The Masculinity Vacuum with Bram Geiben

In this episode of VarnVlog, C. Derick Varn is joined by Bram Geiben, editor at Revol Books and host of Strange Exiles, to discuss the evolving crisis of masculinity, the limits of modern identity politics, and how theory gets transformed into rigid dogma. Together, they unpack: Judith Butler & Gender Theory: Why Gender Trouble was originally anti-essentialist—and how its framework can be re-examined to understand male identity. The "Manosphere" & Male Alienation: How economic precarity, educational shifts, and a lack of positive male role models drive young men toward right-wing subcultures. Cinema & Masculinity: Analyzing figures like Ryan Gosling, Joker, American Psycho, and Barbie as cultural ciphers for male interiority. Building Real Solidarity: Why the left needs to move past purity tests, performative silence, and linguistic policing to foster genuine brotherhood and working-class organizing. Link:  https://bramegieben.bigcartel.com/product/crisismasculinity Send us Fan Mail Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to Bitterlake Support the show Crew: Host: C. Derick Varn Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake. Intro Video Design: Jason Myles Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn Links and Social Media: twitter: @varnvlog blue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.social You can find the additional streams on Youtube Current Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic,Julian, Drea, Free Beer, SNT-BRCH, Joshua Parsons