Men, Explain

People often advise against starting a business with friends or dating within the workplace. But is it really all that bad? In this episode, we invite Kelvin Tan, otherwise known as Mayiduo, to share about how working as a couple has affected his intimate relationship, and weigh in on how he managed the working dynamics with his wife. 

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How should one feel about their body? Our attitudes toward our bodies are shaped by various cultural, personal, and biological factors, with sexual anatomy playing a significant role in our body image — it’s even commonplace for people to identify body parts as 'symbols' that affirm their sense of self as a man or a woman. But should that always be the case?

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Are we still using phrases like “gu niang,” or “man up” as insults in today’s context? As a society, most of us are already making large strides away from gender stereotypes but has this changed the way we raised the future generation of men at all? We invite our very own Singapore pride, Fandi Ahmad, who has literally raised 4 sons of his own, as well as his youngest son, Iryan Fandi, to discuss what it’s like to be a man today. 

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Ever been dumbfounded by life questions like “Have you decided your university major?” “Which company are you considering after graduation?” “So when is your big day?” Whether you’re fresh in your twenties, cruising through your thirties or even rolling into your fifties, we tend to bump into crossroads in life and face moments of important decisions. The real question is - How can I embrace these curveballs in life?

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Have you ever had a crush on someone you spotted from across the room of a party or a workplace before you stop yourself and think, “No way, he/she is way out of my league”? Of course, equality and mutual respect in relationships are common values that people strive for, but did you know that it is, in fact, a norm for people to desire/court people who are about 25% more desirable than how we see ourselves? 

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When it comes to finding soulmates, most of us focus on finding The One by a certain phase in our lives. But what happens when ‘The One’ becomes two or more, where individuals commit themselves to loving multiple partners at the same time? This brings us to question the idea of monogamy - What does it mean to couples beyond just a social construct?

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Quite commonly, men have been described to be “unromantic” or accused of “not putting in enough effort”. But perhaps men and women are just expressing and receiving love differently. In this episode of Men, Explain, let’s discuss what being romantic means in a modern relationship and how much media consumption has affected the way we perceive relationships. 

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It’s been far too long where women have been accused of being the more confusing gender. It’s time we dish out some weird habits among men that women find so relatable yet cannot seem to understand. In this episode, we invite Tiktok’s best judge of character to dissect communication styles, beige flags specific to men and what they mean, as well as how to form a more meaningful connection between both parties.

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Why do nightclubs get such bad rep? Perhaps it’s because it’s known to be the place where anything can happen under the influence of alcohol. People often associate clubbing with heavy drinking, loud music, and promiscuous behaviour. It’s not uncommon that people are against the idea of their partners going to a club when in a relationship. 

In this episode of Men, Explain, Sonia and our guest MYRNE, who happens to be a club DJ, discuss to what extent is it dangerous for your significant other to go clubbing when in a committed relationship. How do couples navigate and communicate their boundaries in such instances? Listen to find out! 

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Everyone is looking like they have their life together - a career, a romantic partner, and some have already BTO-ed or gotten a resale flat of their choice. And you? You’re in your late 20s and 30s, single, and still wondering ‘Why haven’t you found the one?’. Is it because of high expectations or are you the problem? 

In this episode of Men, Explain, Sonia and our guests - Nicholas Teo and Q tackle the problem of dating in our late 20s and 30s and question if being too single means you’re a red flag.

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‘The independent woman’, a phrase that many women wear with pride but seem to scare off potential suitors. Much talk on social media has been going around saying that dating an independent woman is difficult, or men who claim they want ‘independent partners’ do not seem to match up to dating expectations. In this episode, Sonia and our guests dive into finding out why people are so afraid to date independent women and what expectations are exactly involved. 

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“Netflix and chill?” – It’s a common stereotype that men “just want sex” while women prefer to “take it slow. When it comes to building a relationship, sexual compatibility plays a big part in the equation but is always left out in conversations due to its taboo nature. Which begs the question: Do men and women view physical intimacy in a relationship differently? What does physical intimacy mean for men and women in a relationship? Is there a gender that always wants more? Let’s find out in this episode. 

