In this episode, I discuss with Jermail. Shelton, the benefit of creating male spaces in our community. Jermail and his wife, Brandi, are the owner of "Just Add Honey Tea Company," and he is also President and one of the founders of Undugu, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that focuses on men's health.

Jermail and I talk about how men need space to discuss the many challenges they face daily. We talk about how men have been conditioned to stay silent and "man up" when facing life struggles. Join us for a lively and affirming conversation.

Links:

http://www.unduguchopitup.com

https://justaddhoney.net/

Currently, there have been a few articles that have discussed the current male crisis. Other than highlighting the issues, none provide a solution to this problem. These commenters only point out the divide between the political right and left.

In this episode, I discuss how using the strategies employed by the feminist movement can be used by men to change the way men's roles are seen. Just as feminist leaders challenged and altered women's roles in modern society, discarding outdated sexist thinking, men need to be liberated from those roles.

What does the Darruis Jackson and KeKe Palmer controversy tell us about Masculinity and the problems of patriarchy? I believe that much of the commentary surrounding Mr. Jackson seems to enforce some of the issues that feminists like bell hooks discussing for years.

Let's Discuss

https://youtu.be/rPNwinQCbXQ

Welcome to today's thought-provoking episode of  In Search of ManHOOD ." I'm your host, Wesley Person, and in this installment, we delve into the fascinating topic of the Alpha Male myth. Join me as I challenge conventional wisdom, explore the complexities of dominance and leadership, and uncover the truth behind this widely misunderstood concept.

In this episode, we discuss the concept of the Alpha Male by examining the thoughts of Primatologist Frans De Waals. Dr. De Waals popularized the term “alpha male” in his groundbreaking book “Chimpanzee Politics," where he studied how chimps' social and political structure is much like ours. In a discussion on the Big Think Youtube channel, he discussed how the term is misused and how the alpha male depends more on empathy than brute strength. Dr. De Waals has dedicated his career to studying primate behavior and the social dynamics of chimps and apes. Using his understanding of how alpha males govern, I’ll dissect the Alpha Male myth, examining its historical context, misinterpretations, and the harm it perpetuates in society. I aim to shed light on a subject with long-clouded stereotypes and misconceptions.

During this episode, I challenge the simplistic view of dominance and explore the multifaceted nature of social hierarchies in animal groups, including primates. I discuss Dr. Waals's insight from his extensive research on cooperative behaviors, social bonds, and the role of collaboration in thriving communities. We discuss the limitations of dominance-based frameworks and the importance of recognizing the value of empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence.

Shifting our focus to human society, we examine how the Alpha Male myth has influenced cultural norms, gender expectations, and interpersonal relationships. We explore the consequences of perpetuating a narrow definition of masculinity and its harmful effects on individuals, families, and broader societal structures. Through this analysis, I plan to start a conversation to foster a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of what it means to be a leader or exhibit strength. 

By engaging in a constructive dialogue about redefining masculinity and leadership more inclusively and equitably, I hope to inspire examples of leadership styles prioritizing collaboration, empathy, and dismantling power imbalances. I also discuss the importance of fostering healthy role models and supporting positive masculinity as we strive for a more progressive society.

Thank you for listening, and please like and share this podcast. Also, please comment; it helps us know what we are doing right and what we could do better.

Thank You

Links:

Big Think: The 'alpha male' myth debunked ⁠https://youtu.be/inx2dMobzYs⁠

Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex among Apes ⁠https://a.co/d/8ar5IUB⁠

What makes a man a man? It sounds like a crazy question, but for the last 50 or so years, the things that were used to describe a man as changed. The women's movement has ushered massive changes in society. Women have moved from traditional roles to being the breadwinners, while men have taken a step back. Women can be whatever they want. There are no limits, yet men's roles as protectors/providers have been usurped with no replacement. In this episode, we asked the question: how do we redefine what it means to be a man in a post-feminist world, specifically what it means for Black men, a group that has struggled with the concept of being a man since our arrival in this country,

This is the first episode about modern manhood and how we need to reimage what it means to be a man. I want to have this talk after reading " Will to Change" by bell hooks and " Of Boys to Men: Why the Modern Man is Struggling." by Richard Reeves. Both books called for more attention to the plight of the modern male. This podcast will explore some of the issues facing men and some solutions that could address the problems.