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Strong doesn’t have to mean silent, stoic, or endlessly self-sacrificing. We sat down at 111 Madison and pulled apart the myths that keep men stuck—why isolation masquerades as strength, how performance swallows identity, and where leadership really comes from. The heartbeat of our conversation is community: the kind that challenges you, carries the right weight, and helps you rotate—on purpose—between being a student, a peer, and a mentor.

We trace a fluid path through the decades: discovery in your 20s, establishing in your 30s, recalibrating in your 40s, reflecting in your 50s, and savoring in your 60s. But growth isn’t linear. It’s responsive. We talk frustration tolerance as the quiet engine of leadership, and why real capacity includes knowing what to release. If you’ve ever felt like you only have value when you “meet the moment,” this is a reset. You’ll hear candid stories about grief, burnout, and the “strong friend” fatigue that builds when your cape never comes off.

We also get practical about relationships and mental health. Expecting a partner to be “everything” is a setup for resentment—distribution matters. Some loads belong with brothers, mentors, or professionals, not just at home. We make the distinction between solitude and isolation, urging you to find your fortress—gym, notebook, faith, music—then come back to your people. And we share simple self-checks: track your frustration, schedule mental health screenings, and practice beholding change so your habits fit who you’ve become.

If this conversation sparks something, share it with a friend who needs brotherhood, subscribe for more thoughtful talk on manhood and mental health, and leave a review with one insight you’re taking into your week. Your mission might be waiting where you decide to let go.

#ManeUpMemphis

Send us a message at info@maneupmemphis.org

#ManeUpMemphis

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.

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