David Maywald on Masculinity, Policy & the Stories Shaping Boys and Men

I recently sat down live in the 3WBC Studios with David Maywald - governance specialist, board director and author of The Relentless War on Masculinity - for a robust and, at times, uncomfortable conversation. David flew in from Canberra to join me in person, and we covered a lot of ground: fatherhood, policy, education, family law, suicide prevention and the cultural narratives shaping how we see men and boys. He spoke about what moved him to write his book, particularly the shifting political and cultural landscape overseas, and his concern that many boys and men feel unheard in public debate. “There’s a wave coming back toward balance. People want to be able to speak without being shut down.” We explored male suicide, the need for more targeted approaches in prevention, and whether current strategies are genuinely meeting men where they are. “If we can’t decide our compassion without knowing the sex of the person involved, that tells us something.” There were moments where we agreed and others where we challenged each other and the conversation stretched both of us, which is part of the beauty of interviews like this ... we can agree to disagree. One line that stayed with me was this:💙 “Small wins matter - cultural change doesn’t happen in a day.” Whether you agree with David’s framing or not, the issues we discussed, suicide, family breakdown, boys’ education, institutional design are real and complex. Conversations like this are not about taking sides.They’re about widening the lens.If you’re working in policy, education, leadership, community health or simply raising sons and daughters, this episode invites reflection. What does it feel like, being you, today? www.raebonney.au#MensHealth #PsychosocialSafety #Leadership #SuicidePrevention #GenderResponsiveSystems #PublicPolicy