The Stephen Mansfield Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Building Healthy Leadership Cultures Sep 16, 2015

Show notes

Stephen describes in detail the context of his 2012 publication, Ten Signs of a Leadership Crash, in today’s political climate. There are common behaviors that almost always lead to a leadership crash. From four-star generals to small business owners, all leaders are susceptible. The good news is that tragedy can be averted. Read the signs. Avoid the crash. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']Image courtesy of Vermillion Design[/custom_font]

2016: Year of the GreatMan Sep 09, 2015

Show notes

Scan the headlines of our times and you will find a common theme. Look at the violence of our times. Look at the rise of ISIS. Look at issues like rape on the campuses. Consider the tensions between police and citizens. What is at the heart of each of these? The issue of men.In this episode, Stephen explains how one of the vital answers to the issues of our times is what he calls “Great Manhood.” What is it? Where has it gone? How can we return it as a noble force in our generation? Our team at GreatMan.US is proclaiming 2016 “The Year of the Great Man.” Listen to this episode to find out why and how you can play a role. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of Muhammad Rehan on Flickr[/custom_font]

Learning How to Learn: The 2015 Edition Sep 02, 2015

Show notes

The start of school is a stressful time for millions of people. They have never been taught how to learn and so they spend most of their time in school lost, confused, angry and bored. Stephen spent most of his early school years just this way. He did poorly in school until someone taught him the broad principles of learning and the unique way he learned—his modalities, his circadian rhythms, and his “wiring” for learning. In today's special, extended-length episode, Stephen explains all of this (and much more) with the hopes of arming and encouraging those who have just begun a new school year. Check out last year's Learning How to Learn two-part series: Part 1 | Part 2 [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of CollegeDegrees360 on Flickr[/custom_font]

Men and Affairs Aug 26, 2015

Show notes

Over the last two weeks, more than 30 million names from marital-infidelity networking site "Ashley Madison" have been leaked online by hackers. Claiming the act was in retribution for the website's "Full Delete" service, which allegedly claimed to scrub all user data from the site without actually doing so, the hackers released users' names, email addresses, physical descriptions, and detailed sexual preferences. Politicians, celebrities and everyday citizens are among the victims of the fallout, the worst of which includes two suicides. In today's episode, Stephen breaks down the male psychology behind extramarital affairs. Whether inspired by boredom, infatuation or immaturity, an affair is always preventable. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of Joey Yee on Flickr[/custom_font]

Ten Things I Have Changed About How I Write Aug 19, 2015

Show notes

As a New York Times best-selling author, Stephen has a couple of decades' worth of writing experience. And his upcoming book, a work of about 70,000 words, has put him in the writing chair for a more-than-usual amount of time. For this week's episode, he's come up with a few useful improvements to the writing process—with the help of some friends, of course. Check out today's podcast to boost the productivity levels of your own writing, or your creative process in general. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']Image courtesy of Idintify Media for Chartwell Literary Group[/custom_font]

Speaking and the Republican Debate Aug 12, 2015

Show notes

The first Republican primary debate is behind us, and it seems that a certain narcissist in the real estate industry stole the show—according to major media, that is. This podcast focuses on more serious matters. In this episode, Stephen breaks down the basics of media training. Or, how to behave on stage in a live-television context, aimed at a political culture of aesthetic, professionalism and positive imagery. [vc_separator type='transparent' position='center' color='' thickness='3' up='' down=''] As the campaign rolls along, this podcast will follow the cultural issues as closely as ever, but this week holds an analysis of body language, grooming and basic public speaking decency when running for political office. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of DonkeyHotey et. al. on Flickr[/custom_font]

The Planned Parenthood Videos Aug 05, 2015

Show notes

Recently released videos of Planned Parenthood officials discussing the harvesting of organs from “fetal matter” have stirred widespread controversy. Anti-abortion advocates in Congress have unsuccessfully attempted to defund Planned Parenthood, a move they will likely attempt again soon. In this podcast, Stephen reminds listeners that while the recent videos are horrific, their main offense has been to describe and depict the kind of abortions that have been legal in America for decades. Stephen also tells a surprising personal story about abortion. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of Fibonacci Blue on Flickr[/custom_font]

The Christian Addiction to Bad News Jul 29, 2015

Show notes

Some people are far too eager to believe any bad news that circulates on the internet. It seems that some folks just want to stand on the rubble of Western civilization and say, “I told you so!” Any bad news is good news to them. In this podcast, Stephen explains the dangers of running with bad news and conspiracy theories simply for the sake of fanning the flames. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of Krysten Newby on Flickr[/custom_font]

What About the Confederate Flag? Jul 22, 2015

Show notes

The morning after Dylann Roof murdered nine people in the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Charleston, South Carolina, all of the flags on South Carolina State House grounds went to half-staff—except for one. So began the current nationwide debate about the Confederate flag. More chillingly, Roof had draped himself in that flag in Facebook photos and he seemed to champion the cause that flag represents. In this podcast, Stephen dips into the history of the Confederacy a bit and then gives his firm views on the matter. What he contends most passionately is that the debate about the Confederate flag has distracted us from a more substantial debate about racism in America. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']Image courtesy of NBC News[/custom_font]

The Court, the Country and Same Sex Marriage Jul 15, 2015

Show notes

The Supreme Court has recently included same sex marriage in the official U.S. definition of marriage. Even defenders of same sex marriage realize that the ruling is only a beginning to what may be a refashioning of American society through the vehicle of American law. Stephen explains in this podcast the inevitability of the Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges case and what it will likely mean in the years to come. He speaks in particular to the challenges that are now facing religious institutions and chaplains in the U.S. military. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of Ted Eytan on Flickr[/custom_font]