Kevin Samuels, a YouTube sensation and self-appointed image consultant, gained fame for his shrewd remarks about Black women on social media. Credit: Kevin Samuels/Facebook
Over the past few years, podcasts have exploded in popularity.
Anyone can launch their own show with little more than an Amazon microphone and an internet connection. One of the most popular topics? Relationships.
Many relationship podcasts offer valuable insights, discussing ideal dates, texting etiquette, handling breakups and personal growth. Some hosts genuinely act as big brothers or big sisters, sharing lessons learned from experience.
But alongside these positive influences, there’s a darker trend: the rise of misogynistic “self-improvement” podcasts hosted by men who promote harmful stereotypes about women.
These so-called “alpha male” podcasters claim to help men navigate modern dating and self-improvement, but in reality, many of them are just venting their frustrations under the guise of giving advice.
After experiencing a bad breakup or personal rejection, they take to the mic and spew regressive, outdated views on gender roles. Instead of fostering healthy, respectful conversations, they blame women for everything from failed relationships to societal decline.
ShxtsNGigs is a comedy podcast hosted by best friends James and Fuhad. The podcast is known for its unfiltered opinions on relationships, sex, and popular culture.
Podcasts like “ShxtsnGigs Podcast,” “Fresh & Fit Podcast,” and the No Fugazee Podcast often capitalize on misogynoir, or the anti-Black and misogyny directed toward Black women. They push the notion that women’s independence is a threat rather than an asset. Their rhetoric discourages emotional intelligence, communication and mutual respect—essential qualities in any healthy relationship.
The problem with these podcasts isn’t just that they exist—it’s that they thrive on the internet. Their content is optimized for viral outrage, and social media algorithms reward their inflammatory takes.
Who can forget the OG of misogynoir content, the late Kevin Samuels? The pseudo-love expert’s legacy who used Black women as a scapegoat to back his Anglo-Saxon ideologies.
He used his image as a self-proclaimed professional image consultant to advise Black women seeking “high-valued men.” All he did was exploit the emotions and vulnerability of Black women for the entertainment of social media. Like many others before him, he left a blueprint for this nonsense to continue.
Let’s be clear: There are plenty of men-led podcasts like the Dear Wifey Podcast, Express Yourself Black Man, and many others that offer genuine self-improvement advice without tearing others down. But the growing popularity of these misogynistic platforms raises an important question: Why is this content so appealing? And more importantly, what damage is it causing?
The influence of these podcasts extends beyond the digital world. They shape real-life interactions, embolden harmful attitudes, and contribute to a culture where women are seen as adversaries rather than partners. This isn’t just about bad dating advice—it’s about the normalization of toxic masculinity that seeps into workplaces, classrooms, and homes.
So, what can we do? First, we can stop giving these platforms our time, attention, and clicks. Instead, we should amplify voices that promote respect, equality, and personal growth. Second, we must have honest conversations with young men about the difference between confidence and control, leadership and domination, self-improvement and resentment.
The podcast space is vast, and there’s room for various perspectives. But as we sift through the content, we should do better with the type of information we digest.
It’s time for these podcast bros to go.
