Elliott and Joeli are joined by author and award-winning podcast host, Alex Holmes to explore the complex issues surrounding men’s mental health. And before that, they look at how 2025's International Women's Day has been received and what they take from that. As well as the personal reasons behind their passion for improving men's mental health. Strap in.

They examine the awful statistics of male suicide, and the challenges men face in forming meaningful connections. Society's ingrained norms often stifle emotional expression, and Alex talks us through the importance of fostering friendships among men.

Loneliness has a significant impact on well-being, and our team discuss the barriers men encounter when seeking mental health support.

Global Boyhood Initiative, conversation starter cards: https://www.boyhoodinitiative.org/resources?field_taxonomy_ref_target_id=6&field_audience_ref_target_id=All

Men's peer support groups:

Andy's Man Club: www.andysmanclub.co.uk

MusicFootballFatherhood: www.musicfootballfatherhood.com

Men and Boys Coalition: www.menandboyscoalition.org.uk

Professional Mental Health support: 

MIND: www.mind.org.uk/

CALM: www.thecalmzone.net

Contact your GP to access free NHS Talking Therapy

JOIN US IN JOINING THE RUTH WHIPPMAN FAN CLUB.

In this episode of To Be A Boy, Elliott and Joeli have a brilliant and engaging conversation with Ruth Whippman, the author of 'Boy Mum: Raising Boys in the Age of Toxic Masculinity’ and explore the complex challenges boys face in today's society.

Ruth offers her researched and insightful views on the dangers of toxic masculinity and the crucial importance of nurturing boys' emotional development. They discuss the significant impact of screens on boys' social lives, the complexities surrounding consent, and the educational system's role in boys' underachievement.

In the inaugural episode of To Be A Boy, hosts Joeli Brearley and Elliott Rae explore why they believe this podcast is so vital. They discuss the challenges of raising boys in today’s society, what it means to be a good man, and the pressing issues facing boys and men today – from mental health struggles to the impact of pornography, educational inequalities, and the need for positive male role models.

Joeli and Elliott share their personal motivations for launching the podcast, highlighting the urgent need for open conversations about masculinity and the power of male friendship. The episode kicks off an important dialogue on how we can better support boys and men in their journey to thrive.

Welcome to our new podcast, To Be A Boy: an exploration of boyhood and modern day men.

How do we raise kind, thoughtful, happy, healthy boys? Why are we seeing so many men embracing misogyny and the hard right? Does male privilege apply to all boys? Is Andrew Tate saying anything worth listening to, or is he just a sexist prick?

Joeli Brealey and Elliott Rae uncover answers to all of these questions and more on a mission to understand modern day masculinity and where we are potentially going wrong.

Join us and a bunch of incredible experts as we unpick what it means to raise boys and to be a boy in 2024 and beyond.