To Be A Boy cover art
Podcast · 53 episodes

To Be A Boy, page 2

by Joeli Brearley and Elliott Rae · English

To Be A Boy dives into the chaos of raising boys today — from dodgy masculinity myths to the wild world of online culture. Joeli Brearley and Elliott Rae mix humour with sharp takes on the policies, systems and social norms shaping boys’ lives. It’s real talk, big laughs, and a nudge toward a fairer future.

All episodes, page 2

Skincare, Stand‑Up & Surviving Grief with Darren HarriottIn this episode of *To Be A Boy*, hosts Joeli Brearley and Elliott Rae welcome comedian Darren Harriott.10 Feb 2026 · 1 h · 18 chapters
Why So Many Men Are Struggling - And What Helps (with Gary Barker)In this episode of *To Be A Boy*, hosts Joeli Brearley and Elliott Rae engage with Gary Barker, CEO of Equimundo, in a candid discussion about the challenges faced by boys and men today, including…3 Feb 2026 · 1 h 1 min · 20 chapters
The intelligent and compassionate education of Boys with Richard PomfrettThe Intelligent and Compassionate Education of Boys with Richard Pomfrett27 Jan 2026 · 1 h 1 min · 25 chapters
Sharing the Care: A Sort Of Love Story In this episode, hosts Joeli Brearley and Elliott Rae engage in an insightful conversation with author Melissa Hogenboom, discussing the complexities of unpaid labor in modern family life.22 Jan 2026 · 36 min · 19 chapters
Share the Care: How Supporting Mums Helps Families Thrive with Marci El-Deiry and PhilipsPhilips Avent research and campaign “Share the Care” about mums’ self-care time, mental load, and how sharing care helps families thrive.20 Jan 2026 · 39 min · 14 chapters
To Be A Prime Minister: Keir Starmer and the Employment Rights ActKeir Starmer discusses the newly Royal Assented Employment Rights Act, framed as the biggest employment legislation change in a generation, focusing on parental rights, discrimination protections,…15 Jan 2026 · 36 min · 18 chapters
The Conversations That Changed UsTo Be A Boy podcast episode “The Conversations That Changed Us” is a year-end reflection by hosts Elliot Ray and Jolie Brilly on how specific guests reframed parenting and masculinity.23 Dec 2025 · 37 min · 12 chapters
Raising a Boy with Autism: A Journey Through Stigma and StrengthDeborah Ottobambo, a childcare lawyer and mother of three, discusses raising her 21-year-old son Malachi, who was nonverbal and later diagnosed with autism (initially labeled “complex communication…15 Dec 2025 · 58 min · 17 chapters
Algorithms, Allyship & AI Girlfriends: Growing Up Boy in 2025 with Lee ChambersModern masculinity and boys’ experiences in Britain, focusing on allyship, social division, digital life, and AI “girlfriends”/companions.9 Dec 2025 · 44 min · 14 chapters
Mirror, Mirror on Masculinity: Are We Getting It Right?The Mirror on Masculinities Report (Channel 4 + National Research Group) examines how media and TV advertising shape young men’s ideas of masculinity, and argues for more relatable, positive male…2 Dec 2025 · 49 min · 18 chapters
Make Love Not Porn: a guide for men, boys and the real world with Cindy GallopCindy Gallop argues that easy access to hardcore porn plus society’s reluctance to talk openly about sex turns porn into “sex education by default,” shaping boys’ and men’s expectations, anxieties,…25 Nov 2025 · 1 h 1 min · 27 chapters
Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?Discussion of a British Vogue article by Shantae Joseph, “Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?”, and why some women now feel shame about dating/being partnered.18 Nov 2025 · 43 min · 17 chapters
Child Swap & the emotional fallout of the John Lewis Christmas adThe episode discusses International Men’s Day and Men’s Mental Health Month, how inclusion messaging feels quieter this year, and the need for community-led action rather than corporate performative…11 Nov 2025 · 29 min · 9 chapters
THE John Amaechi on men, masculinity and monsters.Masculinity, identity, and “monsters” (how boys/men are shaped by fear, belonging, and the stories they’re told), with lessons for parenting, coaching, and workplace leadership.4 Nov 2025 · 59 min · 23 chapters
The Don of Boys and Men: Richard ReevesRichard Reeves discusses why boys and young men are struggling in the UK and how to talk about masculinity, education, mental health, fatherhood, and labor participation without framing it as…28 Oct 2025 · 59 min · 25 chapters
Questions with... our Kaley“Question Time with Kaylee” on To Be A Boy, focusing on dating expectations for men (“the ick” vs emotional availability), what makes a “good man” in music, regional/intersectional differences in the…21 Oct 2025 · 34 min · 11 chapters
(Gentle) Parenting with Sarah Ockwell-SmithGentle parenting and gendered treatment of boys from birth, arguing that society (not parents or social media) drives boys’ poorer outcomes.14 Oct 2025 · 1 h · 19 chapters
Class, Culture, and the Classroom: A New Vision for Boys’ EducationBoys’ education in England through the lens of class and culture, arguing that the GCSE and higher-education attainment gaps persist due to socioeconomic inequality, school expectations, and…7 Oct 2025 · 49 min · 19 chapters
LIVE! from The Working Dads’ SummitLive recording from the Working Dads’ Summit (hosted by Parenting Out Loud) focused on how equal, visible fathering (“parenting out loud”) can reduce the motherhood penalty and improve outcomes for…30 Sep 2025 · 30 min · 13 chapters
Redefining Roles and Relationships with Beyond EqualityBeyond Equality discusses “healthy masculinity” and redefining roles/relationships for boys and men, especially amid the 2025 “Adolescence” media spotlight.23 Sep 2025 · 1 h 3 min · 23 chapters
Out with Aggression: Raising Sweet Boys with Tosha SchoreRaising emotionally intelligent, connected, compassionate boys by addressing aggression without shame, blame, or punishment.16 Sep 2025 · 56 min · 20 chapters
Series 3 BABY! Back to School, Back to BoyhoodThis episode of To Be a Boy (Series 3 intro) is about back-to-school life, the emotional “letting go” parents feel as children move into secondary school, and launching initiatives to support working…9 Sep 2025 · 25 min · 11 chapters
From Grunts to Growth: Talking Boys with Christopher PepperHow boys’ health and wellbeing are shaped by rigid masculinity norms, and how parents can support emotional openness, healthy relationships, safer gaming, body image, and racism conversations.19 Aug 2025 · 54 min · 19 chapters
Raising Better Boys with Uju AsikaRaising boys who do better—how to raise kind, non-chauvinist sons; disrupt sexism (hostile and benevolent); teach privilege/accountability; support Black boys in the UK education system; and handle…12 Aug 2025 · 51 min · 19 chapters