Do you remember when Colt, the porn studio had swim briefs? This takes you back to 2015!! I remember this vividly, and even reached out to them to have them talk about the swim wear. I wish I would have scored that interview. But, we are on to bigger and better things.

Last week, I introduced the “Free the Bulge” campaign. This movement is here to help guys feel confident in themselves and what they wear. It’s not just a one-time thing; it’s ongoing. Some of you have asked what’s next, so I’ve outlined the different phases of the movement.

Community Participation 

I’m sharing my plans for “Free the Bulge” and what’s coming up. Some parts of the movement are already underway.

• Every Monday, I’ll post a “Free the Bulge” update to talk about the movement, what I’m working on, and what we hope you’ll join in too.
• We’ll host live shows on Riverside, where we can have real conversations and regular guys can call in to talk about different topics.
• Brief Tales will feature men sharing their stories to inspire others to feel confident in their favorite gear. You can share your story in writing or on the podcast.
• First Time Experiences: Share about the first time you wore a Speedo, tried spandex without shorts, or wore fun underwear to the gym, doctor, or anywhere else.
• Body Image and Acceptance: Guys can talk about their struggles and successes with how they see their bodies. It’s not always easy, but the more we share, the more we can normalize these experiences.

To make this work, I need your help! We need more guys to step up and share their stories. I already have a great group of regulars, but I hope many more of you will join in, be brave, and open up. If you’re thinking, “I don’t think I can share this,” remember how you feel when you hear someone else’s story and how it inspires you. Your story can do the same for others. Even if it feels ordinary or unremarkable, I promise it will inspire someone out there.

Books and more. 

I’ve wanted to write a book about underwear for a long time. It started as a photo book idea, then became a book about underwear from our perspective. After seeing how great the Thong book was, I thought we could do something similar for other styles or for underwear in general. Here are some ideas I’ve had:

• Underwear 101: The basics every guy should know about underwear.
• History of Men’s Underwear: How styles have changed over time and what they say about our culture.
• Collections of short essays: Personal stories from guys about body confidence, how underwear has changed their lives (yes, it happens), and more.

I’ve already announced it, but I’m writing a romance novel centered around underwear. There’s a lot of myself in the story. I don’t have a title yet, and progress is slow because of work and school, but I keep working on the outline and timeline. The story is more about what could have been than what actually happened. I also have two more romance book ideas in mind, and I’m outlining one of them now. I hope you’ll enjoy them.

Real Life Meet Ups

I’ve been planning meetups and trips for a while now. I want to start a travel club so we can go places together, feel safe in a group, and wear Speedos or thongs at the pool or beach, even if it’s not always the most welcoming environment. Here are some of my ideas: Atlanta, where I live

• Live Podcasting – At events and when we travel
• Domestic Trips – Planned trips to San Diego, Palm Springs, Vegas, Puerto Rico, Porta Viarta, Miami, and more 
• International Travel – Trips to attend Grip in London, Tight Storm in Austria, Australia (many things to mention), Tokyo, and more. 

Real-life meetups are essential for moving this forward. It can’t just be an online community. We need to spend time together and really get to know each other in person. Meeting face-to-face makes our connections much stronger. There are so many people I want to meet, and I know there are many I haven’t met yet.

A big goal would be an event that UNB could host and enjoy, similar to a public Magic convention. For those who don’t know, Magic is a trade show in Vegas where brands used to showcase their new collections. This would be tough to organize since we’d need brands and guys to join and have fun activities. It’s probably for a later phase, but I like the idea of a yearly event like this. It may not happen, but it’s fun to plan!

Want to share your story or get involved fill out the form below.

Documentaries 

I want to take the books a step further and create documentaries from our point of view. One idea I’ve had for a long time is a documentary about N2N Bodywear—their history, how the brand influenced the underwear and gear community, super fans sharing their thoughts, and models talking about working with N2N Bodywear. I have a full outline for this and have even talked to Andrew about doing it as a podcast. Why not take it to the next level?

