Caitlin Moran on the Masculinity Crisis, Raising Boys & the Manosphere

Bestselling author Caitlin Moran made waves with her 2011 feminist classic How to Be a Woman. Now, she’s calling for an urgent conversation about the crisis of modern masculinity.In this special live episode of The Sacred, Elizabeth Oldfield and Daniel Turner sit down with Caitlin for a hilarious, moving, and deeply honest conversation that challenges what we think we know about men, women, gender roles, and society today. Together, they explore: ✖️ The masculinity crisis and the rise of the manosphere 📖 The cultural impact of 'How to Be a Woman' 😡 The intense backlash Caitlin received for writing about boys and men ♂️ Why men struggle with health, identity, and emotional development 🔄 The differences in how society handles midlife crises in men vs women🧠 How we can move beyond stereotypes toward a healthier, more compassionate vision of masculinity 🎥 Recorded at our Sacred Live event Chapters 00:00 Exploring Gender: The Unasked Questions 01:54 The Sacred Values: Making People Feel Better 04:53 Childhood Influences: A Unique Upbringing 09:51 The Journey of a Writer: From Music Journalism to Feminism 18:00 The Impact of 'How to Be a Woman' and Public Perception 27:01 The Responsibility of Influence: Navigating Public Opinion 28:49 The Art of Persuasion in Writing 30:42 Hospitality in Communication 31:36 The Importance of Awareness 33:13 Navigating Tone and Authenticity 34:54 The Journey to the Times 36:49 Exploring Feminism and Masculinity 37:47 Cultural Shifts in Gender Perception 39:41 Addressing the Crisis of Masculinity 41:31 Feminism's Role in Men's Issues43:16 The Backlash Against Men's Conversations 45:18 The Lack of Resources for Men 47:09 Expanding the Conversation 49:21 Finding Purpose in Modern Society 50:55 The Quest for Meaning 52:45 Cinematic Narratives for Boys and Heroic Archetypes 56:51 The Stiff Upper Lip Mentality 58:34 The Importance of VulnerabilityAudience Q+A 01:02:35 Are there unique differences between men and women? 01:07:21 The Interior Lives of Men 01:10:58 Why are kids terrified of their interior lives? 01:16:41 What is the role of men in modern society? 01:23:11 Navigating anxiety and self care 01:28:40 Elizabeth Oldfield's reflection Keywords: Why are teenage boys struggling today? What does it mean to be a man in 2025? Is masculinity in crisis, or just changing? What happened to male role models — and why are so many young men turning to figures like Andrew Tate or Jordan Peterson for guidance? How is red pill culture shaping boys' self-image? What does feminism have to say about men, and how can we raise emotionally intelligent boys in a world full of conflicting messages? Are boys being left behind in conversations about gender? What do they need that they’re not getting — from parents, schools, or culture? How is social media — especially TikTok — influencing masculinity, and what impact is it having on mental health? Why do boys struggle to express their emotions, and how can we help them develop emotional resilience? Should we parent boys differently than girls? And what can we learn from shows like Adolescence on Netflix about what it really means to grow up as a boy today?