My So-Called Midlife with Reshma Saujani It’s OK to Care About Men with Gary Barker
Nov 12, 2025
Gary Barker, founder and CEO of Equimundo, advocates for healthier models of masculinity and fatherhood. He discusses the crisis of connection facing young men, revealing shocking statistics about loneliness and lack of care. Gary unpacks how patriarchy harms everyone and urges a shift from ego to empathy in male identity. He highlights the importance of emotional language and relationships over traditional masculine roles. With insights on building cross-gender conversations, Gary's mission is clear: to create a more caring world for all.
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Witnessing A School Shooting Changed His Path
- Gary Barker recounts witnessing a 1977 school shooting and the long silence that followed.
- He only processed the trauma decades later, which shaped his work with violence-affected communities.
Crisis Of Connection Among Young Men
- Two thirds of young men say nobody really knows them and 42% report suicidal thoughts every two weeks.
- Young men feel unseen, speak less about feelings, and face a crisis of connection.
Most Men Feel Uncared For
- Three quarters of men (ages 18–45) don't think anyone cares if men are OK.
- This belief deepens isolation and reduces help-seeking among men.
