Men's Journal's Blog, page 29
August 5, 2025
Walmart Is Selling a $230 Smokeless Fire Pit for Just $105, and Shoppers Say It's Very 'Easy to Clean'
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Humans have been sitting around fires for millennia, but the ritual has really improved in the past few years as smokeless fire pits have redirected eye-stinging, cough-causing clouds away from those enjoying the warmth. The dialogue about smokeless models is largely centered around brands like Solo Stove and Breeo, whose models tend to cost hundreds of dollars, but Walmart has one on sale for a fraction of the price.
The Philergo 19-Inch Smokeless Fire Pit is just $105 at Walmart right now, a 48% discount from its normal $230 price tag. This price reflects the clearance price of $120 and the extra $15 on-page coupon available to shoppers once they sign in to their Walmart profile. This fire pit has earned over 140 five-star ratings out of just over 160 total, and customers say it’s “compact, portable, easy to clean,” “terrific for camping,” and has “excellent thermal conductivity and fast heating.”
Philergo 19-Inch Smokeless Fire Pit, $105 (was $230) at Walmart
The double-wall stainless steel construction of this fire pit enhances airflow and secondary combustion, minimizing soot and ash for a more pleasant outdoor fire. At 19 inches wide and 7 inches tall when disassembled, it’s easy to take along camping, tailgating, or wherever else you might need a nice fire to sit by (or cook on). It comes with a grill rack, poker, and carrying bag, so you won’t need to buy any of the basic accessories everyone should have when they own a product like this.
This fire pit comes “highly recommended” by one shopper because its “smokeless burning design lets me enjoy the fun of a campfire while free from smoke.” That’s the promise of a smokeless fire pit like this, so it’s good to hear that this model keeps that promise.
Another shopper, a Solo Stove owner, bought one of these as a (less expensive) gift for their sister. ”This fire pit is great and is more storage-friendly and portable than a Solo Stove. It also comes with accessories that we had to purchase separately.”
The Philergo 19-Inch Smokeless Fire Pit is a beloved, portable camping companion that effectively reduces the smoke that blows in your face while sitting around an outdoor fire. On the cusp of the cool season with a discount this steep, we wouldn’t be surprised if this fire pit sold quickly. Don’t delay, and you’ll be enjoying smoke-free s’mores in no time.
Kelley Mack Remembered for ‘Walking Dead’ Role After Death at 33 From Glioma
Kelley Mack, who portrayed Addy in Season 9 of The Walking Dead, has died at the age of 33. Her family announced that Mack passed away on Aug. 2 in her hometown of Cincinnati following a diagnosis of glioma of the central nervous system.
Mack’s career included memorable roles in TV series such as 9-1-1 and Chicago Med, but it was her performance on The Walking Dead that endeared her to audiences and became a defining part of her legacy, Variety reported.
A Passion for Storytelling From an Early AgeMack’s love of storytelling began in childhood, nurtured by a birthday gift—a mini video camera—that sparked her interest in filmmaking. She started appearing in commercials as a child actor and earned critical recognition early in her career. Her debut film, The Elephant Garden, won the Student Visionary Award at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, with Mack receiving an acting award from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
She graduated from Hinsdale Central High School in 2010 and earned a cinematography degree from Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film in 2014.
In addition to acting, Mack was an accomplished screenwriter. She collaborated with her mother, Kristen Klebenow, on several feature scripts, including On The Black, a 1950s-era baseball story inspired by her family’s history at Ohio University.
Honoring a Lasting ImpactMack’s film credits also include roles in Broadcast Signal Intrusion and Delicate Arch. Her most recent project, Universal, is awaiting release.
She is survived by her parents, Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow, her sister Kathryn, brother Parker, and grandparents Lois and Larry Klebenow.
Friends, family, and fans remember Mack as a gifted artist whose kindness, creativity, and talent left a lasting mark. Though her life was brief, her performances—particularly as Addy on The Walking Dead—continue to resonate with audiences around the world.
