To Be A Boy

We’re diving into the wonderfully awkward world of sex ed for kids—covering everything from “where do babies come from?” to the importance of pleasure. Joeli and Elliott share honest tips, relatable stories, and answer your questions on how to talk to kids about sex, consent, and relationships—without losing your cool.

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 topic...

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...

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 ra...

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...

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 o...

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 tac...

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...

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 i...

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 intel...

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...

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...

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 stat...

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 cruci...

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 mo...

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 questio...