Gents Weekly: Generosity - Give it Away, Receive it All
Issue #4: The manliest newsletter on the internet • February 2, 2026
Welcome to issue #4 of The Gents Weekly, a newsletter for the modern man.
Every Monday, you’ll receive a weekly roundup of inspiring ideas + products to help you become a better man.
And whether you’re a founder, father, or simply seeking friendship, we are here to help you level up in life, in a way that’s both healthy and impactful.
Brought to you by the men of Gents Journey — Dean Bokhari, Stephen Seidel, and Matt McManus.
Let’s dig in…
📝 THE MESSAGE
A timely piece from the gents.
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Our theme for today’s issue is generosity, the act of voluntarily giving your time, resources, or kindness – without expecting a damn thing back for having done so.
Most of us only feel generous when we’re in a state of abundance…
The Postmates driver mistakenly delivers a double order when you only paid for one, so you generously give the extra food to your neighbor.
You just hit the jackpot at The Venetian in Vegas, so you decide to break off a thousand bucks for each of the four friends you came with.
You hit a major sales target in your business or at work, so you buy your wife a new purse and decide to take your family on a nice vacation.
All of these are great things to do. But they’re obvious.
Let me share a little-known generosity “hack” with you that could completely change your life. And I’m being dead serious.
It’s great to be generous when you’re in a state of abundance…
But it’s even more important to be generous when you’re in a state of scarcity.
Around 15 years ago, when I was just getting started in the business world, I was as broke as a joke; literally on the brink of bankruptcy.
Then, one night, on my drive home, I noticed a homeless man on the side of the street.
It was a rare night in Southern California—it was raining hard, it was freezing cold, and the wind made every raindrop feel like an icicle being tossed against your face.
As I waited for the traffic light to turn green, I glanced over at the homeless man. He was sitting on a steel bench, with a shopping cart full of random belongings, wearing nothing more than a tattered t-shirt and shorts.
I noticed he was trying to wrap himself in a blanket that looked like it was made for a baby.
The guy was shivering, noticeably. I felt bad for him.
I thought about how I would’ve helped him if I had the money.
But I didn’t.
So, when the light turned green, I drove right past him and continued heading home.
As I was about to turn into my apartment complex, it hit me…
A few days earlier, I was reading about how, when you give to others, it comes back to you in buckets.
My left turn back home turned into a U-turn back to the homeless guy.
He was sitting on the same bench, shivering.
All I had was five bucks, a bottled water, and an extra hoodie in the back seat.
I came to a stop and gave him all of it.
As I handed him the stuff, I said, “Wish I could do more, man.”
He didn’t even acknowledge what I said.
Instead, he thanked me profusely for “everything” over and over again – as if I had just given him a bag of gold.
I responded with a few pleasantries and then drove off.
As I was driving back home, I noticed how incredible I felt… I didn’t have much at the time, but I had more than the homeless guy. And I actually did something to help someone who was worse off than I was.
On the outside, I was still in a state of scarcity… But on the inside, I felt abundant.
I never told anyone what I did. I just felt grateful about having done it.
I had also forgotten about the subtle motive behind my decision to help the homeless man: I wanted to get it back somehow in “buckets.” I wanted God to hook me up with a reward for helping someone.
That would’ve been nice.
But at that moment, it no longer mattered.
I felt good simply because I helped someone who needed it.
Less than two weeks later, I made my first big business deal—after a full year of struggling to make a living for myself.
And that’s when I realized what I’m about to share with you:
When you’re struggling and in a state of scarcity, go find someone who’s worse off than you, and help them somehow.
Don’t do it while secretly hoping you’ll get something in return...
Do it because helping someone in need helps you shift out of scarcity and into generosity…
Which is a gateway to abundance.
— Dean Bokhari
Co-founder, Gents Journey
📰 THE MOMENT
Sh*t that’s happening now, ICYMI
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What’s happening now … not using AI, you're falling behind ….
Whether you’re a total novice or you use AI every day, you should know what a “prompt” is. A prompt is simply a question or instruction you give to AI (like ChatGPT or Claude) to get useful answers back.
Here’s how it works.
The Generosity Prompt For Men
Most men want to give back—but many assume generosity requires extra money, more time, or a different stage of life. In reality, generosity starts with attention, intention, and action within your existing circle.
This weekly prompt is designed to help you unlock generosity in a grounded, repeatable way—no matter your bank account, schedule, or season of life.
Generosity isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about consistent contribution without expectation.
STEP 1: Start With a Human Moment
Before the prompt, do this once this week:
Ask someone their name.
Ask if they were named after anyone.
Then offer a genuine compliment about something specific about their effort, character, or presence.
Generosity often begins with being seen.
STEP 2: Copy This Entire Prompt
(Everything inside the box below)
Imagine this: Your basic needs are covered. You’re no longer operating from stress, scarcity, or fear.
