What if the playbook you inherited for raising boys is outdated?
In this episode of WTF? Midlife, Chrissie and Marva dive into modern masculinity, emotional intelligence in boys, and why the old rules no longer fit today's reality.
From the myths of "toughness" to the missing tools for emotional resilience, we explore how parents, mentors, and partners can guide young men in a changing world. Whether you're raising a son, mentoring young men, or reflecting on your own upbringing, this conversation will help you see the bigger picture–and your role in rewriting it.
WTF? Midlife is where we unravel inherited scripts and ask what really works now.
You'll Learn:
- Why '90s parenting rules don't work in 2025
- How to raise boys with both strength and emotional intelligence
- The role of mothers in shaping safe spaces for sons
- Why failure and risk-taking are essential to growth
- How to normalize vulnerability without stripping away strength
- Why we must reparent ourselves as we guide the next generation
Key Takeaways:
- Presence matters more than perfection when raising boys
- Strength carries responsibility, not suppression
- Failure builds resilience and confidence
- Mothers play a critical role in modeling emotional intelligence
- Reparenting ourselves is a part of guiding the next generation
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction: Rethinking how we raise boys
01:16 – The changing landscape of parenting sons
01:48 – Generational shifts and emotional intelligence
02:44 – Mothers as safe spaces without fixing or control
03:58 – Challenges young men face today
05:29 – Communication and connection that actually work
06:54 – Modern masculinity and partnership dynamics
13:23 – The quiet crisis: mental health, isolation, retreat
23:23 – Normalizing vulnerability without oversharing
25:08 – Strength with responsibility (protector mindset redefined)
29:17 – Embracing failure and the power of practice
29:48 – How we pass down fear of failure (and how to stop)
30:26 – Career choices, calculated risk and real-world confidence
31:39 – Teaching resilience through natural consequences
32:18 – Balancing work, family, and evolving roles
36:46 – Scripts for open communication with sons
39:04 – Building emotional intelligence step-by-step
47:51 – Supporting independence without control
51:27 – Reparenting ourselves as we parent them
55:23 – Final thoughts and next steps
Subscribe for exclusive reflections and early access:
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Instagram: @whoareyounowpodcast
Behind the scenes: @chrissiecorner
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhoAreYouNowPodcast
Podcast hub: https://whoareyounowpodcast.com
Hosted by: Chrissie Morgan – Physical Therapist, Certified Master Life coach, and creator of the Body Awareness Method, a framework for reconnecting with your four bodies: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.