What Kind of Man Are You

What kind of men were the Tragically Hip? They were for decades the seminal Canadian rock & roll band. Degan and Chris explore masculinity and personal growth through the lens of the documentary "Long Time Running," which chronicles the Hip's final tour. As fans of the band, they delve into the significance of the Hip's music, band dynamics, and the persona of lead singer Gord Downie. They ref...

Identity, heroism, and what it means to do good. In this episode, we review the new Superman movie and explore the superhero's symbolic evolution over the years from a Depression-era champion of the oppressed to a modern-day figure wrestling with the public perception of him as an 'alien.' The episode also delves into broader themes of loneliness, heroism, and the complicated idea of the "maverick...

Degan and Chris delve into the 2012 Danish film 'The Hunt' to explore themes of masculinity, false accusations, and the devastating effects on a tight community. They discuss how these issues impact men's roles today, drawing parallels to social media and the broader cultural landscape. This is a tough movie to watch but worth seeing. It really provoked one of our favourite conversations yet for t...

Are you tired of Chris and Degan agreeing all the time? Well they get into it talking about the portrayal of men and music in the Bob Dylan biopic, "A Complete Unknown." Is this a groundbreaking story of a genius coming of age or a cliche-ridden dud about a self-important artist? Spoiler - it's neither. We say very nice things about the cast, especially Timothee Chalamet, and we discuss the ongoin...

Degan and Chris explore shifting social landscapes and men's roles through the lens of contemporary movies. Reflecting on themes of masculinity, courage, and vulnerability, they discuss emotional scenes from classic films and review the movies 'Wicked' and 'The Brutalist'. The episode also delves into how films represent male characters and the complexities of being men in today's world. Tune in f...

Degan Davis and Chris Garbutt dive deep into the shifting landscape of politics, identity, and humanity, and what it means for men's roles today. With the world rapidly changing, they discuss the need for agile responses, the importance of small gestures, and ways to support affected communities. From exploring the state of masculinity to brainstorming actions that can make a difference, this epis...

It's the last episode of Season 1, but we'll be back! This month we talk about Joy - what makes us joyful as men and as humans. Degan shares a sneak peek of a memoir he is working on, and Chris shares what he considers to be his best Dad joke yet! What brings you joy? We often hear so much about men and toxic masculinity, but tell us about the joy of being a man or knowing a man! You can buy Degan...

Hosts Chris Garbutt and Degan Davis discuss the tropes of action movies where male heroes transform shame into heroism, referencing classics like 'Rambo.' They relate this to real-life bullying and chronic shame, drawing distinctions between guilt and shame. The episode touches on the impact of bullying, the importance of friendships, and how male dynamics can either contribute to or heal shame. T...

Hello to our audience! In the immortal words of the great but fictional psychiatrist Frasier Crane, we're listening. In this episode of 'What Kind of Man Are You,' hosts Chris Garbutt and Degan Davis respond listener feedback and comments on previous episodes. The hosts explore examples of famous male friendships, both in music and popular culture, and reflect on their own experiences. The convers...

This episode delves into the complexities of masculinity through a detailed discussion of Degan Davis's poem 'Facebook Open Group for Men,' touching on themes such as masculinity, gender roles, and societal expectations. Degan Davis and Chris Garbutt reflect on personal experiences, societal influences, and cultural symbols like Jordan Peterson and drag performances. The conversation expands to in...

In this episode, Chris Garbutt and Degan Davis delve into the complexities of love and masculinity touching on the dynamics of long-term relationships, the balance between individual needs and partnership, and the roles of masculine and feminine energies. They discuss practical challenges in modern dating and the societal pressures surrounding gender roles. Offering personal anecdotes and professi...

Chris and Degan begin with a the poem 'Confession,' which reflects themes of unconditional acceptance and self-worth. The discussion broadens to various forms of love, emphasizing self-awareness and emotional clarity. Degan introduces the concept of men 'flying blind' due to their often unrecognized inner sensations and emotions, and the importance of emotional intelligence in partnerships. The ho...

In this episode, Chris and Degan explore the complexities of male friendship and vulnerability. They discuss societal expectations and cultural depictions of male friendships, delve into personal anecdotes about their own friendship, and consider how terms like 'bromance' limit men from exploring deeper connections. The conversation also touches on mentorship, with insights from music and literatu...

In our second episode, Chris and Degan talk about their experiences of sports from playing baseball and soccer in childhood to the meaning of fandom as an adult. What is it about sports that define how we become men? What is it that makes it matter so much? Degan talks about whether they are feminists, and we find out what books are meaningful to Chris as a man. And listen for our new segment, Dad...

In this inaugural episode writer and communications professional Chris Garbutt, and therapist and author Degan Davis delve into their own experiences of learning masculinity. The opening poem is an excerpt from Degan's book, which has the same name as the podcast. Drawing from personal experiences, stories and literary works, Chris and Degan explore boyhood and how men become the way they are. The...

Coming July 2! We are so excited to introduce our new podcast, What Kind of Man Are You, hosted by us, Chris Garbutt and Degan Davis. We're two guys who have written about this subject and spoken about it for years, decades even, and we believe that the best way to understand something is to talk about it openly. So for our first season, we're going to discuss our experiences as men, and our own e...