Walmart Is Selling a 'Fantastic' $400 Recumbent Exercise Bike for $180
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Being able to exercise at home is incredibly convenient, but there’s no doubt that the equipment can be expensive. Something like a nice exercise bike usually costs hundreds of dollars, but you can get this one from Walmart for 45% off right now.
Because of this flash deal at Walmart, you can get the $400 Merach Recumbent Exercise Bike for $180. Shoppers are saying this cardio machine is “easy to set up” and “very comfortable and very sturdy.”
Merach Recumbent Exercise Bike, $180 (was $400) at Walmart
Weighing just a little over 53 pounds, this recumbent bike is perfect for home workouts and compact enough to fit just about anywhere. It comes with eight resistance settings to customize your sessions, an adjustable seat with a backrest, and grips to monitor your heart rate. Using the companion app, you can access a variety of training resources and metrics, and even race against other users’ times. You’re also guaranteed a quiet ride thanks to the inertia flywheel that doesn’t get above 40 decibels. Setup should only take around half an hour, according to Merach, with tools included, and there’s even a video you can watch for more help.
Set up is incredibly easy, with shoppers saying, “I love this bike. It's lightweight and gets the job done. It doesn't take up too much space. And the best part about it is that it doesn't take time to install,” and “Easy setup. I needed to do something for exercise, and my doctor suggested a recumbent bike. It's the best purchase I've made. I ride it daily. It's a smooth ride and quiet. I'd buy it again!”
The social aspect is also a huge plus. “I LOVE IT. It was simple to put together. It's super quiet and easy to adjust. I love the app because there are so many different things you can do, such as race against other people and set goals for yourself.” Another shopper wrote, “It's a fantastic bike. I have arthritis in my knee, and it is helping so much. My therapist said it was just what I needed.”
Perfect for home workouts, the Merach Recumbent Exercise Bike is available now for $180 through Walmart. Just make sure to get one ASAP, as this is a flash deal that’s likely to end pretty soon.
Beloved Whiskey Distillery Files For Bankruptcy
One iconic Kentucky whiskey distillery appears to have fallen on hard times financially and is filing for bankruptcy protection as a result.
Luca Mariano has become one of the more beloved whiskey brands in recent years, with its Luca Mariano Single Barrel Rye Whiskey even ranking as one of the best rye whiskeys of 2023, according to the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
However, like many other whiskey and bourbon brands and distilleries throughout the United States, it seems to have had some issues on the business side of things.
According to a report from Newsweek, LMD Holdings, the parent company of the Danville, Kentucky-based Luca Mariano Distillery, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month in the Eastern District of Michigan, where it is registered.
The bankruptcy filing, which came only weeks after the distillery's June launch, was intended to "maximize the value of the assets for all stakeholders," Luca Mariano Distillery owner Francesco Viola told the Lexington Herald-Leader, adding that the company was "poised to emerge successfully.
"We filed to maximize the value of the assets for all stakeholders. Luca Mariano Distillery and LMD Holdings have a successful business model, have weathered the prior economic challenges in our industry, and are poised to emerge successfully, ideally with the support of its employees, customers, community and creditors," Viola told the paper in a full statement.
According to court filings obtained by the Lexington Herald-Leader, LMD Holdings is currently facing a significant amount of debt, including a "likely claim of over $25,000,000" owed to its largest creditor. However, some of the claims are under dispute.
This is certainly not the only whiskey brand that has been burdened by an uncertain economy. We'll have to see how Luca Mariano and the rest of the whiskey and bourbon industry rebound from this in the future.
August 4, 2025
'Ted Lasso' Season 4 Cast Crashes Mumford & Sons Concert and Sings Show's Theme Song
The cast of Ted Lasso has officially kicked off filming for Season 4 of the popular Apple TV+ series. With the early stages of filming taking place in Kansas City, Missouri, the returning members of the cast who have been announced found the perfect way to make some waves and give one excited concert crowd a unique experience.
