In a brand new podcast for the BBC, broadcaster Rylan traces the fault lines of modern masculinity through a series of compelling and thought provoking conversations with a range of celebrities and prominent figures. Broadcasting on BBC Radio 4 and available as a boxset first on BBC Sounds, this exciting new series delves into a variety of experiences and opinions about How to be a Man today.

With so many different role models and stories both online and offline, it is increasingly challenging to keep up with what being a man means. And with controversial figures rising to prominence in recent years, the conversation around masculinity has never been more poignant.

Throughout the series, Rylan explores everything from toxic masculinity to old-fashioned male stereotypes, gender identity and body image, role models and cultural differences, parenthood, and how we might educate the next generation. A gifted interviewer, Rylan is not afraid to ask the big questions and taps into some of his guests’ deepest vulnerabilities, buoyed by his infectious sense of humour.

Rylan says: “I’m looking forward to chatting to a bunch of interesting people about what it means to be a modern man. From the old fashioned stereotypes to gender identity, I hope people find these conversations interesting, insightful and perhaps even useful.”

Rhian Roberts, Commissioning Editor says: “We’re delighted to welcome Rylan to Radio 4 in this new podcast. His charming curiosity and unexpected questions are irresistible, you just know his guests are telling him things they didn’t set out to reveal. Rylan gets to the heart of the dilemmas facing not just men but all of us as we try to navigate the 2020s. His new show is a total pleasure.”

Across the ten episodes, Rylan talks to people from a range of backgrounds in an attempt to find out what it means to be a man, including school teacher, content creator and CBBC presenter Kit Brown, first triple amputee from Afghanistan Mark Ormrod, Strictly Come Dancing’s 2022 winner and nature presenter Hamza Yassin, trans man and activist Freddy McConnell, the first openly gay professional footballer Jake Daniels, comedian Phil Wang, super model David Gandy, interior designer and iconic Changing Rooms presenter Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, boxer Amir Khan, and broadcaster journalist and writer Janet Street-Porter.

Rylan: How to be a Man is available on BBC Sounds from 9 May and broadcast weekly on BBC Radio 4 at 23:00 from 18 May.

A Mindhouse production in association with Simple Beast for BBC Radio 4.

The Series Producer is Yvonne Alexander and the Executive Producer is Kevin Mundye.