Malachi Kirby On Toxic Masculinity: “The Pressure to Be 100% Masculine Is Destructive”

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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Josh Smith’s Great Chat Show (@joshsmithsgreatchatshow)

Brought you by Next Chapter Studios (@theNextChapterStudios)

Host: Josh Smith (@joshsmithhosts)

Creative Director: Carrie Rose

Senior Producer: Bella Neale

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