The ManKind Podcast

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What if the violence we fear most isn’t just about ideology or mental health—but about how we teach boys to be men?

In this powerful conversation, Boysen sits down with Dr. Cynthia Miller-Idriss—renowned extremism researcher, advisor to Congress and the UN, and author of Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism. Together, they explore the often-overlooked role of misogyny as a root cause of radicalization, mass shootings, and political violence.

But this episode isn’t just about warning signs—it’s about reckoning, responsibility, and reclaiming connection.

Dr. Miller-Idriss brings research, clarity, and compassion to one of the most urgent conversations of our time.

🔍 In This Episode:

• Why misogyny is more than hatred—it’s gender policing
• How gender norms impact boys and men, not just women
• The link between domestic violence and mass shootings
• How extremist movements use gender to recruit and radicalize
• What older men need to understand about boys today
• Why "calling men in" is more effective than calling them out
• Practical steps for parents, educators, and men's groups

This is a must-listen for anyone committed to raising emotionally healthy men—and dismantling the systems that harm us all.

Learn more: "Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism"

Cynthia Miller-Idriss: PERIL: Polarization & Extremism, Research and Innovation Lab

Mark Green: https://remakingmanhood.com/

Jackson Katz: https://www.jacksonkatz.com/ 

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What happens when the armor of masculinity meets the depth of feminine wisdom?

In this heartfelt and provocative episode, Boysen sits down with Joanna Shakti, founder of Ecstatic Intimacy, to unpack the sacred dance of masculine and feminine energies in modern relationships. With vulnerability and clarity, Joanna shares how her own breakdown led to breakthroughs in love, intimacy, and self-awareness—and how these lessons can heal the divide in our own partnerships.

From attachment styles and polarity to emotional expression and self-abandonment, this conversation goes beyond gender stereotypes to explore what it truly means to be whole—and to love from that wholeness. Whether you’re single, partnered, or somewhere in between, you’ll find powerful insights into the work of becoming radically authentic and deeply connected.

Topics include:

• Masculine and feminine over/under-expression
• How attachment styles shape intimacy
• Ecstatic authenticity vs. facade
• Relationship polarity and emotional safety
• The true meaning of sovereignty in love

https://ecstaticintimacy.com/

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Prepare to navigate the holiday season with peace and ease as we unpack strategies for conflict-free gatherings. 

In this episode, Brandon Clift shares Emotional Intelligence strategies to help you navigate this holiday season with ease. 

We'll help you identify emotional triggers, manage your reactions, and foster meaningful connections even in challenging family situations. Plus, we discuss the importance of setting boundaries and engaging in courageous conversations with your loved ones.

In the second part of the episode, we take a closer look at maintaining emotional intelligence during the busy and often stressful holiday season. We underscore the significance of setting boundaries, managing expectations, and exercising empathy in interactions with family and friends. Learn the power of the simple question, "Hey, are you okay?" to show care and support for your loved ones. We'll share personal experiences and offer practical tips to maintain healthy relationships during the holidays.

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Five days after the anti-Semitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Brandon is joined by Rabbi Noam Raucher, spiritual coach, rabbi, and host of The Jewish Divorce Project, for a grounded and deeply human conversation about grief, fear, resilience, and responsibility.

Rather than rushing to politicize or defend positions, this episode slows down and asks a more essential question: How should human beings respond first when confronted with violence?

Together, Brandon, Noam, and Boysen explore:

• The emotional impact of the Bondi Beach attack during Hanukkah
• Why witnessing pain must come before analysis or opinion
• How desensitization to violence erodes our shared humanity
• Jewish resilience and the deeper meaning of Hanukkah as rededication and light
• Holding outrage and compassion at the same time
• Generational trauma and how it lives in the body and community
• The difference between knee-to-knee healing and shoulder-to-shoulder rebuilding
• Why apathy is more dangerous than anger
• Forgiveness as releasing anger, not excusing harm
• How to “bank” moments of safety, connection, and love during dark times

This conversation is not about answers. It is about posture. About choosing presence over polarization, community over isolation, and humanity over ideology.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world, uncertain how to respond, or searching for a way to grieve without contributing to further division, this episode offers a steady place to land.

