A man going off on a solo expedition into the wilderness when he’s having a dilemma or a tough time or when he needs to make a difficult decision is a staple of so much literature, and especially of fiction aimed at boys. It also seems to be a thing in reality too.

Is this simply a form of romantic escapism or can it help men to solve their problems and to deal with difficult times? And do men actually need to spend time in nature to become better men? An outdoors-y Californian man helps us untangle this, with the help of some great essays too.

Note: We are on hiatus until June, when we’ll be returning with Season 3\. There will be another bonus episode of The Gender Knot again before then.

**Guest:** Seth Miller, founder of [Justice TVA](http://www.justicetva.com/)

**Related links:**

Farther Away: “Robinson Crusoe”, David Foster Wallace and the island of solitude - by Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker April 2011 https://bit.ly/2Hjqie7

Pond Scum: Henry David Thoreau’s moral myopia – by Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker October 2015 https://bit.ly/2vkJpgQ

The Miseducation of John Muir: A close examination of the wilderness icon’s early travels reveals a deep love for trees, and some ugly feelings about people – by Justin Nobel, Atlas Obscura July 2016 https://bit.ly/2XwG0YO

The Gender Knot podcast https://www.thegenderknot.com/ and Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/182851532302085/?ref=br_rs

Host and producer: Nas aka Nastaran Tavakoli-Far

Co-host: Jonathan Freeman

Co-producers: Sam Baker and Jonathan Blackwell

Music: Government Funded Weed by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons)