Do You Believe In Magic? – The “Walt Disney Effect”

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 comes to your mind when you hear the name, “Walt Disney”? Perhaps you are reminded of a childhood memory of you and your siblings watching your favorite Disney film over and over. Maybe you are taken back to the first time you stepped foot in one of the Disney Theme Parks, and all the […]

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Learning from 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

Welcome back, gentlemen! Last week we dove into a topic that is critical for any man’s understanding of how he is to lead others and himself well. We discussed the importance of loneliness and self-reflection. We looked at why intentional, quiet time set aside for the purpose of looking inward is both challenging and infinitely […]

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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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The Monday Sweet Spot – 01/18/2016

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 hit that point during a smoke, usually about half way through, in which the cigar’s flavors and aromas open up and transform the experience into something far more rich, complex, and enjoyable. In this moment, gentlemen, you’ve hit the “sweet spot”. A moment that encourages you to open your senses, and to truly […]

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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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The Monday Sweet Spot – 12/14/2015

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 hit that point during a smoke, usually about half way through, in which the cigar’s flavors and aromas open up and transform the experience into something far more rich, complex, and enjoyable. In this moment, gentlemen, you’ve hit the “sweet spot”. A moment that encourages you to open your senses, and to truly […]

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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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