Episode #6 Facing the Manosphere

In this episode, Greg and Caiti catch up in sunny Brisbane to cast some light on some of the more uncomfortable conversations happening in schools right now. They begin by unpacking conversations around teacher humiliation as a form of entertainment - from dunk tanks to pie throwing - and question what sits beneath these. They talk about coercion, humiliation and the origins of these practices. What starts as “a bit of fun” quickly raises deeper questions about the lines we’re willing to blur in the name of ‘being a good sport’.

The conversation then shifts to the manosphere and its growing influence on young boys. In this section, Greg and Caiti discuss an article by Adam Voigt that talks about the role of schools in supporting boys in a world influenced by the misogynistic manosphere. They talk about potential reasons the manosphere has gained popularity, the role of schools in this and touch on the idea of restorative practice and consequences.

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Greg Ashman

Greg is a school leader at Ballarat Clarendon College and holds a PhD in instructional design from UNSW.

Substack – Filling the Pail

LinkedIn – Greg Ashman

X/Twitter – @greg_ashman

If you’re interested in working with Greg at Ballarat Clarendon College, please see here for open roles and expressions of interest.

Caiti Wade

Caiti is a leader of pedagogy at a boys’ secondary school in Brisbane and is doing her EdD in applications of cognitive load theory to secondary mathematics.

Substack – The Disruptive Educator

LinkedIn – Caiti Wade

X/Twitter – @caiti_wade

Episode resources

* A bit of fun - by Greg Ashman - Filling The Pail

* Greg Ashman on X: "In my very first school, there was a ‘pie the teacher’ event…"

* I approached a woman in a pub. It was a vital step toward becoming a good man. - Adam Voigt, The Guardian

* Bad boys stick together - by Greg Ashman - Filling The Pail

Acknowledgement of country

We would like to acknowledge The Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the land of the Jagera and Turrbal Peoples, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.