Michael Kimmel is a SUNY Distinguished Professor of Sociology & Gender Studies at Stony Brook University, and the author of numerous books including “Healing from Hate,” & “Angry White Men.”

As a social scientist, Kimmel has studied the dynamics of male behavior in our current era, and the psychological and external factors that affect the way that men today behave. He also explains the dichotomy between what women say they want in a man and the kind of man they actually end up preferring to date. Many times there is a difference between ways men and women interact within their sex and with the opposite sex. All of these conflicting actions and interactions can cause frustration on both sides.

Many are, but not all behaviors of the sexes are biologically driven. The training individuals receive from adults, peer groups, and media in their lives is very influential on development and behavior.

Kimmel also addresses the unintended effects of gender policing at the end of this episode.

Michael Kimmel is a SUNY Distinguished Professor of Sociology & Gender Studies at Stony Brook University, and the author of numerous books including “Healing from Hate,” & “Angry White Men.” Kimmel credits feminism as the a primary driver for platonic male and female friendships. Due to the influence of feminism, women and girls were no longer relegated to housework and housewife duties. Instead they began studying science, technology and a host of other topics becoming inherently more interesting people – people that boys wanted to be friends with.

Kimmel wants to change the narrative or idea that gender equality is a zero sum game. There are no losers in gender equality; nothing is being taken from men, rather the same opportunities are not offered to women. Unfortunately some men have an unfounded sense of entitlement that contributes to their lack of receptiveness to equality.

Kimmel addresses the phrase “Make America Great Again” explaining that the meaning behind that harkens back to the 1950s, a time of less equality for white women, and all people of color. He says the the phrase is more accurately describe as, “Make America White Again.“

Kimmel did a series interviews with a variety of individuals who were radicalized into various extremist groups and then escaped. His purpose was to discover how people became radicalized initially and then learn how they got out.