When our boys grow up, it hurts. The heartbreaking grief that comes as our sons grow up and don’t need us anymore is not spoken of often enough. At the same time, there is an incredible joy that comes from watching them fall in love and take steps to begin their own life. In this important conversation, Dr Justin Coulson and Mia Freedman talk about our boys growing up, how to teach them good principles, and how to let go of them when the time is right.

Timestamps

• 00:18 Dr Justin Coulson introduces Mia Freedman
• 01:54 What is masculinity to Mia?
• 04:47 Do boys really believe they aren't as good?
• 07:00 Misrepresenting feminism
• 09:25 The biggest issues for boys and parents
• 13:59 The pool metaphor
• 19:43 Don't shame them
• 21:40 Responding to inapproriate behaviour without shame
• 26:52 Teaching them good principles
• 31:56 Be the best boy in the room
• 32:47 Parental grief
• 39:19 Final message

Mia Freedman

Mia Freedman is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of the Mamamia Women’s Media Company in Australia.

Mamamia has an audience of more than six and a half million women every month and is also the largest women’s podcast network in the world, with over 173 million listens and 46 different shows. She is also the founder of Lady Startup. An education-based community supporting female-founded small businesses, helping them launch and grow through online courses, podcasts, and social media.

Mamamia’s core purpose as a business is to make the world a better place for women and girls. Before founding Mamamia as a blog in her lounge room in 2007 and becoming one of Australia’s best-known digital entrepreneurs, Mia was a magazine editor, national newspaper columnist, radio presenter, and TV host. She was named one of Australia’s 100 Most Influential Women by the Financial Review and is a former chair of the federal government’s Body Image Advisory Board.

She is an ambassador for Rize Up, a charity supporting women and children fleeing domestic violence, and Share The Dignity, which supports women and girls facing poverty and homelessness. Mia is the author of four books including the best-selling Work, Strife, Balance and she hosts two award-winning podcasts, Mamamia Outloud and No Filter, Australia’s leading interview podcast. Mia has three children, two dogs, and runs the Mamamia Women’s Media Company with her husband, Jason Lavigne, who is the CEO.

The wheels of her bus fall off regularly.

Resources

• Mia Freedman - website
• Mamamia

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