Embracing Loneliness

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." - Norman Schwarzkopf
Brandon Reed

When was the last time you set aside an evening to be alone? Depending on your life’s circumstances, chances are you can look back in the last month or two and remember at least one evening that you spent without others around. But with that said, I want to dig one level deeper. When was […]

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5 Oaths All Gentlemen Should Be Making This New Year

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." - Norman Schwarzkopf
Brandon Reed

It’s a new year, gentlemen! With its fresh perspective and renewed focus, 2016 also brings with it a massive amount of information begging for our attention. We are marketed to for everything from advertisements for gym memberships, to books on how to live stress-free lifestyles. We talk about this barrage of information and overstimulation quite […]

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Mentors; A Gentleman’s Guide

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." - Norman Schwarzkopf
Brandon Reed

Parents. Coaches. Teachers. Pastors. Old friends. All of the above have something very important in common. They all have the potential to serve as mentors in the lives of others. A mentor can serve many roles in the life of a gentleman. Some mentors serve to teach, some to guide, others still to discipline. Some […]

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Valuing the Wisdom of Our Elders

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." - Norman Schwarzkopf
Brandon Reed

If C.S. Lewis suddenly appeared in your room, what questions would you ask him? Would you be at a loss for words or be anxiously at the ready with a barrage of questions? Unfortunately, I would argue that most of us would fall into the first category. Most men today don’t know how to approach […]

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Topics for Discussion While Smoking Amongst Gentlemen

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” - Ernest Hemingway
Mr. South

A good rule of thumb when it comes to conversations during a smoke with fellow gentlemen is to ignore the rule of thumb of discussion topics at the workplace. We are encouraged to stay away from topics that may stir up controversy during our professional work hours (religion, politics, money, etc.), and in most cases, […]

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Pursued by the Black Dragon

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"I have great faith in fools; self-confidence my friends call it." - Poe
Mr. Rafal
Latest posts by Mr. Rafal (see all)

Darkness. The give of the soft sand. Temperature perfect without a shirt; board shorts and bare feet. The waves of the Gulf of Mexico crashing softly on the pristine white beach. The serenity of this idyllic night broken by tiny feet running, laughing, and screaming at the present “danger”. My siblings and I are running […]

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Holiday Stress – Leading Well In Brokenness and Tension

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." - Norman Schwarzkopf
Brandon Reed

It’s that time of year. The holidays are upon us and the scent of autumn is in the air. Your family and/or friends have gathered once more to slow down and take time to appreciate their gifts and to count their blessings from another year passed. Thanksgiving is a beautiful holiday anchored in rich traditions […]

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The Defining Virtue of a Gentleman

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." - Norman Schwarzkopf
Brandon Reed

What is a gentleman? What differentiates a gentleman from the rest of the men around him? There are many arguments one could present as perfectly reasonable answers to that question. Though today I want to discuss one thing in particular that I’ve seen to be the most common trait in any gentleman I’ve encountered. In […]

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What Doing the Dishes Teaches Us About Being a Gentleman

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." - Norman Schwarzkopf
Brandon Reed

We’ve all been there before… A long day’s work, the commute home, the hurried rush to get out of your work clothes in the anticipation of sinking deeply into the cushions of your living room couch. But how often does our rush for self-gratification, in any given circumstance, leave our loved ones needing something from […]

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The Merits of Smoking While in a Deep Conversation

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"I have great faith in fools; self-confidence my friends call it." - Poe
Mr. Rafal
Latest posts by Mr. Rafal (see all)

I trust you’ve been there before… You are enjoying a casual conversation with a friend and then, out of nowhere, they ask a question you aren’t prepared for. The conversation changes in an instant; from light and casual to deep and insightful. This question might be deep and probing, it might be a new way […]

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