As a 22-year college student, I sometimes think about having children(SEVERAL years down the line), but I NEVER think about mental health during pregnancy. 

In this episode of Innovating Masculinity, I found out that many men are equally oblivious. However, experts hope to change that narrative to ensure that men take care of themselves and their families during this significant life transition. 

I had the pleasure of discussing mental health during the pre/postnatal period in men and women with leading researcher and program designer Dr. Deborah Da Costa.

Dr. Da Costa shares her research findings, discusses her revolutionary online parent education program, and her new role as Chief Mindfulness officer for the startup Open Meditation. 

Even if you’re like me and you’ve never thought about mental health during pregnancy, this episode is illuminating on so many levels, and I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed recording. Thank you again Dr. Da Costa!

Part 2 of my episode series on shame and entitlement.

Tune into this episode for more personal stories as well as an actionable framework for using shame as a signal for growth instead of turning to entitlement for the quick fix.

Shame is a feeling of personal regret. It never feels good, but sometimes, it’s exactly what we need to hear. 

For example, if you sleep through your cousin's wedding, missing 20 calls from your parents who are waiting to pick you up, shame is the emotion that tells your body, “Hey, don’t be an inconsiderate little shit ever again. It makes you feel bad.”

However, we live in a world of surface-level solutions to deep-rooted problems. 

In the scenario where I missed my cousin's wedding, I took the easy way out. Instead of sitting in my shame, apologizing, and promising to grow, I said, “I don’t care about their dumb wedding, and I can do whatever I want, so F them.”

An apathetic, “manly” response indeed. At that moment, I felt a sense of entitlement, and all my shame was washed away. But it was only gone for the moment and came back to bite me. 

When we refuse to sit in the fire of our toughest emotions, we also refuse to learn the lesson they are trying to teach us. 

If men want to use their emotions to get stronger, we need to learn to accept and process them in a way that builds emotional muscle instead of masking our weaknesses. 

Tune into this week's Innovating Masculinity episode to hear more of my cringe-worthy shame-entitlement experiences and some actionable tools for using shame to learn and grow. 

Young men, and men in general, don’t feel valued and respected.

In a study on male suicides, experts found that men cited feeling “worthless” and “useless” as the top reasons for choosing to take their own life. 

But why aren’t men feeling respected? Is there something structural lurking beneath the surface of these tragedies? 

I don’t know everything about what makes men feel respected, but I know that feeling valuable in our professional lives and our close relationships are both big factors.

Unfortunately for modern men, both job competence and emotional connection are becoming harder and harder.

According to work by Brookings Institute researcher Richard Reaves, many respectable “male-dominated” professions, like construction, trades, and manufacturing, are considered “less than” when compared to white-collar jobs. On top of that, they're also disappearing due to automation.

Emotional connection is foreign to many men because of the way we’re socialized, and few options are available to help guys develop strong relationships with themselves, their loved ones, and their communities.

Men still cause problems I’m not somehow saying men are suddenly the victims, but I am saying we’re facing unique struggles. And helping men solve those struggles will lead to fewer problems.

Whether we need to pursue different sources of professional fulfillment or do some serious self-work to build stronger relationships, something has to change. 

Tune into this episode to hear my thoughts on how men can take action to change today.

Is the solution to men’s struggle’s “more vulnerability?”

While I strongly encourage vulnerability, men sometimes open up to someone who doesn’t know how to respond to their struggles. 

In a world that’s epitomized male strength for thousands of years, we all may need to work on our relationship with male vulnerability. 

In my conversation with Maria Kamila, founder and CEO of ELEMENT (a sustainable clothing brand), we discussed the nuances of hearing and seeing men when they need it most. 

We also dive into the nuanced effects of fast fashion on our culture and our minds. A fascinating conversation, you're sure to love as much as I did!

Oliver Anwar is one of the biggest names in the fitness industry on Twitter.

As a fitness guru, Oliver had invaluable advice on training and diet that everyone can follow to grow muscle and live a healthy life. However, his anecdotes on body image as a fitness influencer and dealing with the pressure of life as a public figure were truly insightful.

He shared his mindset towards maintaining a great physique while enjoying life’s pleasures and his approach to online haters. 

So for anyone interested in how big-time influencers deal with the pressure to succeed and keep up appearances, this episode gives you a first-hand look at how Oliver handles both with poise. 

Click the link in my bio to tune in now!

To many men are struggling without help to answer this all-important question.

Unfortunately, there is no purpose machine that magically endows everyone with their life’s mission.

Our purpose is forged in the throws of struggle, not the comfort of safety. 

But how do we jump into the throws of struggle when not even clear why we’re doing it?

This week’s solo episode of Innovating Masculinity, “How to Kickstart Your Personal Transformation,” is all about answering that question. 

I discuss my personal framework for growth and give you some tools for restoring a sense of agency to your life with incremental progress. 

Tune in to get started on your growth journey. 

Link in my bio to listen now!

Welcome to my 4th guest and earliest supporter, the great Helen Telahun!

This episode is entertaining and dynamic, with topics ranging from men’s and women’s expressions of anger to creative writing practices to startup culture on college campuses. 

Helen is a driven and compassionate individual. We discuss her startup, Article 26, and her mission to bring resources to underserved communities. 

This episode offers a glimpse into the mind of one of my greatest friends, and I hope you all enjoy hearing our conversation.