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When it comes to proposals, men are still expected to follow the traditional trajectory of planning a surprise proposal: getting on their knees to pop the question. In this episode, Sonia and our newly engaged guests, Nick & Hong Ling share their thoughts on the expectations behind proposals and weddings.

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In the past few years, we have seen more female leaders are being thrusted into the limelight. Be it in the business or political sphere. And yet, most  women still  suffer from what is commonly known as “Imposter Syndrome”. Is it harder for women to move up? Do we have more to prove? Or are we still living in a man’s world?

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Is PMS (premenstrual syndrome) just a female thing? You may not have heard of it but yes, there is a male version of PMS, also commonly known as Irritable Male Syndrome. Feeling like your man is acting all rude and grumpy? It could be that timeof the month. 

In this episode of Men, Explain, Sonia and Fakkah Fuzz, Singapore’s funny man, discuss the nutty topic of hormones, menstruation, and uncomfortable conversations surrounding men’s health and wellness.

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Do men have it easy when it comes to personal grooming? Everywhere on the street, we often see guys decked out in the Uniqlo catalogue, sporting the basic QB house haircut. In this episode, Sonia and our guest, Ayden Sng, delve into whether men are just lazy or basic when it comes to their personal grooming. Do guys simply grab the first shirt at the top of their clothes pile? Do they only need 10 mins to get ready? Find out more in this episode! 

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As society has become increasingly progressive and open-minded, we have now come to accept and embrace different types of love and relationships. However, couples in large age gap relationships  still face judgement from people who are not privy to the relationship. Is age really that important in a relationship?

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Are friendships among men different from women? In this episode of Men, Explain, Sonia and our guest, Shawn Thia, discuss more on maintaining friendships between the guys and touch more on the unspoken “bro code” and “girl code” that we often find ourselves entangled in. 

Is it easier for guys to maintain their friendship? Are there certain problematicbro codes? Listen to this episode to find out more! 

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Is it still possible to find love after a failed marriage? What does it mean to have committed to your partner only to realise that nothing is working out between the two of you? 

In this episode of Men, Explain, Sonia and our guests - Carrie and Kevin shares their experiences of picking themselves up after a divorce, finding love again and learning to communicate their differences in their new-found relationship.

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Money and love are two things that don’t necessarily go well together. Couples can fight about anything and everything - but arguments about money have the tendency to be particularly complicated. Having the financial talk with your partner might be daunting, but could also be deeply bonding as well. In this episode, financial experts Wei choon and Rui Ming give their two cents (haha) on tackling one of the most important conversations every couple should have. 

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Is it still a stigma to date older women or younger men in today’s day and age? The modern dating scape has changed drastically and people are now more open to meeting people from different backgrounds, cultures, and ages. 

In this episode of Men, Explain, Sonia and our guests, Brandon and Kaykay, will share their experiences and views on dating older women/younger men, and how they navigate the stigmas and stereotypes of such relationships.

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With the advent of dating apps, dating and meeting new people has changed drastically over the past decade. However, traditional dating expectations such as how men should pay for dates have not changed much in the last century.

In this episode, Sonia and Ze Liang will attempt to answer the age-old question of “Should men pay for first dates?” and discuss how dating expectations may affect our dating life and consequently, married life.

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The legalisation of social egg freezing in Singapore and the male birth control pill have been hot topics lately in Singapore. In this episode, Sonia and her male guest discuss fertility, male contraception, social egg freezing, and how these can affect family, life and career. 

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Love can bring together two completely different people with different backgrounds, professional goals and personal aspirations. But what happens when those goals are wildly different?2

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Honesty is the foundation to every strong and healthy relationship, right? But how important is it to be honest about things that are no longer in the present? 

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Ever heard about the “Singaporean dream”? Common connotations of success in Singapore always seem to echo around these key aspects: Education, stable career, settle down before 30, buy a BTO. While women are very much recognised for their ambitions and careers in modern day and age, marriage and motherhood seem to still be a vital part of the equation for women to seem “complete”. Do men get the same pressure to settle down? 

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It’s no secret that guys and girls communicate differently with their closest friends. But why does it always seem like both genders have such a hard time communicating with each other? In this episode, we want to explore the science of it and the myths that surround it. From one-word replies to looking uninterested, we invite a male guest to dissect the thought process and the meaning behind their words – or lack thereof.

