In this episode, I sit down with my friend and collaborator Luke to unpack the enduring myth of the Marlboro Man—and how it’s still shaping men’s lives today. We explore the fantasy of the rugged, independent cowboy and how it feeds into the “lone wolf” mentality so many men have been conditioned to admire. Luke shares some powerful reflections from his own background in Western culture and rural communities, where this archetype is alive and well. Together, we shine a light on the emotional cost of stoicism, the pressure to “just get to work,” and the way this legacy leaves so many men isolated and unsupported. This conversation is a call to reevaluate what real strength looks like—and how connection, not detachment, might just be the most courageous thing a man can choose.

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