How to Build Deeper Male Friendships

In this bonus episode, we share a special conversation between Mark and Anita Rao from the show Embodied. Together, they unpack how shame can limit male friendship, why many men funnel emotional needs into romantic relationships, and what it looks like to practice a different kind of closeness—one ritual, text thread, or brave conversation at a time.For more on Embodied: https://www.wunc.org/show/embodiedSubscribe to our newsletter for weekly secrets, stories, and essays: https://markpagan.substack.com/Find us on Instagram to look at pretty pics: https://www.instagram.com/othermenneedhelp/Subscribe to us on YouTube to watch our flicks: https://www.youtube.com/@themarkpaganAnd, for ALL your info go to othermenneedhelp.com.

In this bonus episode, Mark talks with writer and critic Jason Bailey about his new book on James Gandolfini—a revealing look at the man behind Tony Soprano. They dig into masculinity on screen, Gandolfini’s quiet emotional power, and why his legacy still shapes how men see themselves today. Plus: a reminder to check out this year’s Other Men Holiday Gift Guide.Other Men is executive produced, hosted, and written by Mark Pagán. Mae Nagusky is our associate producer. Rebecca Seidel is our lead engineer. Original music by Fulton Street Music Group.Get your copy of the 2025 Other Men Gift Guide: https://markpagan.substack.com/p/i-asked-men-about-the-most-meaningfulFind us on Instagram to look at pretty pics: https://www.instagram.com/othermenneedhelp/Subscribe to us on YouTube to watch our flicks: https://www.youtube.com/@themarkpaganAnd, for ALL your info go to othermenneedhelp.com.

In this mini episode, Mark revisits the strange emotional landscape of March 2020 and the onscreen embrace that so many of us were craving as we look ahead to our upcoming virtual event on April 23rd, featuring a conversation with Jason Bailey, author of Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend.Join us as we talk action heroes, parasocial dads, the power of a good hug, and why James Gandolfini still feels like he was ours.Other Men is executive produced, hosted, and written by Mark Pagán. Mae Nagusky is our associate producer. Original music by Fulton Street Music Group.JOIN US for our virtual chat with Jason Bailey, author of Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend—a deep discussion about the legacy of Tony Soprano, fatherhood, the reevaluation of male sex symbols, and a whole lot more. This event is online, it’s free, and we’ll be giving away copies of Bailey’s book to lucky attendees. RSVP for this conversation—April 23rd @ 7:30pm ET: tinyurl.com/yj45ezc7

While Other Men is under construction, Mark answers a listener’s question about navigating a workplace softball league—and the lingering anxieties of being picked last. From sweaty banyas in Coney Island to team dynamics on the field, this mini episode explores competition, camaraderie, and finding your own way in spaces that don’t always feel like home. Plus, we share a special invite to an upcoming event on masculinity, fatherhood, and Tony Soprano.Other Men is executive produced, hosted, and written by Mark Pagán. Mae Nagusky is our associate producer. Rebecca Seidel is lead engineer.Original music by Fulton Street Music Group.Got a question about masculinity? Share your ask in our anonymous form and we'll answer it on the pod or Substack: bit.ly/4bOg0yxJOIN US for our virtual chat with Jason Bailey, author of Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend—a deep discussion about the legacy of Tony Soprano, fatherhood, the reevaluation of male sex symbols, and a whole lot more. This event is online, it’s free, and we’ll be giving away copies of Bailey’s book to lucky attendees. RSVP for this conversation—April 23rd @ 7:30pm ET: tinyurl.com/yj45ezc7

This week, we're revisiting a classic episode in anticipation of the first, of many, virtual talks. Join us for a special virtual chat on November 19th at 7:30 pm ET with designer and journalist Natty Adams along with host Mark Pagán, live on Other Men Need Help’s Instagram! Don’t miss this chance to hear more behind-the-scenes stories and ask your own questions.In this fan favorite episode from our second season, Mark reflects on the awkward journey of finding his personal style, battling insecurities, and navigating a world of wide-legged pants, body hair, and fashion faux pas. Along the way, Mark meets the man who wrote the book on dandyism, Natty Adams, whose insights on men’s fashion and body image lead to a surprising, heartfelt connection.Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly secrets, stories, and essays: https://markpagan.substack.com/Find us on Instagram to look at pretty pics: https://www.instagram.com/othermenneedhelp/Subscribe to us on YouTube to watch our flicks: https://www.youtube.com/@themarkpaganAnd, for ALL your info go to othermenneedhelp.com.

This week, we've shared seven tropes in masculine discourse we’d like to see changed in the next seven years. In this special Other Men-I, host Mark Pagán shares one more topical term that's he's privately been ruminating on changing.We’re working on Other Men 2.0 and really, really need your input on how we can make this a series, digital platform, or service that work best for you. It’ll take just a few minutes and all feedback is valuable. Thank you: https://forms.gle/U3MBciccFfJLhmuj6Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly secrets, stories, and essays: https://markpagan.substack.com/Find us on Instagram to look at pretty pics: https://www.instagram.com/othermenneedhelp/Subscribe to us on YouTube to watch our flicks: https://www.youtube.com/@themarkpaganAnd, for ALL your info go to othermenneedhelp.com.

Other Men is seven years old. We've learned some lessons on masculinity over that time and in today's special episode, we share those tenets.We’re working on Other Men 2.0 and really, really need your input on how we can make this a series, digital platform, or service that work best for you. It’ll take just a few minutes and all feedback is valuable. Thank you: https://forms.gle/U3MBciccFfJLhmuj6Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly secrets, stories, and essays: https://markpagan.substack.com/Find us on Instagram to look at pretty pics: https://www.instagram.com/othermenneedhelp/Subscribe to us on YouTube to watch our flicks: https://www.youtube.com/@themarkpaganAnd, for ALL your info go to othermenneedhelp.com.

Mark is getting married. And in the final episode of the season, he investigates the one wedding tradition that he’s been having an issue with. Other Men Need Help is executive produced, hosted, and written by Mark Pagán. This episode was produced by Caitlin Mae Burke and Ben Goldberg. Caitlin Mae Burke, Ben Goldberg, and Rebecca Seidel are lead producers. Navani Otero is producer. Shaneez Tyndall is associate producer. Rebecca Seidel is lead engineer. Ben Goldberg is lead editor. Our researchers are Bei Wang and Shaneez Tyndall. Tuck Woodstock is this season’s sensitivity listener. Original music by Fulton Street Music Group with additional music from Blue Dot Sessions. Episode illustration by Daniel de la Huerta. Become part of the team and support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for monthly secrets and Instagram to look at pretty pics. For ALL your info go to othermenneedhelp.com.

In his search for someone, anyone to talk to about his complicated road to becoming a father, hopeful dad Kirk enlists Other Men to help document the solitary, but optimistic journey many men face in infertility spaces. Other Men Need Help is executive produced, hosted, and written by Mark Pagán. This episode was produced by Ben Goldberg and Navani Otero, with production help from Cierra Franco. Ben Goldberg, Caitlin Mae Burke, and Rebecca Seidel are lead producers. Navani Otero is producer. Shaneez Tyndall is associate producer. Rebecca Seidel is lead engineer. Ben Goldberg is lead editor. Our researchers are Bei Wang and Shaneez Tyndall. Tuck Woodstock is this season’s sensitivity listener. Original music by Fulton Street Music Group with additional music from Blue Dot Sessions. Episode illustration by Daniel de la Huerta. Become part of the team and support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for monthly secrets and Instagram to look at pretty pics. For ALL your info go to othermenneedhelp.com.

He shot! He scored! And then…? What happens to an athlete’s identity when age and new responsibilities ask him to add “former” to his title? Other Men Need Help is executive produced, hosted, and written by Mark Pagán. This episode was produced by Navani Otero. Ben Goldberg, Caitlin Mae Burke, and Rebecca Seidel are lead producers. Navani Otero is producer. Shaneez Tyndall is associate producer. Rebecca Seidel is lead engineer. Ben Goldberg is lead editor. Our researchers are Bei Wang and Shaneez Tyndall. Tuck Woodstock is this season’s sensitivity listener. Original music by Fulton Street Music Group with additional music from Blue Dot Sessions. Episode illustration by Daniel de la Huerta. Become part of the team and support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for monthly secrets and Instagram to look at pretty pics. For ALL your info go to othermenneedhelp.com.