Generational Shifts: A 2025 National Research Group study found that nearly 50% of men aged 13–30 desire to see men become more emotionally vulnerable, indicating a shift in perspective among younger generations. Mixed Opinions: Data from the Movember Foundation reveals that 31% of men surveyed view the ability to cry or be emotionally open as a strength, while 34% see it as a weakness.
Adam Tomlin is the host of the ACT OUT podcast. Before embarking on his journey as a podcaster, he worked as an attorney, where he dedicated as much effort to avoiding his own emotions as he did to advancing someone else's dreams. After a couple of years of rewiring his mindset, he became frustrated with the narrative perpetuated by the "podcaster bro" culture, which suggested that compassion was a weakness incompatible with masculinity and the pursuit of a better world. This inspired Adam to create the ACT OUT podcast to change that perspective. He advocates for everyone to have the ability to pursue their happiness, allowing ALL individuals to make a life, earn a living, and make a difference.
Adam's story reflects the American experience. At one point, I introduced myself with the line, "I began every attorney bio that way." In hindsight, that may have sounded more pretentious than charming, but ironically, it was more accurate than I realized. At the time, I felt stuck, empty, and like a bad person. Unfortunately, that feeling is a common narrative for many people, and I want to help change it.
I was born and raised in a small rural town in northwest Georgia, where the accents were so strong that I didn’t realize I had one until I went to college in Atlanta. Growing up, I was taught that the only acceptable feelings were “positive” ones, and even those came with terms and conditions. As a result, I tried to suppress all my emotions, but I was wildly unsuccessful. Nonetheless, I didn’t seek help for my mental health until much later in life.
For more information, visit: https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/
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