In this episode of Authentic Shameless Self, we’re diving into the deep waters of masculine energy—through the lens of single motherhood. For years, I carried the belief that as a woman, I couldn’t teach my son how to be a man. But over time, that mindset shifted. I realized I didn’t need to teach him masculinity—I needed to teach him how to be a good, grounded human being.
This episode is broken down into four honest and impactful segments:
1. Facts First (The Foundation) We begin with a breakdown of what masculine energy truly is—beyond gender roles. I explore the traits often associated with masculine energy (like structure, discipline, and assertiveness), the psychological roots of these traits, and how both men and women embody them in different ways. This sets the stage with clarity and context.
2. My Take (Personal Perspective) I share my personal opinion on how society has misunderstood masculine energy—especially when it comes to parenting as a single mother. We unpack the pressure to “make a man out of your son” and what that really means when you step back from the noise and trust your instincts.
3. Storytime (The Real Moment) This is where I get personal. I talk about the moment I sat with the thought, “I can’t teach my son to be a man,” and how that belief made me feel like I was falling short. I walk you through how I reframed that narrative, and the freedom that came with realizing my job is to raise a good human being, not perform both masculine and feminine roles.
4. The Challenge (Your Turn) I leave you with a thought-provoking challenge: Reflect on the traits you're modeling—regardless of gender. What kind of human are you raising, mentoring, or becoming? Are you leading with balance, or are you stuck in outdated expectations?
🎧 Tune in, reflect deeply, and walk away feeling grounded in your truth—no matter what role you're playing in someone else's life but especially in your own! Stay Shameless! Stay authentic! Much loveeee
Sources I referenced during this episode!
https://www.dictionary.com/e/gender-sexuality/masculine-energy/
https://www.bwellcoach.com/the-well/the-power-of-masculine-energy
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/fashion/masculinities-studies-stonybrook-michael-kimmel.html
https://www.malestudies.org/
https://nomas.org/history-mens-studies-association/
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/stereotypes/how-stereotypes-of-men-affect-all-genders/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/shelleyzalis/2019/01/22/the-future-of-masculinity-overcoming-stereotypes/