Quick Read
- Scott Galloway’s book ‘Notes on Being a Man’ topped bestseller lists in late 2025, sparking renewed debate about masculinity and mental health.
- He argues that men face rising loneliness, economic insecurity, and social drift, compounded by technology and social media.
- Galloway criticizes both conservative and liberal approaches to the masculinity crisis, urging programs that support all young people.
- He sharply critiques Elon Musk’s political activities, claiming they damaged Tesla’s brand and alienated its core customers.
- Galloway’s perspective blends personal vulnerability, data-driven analysis, and a call for emotional openness among men.
Scott Galloway’s Unfiltered Take on Masculinity in Crisis
It’s not often you find a bestselling author, successful investor, and popular podcaster willing to dig so honestly into the pitfalls of modern masculinity. Scott Galloway, the shaven-headed, California-born marketing professor at NYU, is not your typical “alpha-bro” self-help guru. Instead, he’s a self-described progressive with a sharp sense of self-awareness, and, perhaps surprisingly, a willingness to admit where he’s failed as much as where he’s succeeded.
Galloway’s latest book, Notes on Being a Man, shot to the top of the New York Times advice bestseller list in late 2025, reflecting a hunger for new answers to old questions: What does it mean to be a man today? How do we address the growing crisis among young males—a crisis marked by rising loneliness, mental health struggles, economic insecurity, and a sense of social drift?
Speaking from his London home, Galloway describes himself as someone who offers “where I’ve had some success, and mostly where I screwed up trying to become a man.” He’s wary of universal prescriptions, acknowledging, “I don’t think it would be well received for me to say, ‘This is how you become a man.’” That humility stands in stark contrast to the more rigid, ideological voices dominating the ‘manosphere’.
From Personal Vulnerability to Societal Analysis
Galloway’s approach is rooted in both personal experience and empirical research. Drawing on work by thinkers like Richard Reeves and Jonathan Haidt, he points to sobering statistics: boys face higher school suspension rates, men drop out of college at higher rates, and male unemployment and addiction are on the rise. “We’re going to graduate probably two women for every one man from college in the next five years,” he notes.
He argues that economic viability remains a key challenge for men. If men aren’t economically secure, Galloway contends, “they’re just going to have an absence of mating opportunities. And when men don’t have a romantic relationship, they tend to kind of come off the tracks.” He’s blunt about the consequences: increased loneliness, online radicalization, and the erosion of social skills. Technology and social media, he believes, have only compounded the problem, offering quick dopamine hits but few real-life opportunities for growth.
Yet Galloway’s solutions aren’t simplistic. He warns against nostalgia for patriarchal norms and refuses to blame women for men’s struggles. “I do not think the answer is to in any way economically disadvantage women,” he insists. “I think men need to level up. And I think, as a society, we need to implement more programmes to level up all young people.”
The Politics of Masculinity: Tech Titans and Leadership
In the political sphere, Galloway believes the crisis of masculinity played a role in the election of Donald Trump, with young men and their mothers shifting support. He’s critical of the left for ignoring young men, while the right capitalized on their frustrations. But he’s equally critical of the supposed masculine role models in power today.
Elon Musk, for example, comes under fire from Galloway for his recent actions as the public face of the White House DOGE Office—a government advisory group focused on spending cuts. Speaking on his Pivot podcast with Kara Swisher, Galloway called Musk’s involvement “one of the greatest brand destructions of all time.” Tesla, once a top-ranked American brand, plummeted in public perception, partly due to Musk’s political entanglements and alignment with Trump. Galloway argues that Musk alienated Tesla’s core customer base, cozying up to groups that have little interest in electric vehicles and triggering widespread protests and a dramatic drop in profits.
“He is a brilliant guy, but he’s alienated the wrong people. Three-quarters of Republicans would never consider buying an EV,” Galloway said, highlighting how business leadership can become entangled—and sometimes undone—by political ambition.
Fatherhood, Vulnerability, and the Real Masculine Code
For Galloway, the roots of male struggle are as much personal as societal. His own childhood was marked by instability: his father left when he was nine, and his grandfather’s violence left scars on the family. These experiences shaped Galloway’s view on the importance of male role models, economic security, and emotional openness.
He’s forthright about his own vulnerabilities, admitting to impostor syndrome and regrets about not spending enough time with his children. When his father died earlier in 2025, Galloway spoke openly—and tearfully—about the experience on his podcast, arguing that men should embrace emotional expression rather than suppress it. “For the last 3,000 years, we’ve been taught if you demonstrate weakness…some other dude might take your shit, fuck your wife and eat your children. And so men have been taught to not express that weakness. And the good news is, we live in a modern society where people are not going to kill you because you cry, and it just feels really good.”
He now finds himself moved by everyday moments—walking in Regent’s Park, watching TV with family, hearing friends’ struggles. For Galloway, slowing down and allowing himself to feel is a way to stave off the relentless march of time and connect more deeply with others.
Looking Ahead: Rethinking Success and Social Responsibility
Despite his financial success—he estimates his net worth around $150 million—Galloway is quick to acknowledge his privileges and luck. “The truth is, I was born on third base,” he says. Still, he remains driven by a desire for economic security, and now, a sense of social responsibility.
Settled in London for now, Galloway plans to return to the US to help build a Democrat-friendly podcasting network ahead of the 2026 and 2028 elections. He’s clear-eyed about America’s challenges and wants to be part of the solution, not just another celebrity commentator.
His role models are eclectic: Muhammad Ali for his strength, Margaret Thatcher for her resilience, Keanu Reeves for his humility and generosity. But Galloway is hesitant to call himself a role model, aware of his own shortcomings and the ongoing work of self-improvement.
Ultimately, Galloway’s message is one of honest reflection and a call for men—and society—to confront uncomfortable truths. It’s not about resurrecting old stereotypes, but about building new frameworks for economic security, emotional openness, and genuine connection.
Scott Galloway’s willingness to combine data-driven analysis with personal vulnerability offers a much-needed counterpoint to both reactionary and overly simplistic narratives about men’s roles in society. His critique of tech leadership, especially figures like Elon Musk, and his nuanced view on the political consequences of ignoring men’s struggles, make his perspective essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the evolving dynamics of masculinity, leadership, and mental health in 2025. As Galloway himself shows, true strength may lie in admitting weakness and striving for better—not just for oneself, but for the next generation.