Episode Summary: "Why Young Men Are Falling Behind (A Lost Boys Special)"

Podcast: The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
Host: Scott Galloway
Guests: Anthony Scaramucci, Richard Reeves
Release Date: August 1, 2025

Introduction

In this special episode titled "Why Young Men Are Falling Behind," Scott Galloway teams up with Anthony Scaramucci and Richard Reeves to delve into the pressing issue of the declining status of young men in contemporary society. This episode marks the beginning of the "Lost Boys" series, aimed at unpacking the multifaceted crisis facing young men today.

The Crisis Facing Young Men

Scott Galloway sets the stage by highlighting alarming statistics that underscore the severity of the situation:

"If you go into a Morgue and there's five young people who've died by suicide, four of them are men, three times as likely to be addicted, 12 times likely to be incarcerated." ([04:04])

Richard Reeves elaborates on these facts, emphasizing that the crisis is not merely economic or educational but deeply tied to issues of identity and societal roles.

Root Causes: The Erosion of Traditional Male Roles

The conversation explores how traditional gender roles have been disrupted without adequate replacements for men:

"We tore up the old script for men, which was breadwinner, head of household... and we didn't replace it with anything." ([09:17])

Reeves points out that while women's roles have been expanded and empowered, men have been left without a clear societal script, leading to confusion and a sense of purposelessness.

Cultural Backlash and Misandry

Scott addresses the cultural backlash against men, noting the absence of advocacy groups for men compared to the proliferation of groups supporting other identities:

"There's no advocacy for white males. There's maybe 75 different affinity groups at NYU, but there's no white male affinity group." ([08:16])

Richard adds that discussions around toxic masculinity often exacerbate the problem by painting men as the primary issue, thereby alienating those who could benefit from supportive conversations.

Impact of Divorce and Loss of Male Role Models

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the effects of divorce and the loss of male role models:

"The question of what am I supposed to do today as a man? How am I supposed to date? What about money? What about sex? What about fitness?" ([21:52])

Richard highlights that family breakdowns disproportionately affect boys, leading to higher suicide rates and emotional struggles. Scott shares personal anecdotes about the challenges men face post-divorce, including loss of purpose and strained relationships with children.

Solutions and Policy Recommendations

The guests propose several solutions to address the crisis:

1. Educational Reforms

Richard suggests delaying boys' entry into school to account for later maturity and increasing apprenticeships and technical education tailored to boys' learning styles:

"Technical high schools are amazing for boys, just a bit more applied, a bit more hands-on." ([30:00])

2. Increasing Male Role Models in Education

Emphasizing the need for more male teachers, Richard notes the declining number of men in the teaching profession and its impact on young boys:

"If we can't increase the share of male teachers with all kinds of scholarship programs and incentives and better pay, which would be good for everybody, then I don't know what else we could do." ([30:00])

3. Countering Zero-Sum Thinking

Both Scott and Richard advocate for moving beyond zero-sum thinking, arguing that improving the status of men does not require diminishing the achievements of women:

"Zero sum thinking is the enemy of a flourishing family, a flourishing community." ([27:36])

The Role of Society and Progressive Movements

The discussion touches on the challenges faced when attempting to advocate for men's issues within progressive frameworks that may inadvertently marginalize men's struggles. Richard emphasizes the importance of inclusive conversations that recognize boys' and men's challenges without framing them as a threat to women's progress.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage in honest and supportive conversations about the challenges facing young men. Anthony Scaramucci encourages audience members to share the message and foster a broader societal awareness:

"This issue is so important, please share it with someone who cares about it or who should care about this." ([34:14])

Scott and Richard reiterate the urgency of addressing the crisis to prevent further deterioration of young men's well-being and societal contributions.

Notable Quotes

• Scott Galloway:
  "If you go into a Morgue and there's five young people who've died by suicide, four of them are men..." ([04:04])

• Richard Reeves:
  "The question is not are we having this conversation? The question is who's having it?" ([22:36])

• Anthony Scaramucci:
  "A lot of these guys... they'll find recluse in the Internet. They'll go on the Internet, they fall prey to some conspiracy theories." ([20:38])

This episode of "The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway" offers a comprehensive examination of the systemic issues contributing to the decline of young men in society. By blending statistical insights with personal narratives, the discussion underscores the need for societal and policy changes to support and redefine male roles in the modern world.