In today’s conversation, we’re diving into the treacherous waters of modern masculinity, emotional maturity, and why men and women often feel like aliens to each other—topics I've been mulling over as a mom raising two young boys. Joining me is Jacob Falkovich, the razor-sharp thinker behind Second Person Substack, who has a refreshingly nuanced take on dating dynamics, parenting taboos, and why online discourse around gender often leads us astray. Together we poke at the awkward truths, and ask: Can men safely express emotions? Is masculinity a checklist? And what happens when ambiguity becomes unbearable?
Jacob Falkovich writes on X at @yashkaf and on Substack at
Chapters
00:00 Navigating Modern Masculinity
06:38 The Impact of Parenting on Masculinity
12:21 Cultural Influences on Parenting Styles
18:35 The Role of Community in Child Development
26:31 Understanding Gender Dynamics in Relationships
33:08 The Alien Nature of Gender Differences
45:23 The Beauty Standards Debate
48:02 Emotional Maturity in Men
52:28 Navigating Conflict in Relationships
54:55 The Role of Communication in Marriage
01:00:08 Exploring Masculinity and Emotional Processing
01:02:52 The Search for Meaning in Modern Relationships
01:10:29 Polyamory and Parenting Dynamics
01:16:05 Balancing Individuality and Partnership
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