In Part 2 of The Weight of the Armor, hosts Ares, Marie, and Slanie continue their powerful conversation with Ashley, moving beyond definitions of toxic masculinity and into the lived realities of navigating masculinity in dating, relationships, and community spaces.
Building on the foundations laid in Part 1, this episode dives deeper into how masculine expectations show up in everyday interactions—particularly within bi+ and queer communities. Ashley reflects on how masculinity is perceived by others, how those perceptions influence attraction and intimacy, and the tension between authenticity and the pressure to perform masculinity in certain ways.
The discussion explores themes of emotional vulnerability, consent, and hypersexualisation, unpacking how toxic masculinity can persist even in spaces that are meant to feel safe and affirming. The hosts examine how these dynamics affect communication, trust, and connection, and why unlearning harmful norms is essential for healthier relationships.
With honesty, humour, and thoughtful reflection, The B-Side creates space for nuance—acknowledging that masculinity is not something to be rejected outright, but something that can be reshaped with care, accountability, and self-awareness.
This episode invites listeners to consider what it really means to show up as themselves, to connect without armour, and to imagine masculinity beyond rigid roles and expectations.
