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Artwork for Man of the Year

Man of the Year - Champions of Friendship

Matt Ritter and Aaron Karo
Friendship
Social Fitness
Mental Health
Communication
Loneliness
Friendship Dynamics
Social Connections
Fringe Friends
Parenting
Social Media
FOMO
Friendship Styles
New Year's Resolutions
Friendship Social Contract
Listener Questions
Social Interaction
Weddings
Relationships
Friend Groups
Social Connection

As seen in The New York Times, on NPR, and the TODAY Show, Man of the Year is the #1 friendship podcast in the country! Comedians and friendship experts Matt Ritter and Aaron Karo will help you make new friends, reconnect with old ones, and build lifelong social fitness. Each November they award a gigantic Man of the Year trophy to one of their childhood friends – a tradition that has kept their c... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes191Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureRelationshipsComedy

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Artwork for Man of the Year

Latest Episodes

Matt and Karo debate whether it's a good idea to date one of your friends. To cross that line between friend and lover, and if you can ever go back if it doesn't work out. It's a high risk, high reward maneuver!

Check out our new Audible Original TH... more

What do you do when a friend starts copying your style, your slang, your hobbies, or even your entire personality? Karo and Matt discuss copycats, the fine line between admiration and identity theft, and whether imitation really is the highest form o... more

YouTube

Matt and Karo have talked about the benefits of being a host many times before, but we decided this week to talk about the other side. The guests who seem to never host. Is it ok to be a permaguest, and if so, what are your obligations?

Check out ou... more

YouTube

Karo and Matt the discuss the rules for optimizing the group chat with your friends – but more importantly, fad king Matt spends ten minutes on his effort to eat as many sardines as possible.

Check out our new Audible Original THE BUDDY SYSTEM

Watc... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jordann Lubliner
CEO and founder of Doubles Social
Doubles Social
Episode: #164 - Is Double Dating Online the Future of Friendship?
Chrissy Teigen
Model, TV personality, and host
Self-Conscious podcast
Episode: #155 - CHRISSY TEIGEN AND JOHN LEGEND ON “THE BUDDY SYSTEM”
John Legend
Grammy Award-winning musician
Self-Conscious podcast
Episode: #155 - CHRISSY TEIGEN AND JOHN LEGEND ON “THE BUDDY SYSTEM”
Rhaina Cohen
Editor of NPR's Embedded and author of 'The Other Significant Others'
NPR
Episode: #138 - Rhaina Cohen, author of “The Other Significant Others”
Delaney Buffett
Producer and director of Adult Best Friends
Adult Best Friends
Episode: #136 - Adult Best Friends with Delaney Buffett and Katie Corwin
Katie Corwin
Star and writer of Adult Best Friends
Adult Best Friends
Episode: #136 - Adult Best Friends with Delaney Buffett and Katie Corwin
Sahil Bloom
Inspirational writer, content creator, and entrepreneur
SRB Holdings
Episode: #118 - Sahil Bloom - The Five Types of Wealth
Maria Adgotidis
Premier matchmaker in America and author of 'Ask a Matchmaker'
Ask a Matchmaker
Episode: #117 - Love and Friendship with Special Guest Matchmaker Maria!
Vivek Murthy
Surgeon General of the United States
U.S. Public Health Service
Episode: #100 - UNITED STATES SURGEON GENERAL DR. VIVEK MURTHY!

Hosts

Aaron Karo
Co-host and long-time host of Man of the Year, frequently drives conversations on friendship dynamics and life hacks.
Matt Ritter
Co-host and frequent on-air counterpart, known for practical takes on friendship, group dynamics, and humor.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 326 ratings
  • Love these guys!!

    I stumbled onto Man of the Year and honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from a podcast about male friendship. But Matt and Aaron get it. The loneliness, the effort it takes to keep real friendships alive past 40, the rituals that actually hold people together. It’s funny, it’s real, and it hits on things most men don’t say out loud. The chemistry between these two is the whole show. You feel like you’re in the room. If you’ve ever let a friendship quietly fade and wondered why, start here.​​​​​​... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Marketer2021
    United States2 months ago
  • Brilliant!

