What About Men? Loneliness, Love and Friendship

Masculinity is supposedly in crisis.
Is it?

What does that mean to you and for the world? Meanwhile, everybody’s talking about Adolescence and it seems like all the podcasts and shows are about men all of a sudden. Do you have thoughts? Want to share and discuss?

This time, we discuss Men’s Loneliness. Polls show that 1 in 4 men have no one to call in time of need. Headlines warn that boys and men have fewer friends and relationships than ever. Algorithms promise connection, yet many say they’ve never felt more isolated. From pandemic aftershocks to changing social norms, men of all ages say they crave deeper bonds but actually building them - well, that’s another story. Where do politics, culture, and personal choice intersect?
This informal discussion group is for anyone interested in how public debates around men and masculinity are unfolding across different perspectives. Every session, we read two short, recently published opinion pieces:

📰 One from a more conservative outlet
📰 One from a more liberal outlet

We flip a coin to decide which comes first, read together, and then dive into open discussion. No expertise required - just curiosity, respect, and a willingness to engage with different points of view.
This is a space for creating understanding, thinking constructively, and exploring new possibilities together. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or stuck. The social rules are shifting, the messages are often contradictory, and it can seem like the spotlight is always on the negatives. But change isn’t just about critique - it’s also about building something better. We’re not here to score points or tear things down, but to listen, reflect, and imagine what a healthier, more honest conversation about men and masculinity might look like.

📖 Readings provided at start (2 x 15 mins reading time)
🌍 Open to all irrespective of their beliefs

### Recordings

All sessions are recorded in full and made publicly available. Short excerpts may also be used for social media and outreach. Participants will appear in the recording and are asked to keep their camera on. By choosing to join, you confirm your consent to being recorded and having your input shared for educational and advocacy purposes. See our full Terms of Participation here.

If you do not wish to be recorded, you are welcome to join us via live stream where you will be able to ask questions in the chat.

We don’t have to agree. But we can think and inspire each other. If you’re tired of shallow takes and ready for something more grounded, thoughtful, and constructive - join us!