Is Masculinity A Prison?
Are men okay?
New data is coming out showing that a gender gap is growing, and young men and boys are falling behind in several key areas, including education, employment, and mental health. Some are inspired by influencers like Jordan Peterson and Andrew Tate. What does it mean to “be a man” today, and how do social constructs and labels like toxic masculinity impact the question? For some men, labeling masculinity as a “prison” is shortsighted and ignores the evolving nature of the role that transcends convenient, one-size-fits-all labels. Others see men defined by a rigid set of expectations that stifles emotional expression and, in some cases, perpetuates insecurity that can lead to emotional isolation and other negative outcomes. Is Masculinity A Prison? Join us for a live, no-holds-barred debate about one of the most charged and complex questions in our culture today. With humor and an open mind, we’ll unpack what masculinity means today—and who it’s helping or hurting. This debate was recorded on September 10, 2025 at the Comedy Cellar’s Village Underground in New York City.
Arguing Yes: Lux Alptraum, Writer, Journalist, and Sex Educator – Arguing No: Mike Pesca, Host of “The Gist” Podcast
Nayeema Raza, Journalist and Host of “Smart Girl Dumb Questions”, is the guest moderator
It’s Spooky Season
Check out these Sound Beat episodes that are perfect to air (or listen to) around HALLOWEEN.
Available on PRX: https://exchange.prx.org/pieces/293048-sound-beat-for-halloween
For more information about Sound Beat, visit our Radio Programs page: https://creativepr.org/project/sound-beat/
TikTok in the Classroom: Enhancing or Eroding the Teaching Profession?
It’s Back to School season, and TikTok has been taking a larger role in helping students learn — but should it? Some teachers argue that using TikTok can help make whatever subjects they study more digestible and adaptable to different types of learners. Others call the app distracting and capable of undermining classroom authority and prioritizing entertainment and short attention spans over education. Now we debate: TikTok in the Classroom: Enhancing or Eroding the Teaching Profession?
Enhance: Phil Cook, Education Influencer and High School Chemistry Teacher
Erode: Adrian Dingle, Second Schoolteacher and Education Consultant
Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates
Searching for the First Rock and Roll Song
Is your station searching for a new, free, weekly music program? End your search with “Searching for The First Rock and Roll Song”
PERFECT FOR WEEKENDS OR OVERNIGHT!
From WWOZ in New Orleans comes a truly unique music show featuring great early rock music rarely, if ever, heard on other music programs. A two-decade long staple on WWOZ, uber-knowledgeable Host Jaime Dell’Apa spins records coveted by collectors from the era when rock and roll was emerging but hadn’t yet settled on a definition of itself.
On Searching For The First Rock and Roll Song, listeners will hear music:
- from before rock and roll was domesticated into a commercial music industry.
- when country and western sounded like swing,
- when pop music sounded like rockabilly,
- when rockabilly sounded like rhythm and blues,
- when doo wop sounded like girl groups,
and all those musics sounded an awful lot like what we now call “rock and roll.”
Available: PRX (Auto Download), PRX (Manual Download), AudioPort (1 hr Version), AudioPort (2 hr Version), AudioPort (3 hr Version), & Download
Length: One hour to Three Hours weekly
Cost: FREE
The Best of Broadway and Hollywood
Footlight Parade: Sounds of the American Musical
Public Radio’s Most Popular and Longest Running Broadway and Hollywood Musical Program
Since 1998, Footlight Parade: Sounds of the American Musical has been presenting the best of Broadway and Hollywood, from the early 20th century to current hits: from Gershwin, Berlin and Rodgers & Hammerstein to Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The best of Broadway and Hollywood music including rarely heard recordings.
“Bill Rudman brings musical theater history to life with charm, wit, insight, warmth, convivial chat and a wealth of knowledge”.
Entertaining and insightful backstage stories, anecdotes, and historical perspectives from Host and Producer Bill Rudman, a nationally recognized authority on musical theatre.
“I don’t know which I prefer: the music or your informative and entertaining commentary. BOTH are excellent!”
Exclusive archival interviews with, and in-depth interviews with of such acclaimed artists as lyricist Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof and She Loves Me), composer John Kander (Cabaret and Chicago) and singers Mandy Patinkin and the late Barbara Cook, and many more!
“Bill’s in-depth interviews with all manner of artists provide a permanent, irreplaceable archive.”
Cost: FREE
Length: 56:50
Available: PRX Automated Delivery, Downloads