Man Up

"Man Up" is a Slate-produced podcast hosted by Aymann Ismail that explores contemporary masculinity through candid, personal storytelling. Each episode blends first-person interviews, listener call-ins, and expert commentary to unpack how men navigate relationships, mental health, friendship, family, and identity. The tone is conversational, empathetic, and often vulnerable, mixing humor with sincere self-reflection as guests share embarrassing, funny, or difficult experiences. Topics range from the emotional toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on men's health behaviors to loneliness, friendship, and critiques of toxic masculinity like the #MenAreTrash debate. The show appeals to listeners interested in modern gender dynamics, emotional wellness, and social commentary, offering a space for men (and the people who love them) to reconsider outdated norms while fostering more open, honest conversations about what it means to "man up" today.