A Safe Place For Boys

Welcome back to the cottage (treehouse) for the second Character Crossover! Join Kelcee and Spencer as they dive DEEP into the psyches of Shane Hollander, Scott Hunter, and Ilya Rosanov of 2025’s runaway hit Heated Rivalry. Discussion topics include The Body of Shane Hollander, Ilya the Rake, and why straight men love Scott Hunter. Thank you, Kyle… Content warnings for discussions of homophobia (i...

Join Kelcee and Spencer for this post-holiday bonus episode ostensibly about the 1988 Charles Dickens adaptation Scrooged. Discussion topics include the unfortunate plot of mid-1990’s television sitcom Unhappily Ever After, the struggles of adapting a classic story, and where the toaster came from. Content warnings for discussions of mental illness, sexual assault (10:52 - 14:37), parental death,...

Join Kelcee and Spencer for their most ambitious project yet: discussing Charles Dicken’s classic 1843 novella A Christmas Carol (along with its many, many adaptations.) Discussion topics include the invention of the holiday special, hot nephews and wife guys, and what it really takes to change an old man’s mind. Content warnings for discussions of poverty, death via childbirth, and child death, a...

Join Kelcee and Spencer for Part TWO of a two-part conversation about Channing Tatum’s epic saga: Magic Mike (2012) and Magic Mike XXL (2015). Discussion topics include Big Dick Richie’s Billion Dollar Idea, how to become a real boy to the beat of a Backstreet Boys song, and Kelcee’s Kevin Nash book report.  Sorry Magic Mike’s Last Dance lovers. We aren’t talking about that one, and I think you kn...

Join Kelcee and Spencer for Part One of a two-part conversation about Channing Tatum’s epic saga: Magic Mike (2012) and Magic Mike XXL (2015). Discussion topics include an unhelpful breakdown of adult entertainment statutes, the liberatory potential of hip thrusting, and the importance of follow-up questions.  Sorry Magic Mike’s Last Dance lovers. We aren’t talking about that one, and I think you...

Join Kelcee and Spencer for a conversation about the best gosh-darn book-to-movie adaptation in the West: 2003’s Holes, based on the novel by Louis Sachar. Discussion topics include foot stuff (like…so much foot stuff), the perils of broken promises, and a how-to guide for morally-upright vigilantism.  Content warnings for EXTENSIVE discussions of both physical and emotional child abuse, particula...

Join Kelcee and Spencer as they break out the F-bombs for a conversation about the third best legal movie of all time: 1992’s My Cousin Vinny. Discussion topics include a PSA about the best way to talk to cops , a robust defense of the defense attorney, and what Mona Lisa can teach us about love.   Also sorry we have the world’s loudest chairs and paper in this one. It’s still a low-budget product...

Join Kelcee and Spencer for a conversation about the most famous entry into the “Boys With Feelings” genre: 1997’s Good Will Hunting. Discussion topics include What Men Want (in a therapist), war stories from the trenches of academia, and what makes a happy ending.  Content warnings for extensive discussions of physical violence, child abuse, sexual abuse and misconduct, and mental health treatmen...

Join Kelcee and Spencer AND special guest Ed McClain for a conversation about the 1985 martial arts classic The Last Dragon. Discussion topics include the complicated legacy of Bruce Lee, what to do if the power was inside you all along, and why it’s so important to see the Good Guys win.   Content warnings for discussions of racism, sexism, physical violence, and gun violence.  Works Cited &...

Join Kelcee and Spencer AND special guest Geoff Sykes for a conversation about the 1993 live-action Disney sports adventure Cool Runnings. Discussion topics include the looming specter of death, getting serious about your friends’ dreams, and how to be a badass mother (and why.)  Content warnings for discussions of racism and sports-related injuries Works Cited & Recommended Reading: “I am Dud...

CONTENT WARNING: South Park Join Kelcee and Spencer for their conversation about the (checks notes) Academy Award Nominated, 1999 Adult Animation Comedy Musical South Park--Bigger, Longer, and Uncut. Discussion topics include why it's funny when kids swear, jurisprudence in the case of Satire v. Censorship, and Big Gay Al's Manifesto for Queer Survival.  Content warnings for discussions of obscene...

Join Kelcee and Spencer for part TWO of their conversation about the scariest movie ever made and its genre-bending sequel: Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986). Discussion topics include meditations on whether it matters that Ripley’s a woman, a deep dive into the goop of the monstrous feminine, and James Cameron’s imaginary dead women.   And if you’re wondering what male author we’re quoting around 15...

