To Be A Boy

Joeli and Elliott are joined by Shuab Gamote, advocate for young people, strategic adviser to the NEETs Commission, and co-author of Inside the Mind of a 16-Year-Old.
Shuab has spoken to more than 1,000 young people across the UK, and in this conversation he shares what they are really saying about school, work, confidence, social media, COVID, class, AI, safety, and the future. Together, they explore why so many boys feel misunderstood, why the education system is failing some young people, and why confidence, purpose, trusted adults and real-world opportunities matter so much.
It’s a wide-ranging, hopeful and deeply human conversation about what boys are navigating today, and what parents, schools, employers and policymakers can do to help them feel seen, valued and ready for the world ahead.

In a world of social media, body pressures, dating confusion and manosphere content that’s only getting louder, what does it mean to be a young man right now?

In this episode, Elliott and Joeli speak to Ricardo Barcello, a 19-year-old student and member of the Movember Youth Advisory Board, about what life really feels like for young men today. From gym culture and skincare anxiety to friendship, misogyny, dating and the growing divide between boys and girls, Ricardo brings honesty, empathy and much-needed nuance to the conversation.

This week, Elliott is joined by educator and campaigner Andrew “Bernie” Bernard, with Koru Kid's very own Rachel Carrell stepping in brilliantly as co-host.

Hold tight for this one, the team are going deep on some big topics and have some genuinely thought-provoking questions to a big conversation about boys, masculinity and the world they’re growing up in. Together, they unpack everything from the manosphere and controlling behaviour to why boys need boundaries, care and, as Bernie puts it, a healthy sense of humour. It's a moving episode that's going to stick with you.

Join Joeli and Elliott as we revisit our conversation with John Amaechi to talk all things sports, identity and masculinity, emphasising the importance of emotional intelligence and intimacy among men. John reflects on his experiences as a latecomer to basketball and how it shaped his understanding of masculinity. They also roll up their sleeves and delve into the societal pressures surrounding masculinity, the need for empathy, and the responsibility of parents and coaches in nurturing healthy relationships. John advocates for a redefinition of masculinity that embraces vulnerability and connection, urging listeners to foster environments where boys can express their emotions freely and develop meaningful relationships: it's right up our street.

Meadhbh Park, author of Blackpilled and expert in countering violent extremism, joins Joeli and Elliott to unpack the ideologies pulling young men towards the darkest corners of the internet. From the nihilistic “black pill” philosophy and incel communities to the mainstream creep of looks-maxing culture and self-optimisation content, she maps the full landscape of the Manosphere and explains why loneliness, not hatred, is often where it all begins.The conversation gets practical too. Meadhbh shares the warning signs parents should watch for, why autistic and socially isolated boys are particularly vulnerable, and what tools can actually help. She also offers a more human portrait of the young men inside these communities than the headlines tend to allow: not monsters, but often deeply broken kids who found their first sense of belonging in the worst possible place.