Social Media Addiction and the Crisis Facing Young Men w/ Peter Lear

Social media addiction sits at the center of a growing mental health crisis among young men. In this episode of the Men’s Therapy Podcast, host Marc Azoulay is joined by Peter Lear. He is a licensed clinical social worker and addiction counselor based in Boulder, Colorado. Lear has spent decades working with men and adolescents. His work navigates addiction, trauma, and identity development in an increasingly digital world.

Peter speaks from lived experience, not just theory. He grew up without stable male role models. Addiction surrounded him. He searched for guidance early on. Therapy introduced him to a man who was emotionally present. This man showed genuine curiosity. “I remember being 15 and thinking, what’s this guy’s angle? Why does he care what I think and feel?” Lear recalls.

That experience shaped his understanding of masculinity. It guides his work today with Gen Z men. Men who are deeply skeptical of authority, disconnected from real-world relationships, and heavily influenced by technology and social media.

Throughout the episode, Marc and Peter discuss key issues. Social media addiction, marijuana addiction, and lost mentorship converge. This creates a masculinity crisis. It starts in adolescence but lingers into adulthood as anxiety, disengagement, and lost purpose. 

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