Prof G Markets: "Money & Masculinity: Scott Galloway & Ed Elson on What Defines a Man"

Date: December 1, 2025
Hosts: Scott Galloway & Ed Elson
Podcast: Prof G Markets (Vox Media Podcast Network)

Episode Overview

In this special episode, Scott Galloway and Ed Elson dissect the complex relationship between money and masculinity, prompted by Scott’s controversial bestseller, "Notes on Being a Man." They grapple with questions about whether economic viability is central to manhood, how traditional gender roles are evolving, and how society—especially young men—are coping with shifting expectations in love, work, and self-worth. The conversation is candid, provocative, and backed by both personal anecdotes and social research.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Profanity & Authenticity in the Prof G Brand

• Discussion: The episode kicks off with banter about listener feedback on Scott’s use of profanity and whether it shapes the tone and audience of the show.
  • Scott Galloway: “There is a strategy to my vulgarity. The first is, it's authentic. I am truly a profane and vulgar person. And two, I want to take vulgarity and profanity back for the left.” (02:48)
  • Ed Elson: “You're just worried about getting your first Ferrari is what you're saying.” (03:41)
• Insight: Profanity is positioned as both a personal hallmark and a means of connecting with younger audiences, challenging stereotypes about political correctness and appealing to authenticity.

2. Money, Masculinity, and Criticism of Scott's Message

Setting the Table:

• Scott’s new book has drawn fire for tying masculinity to economic success, thus re-igniting longstanding debates about gender roles, capitalism, and societal value.
  • Ed Elson: “Some people take issue with your vision of masculinity when it comes to money…is it too capitalistic? How important is money to being a man?” (07:29)

Katie Couric Viral Clip (08:27–11:04):

• A therapist’s critique suggests Scott is re-packaging male shame as a motivator, potentially leading men to derive self-worth solely from financial and relationship "wins."
• Scott Galloway, reflecting on the criticism: “I reverse engineer what's worked for me to advice for everybody... working really hard, which came at a cost, and developing economic security has been very rewarding for me. I think that's a fair criticism.” (11:34)

Social Implications:

• America’s hyper-capitalist society has shifted “masculinity” markers from community standing (e.g. a beloved teacher or coach) to wealth accumulation.
• Scott Galloway: “Unfortunately, I don't think that's the world we live in any longer and that men... are disproportionately evaluated based on their economic viability.” (13:34)

3. What the Data Says: Earnings and Status in Modern Mating

• Divorce rates spike when women out-earn their male partners; economic status heavily influences men’s dating success, particularly on apps.
  • Ed Elson: “Men who have higher incomes receive 10 times more profile visits than men who have lower listed incomes. And again, the reverse is not true for women.” (19:01)
• Despite pushes for "character" over cash, money remains a salient factor in how society and potential partners judge men.

4. Distinction from 'Manosphere' and Black Pill Ideologies

• Hosts distance Scott’s stance from figures like Andrew Tate, emphasizing that financial success should not be used to dominate women or regress to patriarchal models.
  • Scott Galloway: “The reason why you make money is not only to attract mates, but to dominate them…That’s just not... The far right recognized the problem first... I do think men need to figure out a way and our society needs to celebrate different forms of providing and contribution to the relationship.” (22:50)
• Emphasis is placed on men matching women’s ascent in the workforce with emotional and domestic labor at home.

5. Providing & Masculinity: Beyond the Paycheck?

• Stay-at-home Dads: Scott admits societal biases—he feels ambivalence and suspicion toward stay-at-home dads, reflecting entrenched norms he recognizes but wishes to evolve.
  • Scott Galloway: "When I meet a dude that's a stay at home dad… I usually do. I think, ‘oh, dude's not a player. Dude couldn't hack it in the professional world.’ It's a terrible thing to think, but I think it's... instinct." (33:01)
• Redefining 'Provider': The hosts explore ways in which “providing” can include emotional, logistical, and childrearing support, not just money.

6. Women’s Perspectives and Misalignment Between Stated and Actual Preferences

• Hosts discuss discrepancies between how women report wanting sensitivity versus what actions (and dating data) suggest.
  • Scott Galloway: “Women say there's a lot of dissonance. I want a sensitive man. I don't think women want a sensitive man. I think they want a guy that notices their life, but I don't necessarily think they want an overly sensitive man…I think the reality is it's only gotten worse... a man's view of himself and a woman's view of his sexual currency as being increasingly correlated... to how much... money he makes.” (37:20–40:23)
• Economic Pressures: Societal expectations for men have become "totally irrational” due to inflation and sky-high living expenses, especially in major cities.

