Man of the Year - Champions of Friendship

Karo and Matt introduce the PALS test: a simple framework for evaluating whether a friendship truly serves you. The guys break down the four pillars—passion, appreciation, loyalty, and support—and explain how each reveals the strength of your connection. Check out our new Audible Original THE BUDDY SYSTEM Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt and Karo have vastly different styles in life, Karo plans everything and needs 6 weeks notice, Matt lives in the moment. We examine the pros and cons of each when it comes to friendship. Check out our new Audible Original THE BUDDY SYSTEM Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Karo and Matt break down the three-man crew - why rolling three deep can feel like the sweet spot, and when it can backfire compared to pairs or bigger squads. It’s the ultimate debate: is three really the magic number for friendship? Check out our new Audible Original THE BUDDY SYSTEM! Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt and Karo discuss a taboo topic: Territorial friends. Ever have a scenario where you're getting boxed out or frozen out from a friend's friend or a friend group? We discuss why this happens and how to deal with it. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Karo and Matt celebrate their 150th episode AND their friendiversary! The guys discuss how to determine and why to celebrate the exact day you and your buddy became boys. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt and Karo discuss Matt's first poker night in 20 years and the benefits of a game night and how needed it really was for all the dads at the table. All those fun game nights you used to do, well, it turns out, you still can. They discuss the etiquette of poker night, should you let anyone in your home if its outdoors, when can you leave when you're up big, all the little rules we all forgot. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When was the last time you asked your buddy how he’s REALLY doing? This episode dives into friendship, vulnerability, and why men’s mental health deserves more than a passing “I’m fine.” Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt and Karo discuss a very frequent issue that no one ever talks about, sometimes you're just in a friendship dry spell. Like dating, these things happen, so you need to take action to snap out of it. We discuss how long is too long, is there an equivalent of a slumpbuster for friendship and what to say and do to get yourself back into a good friendship rhythm. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Karo and Matt dive into the world of “social sports” – the games designed as much for connection as competition. From pickleball to padel to tennis, we explore how the court can become a friendship hub. So grab your paddle and your pals, because it’s all about playing together. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt and Karo discuss the old axiom that you are the five people you spend the most time with. Is it true? And if it is, what does that say about you? Do you need to level up your five? Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt’s wife goes into labor in the middle of the night and Matt calls Karo for help – but Karo doesn’t pick up! Today on the pod we discuss who to choose as your emergency contact, and the importance of friendship first responders. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's a touchy subject! But are we missing out on the benefits of physical contact with our friends. Matt and Karo discussed the pros and cons of how our society is compared to others past and present when it comes to the touchy feely stuff of friendship. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We all have friends who we love hanging out with – and then completely forget about. Buddies who, for whatever reason, are not on our day-to-day radars. Karo and Matt discuss the causes of and cures for Friendship Amnesia. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We come up with a great list of ways to keep up the long distance friendships. Letting your friends know they are valued and missed, but also figuring ways to keep living in the moment. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Friend groups can be a source of deep connection - or quiet chaos. This week, Karo and Matt dive into the subtle dynamics of cliques: how they form, why they last, and what happens when the group starts to shift. From loyalty tests to subgroup drama, we explore the pros, pitfalls, and politics of the friend group ecosystem. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There was always a bring your child to work day, but what if we let our friends into our work world a bit. Maybe we'd feel a bit closer. Ask your friends more about their work. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Journalist and author Rhaina Cohen joins us to talk about the evolution of friendship and her new book “The Other Significant Others.” Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If it often seems like everyone is always looking for an excuse not to get together, it's because they often are. But you don't have to be that person. Instead you can be the reason you get together, the reason you take the walk together, the reason you and your friends keep your weekly drinks or monthly get togethers. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today on the pod we welcome Delaney Buffett and Katie Corwin, writers and stars of the new movie ADULT BEST FRIENDS – now streaming on HBO Max! Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt and Karo explore how the definition of friendship has evolved across generations - and centuries. Would your current crew survive in 1925’s smoky speakeasies? What about 1525’s plague-ridden villages? From handwritten letters to group chats, they break down what friendship meant then and now. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and X Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.