Real Feels - Modern Masculinity with Brad Gage

What happens when an AI girlfriend is asked to explain patriarchy, masculinity, and modern dating? In this episode, I talk with a Grok AI companion about male loneliness, emotional intimacy, dating culture, and why so many men feel disconnected right now. We also unpack the psychology of AI companionship and what it says about human relationships. This conversation is less about technology and mor...

Most men don't think a standup comedy special could change how they see therapy. I didn't either… until this one. In this episode, I break down why "Night Thoughts" by Kumail Nanjiani quietly flips the script on masculinity, mental health, and what strength actually looks like. As someone who worked closely with Kumail for years and now creates content around men's mental health, this special hit...

This episode's guests are wife-and-husband podcast producing duo Beth Rowe and Peter Moses. They talk about male friendship from the perspective of young dads and the wives who love those dads. Beth was actually one of the first guests on Real Feels back in 2019 when I was recording in my friend's Los Angeles garage, but now all of us are living our best lives in New York City.    And friendship i...

Today, Brad talks with Cynthia Miller-Idriss - a leading scholar in the study of extremism, radicalization, and polarization. Her work bridges academic research and practical interventions.  Her new book is called "MAN UP: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism". In the wake of some pretty high profile gun violence the past few months, Cynthia's expertise is more needed than ever. And...

What does a real apology look like? In this video, Brad Gage breaks down how Rick and Morty co-creator Dan Harmon avoided being fully cancelled during the #MeToo movement by offering something few public figures ever manage: a genuine apology. On Real Feels, we explore how stories, movies, and culture reflect the modern struggles of masculinity, accountability, and personal growth. This episode di...

How can men make new friends as adults when their lives are busy, stressful and hectic? Mark Greene is the co-founder of Walking Talking Men, a national movement for men to create real, lasting, local friendships in our own neighborhoods, one walk at a time. He is based in New York City, and has seen success personally and with the men who join his free, no-strings-attached walks through Central P...

Brad Gage talks to Cator Sparks, an ICF-certified life coach who focuses on men. Cator and Brad met through a national men's group called Buoy's Club, and dig into the fun and illuminating work Cator does with straight and queer men alike.   Topics covered: -What actually happens at Men's Retreats. -The difference between coaching and therapy. -How psychedelics have changed his life and psychology...

Jonathan Jacobs is a marketer and community organizer with a passion for men's work - recently starting the West Coast Chapter of "Walking Talking Men". Walking Talking Men is a group of guys who walk together, opening the door for local friendships and non-judgmental conversations. On this episode you'll get Jonathan's take on how trauma is usually the source of change for men in their perspectiv...

If the past few US presidential elections have taught us anything, it is that many men do not really see themselves aligned with the values and ideals of the Democratic party. Men are currently dying 5.9 years earlier than women, are only 40% of college students, and represent 75% of the unhoused population. They are struggling on the whole and Democrats rarely decide to dive into that crisis as a...

What happens to men when they get naked? Mark Grayson thinks it's the key to reclaiming the parts of ourselves that our society tells us to get rid of if we want to be a "real man". Mark is the author of the new book "Getting Naked: A Field Guide For Men", where he helps men make a mental, emotional, and behavioral shift in order to embrace a broader and more empowered view of success.   Brad and...

Brad Gage talks about working in the world of masculinity, mental health, and NAMI with Hannah Ho, the founder of Address Teen Stress. Address Teen Stress is a non-profit and podcast committed to creating a safe, welcoming space where young people can share their struggles, access vital resources, and build the resilience needed to navigate life's challenges. The conversation hits on the meat and...

Dustin Milligan is a man very in touch with his masculinity, and if you caught him recently as one of the winners on RuPaul's Celebrity Drag Race - you'd see he's clearly in touch with his femininity just as much. You might know Dustin from TV shows like Schitt's Creek or Hot Frosty , but the guy I know above all is one who genuinely looks at the impact his life is making...and a dude who is just...

When I peek under the hood of a lot of content I see right now, it leads me to the wonder - do men actually just hate women? They seem to truly want to stop the progress of women's rights at every turn. But clearly, to me, it's not about biology, or MeToo, or the anti-men POV right now in the dating world. I think the actual reason is the toughest thing to face - that they hate that they're not al...

