Did you know that in the UK, men are nearly three times more likely than women to become dependent on alcohol? Or that men account for 74% of hospital admissions for drug-related mental health issues?
Joining us is the brilliant Jessica Lahey, best selling author of *The Gift Of Failure* and *The Addiction Inoculation*. She joins Joeli and Elliott to tackle one of the toughest yet most vital topics for parents today: addiction.
This week, Joeli and Elliott are still reeling from their chat with 15-year-old Josh Sargent, who somehow knows more about inflation, misogyny, and the internet than most adults do (and can spell “misogyny” without spellcheck). They unpack the impact of the online world on boys, the impossible balance of protecting kids while keeping them connected, and why critical thinking might just be the new superpower.
Ever wondered what teenage boys really think about the Manosphere? In this week’s enlightening episode we break new ground by speaking directly to someone who’s living it—15-year-old Josh Sargent. Josh isn’t just navigating GCSEs; he’s writing a book about the Manosphere, all while grappling with the dual life of consuming content privately at home and existing in a world where these topics are rarely discussed openly among peers.As ever – we’re reading through your amazing emails for ideas and insights – YOUR TEAM NEEDS YOU! Stay in touch at tobeaboyteam@gmail.com
Joeli Brearley and Elliott Rae dive into the best bits (and the missing bits) of last week’s laugh-out-loud episode with Caitlin Moran – join them as they unpack the the wisdom and reflect on the power of humour.
Beyond that, Joeli and Elliott explore the crucial need for a men’s movement and where the backlash to diversity and inclusion work might be coming from.
As always – we LOVE to hear your thoughts, so keep those messages coming!
Joeli, Elliott and Caitlin dive headfirst into the world of modern masculinity. It won’t surprise any Caitlin fans that this episode is not short of witty insights from her latest work and the group tackles the big themes: parenthood, mental health, body image, and the evolution of masculinity. From the loneliness of man caves to the societal pressures of being a 'tough guy,' no topic is off-limits. This episode promises a fresh look at how men can redefine love and vulnerability in today's world.
Welcome back to the wild world of parenting boys! We’rekicking off Series 2, with Joeli and Elliott taking a trip down memory lane, revisiting the highs, the lows, and the lovely voices from Season One. They dive headfirst into the digital jungle of children's online lives, tackle the parenting boys' obstacle course, and highlight the quest for positive male role models.
Did you know 44% of Gen Z men think we've done enough for women's rights? Or that 45% believe we're now discriminating against men? And brace yourself – 47% feel masculinity is under attack.
Join us as we welcome James, the audience planner extraordinaire with 12 years at Channel 4, and Konrad, the co-founder of Craft, the award-winning strategic insight agency. Together, we'll tackle the economic instability haunting this generation, their delayed milestones, and the strange blend of their digital and real lives. Spoiler alert: it's a bit of a mess.
This series is proudly supported by Bubble, the app to find a vetted sitter or nanny that’s trusted by 250k parents, including us! Whether it’s an urgent work deadline or a chance to unwind, Bubble connects you with vetted, trusted sitters who can be with you in as little as an hour: https://bubble.onelink.me/nnib/0d8hretm
Get ready for a enlightening episode of the To Be A Boy Podcast! This time, we are thrilled to welcome the wonderfully insightful Amy Lang, the brilliant mind behind 'Birds and Bees and Your Kids'. Her book serves as an exceptional guide for parents striving to share their values on sexuality, love, and relationships with their children.
Amy brings her wealth of knowledge and a sprinkle of humour to our discussion, focusing on how to approach those oh-so-awkward conversations about sexuality with your kids. With over 16 years of experience as a sex educator, Amy is a treasure trove of practical advice.
In this week's episode of To Be A Boy, Sarah Sternberg, Director of Reimagining Masculinities at Movember, joins us to discuss their new report exploring the online health of men and boys. Movember is a leading global charity which has been transforming men's health research and services since 2003.
Join us as we discuss this ground-breaking report which explores who is engaging with masculinity influencers and the impact they are having on the mental and physical health of men and boys. Our co-host Elliott will be quietly joining us due to a lost voice (representing a facet of men's ill health!).
You can find the report here: movember.com/youngmenonline
And the parent toolkit kit here: movember.com/parenttoolkit
We hope you find it as useful as we do!
Ever wondered why blokes these days seem lonelier than a post-laundry sock? Join Elliott and Joeli as they speak to expert Max Dickins for this episode tackling the growing issue of male loneliness and the curious case of the disappearing close friendship. We'll also touch on the joys (and occasional woes) of parenting boys, and why broadening their understanding of success and emotional intelligence is vital.
