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This powerful episode dives straight into the heart of modern masculinity—what it means today, why so many men are struggling, and how we rebuild a healthier model that empowers everyone. Anne and guest Kirk Kappelhoff unpack the silent crises affecting men: rising loneliness, collapsing purpose, decreasing financial and academic performance, and the emotional suppression that’s costing lives. They explore why young men feel disconnected, why so many are having less sex, and how societal narratives have confused “healthy masculinity” with “harmful masculinity.” Through research, personal stories, and grounded frameworks, Kirk shares how men can reclaim strength, purpose, emotional intelligence, and relational depth without abandoning their innate instincts. Anne opens up about the lessons that shaped her own transformation, the emotional patterns men inherit, and how anger, vulnerability, and EQ influence success far more than most realize. From redefining what it means to be a man in 2025 to understanding the inner war all men face, this episode is a roadmap for growth—for men, women, partners, parents, and anyone committed to building stronger humans.

Kirk Kappelhoff is a finance executive, entrepreneur, and content creator dedicated to helping men live with purpose, strength, and clarity. As Director of Strategic Finance at Drivetrain.ai and Co-Founder of Kappel & Rudd, he’s built a career at the intersection of analytical rigor and human performance — helping companies scale through financial modeling, forecasting, and M&A strategy.

Beyond business, Kirk is the creator of Project Alpha 8, a movement and upcoming book exploring the eight challenges of modern masculinity: mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, social, financial, vocational, and relational. Drawing from Stoic philosophy, psychology, and real-world experience, his work aims to redefine what it means to be a strong man in today’s world — disciplined, purposeful, and grounded in truth.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkkappelhoff/

https://projectalpha8.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@Kirkkappelhoff

This podcast dives deep into real, raw topics—think vulnerability, triggers, and childhood trauma. But just so we're super clear: I’m not a licensed therapist, mental health professional, or anything close. I’m just a human sharing stories, lessons, and life hacks based on personal experience and a whole lot of curiosity.

So, while you might find some golden nuggets here, this is not therapy and should never replace professional mental health care. If you or someone you love is going through it, please—seriously—reach out to a licensed therapist or healthcare provider. You deserve the real deal.

Need Help Now?
Here are a few amazing resources:

· 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.): Call or text 988
· NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or nami.org/help
· Therapy Directory: psychologytoday.com
· Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

The opinions expressed on this show are ours and ours alone—no official organizations are responsible for what we say (or how much we overshare).