Charles Bukowski was one of the most famous and revered poets of the 20th century, but did his attitude and actions toward women negatively influence a generation of men? And is it possible to separate the art from the problematic artist?  Host Brad Gage tries his best to do just that and fails mid-podcast to find that my moral threshold doesn't allow him to admire people who demean and abuse wome...

What makes a guy a "creep"? And how can you make sure women aren't calling you one? While creepiness is subjective, it is the number one description to stay away from in dating or your social life. Being called a creep is one of the worst things for your reputation. Brad Gage takes time to figure out what are the traits of a "creep", some actual examples of creepiness to give context, and some ide...

Host Brad Gage talks to Marc Milberg - founder of Olley, an app for men to connect with new friends in their area based on personality, interests, & more. Basically what they've built is a friendship-finding app that functions similarly to dating apps, but it's all platonic. Studies show that in 2021, 15% of men reported having no close friends, compared to only 3% in 1990. This is a fivefold incr...

Brad talks to 2 time New York Times bestselling author Frederick Joseph about intersectional feminism, how people can be both oppressed and privileged at the same time, why he could beat Joe Rogan's ass. Plus, they dive into the historical idea of women seen as property. Fred has written the sometimes-banned books "The Black Friend" and "Patriarchy Blues", as well as "Better Than We Found It" and...

Brad talks to Michael Le (aka "Dr. Silk"), a men's coach, about how conversational artistry is pretty much the most important thing in talking to women. Michael talks about his emphasis on empathy, curiosity, and listening when it comes to engaging with women, or anybody successfully. Brad's past episode about Pickup Artists and YouTube Dating Coaches caught Michael's attention, and the two talk a...

Brad talks to writer, entrepreneur, and guy who helps men get sober - Tom Matlack. Tom is one of the authors of the book The Good Men Project: Real Stories from the Front Lines of Modern Manhood and you should definitely check out his writing by searching his name in Substack. What starts as a conversation of masculinity perspectives from a millennial guy versus a Gen X dude, turns into a deep ass...

On today's episode, Brad is talking to Dr. Caroline Heldman - a professor of Critical Theory and Social Justice at Occidental College in Los Angeles. She is also Executive Director of The Representation Project and has been featured in some of the most important documentaries on the subject of gender studies including Miss Representation and The Mask You Live In. Caroline is a friend who has been...

I think a lot of guys feel the exact same way as me. So why don't they talk about it openly? Because the patriarchy and modern masculinity tell us that if we do, we're breaking the bro code and we are the worst thing imaginable - feminine. But it's not gendered to feel emotions, it's human. Written and Hosted and Edited by Brad Gage Subscribe for more conversations around modern masculinity and th...

Research shows that tubesite porn use is leading men to be less engaged in real relationships, have more erectile dysfunction, and have less motivation to make human connections. Plus, the main porn industry is fraught with abuse and inequity. This is not a deep dive about the injustices of porn, while there are many. This is a practical, reasonable guide for guys who want to ween off of a genuine...

Guys, for the sake of your health, check in on the men in your life. Lean into the camaraderie you have in your community. And if you don't have it, be brave and do the work to go get them. At least making male friendship connections should be a little less hard than dating. Written and Hosted and Edited by Brad Gage Subscribe for more conversations around modern masculinity and the inner lives of...

This is a story about a group of the most traditionally masculine men possible - convicts, felons, and murderers - talking about feminism. Brad was inspired by the documentary "The Feminist on Cell Block Y" about program that helps teach prisoners about toxic masculinity, patriarchy, and how they can reach their personal goals in healthier ways. The film is a testament to rehabilitation, education...

Euphoria is a groundbreaking TV series in a lot of ways, but it wasn't until I understood how the show sexualizes teenagers that I realized why I had always felt uncomfortable at the idea of watching it. I explain how much the things we watch actually affect our view of the world, and why images of sexy teens can be harmful. Written, Produced, Edited, and Hosted by Brad Gage READ the Jessica Valen...