Award-winning author of Punch Me Up to the Gods Brian Broome discusses toxic masculinity, the art of political writing, and creating positive narratives around men with host Sean Murphy, author of the 2024 release This Kind of Man.

Brian Broome joins us to talk about issues of “maleness,” interrogating toxic masculinity, writing about men (and men’s health), the possibility of establishing positive narratives around men, and the art of political writing. Brian discusses both the artistic and existential notions of authenticity, and how honest engagement with false constructions (of gender, of class, of race relations, etc.) is a way to establish more constructive dialogue and understanding. We compare and contrast the ways effective storytelling works in the classroom, via memoir, and for the public, particularly anything that gets “political” in our current cultural environment. As a regular columnist for The Washington Post, Brian has valuable insights regarding how to use powerful writing as an impetus not only for education, but consensus. Not least, we explore the private vs. public lives of creatives, and why social media can be, naturally, both blessing and curse. If this is your first introduction to Brian, this conversation will help you understand why he is such a beloved and important presence in American culture.