During Mumford & Sons' recent concert stop in Bonner Springs, Kansas, the band was welcomed on stage by none other than Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca Welton in the show), Juno Temple (Keeley Jones) and Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard).
With Mumford & Sons frontman Marcus Mumford a composer on Ted Lasso and the co-writer/performer of the show's theme song, what happened next is likely almost exactly what you envisioned.
Mumford & Sons Joined by 'Ted Lasso' Cast on Stage to Perform Show's Theme Song
Dave Benett/Getty Images for Apple
Fans at the Mumford & Sons concert in Kansas were caught by surprise when Sudeikis, Waddingham, Temple and Hunt emerged on stage. From the videos that fans posted on social media, it quickly became apparent to many concertgoers what was happening when the band started playing the Ted Lasso theme song.
Here's a look at one clip posted by Jillian Carroll Letrinko of the KC Sports Network, which offers a view of the bulk of the stage during the song.
Mumford and Sons performing the Ted Lasso theme song LIVE with the crew of Ted Lasso in #KC 🥹🤩😍 #tedlasso pic.twitter.com/903wQKCfbG
— Jillian Carroll Letrinko (@JillianC_arroll) July 25, 2025
Another video recorded by a fan in attendance offered a closer-up view of the group, with Sudeikis, Waddingham and Hunt all just a few yards away for much of the clip.
this might be the best shot i’ve seen and trust me i’ve watched just about every angle there is pic.twitter.com/kSHAMbYmjH
— liz (@bentface) July 25, 2025
The four cast members are on the shortlist of names from the first three seasons of Ted Lasso who are confirmed as returning for Season 4. And while they were able to link up with Mumford & Sons, thanks to filming starting in Kansas City, the action is expected to move to London at some point.
'Ted Lasso' Confirms a Few Names Returning for Season 4, Updates Future of Jamie Tartt & Danny RojasAlong with Sudeikis, Waddingham, Temple and Hunt, two other confirmed returning actors for Season 4 of Ted Lasso include Brett Goldstein, who plays player-turned-coach Roy Kent, and Jeremy Swift (Leslie Higgins).
Although multiple other cast members' Season 4 status , two noteworthy names mentioned in a report from Deadline are the beloved star duo of Phil Dunster (Jamie Tartt) and Cristo Fernandez (Danny Rojas).
With Lasso shifting over to a new gig as the women's coach, it's raised questions from fans about whether any players from AFC Richmond would reprise their roles. However, per Deadline, Dunster and Fernandez are the two names mentioned who have already had talks about returning for Ted Lasso Season 4 in guest roles.
Related: 'Ted Lasso' Star Hannah Waddingham Teases Season 4 With Unforgettable Analogy
TSA Warns Travelers That Violence Will Not Be Tolerated
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) exists to keep travelers safe, but the agency wants to ensure the safety of its officers, too.
On Monday, 28-year-old Cameron McDougall officially pleaded guilty to battery after he punched a TSA officer at the Miami International Airport back in December.
With McDougall set to be sentenced for his crime, the TSA shared the news on social media while also issuing a strong warning to all travelers, reminding everyone that violence against TSA officers will not be tolerated.
"Justice served. Assaulting a TSA officer is a crime and violence has no place at our checkpoints. We're proud to stand behind our officers and grateful for the justice system holding offenders accountable," the TSA wrote in a post on X.
This goes along with a similar warning that the TSA shared earlier this summer when the agency warned that all travelers that any form of harassment, threat, or physical aggression toward a TSA officer "will not be tolerated."
In fact, that sort of behavior from travelers could lead to serious consequences, as McDougall found out this week.
"Your safety is always our priority. Respecting our teams as they make that happen is a must. TSA officers work hard to keep the skies safe. Harassment, threats, or physical aggression will not be tolerated. Such actions may lead to fines, arrest, or removal from the airport," the TSA warned in a social media post on June 18.