    Love this podcast. Hilarious and so important!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sndurhencmlsisjejdnx
    United States7 months ago
  • AI discussion was boring

    The good news is I just bought two of your T-shirts and I’m wearing them proudly. The bad news is you’re getting off-topic. Please return to things related to friendship for men. That’s what drew me to you and you’re getting way off topic. The idea of your podcast is admirable and appreciated. Please return to your purpose with the podcast. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Cleveland friend
    United States2 years ago
  • AI discussion was boring

    The good news is I just bought two of your T-shirts and I’m wearing them proudly.

    The bad news is you’re getting off-topic. Please return to things related to friendship for men. That’s what drew me to you and you’re getting way off topic.

    The idea of your podcast is admirable and appreciated. Please return to your purpose with the podcast.

    Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Cleveland friend
    United States2 years ago
  • It makes me strive to be a better friend.

    .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    turtleigg
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many comments highlight humor as a standout, with some frustration about off-topic tangents but still value the insights.
Listeners praise practical, actionable friendship advice that fits real-life schedules.
The show's banter and chemistry feel like hanging out with friends, which makes complex topics approachable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#184 - Invite Yourself
Q: If you have a friendship question or ethical dilemma, how should you handle inviting yourself without crossing boundaries?
Be direct but considerate: propose a specific, casual way to join (e.g., 'mind if I join?' or 'I'm in too'), read the moment, and be prepared for a 'no' without taking it personally; maintain openness to future chances and communicate your interest in spending time with them.
#183 - Buddymoon’s Over
Q: Dear Matt and Karo, is it wrong to be bitter about a friend's expensive, destination wedding when you can't afford it?
They discuss a rubric for deciding whether to attend or give a gift, emphasize that guests aren't obligated to attend or give gifts if unaffordable, and propose a structured 'wedding clawback' framework to manage expectations and money.
#181 - Roommates!
Q: Should we take a listener question?
Yes, they take a listener question about aging up a living situation and provide a structured approach: start with a one-on-one discussion, set clear policies on guests, sleep schedules, and shared spaces, and aim to align expectations early.
#182 - Brutal Honesty
Q: Is it your job to encourage someone's dream or tell them the truth? Or do you think it's a bad idea?
The hosts agree that it's part of being a supportive friend to encourage dreams, but there should be a layered approach: give encouragement while also asking clarifying questions and providing a reality check when needed to help crystallize the other person's thinking.
#179 - Drinking Buddies
Q: What should someone do if their friend group drinks heavily and they want to slow down or change the dynamic?
Openly communicate boundaries, propose alternative activities, and consider gradually reducing participation or shifting to smaller, non-alcohol-centered gatherings to maintain connection without pressure to drink.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Man of the Year

What is Man of the Year about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on adult friendship with a mix of practical tips, candid storytelling, and lighthearted banter. Hosts Matt Ritter and Aaron Karo explore how to make new friends, maintain long-standing relationships, and navigate modern social life—from group chats and wedding dynamics to how to show up for grieving friends and balance honesty with support. The tone stays funny and relatable while offering concrete, shareable takeaways for keeping social connections strong in busy, adult lives. A standout element is the duo's long-running friendship chemistry and their willingness to tackle awkward topics—paired with listener questions and practical frameworks—that make it feel like you're part of the conversation. The format consistently ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Man of the Year?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Man of the Year:

1. The Interview
2. Pivot
3. Stuff You Should Know
4. Revisionist History
5. The Daily

How many episodes of Man of the Year are there?

Man of the Year launched 4 years ago and published 191 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Man of the Year?

Recent guests on Man of the Year include:

1. Jordann Lubliner
2. Chrissy Teigen
3. John Legend
4. Rhaina Cohen
5. Delaney Buffett
6. Katie Corwin
7. Sahil Bloom
8. Maria Adgotidis

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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