Is being “self made” a myth in a world of different realities?

In this episode of The Men We Are, we explore privilege, responsibility, gratitude, success, and the hidden role of circumstance in shaping our lives. Drawing on experiences from international travel, we examine how different environments create different versions of normality, and why hard work alone doesn’t always explain outcomes. We discuss the psychology behind the Just World Hypothesis, social comparison, self-made success, and how privilege influences identity, especially for men. Rather than focusing on guilt or politics, we explore a more practical question: what responsibility do we carry when we’ve benefited from opportunities, stability, and good fortune? This is a thoughtful conversation about humility, meaning, masculinity, personal growth, gratitude, and how to use what we’ve been given to positively impact the lives of others.