In this episode of It’s Okay, Man, Christopher, co-host of the Failure to Franchise Podcast, and I explore how film and media have become the unspoken teachers of masculinity playing an unavoidable role in shaping how men see themselves, express emotion, and define strength.

From stoic heroes and violent saviors to emotionally repressed fathers and broken antiheroes, Hollywood has written the script for what it means to be a man. But what happens when those roles no longer fit?

Through a deep dive into pop culture and psychological reflection, we look at how cinematic portrayals influence real-world expectations — and how men can begin rewriting their own stories beyond the screen.

This conversation is about understanding how deeply it informs our inner narratives and what it means to build a new model of manhood that’s authentic, vulnerable, and human.

Key themes:

• How film and media define “real men”
• The emotional cost of the stoic hero archetype
• Masculinity as performance vs. identity
• Why representation matters — and what’s missing
• Reclaiming vulnerability as strength
• Rewriting the modern male narrative

Find Tyrone: https://hellotyrone.ca

Find Christopher: https://failuretofranchise.libsyn.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of It’s Okay, Man, I sit down with Matt Naismith, host of The Sowers Podcast, to explore masculinity through the lens of faith, leadership, and family.

Matt shares his definition of masculinity as “servant leadership” — a concept rooted in humility, responsibility, and love. Together, we unpack how this idea connects to modern fatherhood, faith, and the evolving expectations of men in today’s world.

From the dangers of apathy to the quiet strength found in emotional presence, we explore what it really means to lead — not through dominance, but through service. Matt also speaks candidly about balancing masculine and feminine energies, apologizing to his children, and finding freedom in faith and authenticity.

If you’ve ever wrestled with how to be both strong and kind, this episode offers a grounded, compassionate perspective on modern masculinity — one that invites reflection, humility, and hope.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Intro

03:00 – Defining Masculinity: The Servant Leader

10:00 – Faith, Redemption, and the Search for Purpose

18:00 – Masculinity in Modern Culture: Finding the Middle Ground

25:00 – Fatherhood, Presence, and Emotional Awareness

33:00 – Balancing Masculine and Feminine Energy

41:00 – Apology, Humility, and the Power of Example

50:00 – Closing Reflections: Keep Going, You Are Loved

Find Tyrone: https://hellotyrone.ca

Find Matt: https://www.instagram.com/thesowerspod/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of It’s Okay, Man, I sit down with licensed therapist Steph MacDonald for a deep and heartfelt conversation on masculinity, maturity, and what it really means to be human.

We explore how our understanding of masculinity evolves with life experience, illness, and self-reflection — and how labels like “masculine” and “feminine” often limit the deeper truths about who we are. Steph shares her story of surviving cancer, redefining her identity, and finding purpose in helping others explore their own “matters of the heart.”

Together, we unpack the difference between positive and harmful masculinity, the importance of emotional expression, and the courage it takes to build an authentic relationship with yourself.

EDIT: At 24:47 Steph labels herself as a "Clinical Counsellor". For ethics and transparency it should be noted that she misspoke and is a "Canadian Certified Counsellor."

Find Tyrone: https://hellotyrone.ca

Find Steph: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/stephanie-macdonald-calgary-ab/1441197

00:00 – Solo Intro: Why This Conversation Matters

03:00 – Redefining Masculinity Through Maturity

09:00 – Vulnerability, Labels, and the Human Experience

15:00 – Steph’s Journey: Illness, Growth, and Acceptance

23:00 – The Meaning of Legacy and Living Fully

31:00 – Men, Therapy, and Finding the Right Fit

39:00 – Building Emotional Awareness in Modern Masculinity

46:00 – Closing Reflections: Deepening the Relationship With Yourself

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of It’s Okay, Man, I sit down with therapist Rula Zaghal to explore masculinity, femininity, and the spaces in between. From the concept of men as “the rock” in relationships to the pressures of cultural expectations, we dive into how gender roles, feminism, and safety shape the human experience.

Rula also brings a powerful perspective as a Palestinian woman, challenging Western assumptions about freedom, equality, and inclusion. Together, we uncover how history, colonization, and cultural narratives continue to shape the ways we see masculinity, femininity, and each other.

