What does it really take to raise boys into good men in today’s world?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men Andrew Reiner—author of Better Boys, Better Men, discusses the evolving landscape of masculinity and what young men are up against today.

We dive into why so many boys are struggling in school, withdrawing emotionally, and falling behind—not just academically, but socially and mentally. Andrew shares powerful insights on “the boy code”—a set of unspoken rules that teach boys to suppress vulnerability, avoid asking for help, and always appear in control. 

We talk about everything from fatherhood to men's mental health, from emotional resilience to the long-term impact of those “man up” messages we throw around so casually. Andrew also reflects on how his own journey—and becoming a father—led him to challenge old beliefs and rewrite the script on masculinity.

If you’ve ever wondered:

Why do boys shut down emotionally?

What does healthy vulnerability look like for men?

How do we break the cycle of depression in men and build a better path forward?

…this episode is for you.

Timestamps:

Why does rejection affect us so deeply—and what can we do about it?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, professor of psychology Mark Leary uncovers the powerful role rejection plays in our lives. Drawing from decades of research, Mark explains how our sensitivity to rejection is deeply rooted in our evolutionary need to belong—and why that need still shapes our behaviour today.

We explore how rejection impacts self-esteem, relationships, and mental health, particularly for men, who are often discouraged from expressing vulnerability or acknowledging emotional pain. Mark offers valuable insight into how we can better understand our reactions to rejection, challenge unhelpful beliefs, and develop a more resilient sense of self.

Hear more from Mark:

Interpersonal Rejection Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Interpersonal-Rejection-Mark-R-Leary/dp/0195130146

Blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/toward-less-egoic-world

We all love to laugh! But have you ever stopped to think how humour can be used more consciously to help build resilience, cope with stress, and improve your relationships? 

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, comedian, author and humour strategist Paul Osincup explains how humour can be used as deliberately as things like yoga and meditation to improve our physical and mental health.

We explore the science and psychology behind humour and how you can start creating simple humour habits to bring more laughter and joy into your lives. Paul shares insights on using laughter intentionally to navigate tough emotions, communicate more openly, and break down the stigma around men’s mental health.

Learn more about Paul

Timestamps:

For the first episode of Season 2 of The Meaning of Men, we’re tackling a topic that’s shaping our lives in ways we don’t even realise—dopamine.

Dopamine plays a crucial role in how we think, feel, and behave. You’ve probably heard people talk about “dopamine hits” when scrolling through social media or chasing that next big achievement. But what is dopamine really? And how does it influence everything from our motivation to our mental health?

To help us break it all down, we're joined by Michael Long— author, speechwriter, and expert in human behaviour. We explore how dopamine drives us, when it helps, when it hurts, and most importantly, how we can take control of it rather than letting it control us. What's clear from this discussion is that better understanding dopamine is key to better mental health awareness.

Be sure to check out Michael's new book: https://TamingTheMolecule.com to learn more!

We'll be launching Season 2 on Tuesday 25th March. Stay tuned!

In the Season 1 Finale of The Meaning of Men, Rachel Duncan shares the harrowing story of her nephew, James Bascoe Smith, who survived a brutal knife attack in Brixton in 2021. Once a talented gymnast and aspiring music producer, James was left with life-altering injuries after being stabbed multiple times in a case of mistaken identity. 

Is anxiety in men being fundamentally misunderstood? In this episode of The Meaning of Men Dr Krista Fisher, research fellow at Movember, unpacks how anxiety shows up differently in men—and why that often leads to it being overlooked.

Dr Krista shares groundbreaking insights from her research, revealing that men often express anxiety through physical symptoms rather than emotional distress. We also discuss how deeply ingrained ideas about masculinity can stop men from recognising when they need help, and in turn increase their symptoms.

So how do you know when it’s time to take action? And what can you do about it? This episode is packed with valuable takeaways for anyone invested in men’s mental well-being.

For this weeks reflections session, we look back at our conversation with psychotherapist Aaron Balick who discussed how social media algorithms can impact our view of the world, our sense of identity and ultimately our mental health. 

What happens when the thing that defines you is suddenly taken away?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, ex professional MMA fighter Kojo Lewis shares the untold side of combat sports—the fear, the self-doubt, and the struggle to find purpose beyond the fight. From a chaotic upbringing to the highs of professional competition, Kojo used martial arts as a way to prove his worth. But when injuries forced him to retire, he was left questioning everything.

Now a coach and mentor, he’s passionate about mental health awareness and helping others develop resilience—without needing to fight to prove themselves.

This is an honest conversation about men’s mental health, discipline, and learning to be comfortable in your own skin.

For this weeks reflections session we look back at our conversation with Tom Bailey, who shared his experience of suffering postnatal depression after the birth of his son.