Understand

In the final episode of Michael Rosen’s series on masculinity and manhood, can comedian and podcaster Vittorio Angelone, following his tumultuous 20s, find his way to being a man that he actually likes.
At the start of his 20s, Vittorio found himself adrift in London, unsure of who he was or who he wanted to be. He felt paralysed by the many conflicting models of maleness competing for his attention online – all of them just different costumes he was trying on.
How will he find his own path?

Presenter: Michael Rosen
Producer: Rich Power
Executive Producer: Dave Anderson
Sound Mixer: Dan King
Editor: Kirsten Lass
Production Manager: Emily Duffy
Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke
A Loftus Media Production for BBC Radio 4

What’s it like to be a man in your 30s? In Episode 6 of Michael Rosen’s series about masculinity and manhood, filmmaker and former Premier League footballer Marvin Sordell puts darkness behind him to write a new chapter in his life.
By the time he was in his 20s, Marvin had clawed his way to the top level of football, playing in the Premier League and representing his country. But behind the scenes, he was battling a severe mental health crisis brought on by the pressure of the game and the hypermasculine culture that prevented him from sharing his struggles.
After taking the brave decision to leave his lucrative career behind, Marvin is rebuilding himself as a man in his 30s.
Presenter: Michael Rosen
Producer: Rich Power
Executive Producer: Dave Anderson
Sound Mixer: Dan King
Editor: Kirsten Lass
Production Manager: Emily Duffy
Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke
A Loftus Media Production for BBC Radio 4

What’s it like to be a man in your 40s? In Episode 5 of Michael Rosen’s series about masculinity and manhood, singer and author Lias Saoudi reflects on his transition from chaos to fatherhood.
As the lead singer of the notoriously hedonistic band Fat White Family, Lias made a career out of chaos. But after a revelation during the covid lockdown, he makes a handbrake turn, cleaning up his life and having a baby with his best friend.
But as the realities of life as a new father bite, the old instincts bubble up. How will Lias respond to his new responsibilities?
Presenter: Michael Rosen
Producer: Rich Power
Executive Producer: Dave Anderson
Sound Mixer: Dan King
Editor: Kirsten Lass
Production Manager: Emily Duffy
Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke
A Loftus Media Production for BBC Radio 4

What’s it like to be a man in your 50s? In Episode 4 of Michael Rosen’s series about manhood and masculinity, journalist, activist and writer Matthew Todd talks about his experience.
Matthew grew up feeling completely alienated from traditional masculinity. As a young gay man growing up during the HIV crisis of the 1980s, he felt the homophobia of mainstream culture deeply and developed a fear of straight men. But after decades of mental health problems and alcohol addiction, he finally was able to address his trauma. And now has found a new sense of himself as a man.
Presenter: Michael Rosen
Producer: Rich Power
Executive Producer: Dave Anderson
Sound Mixer: Dan King
Editor: Kirsten Lass
Production Manager: Emily Duffy
Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke
A Loftus Media Production for BBC Radio 4

What’s it like being a man in your 60s? In Episode 3 of Michael Rosen’s series about manhood and masculinity, comedian and writer David Baddiel shares his experience.
Like all of us, David has always ‘known’ he was going to die, but it’s only now that he truly believes it. As he considers what sort of man he wants to be in his old age and what mark he’ll leave on the world, he realises it’s family that comes above everything else. But what does being a ‘father’ really mean?
Presenter: Michael Rosen
Producer: Rich Power
Executive Producer: Dave Anderson
Sound Mixer: Dan King
Editor: Kirsten Lass
Production Manager: Emily Duffy
Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke
A Loftus Media Production for BBC Radio 4