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What does it mean to be a modern man? The traditional version, a stoic/repressed bloke who’s simultaneously responsible for his family and mystified by their emotions, just doesn’t seem to fit anymore.

In this six-part podcast, Wairarapa-based former professional rugby player John Daniell, now a writer and father of two girls, meets up with Auckland journalist and student Glenn McConnell.

They try to work out why so many men pose with dead fish on Tinder, and talk to a prominent historian grappling with how a sport where putting your head between men’s buttocks became such a high point of New Zealand culture.

They also meet men using tikanga Māori as a framework for modern masculinity, a scientist talking about the way testosterone works, and others looking for answers to their own violent behaviour. 

Comedian Tom Sainsbury brings his own take, turning the Snapchat filter on masculinity in New Zealand.

The podcast is in six episodes - two episodes are released each weekend over three weeks from January 17.

where to listen

where to listen

You can listen to the podcast directly from this page, or through your favourite podcast app, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Trailer

He’ll Be Right

In this six-part podcast, former professional rugby player John Daniell and journalist Glenn McConnell travel New Zealand trying to find the rulebook for how to be a man in 2021.

Listen If you’re viewing this on a mobile you may need to tap twice to start the audio.

Episode 01 available on 17 January

Episode 02 available on 17 January

01

The All Black and the model

All Black prop Karl Tu'inukuafe feels the expectations that come with his size. Meanwhile, model Rob Tennent reckons women's clothes suit him better than men’s.

Listen Warning: This episode contains some strong language.
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02

‘Are you scared of me?’

When the word most associated with "masculinity" is "toxic", it's clear we have problems. In this episode, John and Glenn meet a man who has gone from abusing to helping to reform other abusive men.

Listen Warning: This episode contains some strong language.
If you’re viewing this on a mobile you may need to tap twice to start the audio.

Episode 03 available on 23 January

Episode 04 available on 23 January

03

Venus and Mars

Scout Barbour Evans, a parent who identifies as neither male or female, shares their experience with gender confirmation therapies. And Dr Erik Wibowo, a hormones expert, reveals if science backs gender expectations.

Listen Warning: This episode contains some strong language.
If you’re viewing this on a mobile you may need to tap twice to start the audio.

04

A Crisis

Last year, 654 people died by suicide – 471 of those were men. Suicide is an issue which affects everyone – and it has hit close to home for John, and the schoolboy rugby team he coaches.

Listen Warning: This episode contains some strong language.
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05

Tama Tū, Tama Ora

Pou Temara grew up, literally, in the bush. He's now a professor of tikanga. Glenn meets him to learn about Māori masculinity. He also talks to musician Troy Kingi about fatherhood, music and his culture.

Listen Warning: This episode contains some strong language.
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06

Becoming a modern man

John investigates Glenn’s misspent youth as the pair wonder what qualifies as a modern man. They meet Sean Mallon, an anthropologist at Te Papa, who says modern masculinity is still full of ritual and tradition.

Listen Warning: This episode contains some strong language.
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read more

read more

video

video

Snapchat dude, comedian Tom Sainsbury brings us his own unique take on the modern men of Aotearoa.

Skinny Steve

The pea protein powder isn’t working for Skinny Steve… he just wants to bulk up.

Never turn your nose up

No matter how big your nose is, this father says it’s important never to turn your nose up at those less fortunate.

credits
Presented and produced by John Daniell and Glenn McConnell
Associate producer Noelle McCarthy
Sound mix Andre Upston
Music Anthonie Tonnon
Executive producer Patrick Crewdson
Stuff podcast director Adam Dudding
Stuff commissioning editor Carol Hirschfeld
Video Tom Sainsbury
Photography Lawrence Smith
Designer and developer Sungmi Kim
Digital editor John Hartevelt
funded by
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