I Tried to Toughen Up My Son. He Had Other Ideas.

The podcast explores the complexities of raising a son in today's world, particularly regarding toughness, vulnerability, and societal expectations. Sam Graham-Felsen discusses his attempt to instill resilience in his sensitive eight-year-old son through a road trip to the Badlands, inspired by Teddy Roosevelt's strenuous life. However, the son's unexpected embrace of Pee-wee Herman as a role model leads to conversations about embracing individuality and navigating societal pressures. The limitations of physical toughness are weighed against the power of wit and self-acceptance, culminating in a role-playing exercise where the son uses humor instead of force to disarm a bully, which highlights the boy's innate self-confidence.