It's a common life trajectory for men: graduate college, get married, get a 9 to 5 job, have some kids, settle down in the suburbs. And somewhere along that way, they start to get a little soft and stagnant. They let themselves go, becoming less active, and more sedentary. They have more material possessions but fewer hobbies and interests. They lose their edge.

My guest has spent his life battling against this loss. In his more than five decades on earth, he's served in the French navy, trained soldiers in close quarter combat, skydiving, long-range weapon shooting, first aid, and explosives, set a deep water scuba diving record, and studied multiple martial arts, and he currently owns a gym, teaches as a MovNat Master Instructor, and coaches men over forty in how to live better, stronger, and more vibrant lives. His name is Vic Verdier and today on the show he shares his advice on how a man can stay fit and engaged with life as he gets older. We first discuss Vic's background before getting into why it's important for men to seek physical achievement and become physical polymaths, and the role strength training, cardio, and working on your balance plays in that pursuit. Vic then shares his advice on keeping the pounds down and your testosterone up as you age, and why he thinks training in combatives is important on both a practical and psychological level. We talk about the importance of maintaining a connection to nature and keeping your possessions minimal, before ending our conversation with why it's important to stay comfortable with being uncomfortable, and how men can continue to seek adventure and exploration, even when they live in the suburbs. 

Get the show notes at aom.is/edge.

#704: How to Keep Your Edge as You Get Older

Why do some people who look can’t-miss high-achievers on paper end up floundering in life, while those who can seem like underdogs end up flourishing?

When my guest noticed this phenomenon while being involved in the selection process of veteran SEALs for a specialized command, it led him to the discovery that beneath more obvious skills are hidden drivers of performance, which he calls attributes. His name is Rich Diviney, and he’s a retired Navy SEAL commander and the author of The Attributes: 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance. Today on the show, Rich discusses the difference between skills and attributes and how the latter can’t be taught, but can be developed. We then talk about the difference between peak and optimal performance, before turning to the attributes which drive the latter. We get into a discussion of the components of grit, the difference between discipline and self-discipline, why you should become something of a humble narcissist, and much more. We end our conversation with how to figure out the attributes you are and aren’t strong in, and which you need for getting where you want to go.

Resources Related to the Podcast
AoM Article: The 6 Types of Grit (And How to Develop Them)
AoM Podcast: The Hell-Raising Leader of WWII’s Filthy Thirteen
AoM Podcast #675: The Humble, Narcissistic Leader
AoM Article: How to Develop Situational Awareness
AoM Article: Being Decisive
Sunday Firesides: Self-Discipline for What?
Connect With Rich Diviney
The Attributes Website

The Art of Manliness

#738: The Character Traits That Drive Optimal Performance

Narcissism is something that looms large in our cultural consciousness. We accuse friends and family of being narcissistic, think we observe the quality in politicians and celebrities, and wonder if society is becoming more self-absorbed over time.

But what is narcissism, really, once you get beyond the pop cultural conception and colloquial buzzword? My guest will unpack that for us today. His name is W. Keith Campbell, and he’s a professor of psychology and the author of The New Science of Narcissism. Keith explains that narcissism centers on an antagonistic sense of entitlement and self-importance, that there are actually two types of it — grandiose and vulnerable — and how the latter can actually underlie seeming cases of anxiety and depression. We then discuss what causes someone to become a narcissist, whether narcissism has increased in younger generations, and when narcissism tips over into an outright personality disorder. Keith explains how narcissists are attractive early on in a relationship, but lose their shine over time, and how, in a similar manner, narcissists readily emerge as leaders, but then often struggle to hold onto their position and power. We then get into the relationship between narcissism and social media, and how to get the benefits of narcissism — which isn’t entirely a bad thing — while mitigating its downsides.

#769: The New Science of Narcissism

In a period of only about 100 years, Athens went from relative obscurity, to becoming an influential empire, to collapsing into ruin.

My guest today will guide us through the dramatic arc of this city-state and the larger-than-life characters that contributed to it. His name is David Stuttard, and he’s a classicist and the author of Phoenix: A Father, a Son, and the Rise of Athens, and Nemesis: Alcibiades and the Fall of Athens.

We begin our conversation with the rise of Athens and why its aristocratic families decided to institute a radically democratic form of government. David then walks us through how the Persian invasion catapulted Athens to power in Greece. Along the way, David explains how a father and son named Miltiades and Cimon led Athens to power. We then shift our attention to the fall of Athens and how it was precipitated by the Peloppensian War with their one-time ally, Sparta. David introduces us to the made-for-Hollywood character that would play a pivotal role in Athens’ fall — the handsome and charismatic aristocrat and serial traitor, Alcibiades. We end our conversation with the lessons we moderns can take from the rise and fall of Athens.

Resources Related to the Podcast
AoM Podcast #461: The Spartan Regime
AoM Podcast #710: The Spartans at Thermopylae
Miltiades
Battle of Marathon
Cimon
Alcibiades
Connect With David Studdard
David’s Website

#771: The Rise and Fall of Athens

Release date (all stores): 3rd March 2022
Catalogue Number: ESH283
Emergent Music on Spotify: emergent.lnk.to/Spotify
Subscribe to Emergent Music: emergent.lnk.to/YouTube

We are delighted here at Shores to welcome back Denmark-based Design8 bringing us an amazing new release.

This talented artist has created a brilliant track, entwining an incredible progression with beautiful melodies and exquisite piano work. Also joining this fantastic producer on this release is US-based Seraphym and France-based Francisco Cervantes; both of whom have created superb remixes, honouring the gorgeous original whilst bringing their own signature styles and flair to the productions.
 
Delivering a brilliant new track here on Shores, this is Design8 (with Seraphym and Francisco Cervantes) with his excellent new track “Moving Melodies”.

