The Preparation — An Adventure-Driven, Skill-Building Alternative to College for Young Men
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this compelling episode, Brett McKay sits down with Matt Smith, co-author of "The Preparation," to discuss an innovative alternative to traditional college education for young men. Smith, alongside his son Maxim and Doug Casey, has developed a four-year, 16-cycle curriculum designed to transform participants into renaissance men—skilled, self-reliant individuals grounded in character. (01:35) The conversation explores how today's educational model fails many young men, leaving them anxious, debt-ridden, and unprepared for an uncertain future shaped by AI and economic disruption. (02:44) Smith details the program's hands-on approach, which emphasizes developing real-world skills through intensive experiences like EMT certification, house building, and martial arts training in Thailand.
- Main Theme: Creating confident, competent men through practical skill development and character formation rather than traditional academic pathways
Speakers
Brett McKay
Brett McKay is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Art of Manliness, one of the largest independent men's magazines on the web. He has authored several books and hosts The Art of Manliness podcast, focusing on helping men develop practical skills, character, and authentic masculinity in the modern world.
Matt Smith
Matt Smith is an entrepreneur and college dropout who co-authored "The Preparation" with his son Maxim and Doug Casey. Drawing from his own unconventional path to success, Smith created this alternative education program to help young men develop into renaissance men with practical skills, confidence, and strong character. He developed the curriculum initially as a solution for his own son's post-high school anxiety about the future.
Key Takeaways
Develop a Personal Code Before Anything Else
Smith emphasizes that the most crucial foundation for any young man is establishing a personal code—a set of rules and virtues that define who you want to become. (20:01) This involves two key components: identifying behaviors that make you feel small and deciding not to do them anymore, and selecting classical virtues to aspire toward. Smith explains that this process forms the bedding of self-esteem and authentic identity, separating you from merely following the crowd. The framework moves beyond the typical focus on "having" things to concentrate on "being" someone of substance and character.
Embrace Hands-On Learning Over Theoretical Knowledge
The preparation emphasizes acquiring practical, tangible skills that build confidence and competence. (25:44) Each cycle includes an "anchor course"—intensive, hands-on learning experiences like EMT certification, house building, or martial arts training. Smith argues that traditional education leaves young people knowing about the world but not understanding how it actually works or how to shape it. These concrete skills provide both economic viability and psychological confidence, allowing young men to encounter the world knowing they can handle real situations and create tangible value.
Increase Your Surface Area of Opportunity
Smith's son Maxim exemplifies how diverse experiences create unexpected opportunities—from EMT work leading to $600/day wildfire fighting jobs to building networks through varied adventures. (35:50) Rather than following a predetermined career path, the preparation philosophy encourages exposure to many different fields, people, and situations. This approach mirrors historical renaissance figures and modern examples like Steve McQueen or Jack London, who tried numerous occupations before finding their calling. The key is remaining open to possibilities rather than fixating on specific career outcomes.
Address the Mimetic Desire Problem
Young men today often drift because they lack positive role models and instead follow peer behavior or online influences that don't lead to authentic fulfillment. (08:48) Smith explains how mimetic desire—our tendency to want what others appear to want—can be either destructive or beneficial depending on the models we choose. The preparation addresses this by providing heroic figures from history and literature as aspirational models, while the hands-on experiences help young men discover their own authentic desires and capabilities rather than simply copying others.
Focus on Character Development Through Action
Smith argues that true character development comes through challenging experiences that test and build virtues in real-world contexts. (24:16) The preparation's cycles are designed to be difficult enough that participants must draw on deeper motivations than mere convenience or comfort. Whether fighting fires, learning martial arts in Thailand, or building houses, these experiences force young men to discover what they're truly capable of and develop the resilience and confidence that comes from overcoming genuine challenges.
Statistics & Facts
- The total cost of completing all 16 cycles in The Preparation is approximately $70,000 over four years, equivalent to just one year at a prestigious college. (33:06) Smith notes this includes two expensive cycles (pilot training and heavy equipment operation) that could be skipped to significantly reduce costs.
- Currently, 53% of high school graduates go to college, making higher education no longer rare or distinguishing. (05:25) This saturation means college degrees provide less competitive advantage than previously.
- Smith's son Maxim earned $600 per day fighting wildfires in Oregon through connections made via his EMT certification and public accountability through his Substack writing. (35:54) This demonstrates how practical skills can lead to high-paying opportunities.
