Why Men Must Liberate Themselves Like Feminism Did for Women with Rich D’Ambrosio

In this raw and unfiltered conversation, host Hector Santiesteban sits down with Rich D’Ambrosio to unpack the evolving definition of masculinity. From divorce, fatherhood, and cultural conditioning to capitalism’s influence on male identity, they dive deep into how men can reclaim agency, embrace mindfulness, and move beyond outdated scripts of “provider” and “buffoon.” Together, they explore the balance between vulnerability and strength, the role of polarity in relationships, and why liberation is the ultimate path toward becoming an integrated, modern man.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Welcome to the Modern Masculinity Podcast
• 00:00:53 - Meet Rich.
• 00:02:54 - Using mindfulness to find a "North Star".
• 00:05:00 - Reframing separation as an opportunity for growth.
• 00:08:16 - Questioning the preconceived image of a father.
• 00:09:00 - The struggle to find identity beyond family and career roles.
• 00:10:44 - Viewing a past relationship as a formative "crucible".
• 00:11:02 - A wake-up call about minimizing personal talents.
• 00:13:09 - How men deprioritize themselves for family roles.
• 00:14:11 - Discussing the post-feminist movement's effect on men.
• 00:16:27 - The concept of "Mindful Masculinity".
• 00:17:22 - Proposing feminism as a model for healthy masculinity.
• 00:20:47 - Explaining relationship polarity using a simple example.
• 00:30:52 - Redefining men's career paths beyond traditional roles.
• 00:31:44 - A call for men to liberate and redefine themselves.
• 00:35:17 - Capitalism as an alternative theory for men's struggles.
• 00:37:06 - Where to find Rich online.

Links And Resources:

• Rich’s Substack: Mindful Masculinity
• Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn
• Hector Santiesteban on Twitter

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!