The American Masculinity Podcast is hosted by Timothy Wienecke — licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, and award-winning men's advocate. Real conversations about masculinity, mental health, trauma, fatherhood, leadership, and growth. Each episode offers expert insight and practical tools to help men show up differently — as partners, fathers, friends, and leaders. No yelling. No clichés. Just grounded, thoughtful masculinity for a changing world.
About This Episode
Modern dating asks a lot of men-confidence without bravado, presence without control, and real skills beyond apps. In this episode of American Masculinity, Tim talks with Damien Diecke, Founder & Head Coach of School of Attraction, about what actually helps men date well in 2025: reading real‑world cues, reframing rejection as practice, and updating scripts like "who pays on the first date" to be respectful and clear. This is a practical, no‑gimmicks conversation for men who want to date with maturity and integrity.
Key Takeaways
- Presence over performance. Confidence is built by attention, not theatrics.
- In‑person signals matter. Indicators of interest (eye contact, open posture, smiling) drive better outcomes than swiping alone.
- Rejection is practice. Treat "no" as normal data-respond with empathy and move on.
- Update the script. "Who pays" is changing; clarity > guessing, inviter‑pays or split is increasingly common in the U.S. (recent YouGov data). empoweredchangece.com
- Apps are a filter, not the plan. Build offline social skills and opportunities.
Fact Check
Who pays on a first date (U.S. trend)
- In 2017, Americans were split: 35% favored "man pays," 32% "inviter pays." (YouGov poll summary.) Source: https://today.yougov.com (poll archive) empoweredchangece.com
- In a 2025 YouGov item on dating expectations, only 24% said it's acceptable to expect the other person to pay; 54% said unacceptable-pointing away from entitlement and toward clarity/consent. Source: https://today.yougov.com (poll item) empoweredchangece.com
"80/20 on dating apps" clarification
- The oft‑cited "women rated 80% of men below average" comes from OkTrends (2009) photo‑rating data and doesn't mean women only date the top 20%. Messaging behavior studies (e.g., Bruch & Newman, 2018) show both genders "reach up" in desirability, explaining friction without invoking a strict 80/20.
- OkTrends archive: https://web.archive.org (OkCupid blog, 2009)
- Bruch & Newman (2018): https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1717312115
Nonverbal interest cues (IOIs)
- Social interaction research highlights the role of eye contact, open body posture, and smiling in signaling interest and warmth-consistent with Damien's framing. (See Burgoon & Guerrero reviews in nonverbal communication literature.)
- Overview chapter reference: https://global.oup.com (Nonverbal Communication handbooks)
Transparency note: We'll add exact poll titles/links after final timestamps are locked. The direction of findings above matches the latest referenced items. empoweredchangece.com
Chapters
(Will be added after final edit.)
We’ll drop the timestamped chapter list here once the tight cut is locked, matching the AMP 15 format (e.g., 00:00 Cold Open, 02:00 …).
Books & Tools Mentioned
- Conversation/skills resources and any books Damien references will be listed here after final pass.
About Our Guest — Damien Diecke
Bio
Damien Diecke is the Founder & Head Coach of School of Attraction, Australia's largest dating‑coaching company for men. He launched the School of Attraction in 2009 to teach dating grounded in honesty, integrity, and psychological research-not manipulation. Press coverage and profiles have emphasized his shift away from "PUA" tactics toward sincere skill‑building and respect.
- PRWeb profile: https://www.prweb.com/releases/australia_s_1_dating_coach_damien_diecke_launches_book_on_amazon_that_shows_men_how_to_attract_women_through_honesty_integrity_and_how_you_can_get_a_copy_at_no_cost/prweb10914407.htm
- DatingNews company feature: https://www.datingnews.com/movers-and-shakers/school-of-attraction-australias-largest-dating-coaching-company-for-men
Expertise & Media
- Head Coach, School of Attraction (est. 2009): https://www.schoolofattraction.com.au/
- Podcast (School of Attraction): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-attraction-podcast/id1461682987
- Media interview example: https://podcasts.apple.com/id/podcast/a-mens-dating-coach-gives-his-perspective-on-modern-dating/id1535920648?i=1000516289592
- LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/damiend
Contact
- Website: https://www.schoolofattraction.com.au/
- Email: damien@schoolofattraction.com.au
- Phone (AU): 1300 443 429
- Mobile (AU): +61 (0)403 032 839
Why Damien for this episode
He brings a practical, human‑first approach to men's dating-presence, consent, clarity, and real‑world skill-which aligns with American Masculinity's mission to offer usable tools and grounded conversations for modern men.
Listen Now
We'll add direct links here when live:
- YouTube: (episode link)
- Spotify: (episode link)
- Apple Podcasts: (episode link)
- Full Transcript: (episode link)
Join the Conversation
What dating script are you updating this year-expectations about paying, reading signals, or handling "no" with empathy? Share your take and what you'll try next.