Pursuit of Utility

In this episode, we explore what it really means to maintain your mental health as a man, no fluff, no autopilot. We kick things off with why Men’s Mental Health Month matters, break down the silent epidemic of depression and suicide, and then shift into low gear with a metaphor that hits home: your mind isn’t a Tesla—it’s a Jeep.We talk grit, gear, and getting unstuck. How working on yourself is a lot like modding your rig. Why therapy is like taking it to a mechanic. And finally, we tie it all together with a message for July 4th about creative independence and why creating something, anything, might just be the most radical act of mental health and agency you can choose.If you’ve ever felt stuck, worn down, or like you’re watching life happen instead of driving it, this one’s for you.Reach out at [email protected]#mensmentalhealth #agency #pursuitofutility

“Provide and protect.” It’s the phrase we hear every Father’s Day but what does it really mean?In this episode, I unpack the deeper, often overlooked dimensions of fatherhood. Providing isn’t just about finances or about safety. I explore what it looks like to provide perspective, presence, and emotional vocabulary and how real protection sometimes means shielding your kids from your own ego or the lure of victim mentality.If you’re a dad, a mentor, or just someone trying to lead with intention, this one’s for you.This isn’t a Hallmark card. It’s a challenge to level up how we show up. #fathersday #provideandprotect #menshealth #parenting #beingadad

Follow along as I use ChatGPT to help create a New Year's Resolution. In this podcast we explore various New Year Resolution trends as well as explore how a tool like ChatGPT can be used to help ideate and brainstorm various topics. Link to the YouTube video Check out ChatGPT Contact me with any questions: [email protected]

Listen to this episode to find out the areas that I am thinking about moving into next year. Here is that list: Automate / Delegate / Remove AI Time to Process Organization Readiness Doing it Health Here is the link to the Justin Mares article that I mentioned. Great American Poisoning Reach out to me at [email protected] #resolutions #newyear #howtocomeupwitharesolution

I provide a quick update on our latest farm project and also talk about the agency that comes from having your kids involved in what you do around your property and also how teaching them things, like how to operate equipment or cook their own food is the way. There is no greater good than to be of service to the people you love. #parenting #agency #utility

In this episode, I read one of my favorite poems, We Who Are Your Closest Friends, which just speaks to the insanity in which our mind operates. It was written back in the 1940s and is still true to this day. How might we get out of our heads such that we can live the way that we want without existing in so much turmoil? It is not easy but is a noble pursuit. Check out the video on YouTube.

Reclaim your agency. This episode talks about showing up with purpose. This article and more can be found on the website. Check out the website: https://pursuitofutility.com/an-orange-shirt-and-discomfort/

Being a dad is the hardest job you will ever love. And with that job comes lots of room for improvement. In this episode I reflect on how I think I am doing as a dad with a few areas that I think I am getting better in and a few others that could use some work. If you have any ideas on topics that you want to hear discussed shoot me an email to [email protected] And remember, care a lot more about a lot less. #untuckedlife #fathersday #parenting #dad

In this episode I talk about how my passion has now become part of my career. I am taking a new position that I am super pumped about and it will involve creating a Podcast for the organization that I will be working for. Pretty sweet. How might you be able to start infusing more of your passion into your day job?  The Untucked Podcast  www.natevalentin.com #passion #untuckedpodcast #hustle #caremoreaboutless

In this episode I break down my approach to ramping up in the incredibly overwhelming and intimidating world of day trading. Now I am by no means an expert nor a financial advisor but think that the steps I outline could help you onboard onto any new interest. I take my years as an analyst and the tools I used to ramp up on new subjects and apply those to day trading.  If you want to get started trading on your own you can check out Join Robinhood with my link and we'll both get a free stock 🤝 https://join.robinhood.com/natev20 Check out the website for more www.natevalentin.com #caremoreaboutless #untuckedpodcast #natevalentin #trading #daytrading

I am not a group-ex guy but the Peloton is pretty dope. In this episode I review the Peloton, my first impressions of it as a product and also how it fits into the market. I share my initial reaction to taking delivery and having my first ride and also review the latest member statistics. The bottom line is that a ridiculously high user retention level just further emphasizes the value proposition and great market fit.    Care a lot more about a lot less. #mrr #productdevelopment #peloton

He was the RomCom guy. But then he reinvented himself into probably one of the best actors in Hollywood. How did he do this? Why did he do this? Who is he really and what does he think about? In this episode I share 4 meaningful highlights from his new book Greenlights that start to unpack the answers to these questions. I have been so impressed with the depth of the content in this book and the entertaining way in which he shares his thoughts, stories and ideas in the audiobook that I wanted to share them hear with you. If you liked this episode please consider subscribing and sharing with a friend. Alright, alright, alright... Check out the Greenlights website and definitely pick up the book here (I recommend the audio version).

