To Be A Boy (To Be A Boy)

Ever wondered why blokes these days seem lonelier than a post-laundry sock? Join Elliott and Joeli for this episode tackling the growing issue of male loneliness and the curious case of the disappearing close friendship. We'll also touch on the joys (and occasional woes) of parenting boys, and why broadening their understanding of success and emotional intelligence is vital.

Our expert, Max Dickins, will take us on a ride through thedynamics of male friendships, the pressures women face when their partners lack mates, and the skills needed to nurture lasting relationships.

From the difference between those online connections and the good old face-to-face connections, to the importance of diverse friendships for emotional support and general well-being, Max has got us covered.

As usual, we LOVE hearing from you! Get in touch about thisand any other episode: tobeaboyteam@gmail.com

This series is proudly supported by Bubble, the app to finda vetted sitter or nanny that’s trusted by 250k parents, including us! Whether it’s an urgent work deadline or a chance to unwind, Bubble connects you with vetted, trusted sitters who can be with you in as little as an hour: https://bubble.onelink.me/nnib/0d8hretm

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.

In this FOUR PARTER (you’re welcome) episode of To Be A Boy, Joeli and Elliott are debriefing us: bringing their unique voices and perspectives to the table as they delve into the international conversation happening around the Netflix show ‘Adolescence’.

The episode features a poignant conversation with Sarah (not her real name), a mother who courageously shares her child's journey and the impactful experiences they've faced. Our blue-haired psychotherapist, Sarah, offers insightful commentary on how these experiences shape young minds, while Ineke from the NSPCC provides invaluable practical advice and takeaways for parents and caregivers alike.

As always, the "To Be A Boy" podcast team invites listeners to join the conversation and share their thoughts. Your feedback on the show, our reflections, and our esteemed guests are our fuel so please get your digital pens out and reach out to us at tobeaboyteam@gmail.com. This episode will linger in your minds long after it ends, much like ‘Adolescence’.

NSPCC website: NSPCC | The UK children's charity | NSPCC

Where people can donate: Donate to Charity Online | Give to NSPCC today | NSPCC

Training and consultancy: NSPCC Learning | Safeguarding and child protection

Adult helpline: NSPCC Helpline | NSPCC Learning

Childine: Childline | Childline

Beyond Equality: https://www.beyondequality.org/

Future Men: https://futuremen.org/

Men and Boys Coalition: https://www.menandboyscoalition.org.uk/category/newsevents/

Father2Father: https://www.father2father.co.uk/

Alex Holmes: https://alexholmes.co/

This series is proudly supported by Bubble, the app to find a vetted sitter or nanny that’s trusted by 250k parents, including us! Whether it’s an urgent work deadline or a chance to unwind, Bubble connects you with vetted, trusted sitters who can be with you in as little as an hour:https://bubble.onelink.me/nnib/0d8hretm

In episode three of To Be A Boy, Elliott Rae and Joeli Brearley 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.

Alex highlights the need for better listening skills and emotional literacy to improve communication and bonding among men, calling for a cultural shift in our approach to masculinity and mental health. Worth a listen, isn’t it?

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

This series is proudly supported by Bubble, the app to find a vetted sitter or nanny that’s trusted by 250k parents, including us! Whether it’s an urgent work deadline or a chance to unwind, Bubble connects you with vetted, trusted sitters who can be with you in as little as an hour:https://bubble.onelink.me/nnib/0d8hretm

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.

This series is proudly supported by Bubble, the app to find a vetted sitter or nanny that’s trusted by 250k parents, including us! Whether it’s an urgent work deadline or a chance to unwind, Bubble connects you with vetted, trusted sitters who can be with you in as little as an hour: https://bubble.onelink.me/nnib/0d8hretm

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.

The team break down the need for stronger connections and understanding when it comes to raising boys, led by Ruth’s push for more critical thinking, curiosity, and care in nurturing the next generation. This is a not be missed eye-opening and delightfully thought-provoking listen for anyone looking to take a more compassionate and informed approach to boyhood.

This series is proudly supported by Bubble, the app to find a vetted sitter or nanny that’s trusted by 250k parents, including us! Whether it’s an urgent work deadline or a chance to unwind, Bubble connects you with vetted, trusted sitters who can be with you in as little as an hour: https://bubble.onelink.me/nnib/0d8hretm

In this week's episode of To Be A Boy, Sarah Sternberg, Director of Reimagining Masculinities at Movember, joins us to discuss their new report exploring the online health of men and boys. Movember is a leading global charity which has been transforming men's health research and services since 2003.

Join us as we discuss this ground-breaking report which explores who is engaging with masculinity influencers and the impact they are having on the mental and physical health of men and boys. Our co-host Elliott will be quietly joining us due to a lost voice (representing a facet of men's ill health!).

You can find the report here: movember.com/youngmenonline

And the parent toolkit kit here: movember.com/parenttoolkit

We hope you find it as useful as we do!

Welcome back to the "To Be a Boy" podcast! We are sharing a heartfelt thanks to our listeners for their overwhelmingly positive responses and thoughtful messages following the Adolescence special. Elliott opens up about parents feeling confused and a bit lost, while Joeli shares some reassuring advice to help navigate these turbulent times.

We are also joined by the brilliant Lenore Skenazy for a lovely chat uncovering the issues behind anxious parenting and sharing practical tips to give our kids a sense of independence and freedom to help them grow.

Lenore is the co-founder of Let Grow and the author of ‘Free-Range Kids’ and immediately changed Joeli and Elliott’s approach to parenting – we challenge you not the feel the same!

This series is proudly supported by Bubble, the app to find a vetted sitter or nanny that’s trusted by 250k parents, including us! Whether it’s an urgent work deadline or a chance to unwind, Bubble connects you with vetted, trusted sitters who can be with you in as little as an hour: https://bubble.onelink.me/nnib/0d8hretm