<p>Cathy and Todd discuss <em>Billy Elliot</em> (2000), the British film set during the 1984–85 miners’ strike about a working-class boy who secretly pursues ballet while his community expects him to box and follow the rigid rules of masculinity. Using the film as a lens, they also discuss the documentary<em>Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere</em>, exploring how ideas about what boys “should” be, tough, unemotional, traditionally masculine, continue to shape conversations about gender today. They discuss the cultural impact of Billy Elliot, from its eventual transformation into the hit Elton John stage musical to the way the story challenges assumptions about masculinity through Billy’s passion for dance and his friendship with Michael. They also reflect on the powerful <em>Swan Lake</em> finale, where Billy’s final leap onstage becomes a symbol of freedom, an image of a boy stepping beyond the expectations of his community to become fully himself.</p> </p> <p><strong>Some Ways to Support Us</strong></p> <ol> <li style="list-style-type: none;"> <ol> <li><a href="https://cathycassaniadams.substack.com/">Sign up for Cathy’s Substack</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Restoring-Our-Girls-Conversations-Challenges/dp/1684816831/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13TEXAZWS743M&#38;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1VBeeu7d3zb6S8WeBFYFRGryAZH8eLlDqw9zwFm6Djfty5WSDo93DgjNMTI-_3WGmqDq1tgTnFDtk0KaC1q8dS9HsotofBzq-v9w-1ZlttP0pgUnmhndrvkTduj_rBlaNj25icgY85S2se3topRU8ekDqEqHiOkW-BUkmUfph2xOFr0CGYJx78ZHp_9lBiCY6dL6bCS9VtVWruFr1betMZGrs_CwNm-P7ubUhtT0f4A.KTnE-Q5NA8JO7ow9aWTKfiMntLn4Iif4M9I3vUDGPik&#38;dib_tag=se&#38;keywords=restoring+our+girls&#38;qid=1727709542&#38;sprefix=%2Caps%2C78&#38;sr=8-1">Order Restoring our Girls</a></li> <li><a href="https://zenpopparenting.com/product/teamzen-membership/">Join Team Zen</a></li> </ol> </li> </ol> <p><em><strong>Links shared in this episode:</strong></em></p> <p><span style="font-size: revert; color: initial;">For the full show notes, visit </span><a style="font-size: revert;" href="https://zenpopparenting.com/podcasts/860-billy-elliot/">zenpopparenting.com</a><span style="font-size: revert; color: initial;">.</span></p> <p><u>This week’s sponsor(s):</u></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.avidco.net/">Avid Co</a> DuPage County Area Decorating, Painting, Remodeling by Avid Co includes kitchens, basements, bathrooms, flooring, tiling, fire and flood restoration.</li> <li><a href="https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/david.serrano/">David Serrano- Certified Financial Planner- 815-370-3780</a></li> <li><a href="https://menliving.org/">MenLiving </a>&#8211; A virtual and in-person community of guys connecting deeply and living fully. No requirements, no creeds, no gurus, no judgements</li> <li><a href="https://toddadamscoaching.com/">Todd Adams Life &#38; Leadership Coaching for Guys</a></li> </ul> <p><u>Other Ways to Support Us</u></p> <ul> <li>Follow us on social media <ul> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/zenparentingradio/">Instagram</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@zenparenting">YouTube</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting/">Facebook</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Buy and leave a review for <a href="https://zenpopparenting.com/zen-parenting-book/">Cathy&#8217;s Book Zen Parenting: Caring for Ourselves and Our Children in an Unpredictable World</a></li> <li>Find everything ZPR on our <a href="https://zenpopparenting.com/resources/">Resources Page</a></li> <li>Guys- Complete a <a href="https://menliving.org/connect/">MenLiving Connect profile</a></li> </ul>