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Masculinity
Masculinity and Allyship
Awareness Session
A compassionate and clarifying exploration of modern masculinity, the hidden costs of social expectations, and the path toward healthier connections for men and those who support them.
R19,500
60 Minutes
Virtual
Description
Lately, the conversation around men has shifted between the labels of "toxic masculinity" and a "crisis of masculinity." This session challenges these binaries to find the reality of the male experience somewhere in the middle. We examine the difference between socially valued masculinity and the impossible standards many men feel forced to uphold; standards that often come at a high cost to their mental and physical health. With men seeking medical and mental health services significantly less than women, we must ask: what barriers are getting in the way of wellness? This session is designed for everyone. It is a space for men to reflect and for others to bear witness, acknowledging that we all play a role in sustaining the structures that shape masculinity.
Outline
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We open by inviting all genders to be part of the conversation. We acknowledge the current cultural tension, moving past labels to create a safe, non-judgmental space for deeper conversation.
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An exploration of "traditional" or socially valued masculinity. We look at the unspoken rules around success, status, and the pressure to perform.
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We examine the impact of these expectations on men’s physical and mental health, discussing why men often isolate themselves from the support systems they need.
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Redefining what it means to be successful. We move the focus from external validation to internal security and emotional resilience.
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Discussing the vital importance of male friendships, secure attachment, and the power of building supportive communities.
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A look at how everyone, including women, contributes to and sustains these social structures. We explore how we can all help dismantle the barriers to authentic expression.
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We wrap up with a Q&A engagement session with final reflections on how to foster a culture where men feel safe to be human, not just "masculine."
Learning Outcomes
Improve Masculinity Literacy
Develop a nuanced understanding of the social forces that shape male identity and the "social contract" that often governs men's behaviour at work and home.
Identify Barriers to Wellbeing
Recognise the societal hurdles that prevent men from accessing mental and physical health services, fostering an environment that encourages proactive wellness.
Confidence to Connect
Gain the language to participate in or support meaningful conversations about masculinity, replacing insecurity and silence with empathy and community building.
Champion Gender Allyship
Understand the interconnected nature of masculinity and gender equity and how to leverage your awareness to become a more effective ally.
This Session Includes
Expert Live Facilitation
A 60-minute virtual session led by a veteran DEI expert, delivered with a soft, kind and honest tone.
Q&A
We dedicate 10–15 minutes for Q&A. Using anonymous engagement tools where needed, we create a safe environment that encourages honesty and shared learning.
The WhatsApp Advisor
Access to our WhatsApp platform that includes instant feedback on the session and the ability to ask follow-up questions privately.
Coming August
2026
While the session is live now, from August 2026 it will include a first-of-its-kind documentary-style video that explores masculinity with cinematic depth.
Who Is This Session For?
Organisation-wide
Male-only Groups
ERGs
Paired With
International Men’s Day (November): An ideal flagship event to spark a deeper, more meaningful conversation than the typical "celebration."
Frequently Asked Questions
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Absolutely not. Women and non-binary people play a vital role in the conversation about masculinity. We all live within the same social structures, and we all benefit when those structures become healthier and more inclusive.
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Absolutely. While the core frameworks of generational literacy are consistent, the session is flexible enough to be tailored to your organisation's specific language, internal policies, and current cultural challenges. We ensure the conversation feels like a natural extension of your existing team culture.
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We are platform-agnostic (Zoom, Teams, etc.) and can use our tech or yours.
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To protect the psychological safety of our participants and encourage real engagement, we do not allow sessions to be recorded. This ensures that every conversation stays within the room, allowing your people to engage authentically without fear of being captured on camera.
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Yes. By deconstructing the rigid "social contract" of masculinity, we create more space for diverse gender expressions and identities to feel safe and included in the workplace.
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Our virtual format is designed to scale; we've successfully hosted groups from 20 to 2,000.
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We offer two streamlined ways to measure the impact of your Awareness Session. We can either deploy a rapid-response feedback loop via our WhatsApp Advisor bot for immediate sentiment data, or we can provide you with a pre-designed feedback template to distribute through your internal HR systems.
Awareness Session | 60-Minute | Virtual
Frequently Bought Together
Sexual Harassment
Mental Health & Burnout
Awareness Session | 60-Minute | Virtual
About the Facilitator: Roy Gluckman-John
Roy is the co-founder of Run to the Monster, a qualified Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, and a veteran DEI practitioner with over 13 years of experience in high-stakes consulting and programme design. His "superpower" lies in his ability to take complex, sensitive social concepts and package them into relatable, easy-to-understand frameworks that reduce defensiveness and invite growth. As an expert in creating psychologically safe spaces, Roy guides participants to "run to the monsters", to face our deeply held beliefs about ourselves and others with radical honesty and transformative kindness.
