Malachi Kirby On Toxic Masculinity: “The Pressure to Be 100% Masculine Is Destructive”
Josh Smith's Great Chat ShowShow Notes
BAFTA-winning actor Malachi Kirby - known for Roots, Black Mirror, Small Axe, and now leading Disney+’s A Thousand Blows - sits down with Josh for an honest conversation about masculinity, identity, and ambition.
In this chat, Malachi reflects on being warned about the “glass ceiling” for Black actors - and why he chose not to live under it. From the freedom and unwavering belief instilled in him by his mother to rejecting the idea that your circumstances define your future, this is a conversation about refusing limitation.
He also dives into toxic masculinity, the pressure to be “100% masculine,” growing up as an introvert and lifelong observer, and why setting boundaries - in life and on set - might be the ultimate power move.
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00:00 Teaser Trailer
00:42 Podcast Intro
02:05 Malachi's Greatest Chat
02:58 The “glass ceiling” advice he chose to ignore
04:29 Why you shouldn’t internalise other people’s limitations
05:10 Dreaming big vs having vision
06:31 His mum’s belief changed everything
08:11 The introvert who never planned to be an actor
09:33 Finding a safe space in drama class
11:14 When acting became serious
11:31 Giving his BAFTA to his mum
14:25 Why being an introvert is a power
19:00 The moment he almost quit acting
21:06 Learning to set boundaries on set
24:19 What listening really teaches you
26:47 Toxic masculinity and redefining manhood
31:30 “No man is 100% masculine”
33:18 A Thousand Blows and daring to dream
37:17 Forgiveness, second chances and compassion
38:43 Why forgiving yourself matters
40:21 What we should be talking about more
43:10 Outro
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