- Rabbi Noam Raucher
 https://www.noamraucher.com

- The Jewish Divorce Project
 https://www.jewishdivorceproject.com

- The ManKind Project
 https://mankindproject.org

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BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy
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In this deeply moving episode of The ManKind Podcast, Brandon sits down with Andrew Newman, author, storyteller, TEDx speaker, and founder of Conscious Stories, to explore how the stories we hear as children shape our emotional lives as adults.

Andrew shares why most adult personal development work is really about repairing the first seven years of life and why he chose to focus his life’s work on supporting children before those wounds take root. Through storytelling, breathwork, and ritual, Andrew helps parents create emotionally safe, regulated, and connected moments with their kids, especially in the final 20 minutes of the day.

This conversation weaves together:

• The power of bedtime stories as co regulation and emotional repair
• Why children internalize belief systems before age seven
• How stories help kids install “I am good” as a core identity
• The role of breath and presence in emotional safety
• Why many men struggle with touch, trust, and vulnerability
• How men relearn safety and belonging through men’s work
• The long term impact of reading to children consistently
• Why healing trauma alone is not enough without self expression
• How to follow your spark instead of letting trauma lead your life
• Andrew’s upcoming adult work on unhiding yourself and reclaiming voice

Andrew also reads The Hug Who Got Stuck live on the show, demonstrating how storytelling can gently teach emotional regulation, self compassion, and resilience to both children and adults.

This episode is for parents, future parents, men doing inner work, and anyone who knows there is a younger version of themselves still longing to be seen, soothed, and encouraged to shine.

Andrew Newman adult work and books
 https://andrewnewman.me

Unhide Yourself (adult book, soft launch)

Conscious Stories (children’s books)
 https://consciousstories.com

Andrew Newman TEDx Talk: Why the Last 20 Minutes of the Day Matter

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In this episode, Brandon sits down with evolutionary psychology expert and bestselling author Tim Ash to break down why modern dating feels like a disaster for so many men and women. Tim explains how technology, culture shifts, online dating, and evolutionary wiring have collided to create a dating marketplace filled with confusion, frustration, and unmet expectations.

You’ll learn:

• Why men under 30 are having less sex than ever recorded
• How women’s economic rise reshaped the dating landscape
• The real evolutionary roots behind the “red pill vs feminist” war
• Why online dating skews the marketplace and inflates perceived value
• The three key decision points in mate selection
• How men can boost both attraction and provisioning skills
• Why confidence and competence beat cheesy pickup tactics
• What women are really optimizing for when selecting a partner

Links Mentioned

• Tim Ash website: https://PrimalTim.com

 • “Primal Dating” book info and resources: https://primaldating.com

• “Unleash Your Primal Brain” by Tim Ash: https://timash.com/books

• David Deida’s “The Way of the Superior Man”: https://deida.info/the-way-of-the-superior-man

• Mankind Project: https://mankindproject.org

Hearing the call? We're here. https://mkpusa.org

BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy
The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.
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Why do so many men struggle in silence—and what can we do about it?

In this powerful Men’s Health Month episode, host Boysen Hodgson is joined by Julien Devereux, a longtime MKP leader, therapist, and suicide prevention advocate. Together, they unpack the unseen emotional struggles many men carry, even in supportive spaces like men’s circles. Julien shares a proven, structured process to help groups talk openly about suicide and mental health—breaking the silence that often isolates men at their most vulnerable.

We also hear from Andy Miller, who founded the DRM Foundation after losing his 25-year-old son Drew to suicide. Andy’s reflections are raw and human, revealing both the pain of loss and the power of turning grief into action.

This episode is not just about raising awareness—it’s about learning to ask better questions, to create stronger circles of care, and to recognize when a man needs more than just support—he needs real help.

