Episode 86: Reimagining Boyhood with Ruth Whippman

Episode 86: Reimagining Boyhood with Ruth Whippman What does it mean to raise boys in a world where masculinity feels impossible to get right? This week on No One Told Us, Rachael is joined by author and cultural critic Ruth Whippman to talk about her powerful new book, BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity. We’re digging deep into the unspoken challenges of parenting boys today—gendered expectations that begin before birth, the emotional isolation of boys in our culture, and the ways that patriarchy harms everyone, not just women. Ruth brings a compassionate, sharp, and often funny lens to topics like toxic masculinity, feminism, screen time, school struggles, and why our young boys are struggling so much right now. Inside this episode….. Ruth’s own experience raising 3 boys as a feminist Unhelpful stereotypes like “boys will be boys” and how they harm our children Ruth’s opinion on Netflix’s show "Adolescence" and its portrayal of modern boyhood Why today’s world is a “perfect storm” for young boys and men to be radicalized How do we hold young men accountable without sending them into shame and shutdown? How patriarchy harms both men and women, and Ruth’s recommendations for both #boymoms and #boydads And what can we do—today—as parents, to change the story for our little boys? Plus so much more! This episode is for anyone raising boys, loving boys, or trying to understand them in a culture that so often gets masculinity wrong. 💙 Mentioned in this episode: Ruth’s Book: BoyMom:  Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity  Ruth’s Substack: I Blame Society  If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨ Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast. Instagram | Tiktok |  Website  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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No One Told Us the truth about parenthood. WHY?! Welcome to No One Told Us, the podcast where we uncover the raw, unfiltered truths about parenthood. I'm your host, Rachael Shepard-Ohta, mom of three and founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby. Each week, join me as we dive deep into the joys, challenges, and surprises of raising children with a mix of expert insights, personal anecdotes, and candid conversations. From navigating postpartum anxiety to mastering the art of making mom friends, and from introducing solids to tackling tantrums, we cover it all. Whether you're a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, this podcast is your go-to resource for honest advice, relatable stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. Join me as I sit down with experts in their fields, as well as friends, family, celebrities, and influencers, to share their experiences and wisdom on everything from sleepless nights to rocky relationships. No topic is off-limits, and no story goes untold on No One Told Us. So grab a cup of coffee, pop in your headphones and join the conversation. This is the podcast everyone needed before they had kids- because now that those little ones are here, there's a lot to unpack. So let's pull back the curtain on becoming a first-time mom (or dad!) to share the good, the bad and the ugly. A little education, a little fun, and a whole lot of heart goes into each and every episode of No One Told Us to have you feeling less alone and way more empowered.