Summit of Greatness 2025 Early Bird Now Open! | September 12-13 | Los Angeles, CA

Lewis Howes

Be a Man

What does it mean to be a real man?

That is the question I’m addressing today on 5-Minute Friday.

There is so much hurt happening in the world right now.

It is mostly coming from men. And it stems from fear.

Fear of being vulnerable. Of being misunderstood. Of feeling pain.

But it’s time to step up men. It’s time to shed those masks and be real men.

Men who serve. Men who heal. Men who protect.

That’s why I’m reading an excerpt from my new book, The Mask of Masculinity, on Episode 552.

Some Questions I Ask:

In this episode, you will learn:

Show Notes:

Connect with

Lewis Howes

Transcript of this Episode

Music Credits:

Music Credit: Dawn by Alexander Nakarada

Comment below

let us know your thoughts

JOIN 500 MILLION+ ON THE JOURNEY TO
gREAtNESS

Podcast

Dream Bigger. Live Better.
Make an Impact.

(19,700+)

Join the greatness community

get inspiring greatness content delivered directly to your email and phone

greatness In
your newsfeed

img.wp-smiley,img.emoji{display:inline !important;border:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;height:1em !important;width:1em !important;margin:0 .07em !important;vertical-align:-.1em !important;background:none !important;padding:0 !important;}.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em;}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none;}:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square:1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3:4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4:3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2:3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3:2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9:16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16:9/16;--wp--preset--color--black:#000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray:#abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white:#fff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink:#f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red:#cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange:#ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber:#fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan:#7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan:#00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue:#8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue:#0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple:#9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,#9b51e0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan:linear-gradient(135deg,#7adcb4 0%,#00d082 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,#cf2e2e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray:linear-gradient(135deg,#eee 0%,#a9b8c3 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum:linear-gradient(135deg,#4aeadc 0%,#9778d1 20%,#cf2aba 40%,#ee2c82 60%,#fb6962 80%,#fef84c 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffceec 0%,#9896f0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux:linear-gradient(135deg,#fecda5 0%,#fe2d2d 50%,#6b003e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffcb70 0%,#c751c0 50%,#4158d0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean:linear-gradient(135deg,#fff5cb 0%,#b6e3d4 50%,#33a7b5 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass:linear-gradient(135deg,#caf880 0%,#71ce7e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381 0%,#2874fc 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small:13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium:20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large:36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large:42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20:.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30:.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40:1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50:1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60:2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70:3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80:5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural:6px 6px 9px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep:12px 12px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined:6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255,255,255,1),6px 6px rgba(0,0,0,1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap:.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap:.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display:flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*,div){margin:0;}body .is-layout-grid{display:grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*,div){margin:0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em;}.has-black-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em;}:root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size:1.5em;line-height:1.6;}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload),.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *{background-image:none !important;}@media screen and (max-height: 1024px){.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload),.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *{background-image:none !important;}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload).nitro-lazy,.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *.nitro-lazy{background-image:none !important;}}@media screen and (max-height: 640px){.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload),.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *{background-image:none !important;}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload).nitro-lazy,.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *.nitro-lazy{background-image:none !important;}}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload).nitro-lazy,.