If you’ve ever questioned what masculinity really means, how culture impacts identity, or how therapy can create space for authenticity and healing, this episode will leave you with plenty to reflect on.

Find Tyrone: https://hellotyrone.ca

Find Rula: https://www.equilibriumhealing.ca

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You know it's pretty crazy how intense the effects of masculinity can be. Our need to embody a concept that we're never told exactly what it is!

As more and more of these conversations happen it becomes clearer that this concept we subconsciously hold so high in terms of influence on our lives gets turned into an energy that we feel.

It's an energy that has to be turned up and focused on in some situations, and diminished in others.

It may just be the maturity to have control over it that becomes the mastery of it.

Today's guest Noor Kidwai, a Pakistani comedian living in Toronto. We met a couple weeks ago and spiritually connected almost immediately and I was overjoyed when he said he would love to come speak on the podcast.

From cruel masculine energy on stage in comedy, to his personal journey to spirituality and inner peace. This conversation sheds light on another beautiful experience of someone figuring it out as they go.

As always, I'm Tyrone, and you can find me at hellotyrone.ca

Enjoy.

Find Tyrone: https://hellotyrone.ca

Find Noor: https://www.noorkidwai.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Follow me @tyronethephilosopher

So much of masculinity is attached the concept of sacrificing oneself for the betterment of those around you. In the words of today's guest: Bend, but do not break.

We are a rock. A tether. For that or those which need us to attach themselves to as a form of safety while they fulfill their highest potential. But must do so in a manner that acknowledges and validates the autonomy and individuality of everyone that is not ourselves.

We must pour from our cup, into whatever we choose, and step into a form that is accountable to what we've promised to ourselves and others.

Today's guest is Matthew Labas. A long time friend and co-owner of the Black Label Property Group in St. Albert, Alberta. Matt stands tall as a proud husband, father of 3, and a fundamental figure for his real estate team as he has chosen a much more artistic and story-driven view not only for the properties and families he deals with. But for the story he is writing for himself and his family.

He is a beacon of positive masculinity and understands the balance between the historical feminine and masculine energies which he taps in to continually to ensure that everyone around him is both inspired and validated in their existence.

I know I say this every time, but it's true. This conversation is a special one.

As always, I am Tyrone, and you can follow me on socials at @tyronethephilosopher.

Enjoy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So many things that add up to become what we call masculinity.

Typically when the word is brought up images of power, protection, and strength appear in one's head.

But what about love, caring, and friendship? For no purpose other than having the ability and awareness to exist in such a way?

Today's guest is my long time friend Jeff Shaw. It is easy for me to call him a master of love and empathy but if someone were to look at him

235 pounds, bald head, big beard—they probably would not immediately think the same.

What is real peak masculinity if not for the genuine love and protection of all living things and not just things we can obtain and claim as our own.

Jeff pours all of his passion into everything he does and that is specifically why I wanted to talk to him about male friendship and veganism

to see how we could relate that back to what masculinity might really be.

As usual, I am Tyrone Powell and you can find me on socials at @ tyrone the philosopher.

Enjoy the show.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From erection.. to conception.

I have personal experience with this limited mindset of the expectations of male involvement in the fertility process.

Not to say I was a victim, but... I just didn't know.

The man supplies the sperm. The woman carries the baby. What more could I possibly do other than caring for my wife during the pregnancy?

I was so deep in this frame of mind that when my wife suggested I take supplements before we tried to get pregnant. I was basically just offended.

What do you mean my sperm isn't good enough? That's an insult to my masculinity.

But the most recent studies are showing that both the quality of the pregnancy and the health of the baby are highly linked to the mental, emotional, and physical health of the sperm donor.

This episode's guest is Doctor Nicole Broadhurst, co-founder of Holistic Fertility Group in the heart of St. Albert, Alberta. Her and her co-founder, Jeanine Mailloux, have created an integrative multidisciplinary Holistic Fertility Clinic where they specialize in helping people grow their families in a grounded and holistic way.

She says that more than ever, males are getting involved in the process leading up to pregnancy. Not just to troubleshoot when things go wrong, but in tandem with their partners to ensure the whole journey is one where they are both validated in their presence in the process of making it the best pregnancy possible.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.