Masculinity. Noun. “the qualities that are considered to be typical of men”.

But what does that mean? What does it mean to be a man in the modern era?

This season, I’ve asked all my guests about the toughest aspects of being a man. I got one common answer. Expectations.

Traditional ideas of masculinity include: strength, courage, independence, leadership, and assertiveness. All positive traits in their own right, but they're no longer reserved only for men.

There’s something at odds here. Today, men don't need to be the breadwinner, the protector, the independent assertive leader. Yet we still feel a sense of pressure and obligation from societies expectations.

Masculinity also has its negative connotations. Recently, it’s become synonymous with violence, misogyny, and greed. Often earning it the prefix ‘Toxic’.

There’s clearly a new role emerging for the modern man. One that is able to show compassion, empathy, and acceptance in a more equal society. But is there space to do this without losing sight of the those positive traditional ideas that help to give our lives meaning.

This season on Our Voices, I’m going to dig into the consequences of these shifting tides. I’m going to discover how men are dealing with conflicting expectations. And I’m going to take you along for the ride.

We’ll learn how to process failure and deal with confrontation. When to stand up for what you believe in, and how to manage being on the brink of bankruptcy. But first up, I’m gona to tell you my story. It's about an event, just a couple of months ago, that made me reassess, and question everything.

So, what does it mean to be a man in the modern era?

Join me, Alex Melia as we figure out these answers together.