In his new book, writer Jordan Ritter Conn delves into the lives of four men, from very different backgrounds, living in disparate parts of the country. All of them are reckoning, in their own ways, with how their lives — and their sense of self-worth — have been shaped by ideas around masculinity. American Men, published April 21, is a deeply reported, empathetic look at male identity, warts and all: "There's some rough stuff in here," he says.

The Nashville native and staff writer at The Ringer spent the better part of six years visiting and interviewing the four men whose narratives interweave over the course of the book. And for Jordan, the project is also personal — bringing to the surface questions he has been asking about his own experiences growing up and giving space to explore them honestly and without judgment.

Guest: Jordan Ritter Conn, senior writer at The Ringer, author of American Men and The Road From Raqqa

Host: Demetria Kalodimos

Producer: Steve Haruch

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