The Blooming North Podcast

From Boys to Men: Redefining Masculinity Together

Published: 4 February 2026 at 17:15 Europe/London

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Episode notes

What does healthy masculinity actually look like today - and why does it start much earlier than we think?

In this episode of The Blooming North Podcast, Lisa is joined by Mike Nicholson, Director of Progressive Masculinity, and Seb Randal, Founder of The Helpful Space, to unpack one of the most talked-about (and often misunderstood) topics of our time: boys, men, and the future of allyship.

From classrooms to workplaces, friendships to relationships, we explore how ideas of masculinity are formed, challenged, and reshaped - and what happens when boys and men aren’t given the tools to express themselves emotionally, connect deeply, or show up as allies without fear or defensiveness.

Together, we discuss:

What’s really happening with boys in schools right now
How masculinity norms show up later in adult life and the workplace
What toxic, positive, and progressive masculinity actually mean
Why emotional literacy is a game-changer for men and boys
How men and women can support each other without emotional burnout
What gives us hope for the next generation of men

This is an honest, practical and light-hearted conversation - full of insight, personal stories, and real-world examples - for parents, educators, leaders, partners, and anyone who wants to be part of healthier, more inclusive change.

✨ Because there aren’t just “one or two” ways to be a man - there are billions.

This episode is sponsored by MiQ
The leading AI-powered advertising tech trained on the most connected data set in the world. MiQ leverages 700 trillion signals revealing what people are watching, browsing, and buying - helping brands connect in smarter, more meaningful ways.

Host: Lisa Hughes founder & director of Lisa Hughes Coaching

Web: https://lisahughescoaching.com

Insta @LisaHughes Coaching

Seb Randle

https://www.instagram.com/thehelpfulspace/

linkedin.com/in/seb-randle-2787b412

Mike Nicholson

https://progressivemasculinity.co.uk/

linkedin.com/in/mike-nicholson-672779243

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