The Upgraded Man

Latest Episodes:

Tim McDonald: Given Three Years to Live, Six Years Later Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

In 2020, Tim McDonald went to an urgent care for a pain in his side. He left knowing he had stage IV colorectal cancer that had already spread to his liver. A second oncologist told him he had three years to live. Almost six years later, after a liver transplant and a long stretch of treatment, Tim is still here, still working, and still traveling with his wife every year.

Chris Anderson sits down with Tim to talk about the mindset that carried him through it, the symptoms he brushed off for months, and what it actually looks like to stop planning your life and start living it. Tim is a healthcare advocate and the host of the Advocacy at Work podcast and blog. He has gone to Capitol Hill to push for colorectal cancer research funding and sits on research panels that bring the patient voice into how new treatments get built.

This one is for the man who keeps putting off the checkup, the hard conversation, and the trip he says he will take someday.

What we get into:

The moment Tim heard the words "you have cancer" and why his reaction worried his own doctor
Why he told his wife "that's your story, not mine" after a doctor handed him a three year timeline
The count to 10 practice that got his temper under control, and why most men quit before it works
The journaling exercise he uses to talk back to fear so it stops running his decisions
The symptoms he explained away for months: weight loss, back pain, night sweats, and never feeling warm
Why colorectal cancer screening dropped from age 50 to 45, and why it may drop again to 40
Cologuard versus the newer blood tests, and what to do if you are too young for insurance to cover it
How one positive blood test six years later sent him back into the what ifs, and how he got out
What changed in his marriage when his wife became the rock instead of him
Why he stopped trying to be the hardest worker in the room and started working smarter
The question he left in the Upgrade Log for the next guest

Connect with Tim McDonald:
Website and podcast: advocacyatwork.com
LinkedIn: Tim A. McDonald

If this one helps you, send it to a man who needs it. Follow the show so we can keep putting them out.

Stay upgraded.

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

Our mission at The Upgraded Man is simple — help men upgrade every area of their life through real conversations, honest stories, and actionable insight from men who have done the work.
Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Send Chris Anderson a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/upgradedmanpodcast

The content on The Upgraded Man is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not constitute professional legal, financial, medical, or therapeutic advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on information discussed on this podcast.

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Building an Indiana Media Empire with Nate Spangle (Get Indiana) Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

Nate Spangle never set out to build a media company. He set out to be the first truck in line at the Indy 500. That single idea, filmed on his phone while walking into work, blew up overnight and became Get Indiana, the brand now known across the state for hyping up small towns, local businesses, and the people most folks would drive right past.

In this episode, Chris Anderson sits down with Nate to unpack how a $3,000 truck off Facebook Marketplace turned into a full media company, and why plain old curiosity is the real engine behind all of it. Nate opens up about the loss that reshaped how he sees people, the strategy behind his fastest-growing videos, and the mindset that keeps him swinging even when a big idea does not land.

Here is what Chris and Nate get into:

How one viral video and a 1986 Dodge truck launched Get Indiana and 15,000 followers in six weeks
Why you cannot fake obsession, and how being real beats being polished every time
The "delta" strategy: finding the gap between what people want and what nobody else is making
Losing his mom at 20, the second chance he got with his grandmother, and how learning to ask better questions changed everything
Why chasing a thousand real fans beats chasing a million strangers
Building a team, handing off the mic, and turning a one-man brand into a real business
The habits that keep him going: a short memory, no sulking, and dreaming so big it makes people uncomfortable

Whether you want to start something of your own, grow an audience, or just get more out of every single day, Nate's story is a straight shot of proof that the only way it does not work out is if you quit.

Follow Nate and Get Indiana at getindiana.com and @NateSpangle on all social media. New episodes of The Upgraded Man drop every week

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

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Larry Hagner on Becoming a Better Father, Husband, and Man Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

Most men were never taught how to be a great father or husband — they were left to figure it out on their own, often repeating the very patterns they swore they'd break. In this episode of the Upgraded Man Podcast, host Chris Anderson sits down with Larry Hagner, founder and CEO of The Dad Edge, who has spent fourteen years building a community and body of work to help men lead their families with intention.

Larry opens up about growing up without his biological father, an abusive stepfather, and the night he crossed a line with his own four-year-old son that changed everything. From there, the two dig into the real, teachable skills that separate present fathers and husbands from absent ones.

