Men are more lonely, more disconnected, and more unsure of who they’re supposed to be than we’ve seen in generations. And while the data is alarming, what often gets lost is how this is actually showing up in real life: on dates, in relationships, and in the expectations men and women are navigating every day. In this episode, Danielle speaks with Dr. Gary Barker, a leading global researcher on men and masculinity, to unpack what’s actually going on. From the cultural forces shaping modern manhood, to how it’s showing up in dating and relationships. Plus, the surprising TV show Gary points to as a model of healthy masculinity. Gary also unpacks:
Why modern masculinity feels more confusing than ever
The loneliness epidemic among men, and why it’s getting worse
Why so many men feel blamed for systems like patriarchy and the Me Too movement
The difference between calling men out vs calling men in (and why it matters)
Why accountability alone isn’t working, and what’s missing
How men actually benefit from gender equality and a safer world for women
What role women play in reshaping masculinity, and where the line is
The emotional labor gap in relationships, and why women tend to carry more
The growing disconnect in modern dating, and why many women feel misaligned
How dating apps and comparison culture are changing expectations for men
The biological conversation we avoid: testosterone, male sexuality, and agency
Why men are also wired for care, connection, and emotional bonding (not just aggression)
The sources from which boys learn masculinity: mainly media, culture, peers, and family
Why pop culture (like The Pitt) is starting to show healthier versions of masculinity
Why no country, not even Scandinavian countries with progressive policies, has fully figured this out
What it actually looks like to raise boys differently in today’s world
The link between masculinity, violence, and school shootings in the U.S.

Follow Dr. Gary Barker’s organization Equimondo on Instagram

Book recommendation: Father Time by Sarah Hrdy

Men are more lonely, more disconnected, and more unsure of who they&rsquo;re supposed to be than we&rsquo;ve seen in generations. And while the data is alarming, what often gets lost is how this is actually showing up in real life: on dates, in relationships, and in the expectations men and women are navigating every day. In this episode, Danielle speaks with Dr. Gary Barker, a leading global researcher on men and masculinity, to unpack what&rsquo;s actually going on. From the cultural forces shaping modern manhood, to how it&rsquo;s showing up in dating and relationships. Plus, the surprising TV show Gary points to as a model of healthy masculinity. Gary also unpacks:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why modern masculinity feels more confusing than ever</li>
<li aria-level="1">The loneliness epidemic among men, and why it&rsquo;s getting worse</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why so many men feel blamed for systems like patriarchy and the Me Too movement</li>
<li aria-level="1">The difference between calling men out vs calling men in (and why it matters)</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why accountability alone isn&rsquo;t working, and what&rsquo;s missing</li>
<li aria-level="1">How men actually benefit from gender equality and a safer world for women</li>
<li aria-level="1">What role women play in reshaping masculinity, and where the line is</li>
<li aria-level="1">The emotional labor gap in relationships, and why women tend to carry more</li>
<li aria-level="1">The growing disconnect in modern dating, and why many women feel misaligned</li>
<li aria-level="1">How dating apps and comparison culture are changing expectations for men</li>
<li aria-level="1">The biological conversation we avoid: testosterone, male sexuality, and agency</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why men are also wired for care, connection, and emotional bonding (not just aggression)</li>
<li aria-level="1">The sources from which boys learn masculinity: mainly media, culture, peers, and family</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why pop culture (like The Pitt) is starting to show healthier versions of masculinity</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why no country, not even Scandinavian countries with progressive policies, has fully figured this out</li>
<li aria-level="1">What it actually looks like to raise boys differently in today&rsquo;s world</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The link between masculinity, violence, and school shootings in the U.S.</li>
</ul>
Follow Dr. Gary Barker&rsquo;s organization Equimondo on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/equimundo_org">Instagram</a>
Book recommendation: <a href="https://portersquarebooks.com/book/9780691238791">Father Time</a> by Sarah Hrdy