Other documentary options include: 

• Brands – how they affected the community
• Body issues and how underwear/gear helped. 

This is a long-term journey, and I’ll need your support along the way. I hope you’ll share your stories and, if you can, help out financially. I plan to expand my Patreon to help cover these projects. Most of all, I’d love to hear your feedback and ideas. I don’t get much feedback now, but I know you’re up for it, and I’m excited to make more friends who love undies and gear.

Why This Campaign Exists

During an Instagram chat, I told a friend to “free the bulge.” He suggested launching it as a campaign and creating a logo. I took the challenge, expecting just a fun logo and post. But the more I thought about it, the more it felt integral to UNB. It’s about confidently wearing what you want, loving what you love, and having support. 

About 10 years ago, I tried the Swim Brief Challenge. It didn’t take off, partly due to my lack of promotion and the timing. Now, I’m looking for new creative ways to share what UNB is about. This campaign fits perfectly. It covers much of what we post and discuss. So, “Free the Bulge” was born. 

Before I dive in, answer these questions for yourself. 

When did we start hiding ourselves? In the 80s, Speedos were a regular sight—on beaches, on TV, and everywhere in between. Men wore them openly back then. 

What are we afraid of? When you talk to some guys, wearing bikinis to the gym, and having other guys see you sends them into a panic attack. Having anyone see them in something that isn’t “normal” is terrifying. 

Do we care more about what strangers think than what we think? Why do we put so much weight on what strangers think about what we are wearing and censor ourselves for others’ approval? 

What “Free the Bulge” Actually Means

By “Free the Bulge,” I don’t mean showing off in shock-value spandex or being an exhibitionist. It’s not sexual. It’s about removing shame from men showing their bodies and rejecting toxic masculinity. 

Let’s look at the gear I am talking about, Swim Briefs or “Speedos” are made for swimming. Guys use these to swim laps, compete, and win gold medals in Speedos (well, they used to in the Olympics). Compression gear like Under Armour is made for working out, playing sports, and training. Cycling kit is made for cycling and spin classes and serves a purpose. Lastly, spandex has a long history as a fabric for aerobics, dancing, sports gear, and more. 

What do all these things have in common? Guys wear them for the perspective activity without shame or worrying what others say about them. Seeing a guy standing on a starting block in googles, Speedo, and a swim cap, you don’t bat an eye. If you go to a college and see the football team in compression gear, it’s part of the game. Seeing a guy standing beside a bike in his cycling kit is just part of being a cyclist. And lastly, you see a guy in spandex dancing, it’s not something you go, “What is he wearing?” 

I want us to get to the point where we can go out, run errands in our tights, and no one even cares. Or we wear our Speedos to the local pool or beach, yank our shorts off, and just enjoy the day. Where we don’t give it a thought, and we can live our lives to the fullest. I know from my sexuality that having to hide who you are from everyone is tiring. It’s its own coming out process in a way, not as serious as sexuality, but I know plenty want to be open with their love. Some guys even hide it from the people closest to them, like family, friends, and even partners. 

The Confidence Ladder: Practical Ways to Start

How can we fix this? I’m not saying that we break out the swim briefs tomorrow and say “HERE I AM!” We have to advance in our own comfort zones. I have created some ways to help you ease into wearing what you love. 

Vacation Mode – Low Risk Environment 

If you go on vacation, even to another nearby city, pack the swim briefs and just wear them. You don’t know anyone there and will probably never see them again. Drop the shorts, lie out, and just enjoy the sun. 

In short

·    Pack Swim Brief

·    Travel to the destination – beach, cruise, or resort.

·    Put on swim briefs – maybe with a pair of shorts over.

·    Get to the beach or pool, remove shorts, and enjoy the sun! 

You may give another guy the confidence to break out the swim brief they packed. He wants to do the same thing, and seeing you wear it gives him permission to break his out! The more we do this, the more guys will join in. 