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Multiple surveys and studies have documented men’s changing attitudes toward women in recent years: There is almost universal support for women to pursue careers and political office, and attitudes have become far more accepting around gender identity. But when it comes to the home front, traditional values still dominate.

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Cooking for women is often seen as the ultimate act of domesticity. It means we’re mature and capable of nurturing—maybe even wife material. 2But today, women are pursuing other interests outside of the kitchen. It’s no longer surprising that some modern women don’t even know how to properly hold a knife. And so, we question: do guys really mind if their female spouse can or can’t cook? 

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All healthy relationships have boundaries — from friends and family to colleagues and acquaintances. You can’t see them, but these lines help you retain your personal identity and maintain mutual respect. In relationships, one of the fine lines is about being “protective” of each other. But at which point should this behaviour be considered a red flag?

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If you’d murdered someone, who would you call to help you bury the corpse? Is it your best friend or your significant other?

In recent decades, people have broadened their minds to what constitutes a relationship — with themselves, their friends, and their romantic partner. Studies have shown people get married later than ever, and young adults are opting to share a home rather than a marriage license with a partner. What if friendship was at the center of our lives?

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When and how does an abusive relationship take root? When love is in the equation, things get complicated. In this episode, Sonia and guests discuss toxic relationships — different types and signs of emotional and/or physical abuse that one may experience with their partners.

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Most people are familiar with the concept of the “alpha male” – typically the physically strong, socially dominant man who is more often than not successful in their career and life. On the other hand, the alpha female is only a more recent phenomenon thanks to the feminist movement. However, women still often feel the need to tone-down or apologise for their success or dominant traits to avoid getting misunderstood. In this episode, we explore the concept of being “alpha” and how it affects the way we are perceived in work and life.

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We often hear that appearance doesn't matter, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. But it’s only natural for humans to be drawn towards good looking things. Studies have consistently shown that your physical appearance can have a significant impact on your career and professional advancement. In this episode, we invite an industry veteran to explore what the local media landscape currently looks like, and how the glimpse of change might turn into something more.

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It’s no surprise to most that women face a ton of demands in order to be considered stereotypically attractive in society. What’s more uncommon is the unspoken expectations that men face to be deemed attractive as well. In this episode, two beautiful specimens of a man and a woman discuss their insecurities and how they deal with them.

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Traditional ideologies of masculinity have been thrown around for decades, in which terms like “macho” and “red-blooded” are used to describe the kind of hulking masculinity that men were, somehow, expected to embody. These notions of manhood are now commonly known as “toxic masculinity.” In this episode, we invite a guest to discuss and reflect how it can affect the mental and physical health of both men and women.1

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More often than not, gender stereotypes (conditioned by society) are the catalysts for gender bias and/or discrimination. This notion takes form in sexist remarks, casual sexism, and in worse cases, workplace gender inequality and sexual assault that both men and women face on the daily. In this episode, we invite a transgender male guest to delve deep into common gendered narratives and find out how he feels about them.

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Falling in love is the easy part. The actual challenge, for most couples, is how to rekindle the fires of romance even after the “honeymoon period” is over and cultivate a mature, trusting love that is the key to a lasting relationship. In this episode, we invite a guest to find out if men are more likely to cheat on their partners and what it takes to stay committed.

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Gender differences between men and women are not just a sweeping generalisation, but observations analysed over centuries of human behaviour. These fundamental differences exist in the way in which men and women function, think and most importantly communicate. In this episode, we invite a male guest to dissect the thought process and the meaning behind their words (or lack thereof) in times of both endearment and arguments.

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Straight male-female friendships shouldn’t be such a complicated relationship in today’s modern world, yet some still continue to perceive the line to be blurred. In this episode, two friends of the opposite gender have an honest conversation about where they stand on this topic. 

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Stretch marks; body weight; body hair; postpartum body changes — These are a few of the many insecurity issues that reach a woman's subconscious daily. But how do our male partners really feel about them? In this episode, we invite a male guest who has been with his female partner through the different stages of her life to weigh in on his honest thoughts.

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