‘Thinking Hope: Masculinity’ – Julia Ebner in conversation with Tuğba Ayaz

Fascist governments are destroying democracies. Ongoing wars are claiming lives. Women are under greater threat than ever before. 2024 was the hottest year on record. The world is on fire. How do we find courage? How do we cultivate hope? How do we foster solidarity? Journalist Tuğba Ayaz curates and presents the series ‘Thinking Hope’. In this second episode, she continues to debate the pressing issues of our time with guests from the worlds of literature and academia.

She speaks with academic Julia Ebner about the dangers of extreme masculinity. In her latest book, *From Fitness to Fascism* (2026), Ebner examines three myths of masculinity – flesh, money and muscles – and shows how these are linked to fascism. How do men become susceptible to violence? What makes masculinity a global business? To what extent does it shape extremists? Ebner uncovers alarming answers. Building on this, the discussion aims to explore hope.