The Policy Gap — Why Men and Boys Are Being Left Behind, with Nick Isles (Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys) In this episode of The TRUUMAN Podcast, we speak with Nick Isles, Director of the Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys — a bold new research organisation dedicated to exploring and addressing the often-overlooked issues uniquely impacting men and boys across the UK. This conversation goes beyond surface-level narratives. Nick shares the data, nuance, and urgency behind what’s become a quiet crisis in male wellbeing — spanning everything from education to health, family life to criminal justice.

In this episode, we cover:

📉 The real story behind male suicide, health inequality, and life expectancy gaps

📚 Why boys are falling behind in education — and what it means long-term

👨‍👧‍👦 Fatherhood, family law, and the modern challenges facing separated dads

⚖️ Male marginalisation in public services and media narratives

📊 The 7 critical areas where policy is failing men — and how we can course-correct

🧠 What it takes to create a society where both sexes rise together

Nick shares:

“When it comes to men’s issues, we’re not dealing with a lack of data — we’re dealing with a lack of political will.”

“This isn’t about turning men into victims. It’s about recognising areas where men are vulnerable — and doing something about it.”

“Better policy for men and boys means better outcomes for families, communities, and society at large.”

The Centre’s Mission Focuses On 7 Key Areas:

Health — suicide prevention, male cancers, life expectancy

Education — attainment, exclusion, aspiration

Fatherhood & Family — supporting engaged, empowered dads

Economy, Employment & Skills — retraining, redundancy, male-dominated sectors

Criminal Justice — disproportionate sentencing, deaths in custody

Media & Culture — balanced, respectful portrayal of men

Marginalised Men — including homeless men, boys in care, and victims of gang exploitation

This episode is for you if:

You're tired of simplistic stereotypes about masculinity

You work in education, health, or public policy and want evidence-based insight

You believe boys deserve the same support and care we offer girls

You're a father navigating a system that feels stacked against you You want to understand the hidden challenges facing men today — and how we can fix them

Follow and Support the Work:

https://menandboys.org.uk/

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://truuman.io/30-days/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/