What does “masculinity” mean in today’s society? Are we still defining manhood based on the violence of the past, or based on our hopes for the future?

In this episode, Reese and Dennis unpack Equimundo’s study, State of UK Men 2025, exploring how patriarchal expectations, socialization, and emotional stunting shape the daily reality of men today. Why do so many men feel disconnected? We must go back to the underlying issues behind the cultural symptoms to begin unlearning internalized beliefs around dominance, violence, and self-worth are formed.

This conversation dives into:

• Conflicting norms of masculinity
• The dissonance between men’s reported and behaved values
• The illusion of being “the provider”
• Stoicism vs. emotional repression v.s. violence
• Attraction, biology, and unlearning subconscious bias
• Mindfulness as a tool for deprogramming automatic thoughts
• The difference between false purpose and True Purpose
• Emotional alchemy as a tool for cultural healing
• How patriarchy harms men while granting them privilege

If you’re interested in psychology, philosophy, gender, or culture, or if you’re a man trying to make sense of your own inner world, this episode offers grounding, nuance, and a fresh perspective on the complex dynamics facing gendered experiences in the modern world.

Welcome to Bow Down! a podcast by The Cohere Collective that discusses esoteric and empowered feminism every week. Be a part of the Collective and tune in to Bow Down! every week.

To work with Reese: https://www.thecoherecollective.com/coherent-design

To work with Dennis: http://heartstoybox.com

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References and Resources:

Equimundo’s State of UK Men Report, 2025: https://www.equimundo.org/resources/state-of-uk-men-2025/

Maxine the Princess on TikTok’s discussion of the Study: https://www.tiktok.com/@maxinetheprincess/video/7572611907115420950?lang=en

Jamaal Burkmar’s Tik Tok discussing the Study and Maxine’s video: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamaalburkmar/video/7572967714742963479?lang=en

Follow Maxine: https://www.tiktok.com/@maxinetheprincess

Follow Jamaal: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamaalburkmar?lang=en

With empowered Coherence,

Dennis and Reese