In this conversation, Larry and Chris cover:

Why the quality of every relationship lives in the repair, not the harmony or disharmony
How to own your mistakes with your kids without losing respect or authority
The forgiveness "plant" analogy and why forgive-and-forget doesn't work
Leading yourself first (faith and fitness) so you have something to give your family
Why your marriage belongs on the front burner, not behind the kids
Prioritizing your spouse's three core needs: to be seen, heard, and safe
Creating psychological safety so your kids call you at 3 a.m. instead of rolling the dice
The three-part communication blueprint: respond vs. react, lead with structure, provide safety
Replacing the word "why" with "tell me more" to defuse defensiveness
The middle ground between toxic masculinity and the passive "nice guy"
Setting and enforcing boundaries as a kind man, not a controlling one
Why "there's no such thing as an unconditional relationship"

Larry also shares the story of reconnecting with his biological father after eighteen years and the deathbed quote that drives him to leave nothing on the table.

Larry Hagner is the founder of The Dad Edge, host of The Dad Edge Podcast, and author of "The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood." Connect with him @thedadedge on Instagram and YouTube. Free resources: thedadedge.com/25questions (conversation starters for your wife), thedadedge.com/kidquestions (75 questions for kids by age), and thedadedge.com/legendarybook for his signed book plus two free courses.

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

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Death by a Thousand Cuts: Fixing Your Money Without the Shame Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

Ever feel like you're grinding harder than ever and still scraping by before the next paycheck hits? You're not bad with money. The world changed — and most men were never handed a plan.

In this episode of The Upgraded Man Podcast, Chris Anderson sits down with Philip Lanier, a former construction laborer who went from homelessness to selling his own company and now teaches everyday people how to take control of their finances without shame.

Philip gets real about the "death by a thousand cuts" that quietly drains your accounts, the borrowed scoreboard that keeps you chasing the wrong version of success, and why getting your priorities in the right order matters more than how much you earn.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

Why so many men operate without a financial plan — and how the world is engineered to profit from that
The "death by a thousand cuts" problem hiding in your subscriptions and monthly payments
How to face your bank app without shame and get one small win today
Why chasing the "American dream scoreboard" keeps you stuck and stressed
The sea turtle lesson on struggle, and what it teaches us about raising money-smart kids
Practical guardrails to stop justifying debt and start delaying gratification
How building generational financial wisdom beats a better golf swing every time

Whether you're living paycheck to paycheck or just tired of feeling behind, this episode delivers the mindset shift and practical steps to make money feel calmer this week.

Connect with Philip Lanier:
Financial class: yourmoneyessentials.com
Business coaching: corebusinessessentials.com

Follow The Upgraded Man Podcast, share this with a man who needs it, and keep upgrading your life.

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why Working Harder Won't Build Your Wealth | Dr. Joseph Drolshagen Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

You are working harder than ever and the needle still will not move. In this episode of The Upgraded Man Podcast, host Chris Anderson sits down with Dr. Joseph Drolshagen, creator of the SMT method and a 27-year corporate sales veteran turned subconscious performance coach, to expose the real reason most men stall out in business and wealth building. It is not your strategy. It is not the economy. It is the programming running underneath everything you do.

Drolshagen breaks down how 85% of your results are driven by subconscious patterns, why hustle culture quietly sabotages the men who buy into it, and how getting into alignment helped his clients scale from 7.5 million to over 22 million in twelve months while taking five weeks of vacation. Drawing on three-plus decades of study and his own climb out of a struggling Detroit upbringing, this is a conversation about doing the inner work that actually changes the outer results, not another pep talk with a 72-hour shelf life.

In this episode:

Why working harder is the first move struggling business owners make, and why it almost never works
The difference between your conscious knowing and the subconscious programming that triggers the actions you take
How to build a dynamic vision that pulls you forward instead of grinding you down
Why lottery winners and burned-out founders share the exact same hidden problem
The simple assessment Drolshagen tells every man to run before he changes anything else
How taking uncomfortable action rewires your programming for good
Why scaling a business can feel exciting instead of soul-crushing
How fear, procrastination, and "I am okay at 1 million" are really the same limitation

Whether you are leading a team, growing revenue, or trying to build generational wealth without losing your family in the process, this episode hands you a new place to start: the man in the mirror.

