“[Other Men Need Help] takes what might seem like a banality of daily life and turns it into an excavation of the masculine mind.”
-Jason Rogers, U.S. Olympian
About Other Men
Other Men is the "magazine" arm of Other Men Need Help—a digital platform that peels back the layers of modern masculinities with candidness, humor, empathy, and a little nostalgia. Through intimate stories and thoughtful observations, Mark Pagán explores the unspoken moments of everyday life that quietly shape who we are. Whether it's the pause before we say what we really mean, the warmth of a new "friend crush," or the quiet fears we keep tucked away, Other Men captures the subtle beauty in the messy experience of masculinity.
Other Men isn't about "fixing men," but it certainly isn't meant to offer easy answers or pass the buck on accountability. My focus is on embracing the delightful imperfections of life, inviting us to laugh, reflect, and find meaning in the unexpected connections between "out of the blue" messages to our exes and how they relate to unresolved grief to the ways baldness creates one of the most beautiful bonding patterns between "dome chrome" havers. Part journalism, part essayistic journeying, but always focused on storytelling, Other Men blends poignant insights with playful humor, like a conversation between old pals—where the serious and the sublime are equally welcome.
If you've ever found yourself overthinking a hug, wondering if you should message your ex (I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say, "no"), or needing guidance getting out of a shame spiral about a past failure, you'll feel right at home here. Other Men is a space for thoughtful exploration of the small moments that make us feel masculine (or emasculated) and how they tell us more about ourselves than we often realize. Join me, Mark Pagán, as we celebrate the ordinary, the funny, and the heartfelt stories that remind us we're all in this together. And if you have a story, I'd love to hear it—because, yes, talking about it makes all the difference.
ABOUT MARK PAGÁN
I’m the creator and editor-in-chief of Other Men, a publishing arm of Other Men Need Help, a playful narrative series looking at how men present themselves to the world. I like to call it Sesame Street about masculinity.
I’m also an award-winning filmmaker, audio producer, writer, and graying b-boy with long-form narrative work appearing in places like The New York Times, Code Switch, WNYC, Latino USA, Futuro Studios, TED, On Something, Las Raras, On the Media, Family Ghosts, Radiotopia, Ten Percent Happier, and the CBC. My films and performances have been shown at dozens of festivals and shows worldwide including Slamdance Film Festival, Maryland Film Festival, RISK!, The Moth, and Story Collider.
I also curate Hubba Hubba, a screening series that looks at the himbos, hunks and thirst traps of cinema that have dominated cultural desire (or should have).
My obsessions, often shared on this very platform, focus on the everyday minutiae of gender performance, men’s lifestyle culture, masculine mythology, and diasporic identity. It’s all a circus, and rather than act like the ringleader, I’m using spaces like this to share reporting from inside the clown car.
Why subscribe?
If you’ve listened to Other Men Need Help, you can expect the same vibe here—warmth, zany energy, transparency, and some helpful takeaways.
This space is for people who want to explore the complexities of modern masculinity in a relatable, cheeky, and thoughtful way. It’s a place where readers can reflect on the small but meaningful acts of masculinity in their lives—those that often go unspoken but shape who we are.
I encourage readers to embrace their imperfections and find joy in embracing and redefining masculine expectations. Other Men is not about drastic change—it’s about feeling more comfortable in your skin, understanding that growth is a messy and, often, absurd process, so let’s all take the piss out of ourselves a bit more along the way.
I aim to help you feel less alone in life's day-to-day struggles while providing laughter, insight, and warmth. In short, if this platform can offer anything, that type of visibility is my mission.
Ok, but why should I pay?
We’re building Other Men into something even bigger and better—more stories, laughs, research, interviews, and candidness about our private experiences navigating masculinity. But to keep doing this, we need your help.
When you become a paid subscriber, you’re not just paying for writing—you’re helping us make something special. Your support goes directly towards creating thoughtful and well-researched stories, collaborations with dynamic writers and experts, covering production costs, and ensuring we can keep the lights on. Every dollar helps us tell stories that are frank, funny, and full of heart.
If you’ve ever guffawed, nodded in agreement, or felt a little less alone listening to Other Men Need Help or reading Other Men, consider becoming a paid subscriber. It’s how we stay independent and deliver the stories you love straight to your inbox.
We also know that times can be tough, and not everyone can swing it. If that’s you, drop us a line. No questions, no judgments—we’ll sort it out.
If you do have the means, consider gifting a subscription to a friend or donating one to someone who could use a little extra joy in their day.
Click below to subscribe, donate, or gift. Let’s keep this thing growing together 💌
In addition to those additional posts, subscribers will also receive access to discussions, events and fun extras to come.
For more access, become a paid subscribers at the low rate of $5 a month or $50 annually.
Paid subscriptions make my work, including research, reporting, interviewing, production, and my life (!) possible. I’m incredibly grateful for any and all support.
