Best Aymann Podcasts (2024)

1
1. Religion; The Female Exodus 36:31

3y ago36:31

36:31

What happens when women are excluded, silenced and marginalized within religious communities? In the inaugural episode of Scoot Over, Slate journalist Aymann Ismail explores the trouble with rooting out gender exclusion in a group that faces existential threats from outsiders, and what inclusivity in religious institutions and communities looks lik…

1
2. Memory; The Things We Carry 30:40

3y ago30:40

30:40

Aymann is joined by two Jewish scholars to discuss how memory - a personal version of history passed down from generation to generation - shapes identity. Emmanuel Kattan is Director of the Alliance Program, a partnership between Columbia University, Sciences Po, Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne and Ecole Polytechnique. A native of Montreal, Emmanuel stud…

1
3. History; A Reckoning 32:02

3y ago32:02

32:02

History is written by the victors is a famous phrase, but rarely do we dig into what it actually means and its consequences for how we understand who we are. Aymann speaks with two academics who are teaching the rest of us to resist the neat and convenient historical narratives we learned in school . Hussein Rashid, PhD, is a freelance academic bas…

1
4. Body Positivity; Commercialized or Commandeered? 26:34

3y ago26:34

26:34

A plus-sized hijabi model and a media professor join Aymann to explore the nuance of the mediated world of body positivity and confidence culture. Leah Vernon is an international Hijabi social media influencer, award-winning author, motivational speaker, educator, and content creator. Her book, UNASHAMED: musings of a Fat, Black Muslim is out now. …

1
5. Art; Commissioning Your Self 29:07

3y ago29:07

29:07

Aymann welcomes two incredibly talented and determined female artists to discuss the struggle to be seen, heard, and accepted as outsiders in their respective spaces. Claudia Gold, who for years was known to us as simply CLAW MONEY, is a pioneering graffiti writer, artist, curator, brand director, stylist, costume designer, fashion editor, historia…

1
6. Inclusion; Hashtag Trending 24:30

3y ago24:30

24:30

Aymann is joined by two leaders in the Diversity Equity & Inclusion space in tech who know firsthand what it takes for corporate America to truly be inclusive, and why it’s worth it for both the employees and the bottom line. Lesley Slaton Brown is the Chief Diversity Officer of HP Inc. She served as the Principal Investigator for the National Acti…

1
7. Ageism; It’s About Time 29:54

3y ago29:54

29:54

A recent AARP study stated that ageism could cost the US economy up to 4 trillion dollars by 2050, yet ageism is too often left out of the DE&I conversation. Ashton Applewhite is an internationally recognized expert on ageism and the author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism. She speaks widely at venues that have included the TED mains…

1
8. Laicite; Caveats of Assimilation 28:28

3y ago28:28

28:28

In an era where Western societies are on increasingly shaky ground with diverse groups of minorities calling for inclusion, France's definition, and enforcement, of secularism as a solution has drawn international attention. Patrice Brodeur is a Professor at the Institute of Religious Studies at the University of Montreal. His work investigates the…

1
The Angry Email I Get Over and Over 39:43

4y ago39:43

39:43

For the final episode, Aymann convenes four friends to talk about the hashtag #MenAreTrash and to debate whether it’s possible to critique manhood and masculinity without bashing men as a group. Then, Aymann’s colleagues ask him questions to figure out how much he’s changed since the show began almost a year ago, and Aymann shares the most common c…

1
A COVID-19 Survivor Warns Other Men 30:22

4+ y ago30:22

30:22

Aymann tries to make sense of new polling data that shows men aren’t taking the outbreak of COVID-19 as seriously as women. First he talks to David Vega, a medical student who contracted the virus in early March after attending multiple gatherings with friends and family. Now, David says he should’ve been much more cautious, and he urges other men …

1
It's a Tough Time for Men Without Friends 32:40

4+ y ago32:40

32:40

This week, Aymann talks to Shuheng, a self-described extrovert who wishes he had more friends to talk to and commiserate with. Then Aymann hears from Slate podcast producer Ben Frisch, who talks about how he’s able to make the most of his alone time. And finally, a very socially active man named Dan explains how he’s been able to stay connected to …

1
Single Guys Are Really Going for It Right Now 25:43

4+ y ago25:43

25:43

As people continue to self-quarantine, single men are still out there trying to date and, in some cases, have sex. First Aymann talks to his coworker Katie Rayford, who was hit on by two men on the same day when she was stocking up on groceries. Then he checks in with Jeremy Cohn, a man who flirted with his neighbor via drone. Then Andrew Kahn join…

1
What Women Are Learning About Men During Self-Quarantine 41:09

4+ y ago41:09

41:09

This week, Man Up host Aymann Ismail learns how the outbreak of COVID-19 is changing how men’s partners see them at home. What happens when a husband and wife have very different crisis modes? What do you do if your new boyfriend wants you to quarantine with him in Canada, and you don’t even live together? Aymann explores these questions, and many …

