Child Psych Podcast Episode #191

Dr. Alan Hahn is an educator, author, and founder of Iron Academy, a school dedicated to helping boys grow into men of character, purpose, and leadership. Through decades of experience in education and mentorship, Dr. Hahn has developed an intentional approach to raising boys that emphasizes responsibility, brotherhood, moral development, and meaningful rites of passage. His book, Iron Academy: Forging Young Men, explores practical ways families and communities can support boys as they navigate today’s challenges.

Introduction to the Conversation

Many parents are asking the same question: Why are so many boys struggling today? From rising rates of anxiety, depression, school disengagement, and suicide to increasing concerns about purpose and identity, many families are searching for ways to better support the boys in their lives.

In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, Tammy Schamuhn and Dr. Alan Hahn explore the growing crisis facing boys and discuss how parents, educators, and communities can help raise resilient, emotionally healthy young men. Rather than focusing on outdated stereotypes of masculinity, this conversation highlights the importance of connection, responsibility, healthy identity, and intentional parenting.

What We Discuss in This Episode

Dr. Hahn explains why many boys today struggle with identity, purpose, and belonging in a rapidly changing culture. Together, Tammy and Dr. Hahn discuss how digital technology, social media, pornography, and a lack of positive male mentorship have reshaped childhood for many boys.

The conversation also explores practical parenting strategies, including creating family values, encouraging responsibility, fostering competence, and developing meaningful rites of passage that help boys transition into adulthood. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize that boys thrive when they experience joy, accountability, strong relationships, and opportunities to contribute to their families and communities.

What You’ll Learn

• Why many boys are struggling with mental health, purpose, and identity today.
• How responsibility and meaningful challenges build confidence and resilience.
• Practical ways to create healthy rites of passage and family traditions.
• Why mentorship, positive male role models, and community matter for boys’ development.
• How parents can foster emotional health while raising strong, compassionate young men.

Who This Episode Is For

This episode is valuable for parents raising boys, caregivers, educators, coaches, therapists, and anyone supporting children’s mental health and development. Whether you’re raising a young son, working with adolescents, or simply wanting to better understand the unique challenges boys face today, this conversation offers practical, hopeful strategies grounded in child development, emotional wellbeing, and intentional parenting.