Join Kelcee and Spencer for part one of their conversation about the scariest movie ever made and its genre-bending sequel: Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986). Discussion topics include the merits of anatomy-based monster design, whether or not Ellen Ripley needs more trauma, and why you should consider pursuing a forklift operator certification.  Content warnings for discussions of sexual assault thr...

Join Kelcee and Spencer for part TWO of their conversation about the 1984 martial arts classic: The Karate Kid. Discussion topics include how to fight and why, a trip to the Cobra Kai Corner, and Mr. Miyagi: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.    Content warnings for discussions of bullying and physical violence, anti-asian racism, and war-related trauma, and mentions of child abuse and misogyny.   ...

Join Kelcee and Spencer for part one of their conversation about the 1984 martial arts classic: The Karate Kid. Or, if you want to be pedantic: The Karate Kid (Part 1). Discussion topics include a toxic masculinity speedrun, the not-so-real history of karate, and the world’s most abrupt bully redemption arc.  See you in two weeks for part two! Content warnings for discussions of bullying and physi...

Join Kelcee and Spencer for their SUPER GIANT conversation about the 2019 video game phenomenon Hades. Discussion topics include a rougelike rundown, the downsides of “ancient Greek” body culture, and healthy anger management techniques (that don’t involve stabbing your son with a fork.)   Content Warnings for discussions of child abuse and death throughout, rape and sexual violence (particularly...

Join Kelcee and Spencer for part two of their conversation about hidden feminist classic Mr. Mom (1983). Discussion topics include stay-at-home-fatherhood statistics, pandemic callbacks, and, of course, the enduring messages of Rocky 3. Recommended Reading: “ Male Weepies: A Misunderstood Genre ” by Broey Deschanel, Youtube.com Content Warnings for discussion of sexism (including workplace sexual...

Join Kelcee and Spencer for part one of their conversation about the hidden “John Hughes” gem from 1983: Mr. Mom. Discussion topics include ruminations on the Detroit Lions, Bad Boss Behavior, and a moment-by-moment breakdown of the most egregious child theft in cinema history. Join us again in two weeks for part two! Also sorry we hit the microphone a million times in this one.  Recommended Readi...

Hi Everyone! A Safe Place for Boys is going on summer vacation! Thank you all so much for the feedback and suggestions you've given us so far. We're really looking forward to bringing you even more compassionate conversations about masculinity in media starting Saturday, August 10th.  If you want to watch/play along with us, here is a preview of what we'll be talking about in "season two" (order T...

Join Kelcee and Spencer for part TWO of their conversation about the 1946 holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life. Discussion topics include watching movies for the FBI, the failures of armchair psychology diagnoses, and what to do when the wallpaper starts talking to you.    Content Warnings for discussions of PTSD and trauma, suicide and suicidal ideation, and child abuse.     Works Cited: “ The W...

Join Kelcee and Spencer for part one of their conversation about the 1946 holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life. Discussion topics include Heaven’s HR policies, the relative value of the moon, and how to save a good man’s life and still make it home in time for Christmas dinner.    Join us for part 2 on June 29th!   Content Warnings for discussions of child abuse, suicide and suicidal ideation, de...

This week in the treehouse: it’s a two-for-one special! Join Kelcee and Spencer and they talk about not one but TWO of their favorite sad boys of television: Hawkeye Pierce from M*A*S*H and Jeong Jeong the Deserter from Avatar the Last Airbender. War: not good for much of anything, as it turns out. Woodstock 99 references, on the other hand? Evergreen.   Content Warnings for discussions of war (an...

Join Kelcee and Spencer as they discuss the 1995 Disney cult classic A Goofy Movie and try to figure out if it’s possible for fathers and their teenage sons to ever truly see I 2 I.    Content Warnings for brief discussions of child abuse and anti-Black racism.    Works Cited: “ So What is Goofy? ” by Nick Hasted, The Independent “ A Goofy Movie ,” Wikipedia “ The Enduring Legacy of Disney's Black...

Hi friends! Please mind the content warnings for this episode!  Join Kelcee and Spencer as they discuss the 2014 Romantic Iranian Vampire Western Thriller, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night and debate the merits of stealing cats, cars, drugs, and skateboards.    Content Warnings for discussions of drug addiction/use, sex work, sexual assault, violence, and death.   Works Cited and Recommended Readi...

Join Kelcee and Spencer as they discuss the 1996 Disney adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and try to figure out if it really matters who “gets the girl.” Content warnings for discussions of child abuse, racism/xenophobia (specifically against Romani people,) ableism, and sexuality. Works Cited: Why Being 'Gypped' Hurts The Roma More Than It Hurts You by Janaki Challa, npr.org The “G” Word...