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Artwork for To Be A Boy

To Be A Boy

To Be A Boy
Mental Health
Masculinity
Parenting
Friendship
Loneliness
Andrew Tate
Misogyny
Male Identity
Male Privilege
Manosphere
Adolescence
Pornography
Toxic Masculinity
Gender Roles
Feminism
Men's Mental Health
Boys
2024
Child Development
Gen Z

Ever wondered how to navigate raising boys in this bonkers world? Enter To Be A Boy', where hosts Joeli Brearley and Elliott Rae tackle the murky waters of masculinity and boyhood. From societal stereotypes to the influence of porn, they provide a candid take on raising well-rounded boys. Expect personal anecdotes, belly laughs, and deep dives as they dismantle harmful clichés and champion honest ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes49Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Kids & FamilyParenting

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for To Be A Boy

Latest Episodes

Rerelease alert! First aired on 10 June 2025, this episode with our favourite feels even more relevant now that the government is flirting with the idea of booting under 16s off social media entirely. So we’re revisiting our chat with 15 year old Jos... more

Filmmaker, author and former rapper Fredi Nwaka joins Elliott and Joeli for a powerful, funny and deeply honest conversation about modern masculinity, fatherhood, vulnerability, identity, gang life and healing. From growing up as “the only Black boy ... more

In this episode of To Be A Boy, Elliott and Joeli bring together two seasoned secondary school teachers: Will in Newcastle and Machel in London to dig into pull back the curtain on what’s actually going on with boys today.

From “TikTokified” worldv... more

Comedian Darren Harriot joins us for a raw and unsurprisingly funny conversation about grief, masculinity and growing up after losing his dad at 11. From childhood depression to adult shame, from stand‑up as survival to the pressure men feel to “hold... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Fredi Nwaka
Father of five, award-winning filmmaker, and author of the memoir 'Boy'
Episode: From Gang Life to Gentle Fatherhood: Fredi Nwaka & a Varied Modern Manhood
Darren Harriott
Comedian and host of the podcast Father Figuring
BBC Sounds
Episode: Skincare, Stand‑Up & Surviving Grief with Darren Harriott
Melissa Hogenboom
Author of The Motherhood Complex and Breadwinners
Episode: Sharing the Care: A Sort Of Love Story
Marci El-Deiry
Representative from Philips Avent who discusses self-care for mothers.
Philips Avent
Episode: Share the Care: How Supporting Mums Helps Families Thrive with Marci El-Deiry and Philips
Keir Starmer
Prime Minister of the UK, former director of Public Prosecutions, a father, and a knight of the realm.
UK Government
Episode: To Be A Prime Minister: Keir Starmer and the Employment Rights Act
Ruth Whipman
Author focused on raising boys and the associated challenges.
None given
Episode: The Conversations That Changed Us
John Amaechi
Former professional basketball player, psychologist, and advocate.
None given
Episode: The Conversations That Changed Us
Deborah Otubambo
Mother of three, childcare lawyer and advocate for children with autism
Episode: Raising a Boy with Autism: A Journey Through Stigma and Strength
Joe Hall
Media professional from Channel 4
Channel 4
Episode: Mirror, Mirror on Masculinity: Are We Getting It Right?

Hosts

Joeli Brearley
Co-host known for her insightful and candid discussions on masculinity, parenting, and societal expectations, often integrating personal reflections and narrative storytelling.
Elliott Rae
Co-host recognized for fostering open dialogues on topics affecting boys and masculinity, balancing serious themes with humor and relatability.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 162 ratings
  • Finding their voice

    I think they are finding their voice as a new podcast, and have found episodes to improve over time. Format struggles a bit, and doesn’t always flow smoothly. Overall a worthy listen as a new mother to a boy and feel like this content is much needed. I look forward to seeing how they evolve and grow over time!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    ewalk7198
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great guests, discussing important issues

    Elliott and Joeli are a great combination, I like the banter between them. But it’s the guests so far that have made this a great listen. The four-parter on Adolescence in particular is really good. Looking forward to more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tallcmp172
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Thank you

