When I walked out of "John Proctor is the Villain" on Broadway, I knew I wanted to have a conversation about the guys in the show and I got to have it with two of them, Gabriel Ebert and Hagen Oliveras. These guys don't play the heroes in this show, they play the guys we recognize, the ones who make us uncomfortable because we've either known them or we've been them.
Gabriel portrays Mr. Smith, a beloved teacher whose true nature becomes devastatingly clear. Hagen plays Lee, a troubled young man whose attempts to connect consistently harm the people around him. What struck me wasn't just their performances, but how these roles have forced them to confront difficult truths about masculinity that most of us would rather avoid.
In this conversation, we explore:
- How playing morally complex characters has changed their understanding of male behavior
- The moments from their own lives they've had to reckon with through these roles
- Why defensiveness and withdrawal often make men's struggles worse, not better
- The difference between struggling and how you choose to struggle
- Why vulnerability, not protection of ego, serves everyone better
Gabriel and Hagen have spent months inhabiting these characters, and their insights into the psychology of men who cause harm are both unsettling and necessary. These are the conversations that matter, the ones that might actually help us become better men. Thanks for listening and share with a friend or someone you think might resonate this one.
Subscribe, give this episode 5 stars, and leave a review!
Connect with me:
- Instagram: @theguyset
- TikTok: @theguyset
- Watch the full episode on YouTube: @guyset
- Website: guyset.com
- Email: josh@guyset.com
- Ask Me Anything: guyset.com
- Read my substack: guyset
See you guys next Tuesday.
Popular Podcasts
Fudd Around And Find Out
UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!