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?

Bonus Episode - Kefahuchi Tract trilogy by M. John Harrison