    Thank you so much for creating this podcast!! I am a mum of 3 boys and I am determined to raise the next generation of happy, grounded, kind and connected boys. For the world to be a better place for all boys and girls and future adults! We need this so much! So very excited to follow this! 🔥🙏🙏🙏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Popcast_for_kids
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Hoping you go deeper

    I’m 1.5 episodes in and it all feels a bit Blue Peter so far. Planning to persevere because the topic is so important to me but really hoping you both go on a steep learning curve as the series progresses. Ep 1 you say the idea partly came from MeToo and basically wanting to avoid bringing up a predator. Hmmm. Ep2 you show dismay at the global DEI climbdown - policies which are literally about assuming males have ‘privilege’ and must be deprioritised. As things stand I am not convinced you’re th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Bonbonbons585
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Love most of the content, frustratingly heteronormative

    I love the premise of this podcast and thoroughly enjoyed the first episode.

    The second I struggled to engage with.

    The descriptions of relationship dynamics particularly in the intro were exclusively about hetro cis couples. It felt exclusive and not really good enough for 2025

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    LouLaabelle
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall sentiments suggest that the podcast is valuable for those looking to navigate the complexities of raising boys in today's society.
The variety and quality of guests are frequently highlighted, with many episodes resonating strongly with parental concerns.
Listeners appreciate the personal narratives and humorous insights from the hosts, feeling that the content is both relevant and engaging.
Some feedback mentions a desire for deeper exploration of certain topics, reflecting the importance of ongoing conversations around masculinity and parenting.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

From Gang Life to Gentle Fatherhood: Fredi Nwaka & a Varied Modern Manhood
Q: What are some messages you want to convey to boys struggling to find their place?
Fredi emphasizes being true to oneself, valuing individuality, and reinforcing the importance of open conversations.
From Gang Life to Gentle Fatherhood: Fredi Nwaka & a Varied Modern Manhood
Q: How did you find the strength to share your experience of sexual abuse publicly?
Fredi felt compelled to share his experience after realizing the impact his story had on others, and he hoped to give them the permission to speak up too.
From Gang Life to Gentle Fatherhood: Fredi Nwaka & a Varied Modern Manhood
Q: How has your experience shaped your parenting style with your sons?
Fredi emphasizes the importance of showing vulnerability and affection to his sons, breaking the cycle of traditional masculinity.
From Gang Life to Gentle Fatherhood: Fredi Nwaka & a Varied Modern Manhood
Q: Why was it important for you to tell your story and share so honestly?
Fredi felt it was crucial to give a voice to men suffering in silence, aiming for a legacy that his children can look up to.
Skincare, Stand‑Up & Surviving Grief with Darren Harriott
Q: Since you've been talking more openly, what have you learned about how men process grief?
Men are beginning to talk about their feelings more openly due to high suicide rates and the pressure of traditional masculinity.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About To Be A Boy

What is To Be A Boy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners are invited to explore the complexities surrounding the upbringing of boys in today's society through engaging conversations and heartfelt discussions. Key themes include the influence of societal expectations on masculinity, the importance of male role models, and the challenges boys face, such as mental health struggles and educational disparities. Episodes often feature personal anecdotes from the hosts, supplemented by insights from various experts, providing a layered understanding of contemporary issues affecting young boys, such as the impact of media and parenting dynamics.

This podcast stands out for its candid and humorous approach to serious topics, embracing a supportive community atmosphere. It not only addresses the... more

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Which podcasts are similar to To Be A Boy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with To Be A Boy:

1. How To Fail With Elizabeth Day
2. Miss Me?
3. Happy Place
4. Ready to Talk with Emma Barnett
5. Begin Again with Davina McCall

How many episodes of To Be A Boy are there?

To Be A Boy launched a year ago and published 49 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on To Be A Boy?

Recent guests on To Be A Boy include:

1. Fredi Nwaka
2. Darren Harriott
3. Melissa Hogenboom
4. Marci El-Deiry
5. Keir Starmer
6. Ruth Whipman
7. John Amaechi
8. Deborah Otubambo

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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