1
Why Men Who Are Sick Insist on Going to Work 31:33

4+ y ago31:33

31:33

Man Up editor Lowen Liu explains why he’s so bad about taking sick days, even when a serious epidemic is dominating the news. But first, Slate’s culture editor Forrest Wickman lays out why he desperately wants his co-workers to go home when they show symptoms of a cold or flu. Then, Aymann talks to Mieke Beth Thomeer, associate professor of sociolo…

1
Being an American Ninja Warrior with Parkinson's 34:22

4+ y ago34:22

34:22

Vivek, a man with Parkinson’s disease, tries to get back the confidence he had before his diagnosis at age 38. To help him out, Man Up host Aymann Ismail recruits Jimmy Choi, a husband, father, ultra-marathoner, and competitor on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior. Choi was diagnosed with Parkinson’s when he was 27, but now he’s in his 40’s, and he’s man…

1
The Secret to a Healthy Porn Habit 33:17

4+ y ago33:17

33:17

A young man wonders whether his habitual porn use has negatively affected the way he thinks about sex and relationships. Can porn cause erectile dysfunction? Is it even possible to have a healthy relationship to porn? To answer those questions and more, Man Up host Aymann Ismail turns to Dr. Emily Rothman, a professor and researcher who helped deve…

1
Why Can't My Wife and I Pray Together? 32:08

4+ y ago32:08

32:08

After years of praying in mosques that treat women’s spaces as an afterthought, Aymann tries to find an alternative. First he talks to his wife Mira about the difference between men's spaces and women's spaces during prayer. Then Imam Khalid Latif joins the show to explain the origin of gender separation in mosques and how the various ways to inter…

1
Why Valentine's Day is a Scramble for So Many Men 28:29

4+ y ago28:29

28:29

This week on the show, a Texas man who struggles with romance tries to plan the perfect Valentine’s Day. But first, Aymann gets the cold hard truth about his past Valentine’s Day performances from his wife, Mira. Then he talks to psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb about the common mistakes couples make on Valentine’s Day and how to avoid them. What make…

1
Why Straight Bros Are So Important to Gay Guys 30:40

4+ y ago30:40

30:40

A gay man in Maine tries to figure out how to develop closer friendships with straight men. But first, Aymann tries to understand why Sam has his heart set on those friendships in the first place. For additional help, the guys turn to Alex DeLuca, founder of the “Gaybros” subreddit, which was originally a forum for gay men who felt like they didn’t…

1
A Black Man's Fears About Managing White Women 35:48

4+ y ago35:48

35:48

A tech company executive named Jason feels nervous about being the only black manager in an office made up mostly of white women. He wants to create a space where people feel comfortable talking about race and gender, but he’s worried about all the biases people bring to the workplace. For help, Aymann and Jason turn to Ari Joseph, the head of dive…

1
Why Men Would Rather Suffer Than Ask for Help 32:58

4+ y ago32:58

32:58

Aymann wonders why he has so much trouble asking for help. First he sits down with his wife Mira, who paints a more detailed picture of the problem. Then Aymann turns to Dan Doty, co-founder of the men's group Evryman, who shares the benefits of accepting help from others and offers a simple technique for people who have trouble admitting weakness …

1
How to Raise Sons Who Won't Send Dick Pics 29:40

4+ y ago29:40

29:40

Aymann hears from Maria, a mother in Norway who’s worried about raising her two young boys in the #MeToo era. She admits that she originally wanted girls and now wants to make sure her boys grow up to be respectful, empathetic men. For help, Aymann and Maria turn to Shehnaz, a New Jersey mother and restaurant owner who raised two sons that she coul…

1
What You Lose When You Don't Drink 31:40

4+ y ago31:40

31:40

This week Aymann learns about the military’s machismo drinking culture through the eyes of Claire, a young Air Force officer who’s trying to earn the trust of her peers while also giving up alcohol. First Claire talks about why drinking is so prevalent at military social events and why the social politics of drinking are so different for men and wo…

1
Why Some Men Refuse to Do Yoga 31:05

4+ y ago31:05

31:05

Happy New Year! To kick off 2020, we're revisiting an episode we love, where writer Terrell Starr takes Aymann to do yoga for the first time. When Terrell started doing yoga in his 30s, it opened up his mind to new possibilities of what his body could do—not to mention what he could do as a man. He realized he’d been restricting himself not only ph…

