Ep 34: Fatherhood and Masculinity with Justin Baldoni
Hosts:
Cindy Hovington, Ph.D.
Marion Vanhorn, Ph.D.
Guest: Justin Baldoni
Justin Baldoni is an actor, director, producer, entrepreneur and changemaker whose efforts are focused on creating impactful media and entertainment. Baldoni is the co-founder of Wayfarer Studios, an independent financial and production engine pioneering purpose-driven, multi-platform film and television productions that elevate and speak to the human spirit. He is also the founder of Wayfarer Foundation, a non-profit which seeks to change the way communities see and respond to unhoused populations.
In 2019, Baldoni co-founded Wayfarer Studios with business leader, humanitarian, and film producer Steve Sarowitz, disrupting the typical studio model by producing stories that serve as true agents for social change. In 2020, Baldoni directed and produced Wayfarer Studios’ first feature-film project,Clouds, which is based on the book “Fly a Little Higher” by Laura Sobiech about her son Zach. The film was acquired by Disney+, becoming Disney’s first-ever narrative acquisition on its global platform. In addition to Clouds, WayfarerStudios has already built out a robust, genre-defying slate with innovative projects spanning film, scripted television, documentaries, digital platforms and more.
Baldoni made his feature-film directorial debut in March 2019 with Five Feet Apart for CBS Films and Lionsgate, starring Cole Sprouse and Haley Lu Richardson as Cystic Fibrosis patients who fall in love but aren’t allowed physical contact due to their medical condition. The film went on to gross $91 million worldwide, making it CBS Films’ third highest-grossing film of all time, and was nominated for several awards including a People’s Choice Award nomination for “Drama Movie of 2019” and a Teen Choice Award nomination for “Choice Drama Movie.”
As a director, Baldoni is known to leave a lasting impression on his audience. In 2012, he created and directed The CW’s My Last Days, an uplifting documentary series about life as told by courageous people living with terminal illnesses. The series is currently in its fifth season on The CW and was recognized by the Television Academy Honors as one of the most powerful and impactful television shows of 2018 that inspired widespread social change.
Baldoni first rose to worldwide fame through his role as “Rafael” on The CW’s award-winning phenomenon Jane the Virgin. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife, two children and their new puppy.
Summary:
In today’s episode, we chat with actor, director, producer, father AND author of Man Enough to discuss masculinity and fatherhood. We need to make it ok for our boys to express emotions and to be vulnerable. This starts with us, in our home. We need to do the work so that dads can express themselves and feel that they are man enough. Join the conversation and comment below about how these topics have impacted you or your family.
You can support the Curious Neuron Podcast by joining our Patreon account here.
Watch the video of our interview with Justin on our YouTube page here.
Thank you to the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at The Neuro for supporting our podcast.
Resources:
Man Enough book
AMMA (Co-founder Emily Baldoni)
Research:
Tensions between fatherhood and the social construction of masculinity in Italy HERE
A Longitudinal Study of Paternal Mental Health During Transition to Fatherhood as Young Adults HERE
Mental health and wellbeing during the transition to fatherhood HERE
Supporting Fatherhood Before and After It Happens HERE
Constructing Men as Fathers: A Content Analysis of Formulations of Fatherhood in Parenting Magazines HERE