075: The Attention Economy Is Stealing Your Life | How Men Win Their Focus Back

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In this episode of Next Third Best Third, Taylor and I sit down with a live room full of men to talk about something every one of us is feeling but rarely naming: the battle for our attention. We unpack the idea of the attention economy—why information is unlimited but your attention is painfully finite—and why that makes your focus one of the most valuable currencies in your life. From mindless scrolling and short-form content to that weird out-of-body feeling when you’ve been on a screen too long, we get honest about how distraction is shaping our days, our minds, and our relationships.

I share a story from a meeting with Amazon where they told me flat-out, “We’re a data company,” and how that moment opened my eyes to how aggressively businesses are fighting for our focus. We talk about the wellness industry boom, float tanks, supplements, and how men are spending billions trying to feel better while still feeling stuck. Taylor and I both get vulnerable about wasting time, numbing out with our phones, missing goals, and even distracting ourselves from deeper pain. Then we bring it back to the five pillars of Next Third Best Third—thought life, physical health, emotional well-being, relationships, and the lies we believe about ourselves—and how intentionality in these areas can literally change the next third of your life.

Whether you share our faith or you’re just curious, you’ll hear stories from men who are waking up at 4 a.m. to invest in their spiritual and physical health, as well as men who are tired of only examining their brokenness and are learning to focus on their strengths and wins. My hope is that this conversation gives you hope and one small, doable step to reclaim your attention—maybe putting your phone away in the morning, maybe being fully present at breakfast, maybe finally joining a community of men who want more out of life. If this episode hits home, do me a favor: like, subscribe, drop a comment about where distraction hits you hardest, and share this with a man who needs to hear he’s not alone.

Chapters:
00:00 Live audience intro & why attention matters
02:02 What is the attention economy and why your focus is finite
06:03 Inside Amazon: data, grocery lists & the real product they want
10:19 Wasting time, lost opportunities & neglected relationships
13:29 Numbing with phones, missed goals & our kids’ screen habits
19:25 Phones at the table, presence over pinging notifications
24:03 Teaching our kids eye contact, focus and real connection
27:29 Wellness industry boom, float tanks & true mental renewal
32:46 Practical steps for men to fight distraction and build habits
40:41 Your attention as treasure: faith, focus & becoming what you behold

Welcome to Next Third Best Third! Join us for the inaugural episode of the Next Third Best Third podcast! Host David Fenwick, founder, author, and life coach, introduces the mission to inspire men over 40 to thrive in the next stage of life. Discover how to conquer life's challenges across physical, mental, relational, spiritual, and emotional dimensions. In this episode, David shares insights on:

- Physical Health: Strategies for maintaining fitness and vitality as you age.
- Mental Resilience: Techniques to stay mentally sharp and manage stress.
- Relational Growth: Building and nurturing meaningful relationships.
- Spiritual Fulfillment: Finding purpose and deeper spiritual connections.
- Emotional Well-being: Managing emotions and fostering a positive outlook.

Don't miss out on this journey towards making the next third of your life the best third!

Website: (https://www.nextthirdbestthird.com/)