Behind every headline is a person + a deeper story. Question Everything with journalist Danielle Robay cuts through social media buzz to uncover the voices, ideas, and cultural moments that shape how we see the world. Each week, she asks bold questions that challenge assumptions and reveal the nuance behind the narratives, inviting you to look closer at the world, and at yourself. Because there's always more to the story.
——
Danielle is also the creator of the bestselling QUESTION EVERYTHING card game series, which has sparked connection and conversation in thousands of living rooms around the world. She's also the co-executive producer (alongside Reese Witherspoon) and host of Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club. With her signature curiosity—dubbed "The Queen of Questions"—and a background in political science, Danielle brings both heart and rigor to every conversation. A Gloria Steinem Fellow and mentee of Larry King, she's carried forward a legacy of curiosity and connection, interviewing icons from Taylor Swift to Malala Yousafzai in more than 8,000 hours of elevated conversation.

QUESTION EVERYTHING

Is This a Men’s Crisis—or a Human One? With Dr. Gary Barker

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2a61688d-52b6-4aa0-8318-b42600fdcd2c/transcript

We’re all bombarded with a lot of career advice these days. And while some of it sounds good in theory, most of it doesn’t actually work in real life. In this episode, Danielle speaks with leadership coach Ginny Clarke, who brings 35+ years of experience across executive recruiting, talent management and leadership, including time as a Director of Executive Recruiting at Google. Ginny’s advice is simple: work is a game. To win, you have to learn to play. From what recruiters are really looking for, to why “main character energy” can quietly sabotage your career, to uncomfortable truths about titles, leadership, and workplace culture. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overlooked, or unsure how to navigate work without losing yourself in the process, this conversation will reframe how you think about all of it. You’ll learn: 
Career advice that actually works (and what’s quietly outdated)
Job interview tips that go beyond rehearsed answers
The most common interview mistakes, and how to avoid them
How to answer “tell me about yourself” without sounding scripted
What recruiters are really looking for (beyond your resume)
Interview tips for introverts who don’t want to “perform”
Career growth strategies that don’t rely on a linear path
Workplace advice for navigating office dynamics and expectations
How to succeed at work without burning out or losing yourself
The truth about “main character energy” at work
Leadership advice you can apply at any level, not just management
How to deal with a bad boss (without hurting your own career)
What company culture really is, and how to spot red flags fast
Why your job title matters less than you think
The mindset shift that unlocks real career success

Follow Ginny on Instagram and TikTok.

We&rsquo;re all bombarded with a lot of career advice these days. And while some of it sounds good in theory, most of it doesn&rsquo;t actually work in real life. In this episode, Danielle speaks with leadership coach Ginny Clarke, who brings 35+ years of experience across executive recruiting, talent management and leadership, including time as a Director of Executive Recruiting at Google. Ginny&rsquo;s advice is simple: work is a game. To win, you have to learn to play. From what recruiters are really looking for, to why &ldquo;main character energy&rdquo; can quietly sabotage your career, to uncomfortable truths about titles, leadership, and workplace culture. If you&rsquo;ve ever felt stuck, overlooked, or unsure how to navigate work without losing yourself in the process, this conversation will reframe how you think about all of it. You&rsquo;ll learn:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Career advice that actually works (and what&rsquo;s quietly outdated)</li>
<li aria-level="1">Job interview tips that go beyond rehearsed answers</li>
<li aria-level="1">The most common interview mistakes, and how to avoid them</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to answer &ldquo;tell me about yourself&rdquo; without sounding scripted</li>
<li aria-level="1">What recruiters are really looking for (beyond your resume)</li>
<li aria-level="1">Interview tips for introverts who don&rsquo;t want to &ldquo;perform&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Career growth strategies that don&rsquo;t rely on a linear path</li>
<li aria-level="1">Workplace advice for navigating office dynamics and expectations</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to succeed at work without burning out or losing yourself</li>
<li aria-level="1">The truth about &ldquo;main character energy&rdquo; at work</li>
<li aria-level="1">Leadership advice you can apply at any level, not just management</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to deal with a bad boss (without hurting your own career)</li>
<li aria-level="1">What company culture really is, and how to spot red flags fast</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why your job title matters less than you think</li>
<li aria-level="1">The mindset shift that unlocks real career success</li>
</ul>
Follow Ginny on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ginny_clarke/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@ginnyleads?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc">TikTok</a>.

