In this episode, we dive deep into the intricate relationship between film, media, and pop culture and its influence on our perception of masculinity. Join us as queer film critic Manuel Betancourt takes us on a captivating journey, shedding light on how media shapes our desires and dictates the ideals of manhood. Discover the ways pop culture has tried to define and redefine the boundaries of what men can be, wear, do, and yearn for. Manuel delves into the dual portrayal of masculinity as both erotic and aggressive, and the often overlooked influence it has had on young gay men's perceptions of body image from a tender age. As we navigate these waters, we also uncover ways to decondition and broaden our understanding of masculinity as presented in films and TV series.

About Manuel Betancourt

Manuel Betancourt is a Los Angeles-based queer Colombian writer and film critic. His work has been featured in The New York Times, BuzzFeed Reader, The Los Angeles Times, Film Comment, Esquire, The Atlantic, Los Angeles Review of Books and The AV Club, among others. His latest book is The Male Gazed: What Hunks, Heartthrobs and Pop Culture Taught Me About (Desiring) Men (Catapult, 2023). He is also the author of Judy at Carnegie Hall (Bloomsbury Press, 2020) and a contributing writer on Chad Sell's critically acclaimed and Eisner Award-nominated graphic novel series The Cardboard Kingdom (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2018, 2021, 2023).

Website: https://mbetancourt.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmanuel/?hl=en
The Male Gazed (book): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/719500/the-male-gazed-by-manuel-betancourt/

About Me 

I’m George Lizos, spiritual teacher, psychic healer, and #1 bestselling author. Growing up in a small Christian community, I was judged and rejected for being gay and different. After a futile two-year attempt to change who I was born to be, I called myself a human abomination and almost took my own life. Fortunately, in my darkest moment, I saw the light and ventured on a healing journey of love, forgiveness, and spiritual awakening. 

Yet, my gay dating life since hasn’t always been all roses and rainbows, and my past dramas and traumas have definitely kept things spicy. Fast forward past many awkward dates and disappointing sex, I Created Can’t Host to challenge toxic gay stereotypes, explore the complex dynamics of gay sex and relationships, and create opportunities for healing and growth. ⁠⁠⁠https://georgelizos.com/⁠⁠

Connect With Me 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/georgelizos/⁠⁠⁠  
Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://georgelizos.com/⁠⁠⁠  
TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@iamgeorgelizos⁠⁠⁠  
Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠http://www.yourspiritualtoolkit.com/⁠⁠⁠ 

My Books

Be The Guru: ⁠⁠⁠https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1TtCj⁠⁠⁠  
Lightworkers Gotta Work: ⁠⁠⁠https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1TmKf⁠⁠⁠  
Protect Your Light: ⁠⁠⁠https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1TmJd⁠⁠⁠