S2 Ep. 7 The New Playbook: Raising Boys with Strength and Emotional Intelligence

What if the playbook you inherited for raising boys is outdated? In this episode of WTF? Midlife, Chrissie and Marva dive into modern masculinity, emotional intelligence in boys, and why the old rules no longer fit today's reality. From the myths of "toughness" to the missing tools for emotional resilience, we explore how parents, mentors, and partners can guide young men in a changing world.  Whether you're raising a son, mentoring young men, or reflecting on your own upbringing, this conversation will help you see the bigger picture–and your role in rewriting it. WTF? Midlife is where we unravel inherited scripts and ask what really works now. You'll Learn: Why '90s parenting rules don't work in 2025 How to raise boys with both strength and emotional intelligence The role of mothers in shaping safe spaces for sons Why failure and risk-taking are essential to growth How to normalize vulnerability without stripping away strength Why we must reparent ourselves as we guide the next generation Key Takeaways: Presence matters more than perfection when raising boys Strength carries responsibility, not suppression Failure builds resilience and confidence Mothers play a critical role in modeling emotional intelligence Reparenting ourselves is a part of guiding the next generation Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction:  Rethinking how we raise boys 01:16 – The changing landscape of parenting sons 01:48 – Generational shifts and emotional intelligence 02:44 – Mothers as safe spaces without fixing or control 03:58 – Challenges young men face today 05:29 – Communication and connection that actually work 06:54 – Modern masculinity and partnership dynamics 13:23 – The quiet crisis:  mental health, isolation, retreat 23:23 – Normalizing vulnerability without oversharing 25:08 – Strength with responsibility (protector mindset redefined) 29:17 – Embracing failure and the power of practice 29:48 – How we pass down fear of failure (and how to stop) 30:26 – Career choices, calculated risk and real-world confidence 31:39 – Teaching resilience through natural consequences 32:18 – Balancing work, family, and evolving roles 36:46 – Scripts for open communication with sons 39:04 – Building emotional intelligence step-by-step 47:51 – Supporting independence without control 51:27 – Reparenting ourselves as we parent them 55:23 – Final thoughts and next steps   Subscribe for exclusive reflections and early access: https://whoareyounow.substack.com Instagram: @whoareyounowpodcast Behind the scenes: @chrissiecorner YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhoAreYouNowPodcast Podcast hub:  https://whoareyounowpodcast.com Hosted by: Chrissie Morgan – Physical Therapist, Certified Master Life coach, and creator of the Body Awareness Method, a framework for reconnecting with your four bodies: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.