● Connect with Emergent Shores:
Web: emergent-music.com
Facebook: emergent.lnk.to/ShoresFacebook
Twitter: emergent.lnk.to/Twitter
SoundCloud: emergent.lnk.to/SoundCloud
YouTube: emergent.lnk.to/YouTube
Spotify: emergent.lnk.to/Spotify
Instagram: emergent.lnk.to/Instagram

● Connect with Design8:
facebook.com/design8music/
@design8

● Connect with Seraphym:
facebook.com/the.burning.ones/
@seraphym_official

● Connect with Francisco Cervantes:
facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070088112374
instagram.com/francisco.cervantes.ch/
@franciscocervantesmuisic

Design8 - Moving Melodies (Francisco Cervantes Remix) [ESH283]

TRACKLIST

Tinlicker feat. Nathan Nicholson - Always Will
Alegra Feat. Luke Coulson - Founder (Guzy & Vincent Vossen Remix)
Spada, Korolova – Be Strong
Moritz Hofbauer Feat. Harry Keyworth - Field Of Light
Malov, SANDHAUS – On Fire
Dom Dolla feat. Mansionair - Strangers (Nora En Pure Remix)
ANUQRAM feat. Andrew Vanyn - Face To Face
Delerium feat. Sarah McLachlan - Silence (AVIRA Remix)
CamelPhat feat. Jem Cooke - Silenced
Kaskade feat. Skylar Grey - Room For Happiness v3
Ben Kim – Somebody To Love (Gorgon City Remix)
Gorgon City feat. Jem Cooke – Dreams (Local Dialect Remix)
Tinlicker feat. Hero Baldwin – Rebirth

recorded live using Pioneer DDJ-1000.

spring sounds x21

yuusyou

The Forêt des Cedres (cedar forest) is one of the most unusual of the forests and green spaces of the Luberon massif, given the oriental origin of these large trees. At an altitude of 727 metres, the cedar forest was originally planted with seeds from the Algerian Middle Atlas, back in 1861.

Due to it's altitude and distance from major towns and roads, the forest is very quiet and makes for a perfect recording location. I arrived an hour before sunrise intending to record the spring dawn chorus. As I approached the entrance to the forest I heard a nightingale singing so I slowly approached, getting as close to the bird's song post without disturbing it. I setup my mics using the "tree ears" technique: spaced omnis with the tree trunk acting as a natural baffle. 

Sony PCM A10 + 2 x Lom Mikro Uši (tree ears technique)
02.05.2022

Common Nightingale - Forêt des Cèdres du Luberon, France

First half of the Get Down set - be sure to head over to Tasha Blank's SoundCloud to grab the second half!

- Isha - Zuma Dionys
- Uulame Uulame - Zuma Dionys
- Joseph & Michelle - Ruveni
- Fire Mountain - Zuma Dionys
- El Aguante - Acado, Vincent Marlice
- Fuego en Tus Ojos - The Angels
- Feeling - Jack Back
- Sete - BLOND:ISH, Amadou & Mariam, Francis Mercier
- USED TO SAY - DONT BLINK
- Sweat - R-You
- Izolo - DJ Maphorisa, Tyler ICU, Visca feat. Madumane, Mpure, Daliwonga
- Came for the Low - ZHU & partywithray
- I Like Your Booty - Shiba San
- therefore i am (Andy Jarvis Remix) - Billie Eilish

COME ON UP | @ Black Box 5-26-22

This soundscape was recorded at dusk in an old disused quarry just outside Lérouville. The light flute tones we hear are Common Midwife Toads that had just began calling. We also hear birds singing from the surrounding trees, as well as the occasional call of Parsley Frogs in the distance. 

Sound Devices Mix Pre 6 + 2 x Sennheiser MKH 8040s (ORTF)
Recorded 05.06.2022

Dusk Chorus With Common Midwife Toads - Lorraine, France

Release date (all stores): 7th July 2022
Catalogue Number: ESH300
Emergent Music on Spotify: emergent.lnk.to/Spotify
Subscribe to Emergent Music: emergent.lnk.to/YouTube

We are thrilled to welcome back Mexico-based artist Eric De La Vega with a wonderful new release here at Shores to celebrate our 300th release. As usual we would like to take a moment to thank all our fans, supporters and especially our artists for helping us to achieve this milestone. Without you, none of this would be possible!

To mark this auspicious occasion we are delighted to bring you this amazing LP. Eric has worked with a host of stunning talents, including Lumidelic, Sixthsense, Gabrielle AG, Alaera and Marleen to create this incredible assortment of tracks blending beautiful progressions with gorgeous melodies, captivating atmospherics and beautiful vocals to start the summer in fantastic style.

Returning with an astounding new release here at Shores, this is Eric De La Vega and his fantastic new “Aurora” LP.

● Connect with Emergent Shores:
Web: emergentmusic.ca
Facebook: emergent.lnk.to/ShoresFacebook
Twitter: emergent.lnk.to/Twitter
SoundCloud: emergent.lnk.to/SoundCloud
YouTube: emergent.lnk.to/YouTube
Spotify: emergent.lnk.to/Spotify
Instagram: emergent.lnk.to/Instagram

● Connect with Eric De La Vega:
facebook.com/ericdelavegamusic/
@eric-de-la-vega
● Connect with Lumidelic:
facebook.com/lumidelic/
@lumidelic

● Connect with Sixthsense:
facebook.com/SixthSense53
@aguss-l-pez

● Connect with Gabrielle AG:
facebook.com/gabrielleagmusic
@gabrielle_ag

● Connect with Alaera:
facebook.com/AlaeraVocalist
@alaera_vocalist

● Connect with Marleen:
facebook.com/mihkelsoomarleen/
@marleen-mihkelsoo