Podcast Summary: The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway – "First Time Founders with Ed Elson: This Founder Wants to Help Men Have More Sex"

Release Date: February 2, 2025
Host: Ed Elson
Guest: Angus Barge, Co-founder and CEO of Mojo
Podcast Network: Vox Media Podcast Network

Introduction

In the episode titled "First Time Founders," Ed Elson interviews Angus Barge, the co-founder and CEO of Mojo, a pioneering app aimed at improving men's sexual well-being. The conversation delves into the rising issue of erectile dysfunction (ED) among young men, explores the societal factors contributing to this trend, and discusses how Mojo is addressing these challenges through innovative solutions.

The Growing Problem of Erectile Dysfunction in Young Men

Statistics and Trends

Ed Elson introduces the topic with alarming statistics:

"Thirty years ago, 152 million men worldwide struggled with erectile dysfunction. Today, that number has doubled. And it's not just older men who are affected. More than a quarter of men under the age of 40 experience ED." (02:22)

He further emphasizes the increasing prevalence:

"According to the Journal of Sexual Medicine, 26% of men under the age of 40 today struggle with erectile dysfunction. So this is a massive issue that is getting worse." (06:54)

Causes of the Rise in ED

The discussion highlights several factors contributing to the rise in ED among young men:

• Performance Anxiety: Angus explains that many young men suffer from psychological issues rather than physical ones:

  "Performance anxiety...filtered it’s all psychological." (14:24)

• Impact of Pornography: Both hosts acknowledge the role of pornography in shaping unrealistic sexual expectations, though Angus cautions against oversimplifying the issue:

  "There's plenty of studies... gives you kind of unrealistic expectations... which can set you up for failure." (10:16)

• Societal Changes: Angus attributes part of the problem to broader societal shifts:

  "We've gone for so long where community and connections are kind of breaking down... it's turning up in... physical manifestations of we can't actually physically connect anymore." (10:51)

The Origin Story of Mojo

Personal Struggles Lead to Innovation

Angus shares the personal experiences that led to the creation of Mojo:

"I was a fit, healthy, 28-year-old who'd never had any issues. Suddenly I was struggling to get it up in bed... I was losing self-confidence." (03:46)

After a candid conversation with his cousin, both recognized the lack of accessible support for such issues:

"Sexual issues aren't just for old guys, they're for young guys too. And you should just take pills. And it felt instinctive to us that we knew medication wasn't what we needed." (06:28)

This realization spurred them to explore alternatives beyond medication, leading to the founding of Mojo.

Societal Changes Contributing to the Problem

Loneliness and Disconnection

Angus discusses how modern societal shifts have led to increased loneliness and disconnection:

"Our whole lives were turned upside down from 2000, 2011. Everything went online...we saw the emergence of the most anxious human beings ever." (10:51)

He draws parallels to historical societal structures:

"Agricultural revolution...connected tribes...now we're seeing repercussions...connections have broken down." (12:58)

Impact of Technology and Online Life

The transition to an online-centric life has diminished real-world interactions:

"The share of Americans who say they have no close friends at all. That's up from 3% in 1990 to 12%." (13:18)

Mojo's Solution: Digitizing Sex Therapy

Initial Approach: Accessibility through Technology

Mojo began by digitizing traditional sex therapy, making it more accessible and scalable:

"We digitized all these exercises and techniques... make them more accessible,... deliver them really scalably to everyone." (18:11)

Challenges with Therapeutic Alliance

Despite its success, the initial app lacked the personal touch crucial for effective therapy:

"The therapeutic alliance... the relationship between you and the therapist... We were never able to deliver that through the app." (20:45)

Pivot to AI Coaching: Enhancing Therapeutic Alliance

Incorporating AI for Personalized Support

Recognizing the need for a stronger therapeutic bond, Mojo integrated AI into their platform:

"Now we're an AI coach for dating, sex, and relationships, in the hunt for that missing piece." (22:34)

Safety and Efficacy of AI Therapy

Angus addresses concerns about AI replacing human therapists, emphasizing safety and human oversight:

"We have a team of six sex therapists reading all conversations and annotating them... safety agent in the background." (23:12)

He also notes the potential of AI to match or exceed human therapists in certain aspects:

"This product is now handling conversations better than the average therapist." (26:03)

Features of Mojo's App

Comprehensive Support for Sexual Well-being

Mojo offers a range of tools and resources to address various sexual health issues:

• Erection Issues & Performance Anxiety: Core focus areas.
• Dating and Relationships: Expanding beyond individual issues to relational dynamics.
• 24/7 AI Feedback: Continuous user support and real-time assistance.

User-Centric Content Development

Utilizing AI and user feedback, Mojo continuously evolves its offerings:

"We have 24/7 user feedback... users want to solve... expanded into dating and relationships." (26:28)

Impact on Users and Relationships

Primarily Young Male Audience

Mojo caters mainly to men under 30, addressing their specific challenges:

"Most of our users are under the age of 30... struggling to re-enter the dating scene." (28:09)

Effects on Female Partners

The platform also considers the impact on relationships, offering multiplayer solutions:

"Couples trying for a baby... sex becomes a job to perform... multiplayer solutions can improve both partners' experiences." (30:37)

Holistic Approach to Sexual Well-being

Mind-Body Connection

Mojo emphasizes the interconnectedness of mental and physical health in sexual performance:

"Mindfulness and meditation... link up the mind-body experience." (34:11)

Root-Cause Solutions Over Quick Fixes

Contrasting with medication, Mojo focuses on sustainable, long-term improvements:

"Medications work temporarily, but Mojo addresses root causes through self-exploration and mental well-being." (32:46)

Consequences of Inaction

Increased Isolation and Societal Division

Without addressing sexual well-being, society risks further fragmentation:

"Gender is not voting in lockstep... men and women are not connecting and thinking the same way... world becomes a much meaner place." (37:14)

Deepened Loneliness and Hostility

The lack of meaningful connections can lead to heightened societal hostility and personal isolation.

Final Advice and Conclusion

Encouraging Open Communication

Angus advises young men to seek support from friends:

"The number one piece of advice would just be to speak to a mate... if they treat you with empathy, a lot of the shame would be gone." (38:13)

Closing Thoughts

The episode underscores the critical nature of addressing sexual health as part of overall well-being and societal health. Mojo's innovative approach aims to bridge the gap left by traditional methods, offering scalable, personalized support through technology and fostering a more connected and healthier society.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Galloway:

  "The number one out of five men you walk by under the age of 30 on the street hasn't had sex in a year... a key step to forming the most important thing in life and that is a loving, secure relationship." (00:42)

• Angus Barge:

  "If you could wave a magic wand and tell everyone who was struggling... speak to their three closest friends, I wouldn't really have a business to run." (38:58)

This episode sheds light on a pressing issue affecting young men and explores innovative solutions to foster better sexual health and deeper human connections. Through personal narratives, expert insights, and a focus on holistic well-being, Ed Elson and Angus Barge provide a comprehensive look into the challenges and potential remedies for sexual dysfunction in modern society.