This episode is a little different than most so let's see what you think. One, I am trying out a different mic and also mixed the audio a bit differently. Let me know what you think about that. I also broke the episode down into different sections. Here is the breakdown of the episode. Section 1. Review of David Goggins' Can't Hurt Me - :30 Section 2: Passive Income Story - 9:30 Section 3: Political Unrest and Polarization - 13:30 Section 4: Update on Purge. Organize and Accountability: 21:30 Let me know what you think! Thanks for listening. Website: www.natevalentin.com #caremoreaboutless #untucked 

Here are 5 simple steps I am taking in 2021 to take back control of life. 2020 was a hard year for all of us and as we limp into next year here are a few ideas on how you might make the most out of the new year. The tips that I discuss are: 1. Purge 2. Organize 3. Produce more content 4. Question 5. Radical accountability If you are looking for some help in moving into the new year consider these 5 tips and how they might help you take back control.  Website: www.natevalentin.com

This is a quick discussion about algorithms and social media and some of the consequences they present.  If you haven't watched Social Dilemma, I highly recommend it. You can find it here  #socialmedia #algorithms #socialdilemma

Fear and anxiety are becoming more and more common place in today's world. In this article Shane from the FS blog talks about rethinking fear based on the work done by Gavin de Becker in his book The Gift of Fear. If you have been struggling with uncontrollable fear or crippling anxiety maybe this episode is for you.  --- Link to the original article on fs.blog --- Check out more here: www.theuntuckedlife.com https://www.facebook.com/untuckedlife https://www.instagram.com/theuntuckedlife/

In this episode I read an article written by the great Mark Manson on FastCompany regarding self-control and more importantly the thinking brain versus the feeling brain. I share my thoughts and how I reconcile these concepts in my mind. If you struggle with change or with willpower listen to this episode and hopefully it will help shed some light on this topic. Here is the original article here. Here is a link to Mark's website.  Check out more here: www.theuntuckedlife.com https://www.facebook.com/untuckedlife https://www.instagram.com/theuntuckedlife/ #markmanson #change #growth

In this episode I read Ryan Holiday's latest article and respond to his list of 10 ways to find stillness. I then share my thoughts on the approaches he mentions along with my own experience implementing some of these into my life. Ryan is one of the great thinkers of this generation and I strongly recommend following his work. Stillness is something that can be cultivated through deliberate practice and can have a tremendous impact on your life. If you have never heard of the term, I recommend giving this episode a listen as it is a great introduction. Here is the link to the original article 10 Ways to Find Stillness Here are some of my favorite books by him: Ego is the Enemy The Obstacle is the Way --- Check out more from TUL here: www.theuntuckedlife.com https://www.facebook.com/untuckedlife https://www.instagram.com/theuntuckedlife/ #ryanholiday #stoic #stillness

In this episode I share a few passages from Book 6 of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. This book has been something I have recommended to several people and one that I come back to regularly. It is just crazy to think that the ruler of the most powerful kingdom at that time was writing messages, largely to himself, to stay centered. The wisdom and teachings he wrote some 2,000 years ago still apply to this day. That is why I am such a big fan of stoicism.  Let me know what you think about this style of podcast and maybe I will do more of them like this.  Check out the book here Check out more from me: www.theuntuckedlife.com https://www.facebook.com/untuckedlife https://www.instagram.com/theuntuckedlife/ #stoicism #meditations 

Today is my birthday! The big 36. Are you supposed to tell people on the internet how old you are? Hmmm... Last year at this time I wrote an article called 35 Things at 35. It was a collection of thoughts and lessons I had learned over the years. Today, in honor of that post I wanted to write something new. I didn't want to do the same old 36 at 36. Especially since there has been one central theme through out this year that has played a bigger role than any. And that is my story... In this episode I will be reading that article. If you want to check out the original article you can find it here.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and share it with a friend. That would be much appreciated. Cheers.  -Nate Check out more here: www.theuntuckedlife.com https://www.facebook.com/untuckedlife https://www.instagram.com/theuntuckedlife/ #life #growth #philosophy

In this episode I talk about the importance of your story and how it can literally change your life. For the first time, I talk about my accident and share what the recovery process has taught me... continues to teach me. The stoics said that we should delineate between the things that we can control and those that we cannot. We are not always in control of the things that happen to us. But we are always in control of the way that we respond and the STORY that we tell ourselves about those events. How might re-framing recent events in your life improve your outlook? Might there be a story that needs to be retold? Visit us at www.theuntuckedlife.com and follow us at www.instagram.com/theuntuckedlife

Why do you do the things you do? Do you know? Have you ever stopped to think about why you either agreed to do something or decided that you should undertake a new project? In this episode I talk about how I approach decision making through analyzing the root motivations behind the decisions I make or ideas I pursue.  Check us out at www.theuntuckedlife.com Care more about less.

This podcast is about failure and how you might think about it and respond to it. The ironic thing is that the first pass at uploading this podcast actually failed (edit: the second one did too), so I added a section at the beginning of this to just show how frequent failure can happen. It didn't stop me from fixing the podcast and re-uploading it and it shouldn't stop you from doing what you are trying to do either.  In this episode we read a post from the Daily Stoic written by Ryan Holiday and I talk about my relationship with failure and how I try to think about and process it. This all originated from a tough conversation I had with my oldest son after a tough loss in a wrestling match. I hope you enjoy this episode. Share it with a friend and be sure to subscribe for updates.  Check out The Untucked Life and Daily Stoic

In this episode I sit down and talk with my long time colleague, friend and mentor John Bryant. At the time of recording he is spending his days in Grenada, Spain working as the architect for a web-based product that I am developing. Since my time knowing John he has spent time in Canada, Australia, here in the US and most recently has been traveling around Spain, city to city.  John has a very refreshing and unique perspective on life and freedom that I find incredibly inspiring and frustratingly impressive. Please enjoy my wide ranging discussion with John.  Demo of application discussed here Learn more about John Visit our site

So you are a creator, congratulations and I am sorry. It is not always easy. You do not always feel inspired it is not always fulfilling. Herein lies the Creator's Dilemma which I talk about on this episode of the podcast. I recap the last 30 days since I have started the podcast and talk about some of the things that were holding me back and limiting my creative output. Hope you enjoy the episode. Link to The Untucked Life website here Link to some cool photos of my office and garage here Link to Sam Kolder video here 

In this episode I interview Aiden Valentin (APLU5) on the first iteration of The Extraordinarily Normal series. Aiden is a self-taught producer and artist and in this podcast we talk about his journey and passion for music. Aiden is 15 years old and has been producing EDM for about 4 years now. He is my resident DJ and the audio guru for The Untucked Life. And most important of all he is my oldest son and I am really proud of him. Be sure to check out his music below and follow him for updates.  Check him out on Spotify Check him out on Soundcloud Follow him on Instagram

Are you good at starting projects, lots of projects and not finishing them. In this episode I talk about my struggle with finishing and sharing work and how I handle it. If you are a creative or an aspiring creative you can probably relate. Ship your work! This episode is the audio from a video I created and posted to my YouTube channel last year. You will hear some references to the video and cameras; that is why.  Check out the full video here: Finish Your Work Check out our website and sign up for the newsletter: The Untucked Life

We have all been through tough times. Many of us are going through some right now. In this episode I provide you with 5 tips on how to get through them. I reflect on a recent major home improvement project that required some pretty manually intensive work. I provide some real life examples of how I thought through the issue and was able to get it done. 

In this episode I talk about comfort and how that actually might not be the best thing for you. My belief is that it is during times of discomfort that the greatest growth occurs. How might we be able to enjoy comfort but also maintain gratitude?  Hope you enjoy the episode. 

So you're stressed out!? Me too! Literally that is the reason why I recorded these segments. I have an opportunity which should be positive but do to some legal issues it is not as straightforward as I would hope it to be. This episode speaks to that situation and the process of working through it. I hope you find it helpful.

In this episode I unpack some of my own issues around the other F word... Failure, that I have struggled with for basically my entire adult life. This is a pretty vulnerable topic for me so hope you can relate.

Quick episode talking about how a rainy ride home in the Jeep made for the most fun 5 minute drive ever. The major takeaway here is that it is ok to live your life unscripted at times.