How to Actually Win at Work (Without Playing Yourself) With Ginny Clarke

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/18c62e6d-afd7-406c-a770-b42e00016148/transcript

We all move through the same world, but we don’t all notice the same things. In this episode, Danielle speaks with visual artist Daniel Arsham about what it actually means to pay attention, and how refining that skill can shape not just your worldview, but your creativity and success. From choosing to live inside a 90-square-foot space in his own studio to building a global career spanning art, fashion, and design, Arsham’s life is a case study in the art of perception. Today, his work sits at the intersection of culture and luxury, collaborating with brands like Dior, Porsche, Tiffany & Co., and Pokémon, with sculptures that sell for millions and exhibitions that draw thousands across multiple continents. This conversation goes beyond aesthetics and into something deeper: how we train ourselves to notice, what we filter out, and how those choices quietly shape what we create, a philosophy he explores further in his new memoir, Future Relic. In this episode, you’ll learn:
Daniel’s take on the art of noticing, and how photography first taught him that a camera is not just for documenting the world, but for framing a personal way of seeing it.
The idea behind failure as a creative necessity.
Why Daniel says success often comes down to being willing to fail longer than most people are comfortable with.
How his humble beginnings at his Greenpoint studio became a key lesson in his career.
Why Daniel wanted his memoir Future Relic to focus so heavily on process, detours, and setbacks 
What Daniel considers his clearest public failure, and why most creative disappointments matter far less than they feel like they do in the moment.
The story of Daniel building a full-scale cardboard replica of Emmanuel Perrotin’s gallery inside his studio as a way of pitching himself. 
The changing value of handmade work in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world
Daniel’s take on taste, which he says is developed through exposure, travel, and experience, not something you are simply born with.

Follow Daniel on Instagram and make sure to check out his book Future Relic 

We all move through the same world, but we don&rsquo;t all notice the same things. In this episode, Danielle speaks with visual artist Daniel Arsham about what it actually means to pay attention, and how refining that skill can shape not just your worldview, but your creativity and success. From choosing to live inside a 90-square-foot space in his own studio to building a global career spanning art, fashion, and design, Arsham&rsquo;s life is a case study in the art of perception. Today, his work sits at the intersection of culture and luxury, collaborating with brands like Dior, Porsche, Tiffany &amp; Co., and Pok&eacute;mon, with sculptures that sell for millions and exhibitions that draw thousands across multiple continents. This conversation goes beyond aesthetics and into something deeper: how we train ourselves to notice, what we filter out, and how those choices quietly shape what we create, a philosophy he explores further in his new memoir, Future Relic. In this episode, you&rsquo;ll learn:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Daniel&rsquo;s take on the art of noticing, and how photography first taught him that a camera is not just for documenting the world, but for framing a personal way of seeing it.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The idea behind failure as a creative necessity.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why Daniel says success often comes down to being willing to fail longer than most people are comfortable with.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How his humble beginnings at his Greenpoint studio became a key lesson in his career.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why Daniel wanted his memoir Future Relic to focus so heavily on process, detours, and setbacks&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">What Daniel considers his clearest public failure, and why most creative disappointments matter far less than they feel like they do in the moment.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The story of Daniel building a full-scale cardboard replica of Emmanuel Perrotin&rsquo;s gallery inside his studio as a way of pitching himself.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">The changing value of handmade work in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world</li>
<li aria-level="1">Daniel&rsquo;s take on taste, which he says is developed through exposure, travel, and experience, not something you are simply born with.</li>
</ul>
Follow Daniel on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/danielarsham/">Instagram</a> and make sure to check out his book <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/future-relic-failures-disasters-detours-and-how-i-made-a-career-as-an-artist-daniel-arsham/e290d48f529a07e5">Future Relic&nbsp;</a>

You're Not Failing Long Enough To Be Successful With Artist Daniel Arsham

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/46a98453-ac0b-469f-a424-b41f00e49331/transcript