If you’ve ever lost someone to suicide, struggled yourself, or want to be better equipped to show up for the men in your life—this conversation is for you.

Key Links

Movember – The Real Face of Men’s Health Report
📄 https://us.movember.com/movember-institute/the-real-face-of-mens-health-report

DRM Foundation (Drew Miller Foundation)
🌐 https://www.drmfoundation.org

International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP)
🌐 https://www.iasp.info

QPR Institute – Suicide Prevention Training
🌐 https://qprinstitute.com

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BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy
The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.
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In this special Movember kickoff episode, Boysen Hodgson sits down with senior researcher Brian Heilman to unpack The Real Face of Men’s Health—Movember’s most ambitious report to date. They dive into why men’s health is a social issue, not just a personal one, and why caregiving, connection, and mental health are central to building a better future for men and the people who love them.

Brian shares surprising—and sobering—data on life expectancy, the loneliness epidemic, caregiving burdens, and suicide rates across racial and geographic lines. Together, they explore what the data tells us about modern masculinity and how men can break free from outdated norms to live longer, healthier, and more connected lives.

This episode is an urgent call to action for men to show up—not just for themselves, but for the people who need them. And yes, it’s time to grow that mustache.

Links:

• Movember Report: The Real Face of Men’s Health
  
  
• Join or Donate to Movember

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BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy
The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.
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What makes a strong father in today’s world? In this heartfelt and practical conversation, Dr. Meg Meeker, pediatrician and best-selling author of Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters
, joins Brandon Clift to explore the vital, often underestimated role dads play in shaping confident, resilient young women.

Dr. Meeker has spent decades counseling families, and her message is clear—your daughter doesn’t need perfection, she needs presence.

You will learn:

• Why your daughter’s sense of worth begins with how you see her
• The three pillars every daughter needs from her dad: attention, acceptance, and affection
• How to balance strength with emotional openness so your daughter feels both protected and seen
• What happens when parents argue in front of kids, and how to model healthy repair instead
• Why fathers must raise pioneers, not princesses, by teaching grit, work ethic, and perseverance
• Practical ways to reset after work so you can show up fully at home

This episode will change how you see fatherhood forever. Whether you’re raising toddlers or teens, this conversation will help you step into your daughter’s world as her protector, guide, and greatest influence.

🔗 Links and Resources from the Episode

• Dr. Meg Meeker’s Official Website
  
  
• Book – Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters
  
  
• Additional Titles by Dr. Meg Meeker
  
  
• Podcast – Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker

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BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy
The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.
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Lonely, Horny, or Hungry for More? Men and the Myths of Sex
with Dr. Eric FitzMedrud | ManKind Podcast

What if our hunger for sex is really a hunger for connection?

In this episode, Boysen Hodgson sits down with Dr. Eric FitzMedrud, therapist, educator, and author of The Better Man, to explore the emotional roots of modern male sexuality—and how many men are seeking healing in the wrong places.

From navigating rejection to redefining consent, Eric offers a grounded, compassionate roadmap for men who want to move beyond shame, loneliness, and entitlement—and into deeper, more meaningful connection.

Together, they explore the intersection of men’s work, emotional maturity, and sexual healing in a culture that rarely supports any of it.

🔥 Highlights & Takeaways

• Why sexual entitlement starts with emotional hunger—not lust
• The real difference between incel culture and men’s work
• How to develop platonic touch, community, and friendship as a man
• What it means to be emotionally resourced before entering a relationship
• Dr. FitzMedrud’s dating profile “funnel” strategy that actually works
• The role of co-regulation and consent in deeper intimacy
• A powerful reframe: sex isn’t a need—it’s a gift to share

🌐 More from Dr. Eric FitzMedrud

🔗 Visit: drericfitz.com

📱 Social: @DrEricFitz on all major platforms

Hearing the call? We're here. https://mkpusa.org

BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy
The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.
#Sponsorship #Ad

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