Over the last decade, podcasts have become big business, with more than a fifth of UK adults listening to podcasts each week. The format particularly resonates with men, who are more likely than women to identify as podcast fans. Men are also overrepresented as podcast hosts.

In a society where the political divide between men and women is deepening, this influential form of media is shaping expectations and experiences of gender. There is a perception among some that podcasts aimed at men are hosted strictly by “alpha males” presenting anti-feminist rhetoric and rigid ideas of masculinity.

But the world of podcasts contains both traditional and shifting ideas of masculinity. Some podcasts, including pro-feminist podcasts and those focused on men’s mental health, communicate inclusive and flexible ideas of masculinity.

In a recent study, we examined what men gain from listening to a men’s mental health podcast. Research suggests that podcasts can offer men a low-barrier option to engage with their mental health. This is important considering the current high rates of mental distress and suicide among men.

We interviewed listeners of a podcast produced by a UK-based men’s mental health support service. The service has around 300 users who engage with online content, some of whom also attend in-person support. The podcast’s long-form episodes feature conversations between men who have some connection to the service, as well as the podcast host. They discuss their personal experiences of helping others, breaking taboos around........

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