How to Make Male Friends as a Grown Ass Man

Unlocking and Understanding How to Make and Keep Male Friendships

By: Ben D. Ingham

Narrated by: Oliver Hunt

Let’s address the elephant in the man cave: making male friends as an adult is weirdly hard. You’re not in school anymore. No one assigns lab partners. And yelling “nice lift, bro” at the gym does not make a friendship.

This book is the inspiring and refreshingly honest field guide every grown ass man secretly needs—but never knew how to ask for.

Written with sharp wit and zero fluff, How to Make Male Friends as a Grown Ass Man dismantles the awkward myths around male bonding and replaces them with practical, actionable strategies that actually work in the real world. No “just be confident” nonsense. No alpha-posturing. No kumbaya circles (unless you’re into that—no judgment).

Instead, you’ll learn:

• Why adult male friendships quietly disappear—and how to stop the fade-out
• Why emotional intelligence is the hidden superpower of men with strong social lives
• How to initiate friendships without sounding desperate, creepy, or like you’re pitching an MLM
• The difference between activity buddies and real friends—and why you need both
• How to deepen male friendships without awkward oversharing or emotional whiplash
• What to do when friendships drift, stall, or die (hint: it’s not ghosting)

This book stands out because it tells the truth men rarely hear: loneliness isn’t a personal failure—it’s a skill gap. And skills can be learned.

Blending psychology, emotional intelligence, real-world scenarios, and laugh-out-loud clarity, this guide helps you build friendships that survive busy schedules, marriages, kids, career chaos, and the slow erosion of “we should grab a beer sometime.”

The 2026 updated version is available now on Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover, and Audible.

©2019 Ben D Ingham (P)2026 Ben D Ingham

Great Tips on Making & Keeping Friends

There was nothing earth-shattering in this audiobook for me, but there were many concrete and helpful tips which I think will help me to make friends and be a better friend.

probably the most revelatory piece of advice I gleaned from this audiobook was that it is good to actively seek out friends with the traits that you appreciate, rather than always pouring all your time into the people that have just randomly plopped into your lap.

The one

I can. only give this books a thumbs up and 5 across the board. Really interesting, education yet fun book about make friendships in the modern age.

Was actually shocked how good it was

Had no idea what to expect as this is not exactly the sort of book I would usually go for. I was worried it would all be a bit cheesy but was very relieved to find out it definitely isn't.
What is IS, is a very effective and realistic guide. I can honestly and sincerely say my social circle has improved a lot in recent months thanks mostly to what I learnt from this book.

Masculine

I was afraid this book would all be a little HIPPY but it really wasn't. A guide to the modern masculine man and friendships

Fantastic, now I understand the recommendations!

I have seen this book mentioned in a few blogs and on a few podcasts. I was a little dubious at first as this is not the sort of book I would usually go for, but I thought I would give it a go - and I am very very happy I did! Thankfully it was not cheesy or cringeworthy. It was just really honest, open and full of practical advice for male friendship in these times. Really recommend this one!