An emotionally absent father can be home every single night, and his children can still feel the absence. I know, because I grew up that way. In this conversation, Dr. Warren Farrell, author of The Boy Crisis and Role Mate to Soul Mate, explains what he calls being dad deprived, why boys are falling so far behind, and how the way mothers and fathers each set boundaries shapes a child for life. Warren once served on the board of the National Organization for Women in New York City, and he shares what it cost him to start speaking up for boys and men. We also talk about his practical tools for couples, including how to hear your spouse's criticism without getting defensive, because a strong marriage is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. If this conversation speaks to you, I encourage you to watch the trailer for The Boy Crisis documentary and to consider joining Warren's Role Mate to Soul Mate couples workshop at Esalen. Both links are below.

Watch the trailer for The Boy Crisis documentary, screening in Canada in 2027 and in London in summer 2027:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h3RutRbU-ZHbTueo6sSrlGzg9DXZpPqM/view

Join Warren's couples workshop, Role Mate to Soul Mate: The Art and Discipline of Love, at Esalen, April 2 to 5, 2027:
https://www.esalen.org/workshops/role-mate-to-soul-mate-the-art-and-discipline-of-love-040227

If you are a student, parent, or teacher looking for a tool to build stronger writing and critical thinking skills, check out the Essay app my family helped build:
https://essay.app/

In this episode we look at the boy crisis and what father involvement really means, why dad deprived children struggle more with school, loneliness, and risk, and why kids need their dads even in homes where both parents are present. Warren also walks through checks and balances parenting, his caring and sharing practice for couples, and how to have a civil conversation with a family member who sees the world differently. Tell me in the comments what your dad was like when you were growing up, and subscribe so you don't miss the next conversation.

Find more from Warren:
The Boy Crisis Trailer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h3RutRbU-ZHbTueo6sSrlGzg9DXZpPqM/view
Role Mate to Soul Mate Workshop at Esalen: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/role-mate-to-soul-mate-the-art-and-discipline-of-love-040227
The Boy Crisis Documentary on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theboycrisisdocumentary/
The Boy Crisis Documentary, British Council Films: https://filmsandfestivals.britishcouncil.org/projects/the-boy-crisis-cancel-warren-farrell

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Chapters:
00:00 - Introducing Dr. Warren Farrell
02:20 - From the National Organization for Women to Men's Groups
09:36 - Losing Fame and Income to Speak Up for Boys
10:31 - Remembering Gloria Steinem and Where They Parted Ways
17:03 - What Is the Boy Crisis
19:04 - Dad Deprived Boys and What Warren Heard in Prisons
21:06 - Why Kids Get to Bed Earlier When Dad Sets the Rules
25:57 - My Father and Too Much Independence Too Young
29:21 - Checks and Balances Parenting
32:30 - Risk Taking, Big Boulders, and Our Kids
38:33 - Protested at the University of Toronto
46:05 - From I Am Woman to Victim Power and MeToo
50:09 - Role Mate to Soul Mate and Why We Get Defensive
53:09 - The Caring and Sharing Practice
54:37 - If I Would Die for You, I Can Listen to You
58:31 - Two Different Stories Can Coexist
1:01:52 - Date Nights and Dancing With Jordan
1:04:06 - Why Men Stop Sharing Their Feelings
1:07:44 - From Civil War to Civil Dialogue
1:14:44 - Letting Go of Resentment Toward My Daughter
1:19:53 - The 12 Steps and What Teens Are Looking For
1:21:58 - Warren's Legacy Project and Where to Start