Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
** DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE NOW**
What does it actually mean to be a man in a world where the old rules no longer seem to apply?
Social scientist Richard Reeves joins the show for a clear-eyed, data-driven conversation about why so many men feel untethered - and why the loudest online answers are mostly wrong. From “strength under control” to the quiet crisis facing boys and young men, this is a conversation about purpose, identity, and what masculinity is for, not what it’s against.
We explore why rapid economic and social change has left many men without a clear script, how online culture amplifies extreme reactions, and why boys and young men are quietly struggling in education, work, mental health, and social connection.
**If you liked this episode, you might likes these.**
Ro Khana on "The American Dream" -- youtu.be/qR6Kkp8P-Tk
Gretchen Rubin on "How to be Happier -- youtu.be/onhtAqXVcHA
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Exclusive Deals for our listeners –
Head to MarleySpoon.com/ALIVE for up to 25 FREE meals!
Check out Little Saints and discover your Magic Hour. Visit littlesaints.com and use code ALIVE to get 15% Off Your First Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Alive with Steve Burns - Season One Episode 17 | Richard Reeves
Instagram: @alivewithsteveburns
TikTok: @alivewithsteveburns
————————————————
Chapters:
00:14 titles
00:25 Steve says hi
00:36 what does it mean to be a man
01:42" that pisses me off"
03:02 who is Richard Reeves
04:06 getting to the interview
04:52 masculinity is always in flux
09:05 masculinity vertigo , what's going on
11:03 do women's changing roles change men's role?
12:20 "keep it boring"
12:40 men's incomes vs women's
14:36 do men just want clarity?
16:58 "I have anxiety about this."
18:05 "I'll make I'll feel worse before I make it better"
18:41 men aren't falling for the bullsh*t
22:25 polarization of men and women
25:18 the real problems of men, scary stats
24:40 losing 400,000 a year to drugs
30:45 many men are walking away
33:28 15% of men don't have a single friend
35:10 men want marriage more than women
37:33 soft + tough, redefining masculinity
40:52 the future is equality
41:25 farewells to Richard
42:36 takeaways
44:14 reflections on personal change
46:11 you look great
————————————————
There are a thousand podcasts you can listen to. This one listens back.
Alive with Steve Burns continues the conversation you began all those years ago. Back then it was letters and numbers and graham crackers. Now it’s all the big, messy questions of being alive. Why does money stress us out? Is the American dream gone? What’s the future of truth?
Each week, a new guest drops by Steve’s window for a genuine and respectful dialogue between two people just trying to figure it out, together.
Funny, tender, and just a little weird, this show invites you to sit down and think with Steve once again and wonder… what it really means to be Alive.
Keywords: Steve Burns, Richard Reeves, what is masculinity, toxic masculinity, what it means to be a man right now, masculinity crisis, modern masculinity, men and masculinity today, why men are struggling, male loneliness epidemic, men’s mental health crisis, redefining masculinity, masculinity and identity, masculinity in modern society, fatherhood and masculinity, gender roles, men and gender roles.
#steveburns
#adulting
#podcast
#richardreeves
#masculinity
#genderroles
** DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE NOW**
What does it actually mean to be a man in a world where the old rules no longer seem to apply?
Social scientist Richard Reeves joins the show for a clear-eyed, data-driven conversation about why so many men feel untethered - and why the loudest online answers are mostly wrong. From “strength under control” to the quiet crisis facing boys and young men, this is a conversation about purpose, identity, and what masculinity is for, not what it’s against.
We explore why rapid economic and social change has left many men without a clear script, how online culture amplifies extreme reactions, and why boys and young men are quietly struggling in education, work, mental health, and social connection.
**If you liked this episode, you might likes these.**
Ro Khana on "The American Dream" -- youtu.be/qR6Kkp8P-Tk
Gretchen Rubin on "How to be Happier -- youtu.be/onhtAqXVcHA
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Exclusive Deals for our listeners –
Head to MarleySpoon.com/ALIVE for up to 25 FREE meals!
Check out Little Saints and discover your Magic Hour. Visit littlesaints.com and use code ALIVE to get 15% Off Your First Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Alive with Steve Burns - Season One Episode 17 | Richard Reeves
Instagram: @alivewithsteveburns
TikTok: @alivewithsteveburns
————————————————
Chapters:
00:14 titles
00:25 Steve says hi
00:36 what does it mean to be a man
01:42" that pisses me off"
03:02 who is Richard Reeves
04:06 getting to the interview
04:52 masculinity is always in flux
09:05 masculinity vertigo , what's going on
11:03 do women's changing roles change men's role?
12:20 "keep it boring"
12:40 men's incomes vs women's
14:36 do men just want clarity?
16:58 "I have anxiety about this."
18:05 "I'll make I'll feel worse before I make it better"
18:41 men aren't falling for the bullsh*t
22:25 polarization of men and women
25:18 the real problems of men, scary stats
24:40 losing 400,000 a year to drugs
30:45 many men are walking away
33:28 15% of men don't have a single friend
35:10 men want marriage more than women
37:33 soft + tough, redefining masculinity
40:52 the future is equality
41:25 farewells to Richard
42:36 takeaways
44:14 reflections on personal change
46:11 you look great
————————————————
There are a thousand podcasts you can listen to. This one listens back.
Alive with Steve Burns continues the conversation you began all those years ago. Back then it was letters and numbers and graham crackers. Now it’s all the big, messy questions of being alive. Why does money stress us out? Is the American dream gone? What’s the future of truth?
Each week, a new guest drops by Steve’s window for a genuine and respectful dialogue between two people just trying to figure it out, together.
Funny, tender, and just a little weird, this show invites you to sit down and think with Steve once again and wonder… what it really means to be Alive.
Keywords: Steve Burns, Richard Reeves, what is masculinity, toxic masculinity, what it means to be a man right now, masculinity crisis, modern masculinity, men and masculinity today, why men are struggling, male loneliness epidemic, men’s mental health crisis, redefining masculinity, masculinity and identity, masculinity in modern society, fatherhood and masculinity, gender roles, men and gender roles.
#steveburns
#adulting
#podcast
#richardreeves
#masculinity
#genderroles
