Jake Stika is the co-founder and executive director of Next Gen Men, where he's passionate about changing how we see, act, and think about masculinity. He's spoken at the United Nations, co-authored a children's book about masculinity, and recently became the new publisher of Voice Male magazine, continuing a 40-year legacy of the pro-feminist men's movement. Currently completing his master's in social business and entrepreneurship through the London School of Economics.
In this episode, we explore:
- The "paper cuts of patriarchy" - How boys are systematically disconnected from emotional intimacy and physical touch from early childhood, creating the foundation for men's mental health struggles later in life
- Why "undefining" masculinity matters more than redefining it - Moving beyond toxic vs. healthy masculinity binaries toward recognizing 4 billion different ways to be a man, as long as they don't cause harm
- The self-improvement trap vs. community-based growth - How the culture of individual optimization and extreme challenges can perpetuate isolation, and why sustainable change happens through consistent community practices
- Building authentic male friendships and challenging social norms - Practical strategies for creating deeper connections while navigating the tension between authenticity and belonging in male peer groups
Resources - Find Jake's Work:
- Next Gen Men: nextgenmen.ca
- Social: @NextGenMen on major platforms
- Voice Male Magazine (new publisher)