1
Why a Dad Dancing to Frozen is Still a Big Deal 28:17

4+ y ago28:17

28:17

Early in 2019 Ørjan Burøe had an Instagram video go viral. It showed him and his young son wearing dresses and dancing to the song Let it Go from Disney’s Frozen. The response online was mostly positive, but a handful of louder voices argued that the video was proof that traditional masculinity is under attack. This week on Man Up, Burøe talks to A…

1
A Man Learns to Cry Again 35:27

4+ y ago35:27

35:27

Aymann talks to a college student named Sammy, who feels like he should allow himself to cry more. First, they talk about why so many men resist the urge to cry in the first place and why re-learning to cry is so much harder than expected. Then they talk to Avi Klein, a therapist who specializes in helping men get in touch with their feelings. What…

1
Why So Many Men Still Dress Like They’re 16 27:50

4+ y ago27:50

27:50

A listener named John tries to figure out how to upgrade his wardrobe. First, he and Aymann bond over their fear of taking fashion risks, and then they talk to Israel “Izzy” Bermeo, owner of the clothing shop Zero Kids. Izzy helps John and Aymann think differently about their fashion choices and shows them how to incorporate new items without looki…

1
A Father Tries to Talk to His Daughter About Sex 27:16

4+ y ago27:16

27:16

Aymann hears from Adam, a father who wants to talk to his teenage daughter about sex without coming off as weird, overbearing, or inappropriate. In other words, Adam wants to be the opposite of the rapper T.I., who recently said he takes his teenage daughter to the gynecologist every year to get her hymen checked. Also joining the show is Adam’s da…

1
Why Men Won't Tell You What They Want for Xmas 28:41

4+ y ago28:41

28:41

Aymann talks to former Man Up producer Danielle Hewitt and her sister to help them think of Christmas gift ideas for their dad. Also joining the show is Micky Onvural, CEO of the menswear company Bonobos. She explains why it’s so hard to shop for men and why some men have such a hard time articulating what they even want. Are you a work in progress…

1
Can a 30-Year-Old Man Change His Worst Habit? 24:08

4+ y ago24:08

24:08

Aymann makes some adjustments to his life in an effort to stop being late for everything. Joining him as a guide is Brigid Schulte, director of the Better Life Lab and author of "Overwhelmed: Working to change how we work, love and play." Brigid urges Aymann to focus on his main priorities and ditch everything else. But that turns out to be easier …

1
A Virgin in His Mid-20s Starts to Worry 32:26

4+ y ago32:26

32:26

In the first episode of season 2, Aymann talks to a 23-year-old virgin who's looking for dating tips in all the wrong places. To get him back on the right track, Aymann enlists the help of Andrea Silenzi, host of the hit dating podcast, Why Oh Why. Are you a work in progress? Do you need help with something related to manhood or masculinity? Let us…

1
Help Man Up Help You! 2:12

4+ y ago2:12

2:12

Ahead of Season 2, Aymann wants listeners to get in touch and share their stories. Give us a call at (805)-626-8707, or email us at manup@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Slate Podcasts

1
The Aftermath of a Public Proposal 30:56

5y ago30:56

30:56

Flashy public proposals are all over social media, but people seem divided over whether they’re adorable or cringeworthy. This week on Man Up, Aymann learns about two different public proposal stories and figures out whether the people involved have any regrets. First up is Honor Eastly, a musician, podcaster, and writer based in Australia. Her par…

1
About Guys Who Insist on Paying the Bill... 26:55

5y ago26:55

26:55

This week Aymann looks back at some of his dating habits from before he was married, specifically his policy of always paying on the first date. First he talks to Sarah Crow, who wrote a piece for GQ called ‘Why You Should Always Split the Bill.’ Then Mel Magazine writer Magdalene Taylor joins the show to explain why some women, including herself, …

1
The Joy of Quitting Football 34:16

5y ago34:16

34:16

After his sixth documented concussion, NFL linebacker Joshua Perry decided to retire. He was only 24, but he knew that if his brain suffered anymore trauma, it could impact his cognitive functioning down the line. This week on Man Up, Perry tells Aymann about the physical and mental toll of football and the culture that teaches players of all ages …

1
How Not to Be a Reply Guy 30:05

5y ago30:05

30:05

This week Aymann talks to several women (and one man) about the phenomenon of “reply guys” where men reply to women on social media in order to pester them, correct them, or to just be noticed. First, three Slate writers compare reply guys to gnats and argue that they’re more annoying than threatening. Then Aymann talks to Scott Barolo and Shrew, t…

1
The Real Threat of Video Games 28:17

5y ago28:17

28:17

Video game scholar Megan Condis joins the show to explain why white supremacists have been targeting online gamers. She says there's a specific subset of men, whose fear of newcomers in the gaming space make them attractive recruits for hate groups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
How a Drag King Parodies Masculinity 32:11

