In this thoughtful Mama Mentors episode, Beth Graham talks with counselor Jared Hoffman about the challenges facing young men today, including purpose, motivation, phones, pornography, confidence, and connection.

Jared shares practical insight for parents who want to better understand their sons, support healthy growth, and create space for honest conversations without shame or judgment.

Mama Mentors Podcast with Beth Graham, MamaMentors.net

Episode Outline

• 0:00 – Understanding Young Men Today
  Beth introduces counselor Jared Hoffman and the conversation begins with why he is passionate about helping young men get support earlier.
• 5:00 – Purpose, Motivation, and Digital Distractions
  Jared explains how a lack of purpose, pressure around college, pornography, gambling, video games, and phones can pull young men away from growth.
• 13:00 – Letting Boys Build Competence
  The conversation explores why boys need opportunities to fail, try hard things, and build confidence through real-life experience.
• 24:00 – Phones, Pornography, and Honest Conversations
  Jared talks about why parents need ongoing, age-appropriate conversations about screens, porn, addiction, and safety.
• 39:00 – Connection, Counseling, and Faith
  Jared shares how parents can connect with teenage boys, how to know if counseling is helping, and why faith and purpose matter.

Best Quotes from the Podcast

“The answer is not more information. It’s actually letting them fail and giving them experiences of messing up.”

– Jared Hoffman

“Connection comes because you’re willing to have the conversation and you’re not going to be judgmental.”

– Jared Hoffman

“I want to know what it’s like to be you.”

– Jared Hoffman

Click play to listen to the full episode