New four-part series will explore unhealthy social constructs around masculinity and how they inhibit men from seeking healthcare, featuring episodes with Justin Baldoni, The Man Enough Podcast co-hosts Liz Plank and Jamey Heath, and Yolo Akili Robinson
In honor of Men’s Health Awareness Month, Healthline Media has announced a new partnership with filmmaker, author, actor, and Wayfarer Studios co-founder Justin Baldoni and The Man Enough Podcast, co-hosted by longtime collaborator and president of Wayfarer Studios Jamey Heath, and international best-selling author of For The Love of Men Liz Plank. The Man Enough Podcast features intimate, open conversations with high-profile guests investigating how traditional structures of success, failure, privilege, and relationships negatively affect men, women, and humanity as a whole.
The new four-part video series, called “No More Silence,” will explore different aspects of men’s health, why men avoid speaking up for their physical and mental well-being, and how we can create a world where more men are empowered to seek treatment.
The episodes and men’s health resources will be available at healthline.com/nomoresilence this month starting November 4 and released as a podcast November 8 on The Man Enough Podcast.
Traditional expectations of masculinity are a public health risk
When men are socialized to “act tough,” they are more likely to skip preventive appointments and put off medical intervention until diseases or mental health issues progress. This is likely one reason why men have a lower life expectancy than women, both globally and in the U.S.
According to recent Healthline research:
- Men are 11% less likely than women to get annual medical checkups, and 26% have never had a prostate exam.
- 66% of men have never seen a mental health professional.
- 43% of men feel it’s easier for women to talk about mental health — in part because it’s more acceptable for women to talk about their feelings and because women don’t experience pressure to “be tough.”
But the data also suggest the tide is beginning to turn. Almost three-quarters (73%) of men surveyed said they feel comfortable talking about mental health. Of those, 61% feel it should be talked about more often, and half say they feel in control of their own mental health.
A four-episode series about men’s health
Justin Baldoni — filmmaker, actor, author of Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity, and co-host of The Man Enough Podcast — shares his own story about going to the doctor to receive preventative care exams and watching his father’s resistance to doing the same. In the series, each host discusses a variety of men’s health topics including regular preventative care screenings, mental health, body dysmorphia, domestic violence, peer support, and the power of language.
According to Justin, “So often as men we are bullied and shamed into silence. We’ve let society convince us that being a real man means not talking about our struggles, and that no one cares about what we are going through. By partnering our podcast with Healthline Media to further erase the stigma around men speaking up about their mental and physical health, we hope we can continue to educate men about the importance of preventative care and that there is no shame in seeking professional help for your mind and body. The truth is that asking for help is one the “manliest” things we could ever do.”
The series will explore different aspects of men’s health and harmful social constructs of masculinity. In addition to Baldoni, the series will feature:
- Yolo Akili Robinson: Award-winning writer, healing justice worker, founder, and executive director of BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective)
- Liz Plank: Journalist, filmmaker, international best-selling author of For The Love of Men, and co-host of The Man Enough Podcast
- Jamey Heath: Grammy award-winning composer, songwriter, producer, and co-host of The Man Enough Podcast
“‘No More Silence’ is about creating an intersectional space where men, boys, and masculine folks can learn from each others’ stories and feel empowered to take the next step on their health journey,” said Kevin Bender, Healthline Director of Special Projects. “Men are conditioned from an early age to not express fear or weakness. It’s critical that we broaden our definition of masculinity to incorporate empathy, curiosity, and vulnerability to achieve better health outcomes for all.”
Healthline, Greatist, Psych Central, and Medical News Today will also publish articles and resources about men’s health throughout the month. Content will include features, personal stories, and photo essays about fatherhood, masculinity, men’s mental health, and the importance of early detection and regular screenings for conditions such as melanoma and colorectal cancer.