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Season 4, Episode 3 | Guest: Jake Stika – Unpacking toxic masculinity
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Our latest podcast introduces the new series, Inclusion Table Talks, which is included in our regular programming. In this episode, Anne-Marie Pham speaks with Jake Stika, Executive Director at Next Gen Men, about men's essential role in the DEIA ecosystem. Jake reminds us of the damaging impact of perpetuating our patriarchal system and how his organization is actively working to include men and boys not only for allyship but also benefactors whose life experiences are valued and important.
Jake emphasizes the need to recognize how the active exclusion of men has negatively affected their roles and contributions within DEIA efforts and shares insights into reframing this narrative for true inclusion.
Listener discretion advised: This episode contains a brief discussion of Jake’s personal story, which touches on sensitive topics including substance use, depression, self-harm, bullying, and suicide. These references occur between 6:10 and 7:55. If you find these topics distressing, we encourage you to pause, skip this section, or seek professional support as needed.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Jake Stika describes who he is and what inspired him to cofound Next Gen Men (NGM).
- Why men only think critically about masculinity much later in life than they probably should.
- The ins and outs of NGM as it continues to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
- How the company’s gender equity training protocol differs depending on the client.
- Why some men are omitted from gender equity conversations and how we can include them.
- How men are viewed as a societal problem to solve instead of as people who need help.
- The importance of men and women supporting each other in diverse gender debates.
- Why empathy (for everyone) matters and why we shouldn’t forget accountability.
- How capitalism is driving many conversations about gender equality and how we can fix this.
- Toxic masculinity: What it means, how it manifests, and why its wording needs a reshuffle.
- Jake critiques popular gender-based terms with advice on how to avoid them.
- How the everyday person can support gender equity initiatives in rethinking masculinity.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
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