Guest: Dr. Joseph Drolshagen, creator of the SMT method and 27-year sales leader. Book a no-pitch call directly with Joe at SMT.com.

Follow The Upgraded Man Podcast, and share this one with a man who has hit a ceiling he cannot explain.

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

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Arky Jones: Stoicism, Self-Awareness, and the 1% Better Life Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

What does it really mean when a man says, "That's just who I am"? In this episode of The Upgraded Man, host Chris Anderson sits down with Arky Jones, founder of Personality Peak and a lifelong student of stoicism, to unpack why that phrase is usually an excuse rather than an identity. Born in England and now based in Australia, Arky brings a hard-won perspective shaped by military training, a serious injury, and a complete rebuild of his life and purpose. Together they explore how self-awareness, radical ownership, and small daily upgrades can pull any man out of complacency and into a fuller, more deliberate way of living. This is a direct, no-excuses conversation about change, responsibility, and becoming the man you actually want to be.

In this episode:

Why "personality is a mirror, not a label" and how seeing yourself clearly changes everything
The truth about self-awareness for men and why it is not the "woo woo" stuff you think
How the locus of control separates what you can own from what you must release
Stoicism made practical, from Marcus Aurelius's Meditations to the choices you make every day
Why surrender can be a strength instead of a weakness
The hidden danger of comfort and how it quietly kills growth, hunger, and purpose
Needs versus wants, and how chasing image and status drains your life energy
Facing your "unopened bills" and demons head-on instead of delaying the consequence
Why modern men have lost their tribe, their role, and their mission, and how to begin reclaiming it
The 1% better philosophy you can apply in any moment of any day to compound real change
Arky's story of shattering his pelvis in Royal Marines training and the pivot that rebuilt his life

Connect with Arky Jones at Personality Peak (personalitypeak.com) to take the free five-minute personality insight tool and uncover your blind spots.

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why Motivation Is Overrated: 70-Year-Old World Record Holder's Secret Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

At 70 years old, Jeff broke four ultra-distance cycling world records in a single day, and he did it after training for only a few months. On this episode of The Upgraded Man Podcast, host Chris Anderson sits down with the record-breaking cyclist, former aerobatic pilot, and performance coach to take apart one of the most common excuses men hide behind: a lack of motivation. Jeff makes the case that motivation is overrated, and that the real engine behind a life of achievement is learning to enjoy the process, set the right goals, and pivot without shame when something stops serving you.

In this episode, you will learn:

Why motivation is overrated and enjoying the process is what actually sustains long-term effort
The difference between quitting and "pivoting," and why Jeff reframes walking away as a strength rather than a failure
How to set goals that are "50 percent believable" so they never become a to-do list or a pipe dream
The four-stage path to mastery: discovery, training, practice, and teaching, and how to copy it from a skill you already have
Why complacency is the real enemy, and the rare moments when it actually works in your favor
How a safety net makes a career or life pivot responsible instead of reckless
What overtraining taught Jeff about the gap between hating an activity and hating how it makes you feel
Why writing down your strengths and challenges gives your goals real power

Jeff is a cycling and performance coach who has set multiple records through the World Ultra Cycling Association, competed for years as an aerobatic pilot, and raised roughly $15,000 for his local Parkinson's community. His approach blends decades of athletic experience with a coaching philosophy focused on building people up, not just making them faster. Learn more and connect with Jeff at JeffsCoaching.com.

If this conversation pushed you to reconsider something you have been avoiding, subscribe to The Upgraded Man Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with a man who is ready to pivot.

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why High Achievers Stay Stuck (And How to Break Free) Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

High achievers don't get stuck because they lack effort. They get stuck because they're moving fast in the wrong direction. In this episode of The Upgraded Man Podcast, Chris Anderson sits down with high-performance coach Tim Kelly to unpack why so many capable men hit a ceiling and what it actually takes to break through.

Tim is a former Navy rescue swimmer, commercial real estate investor, author, and founder of Active Duty Passive Income. After achieving financial freedom and then losing over seven figures, he rebuilt his life around clarity, faith, and disciplined daily action. Now he helps high performers get out of their own way and build lives that are both successful and fulfilling.

