Innovating Masculinity

As a 22-year college student, I sometimes think about having children(SEVERAL years down the line), but I NEVER think about mental health during pregnancy.  In this episode of Innovating Masculinity, I found out that many men are equally oblivious. However, experts hope to change that narrative to ensure that men take care of themselves and their families during this significant life transition. ...

Part 2 of my episode series on shame and entitlement. Tune into this episode for more personal stories as well as an actionable framework for using shame as a signal for growth instead of turning to entitlement for the quick fix.

Shame is a feeling of personal regret. It never feels good, but sometimes, it’s exactly what we need to hear.  For example, if you sleep through your cousin's wedding, missing 20 calls from your parents who are waiting to pick you up, shame is the emotion that tells your body, “Hey, don’t be an inconsiderate little shit ever again. It makes you feel bad.” However, we live in a world of surface...

Young men, and men in general, don’t feel valued and respected. In a study on male suicides, experts found that men cited feeling “worthless” and “useless” as the top reasons for choosing to take their own life.  But why aren’t men feeling respected? Is there something structural lurking beneath the surface of these tragedies?  I don’t know everything about what makes men feel respected, but I kno...

Is the solution to men’s struggle’s “more vulnerability?” While I strongly encourage vulnerability, men sometimes open up to someone who doesn’t know how to respond to their struggles.  In a world that’s epitomized male strength for thousands of years, we all may need to work on our relationship with male vulnerability.  In my conversation with Maria Kamila, founder and CEO of ELEMENT (a sustainab...

Oliver Anwar is one of the biggest names in the fitness industry on Twitter. As a fitness guru, Oliver had invaluable advice on training and diet that everyone can follow to grow muscle and live a healthy life. However, his anecdotes on body image as a fitness influencer and dealing with the pressure of life as a public figure were truly insightful. He shared his mindset towards maintaining a grea...

How do we find our purpose? To many men are struggling without help to answer this all-important question. Unfortunately, there is no purpose machine that magically endows everyone with their life’s mission. Our purpose is forged in the throws of struggle, not the comfort of safety.  But how do we jump into the throws of struggle when not even clear why we’re doing it? This week’s solo episode of...

Welcome to my 4th guest and earliest supporter, the great Helen Telahun! This episode is entertaining and dynamic, with topics ranging from men’s and women’s expressions of anger to creative writing practices to startup culture on college campuses.  Helen is a driven and compassionate individual. We discuss her startup, Article 26, and her mission to bring resources to underserved communities.  Th...

Innovating Masculinity is not just a podcast. It’s the future of masculinity. But before we talk about the future, it’s helpful to understand the present. What is the current state of masculinity in the modern era? The Toxic Masculinity movement shed light on the flaws of traditional masculinity, but it also demonized masculinity altogether. On the flip side, the Red Pill Masculinity movement trie...

This week's guest episode with Josh Fisher is an absolute gold mine for any struggling young men, future fathers, or aspiring entrepreneurs. Josh and his wife both brought 4 children to their marriage (yes, that's 8 kids), and a recent career shift led him to go all in on his cyber security startup, IRIDIUM. On top of juggling 8 kids, marriage, and startup hustle, Josh found time to sit do...

Only 1 in 3 men with mental health problems will seek treatment. I struggled with anxiety and substance abuse in silence even though I had supportive friends and family around me. Would you be surprised to hear that the medical system, which is supposed to keep us happy and healthy, contributes to this epidemic of male silence? In this episode we discuss the nuances of male silence and what factor...

Episode Description for Spotify: In this eye-opening episode of Innovating Masculinity, we explore the taboo topic of male job discrimination and how it intersects with societal expectations and pressures. While acknowledging the undeniable hurdles women face, we delve into the unique but often overlooked challenges men encounter in their professional lives. Pressure to provide, succeed, and confo...

Ever wonder if you’re on the right path, personally, professionally, or otherwise? You’re not alone.  In fact, my second guest Namit has walked many paths. From being a top med-school candidate to a tech consultant at Ernst and Young, and now to an entrepreneur creating tech solutions for small businesses, all before the age of 23, he’s passed on many opportunities in search of something more true...

In this episode, I discuss the assumptions and misconceptions around “Innovation,” and “Masculinity.” By challenging the very definitions of these words, we're capitalizing on the most rapid period of change in history. We are reimagining what it means to solve problems and “be a man,” for future generations.  It's time for new solutions to age-old problems. It's time for new ideas abo...

If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, content creator, or self-improvement nut, this episode offers a first-hand look at how a high performer approaches all three of those pillars. My first-ever guest, Jonathan is a dynamic and genuine guy, which made for an open and honest discussion about the highs and lows of startup life, the transformative power of therapy, and the often-overlooked challenges o...

We’ve all made mistakes, and some of us have made ones big enough that we’ve received an unpleasant wake-up call. Usually, it’s because we’ve hurt another person or even ourselves. In this episode, I highlight the most common cause of harmful behavior and discuss several strategies to grow from this experience that proved effective in my life and in the lives of those around me. If you’re ready to...

Entrepreneurs are the pro athletes of the business world. Both athletes and big-time founders get to profit from their passion at the highest level while the world watches. Both have immense influence and with that, a duty to be the best role models they can be for younger generations. Listen as I discuss how male entrepreneurs can redefine the pinnacle of achievement and the positive effects they...

This episode sheds light on the complexity of entrepreneurship and highlights the underappreciated first step in many entrepreneurial journeys. Listen as I explore the contradictory combination of hope and fear that characterizes the life of a pre-idea, pre-business, "pre-entrepreneur."