Why is this low stress

·    It’s freeing to be anonymous – you may remember this experience as a life-changing event, but most people won’t remember or recall you or that you wore a Speedo. 

·    Most People Don’t Care – In reality, most people don’t care, and if you listen to the Brief Talk Podcast, very few people have any negative experiences. It’s rare that someone comes out and says anything to you. 

·    You get a confidence boost – You may be nervous about dropping your shorts for the first time, but after a day in the sun, when you forget all about wearing swim briefs, it will give you even more confidence next time. This is real power, because all those ideas you had built up in your head were just anxiety and not reality. 

Friendly Territory – Normalize It

If you want to wear something and want to do it without worry, go somewhere friendly. A place where you know guys will be wearing the same things or, in many cases, a lot less. One great example is Hollywood Beach in Chicago, where Speedos and thongs are not only welcome but also encouraged. You know, going there, it’s part of the culture to wear smaller swimwear. In fact, in that situation, it’s perfectly normal, and I would dare to say that wearing boardshorts would get you the reaction you would expect wearing a Speedo to a family event. 

Other places to wear:

·    Speedos – LGBTQ+ beaches, Resort pools, Nude beaches, countries where they are accepted (Australia, parts of Europe, and more). 

·    Spandex – Cycling groups, spin classes, gyms (especially bodybuilding gyms), running groups, and other fitness activities. It’s about the activity, not the gear, so you can stop stressing about the gear and focus on other things. 

·    Underwear – wear something not so “classic” to the gym. Wear colored briefs in a bolder color like green, orange, or yellow instead of white, grey, black, or navy. Wear a bikini in a classic color, no one will notice the bikini because it’s one of those four colors. 

It’s about taking your mind off the anxiety and focusing on what you are doing. The more you do this, the less you will worry. This will give you confidence to get to the point where you are wearing exactly what you want without any hesitation or anxiety. 

Again, the more we make this normal and a part of life, the more guys will wear what they want because it’s scary to be the first person to break out of the mold. It’s natural to fit in and not rock the boat, but we need these “rule breakers” to give guys permission to be themselves. 

Safety in Numbers – Go With Friends

This one is not for everyone. If you are lucky enough to have friends who love the same thing you do, and even if they have been brave enough to wear what they want, it gives you the power to step out in numbers. If you see a group of guys in Speedos, you don’t worry about what others will say because very few will confront a group rather than an individual. 

You can also match gear, and make it a theme, and each of you breaks out something fun! Plus, this creates a shared experience where you can feed off each other’s confidence. If you or one of your friends starts to express doubt, the others can encourage them to stick with the plan and do it, because they are not alone. 

Imagine six guys going to the beach. They look like ordinary guys, in tees/tanks, shorts, and sunglasses. Then, all of a sudden, the shirts and shorts come off, and instead of feeling on full display, you have a great day with friends who all look like you. That is power right here; it’s almost like a brotherhood that bonds you. It will soon become something normal for all of you! 

Gym Strategy for Beginners

The gym can be scary for numerous reasons. As someone who wishes I had time to join a gym and get in better shape, it’s anxiety-inducing to me. Walking into a place where there are buff bods and everyone knows what they are doing, when I couldn’t tell you what most machines do in the gym. Add on the anxiety from wearing spandex, and it can be panic attack territory. 

When I was younger and in much better shape, I used to wear singlets and tees, spandex tights, thongs under my spandex, and more. I was bold as fuck back then. Now I’m not so confident in wearing those to the gym. I have issues with these things as well. But we both have a way to make this happen. 

·    Wear darker colors – if you are going to wear spandex, wear tights that are black, navy, or similar dark/classic colors. It won’t draw attention to the spandex, and probably most people won’t notice what you are wearing. 

·    As you get comfortable, add in a racing stripe or some color. I’m not saying rock the vintage ’90s Nike Tights, but just buy things you feel comfortable wearing and being seen in. You may never reach the point where you put on the neon striped tights, but if you do, rock it and own it. It’s about building that confidence over time. 

Addressing the Fear Directly

Let’s address it if the worst happens. If someone comments, complains, or even your own doubts get into your head. The last is normal, and I face it all the time. 

·    What does someone look like? People look at others; sometimes it’s just people watching, with no judgment intended. In fact, some may go, well, he looks great in those. We need to imagine the good comments as well. 

·    People are going to judge me – Most people just don’t care, and those who will judge you have their own insecurities that make them judgmental. So if they say something, just say thanks for your opinion  and move on; don’t let their opinion dampen your confidence. 

·    I don’t have the perfect body – Let’s be frank, guys, even if they are fitness models or bodybuilders, they have issues with their bodies as well. I know very few people who are happy with their bodies; we always point out the flaws that no one else sees. I am totally guilty of this all the time. We need to be kinder to ourselves, myself included. 

The Bigger Theme: Masculinity & Shame

Let’s take on the big topic here: masculinity and shame. Why is it that we, as men, are taught to hide ourselves and not feel like sexual beings? Women can be objectified and wear sexy clothes, but men are supposed to be stoic and not wear anything that makes them stand out. I love it when I feel sexy in what I am wearing, and it makes me so confident. 

One thing I’m constantly tired of hearing in our society today is “A real man wouldn’t…” To that, I say a real man would do whatever the fuck he wants. He doesn’t care what you think about him, his sexuality, or his masculinity. He’s comfortable in who he is. Instead of policing me for not being manly enough, we need to encourage men to be their authentic selves. 

Lastly, there is the clothing double standard. When you go to Miami and see all the women in thongs, no one bats an eye; in fact, it’s encouraged that they wear as little as possible. But when a man wears a similar cut, he’s being vulgar, a show off, and feminine. Clothes do not define sexuality, masculinity, or femininity. It’s just fabric, and it’s up to the person wearing it to define what it means for them. 

Breaking this down further, there are things gay and straight men face that are different. On the gay side, we have the “we need the perfect body.” That is, we must have abs, pecs, and perfect everything. And the toxic masculinity comes into play here as well. The whole “masc4masc” and no femms come to mind. If you know, you know. We still face these issues that have plagued the community for years. I think gay men can have some of the most toxic masculinity ideals of any other group. 

As for straight men, they face a challenge that, because they are wearing something “not masculine,” their sexuality should be questioned. As if wearing sexy undies or tight spandex will turn one gay. And this is their way of coming out, when in fact it’s their way to express what they like and enjoy. It’s frustrating that guys have to go through either of these situations. It’s time we set our own rules and not follow stifling rules imposed by others. 

FREE THE BULGE 

This summer, Free the Bulge. Wear that brief to the gym you’ve been putting off. Skip putting those shorts over your spandex; wear that Speedo/thong you have been dying to wear. It is just taking up space for that “one day” you will wear it. Make today the day you wear it. Lastly, showing up in any of these is showing up as yourself. It shows the world that you enjoy your choices and are confident in them. 

I would love to hear your experiences with taking that first step to wear what you love! It could have happened 20 years ago or 20 minutes ago. There is no shame in when it happened; all that matters is that it happened. Or if you haven’t done it, share with me why you haven’t. I am here to listen and encourage you to take that next step. I won’t judge you or make you feel less than because you didn’t do it yet; the time wasn’t right for you. Let’s find that right time and make it happen. 

Depending on the feedback, I may include this in the podcast. I think these stories are some of the most empowering we have to tell. Even admitting you’re anxious about doing it is power. Let’s build an amazing, supportive community. Here’s what we can do to make that happen: 

·    Support – when someone does something for the first time, congratulations are in order. Also post postiive comments on social media for guys taking risks and pushing the envelope.

·    Share – Share your own story. I don’t think we open up about our insecurities and anxiety often enough. Let’s get rid of the shame and let people in the future not think about this, and just do it. 

·    Lead by Example – if you already have the courage, lead by example and show yourself in situations that others may find difficult. Like the only guy in a speedo on eeh beach. Wearing bold colored tights to the gym, or that hot lace thong under your business suit. Confidence is contagious and will spread. 

Let me know your thoughts, and let’s keep building this community bigger and better. 

We take you back to February 2022 with this amazing pic from Modus Vivendi. They have such amazing pictures and always deliver. I hope we see a lot more of them in the coming year.

I’ve been saying this for years, and I’m going to say it again — we need our own social network. Not another Instagram account waiting to be flagged. Not another TikTok video shadowbanned. Not another friend waking up to find his entire account erased because an algorithm decided his swim brief crossed an invisible line. If you’ve been part of this community for any length of time, you’ve seen the pattern. You invest time. You build connections. You grow an audience. And then suddenly, without warning, it can all disappear.

This isn’t about one post or one account. It’s about long-term instability. It’s about realizing that the platforms we depend on don’t actually understand our culture — and increasingly don’t seem interested in protecting it.

The Reality We’re Facing on Instagram

Instagram has become unpredictable at best and quietly hostile at worst when it comes to men’s underwear and swimwear content. Posts are removed under broad “Community Guidelines” that are open to interpretation. Appeals often feel like they vanish into the void. Enforcement is inconsistent — one person’s beach photo remains untouched while another’s nearly identical image is flagged or removed. There is no transparency in how these decisions are made, and no meaningful explanation when they are enforced.

The double standard is impossible to ignore. Women in bikinis are positioned as aspirational, lifestyle, fitness, or fashion content. Men in swim briefs are treated as inherently provocative. The garment is similar. The setting is similar. The intent is often identical. But masculinity is judged differently. And when masculinity falls outside a narrow cultural comfort zone, the content becomes suspect.

Over time, that wears on a community. It creates hesitation. It creates fear of posting. It forces self-censorship. And it makes it clear that we are tolerated — not embraced.

TikTok and the Policing of Male Expression

If Instagram feels inconsistent, TikTok feels even stricter. The platform’s moderation approach toward male bodies in minimal clothing leaves very little room for nuance. Content that is clearly fashion-driven, fitness-oriented, artistic, or simply beach lifestyle gets flagged simply because a man is wearing a brief, thong, or tight spandex.

It doesn’t matter that the content is:

• Editorial
• Athletic
• Body-positive
• Creative
• Completely non-sexual

The clothing alone becomes the issue. And that tells you something deeper is at play.

There is still an underlying cultural discomfort with men who embrace swim briefs, bikinis, jockstraps, spandex, crop tops, or anything outside the “approved” masculine uniform. There is an unspoken narrative that real men don’t wear those things. So when we do, our expression is treated as inherently sexual or inappropriate. That bias is subtle, but it is real. And it shows up in enforcement patterns across platforms.

Discord and the Illusion of Stability

For a while, many of us saw Discord as a solution — a space with more control and less algorithmic interference. But even there, changes around age verification and adult content classification have introduced new layers of friction. Stricter compliance measures, identity verification requirements in some regions, and increased scrutiny of servers labeled adult or NSFW mean that we are still operating within someone else’s framework.

Discord isn’t designed specifically for underwear culture. It serves a broad ecosystem of communities. If its policies shift again, we remain vulnerable. Once again, we are building on infrastructure we do not control, governed by standards that can change without our input.

We’re Building on Rented Land

The larger issue is that the entire social ecosystem feels unstable. Algorithms change overnight. Enforcement standards shift quietly. Platforms prioritize advertiser comfort over niche communities. Accounts disappear with little recourse. Years of work can vanish with a single automated decision.

We are building our homes on rented land. And the landlord keeps changing the rules.

Every time someone loses an account, we rally. We get frustrated. We talk about unfairness. And then we go right back to rebuilding in the same system that removed us. At some point, we have to question whether that cycle makes sense.

This Won’t Happen by Complaining

Here’s the hard truth. Frustration alone will not create stability. Anger at platforms will not build independence. Sharing screenshots of deleted posts won’t protect the next account.

If we want something different, we have to build something different.

That means stepping beyond conversation and into action. It means understanding that community isn’t just about consuming content — it’s about ownership and responsibility. It means realizing that independence requires participation.

For this to happen, we need:

• Guys who commit to joining a new platform
• Volunteers willing to help moderate
• Developers who can help build and maintain infrastructure
• Financial backing from the community
• Long-term dedication, not short-term excitement

If we continue to rely entirely on outside platforms, we are accepting their rules as permanent. Complaining about those rules without building an alternative keeps us exactly where we are.

What Building Our Own Network Really Means

When I talk about creating our own social network, I’m not talking about chaos or an anything-goes environment. I’m talking about a focused, community-driven platform designed by people who understand underwear culture — the nuance, the context, the difference between expression and exploitation.

Imagine a space with clear, common-sense standards and transparent moderation. A place where posting a white brief doesn’t automatically trigger suspicion. A place where swim briefs, jocks, spandex, vintage gear, art, and brand content each have dedicated spaces. A platform where context matters and expression isn’t automatically sexualized.

Building that kind of space would require:

• Clear and transparent community guidelines
• Moderation by people who understand the culture
• Structured categories for different interests
• Sustainable hosting and technical infrastructure
• Financial support to keep it independent

This isn’t about replacing Instagram overnight. It’s about creating stability. It’s about having a home base that doesn’t disappear when an algorithm changes. It’s about building something that protects the culture instead of constantly negotiating for permission to exist within it.

Underwear Culture Deserves Stability

Underwear culture has always been about more than fabric. It’s about confidence. It’s about body positivity. It’s about masculinity on our own terms. It’s about art, history, connection, and community. For many of us, it was the first place we felt seen and understood.

That deserves stability. It deserves a home that doesn’t vanish with a policy update.

I’ve been talking about this for years because I believe in this community. I believe we deserve clarity instead of ambiguity. I believe we deserve consistency instead of fear. And I believe we deserve a platform that understands us instead of tolerating us.

If we truly see this as a community — and I do — then it’s time to stop waiting for permission.

Not after the next account disappears.

Not after the next algorithm shift.

Now.

Because we shouldn’t have to beg for space.

We should own it.

Want to support UNB and the Brief Talk podcast? Besides our Patreon, we also have merch you can wear at home, out with friends, or even to the beach. Just head to our official site and check out the merch section. You’ll find “Thong Slut” hats, art prints, T-shirts, mousepads, and more.

Thonger Hats

Thong Slut hats are a favorite, featuring bold embroidered designs. You can choose from Proud Thonger and Thong Slut hats. The embroidery makes them more durable and stylish. Check out the Thong Slut 2.0 Hat, which has a bright pink graphic on black, pink, or blue. We also have classic hats without embroidery.

Tees and Hoodies

Our updated tees and hoodies feature both classic and new designs. We have unique shirts for each podcast, along with the Thong Slut 2.0 tee and hoodie. We’re also planning to add more tank tops soon.

Mousepads and Mugs

Our mousepads feature high-quality prints, including a Vegas scene, and have been tested for durability for over a year. There are designs for podcast fans, thonger fans, white brief fans, and jock lovers. We also offer high-quality mugs.

Matt, a recent guest from Canada, asked for a custom mug with all three show logos. That mug is now available. If enough people are interested, we may add more mugs with individual logos and a thong slut mug in the future.

When you wear or use our merch, you directly support the podcast and blog and get unique, everyday gear. If you have any questions, I’m here to help. New art prints are coming soon, including the Locker Room Series, Hockey Series, and more. Stay tuned!. Shop at the UNB Store under UNB Gear