BEING A MAN

BEING A MAN

AT THIS POINT IN YOUR LIFE,
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT…

Black and white image of mountain

WELCOME

Thanks for being here.

Being a Man, is an opportunity for men to reflect, share, step into their vulnerability and contribute to a larger conversation. It is the first project under the I Have Learned concept - a platform designed to ignite meaningful conversations around the human experience.

There is no right or wrong way to express yourself here. What matters is your voice, your experience, and your truth.

I’m asking men of all ages, sizes, backgrounds, locations, sexual orientation, gender identities and beliefs to submit a response to one simple yet powerful question:

“At this point in your life,
what have you learned about being a man?

Your submission is completely anonymous, and your words have the potential to become part of a future multi-platform project. By showing up, you’re helping to create a space where men can be heard, understood, and supported.

I appreciate your time and your willingness to share your voice. Thanks again for being here, It means more than you know.

Patrick James. Founder, I Have Learned.

  • To create an outlet where men from all walks of life can reflect on their personal lived experiences.

    I aim to crack open the seed of masculine expression, encourage vulnerability, and foster deeper understanding by asking one powerful question.

  • I am an independent, award-winning producer who has built a career creating impactful content that gives voice to underrepresented communities. My journey began as an actor and producer on ‘The Horizon’ series, which became one of the world’s most-watched YouTube LGBTQI+ dramas. I later produced the feature film ‘Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt)’, which made history as the first Australian film to open the Sydney Mardi Gras Film Festival and winning the 2021 Australian Academy Award for Best Indie Film. Most recently, I served as Executive Producer on ‘The Rooster’, a critically acclaimed film exploring themes of masculinity and male mental health, starring Phoenix Raei and Hugo Weaving, now streaming exclusively on Netflix, Australia. Alongside my creative work, I currently manage Modern Movement Yoga studios on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia where I completed my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. Looking ahead, I’m focused on using storytelling to heal and inspire. Through my latest project, I Have Learned, I aim to create a global platform for conversations on masculinity and other social issues whilst also curating in-person events.

  • Your voice can help amplify this important conversation.

    By paying it forward, you’re supporting the campaign in a powerful way—whether by sharing it with friends, family, or your wider community. Every share, conversation, or mention brings more men into this space of reflection and honesty, contributing to a broader understanding of masculinity today. Spread the word on social media, forward the campaign to those who might be called to participate, or simply talk about it in your circles. However you choose to share, your effort is part of creating change and helping others feel seen, heard, and supported.

    Thank you for your support.

Together, we can foster a deeper conversation about what it truly means to be a man in today’s world.

WHAT TO DO

TAKE A BREATH – Grab a seat and give yourself 30 minutes to just reflect. 

NO PRESSURE – This isn’t an essay. It’s your story. Whatever flows is perfect.

BE REAL – Don’t overthink it. Just let it out—no right or wrong answers here. You may be inspired to record your answer into a device and transcribe your answer into the space provided.

STAY ANONYMOUS – Your submission will be totally anonymous, so feel free to be as open as you want. 

SUBMIT ONLINE – Double-check your words, read our T&Cs, and send it in using the form below! Simple!

OR

STANDARD MAIL - If you prefer, you can submit your answers to the following address :

PO BOX 263, AVALON BEACH, NSW, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 2107

CORE VALUES

Being A Man is grounded
in these core values.

They guide everything I do, as I seek to explore and redefine what it means to be a man in today’s world

  • I believe that true strength lies in embracing vulnerability. By sharing our stories and reflections, we open ourselves to healing and growth.

  • Understanding and compassion are at the heart of my mission. I aim to foster a space where men can be heard without judgement and feel seen in their unique journeys.

  • I value the raw, unfiltered experiences of men from all walks of life. This project is about real voices and genuine expressions of masculinity.

  • Every man's story matters. I welcome men of all ages, backgrounds, beliefs, sexual orientation and experiences to contribute and be part of this collective reflection.

  • To soften the rigid perceptions of masculinity and encourage a path toward personal and collective healing.

  • Fostering a sense of belonging, encouraging men to come together and share their journeys in supportive, non-judgmental ways.

T’s & C’s

By participating in the “I Have Learned - Being a Man" project, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. Purpose of Submission - Your submission is being collected as part of the "Being a Man" project, initiated by fourthirtyeight Pty Ltd, with the aim of gathering anonymous reflections on masculinity. These reflections may be used in future creative projects, such as books, films, social media content, or any other media fourthirtyeight Pty Ltd produces in relation to this project. 

2. Anonymous Submission- All submissions will remain strictly anonymous. We will not collect any personal identifiers such as names or contact details, other than general demographic information (age, location). Your anonymity is guaranteed, and your submission will be handled with respect and confidentiality. 

3. Use of Submissions - By submitting your response, you grant fourthirtyeight Pty Ltd the perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive right to use, reproduce, adapt, publish, and distribute your submission in any format or medium, including but not limited to books, films, social media, podcasts, or documentaries, without any compensation. You agree that your submission may be edited for clarity, grammar, and coherence while maintaining the integrity of your original message. 

4. Ownership of Content - You acknowledge that your submission becomes the property of fourthirtyeight Pty Ltd upon submission. fourthirtyeight Pty Ltd reserves the right to use your submission, or parts thereof, for any lawful purpose related to the "Being a Man" project, without the requirement for further approval or notification. 

5. Acknowledgement of Participation - By submitting your content, you confirm that you have read and understood these terms and conditions, and that you voluntarily participate in the "Being a Man" project. You acknowledge that your submission reflects your own thoughts and experiences. 

6. No Compensation - You acknowledge that your participation in this project is voluntary and that there is no monetary compensation for your submission.

 7. Respectful Conduct - fourthirtyeight Pty Ltd reserves the right to reject any submissions that contain offensive, defamatory, or inappropriate content, at its sole discretion. Submissions that fail to adhere to respectful language may not be included in the final project. 

8. Changes to the Project - fourthirtyeight Pty Ltd reserves the right to change the scope of the "Being a Man" project at any time, including, but not limited to, how submissions are used or the timeline for publication. Any changes will be communicated through the official project website.

 9. Governing Law - These terms and conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New South Wales, Australia. By participating in the project, you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales. 

Contact - For any questions or clarifications regarding these terms and conditions, please contact: hello@ihavelearned.life