In this conversation, Chris and Tim cover:

The three reasons even the highest performers stay stuck
Why clarity is the foundation of high performance, and how to run a clarity audit on yourself
The difference between staying busy and making real progress
Why financial freedom means nothing without responsibility and purpose
The GROWS framework: God, Relationships, Occupation, Wealth, and Strength
Why you cannot succeed in isolation and how to get into the right rooms
How to reframe failure as a win, progress, or a lesson
The courage it takes to have the hard conversations in your personal life

This one is for any man who looks successful on paper but knows he's capable of more. It's a blueprint for trading busyness for clarity and finally moving the needle on the things that matter most.

Connect with Tim Kelly: Website: thetimothykelly.com LinkedIn and Instagram: @thetimothykelly Take the free high-performance clarity assessment, grab the gap guide, and book a call.

Remember, it's just about one percent better each day. Follow the show and share this episode with a man who's working to be better every single day.

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Never Putt Short: Jeff McCabe on Intentionality, Failure, and Building Hard Truth Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

What does it take to turn 325 acres of Indiana woods into a national spirits brand and an "adult Disneyland" that pulls visitors from across the country? In this episode of The Upgraded Man Podcast, Chris Anderson sits down with Jeff McCabe, co-founder of Hard Truth Distilling Co., for a wide-ranging conversation on craft, mindset, family, and the long game of building something that lasts.

Jeff is a Naval Academy graduate and former Navy pilot who went on to run a major part of the business travel and corporate card division at American Express before stepping away to chase a different kind of dream in Brown County. Alongside his partners and his own family, he built Big Woods, Quaff On, and Hard Truth into an experience that visitors remember long after they leave.

In this conversation, you'll hear:

Why a whiskey tastes better at 93 proof than 90, and what that obsession with detail reveals about doing anything well
The Charlie Munger philosophy on the wall of his boardroom, and the wild family connection to Munger that Jeff only learned recently
What the Naval Academy taught him about failing, and why learning to fail removed his fear of it
How he leads people who don't share his mindset by listening first and meaning what he says
The realities of running a business with his son, daughter, and son-in-law all under one roof
Where he was on the morning of 9/11, and how being out of New York let him help in a way no one else could
The McCabe family history, from Irish Gallowglass roots to two uncles' bars and a now-legendary dance hall story
The Byron Nelson lesson that stuck with him for life: never putt short

Whether you're building a company, leading a team, or just trying to navigate whatever life throws your way, Jeff's blend of hard-won wisdom and Midwest grit offers something to take home.

Hard Truth Distilling Co. is located in Nashville, Indiana, in the heart of Brown County, and its spirits are now distributed across 38 states. Plan a visit to walk the property, take a distillery tour, or build a custom experience of your own.

The Upgraded Man Podcast is for men who refuse to stay complacent and want to keep growing across every area of life. New episodes drop regularly, so subscribe and share this one with someone who needs it.

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

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Bridging the Gap: Building Stronger Father-Son Relationships With Dr. Carla Caturia May 25, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Upgraded Man Podcast, host Chris Anderson sits down with Dr. Carla Caturia, a mindset and family relationship expert who has worked with thousands of families to help fathers strengthen their connection with their kids. As the first female guest since the show's rebrand, Dr. Carla brings a fresh, practical perspective to one of the toughest questions dads face: how do I stay close to my kid as they grow up?

Whether you have a toddler, a teenager, or a kid somewhere in between, this conversation gives you a real-world framework for showing up as the father your kids actually need.

Key topics and takeaways:

Why the disconnect between dads and their teenage sons is normal, but absolutely fixable
The "fix-it trap" most dads fall into and what to do instead when your kid opens up
How to read your child's energy and know when to listen versus when to engage
The difference between productive struggle and being too hard on your kids
Why discipline rooted in natural consequences is more effective than reactive punishment
How to navigate the identity shifts kids go through in elementary, middle, and high school
The 20-minute weekly strategy that can transform your relationship with your teen
Why regulating your own emotions is the single biggest move a dad can make
How to spot whether your kid is dealing with a motivation problem or an identity problem
The role of vulnerability in earning your child's trust and respect
Why affirmations only work when paired with evidence
What dads need to let go of as their kids grow into their own people

Dr. Carla also shares the story of a father and two sons whose relationship transformed through small, consistent shifts, and leaves dads with a powerful reminder to have grace with themselves through the journey.

Connect with Dr. Carla on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Reach out directly for a consultation if you want personalized support strengthening your family relationships.

Follow The Upgraded Man Podcast and share this episode with a dad in your life who could use it.

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.