5y ago32:11

32:11

Pretty Rik E, a DC-based drag king, talks to Aymann about what it means to treat masculinity as a performance. Rik E is part of a group called Pretty Boi Drag, whose drag shows involve lip syncing to hyper masculine songs, dancing confidently, and sporting glued-on facial hair. In their performances, drag kings simultaneously celebrate and skewer m…

1
The Fear of Male Birth Control 33:43

5y ago33:43

33:43

Aymann realizes he’s a little squeamish about the current birth control options for men. First he talks to writer Angela Anagnost-Repke, who’s been trying to convince her husband Brad to get a vasectomy. Then Dr. Paul Turek joins the show to explain what a vasectomy actually entails. Then, for a non-surgical solution, Aymann talks to Rufaro Huggins…

1
Becoming "Man of the House" Too Soon 33:06

5y ago33:06

33:06

What exactly was going through Kareem Rahma’s 20-year-old head when he found out his father only had 6 months to live?As he tells it, nothing. He was entirely fixated on how the family dynamic was about to change. As the eldest sibling, as the oldest boy, he was certain that the responsibilities of his father, financial and otherwise, were his to i…

1
Where Mass Shootings Often Start 28:44

5y ago28:44

28:44

This week on Man Up, Aymann talks with Kim Gandy about the link between mass shootings and domestic violence. Gandy has been an advocate for survivors of domestic violence for over 30 years, so she knows better than most the cost of staying silent on the issue. She shares what she’s learned about early evidence of abuse, and what our best tools are…

1
My First Therapy Session, on Tape 30:03

5y ago30:03

30:03

This week on Man Up, Aymann sits down for his first-ever therapy session with psychotherapist and host of the Hey Man podcast, Avi Klein. He learns something about how he copes, and about how some therapists might be pushing men away. Tell us what you think about this and other topics by leaving a voicemail at 805-626-8707 or emailing manup@slate.c…

1
The Trouble With Being an Asian Guy on Tinder 34:49

5y ago34:49

34:49

This week on Man Up, writer Eddie Kim talks with host Aymann Ismail about sexual racism, why he thinks Asian men are at a disadvantage on dating apps, and how some toxic subcultures react to that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Slate Podcasts

1
Chefs Don’t Have to Be Jerks 26:19

5y ago26:19

26:19

When J. Kenji López-Alt landed a job as a line cook at the elegant No. 9 Park restaurant, he wasn’t expecting to spend his first day standing in the corner with a figurative dunce hat on his head. He was being punished by the chef for incorrectly chopping the chives. He later worked at other expensive restaurants too, even spending a few weeks work…

1
Your Opinions on Her Wardrobe Are Probably Unwelcome 21:00

5y ago21:00

21:00

Noor Tagouri knows better than most what it feels like to have everything she does under a close watch. Her interview in Playboy Magazine caused an international firestorm not for what she said, but for what she wore. This week on Man Up, Noor shares what she learned from being the subject of ridiculous online harassment, and teaches Aymann the con…

1
Men Try to Attract Women in All the Wrong Ways 23:40

5y ago23:40

23:40

Nichole Perkins knows what straight women look for in a man. She’s a romance novel enthusiast and former co-host of Thirst Aid Kit, a podcast that focused on sexual desire and celebrity hotness. In this episode, Man Up host Aymann Ismail talks to Nichole about what male desirability means in 2019 and what he’s learned about his own attractiveness s…

1
An Intervention 25:13

5y ago25:13

25:13

Over the weekend, Aymann was going viral on the less savory, right-wing corners of the internet. An admittedly poorly worded tweet had exposed him to an avalanche of criticism, some understandable, others sinister and racist. And when a total stranger asked Aymann for his location in a threatening way, he gave it to them. So this week, Man Up produ…

1
Why Men Refuse to Do Yoga 32:35

5y ago32:35

32:35

When Terrell Starr started doing yoga in his 30s, it opened up his mind to new possibilities of what his body could do—not to mention what he could do as a man. He realized he’d been restricting himself not only physically but mentally because of what he’d learned growing up. This week on Man Up, he talks with Aymann about yoga, therapy, and breaki…

1
What Brown Men Do to Make Others Comfortable 25:37

5y ago25:37

25:37

Simran Jeet Singh has worn a turban his entire life. It’s a requirement of his Sikh faith but it has also made him a target for racist harassment. This week on Man Up, Aymann and Simran share their experiences experiences and discuss how Simran’s Sikh faith has helped him navigate them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
A Black Trans Man Meets the Police Again 26:55

5y ago26:55

26:55

Trystan Cotten was not prepared for the way his relationship with law enforcement would change after he transitioned in his late thirties. As he wrote in the Washington Post last year, it all came to a head when a cop pulled his gun on him after he called 911 to report an accident. Trystan talks to Aymann about the lessons he’s learned about moving…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Aymann Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide