Michael Ian Black on Raising a Son to be a Better Man

   

Michael Ian Black is a comedian, actor, and writer. On this episode, we talk about his new book A BETTER MAN: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son, which offers a thoughtful and personal look at the complicated meaning of masculinity in our times.

Michael wants to challenge the outdated assumptions that society continues to impose upon boys about their place in the world.

He set out to write a book for his son before he started college, but it’s really written to himself, grappling with the disturbing images of the Angry White Man leading school shootings and violent political insurrections. Some topics we talk about include:

•  His unusual upbringing in New Jersey and how it influenced his views on masculinity

•  The shortcomings of traditional masculinity

• Navigating dating in the era of #MeToo

•  What it takes to be a better man.

Michael started his career with the sketch comedy show The State on MTV. He has created and starred in many other television shows including numerous VH1 “I Love The…series. His movie appearances include Wet Hot American Summer, The Baxter, and Sextuplets. Black is the author of several children's books and books for adults including the memoirs You’re Not Doing It Right and Navel Gazing.

He has nearly 2 million Twitter followers who will hopefully retweet this post.