Welcome back to the "To Be a Boy" podcast! We are sharing a heartfelt thanks to our listeners for their overwhelmingly positive responses and thoughtful messages following the Adolescence special. Elliott opens up about parents feeling confused and a bit lost, while Joeli shares some reassuring advice to help navigate these turbulent times.
We are also joined by the brilliant Lenore Skenazy for a lovely chat uncovering the issues behind anxious parenting and sharing practical tips to give our kids a sense of independence and freedom to help them grow.
Lenore is the co-founder of Let Grow and the author of ‘Free-Range Kids’ and immediately changed Joeli and Elliott’s approach to parenting – we challenge you not the feel the same!
This series is proudly supported by Bubble, the app to find a vetted sitter or nanny that’s trusted by 250k parents, including us! Whether it’s an urgent work deadline or a chance to unwind, Bubble connects you with vetted, trusted sitters who can be with you in as little as an hour: https://bubble.onelink.me/nnib/0d8hretm
In this FOUR PARTER (you’re welcome) episode of To Be A Boy, Joeli and Elliott are debriefing us: bringing their unique voices and perspectives to the table as they delve into the international conversation happening around the Netflix show ‘Adolescence’.
The episode features a poignant conversation with Sarah (not her real name), a mother who courageously shares her child's journey and the impactful experiences they've faced. Our blue-haired psychotherapist, Sarah, offers insightful commentary on how these experiences shape young minds, while Ineke from the NSPCC provides invaluable practical advice and takeaways for parents and caregivers alike.
NSPCC website: NSPCC | The UK children's charity | NSPCC
Where people can donate: Donate to Charity Online | Give to NSPCC today | NSPCC
Training and consultancy: NSPCC Learning | Safeguarding and child protection
Adult helpline: NSPCC Helpline | NSPCC Learning
Childine: Childline | Childline
Beyond Equality: https://www.beyondequality.org/
Future Men: https://futuremen.org/
Men and Boys Coalition: https://www.menandboyscoalition.org.uk/category/newsevents/
Father2Father: https://www.father2father.co.uk/
Alex Holmes: https://alexholmes.co/
Elliott and Joeli are joined by author and award-winning podcast host, Alex Holmes to explore the complex issues surrounding men’s mental health. And before that, they look at how 2025's International Women's Day has been received and what they take from that. As well as the personal reasons behind their passion for improving men's mental health. Strap in.
They examine the awful statistics of male suicide, and the challenges men face in forming meaningful connections. Society's ingrained norms often stifle emotional expression, and Alex talks us through the importance of fostering friendships among men.
Loneliness has a significant impact on well-being, and our team discuss the barriers men encounter when seeking mental health support.
Global Boyhood Initiative, conversation starter cards: https://www.boyhoodinitiative.org/resources?field_taxonomy_ref_target_id=6&field_audience_ref_target_id=All
Men's peer support groups:
Andy's Man Club: www.andysmanclub.co.uk
MusicFootballFatherhood: www.musicfootballfatherhood.com
Men and Boys Coalition: www.menandboyscoalition.org.uk
Professional Mental Health support:
MIND: www.mind.org.uk/
CALM: www.thecalmzone.net
Contact your GP to access free NHS Talking Therapy
JOIN US IN JOINING THE RUTH WHIPPMAN FAN CLUB.
In this episode of To Be A Boy, Elliott and Joeli have a brilliant and engaging conversation with Ruth Whippman, the author of 'Boy Mum: Raising Boys in the Age of Toxic Masculinity’ and explore the complex challenges boys face in today's society.
Ruth offers her researched and insightful views on the dangers of toxic masculinity and the crucial importance of nurturing boys' emotional development. They discuss the significant impact of screens on boys' social lives, the complexities surrounding consent, and the educational system's role in boys' underachievement.
In the inaugural episode of To Be A Boy, hosts Joeli Brearley and Elliott Rae explore why they believe this podcast is so vital. They discuss the challenges of raising boys in today’s society, what it means to be a good man, and the pressing issues facing boys and men today – from mental health struggles to the impact of pornography, educational inequalities, and the need for positive male role models.
Joeli and Elliott share their personal motivations for launching the podcast, highlighting the urgent need for open conversations about masculinity and the power of male friendship. The episode kicks off an important dialogue on how we can better support boys and men in their journey to thrive.
Welcome to our new podcast, To Be A Boy: an exploration of boyhood and modern day men.
How do we raise kind, thoughtful, happy, healthy boys? Why are we seeing so many men embracing misogyny and the hard right? Does male privilege apply to all boys? Is Andrew Tate saying anything worth listening to, or is he just a sexist prick?
Joeli Brealey and Elliott Rae uncover answers to all of these questions and more on a mission to understand modern day masculinity and where we are potentially going wrong.
Join us and a bunch of incredible experts as we unpick what it means to raise boys and to be a boy in 2024 and beyond.
