Lewis Wedlock on Feminism, Embracing Discomfort and Fostering Brave Spaces

This week I am joined by masculinities educator Lewis Wedlock. Together we explore the complexities of masculinity, the impact of patriarchy, and the importance of self-care in activism. Lewis discusses the roots of his advocacy for men's wellbeing and the need to address systemic issues like misogyny and violence against women. We delve into the 'Not All Men' debate, emphasising the importance of accountability and the need for men to engage in conversations about masculinity, feminism and equity in order for us to build better communities and better futures.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Lewis Wedlock01:26 Lewis's Journey into Masculinities Education06:34 Understanding the Impact of Patriarchy07:14 The Role of Men in Addressing Loneliness09:48 Exploring Hyper-Patriarchy and Its Effects12:13 Navigating Pushback in Conversations15:02 Creating Safe Spaces for Discussion16:05 The 'Not All Men' Debate20:41 Embracing Complexity in Masculinity26:14 Encouraging Men to Step Up30:20 Confronting Bias and Discomfort31:39 Creating Safety in Conversations33:54 Addressing Violence Against Women39:50 Navigating Masculinity and Feminism50:02 Sustaining Hope in Activism54:08 Resources for Further Learning59:00 OutroAbout LewisLewis Wedlock is a masculinities educator specialising in person centered, culturally attuned deliveries and interventions. He has spent the last five years working with thousands of young men across the UK in secondary and higher education, engaging them in topics such as feminism, allyship, accountability, sexism, misogyny and VAWG. He has designed and delivered several interventions for schools looking to transform their masculinity school cultures and has worked with thousands of educators to support and empower young men within their school spaces. His debut book “Masculinities in Schools” was published by Sage in 2025.Lewis’s podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ChVU9ZIBqJCuXvfmgc0xuLewis’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LewisWedlockWebsite: www.lewiswedlock.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-wedlock/Men's Work: www.lewiswedlock.com/mensworkSocials: @lewiswedlock on Instagram and TikTok