The Making of "What’s Pulling Young Men to the Right?"

The Left is losing young men. We explore what's driving the shift.

⚠️ Editor’s Note: This episode was completed and scheduled before the tragic shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah. Its release timing is coincidental. Our thoughts are with all those affected by political violence.

This week, I dropped an episode that's a little different. Clocking in at over 30 minutes, "What’s Pulling Young Men to the Right?" is a deep dive into a really complex and, frankly, vital topic: the widening political gender gap among young voters, and specifically, the increasing lean of young men towards the right, or away from the left.

Truth be told, this episode almost broke me. Not because of the content – though that's certainly heavy – but because of the sheer scope of it. I've actually been working on this episode for about 18 months, piecing it together, refining the ideas, and conducting interviews. This is what happens when you're basically a one-man show, getting episodes out while working simultaneously on these larger projects. As I was putting it together, listening to the incredible insights from Angela Denker, Mark Sutton, and Eric Kaufmann, I found myself constantly debating: "Is this too much for one episode?" "Should this be a two-part, or even a three-part series?"

Most of our episodes aim for a tighter, more concise narrative. But with "What’s Pulling Young Men to the Right?," every clip, every expert perspective, felt essential. From the historical context of the "Emerging Democratic Majority" theory to the nuanced discussions about a "crisis of masculinity" and the "Democratic disconnect", there was just so much to unpack. Cutting any of it felt like we'd be doing a disservice to the topic and to our listeners.

There were moments, I'll confess, where the sheer volume of material, combined with the multiple voices and the need for seamless transitions, made me seriously consider hiring a professional narrator. Someone who could weave all these threads together with that polished, effortless delivery. There's a certain magic to a professional voice that can guide you through dense information without you even realizing how much you're absorbing. But ultimately, I decided to stick with my own voice. It felt more authentic to the "Outrage Overload" brand – raw, real, and a little bit unpolished, much like the complex issues we tackle.

The episode touches on so many critical aspects: the idea that young men are having a "reactionary response" against being labeled as "extreme liberal", the historical widening of the gender gap since 1972, Eric Kaufmann's provocative take that it's more about young women moving "towards the radical left", and the profound sense of alienation some young men are experiencing due to economic insecurity and the unraveling of traditional masculine roles. Mark Sutton's observations about the lack of "male space" and the Democratic Party's platform really hit home as practical examples of the disconnect.

We also explore some more philosophical aspects, like Kaufmann's argument about "progressive illiberalism" and the "sacredness of historically marginalized groups", which, while contentious, offers a perspective on what some men might be reacting against. And Angela Denker’s call for creating more cultural space for men to be vulnerable and embrace caregiving roles provides a much-needed ray of hope.

Ultimately, I decided to keep it as one longer episode. My hope is that the flow, which moves from broad political trends to deeply personal struggles and back again, will keep listeners engaged throughout. It's not a neat story with a tidy bow on top, and the conclusion reflects that, leaving us with crucial questions about how a healthy society engages young men and what kind of future we're inviting them into.

This episode was a challenge, but a deeply rewarding one. I believe the conversation it sparks is incredibly important, and I'm eager to hear your thoughts. Let me know what resonated with you, what surprised you, and what questions it raised for you.

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We’re Live Tomorrow: Agenda 47 Revisited

Just a quick reminder — we go live TOMORROW with Professor Sean Evans for Agenda 47 Revisited: One Year Later.

Eight months into Trump’s second term, we’re revisiting the predictions from last year’s episode and asking the big questions about where things stand now.

Can’t-miss topics we’ll cover:

• ⚖️ Checks & Balances – Are the courts still constraining presidential power, or has the Supreme Court tilted the balance?

• 🗳️ Election Legitimacy – With confidence in a free and fair 2026 midterm below 50%, what does the “long term” look like?

• 📰 A Free Press Under Strain – Is the media still an effective watchdog, or sliding toward an Orbán-style model?

📅 When: September 11, 8am Pacific / 11am Eastern
📍 Where: Live on Substack

👉 Don’t miss it: