PBD Podcast #758 Scott Galloway: Why Young Men Are Falling Behind
Date: March 12, 2026
Host: Patrick Bet-David
Guest: Professor Scott Galloway

Episode Overview

In this thought-provoking episode, Patrick Bet-David welcomes Professor Scott Galloway, acclaimed author, podcaster, and NYU professor, for a deep dive into the struggles facing young men today. The conversation covers a sweeping range of topics: the alarming decline of young men in education, relationships, and mental health; the impact of fatherhood and male role models; evolving gender dynamics in society and the workforce; and practical advice on building wealth and resilience. Galloway, known for his data-driven yet heartfelt approach, offers both diagnosis and prescription for a country (and generation) at a crossroads.

Key Topics and Insights

1. The Crisis Facing Young Men (00:00–07:28)

• Root Problems:
  Patrick opens with statistics showing young men’s struggles: more girls than boys are top high school graduates, 20% of young men live at home, and 15% have zero close friends—five times higher than in the 1990s.
• Scott's Perspective:
  Galloway piles on statistics around dating, connection, and suicide:
  • “62% of men under the age of 30 are not even trying to date. 42% of men 18 to 24 have never asked a woman out in person. And the most frightening statistic is that...if you go into a morgue and there's five people who have died by suicide, four are men.” (02:51)
  • He argues young men are struggling due to the convergence of biological, economic, social, and political factors.
  • The decline of vocational pathways, loss of male role models, and damaging societal narratives (“you don’t have problems, you are the problem”) are robbing young men of opportunity and dignity.

2. Politics and Male Role Models (07:28–11:16)

• Role Models Lacking:
  Patrick asks for examples of young liberal male role models, and Scott replies:
  • “I think there’s examples of masculinity everywhere...Men who are loyal...work hard...try to stay in good shape, be a good citizen.” (08:16)
    But he laments the lack of public figures for young men to look up to.
• Shift Towards Conservatism:
  Data shows young men moving 18 points toward Trump—less about being sold on Trump and more about feeling alienated by Democrats.

3. Parenting Styles and Anxiety (11:16–15:05)

• Conservative vs. Liberal Parenting:
  Referencing Jonathan Haidt’s work, Patrick and Scott discuss research showing children of conservative parents have lower anxiety than those raised by liberals.
  • “Maybe progressive parents make too many excuses for their kids...as opposed to being more kind of trad dads or letting them fail.” (11:16)
  • Overprotection ("concierge parenting") may actually hinder resilience.
• Role of Tech and Social Media:
  Galloway points to smartphones and social media as deepening isolation and anxiety, especially for boys who “replace real life with screens.”

4. The Importance of Fatherhood and Personal Experience (15:05–19:02)

• Personal Motivation:
  Galloway recounts the tragic story of Alex Kearns, a young man who died by suicide after a Robinhood trading app error, as a turning point in his advocacy for young men:
  • “You see this kid...and you just see your son.” (15:05)
  • He details the shocking disconnect between male disadvantage in health, education, and relationships—and the lack of societal attention.
  • “It’s not a zero-sum game. We can have empathy for everybody." (18:58)

5. Fathers and Generational Lessons (19:02–28:08)

• Scott’s Own Father:
  Galloway shares a distant relationship with his father, marked more by absence than abuse. The “unlock” for him was:
  • “Instead of keeping score...just be the person in that relationship you envision and put away the scorecard.” (19:13)
• Male Role Models:
  He stresses the single biggest risk factor for young men “going off the rails” is losing a male role model.
  • Boys in single-parent homes struggle far more than girls in similar situations, highlighting a deep biological and emotional vulnerability.
• Affection and Strength:
  Galloway is deliberate about being an affectionate, present father, in reaction to his own upbringing.

6. Changing Birthrates and Women in the Workforce (28:08–33:42)

• Falling Birthrates:
  Patrick raises the link between low birth rates and female participation in the workforce.
• Complex Impact:
  Scott acknowledges that women's economic gains contribute to lower birth rates but sees this as a net positive—women “leveling up” should drive men to level up as well.
  • “As women ascend, it's a challenge to men to level up.” (33:42)
• The INCEL Movement:
  Scott vehemently criticizes the voluntary celibacy (incel) movement:
  • “The vast majority of men who claim they're incels aren't incels. They're V-cels. They're voluntarily celibate...Level up, and you will be voluntarily 'incelebrate'.” (35:03)
  • His actionable rule: the "Rule of Threes" (work out 3+ times/week, work 30+ hours/week outside the house, participate in group activity 3+ times/month).

