In today’s conversation, we’re diving into the treacherous waters of modern masculinity, emotional maturity, and why men and women often feel like aliens to each other—topics I've been mulling over as a mom raising two young boys. Joining me is Jacob Falkovich, the razor-sharp thinker behind Second Person Substack, who has a refreshingly nuanced take on dating dynamics, parenting taboos, and why online discourse around gender often leads us astray. Together we poke at the awkward truths, and ask: Can men safely express emotions? Is masculinity a checklist? And what happens when ambiguity becomes unbearable?

Jacob Falkovich writes on X at @yashkaf and on Substack at

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Modern Masculinity

06:38 The Impact of Parenting on Masculinity

12:21 Cultural Influences on Parenting Styles

18:35 The Role of Community in Child Development

26:31 Understanding Gender Dynamics in Relationships

33:08 The Alien Nature of Gender Differences

45:23 The Beauty Standards Debate

48:02 Emotional Maturity in Men

52:28 Navigating Conflict in Relationships

54:55 The Role of Communication in Marriage

01:00:08 Exploring Masculinity and Emotional Processing

01:02:52 The Search for Meaning in Modern Relationships

01:10:29 Polyamory and Parenting Dynamics

01:16:05 Balancing Individuality and Partnership

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