The TSA has jurisdiction over transportation security in the United States, including airports, commercial and general aviation, mass transit, freight rail, highways, pipelines, and ports, making it a vital agency, especially during busy travel times.
So whenever you travel throughout the United States, be sure to be respectful to the TSA officers and avoid any altercations, or you might find yourself with some consequences.
Southwest Airlines CEO Confirms More Changes
Southwest Airlines has undergone a lot of changes in recent months, ending its iconic "bags fly free" policy and its longstanding open-seating policy while making sweeping changes to its rewards credit cards. It's been a major identity shift for the airline, and it sounds like more changes are coming.
Over the past few decades, Southwest Airlines has established itself as a customer-first, budget-friendly airline, boasting low fares, a point-to-point network, free bags, and a democratic seating model. Now, the airline's identity is changing as many of those policies that made it unique are ending or changing.
While the airline already looks much different than it did just a few months ago, CEO Bob Jordan recently confirmed that the airline is looking to move forward with even more changes in the coming months.
“Our initiatives will continue to roll up and to ramp, and we expect them to deliver a more meaningful contribution in the fourth quarter of this year and a much greater contribution in 2026 once we begin operating assigned and premium seating along with this year’s enhancements,” Jordan said last week, according to Customer Experience Dive.
This is certainly not the first time that Jordan has spoken openly about the airline continuing to change and evolve. Back in June, Jordan made it clear that in the coming years, he expected the airline to continue making changes to help prioritize customer experience.
While Jordan did not specifically commit to any future changes, he has spoken about the possibility of adding airport lounges and long-haul international flights to help compete with other airlines.
"Whatever customers need in 2025, 2030, we won’t take any of that off the table," Jordan said back in June. "We know we send customers to other airlines because there’s some things you might want that you can’t get on us. That includes things like lounges, like true premium, like flying long-haul international. I want to send fewer and fewer customers to another airline."
Clearly, Southwest is planning to keep evolving.
Role Model Calls Out Lollapalooza After Major Problem
This weekend's Lollapalooza Music Festival in Chicago's Grant Park was largely successful, with highlights including Luke Combs making history, Gracie Abrams having a full-circle moment, and Sabrina Carpenter bringing out Earth, Wind, and Fire for a surprise performance. However, there was one major issue, and the artist involved has expressed his displeasure.
Over the past several months, Role Model, whose real name is Tucker Pillsbury, has exploded in popularity after the release of his latest album, Kansas Anymore, selling out venues across the country, leading to eye-popping resale ticket prices.
His performances have regularly gone viral on social media, even featuring special appearances from famous guests like Natalie Portman, Dylan Minnette, Bowen Yang, Conan Gray, and Renée Rapp.
Anyone who has paid attention to his meteoric rise in popularity over the past several months would know that he was arguably the most popular artist on the entire lineup on Thursday. Apparently, Lollapalooza had no idea.
The festival was completely unprepared for the crowd that Role Model drew on Thursday, as organizers placed him on a small stage with limited space, poor audio, and no video screens for the thousands of fans packed into a small area, trying to get a glimpse of the stage.
they put role model at way too small of a stage at lolla the crowd is crazy lol pic.twitter.com/P9n7FQ3zfO
— 🦋 (@carelessluv) July 31, 2025
The situation led to outrage from fans as they took to social media to express their frustration at the poor planning that led to an experience that was unenjoyable at best and potentially dangerous at worst.
Despite the unfortunate situation, Role Model took it in stride and went ahead with his show, giving a stellar performance to the thousands of fans packed in to see him. But that doesn't mean he was all that pleased with the festival's organizers.
In a post on social media on Monday, Pillsbury made it pretty clear that he was not happy with the festival for scheduling him on that stage.
"That was such an incredible week that I'll never forget," Pillsbury wrote in a post on his Instagram story on Monday.