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *.nitro-lazy{background-image:none !important;}.leadinModal.leadinModal-theme-default{padding-top:130px !important;}.leadinModal.leadinModal-theme-default.leadinModal-v3 .leadin-content-body .leadin-preview-wrapper{padding:0 !important;}.leadinModal.leadinModal-theme-default.leadinModal-v3 .dyno-image{float:none !important;width:100% !important;}.leadinModal .dyno-image img{max-width:100% !important;}.leadinModal.leadinModal-theme-default.leadinModal-v3.leadinModal-preview h4{margin-left:0 !important;text-align:center;font-family:"Gotham",san-serif;padding:0 2em !important;}.leadinModal.leadinModal-theme-default.leadinModal-v3.leadinModal-preview .advance-wrapper{margin-left:0 !important;padding:0 2em 2em !important;}.leadinModal.leadinModal-theme-default.leadinModal-v3.leadinModal-form .leadin-form-wrapper{margin-left:0 !important;}.leadinModal-content h4{font-family:"Gotham",sans-serif !important;}.leadinModal.leadinModal-theme-default.leadinModal-v3.leadinModal-form p{margin-left:0 !important;text-align:center !important;font-family:"Gotham",sans-serif !important;}.leadinModal.leadinModal-theme-default.leadinModal-v3 .leadinModal-content{background-color:#fff !important;border-radius:0 !important;overflow:visible;padding:0 !important;}.leadinModal.leadinModal-v3 .leadin-button{font-family:"Gotham",sans-serif !important;}.leadinModal.leadinModal-theme-default.leadinModal-v3.leadinModal-form h4{margin-left:0 !important;text-align:center;font-family:"Gotham",san-serif;}@media only screen and (max-width: 768px){.leadinModal.leadinModal-v3 .dyno-image img{max-width:100% !important;max-height:100% !important;}.elementor-button-text{font-size:14px !important;}}.leadinModal.leadinModal-theme-default.leadinModal-v3 .leadinModal-content{width:50em !important;}body{overflow-x:hidden;}a{color:#499ff4;}.thank-you-content a{color:#499ff4;}.elementor-4298 .elementor-heading-title{color:#499ff4;}.content a{color:#499ff4;}.connect-section a{color:#499ff4;}.podcast-search-form{flex-basis:auto;}@media only screen and (max-width: 1024px){.elementor.elementor-12971.elementor-location-header{position:sticky !important;top:0;z-index:999999;}.elementor-13572 .elementor-element.elementor-element-71260d5{padding-top:130px;}.custom-header{background:#000 !important;position:static !important;}.elementor-12971 .elementor-element-2e6c3c5{background-color:#000 !important;color:#999;margin-top:0px !important;padding:10px 12px;text-align:center;display:table;}.elementor-12971 .elementor-element-2e6c3c5 h2{font-family:gotham book,sans-serif;font-weight:400 !important;font-size:14px;padding-right:12px;line-height:20px;}[data-id="2e6c3c5"]{padding:0 !important;background:none !important;}.elementor-sticky__spacer{display:none !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 355px){.subheadercol1{width:100% !important;padding-bottom:10px;}.elementor-12971 .elementor-element-2e6c3c5 h2{padding:0 40px;}}.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A.spp-stp-desktop,.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A.spp-stp-desktop.smart-track-player-dark,.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A.spp-stp-mobile .spp-player-layout,.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A.spp-stp-mobile.smart-track-player-dark .spp-player-layout{background-color:#2a2a2a !important;}.smart-podcast-player.spp-color-f15a23 .spp-player-layout .spp-main-region .spp-main-view .spp-controls .spp-play-pause-circle .spp-play .spp-play-bar,.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A .spp-player-layout .spp-main-region .spp-main-view .spp-controls .spp-play-pause-circle .spp-play .spp-play-bar,.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A .spp-stpd-controls-container .spp-stpd-playback-controls .spp-play-pause .spp-play .spp-play-bar{background-color:#f15a23 !important;}.smart-podcast-player.spp-color-f15a23 .spp-player-layout .spp-main-region .spp-main-view .spp-top-matter .spp-artist-and-title .spp-news,.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A .spp-player-layout .spp-main-region .spp-main-view .spp-top-matter .spp-news,.spp-news-overlay .spp-news-region .spp-news-layout .spp-news-basic-cta .spp-button-wrapper .spp-news-subscribe{background-color:#60b86c !important;color:#fff !important;}.smart-podcast-player.spp-color-f15a23 .spp-player-layout .spp-playlist-region .spp-track-list .spp-track-row .spp-eq-svg,.smart-podcast-player.spp-color-f15a23 .spp-player-layout .spp-playlist-region .spp-track-list .spp-track-row .spp-play-svg{fill:#f15a23 !important;}.smart-podcast-player.spp-color-f15a23 .spp-player-layout .spp-main-region .spp-main-view .spp-progress-bar .spp-progress-played,.smart-podcast-player.spp-color-f15a23 .spp-player-layout .spp-main-region .spp-main-view .spp-progress-bar .spp-seek-time,.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A .spp-progress-bar .spp-progress-played,.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A .spp-progress-bar .spp-seek-time{background-color:#f15a23 !important;}.smart-podcast-player.spp-color-f15a23 .spp-player-layout .spp-main-region .spp-main-view .spp-progress-bar .spp-time-elapsed,.smart-podcast-player.spp-color-f15a23 .spp-player-layout .spp-main-region .spp-main-view .spp-progress-bar .spp-time-remaining,.smart-podcast-player.spp-color-f15a23 .spp-player-layout .spp-main-region .spp-main-view .spp-progress-bar .spp-seek-time,.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A .spp-progress-bar .spp-time-elapsed,.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A .spp-progress-bar .spp-time-remaining,.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A .spp-progress-bar .spp-seek-time{color:#fff !important;}.smart-podcast-player.spp-color-f15a23 .spp-show-notes a,.smart-podcast-player.spp-color-f15a23 .spp-truncated-show-notes a{color:#f15a23 !important;}.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A.spp-sticky{z-index:1000 !important;}.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A .spp-main-region .spp-main-view.spp-loading .spp-stpd-playback-controls .spp-play-pause .spp-play .spp-loading-icon svg,.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A .spp-main-region .spp-main-view.spp-loading .spp-controls .spp-play-pause-circle .spp-play-invisisquare .spp-play .spp-loading-icon svg,.smart-podcast-player.spp-color-f15a23 .spp-main-region .spp-main-view.spp-loading .spp-controls .spp-play-pause-circle .spp-play-invisisquare .spp-play .spp-loading-icon svg{stroke:#f15a23 !important;}.smart-podcast-player.spp-color-f15a23 .spp-volume-slider .rangeslider__fill,.smart-podcast-player.spp-color-f15a23 .spp-volume-slider .rangeslider__handle::after,.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A .spp-volume-slider .rangeslider__fill,.smart-track-player.stp-color-f15a23-2A2A2A .spp-volume-slider .rangeslider__handle::after{background-color:#f15a23 !important;}