You wake up with enough time, energy, and clarity to be intentional.
Help me:
1. Identify how I would naturally give to others if money, recognition, and ego weren’t factors.
2. Recognize where I’m already being generous in my life—at home, at work, or in my community.
3. Answer these three questions honestly:
- Who in my life could use support this week?
- What do I have right now that I can give freely (time, skills, attention, resources)?
- How can I give without expecting anything in return?
4. Create a simple, realistic plan for one act of generosity I can complete this week.
5. Design a weekly generosity practice that fits my current responsibilities, schedule, and resources.
Be practical and grounded. Help me build generosity into my life as a habit, not a performance. Ask clarifying questions, if necessary, prior to your output.
STEP 3: Open an AI Tool
Use either option (free versions work):
ChatGPT — chat.openai.com,
Claude — claude.ai
If you don’t have an account, setup takes about 30 seconds.
STEP 4: Paste the Prompt and Hit Enter
Paste the entire prompt into the chat box, and press enter.
The AI will guide you through reflection, examples, and next steps. Answer honestly—this only works without posturing or self-judgment.
STEP 5: Take One Quiet Action
Choose one act of generosity and do it without announcing it.
No posting. No validation. No keeping score.
Just act.
Why This Works
Generosity compounds when it starts close to home—within your family, friendships, and immediate circle of influence.
When giving becomes part of your weekly rhythm, it shapes how you show up as a man, a father, a friend, and a leader.
Your Moment
Run this prompt once this week.
Then ask yourself:
Who benefited because I showed up?
That’s how generosity becomes legacy.
— Matt McManus
Co-founder, Gents Journey
👊 THE MOVES
Media for men.
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Watch | Generosity is the Key to it All
Watch the video on the new Gents Journey YouTube channel (and remember to subscribe!) And while you’re at it, comment with one thing you gave away this week.
Generosity is Everything
A year ago, while preparing for a TEDx talk, I read a book that changed my life: Chris Anderson's Infectious Generosity.
The idea was simple. In the age of the internet, generosity scales. Studies show that generosity not only improves well-being and reduces stress, but also restores hope.
What once might have been a quiet act of kindness witnessed by a few people can now be shared online and seen by millions. And although the algorithm might not hit our feed with it, humanity still exists and can inspire hope everywhere. Every ripple starts with a thought, feeling, or emotion, and only compounds with generosity.
Look for the helpers
When we feel most helpless, that’s often when helping others matters most. It reminds us that the world is bigger than our broken iPhone screen, an ailing loved one, or the loss of something important.
We are all connected, and when it feels like everything is crashing down, “look for the helpers”, aka the ones who step up and give you the support when you most need it.
Hint: It might not always be who you think it will be.
They’re the Pittsburgh Dad who fed families during a government shutdown.
Josie Maran, who started Beauty Together for families displaced by California wildfires. All you need to do is look around you.
Helpers don’t wait. They act.
So I’ll ask you:
What will you give this world?
Generosity is most powerful when it begins within your immediate circle of influence, like your neighborhood or town. These are the spaces where access is simple and impact is visible, allowing you to watch the beauty unfold while gaining momentum.
You don’t need to take on the world; start local and grow global. Support a GoFundMe on Facebook, donate blood at the Red Cross, or become a mentor to create meaningful change. Act without expectation.
When generosity takes root nearby, it expands outward, creating a ripple that continues to help as it travels.
Here’s a question to ask yourself from our Journey Deck:
What does generosity look like for you?
Generosity starts at home. When you give yourself rest, presence, boundaries, or time, you recharge. From there, generosity flows outward, like a fountain, to everyone around you.
It’s the same oxygen-mask-on-the-plane analogy we’ve all heard a hundred times, and yet it’s true: you can’t give what you don’t have.
In the end, we can’t take any of this with us anyway. What we earn was never meant to be held alone.
So share it.
Or, as one of the greatest bands ever said:
“Give it away, give it away, give it away, now!”
— Stephen Seidel
Co-founder, Gents Journey
🔗 MEANINGFUL MENTIONS + MAGIC LINKS
Fun stuff you’ll dig.
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💻 REAL MEN HAVE A COACH IN THEIR CORNER
Stop playing small, step into the man you know you are. Create the world you’ve always wanted with the book, job, or relationships you’ve been waiting to create. The time is now.
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We’re looking for ten men who want coaching and guidance to level up in life + work. If that’s you, fill out this form, and we’ll be in touch.
Until next week,
—The Gents
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Excellent analysis. The 'without expecting a damn thing back' part is truly key.
The homeless guy story while nearly bankrupt really hits. Generosity as a mindset shift rather than a bank balance thing is underrated. I've noticed giving when its inconvenient actualy rewires thinking, its less about the wallet and more about recognizing having somthing to offer. That letting go of wanting a reward becasue the act itself felt good is the whole point.