An online masterclass with Maggie Dent & The Man Cave CEO Ben Vasiliou
Join us live Wednesday, 23rd September from 1pm (Sydney time) ...watch the replay in your own time.
FOR PARENTS & EDUCATORS OF TEEN & TWEEN BOYS
The digital world did not invent the idea that boys and men must be strong, successful, dominant, in control and emotionally tough. However, it has certainly amplified it, especially for young men.
We only need look at the statistics around boys’ literacy, school readiness, behaviour, loneliness, men’s mental health, suicide and male violence to see the cost of these rigid, persistent stereotypes.
So, what do today’s boys really need from us, to move beyond these narrow ideas of boyhood so they can one day grow into healthy, happy, respectful, accountable, whole-hearted and connected men?
In this masterclass, Maggie Dent is joined by another ‘boy champion’, CEO of The Man Cave Ben Vasiliou, who has his ear to the ground when it comes to our boys and young men, having worked with more than 110,000 Aussie lads.
In his new book, Better Man: Reclaiming masculinity for good, Ben carves a new path for guiding our boys and men to make meaningful changes so they can become the best versions of themselves.
In this lunchtime session, Maggie and Ben will explore:
◆︎ Why the OECD has said there is a ‘boy crisis’ and what it means.
◆︎ The real voices of our tween and teen boys — what Ben’s hearing from boys about their main concerns, and how adults can help build optimism and positivity.
◆︎ The 'man box' — are these traditional social norms persisting or shifting for the today’s adolescents?
◆︎ Why so many boys are struggling with gambling challenges.
◆︎ What messages boys are hearing about being a man and how this might be contributing to the increased teen boy loneliness and social isolation.
◆︎ Why boys create masks on the bridge to adulthood and what role they play.
◆︎ The root causes of disruptive behaviour, especially in terms of boys’ sense of self or self-worth, and around fear of failure.
◆︎ Why boys tend to struggle in silence (especially when they’re really struggling) and how we can change their perspective on help-seeking behaviours.
◆︎ Preparing and guiding boys for their emerging sexual awakening in healthy ways.
◆︎ Ben’s three foundations for a healthy identity that give a boy permission to “feel deeply, think critically and act responsibly”.
Join us and become part of shifting what's possible for our boys...
Join us live from 1pm-2.15pm approx (Sydney time) on Wednesday, 23rd September
… or watch the replay on your device whenever suits you.
The live session will include a short Q&A near the end of the class. A video recording will be available for anyone who cannot join us live. An audio-only version will also be available for those who prefer to listen on-the-go.
Once you sign up you will receive lifetime access to the participant area where you'll find the special link to join the webinar via Zoom, plus the video and audio replays and additional resources.
Supporting Resources
As a handy reference, you'll also receive a PDF handout with notes and links to further information and some bonus free resources and discounts.
Upcoming conversations about healthy manhood
This session is the second in five conversations Maggie has planned for the second half of 2026, each bringing together experts to help parents and educators better understand and guide the boys in their lives towards a healthy manhood.
Our first guest was educator and advocate Daniel Principe, and coming up are developmental paediatrician, podcaster and author Dr Billy Garvey, teacher and the face behind ‘Coaching with Tim’ Tim French, and Rites of Passage specialist and 2025 Australian Father of the Year Dr Arne Rubinstein.
Sign up to Maggie’s newsletter to be the first to hear about each masterclass as we announce it.
Your Hosts
Maggie Dent
Maggie Dent is a much-loved and trusted voice for parents, families and educators across Australia and beyond. A former teacher and counsellor, she is especially passionate about early childhood, adolescence and building resilience, and is well-known as a fierce advocate for boys.
A bestselling parenting author, Maggie has written 11 books, including Mothering Our Boys, From Boys to Men, Girlhood and Help Me Help My Teen. Maggie hosts The Good Enough Dad podcast and led six seasons of the acclaimed ABC podcast, Parental As Anything. In 2025, she brought her wisdom to television in the ABC series The Role of a Lifetime.
Maggie’s latest book, co-authored with Kirra Pendergast, is DIGITAL FREEDOM: A guide to less screen time for safer, happier and healthier families (published August 2026).
A mother of four sons and a grateful grandmother, Maggie continues to support calmer, more connected childhoods.
Ben Vasiliou
Ben Vasiliou is a social entrepreneur and the CEO of The Man Cave, Australia’s leading preventative mental health charity for teenage boys and their communities.
Ben is a recently published author (Better Man: Reclaiming masculinity for good), a champion of social justice, is passionate about helping young boys become great men, and has an insatiable appetite to change the world. He is the Chair-elect of Amplify Alliance Australia, a leading peak body for Non Profits across Australia and is a Justice of the Peace.
Ben started his career as a Youth Worker grounded in lived experience and went on to graduate from the Executive Education in Social Entrepreneurship Program at Stanford University. Most importantly, he is a devoted father of two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are you only focusing on boys in this class?
I am very aware that girls are also struggling in today’s digital world, and that we still have a long way to go in terms of gender equality in many areas. These boys’ masterclasses are offered at a time when there is significant concern and confusion about adolescent boys, and I know many parents and educators are seeking guidance and support.
I believe that conversations about healthy manhood also benefit girls and wider society. If you are looking for my girls’ masterclasses, please check out my other classes Raising Mighty Girls (with Steve Biddulph) and Understanding Our Gorgeous, Confused Girls (with Michelle Mitchell). – Maggie
When can I access the webinar?
How does lifetime access sound? You can access the replay, bonus content and resource list for as long as you like–across any and all devices you own. Just come back to this website and login!
What if I am unhappy with the masterclass?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.
I already signed up but can't find the participant area!
If you have already signed up, login to the participant area here to access your content. You can also use the Login link in the website menu where you will find your webinar under the menu link 'My Content' - available once logged in.
Can you provide me with a certificate of completion?
Yes. You will unlock the course certificate once you have marked all lectures as complete. The certificate will appear on the screen once you have completed the final content. Click the Download button underneath the certificate to save the certificate to your device.
How can I get the 25% Members Discount?
If you are a part of Maggie's Membership Community, don't forget you can get 25% off this webinar using the discount code on the Members' Dashboard. And if you're not a member, you can signup anytime (and cancel whenever you like) at maggiedent.com/membership
You'll receive...
✅ Links to join us live and submit your questions
✅ Lifetime access the video and audio replays to watch in your own time
✅ Handout linking to the presenters' key resources on this topic & some freebies
Prices displayed in Australian Dollars
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