7. Incels, 'V-cels,' and Leveling Up

• Scott differentiates between involuntary celibacy (incel) and voluntary celibacy (v-cel), arguing many men give up due to victim mentality rather than circumstances.
  • Scott Galloway: “I was an incel until I was 19… So I worked on myself, I worked out... I developed a kindness practice... I started hanging around with interesting, funny people... You will find somebody.” (45:03)
  • Ed Elson, on influencer Nick Fuentes: “He'll say things like, no, I'm an incel. That's not me... You don't want to participate because you'd prefer to be in the comfort of the victim mindset…” (49:30)
• Offers actionable advice: risk rejection, work out, develop skills, and seek community—to move towards healthy relationships.

8. Money as Signal vs. Substance

• The hosts emphasize the attributes associated with earning money—discipline, maturity, confidence, stability—not the cash itself, as key indicators of attractiveness.
  • Ed Elson: “It’s not that the woman wants you because you have the Lamborghini... it probably means that you are more self-actualized, you've figured out something that you're good at... you're more stable.” (56:14)
  • Scott Galloway: “Women aren't actually visually drawn to a man who is in great shape. They're drawn to the attributes that reflects—this guy shows up, this guy is disciplined.” (58:11)
• Warn against hollow, Instagram/Tate-style material success, which may attract attention but not meaningful connection.

9. Addiction to Money & The Limits of Wealth

• Scott’s Confession: He admits to unhealthy compulsions for status and cash, recognizing that no amount can replace relationships.
  • Scott Galloway: “I'm addicted to the affirmation, to strangers... My other addiction is money. I'm traumatized by it... I've been for so long trained to believe that economic security was absolutely… everything. And I can't, I can't get off that hamster wheel.” (60:59)
• Sharing Success > Status Alone: The true joy, Scott argues, is making and sharing money with a partner—not solitary luxury.

10. Societal Solutions and Policy Advocacy

• Scott repeatedly advocates for public policy solutions:
  • Higher minimum wage
  • Universal childcare
  • Affordable education
  • Breaking up monopolistic tech firms
    ...as ways to increase opportunity, especially for young men.
  • Scott Galloway: “But my solution is to put more money in the pockets of young people, level them up such they don't experience the economic anxiety that ends marriages.” (40:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Economic Viability and Masculinity:

• “As a man in a capitalist society, you are going to be unfairly and disproportionately evaluated based on your economic viability.” — Scott Galloway (13:34)

On Redefining Providing:

• “There are different types of being a provider. Trying to stay engaged in the marriage, trying to pick up the emotional and logistical support.” — Scott Galloway (24:40)

On Hollow Status and Relationships:

• “If I can't share it with somebody, it has no value. I mean, literally, it's like, it didn't happen. Who cares?” — Scott Galloway (67:04)

On Surplus Value and Becoming a Man:

• “Once you are adding surplus value, that's where you become a man.” — Scott Galloway (75:42)

Personal Turning Points:

• “The two big moments for me where I think I started to kind of slip into manhood were one, when my mom got sick… and then not when I had kids, but a few years after when I realized, okay, their well being and success is more important than my well being and success.” — Scott Galloway (78:51)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Profanity and Brand Strategy (02:47–05:05)
• Intro to Money & Masculinity Theme (06:28–08:27)
• Katie Couric Clip & Therapist Critique (08:27–11:04)
• Economic Status as Masculinity Marker (13:34–19:01)
• Dating, Divorce, and ‘Black Pill’ Movement (19:01–22:50)
• Differentiating from Andrew Tate / Right-Wing Manosphere (22:50–28:12)
• Stay-at-home Dads & Emotional Labor (31:45–36:53)
• Dating Apps, Preferences vs. Reality (37:20–40:23)
• Incels, V-cels, and Leveling Up (45:03–51:18)
• Money as Signal, Not Just Substance (56:14–59:10)
• Addiction to Money & Real Fulfillment (60:59–64:00)
• Policy Fixes for Young Men & Society (72:48–74:37)
• Defining Surplus Value and Personal Growth (75:42–80:29)

Final Takeaways

• Money matters in contemporary masculinity, but it is both a symptom and a stand-in for deeper values: discipline, confidence, and capacity to provide—economically, emotionally, and otherwise.
• Societal change is needed to reduce the overwhelming centrality of money in how we judge and value men.
• Relationship quality and sharing of success ultimately trump solitary achievement or superficial materialism.
• Aspiring to “add surplus value”—economically, emotionally, interpersonally—is the metric Scott proposes for real manhood.
• Self-reflection, evolution, and a willingness to challenge your own programming (and society’s) are essential to men’s happiness and fulfillment.