Lost Boys Podcast: "Young Men Struggling and It's Time to Act, with Richard Reeves"
Release Date: May 15, 2025
Hosts: Anthony Scaramucci and Scott Galloway
Guest: Richard Reeves, President of the American Institute for Boys and Men
Introduction
In the premiere episode of Lost Boys, hosts Anthony Scaramucci and Scott Galloway engage in a profound conversation with Richard Reeves to explore the multifaceted challenges facing young men in America today. This episode sets the foundation for a series aimed at dissecting the societal, economic, and cultural hurdles that prevent young men from thriving.
The Crisis of Young Men in America
Anthony Scaramucci opens the discussion by highlighting his concerns about the deteriorating state of young men, drawing from his blue-collar upbringing where clear male role models provided a defined path. He emphasizes the contemporary complexities introduced by social media, shifting cultural norms, and confusion surrounding gender roles that impede the success of young men.
Key Quote:
"Young men are just doing much worse than ever before." — Anthony Scaramucci [00:27]
Scott Galloway complements this by presenting alarming statistics: men are three times more likely to face addiction, twelve times more likely to be incarcerated, and represent the majority of suicide victims in morgues.
Key Quote:
"If you go into a Morgue and there's five young people who've died by suicide, four of them are men." — Scott Galloway [02:52]
Historical Context and Shifting Scripts
Richard Reeves provides a historical backdrop, explaining that past generations had clear societal roles: men as breadwinners and women as caregivers. However, the dismantling of these traditional scripts without adequate replacements has left young men navigating an identity vacuum.
Key Quote:
"We tore up the old script for men... and we didn't replace it with anything." — Richard Reeves [07:38]
He argues that while women have gained unprecedented autonomy and opportunities, men lack a positive framework, leading to confusion and diminished self-worth.
Cultural and Educational Shortcomings
Scott Galloway delves into systemic issues, such as the educational system's bias against males and the decline of vocational opportunities that once provided viable career paths for young men. He points out the shift from trades to a greater emphasis on tertiary education, where women now outpace men.
Key Quote:
"What happened is we've outsourced a lot of our manufacturing jobs... which affects men more." — Scott Galloway [10:16]
Richard Reeves expands on this by discussing the critical shortage of male teachers and role models in educational settings. He highlights how the decline in male representation in schools and extracurricular programs like Scouts exacerbates the problem.
Key Quote:
"If we can't increase the share of male teachers... then I don't know what else we could do." — Richard Reeves [29:36]
Mental Health and Societal Perceptions
The conversation addresses the stigmatization of men's mental health struggles. Richard Reeves criticizes the narrative that blames men for their own hardships, often ignoring structural factors that contribute to their struggles.
Key Quote:
"The reason men are struggling is not because people are being mean to them, but that doesn't mean people being mean to them doesn't make things worse." — Richard Reeves [14:51]
Scott Galloway shares personal insights on how societal expectations and relationship breakdowns disproportionately impact men's mental health, leading to higher suicide rates.
Solutions and Recommendations
The trio discusses actionable solutions to mitigate the crisis:
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Educational Reforms: Introducing technical high schools and apprenticeships to provide hands-on career paths tailored to young men's strengths and interests.
Richard Reeves:
"Technical schools... boys need to know the why and the who before they care about the what." [29:36] -
Increase Male Role Models: Encouraging more men to enter the teaching profession and mentorship programs to offer guidance and support.
Richard Reeves:
"We do not want an all female teaching profession." [29:36] -
Parental and Community Support: Strengthening family structures and community programs to provide emotional and social support for young men.
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Policy Interventions: Advocating for policies that address economic disparities and provide equitable opportunities for young men.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Anthony Scaramucci underscores the urgency of initiating open and honest conversations about the struggles of young men without casting blame. He emphasizes the need for collective effort to support young men in finding their identity and purpose.
Key Quote:
"Please share it with someone who cares about it or who should care about this." — Anthony Scaramucci [28:58]
The episode concludes with a promise to delve deeper into these issues in subsequent episodes, focusing on political challenges, societal solutions, and the pivotal role of supportive communities.
Final Thoughts
This episode of Lost Boys serves as a critical examination of the silent crisis affecting young men. Through data-driven discussions and personal anecdotes, Anthony Scaramucci, Scott Galloway, and Richard Reeves shed light on the urgent need for societal change to empower young men and ensure their well-being in an evolving cultural landscape.
For more insights and upcoming episodes, visit www.lostboys.men.