7. Faith, Community, and Mating (38:19–44:22)

• Role of Faith:
  Patrick attributes higher birth rates and stronger families in Catholic and Orthodox Jewish communities to “faith.”
  • Scott, an atheist, agrees religious decline is hurting America:
    • “I really do respect and admire people of faith. And I think that young people...find community in religious institutions.” (38:52)
  • He argues faith groups and in-person work provide a crucial venue for young men to demonstrate excellence and grow through challenge (“men need venues to demonstrate excellence”).
  • Social change (remote work, fewer in-person venues) has stripped men of opportunities for growth—raising broader concerns about isolation.

8. Schools and Systemic Biases Against Boys (46:42–52:01)

• Educational Disadvantage:
  Patrick highlights the feminization of elementary education (only 11% male teachers) and how schools punish boys more harshly.
  • “A boy is twice as likely to be suspended for the exact same behavior as a girl...if he’s a black boy, five times as likely.” (50:01)
  • Scott calls for systemic changes: more recess, more male teachers/coaches, red-shirting boys (starting boys in school a year later than girls), and paying coaches to encourage male participation.

9. Building Wealth and Career Advice (53:22–61:48)

• No Magic Formula:
  Galloway stresses hard work and focus as prerequisites for financial success:
  • “If you expect to be in the top 10%, much less the top 1%, from influence or economic standpoint, you're going to have to work your ass off.” (53:22)
• His Wealth Algorithm:
  1. Focus: Find something you can be world-class at that has a 90%+ employment rate. “I hate side hustles.”
  2. Stoicism: Start investing early in low-cost index funds.
  3. Diversification: Avoid over-concentration—he’s been broke twice.
  4. Time: Let compounding work.
  • “If you do those things...by the time you’re our age, even if you don’t hit it big, you’re going to be economically secure.” (54:55)
• "The Spoon":
  • “99% of people aren’t willing to get out a spoon and eat shit...If you want to be really successful...you gotta be willing to endure the no’s. You gotta have the spoon.” (59:24)
• Notable mutual story: both started at Morgan Stanley in their early 20s, hustling with cold calls and resilience.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “If you spend enough time telling young men that they are the problem and that they're predators, they begin to believe you.” — Scott Galloway (00:00)
• “If you reverse engineer to the single point of failure, when a boy comes off the tracks, it's to one point and that's when he loses a male role model.” — Scott Galloway (02:51)
• “Girls are just maturing faster than boys and they're excelling and good for them, they're ascending. I think it's wonderful. But the gap between boys and girls...” — Scott Galloway (02:51)
• “Maybe progressive parents make too many excuses for their kids...as opposed to being more kind of trad dads or letting them fail.” — Scott Galloway (11:16)
• “The vast majority of men who claim they're incels aren't incels. They're V-cels. They're voluntarily celibate...Level up, and you will be voluntarily 'incelebrate'.” — Scott Galloway (35:03)
• “The moment there's a divorce or a death, the community needs to weigh in and the mother needs to recognize that boys need men in their lives.” — Scott Galloway (22:28)
• “Find something you're good at, that you could be great at...Find something you can be in the top 1% that has at least a 90 plus percent employment rate.” — Scott Galloway (54:55)
• “If you do those things...by the time you’re our age, even if you don’t hit it big, you’re going to be economically secure.” — Scott Galloway (54:55)
• “99% of people aren’t willing to get out a spoon and eat shit... you gotta have the spoon.” — Scott Galloway (59:24)

Memorable Moments

• The story of Alex Kearns, a Robinhood user whose suicide crystalized for Galloway the unique dangers facing young men today. (15:05)
• Candid mutual reflections on their own fathers, how absence or imperfection shaped their parenting today. (19:13–25:47)
• Galloway’s "Rule of Threes" for young men struggling to form relationships and find purpose. (35:03)
• Lively discussion of how both hosts endured massive rejection in their early financial careers—inspiring resilience. (59:24–60:44)

Key Takeaways

• Young men face a complex web of challenges—biological, economic, social, and institutional.
• Male role models and father figures are critical; boys are far more at risk when they lack them.
• Faith and real-world communities matter—for men to grow, demonstrate value, and build relationships.
• Changing gender roles and women’s ascent require men to “level up,” not give in to resentment or helplessness.
• In education, bias and structure tilt against boys, calling for systemic reforms.
• Wealth and influence demand focus, grit, time, and the willingness to “eat shit.” There is no shortcut.

Recommended Actionables

• For Young Men: Embrace Galloway’s Rule of Threes and invest early in yourself and the market. Find role models and community.
• For Parents: Allow your children—especially boys—to face challenges and learn from failure.
• For Educators and Policymakers: Pursue educational reforms to redress gender imbalances, including more male teachers and red-shirting boys.

“We have more in common than separates us. I appreciate the opportunity.” — Scott Galloway (61:48)

For Further Learning

• Scott Galloway’s book: Notes on Being a Man (as recommended at the close).
• Referenced books: Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation, C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity, Lee Strobel's The Case for Christ.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, policymakers, and anyone concerned with the fate of young men and, by extension, the future of society itself.