"Thank you all for showing up and showing out," he continued. "I know Lolla [expletived] us with that stage but you made it so so fun regardless."
"I love you," he continued. "Sally season returns this weekend."
The good news is that there were no injuries or medical emergencies, but it was not exactly an enjoyable experience for thousands of fans.
Southwest CEO Sends Clear Message After Ending Free Bags
Southwest Airlines made the controversial decision earlier this year to end its longstanding "bags fly free" policy as the airline began charging customers for checked bags back in May. After a few months, it sounds like the airline's CEO is happy about the move.
For decades, Southwest prided itself on allowing passengers to fly with two free checked bags, even trademarking the phrase "bags fly free" several years ago. But in an attempt to boost profits, the airline decided to begin charging for checked bags, with the first bag priced at $35 and an additional bag priced at $45.
While the move was quickly met with outrage from Southwest customers, it sounds like CEO Bob Jordan is happy with the early results from the bag fees.
During a Q2 earnings call last week, Jordan sent a clear message on the decision to begin charging for checked bags, as he claimed that the revenue generated has actually been better than they even expected.
He also claimed that there has been "no negative impact" on the airline's operations after the bag charges.
“The revenue contribution from bag fees has exceeded our expectations so far, and we’ve experienced no negative impact to the operation,” Jordan said, according to Customer Experience Dive.
It's worth noting that despite Jordan's words, the airline did not exactly have optimistic earnings to report last week and has not seen the profits boost that the airline hoped for. Additionally, one expert seriously questioned Jordan's claims while issuing a clear warning to the airline.
It's also worth noting that Southwest Airlines has indeed faced some major operational issues after ending its free bags policy, thanks in large part to a surge in carry-on luggage that the airline's operations and aircraft were not prepared for.
Regardless, it's clear that Jordan is still pleased with the change.
Julia Roberts’ Son Phinnaeus Wows Fans With Skateboarding Moves in Rare Clip from Danny Moder
Julia Roberts’ 20-year-old son, Phinnaeus Moder, is putting his skateboarding skills to the test, and his dad caught it all on video.
Danny Moder Shares a Glimpse of His 20-Year-Old Son’s Latest HobbyDanny Moder, Roberts’ husband and a renowned cinematographer, shared a rare clip of their son on Instagram Monday, giving fans a peek into the family’s private life.
In the short video, Phinnaeus, nicknamed "Finn," can be seen confidently riding his skateboard around a skatepark pool. Dressed in navy pants and classic Vans, the Pretty Woman star’s eldest son carved smooth lines and worked on perfecting his moves. Moder captioned the video with a simple, "Who likes Butter?"—a likely nod to the effortless glide of Finn’s ride.
View this post on InstagramThe Roberts-Moder Kids Stay Mostly Out of the SpotlightA post shared by modermoder (@modermoder)
Julia Roberts and Danny Moder share three children: 20-year-old twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, and their youngest son, Henry, 18. The couple, who have been married since 2002, are famously protective of their family’s privacy, making these glimpses into their kids’ lives a rare treat for fans.
Earlier this summer, Roberts celebrated Henry’s milestone 18th birthday with a heartfelt throwback photo on Instagram. "In the blink of a joyful eye this beacon of a boy is ⚡️18⚡️," she wrote. "I love you Henry. #goldenboy #goldenbirthday."
View this post on InstagramProud Mom Moments on and Off Social MediaA post shared by Julia Roberts (@juliaroberts)
While the family maintains a low profile, Roberts occasionally shares snippets of their life during interviews. In a 2023 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Roberts joked about how quickly she became a full-fledged college sports supporter after her twins started university. “I wear the colors. I do the whole thing,” she said, laughing, according to People.
She also shared how her youngest son, Henry, was adjusting to life as an only child at home. “I think it’s a good 50/50 split,” she told Fallon. “He’s loving it. And I think he misses his people.”
Related: Family First: Julia Roberts Steps Out After Years Off the Radar
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