Shows
The Anti-Masc PodcastThe masculine urge to always be rightIn the first episode of season 2, I (Stef, no longer with the wife Alistair) take a deep dive into Joe Rogan's podcast episodes with Jordan Peterson, and Robert Malone. Both episodes have incited controversy due to promoting various conspiratorial thoughts, namely climate change denial in the case of Peterson, and anti-vaccine rhetoric by Malone.I look at how people, but mainly men in positions of power, use argumentation and their own rhetoric to convince others of their viewpoints, whether or not that viewpoint has an overall positive moral effect for society. Too often those in a position...2022-02-211h 02
The Anti-Masc PodcastChivalry - Part 2In the second part of our two episodes on chivalry, we make the distinction between acts of kindness and chivalry.We identify chivalry as a performance, something self-serving wrongly veiled as self-denial. In light of conversations that have caught more attention since the murder of Sarah Everard, we look at how positive acts to make women feel safer are quite the opposite to chivalry, in that they’re not self-serving and put others people’s comfort and safety first.We look at other conversations around gender in the media and how that influences societal views on m...2021-10-0350 min
The Anti-Masc PodcastChivalry - Part 1In this two-parter, we get on our high horses and talk about chivalry. We discuss the historical origins of the idea, how it's developed into the present day, and how even when it isn't rooted in physical violence, it still serves to maintain control.We explore how crucial honour is in relation to chivalry and how violence is used to preserve honour in different contexts. In the second part we take a closer look at chivalry in the present day and explore what we can do to change behaviours so that they're loess rooted in control.2021-08-1756 min
The Anti-Masc PodcastGun Violence: Public & Domestic TerrorismIn this episode we discuss guns, gun violence, and their relationship with men. We look at the often over-looked relationship between domestic violence (or domestic terrorism) and public terrorism. This also leads us to touch on how networks of inspiration (and manipulation) develop among terrorists.While we're just some lowly British citizens, we also consider the particularities of guns and gun culture in the USA in a little more depth. We also explore our own exposure to guns from a young age - how violence is so central to the concept of manhood as children...2021-05-201h 01
The Anti-Masc PodcastPassing Down the BanterIn this episode Alistair just will not shut up about swimming lessons at school.But more seriously, we talk about body image, how it's so commonplace to comment on people's bodies growing up, and how people do or don't break away from harsh words in the changing rooms. We confront the age-old fear of getting a boner in the changing rooms and how it's totally normal and probably won't happen ever if we just realised it was a normal concern.We chat a bit about banter among young men and particularly jokes passed down by...2021-04-1957 min
The Anti-Masc Podcast"Yes, all men"In this episode we look at how men can reflect on their own behaviours in light of the Sarah Everard case. We explore how such violence often takes place and how men can be more honest about the roots of violence - including how close to home it is. We're ultimately all responsible to make changes as men.We discuss a bit of feminist geography (ooo fancy) exploring urban spaces and the ideas behind gendered fear. We also delve into how the Sarah Everard case has been portrayed in the media, receiving more attention than other horrific...2021-04-0948 min
The Anti-Masc PodcastTouching Your BitsWe’re talking about every adolescent boy’s favourite subject. Bashing the bishop, spanking the monkey, or just plain old touching your bits. We ask why is there such a stigma, where do the taboos come from, and how can men learn from feminist conversations about masturbation. Tune in for the world’s first (and probably last) round of “Wank or No Wank”.Refs:With the Hand: A Cultural History of Masturbation by Mels van Driel;Beauty by Roger Scruton2021-03-1356 min
The Anti-Masc PodcastPolitical LeadersKey political leaders through the lens of masculinity, in particular Trump and Johnson. We discuss how narratives around male leaders emphasise conflict, toughness, and the need to win. After exploring how elite cultures sustain such attitudes and during the pandemic, we round off with a fun little quiz - “Putin or Poutine?”Refs:Angry White Men: American Masculinity at the End of an Era by Michael Kimmel.Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man by Mary L. Trump2021-03-131h 02
The Anti-Masc PodcastPilot - Incels, Dating Apps & DesireIn our pilot episode we take as our talking point a fascinating article from the London Review of Books by Amia Srinivasan titled Does Anyone Have The Right To Sex? In it, Srinivasan recounts the killing spree of self-pronounced “incel” Elliot Rodger in California, 2014. She uses this horrific event to open up a wider discussion around identity and desire, asking why certain people are considered less desirable and what can be done to challenge this. We use this article to discuss how men and people with more privileged identities can change attitudes that they think are “just a preference” and expl...2021-03-1355 min