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Send us a message at info@maneupmemphis.org

Masculinity in the digital age has become a complex landscape to navigate, especially for those seeking authentic representations of what it means to be a good man. In this thought-provoking conversation, Joey and Emmanuel bring their perspectives as social workers and men to examine how online spaces shape our understanding of modern manhood.

The hosts introduce a fascinating concept: the "digital social worker" – professionals who could help mediate online interactions with expertise in human behavior and mental health. As cyberbullying rates continue to rise and young men increasingly turn to the internet for guidance on masculinity, having trained professionals who understand the psychological implications of our digital lives becomes increasingly important.

A central tension emerges throughout the discussion: the pressure men face to present perfect online personas. Emmanuel calls this the "Superman complex" – where society expects men to always embody superhero qualities while rejecting their more vulnerable Clark Kent side. This disconnect between projection and reality creates anxiety and distress for many men trying to navigate social media authenticity.

The hosts offer practical advice for healthier digital engagement: embrace privacy as power (you don't have to share everything), establish clear boundaries with your online presence, and avoid projecting false images that create cognitive dissonance between your online and offline lives. These strategies apply particularly to young men who are still developing their identities and may lack the emotional maturity to handle complex online interactions.

Beyond analysis, the conversation extends a challenge to listeners: can you name five good men with positive online presences? This seemingly simple question highlights a troubling reality – positive male role models often lack visibility in digital spaces, while toxic representations receive amplification.

Ready to join this important conversation about masculinity, mental health, and finding authenticity in digital spaces? Connect with Made Up Memphis to continue exploring what healthy manhood looks like in today's interconnected world.

#ManeUpMemphis

Send us a message at info@maneupmemphis.org

Meet Isabella&Sebastian, the Memphis-based musical duo whose authentic sound and emotional storytelling are capturing hearts from Tennessee to Brazil to Japan. Their journey began with a single song released "into the void" of streaming platforms—no promotion, not even an Instagram account—yet within weeks, "Helium" had gathered thousands of streams and now sits at over a million.

What makes this pair extraordinary isn't just their music, but their ages—Isabella at 20 and Sebastian at just 13. Despite their youth, their artistic maturity shines through in every note and lyric. Sebastian, who began playing drums at three before expanding to bass, keys, and guitar, creates rich instrumentals that blend Memphis' soulful heritage with contemporary sounds. Isabella brings the storytelling, crafting lyrics that explore vulnerability, self-discovery, and human connection with remarkable depth.

During our conversation, we explored how their music addresses mental health through vulnerability rather than explicit messaging. "At least from a lyrical standpoint, the album really does have a lot of vulnerability," Isabella explained. "It's things that I can relate to, things I know other people can relate to... finding yourself and navigating your way through relationships and your relationship with yourself." This authenticity resonates deeply with listeners seeking genuine connection in an increasingly artificial world.

Perhaps most fascinating is their perspective on creativity in the age of AI. "AI can never truly create art because it doesn't have a soul," Isabella noted. "It can replicate emotions to an extent, but it will never truly feel it, so it will never be authentic." Their stripped-down live performances of "Hopscotch," "Lobbytommy," and "Sensor" demonstrated exactly what AI cannot replicate—the raw emotional power of authentic human expression.

Want to experience this remarkable duo for yourself? Catch them September 18th at the City of Munford or September 26th at the Mid-South Fair. Follow them on Instagram @isabellasebastian_official, and listen to their album "Is Anybody Listening?" on all streaming platforms. Your ears—and your soul—will thank you.

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