Michael Ian Black in Conversation With Maria Konnikova

In a world in which the word masculinity now often goes hand in hand with toxic, comedian, actor, and father Michael Ian Black offers up a way forward for boys, men, and anyone who loves them. Part memoir, part advice book, and written as a heartfelt letter to his college-bound son, A Better Man (Algonquin) reveals Black’s own complicated relationship with his father, explores the damage and rising violence caused by the expectations placed on boys to “man up,” and searches for the best way to help young men be part of the solution, not the problem. “If we cannot allow ourselves vulnerability,” he writes, “how are we supposed to experience wonder, fear, tenderness?” Honest, funny, and hopeful, Black skillfully navigates the complex gender issues of our time and delivers a poignant answer to an urgent question: How can we be, and raise, better men? Black will be joined in conversation by Maria Konnikova, the author, most recently, of The Biggest Bluff, a New York Times bestseller and Critics’ Pick. Maria’s writing has been featured in Best American Science and Nature Writing and has been translated into over 20 languages. Maria also hosts the podcast The Grift from Panoply Media. She graduated from Harvard University and received her PhD in psychology from Columbia University.

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