The Case for Reinventing Fatherhood and Masculinity- with Jack Kammer

Episode Summary 

Jack Kammer has spent over four decades asking the uncomfortable questions about gender, power, and fairness—and he’s not done yet. In this episode, the former social worker, parole officer, and longtime advocate for men’s issues joins A Joyful Rebellion to unpack what he calls a “Vitamin M deficiency” in modern life.

From stories of fatherlessness and male dropout to the overlooked emotional needs of boys, Kammer offers a perspective that challenges dominant gender narratives—without rejecting the value of feminism. We explore the male and female “power structures,” the cost of being excluded from emotional spaces, and how society might benefit from men reinventing their roles—not with rebellion, but with reintegration.

If you’ve ever questioned how we got here—or how we get out—this conversation might just shift your lens.

Show Notes with Chapters

[00:00:00] Introduction to Jack Kammer and his lifelong work [00:03:00] Challenging the myth of universal male privilege [00:05:30] American vs. French Revolutions as metaphors for gender progress [00:07:00] Jack’s origin story: co-ed softball and aha moments [00:10:30] “The Misfortune 5 Million” and redefining power [00:16:00] The invisible female power structure and the Big Red Heart [00:21:00] The original radio show and what men called in about [00:24:00] Divorce, fatherlessness, and societal bias [00:30:00] Are we struggling because we’ve lost purpose? [00:34:00] Men’s opportunity to reinvent themselves (IBM analogy) [00:39:00] Raising kids, deserving vs. needing, and Vitamin M [00:46:00] Responsible motherhood and fatherhood—what’s missing [00:50:00] Reclaiming the value of masculinity and presence [00:55:00] The need for balance, not backlash [01:00:00] What men and boys are facing today [01:02:00] Final thoughts and the call for shared respect

Resources 

• Male Friendly Media: Jack Kammer’s platform

• National Fatherhood Initiative: https://www.fatherhood.org

• Book: No More Mr. Nice Guy by Dr. Robert Glover

• Book references: The End of Men, Are Men Even Necessary?