The Wisdom of the Last Cowboy – What It Means to Be a Man in Today’s Society

In a time when masculinity is being questioned, roles are being redefined, and young men are losing their way before they even reach thirty, it’s perhaps no surprise that a cowboy has become one of today’s most unexpected role models. In the episode "Real Cowboy: What It Takes to Be a Man in Today’s Society", Ken Coleman invites Dewayne Noel – ranch hand, YouTube personality, and self-taught philosopher – for a conversation that is both a mirror of our times and a guide back to something we’ve forgotten.

Dewayne Noel runs the Dry Creek Wrangler School channel, where he speaks about life, responsibility, honor, and what it means to live close to nature. But what he’s really talking about isn’t how to saddle a horse or repair a fence – it’s how to build a life.

A Lost Generation

Early in the conversation, Dewayne pinpoints one of the most alarming trends of our time: young people – especially young men – are burning out before thirty. But it’s not their bodies that are worn out. It’s their minds.

They’ve exhausted themselves chasing after something they can’t even define: approval, status, likes – validation from a world that doesn’t care. Noel argues that the real problem is the absence of purpose. Many men don’t know what it means to be a man anymore. They’re overwhelmed by expectations but have no internal compass.

To Be a Man Is to Take Responsibility

Dewayne Noel makes it clear that manhood is not about strength, dominance, or outward appearance. It’s about responsibility. It’s about showing up when things get hard. It’s about accepting consequences. It’s about being someone others can rely on – not because you’re perfect, but because you stand firm.

In the past, men didn’t ask, “What does it mean to be a man?” – they lived the answer. They protected, provided, raised children, repaired, built, and listened. Today, when many of these roles have been automated or deemed outdated, a void remains – one that can’t be filled by gym memberships or TikTok trends.

Becoming a Cowboy

What makes Noel’s voice credible isn’t just his experience on the ranch – it’s his personal journey. He went through a period of confusion, battled feelings of inadequacy, was unemployed, and had a broken self-image. It wasn’t until he began living in alignment with his values that change happened.

The cowboy life gave him structure. It demanded he show up every morning, regardless of his mood. That he care for animals that depended on him. That he became part of something larger than himself. That’s the lesson he now shares with thousands of followers: start where you are. Take responsibility. Do small things well.

Returning to the Simple Life

In a society that measures worth by what we own, Noel suggests we instead measure life by what we contribute. He doesn’t condemn technology, but warns against being defined by it. Many of his followers come from completely different walks of life – office workers, engineers, youth – but they’re all seeking the same thing: meaning.

His advice? Let go of external goals for a moment. Do something with your hands. Fix something. Help a neighbor. Build something. Be useful. In the simple things, the answer often reveals itself. A person who lives with purpose doesn’t burn out as easily – no matter how hard the work is.

Fathers, Sons, and Lost Rites of Passage

Another vital part of the conversation is the generational gap. In the past, rituals marked the transition from boy to man – hunting, military service, working on the farm. Today, these are gone or mocked. The result is that many men never know if – or when – they became adults.

Noel warns that this is dangerous. When a man lacks structure or guidance, it’s easy to fall into destructive behavior. He calls on older men to step up – not as experts, but as present role models. Show how to apologize. Show how to take a hit. Show how to get back up.

The Hard Truth We Need to Hear

Dewayne Noel delivers a truth many need to hear but few dare say out loud: no one is coming to save you. You have to save yourself. But – and this is perhaps his most important point – you are capable of it.

We live in a time where victimhood is sometimes rewarded, where self-pity becomes a form of attention. But Noel flips the script. He says: You are not a victim. You are a human being with responsibility, free will, and potential. And no matter how far down you’ve gone, there’s a way up – but you have to take the first step.

What We Can Learn from a Cowboy

So what can we learn from a man who spends his days riding, fixing fences, and talking to horses?

A lot, it turns out. In an era of confusion, algorithms, and endless information, perhaps it’s precisely a return to the grounded life we need. To listen more. Speak honestly. Live in tune with the seasons. Accept life’s difficulties and do our best through them.

The cowboy is not a romantic figure. He’s not perfect. He’s dusty, worn, and sometimes lonely. But he stands firm. He does his job. And he knows who he is. That’s the kind of men we need more of today.

A Final Thought

The conversation between Ken Coleman and Dewayne Noel is one we should have more often – around kitchen tables, in schools, at workplaces. It’s not just about masculinity. It’s about humanity. About rediscovering values that endure: responsibility, courage, patience, honor, and work.

In a time when many are shouting for freedom, Noel reminds us that freedom starts within – in choosing responsibility. In building a meaningful life, no matter where you begin.

And maybe it really is that simple. Maybe it’s time to dust off the cowboy hat – not to look tough, but to start living tough, honestly, and with heart first.