a comparison between people and cattle. The speaker's father also had an impact on his understanding of manliness. The speaker reflects on how fortunate he was to have a large and supportive family, and expresses that he's learned to trust people and see the good in them first, just as Hank did with cattle. This experience has shaped the speaker's worldview and approach to relationships. The absence of such influences in men's lives today may contribute to a lack of understanding and appreciation for these values.
A father's unwavering commitment to his family: Despite challenging circumstances, a father's dedication to his family and values instilled through actions shaped his children's upbringing, emphasizing the importance of family and spirituality.
The speaker's father, despite his challenging circumstances, worked tirelessly to provide for his large family and instilled strong values of hard work, family, and spirituality through his actions. Growing up, the speaker was influenced by their father's dedication and the lessons he taught by example. The father's strong work ethic was evident in his multiple jobs and his desire to provide a rural lifestyle for his family. He also prioritized his children, even when his military duties kept him away. The father's unwavering commitment to his family extended beyond his own children, as he adopted additional siblings when they were in need. The speaker's upbringing emphasized the importance of family and spirituality, and their father's actions demonstrated that these values were non-negotiable, regardless of personal sacrifices or societal pressures.
The Power of a Positive Example: Learning from our parents' actions and beliefs shapes our lives. Set a positive example to teach valuable lessons and instill important values.
The power of learning through example cannot be overstated. The speaker shared how his father's actions and beliefs shaped his own life, from respecting family and treating everyone with kindness, to learning practical skills and problem-solving. Even in the unique challenge of raising daughters as a single father, the speaker found guidance from his father's example and the support of his family. Despite the occasional struggles, the speaker remains committed to teaching his children valuable lessons and instilling the same values his father passed down to him. Overall, the speaker's story underscores the importance of living a life that sets a positive example for those around us.
A Single Father's Unique Challenges: Raising Daughters and Stepping Out of Comfort Zones: Single fatherhood involves unique challenges, including allowing daughters to do 'girl things' and adapting to their teenage struggles, while dealing with societal assumptions and personal growth.
Being a single father involves constant juggling of work, life, and the unique challenges of raising daughters. The speaker shared how he had to step out of his comfort zone and allow his daughters to paint his nails and do his hair, a difficult experience for him as he had been raised to believe it was a "girl thing." He also spoke about the different approach he had to take when dealing with his daughters' teenage struggles, acknowledging that he couldn't relate to them as a girl and had to treat situations differently. The speaker also discussed the societal assumptions that come with being a single father and the unexpected challenges that come with the role. He also reflected on one of the hardest things he had ever done, which was serving full-time for two years in their church, giving up all forms of media and social activities.
Serving on a mission: A transformative experience for young adults: Serving on a mission can be a challenging yet rewarding experience that helps young adults grow spiritually, emotionally, and mentally, preparing them for future challenges
Serving on a mission, whether it's for religious or personal growth, can be a transformative experience for young adults. As shared by the guests on this podcast episode, they both served missions and considered it a rite of passage into manhood. It was a challenging yet rewarding experience that helped them grow spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. The mission experience prepared them for future challenges, including military service. While some may view missionaries as intrusive, the guests encouraged listeners to consider the potential impact of such experiences on individuals' lives. If you're considering embarking on a similar journey, remember that it might be difficult but ultimately worthwhile. For more insights and manly tips, visit the Art of Manliness website or check out their book, "The Art of Manliness: Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man." Stay manly!