We like to believe we know who we are. But what if the version of yourself you’ve been living as… isn’t actually you? In this episode of Question Everything, Danielle sits down with bestselling author and therapist Katherine Woodward Thomas to explore the hidden stories shaping our identities, our relationships, and the patterns we can’t seem to break. Katherine, best known for coining the term “conscious uncoupling,” is back with a deeper question: not just how we separate from others, but how we separate from the outdated versions of ourselves we’ve been living inside. This conversation challenges the idea that healing is only about looking backward, and introduces a new way of thinking about identity, growth, and what it actually takes to change your life. In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why you may still be living inside a story you formed as a child
The concept of “source fracture stories” and how they shape your identity
Why many self-help approaches keep us stuck in analysis instead of actual transformation
How we can recreate our biggest wounds in present-day relationships
The subtle ways we reinforce beliefs like “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not wanted”
A simple practice for speaking to yourself in a way that interrupts anxiety and spiraling
How to recognize when you’re operating from reaction vs. consciously creating your life
Why healing isn’t just about understanding your past, but changing your future
The difference between your “wounded self” and your “wise self”
How to interrupt emotional patterns in real time with one simple question
Why Katherine says beliefs are formed in relationships, and must be transformed in them
The role of identity in manifestation 
Tools for understand what you are uniquely coded for 
How to begin shifting into a new version of yourself
The power of asking: What am I assuming is true?

Follow Katherine on Instagram and make sure to check out her book What’s True About You

Book recommendation:The Game of Life and How to Play It by Florence Scovel Shinn 

We like to believe we know who we are. But what if the version of yourself you&rsquo;ve been living as&hellip; isn&rsquo;t actually you? In this episode of Question Everything, Danielle sits down with bestselling author and therapist Katherine Woodward Thomas to explore the hidden stories shaping our identities, our relationships, and the patterns we can&rsquo;t seem to break. Katherine, best known for coining the term &ldquo;conscious uncoupling,&rdquo; is back with a deeper question: not just how we separate from others, but how we separate from the outdated versions of ourselves we&rsquo;ve been living inside. This conversation challenges the idea that healing is only about looking backward, and introduces a new way of thinking about identity, growth, and what it actually takes to change your life. In this episode, you&rsquo;ll learn:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why you may still be living inside a story you formed as a child</li>
<li aria-level="1">The concept of &ldquo;source fracture stories&rdquo; and how they shape your identity</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why many self-help approaches keep us stuck in analysis instead of actual transformation</li>
<li aria-level="1">How we can recreate our biggest wounds in present-day relationships</li>
<li aria-level="1">The subtle ways we reinforce beliefs like &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not good enough&rdquo; or &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not wanted&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">A simple practice for speaking to yourself in a way that interrupts anxiety and spiraling</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to recognize when you&rsquo;re operating from reaction vs. consciously creating your life</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why healing isn&rsquo;t just about understanding your past, but changing your future</li>
<li aria-level="1">The difference between your &ldquo;wounded self&rdquo; and your &ldquo;wise self&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to interrupt emotional patterns in real time with one simple question</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why Katherine says beliefs are formed in relationships, and must be transformed in them</li>
<li aria-level="1">The role of identity in manifestation&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Tools for understand what you are uniquely coded for&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to begin shifting into a new version of yourself</li>
<li aria-level="1">The power of asking: What am I assuming is true?</li>
</ul>
Follow Katherine on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/katherinewoodwardthomas/?hl=en">Instagram</a> and make sure to check out her book <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/what-s-true-about-you-7-steps-to-move-beyond-your-painful-past-and-manifest-your-brightest-future-katherine-woodward-thomas/670ab03995862f0f">What&rsquo;s True About You</a>
Book recommendation:<a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-game-of-life-and-how-to-play-it-a-prosperity-classic-florence-scovel-shinn/28c9effb253e9f4c">The Game of Life and How to Play It</a> by Florence Scovel Shinn&nbsp;

The Hidden Story Running Your Life With Katherine Woodward Thomas (Therapist) 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7fe3d612-6d3b-48ec-99c3-b41801073dca/transcript

Is This a Men’s Crisis—or a Human One? With Dr. Gary Barker

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