Man of the Year - Champions of Friendship

Matt Ritter and Aaron Karo
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7 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 30min

#169 - One-on-One Friends vs. Big Group Friends

They unpack why some people shine in big groups but freeze in one-on-one settings. They explore inner-circle versus outer-circle dynamics and when to mix friend groups. They debate etiquette for bringing new people into hangs and share tips for upgrading group acquaintances into closer pals. They also discuss when to accept a friendship as group-only and when to stop trying.
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Jan 20, 2026 • 30min

#168 - Is Sh*t Talking Healthy For Friendships?

Matt and Karo discuss what the line is between being playful and an a-hole, and how relating in a friendship, especially between men, often comes with some good old smack talk. As long as it's to your face and not behind your back, there can be a lot to be said for it. 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.
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Jan 13, 2026 • 32min

#167 - How to Make Friends as an Introvert

Karo and Matt are famously extroverts – but today they’re taking all of their friendmaking tips and hacks and discussing how they can be used by introverts too!! They break down what works, what doesn’t, and the unique strengths introverts bring to building real friendships. 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.
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Jan 6, 2026 • 31min

#166 - Flakes

Matt and Karo kick off the new year by discussing those friends that somehow still drive us crazy. We know they're likely to show up two hours late or not at all, yet we keep inviting them, keep hoping for them to change. Is there a solution that doesn't involve just cutting them out of their lives, because let's face it, many of them are super fun and can be great friends....when they bother to show up. 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.
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Dec 30, 2025 • 31min

#165 - Karo and Matt’s 2026 New Year’s Res-BRO-lutions

Another year of friendship is in the books and guys look back on how well they did on their 2025 resolutions (mixed bag) as well as make their New Year’s resolutions for 2026. Res-BRO-lutions is a registered trademark of Man of the Year. 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.
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Dec 23, 2025 • 30min

#164 - Is Double Dating Online the Future of Friendship?

Matt and Karo interview Jourdann Lubliner, the founder of Doubles Social, the hit friendship app for couples to meet, to find out what the hype is all about. Would you and your partner go online to make friends? We explore all the pros and cons of a new way to make friends. 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.
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Dec 16, 2025 • 30min

#163 - Unlikely Friendships

Karo and Matt explore the charm of unlikely friendships formed between opposites. They dissect why these connections intrigue us, from quirky celebrity duos like Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart to the risks of keeping wild pets. Personal anecdotes highlight their own unusual friendships across generations. Tips for mentoring teens and bridging cultural gaps are shared, emphasizing the emotional and learning benefits of diverse bonds. Lastly, they encourage listeners to share their own stories of unexpected connections.
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Dec 9, 2025 • 30min

#162 - Useless Friends

Have we become so transactional that we've forgotten the value of Useless friends? We kid. Everyone has some "use." But this week is about praising the friends whose company we keep just...because. 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.
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Dec 2, 2025 • 32min

#161 - Friendship FOMO

When your friends hang out without you, the sting of FOMO hits hard. Karo and Matt dig into why it feels so personal and what it really says about your relationships. And when you’re the one who plans something and has to leave people out, we unpack the guilt and how to handle both sides with clarity and kindness. 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.
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Nov 25, 2025 • 30min

#160 - 22nd Annual Man of the Year Dinner

Join Matt and Karo as they celebrate 22 years of the legendary Man of the Year dinner at Peter Luger Steakhouse. They delve into how rituals like this strengthen friendships and create lasting traditions. Discover why an old-school vibe enhances their gathering, and learn tips for starting your own friend rituals. They also tackle logistics, like hosting dynamics and potluck plans, while addressing listener concerns about changing traditions. Fun discussions about everyday rituals, like fantasy leagues, make this a relatable and engaging conversation!

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