The Weight of Being a Man: Identity, Vulnerability & Self-Worth

Many young men, like Jack, grow up carrying the weight of a challenging childhood, stepping into adulthood with a fragile or diminished sense of self. Jack’s voice gives shape to what has been called the Silent Crisis—a growing mental health concern among men—and offers a vivid, personal glimpse into what it means to be one of the many boys who feel lost. Listening to this conversation opens a door into the inner world of a young man who is trying to make sense of himself and the world around him. It’s a powerful invitation to understand the emotional realities that too often go unspoken.

Episode Summary

In this deeply personal conversation, Kathy sits down with Jack Seikaly—a Lebanese photographer, political analyst, and visual storyteller—for a raw and powerful exploration of masculinity, identity, and mental health. Jack opens up about the emotional terrain of growing up in a tumultuous relationship with his father and a complex one with his mother, the burdens of male expectations, and his lifelong search for self-worth. Together, they explore how boys come to measure their value, why so many men suffer in silence, and the hidden crisis of loneliness and low self-esteem in men’s mental health.

You’ll hear Jack reflect on what remains when all titles and achievements fall away—grappling with the question, “Who am I, really?” He explains how he reframed his relationship with his father by moving him “into the friend box,” creating connection without resentment. He also speaks honestly about the tension between solitude and connection in our digital age, and what it means to seek community while often feeling emotionally alone.

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Guest Bio

Jack Seikaly is a Lebanese photographer, political analyst, and visual storyteller known for his bold infrared photography and his documentation of Lebanon’s 2019 revolution. His work has been featured in WIRED and exhibited globally. Jack is largely shaped by growing up in an unstable political environment in Lebanon, as well as the spontaneous existence in the Cedars that fostered the creativity needed for photography.Beyond his public achievements, Jack is a young man navigating what it means to be male in today’s world—with honesty, emotional depth, and an unwavering willingness to examine the hard questions.

Topics Covered

Early family dynamics & how childhood experiences shape adult self-worth

Rebuilding a fractured father-son relationship through reframing and emotional boundaries

Masculinity redefined: what Jack learned from both his mother’s values and his father’s expectations

Solitude vs. community: why emotional isolation persists even in connection

Masculinity, Sensitivity & Emotional Expression

Purpose, Achievement & Self-Worth

Building Authentic Friendship & Community

Links 

• Website: https://jackseikaly.com
• Instagram: @jrseikaly
• YouTube / intogrey: https://youtube.com/intogrey

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who’s raising a boy—or someone who needs to hear it. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us next week for more real conversations on Unlocking the Parenting Code: All About Boys.

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Why Is Season 3 Different?

Too many boys today feel lost, alone, and misunderstood. And far too often, the same is true for their parents.

Behind the troubling statistics is a generation of boys quietly longing to be seen, heard, and valued — yet the conversation around boys’ emotional lives remains far too quiet.

Season 3 of Unlocking the Parenting Code is here to change that.

In this new season, you’ll hear:

🔹 Real conversations with young men who are ready to share their truth.

🔹 Powerful insights from experts in boys’ mental and emotional health.

🔹 And raw, real wisdom from dads who are walking this road every day

🔹 Solo episodes where I reflect on what I’ve witnessed, wrestled with, and learned

At the heart of this season — and at the heart of Sonhood Coaching — is a mission:

To understand the inner emotional world of boys, to recognize the very real challenges they face, and to name the damaging myths and societal expectations that continue to shape how we see, treat, and raise our sons.

This is not about fixing boys.

It’s about truly seeing them — and learning how to show up differently, with compassion, courage, and connection.

Together, we’re building a world where boys feel safe to be their authentic selves.

Because when we get it right for our boys, we begin to heal something much bigger.

Learn more @sonhoodcoaching.com